Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr.: Redemption
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"There are various names by which reference is made to the Lord Jesus Christ," Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr. of the Seventy said in his Saturday afternoon conference address. "These names give us insight into different aspects of the Lord's atoning mission."
In speaking of the name "Savior," he said, "We all have a sense of what it means to be saved, because each of us has been saved, at some time, from something." He told of how is father saved him and his sister from drowning in a river.
Elder Curtis cited the title of "Redeemer." "'To redeem' means to buy, or to buy back. As a legal matter, property is redeemed by paying off the mortgages or other liens on it. … A prominent scriptural use of the word concerns the delivery of the children of Israel our of their bondage in Egypt."
Elder Curtis pointed out that the theme of Jehovah redeeming the people of Israel from bondage is repeated to remind the people of the Lord's goodness but also to teach them "that there would be another, more important, redemption for Israel."
Quoting 2 Nephi 2:26, Psalm 49:15 and Isaiah 44:22, Elder Curtis said, "The redemption referred to in these three scriptures, of course, is the atonement of Jesus Christ. This is the 'plenteous redemption' provided by our loving God (Psalm 130:7). Unlike the redemptions under the Law of Moses or in modern legal arrangements, this redemption does not come by 'corruptible things, as silver or gold'" (1 Peter 1:18).
The effects of redemption, he explained, include the overcoming of physical death and the victory over spiritual death. "Through His suffering and death, Christ paid for the sins of all mankind on condition of individual repentance.
"Thus, if we repent, we can be forgiven of our sins, the price having been paid by our Redeemer. This is good news for all of us, 'for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God' (Romans 2:23). Those who have strayed significantly from the paths of righteousness desperately need this redemption, and if they fully repent, it is theirs to claim. But those who have worked hard to live good lives also desperately need this redemption, for none can get to the presence of the Father without Christ's help. …"
Elder Curtis concluded by saying, "Although we can never repay the Savior what He paid on our behalf, the plan of redemption calls for our best efforts to fully repent and do the will of God."
