just me wrote:Hey stem, I read the second linked Ensign article you posted (the 1981, Lund). Did you read it? Do you believe that the atonement is conditional?
EDIT: It is a great article, by the way, and I think really says what LDS believe. Although, it does seem to say some conflicting things in it. Which is just like LDS believe, too.
I'm surprised this kind of stuff is of interest to people here, honestly. It catches me a little off-guard when someone asks something like this, because the norm is so much different here.
Anyway, give me a chance to explain myself a little first, if you would. The atonement, in my view, is for all of those who live and have ever lived. it is for humanitie's benefit. By it we find reconciliation. There is some condition to it, sure. For instance, the atonement is not for those who followed after Satan. It applies to only those who came or will come to this earth. For all those who come, i think the atonement applies no matter what. every man and woman will receive benefit because of it. For without it, hope, love, charity and all wouldn't be.
In this kind of nuanced sense there is no condition to atonement. But, that does not mean atonement itself, in this sense, is fully in effect (can't think of better words) for all. So in another sense there is condition. Not all will be exalted, afterall. There are conditions to how exaltation comes about. Those conditions are fairly simple in my estimation, but they do seem to become quite large and cumbersome as defined by the Church. The condition to me is learning to love, embrace the good in others, and do so to the point of finding unity.
Sorry for the drawn out explanation, which kind of feels I cut short, but I feel it fair I get to offer explanation lest someone confuses what I say.