The most fundamental aspect of Christianity is that Jesus Christ suffered and died for the sins of the world. Because of his sacrifice, humanity can be redeemed.
The atonement of Christ is not a secret, and sects ranging from the most energetic protestants and evangelicals to the most stoic and reserved orthodox disciples are usually not shy about expressing their total reliance on the sacrifice of Jesus.
Scriptures from all periods of time have references to this doctrine. Consider the following:
"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed...
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." (Isaiah 53:4-5,10-12)
The doctrine is confirmed in the New Testament as well:
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" (1 Peter 3:18)
The Book of Mormon is also clear on the need for the atonement of Christ:
"And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also." (Alma 42:15)
The concept was explained by Jesus himself in one of the most famous verses ever:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
Because of its familiarity, Christians tend to take it for granted, and the faithless tend to treat it as false, and the reasoning behind this event is lost. It is worth closer inspection.
Our Heavenly Father has issued a series of laws, the violation of which condemns an individual to perpetual outcast from the presence of God (Alma 11:37). To escape this condemnation, God extends mercy to the penitent, but only because his son was subjected to unspeakable torture and then subsequently brutally slain at Golgotha.
If God loved his children and wanted to pardon sins, why would his forgiving power require the savage torture and slaughter of someone else?
Of course, the problem with this assessment is that it is based on our perception that sin is little more than an error in judgement, and that the consequences of these actions do not produce unseen effects.
Consider the invention of the shoe-fitting flouroscope. This device represented a new application for x-rays, and blasted the feet of the user with radiation so that the bones as well as the outline of the shoe were visible to promote better fitting shoes. As more information about radiation was discovered, links between the use of such devices and bone cancer were discovered. Though the immediate effects were not visible, over time and with increased understanding, the negative consequences were exposed.
Similarly, those who indulge in behaviors that contradict the commandments of God and the counsel of his prophets may not seem to have any immediate negative consequences, but our current inability to see and understand the spiritual aspects of human life make it impossible for us to understand the negative impact of sin on a spirit.
What we could not see or understand, Jesus Christ could. Though angels attended him as he endured the cruel process by which he could heal the spiritual damage of sin, he prayed earnestly for another way to do it (Luke 22:42). Blood oozed through his skin as he was subjected to pressures and pains beyond human comprehension (Luke 22:44). Ultimately, he had to endure the pain on the cross without any help (Matthew 27:46).
Forgiveness of sins was never a matter of pretending like it did not happen... It involves repairing spiritual damage. It requires restoring matter that, unlike mortal flesh and blood, is permanent. This is not a cheap experience, and cannot be simply done on a whim. It required a specific and deliberate process, that could only be performed by one person... the son of God himself.
"Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him..." "that he might bring us to God..." "to bring about the plan of mercy..." "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
More than sparing himself excruciating pain, he wanted to help you, and I, and all of us realize our potential. He paid the price to heal us. Even now, he sends his prophets to plead with us to use his power. For all those who come to him, he will give gift he purchased with such a great price... the miracle of forgiveness.
