The Three Pillars of Eternity | Bruce R. McConkie | February 1981
Mar 12, 2025
auto_awesome
Bruce R. McConkie, a prominent member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, delves into the interconnectedness of Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement. He emphasizes how these pivotal events form the foundation of salvation and define humanity's spiritual journey. McConkie highlights the transformative power of Christ's Atonement and its infinite implications for all creation. Furthermore, he clarifies the divine roles of figures like Jehovah and Michael, shedding light on their significance in fulfilling God's eternal plan for humanity.
The creation provides the necessary framework for existence, while the fall emphasizes human mortality and the need for redemption.
The atonement of Christ, intrinsically linked to the fall, allows for overcoming spiritual and physical death, fostering the path to eternal life.
Deep dives
The Foundations of Salvation
The creation, the fall, and the atonement are presented as the three foundational pillars that form the basis of salvation. Each event plays a critical role in the overall divine plan; without the creation, nothing would exist for humanity to experience. The fall introduces mortality and the need for redemption, establishing a framework for human existence and growth. Finally, the atonement serves as the means by which redemption is achieved, allowing mankind to overcome both spiritual and physical death, thus enabling the possibility of eternal life.
The Interconnectedness of Key Events
The relationship between the fall and the atonement is explored, emphasizing that the atonement is essentially the response to the fall. The podcast illustrates that without the fall of Adam and Eve, the atonement of Christ would not be necessary, as there would be no need for redemption. Both events are intricately linked, establishing a cause-and-effect relationship where one leads to the necessity of the other. This connection underscores the idea that understanding these key events is vital for comprehending God's plan of salvation for humanity.
God's Divine Scheme and Eternal Truths
The roles of Elohim, Jehovah, and Michael are discussed as they pertain to the divine scheme of creation, fall, and atonement. Elohim, as the Eternal Father, is recognized as the omnipotent creator, while Michael (Adam) is identified as the first man whose actions instigated the fall. Jehovah, or Jesus Christ, is presented as the Savior who executed the atonement, ransoming humanity from the consequences of the fall. This tripartite understanding of divine persons and their roles illustrates how salvation is woven into the fabric of existence, emphasizing that belief in these truths is essential for achieving eternal life.
The Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement are the foundations of salvation. As we understand them better, we can live to gain eternal life. Click here to see the speech page.