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He took our Place

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One day,a man went to visit a church. He got there early, parked his car, and got out. Another car pulled up near and the driver got out and said, "I always park there! You took my place!"

The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!"

The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always sit! You took my place!"

The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still He said nothing.

Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet.

Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?"

The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, "I took your place."

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Sometimes it's a good idea just to stop and think of who it was that took our place...

Place took

Awwww what a great poem / story Wanlorn! it really touched my heart... Just to think about the pain our Savior suffered for each one of us it still amazes me the love he feels for each one of us. Thanks for sharing this.

He took our Place Studies Doctrine Mormon

If people don't mind that story that Wanlorn told reminded me of another one.

One day a guy was dreaming, and he enters into this vault full of Card Catalog holders. He opened one and it was a sin that he had done years before. Curious he opened another one and it was a more recent sin.

Then a man walked in the room and told him that he needed to take responsibility for all of his actions. Looking around he was amazed at how many was there.

He started signing them when another man came in and asked to see his card. Out of curiosity he handed that to the man. Then he asked for his pen, he handed him his pen. He started to sign his name to it, the man noticed the signature it was Jesus Christ. The man in awe looked at him, in reply Jesus said, I will take your place that you don't have to suffer.

This may not be how it was originally told but it carries the same message.

Place took

There is another story, that for me, better portrays the atonement. It is also true!

During the Civil War, there was a young soldier that fell asleep at his post and his platoon was killed. The proper punishment for dereliction of duty was death and no one argued against that. However, this young man's mother wrote to Pres. Lincoln telling him that her husband and all here other sons had served and died in the war and that if her last son was executed, she would have no one to provide for her in her old age.
Pres. Lincoln pardoned the young man and now one objected. Mercy had overcome Justice - or Justice had been appeased.

Alma 34:11 says that no man can pay for the sins of another - Isn't Christ a man!?!?

Alma 42:15, 16 says that the atonement's purpose was to appease the demands of Justice - not to meet the demands of justice but to appease.

The purpose of the Atonement was/is to invoke mercy so justice would be appeased.

Place took

Interesting story, since you mention it is true it is only proper to have source information for it. We do go deeper into the Atonement and Justice in the Mature section so I will digress there.

He took our Place

The story was quoted by Cleon Skousen in a talk called "The Real Atonement"

took Place

The problem with Skousen's idea is that Christ appeases justice. But what he fails to answer is how then does that change me? It may appease justice but I may not be personally changed. I feel that there is a changing power in the atonement it is a relationship with deity which changes oneself, not a contract to just appease sin.
He focuses on the appeasement of justice with the intelligences, but deals very little with how it transforms my life. He then also states that this appeasement is only done if I am accepted by Christ or found "worthy" by him. Therefore I went form one creditor to another. This has its problems.

I also do not think like (Skousen thinks) that one steps in place of another. This is not justice at all. No one steps in my place for my sins. I do not think that this is necessary for forgiveness.

took Place Mormon Doctrine Studies

Who am I to argue with the Prophet Alma? It is very clear that the atonement's purpose is to appease the demands of justice.

So, the remaining question is - "How does that change me?" Given that God will not, will not ever force you to do or be what you do not chose, how does the atonement change me. It inspires me to change myself - it at least two ways;

1) To come to an understanding of the magnitude of the Atonement and then to realize from that the magnitude of Christ's and God's love for us to the point that we will pay any price to feel worthy of that love.


2) To understand where the "demands of justice" come from. It is we that demand justice - all the intelligences. It is therefore us that need to be appeased - and how can I expect another to forgive me if I am unwilling to forgive another.


Remember , of the four kingdoms, three of them are are kingdoms of glory. Repentance and forgiveness is required of all who enter any of these three kingdoms of glory. What, then, makes the difference as to what kingdom you attain? It is Christ's choice, which is based on Charity - not his but ours.

Message Edited... Persephone: Please look at how we use the Quote Tags here. When you do not use these tags source material that is not your own may appear to be yours when it is not. See our Constructive Posting Policy.