LDS and Original Sin

[Jason_J]

A statement I have seen made somewhat frequently by certain LDS posters on another forum that I participate in is that Jesus' sacrifice "took care of original sin". This usually comes up in the context of infant baptism (since churches that practice it believed that baptism remits original sin, since the infant obviously has no personal sins). What does it mean that original sin has been "taken care of" by Jesus? Perhaps it may be helpful to also define what LDS are referring to by "original sin" when this statement is made (since there are a number of views on it, and not all necessarily believe that we are "guilty" of the original sin as we are guilty of personal sins. Eastern Orthodox reject such a notion, for example).

[mikbone]

The Articles of Faith - #2

We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

Moses 6

53 And our father Adam spake unto the Lord, and said: Why is it that men must repent and be baptized in water? And the Lord said unto Adam: Behold I have forgiven thee thy transgression in the Garden of Eden.

54 Hence came the saying abroad among the people, that the Son of God hath atoned for original guilt, wherein the sins of the parents cannot be answered upon the heads of the children, for they are whole from the foundation of the world.

55 And the Lord spake unto Adam, saying: Inasmuch as thy children are conceived in sin, even so when they begin to grow up, sin conceiveth in their hearts, and they taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good.

56 And it is given unto them to know good from evil; wherefore they are agents unto themselves, and I have given unto you another law and commandment.

57 Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God

[Justice]

LDS really don't believe in "original sin." We view Adam and Eve's fall as a "transgression." We can discuss the difference, but many don't believe there is. I believe there is.

In any case, because men sin they are cut off from the presence of God, both temporally and spiritually.

The atonement (and resurrection) of Christ overcomes temporal or physical death, meaning all who ever lived will be resurrected, or their body and spirit will be reunited never to be separated again.

The atonement also allows all who repent of their sins and who keep Christ's commandments (faith, repentance, baptism...) to be forgiven for their sins and be returned to the Father's presence.

In a nut shell.

[Blackmarch]

A statement I have seen made somewhat frequently by certain LDS posters on another forum that I participate in is that Jesus' sacrifice "took care of original sin". This usually comes up in the context of infant baptism (since churches that practice it believed that baptism remits original sin, since the infant obviously has no personal sins). What does it mean that original sin has been "taken care of" by Jesus? Perhaps it may be helpful to also define what LDS are referring to by "original sin" when this statement is made (since there are a number of views on it, and not all necessarily believe that we are "guilty" of the original sin as we are guilty of personal sins. Eastern Orthodox reject such a notion, for example).

Christ's atonement made it so that what you had no control over would have no control over you in keeping you from God.

[Vanhin]

The Articles of Faith - #2

We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

Moses 6

53 And our father Adam spake unto the Lord, and said: Why is it that men must repent and be baptized in water? And the Lord said unto Adam: Behold I have forgiven thee thy transgression in the Garden of Eden.

54 Hence came the saying abroad among the people, that the Son of God hath atoned for original guilt, wherein the sins of the parents cannot be answered upon the heads of the children, for they are whole from the foundation of the world.

55 And the Lord spake unto Adam, saying: Inasmuch as thy children are conceived in sin, even so when they begin to grow up, sin conceiveth in their hearts, and they taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good.

56 And it is given unto them to know good from evil; wherefore they are agents unto themselves, and I have given unto you another law and commandment.

57 Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God

Good stuff mikbone.

Vanhin