First of all, we know that the plan that involved our coming to this earth and becoming subject to death and sin was reviewed and agreed upon by us all before the earth was created. This was eluded to in the Bible as the Lord ask Job, "Where wast thou, if thou knowest,.when I laid the foundations of the earth? ...When...all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Old Testament Job 38:4 - 7) The restored gospel has made it clear that the reason we shouted for joy, was that Jesus Christ had offered to suffer himself as paymeny sufficient to answer the demands of justice for the transgression of all of us. This required what has been termed an "infinite suffering". As God's plan promised, Christ would rise "... from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:20 - 22) The other part of the plan was that Jesus would have , "... by himself purge our sins" (Hebrews 1:3) so that those who would repent and follow him would be cleansed and able to dwell again with our Father in Heaven.

Jesus was born of Mary, a virgin birth, Son of Heavenly Father with the unique divine capacity to be the Savior or Redeemer. Because of his divine, yet mortal nature, he was able to offer himself as a guiltless ransom for us and he died and was resurrected that we all will be resurrected. He suffered the pains of sin and bled at every pore in the Garden of Gethsemene paying the price for our sins. He did make it clear, however, that for us to be forgiven and not suffer for our own sins, as you suggest, we must have faith in him, repent, be baptized and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, then we must endure to the end. He said, "For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit-and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink-" (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 19:16 - 18)

I, personally, am eternally grateful for Jesus Christ and I love him for what he did for me and for us all.

Regarding divorce, it is sad and painful for all concerned, but I would have to disagree with you when you say that those who are divorced are looked down upon. I know and respect many of my friends and associates who have been divorced for one reason or other, some highly justified.

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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