Alma 7:11-13

Jesus Christ experienced our pains and overcame sin and death.

Alma 7:11-13

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities.

13 Now the Spirit ^aknoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the ^bflesh that he might ^ctake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

Doctrinal Mastery Core Document: The Atonement of Jesus Christ

3.1. Jesus Christ was foreordained in the premortal council to be our Savior and Redeemer. He came to earth and willingly suffered and died to redeem all mankind from the negative effects of the Fall and to pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus Christ’s triumph over spiritual and physical death by His suffering, death, and Resurrection is called the Atonement. His sacrifice benefits each of us and demonstrates the infinite worth of each and every one of Heavenly Father’s children (see D&C 18:10–11).

3.2. It is only through Jesus Christ that we can be saved because He was the only one capable of making an infinite and eternal Atonement for all mankind (see Alma 34:9–10). Only He had the power to overcome physical death. From His mortal mother, Mary, He inherited the ability to die. From God, His immortal Father, He inherited the power to live forever or to lay down His life and to take it up again. He alone could redeem us from our sins. Because He lived a perfect, sinless life, He was free from the demands of justice and could pay the debt for those who repent.

3.3. The Atonement of Jesus Christ included His suffering for the sins of mankind in the Garden of Gethsemane, the shedding of His blood, His suffering and death on the cross, and His literal Resurrection. He was the first to be resurrected. He rose from the tomb with a glorified, immortal body of flesh and bone (see Luke 24:36–39). Because of His Atonement all mankind will be resurrected with perfect, immortal bodies and be brought back into God’s presence to be judged. Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice provided the only way for us to be cleansed and forgiven of our sins so that we can dwell in God’s presence eternally (see Isaiah 1:18; D&C 19:16–19).

3.4. As part of His Atonement, Jesus Christ not only suffered for our sins, but He also took upon Himself the pains, temptations, sicknesses, and infirmities of all mankind (see Isaiah 53:3–5; Alma 7:11–13). He understands our suffering because He has experienced it. As we come to Him in faith, the Savior will strengthen us to bear our burdens and accomplish tasks that we could not do on our own (see Matthew 11:28–30; Ether 12:27).

3.5. In paying the penalty for our sins, Jesus Christ did not eliminate our personal responsibility. In order to accept His sacrifice, be cleansed from our sins, and inherit eternal life, we must exercise faith in Him, repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure faithfully to the end of our lives.

Related references: John 3:5; 1 Corinthians 15:20–22; Mosiah 3:19; 3 Nephi 11:10–11; 3 Nephi 27:20; D&C 76:22–24

Related topics: The Godhead: Jesus Christ; The Plan of Salvation: The Fall; Ordinances and Covenants

Doctrinal Mastery Manual

Read Alma 7:11–13 and look for words or phrases that indicate what Jesus Christ experienced during His Atonement.

These words and phrases encompass every kind of pain, difficulty, or challenge we will ever experience during our lives.

• Why is it important to know that Jesus Christ perfectly understands everything that we experience in life?

Alma 7:12 teaches that one of the reasons the Savior suffered was so that He would know “how to succor his people according to their infirmities.” Read the following statements by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Ask the class to listen for the meaning of the word succor:

“Succor. Do you know its meaning? It is used often in the scriptures to describe Christ’s care for and attention to us. It means literally ‘to run to.’ What an absolutely magnificent way to describe the Savior’s urgent effort in our behalf. Even as he calls us to come to him and follow him, he is unfailingly running to help us” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Come unto Me” [Brigham Young University fireside, March 2, 1997)], 9, speeches.byu.edu).

“To succor means to ‘run to.’ I testify that in my fears and in my infirmities the Savior has surely run to me. I will never be able to thank Him enough for such personal kindness and such loving care” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “He Hath Filled the Hungry with Good Things,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 66).

Think of times when you have experienced the Savior’s help and care.  

Student Manual

While Alma 7:11–13 is a long scripture mastery passage, it contains specific words that can help you remember the extent and power of the Atonement throughout your life. To help you memorize these key words, rewrite Alma 7:11–13 on a separate sheet of paper, leaving out the words found in the chart earlier in this lesson. Read through your written version of this scripture until you can fill in the missing words without looking at your scriptures. You may want to review these verses over the next few days to help you remember what the Savior can do for you and others throughout your life. Test your scripture mastery of Alma 7:11–13 by reciting it aloud to yourself or to a family member or friend or by writing it in your scripture study journal.

Teacher Manual

Read the following statement by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Look for what we can do when we are experiencing a difficult problem or situation.

“Are you battling a demon of addiction—tobacco or drugs or gambling, or the pernicious contemporary plague of pornography? … Are you confused with gender identity or searching for self-esteem? Do you—or someone you love—face disease or depression or death? Whatever other steps you may need to take to resolve these concerns, come first to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Trust in heaven’s promises. …

“This reliance upon the merciful nature of God is at the very center of the gospel Christ taught. I testify that the Savior’s Atonement lifts from us not only the burden of our sins but also the burden of our disappointments and sorrows, our heartaches and our despair. [See Alma 7:11–12.]” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Broken Things to Mend,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2006, 70–71).

• Based on Elder Holland’s words, what can we do when we are experiencing a difficult problem or situation?
• What do you think it means to “come first to the gospel of Jesus Christ”? Why do you think it is important for us to do this?

Book of Mormon Central

What Did Alma Reveal About the Savior's Mission?

General Conference

The Atonement Covers All Pains, Elder Richards of the Seventy

Strengthened By the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Pres. Oaks

The Atonement Can Clean, Reclaim, and Sanctify Our Lives, Elder Bowen of the Seventy

Mosiah 18:8-10

Through baptism we enter a covenant with God.

Mosiah 18:8-10

8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are ^adesirous to come into the ^bfold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

9 Yea, and are ^awilling to mourn with those that ^bmourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as ^cwitnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the ^dfirst resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being ^abaptized in the ^bname of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a ^ccovenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

Doctrinal Mastery Core Document:  Ordinances and Covenants

7.7. A covenant is a sacred agreement between God and man. God gives the conditions for the covenant, and we agree to do what He asks us to do; God then promises us certain blessings for our obedience (see Exodus 19:5–6; D&C 82:10). If we do not abide by our covenants, then we will not receive the promised blessings.

7.8. All of the saving ordinances of the priesthood are accompanied by covenants. For example, we covenant with the Lord through baptism (see Mosiah 18:8–10). Men who receive the Melchizedek Priesthood enter into the oath and covenant of the priesthood. We renew covenants we have made by partaking of the sacrament.

7.9. We make further covenants as we receive the saving ordinances of the endowment and the marriage sealing in the temple. We prepare to participate in ordinances and make covenants in the temple by living the standards of worthiness the Lord has set (see Psalm 24:3–4). It is vital that we are worthy to enter the temple because the temple is literally the house of the Lord. It is the most holy of any place of worship on earth.

Doctrinal Mastery Manual

Alma was hiding from the servants of wicked King Noah because he had chosen to repent and follow the Lord after listening to the teachings of the prophet Abinadi. In time, many people came to the Waters of Mormon, near Alma’s hiding place, to hear him teach and to be baptized.

Read Mosiah 18:8–10 and look for what Alma taught about the covenant we make when we receive the ordinance of baptism.

• According to this passage, what do we covenant, or promise to do, when we are baptized?

Mosiah 18:8–10 provides an example of the doctrine that all of the saving ordinances of the priesthood are accompanied by covenants.

• Why do you think it is important to know that whenever we receive a saving ordinance we also enter into a covenant with the Lord?

Reread Mosiah 18:8–10 and look for what the Lord promises us as we make and keep the covenant of baptism.

• According to verses 9–10, what does the Lord promise us as we make and keep the covenant of baptism?

Read the following statement and look for how the ordinance of the sacrament can help us receive the blessings we are promised in the covenant of baptism.

“Partaking of the sacrament is a witness to God that the remembrance of His Son will extend beyond the short time of that sacred ordinance. Part of this ordinance is a promise to remember Him always and a witness of individual willingness to take upon oneself the name of Jesus Christ and to keep His commandments. In partaking of the sacrament and making these commitments, Church members renew the covenant they made at baptism (see Mosiah 18:8–10; D&C 20:37).

“In return, the Lord renews the promised remission of sin and enables Church members to ‘always have his Spirit to be with them’ (D&C 20:77). The Spirit’s constant companionship is one of the greatest gifts of mortality” (Gospel Topics, “Sacrament,” lds.org/topics).

• What effect can worthily partaking of the sacrament each week have on you?
• In what ways can having the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost bless you?
• How does understanding the blessings we can receive through the sacrament increase your appreciation for this ordinance?

Student Manual

How often do you think about the covenants you made at baptism and renew when you partake of the sacrament? How often should you think about them? When do you usually take time to think about these covenants?

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught the importance of keeping our covenants with the Lord: “The Latter-day Saints are a covenant people. From the day of baptism through the spiritual milestones of our lives, we make promises with God and He makes promises with us. He always keeps His promises offered through His authorized servants, but it is the crucial test of our lives to see if we will make and keep our covenants with Him” (”Witnesses for God,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 30).

What is one thing you will do to better keep the covenants you made at baptism? How will you keep this commitment?

Teacher Manual

To help you understand what you can do to keep the baptismal covenant, and to help you appreciate the blessings you will receive as a result, copy the following chart in your journal. Fill in the rest of the chart as you study Mosiah 18:8–11.

I am willing to …	God promises …

One way we serve God is by serving His children (see Mosiah 2:17). 

• What do you think it means to “mourn with those that mourn” and “comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (verse 9)?
• What are some ways we can “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (verse 9)? Whom do you know who is a good example of doing this?
• When have you chosen to stand as a witness of God? How did your actions affect those around you?

• How would you summarize the blessings we receive by making and keeping the covenant of baptism? 

Book of Mormon Central

Why Did the Nephites Practice Baptism?

General Conference

The Comforter, Pres. Eyring

The Covenant of Baptism, Elder Hales

Covenants, Pres. Nelson

Mosiah 4:9

Believe in God and that He has all wisdom.

Mosiah 4:9

9 Believe in ^aGod; believe that he is, and that he ^bcreated all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all ^cwisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not ^dcomprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

Doctrinal Mastery Core Document--Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge: God is the Source of All Truth

1. God knows all things and is the source of all truth (see Mosiah 4:9). Because our Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to progress toward becoming like Him, He has encouraged us to “seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118). In our search for truth, we can trust Him completely, relying on His wisdom, His love, and His power to teach and bless us. God has promised to reveal truth to our minds and hearts through the Holy Ghost if we will diligently seek Him (see D&C 8:2–3).

2. To help us, Heavenly Father has taught us how to acquire spiritual knowledge. He has established the conditions we must follow in order to gain such knowledge. God’s divinely ordained pattern requires that we have an honest desire to know the truth (see Moroni 10:4–5) and are willing to live according to that which He has revealed (see John 7:17). Our sincere desire will lead us to seek truth through prayer (see James 1:5–6; 2 Nephi 32:8–9) and to diligently study the word of God (see 2 Timothy 3:15–17; 2 Nephi 32:3).

Doctrinal Mastery Manual

Read Mosiah 4:9 and look for how this verse helps us understand why we should look to God as we search for truth.

• What words or phrases in this verse help us understand why we should look to God as we search for truth?
• What experiences have helped you know that God knows all things and is the source of all truth? 

Book of Mormon Central

How Did King Benjamin Teach His People to Trust God More?

General Conference

"Come Unto Christ", Pres. Benson

President Nelson