The Atonement of Jesus Christ is a central tenet of Latter-day Saint theology, encompassing His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, His crucifixion on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead. The Atonement provides the means for all humankind to overcome sin and death, aligning with the plan of salvation and God's purpose for His children.

The word “atonement” and its frequent usage among Latter-day Saints is actually unique to Latter-day Saints. Etymologically, the word “atonement” comes from Middle English and denotes a state of being “at one” with someone. In this case, it refers to being “at one” with or reconciled to God. In the Bible, all of the occurrences of the word “atonement,” with the exception of Romans 5:11, occur in the Old Testament. Within the Old Testament, the word “atonement” usually occurs in the contexts of priests and ritual activity. 60 percent of the usages of “atonement” occur in Leviticus and another 20 in Numbers. The Hebrew word translated as “atonement” is kippēr. Kippēr is a “technical, priestly term, relating to ritual purity, pollution, and purification. Indeed, its usage is very rare outside of priestly texts and authors.” ¹⁴⁹ The word “atonement” is used 39 times in the Book of Mormon, showcasing how the Book of Mormon uniquely elucidates this central aspect of Jesus’ ministry.

One of the important insights gleaned from Latter-day Saint scripture regards how Christ’s Atonement is “infinite.” Exactly how is it “infinite” though? Book of Mormon authors describe the Atonement as “infinite” in 2 Nephi 9;7, 25:16, Alma 34:10–14. These authors explain that the Atonement is infinite in the following terms:

1. Infinite in the Amount of People that the Atonement Covers: The Atonement applies to all of God’s children. It covers every person who ever lived or will live on earth, regardless of when or where they live. Everyone has the opportunity for redemption through Christ. Jacob explains that “[for] as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfill the merciful plan of the creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord. Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement” (2 Nephi 9:6–7)
2. Infinite in Terms of the Effects of Resurrection that It Bestows on All: Jacob further explains that “save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgement which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more
3. Infinite in Terms of the Person Who Performs the Atonement: Alma 34 explains that the Atonement must be infinite in terms of the person that performs the Atonement. Amulek tells us that “it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice” (Alma 34:10).

There are other ways in which the Atonement is not necessarily infinite but all-encompassing. Whereas “infinite” suggests a category that is without end, the term “all-encompassing” suggests that there is a defined category and that it is completely covered. This includes the power of Christ’s Atonement to heal and restore our souls to God and each other when we alienate ourselves from him and other people. Jesus Christ knows addiction, abuse, betrayal, loneliness, and all other negative states of being that human beings can be in that alienate us from each other and from God (Alma 7:11–12; Doctrine & Covenants 122:8). Through His Atonement, Christ heals our bodies and hearts such that we can overcome alienation to God and others.

There are ways in which Christ’s Atonement can be considered not all-encompassing or all-encompassing depending on how one defines the category being discussed. Christ’s Atonement does encompass all sins that are able to be forgiven. Christ’s Atonement does not encompass all sins. Knowingly denying the Holy Ghost when it once had place in you and murder while a believing member of the Church are two sins that scripture says are unpardonable (Alma 39:6; Doctrine & Covenants 42:1, 18). Otherwise (so far as has been revealed), the Atonement covers every other kind of sin. The Lord tells us in Mosiah 26:30 that “as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.”

The Lord’s Atonement is a remarkable gift: a gift borne out of God’s unconditional love and grace to His children. It allows us to receive forgiveness of sin so long as we repent of our sins.