Free Forever Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ

2 Nephi 2:26 - "And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland - “Because this doctrine [of the Fall] is so basic to the plan of salvation and also because it is so susceptible to misunderstanding, we must note that these references to ‘natural’ evil emphatically do not mean that men and women are ‘inherently’ evil. There is a crucial difference. As spirit sons and daughters of God, all mortal men and women are divine in origin and divine in their potential destiny…But it is also true that as a result of the Fall they are now in a ‘natural’ (fallen) world where the devil 'taketh away light’ and where some elements of nature—including temporal human nature—need discipline, restraint, and refinement.”

Elder James E. Talmage - Without the Atonement, there could be no freedom: "We proclaim the atonement wrought by Jesus Christ...is to all people; it is the message of deliverance from sin and its sorrow, the decree of liberty, the charter of freedom."

President Brigham Young - "The difference between the righteous and the sinner, eternal life or death, happiness or misery, is this, to those who are exalted there are no bounds or limits to their privileges” Discourses of Brigham Young

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Transcript

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Welcome to Seek This Jesus, a daily podcast dedicated to drawing closer to the Savior through the powerful truths found in the Book of Mormon. Each episode, we focus on one verse that helps us walk more faithfully in his footsteps. Lehi's teachings in 2 Nephi 2 continue to unfold the profound connection between the fall, the atonement, and our eternal freedom. In verse 26, Lehi brings these doctrines together by declaring that redemption through Jesus Christ does not merely restore what was lost, but establishes a permanent condition of freedom for all mankind. Second Nephi two twenty six declares And the Messiah cometh in the fullness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall, and because that they are redeemed from the fall, they have become free forever, knowing good from evil, to act for themselves and not to be acted upon. Save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given. As we study this verse today along with teachings from latter day prophets and apostles, we will consider what it means to be free forever through the atonement of Jesus Christ, and how that freedom is meant to shape our lives and eternal destiny in him. Welcome to part two of Second Nephi two twenty six. Lehi's declaration that mankind has become free forever rests entirely on the redeeming mission of Jesus Christ. Without the atonement, freedom in any eternal sense would not exist. The fall alone would have left humanity with no meaningful choice between outcomes. Physical death and spiritual separation would have closed off every upward path. Jacob described this grim reality when he taught that without Christ, our flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more, our spirits must become subject to the devil to rise no more. That condition would have compelled all mankind into a single, unavoidable destiny. There would have been no real agency, no lasting choice, and no escape from death and hell. But Jacob rejoiced that God prepared a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster, yea that monster death and hell, because of the way of the deliverance of our God. The grave and hell would both be required to release their captives. The atonement transforms the fall from a permanent trap into a temporary condition, restoring real alternatives and meaningful outcomes. Freedom therefore is not simply a feature of mortality, it is a gift purchased at infinite cost. Every person who lives on earth benefits from Christ's victory over death and sin. All are restored to a state where choice is real, consequences matter, and eternal destinations differ according to how freedom is used. Lehi defines freedom as the ability to act for themselves and not to be acted upon. This definition acknowledges the reality of a fallen world while affirming our divine potential within it. The fall placed humanity in a mortal environment where weakness, temptation, and opposition exist. Yet the atonement ensures that these conditions do not erase agency. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland clarified this balance when he taught Because this doctrine of the fall is so basic to the plan of salvation, and also because it is so susceptible to misunderstanding, we must note that these references to natural evil emphatically do not mean that men and women are inherently evil. There is a crucial difference of spirit, sons and daughters of God, all mortal men and women are divine in origin and divine in their potential destiny. But it is also true that as a result of the fall, they are now in a natural, fallen world where the devil taketh away light, and where some elements of nature, including temporal human nature, need discipline, restraint, and refinement. Freedom in Christ does not remove opposition. It empowers us to meet it. We are free to choose our actions, but not free to avoid the consequences that follow. This reality gives weight to every decision. Consequences may be delayed, but they are never cancelled. The law still operates, but it does so in a redeemed framework where penance, growth, and progression remain possible. To act for ourselves means we are not merely reacting to temptation or circumstance. Through Christ we are capable of disciplined, informed, and covenant centered choices that move us toward eternal life. If the atonement restores freedom, its ultimate purpose is to enable us to become like God. To be free is not simply to have options, it is to gain power, knowledge and capacity consistent with divine life. God is the freest of all beings because all things are subject unto him. Those who become like him must also be free. This is why agency is inseparably connected to exaltation. Lehi taught that acting for ourselves rather than being acted upon is the pattern of godhood. Alma reinforced this truth by explaining that Adam and Eve in certain respects became as gods, because they knew good from evil and were placed in a state to act according to their wills. Elder James E. Talmuds testified of this connection between atonement and liberty when he declared We proclaim the atonement wrought by Jesus Christ is to all people. It is the message of deliverance from sin and its sorrow, the decree of liberty, the charter of freedom. Obedience to gospel laws and ordinances expand freedom by increasing spiritual knowledge, multiplying righteous choices, and strengthening moral power. Yet none of these ordinances would have meaning without Christ. Faith, repentance, baptism, the sacrament, and sealing ordinances draw their life and effect from His atoning sacrifice. Without the atonement, obedience would be empty form rather than transforming covenant. Because we are free forever, the question is not whether we possess agency, but how we use it. All will receive resurrection, all are restored to choice. What differs is the outcome that flows from those choices. President Brigham Young taught The difference between the righteous and the sinner, eternal life or death, happiness or misery is this. To those who are exalted, there are no bounds or limits to their privileges. Freedom carries both promise and responsibility. There will be joy in realizing that freedom was used to grow, repent, and progress. There may also be sorrow when we recognize missed opportunities, moments when freedom could have been exercised more faithfully. Living as those who are free forever means treating agency as a sacred trust. Daily choices regarding obedience, repentance, and covenant faithfulness shape our capacity to receive greater light, knowledge and privilege in eternity. Christ has already paid the price for our freedom. How that freedom blesses our future depends on how we act within it. So here is today's challenge. Identify one decision or habit where we may be allowing ourselves to be acted upon rather than choosing deliberately. This week act intentionally in that area in a way that reflects gratitude for the freedom Christ has secured through His atonement. Thank you for listening to Seek This Jesus. I hope this message helps you draw a little closer to the Savior Jesus Christ. Please don't let this podcast be your only scripture time today. I encourage you to open your scriptures because when you study God's Word personally, the Spirit will teach you things no podcast ever could. I invite you to come back tomorrow for another verse and message to help you keep focused on Jesus Christ. Until next time, keep seeking this Jesus.