This is a great verse of scripture: "Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise" (2 Nephi 2:8).
According to this verse, the only way we can return to the presence of God is through the Holy Messiah. Specifically, we can return because of certain characteristics of Christ: the merits, mercy, and grace. I have learned that the phrase the merits of Christ refers to His heritage. Christ was born of a mortal mother and a Heavenly Father. As such, He had the mortal power to die and the Godly power over death. He could die and also be resurrected. His heritage also permitted Him to atone for us with mercy and grace. His merits come by virtue of His being the Son of God.
Jesus Christ is literally the Son of God. This was prophesied throughout the Old Testament and Book of Mormon.
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14).
"And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen
These prophecies were fulfilled.
"And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
"And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
"And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
"Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
"And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:30-35).
This next scripture explains both the necessity for a Savior and the necessity for that Savior to be the Son of God:
"And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true. Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
"For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.
"For 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 34:8-10).
Heavenly Father's love for us is so great that He prepared a way for us to return to Him through His Son.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
The doctrine of Christ literally being the Son of God seems basic to those who have been raised in Christian homes. However, it is a doctrine that is attacked and explained away. Even some who try to follow Christ's teachings deny His divinity. Without confidence that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, there is no confidence in His merits to save us. He just wouldn't have what was required. But Christ is the Son of God. Heavenly Father offered His only Son as an infinite and eternal sacrifice for our sins. We can have confidence in His merits, mercy, and grace.
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