The Atonement and The Priesthood

The most fundamental power of salvation is the atonement of Christ. The Book of Mormon prophet Amulek said it well – “For it is expedient that an atonement‍ should be made; for according to the great plan‍ of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen‍ and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.” (Alma 34:8). The Book of Mormon prophet Jacob also identified the atonement as the primary source of power by which we can receive salvation – “Wherefore, may God raise you from death by the power of the resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the power of the atonement, that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of God, that ye may praise him through grace divine.” (2 Nephi 10:25).

John Taylor understood that the atonement and the priesthood are very closely connected and both work towards the same purpose. “… Through [Jesus Christ] mankind are brought into communion and communication with God; through His atonement they are enabled, as He was, to vanquish death; through that atonement and the power of the Priesthood associated therewith, they become heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, and inheritors of thrones, powers, principalities and dominions in the eternal worlds. …” (Mediation and Atonement by John Taylor, Chapter 19).

From the scriptures we learn that the priesthood actually belongs to Christ. We are told that before the time of Melchizedek, the Melchizedek Priesthood “was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.” (D&C 107:3). Alma taught about “This high priesthood being after the order of his Son” (Alma 13:7).