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What does the word infinite mean in relation to the Atonement? [message #496]

Sun, 17 June 2012 11:36

Primary Teacher
Messages: 14
Registered: June 2010
Location: USA

Junior Member

Quote:

Alma 34:11 Now there is not any man that can sacrifice his own blood which will atone for the sins of another.

What does this scripture mean? Was not Christ a man? Didn't he sacrifice his won blood and it atoned for the sins of all?

Quote:

12 But the law requireth the life of him who hath murdered; therefore there can be nothing which is short of an infinite atonement which will suffice for the sins of the world.

What does the word infinite mean?

~ a Primary Teacher

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Re: What does the word infinite mean in relation to the Atonement? [message #507 is a reply to message #496]

Mon, 18 June 2012 16:35

Dragon
Messages: 499
Registered: June 2010
Location: Earth

Senior Member

Primary Teacher,
Quote:

What does the word infinite mean?

I recall having this discussion somewhere else on this board. The conclusion which stuck in my head is as follows:
Finite means it has boundaries, and can be defined. It can be measured, moved beyond, understood, and exceeded.
INfinite then, is the opposite of all these. That which is truly infinite has no boundaries, cannot be defined by mortals, it cannot be fully measured, there is no way to move beyond it, is not understood by the finite mind, and nothing can be greater than it.

In mathematics, the question comes up, what happens when you multiply infinity by zero. And the answer is, that depends on how big infinity is, and how small zero really is. If zero really means 1 in a google, and infinity really means 231 google, then the answer is 231. Which is to say, these measures of infinity are only truly infinite because of the measurement of scale. Something which is actually and truly infinite is still infinity, no matter what scale is used.

However, if you multiply (or magnify) a person who is nothing, by the atonement which is infinite, then the person becomes something.

- Dragon

- Dragon

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