What would you consider the most important thing that has ever happened? Perhaps you’re thinking of the invention of the wheel or of writing. Perhaps you’re thinking of women’s suffrage or the civil rights movement. All of these were important events, it’s true, and the world would not be the same without them. But a certain prophet over two thousand years ago made it clear what was the most important event in human history---indeed, in the universe’s existence.
“Behold, I say unto you there be many things to come,” said Alma the younger, a prophet living in the ancient Americas. “Behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all—for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people ...
“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
“And he will take upon him death, that he may loose 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 succor his people according to their infirmities.
“Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take 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.” (Alma 7:7, 11-13; The Book of Mormon).
The most important event ever, according to Alma, was the coming of Jesus Christ to redeem His people. Why?
The Book of Mormon teaches us that too.
Have you ever done something wrong and wish you could make it right? Of course you have. We all have. We’re all human, and we make mistakes. It’s like we’re swimming in the ocean, with our weaknesses and our sins floating around us, closer and closer, like Portuguese man o’ war.
Luckily for us, Christ can save us from our sins, according to Amulek (Alma 11; Book of Mormon). He can’t and won’t save us in our sins (because what’s the point of picking up the man o’ war with the victim?), but He will rescue us from them.
You ever desperately searched for peace and healing? Of course you have. All of us have.
The prophet Abinadi tells us that Christ brings us peace. Without Christ’s sacrifice, we would all be without peace in this world:
“O how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that is the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord, who has redeemed his people; yea, him who has granted salvation unto his people;
“For were it not for the redemption which he hath made for his people, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, I say unto you, were it not for this, all mankind must have perished” (Mosiah 15:18-19; Book of Mormon).
And Christ himself taught us how we can gain that peace: through repentance and baptism.
“My Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross,” Christ said. “And after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works …
“Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day” (3 Nephi 27: 14, 20; Book of Mormon).
All the important things in the world have brought freedom of some kind. Without the invention of the wheel and writing, we wouldn’t have the communication we have today. Without women’s suffrage and the civil rights movements, many people in this country and throughout the world wouldn’t have the freedoms they now enjoy. These important movements are still happening today.
Christ’s redemption also continues. It’s been two thousand years, but we can still receive peace and joy from Christ today.
Like Alma, I have a testimony in me. I have seen so clearly how the Book of Mormon has blessed me. I understand so much more about Jesus Christ and the Atonement. I feel His love so deeply.
If you haven’t read this book, read it. If you’ve read it, read it again. As Isaiah said, “Who shall declare his generation?” (Mosiah 14:8; Book of Mormon). Who will stand with Christ?
Will you?
