Atonement: Teachings of Joseph Smith

Atonement

But notwithstanding the transgression, by which man had cut himself off from an immediate intercourse with his Maker without a Mediator, it appears that the great and glorious plan of His redemption was previously provided; the sacrifice prepared; the atonement wrought out in the mind and purpose of God, even in the person of the Son, through whom man was now to look for acceptance, and through whose merits he was now taught that he alone could find redemption, since the word had been pronounced, Unto dust thou shalt return.

But that man was not able himself to erect a system, or plan with power sufficient to free him from a destruction which awaited him, is evident from the fact that God, as before remarked, prepared a sacrifice in the gift of His own Son who should be sent in due time, to prepare a way, or open a door through which man might enter into the Lord's presence, whence he had been cast out for disobedience. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols. 2:15)

Now I understand by this quotation [Moses 7:62], that God clearly manifested to Enoch the redemption which He prepared, by offering the Messiah as a Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world; and by virtue of the same, the glorious resurrection of the Savior, and the resurrection of all the human family, even a resurrection of their corporeal bodies, is brought to pass. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols. 2:260)


"What are the fundamental principles of your religion?"
The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it. But in connection with these, we believe in the gift of the Holy Ghost, the power of faith, the enjoyment of the spiritual gifts according to the will of God, the restoration of the house of Israel, and the final triumph of truth. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols. 3:30)

[God] foreordained the fall of man; but all merciful as He is, He foreordained at the same time, a plan of redemption for all mankind. I believe in the Divinity of Jesus Christ, and that He died for the sins of all men, who in Adam had fallen. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols. 4:78)

Through the atonement of Christ and the resurrection and obedience in the gospel, we shall again be conformed to the image of [God's] Son, Jesus Christ. Then we shall have attained to the image, glory, and character of God. (Joseph Smith, The Words of Joseph Smith, p. 231; standardized)

Salvation could not come to the world without the mediation of Jesus Christ. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols. 5:555)

The salvation of Jesus Christ was wrought out for all men, in order to triumph over the devil; for if it did not catch him in one place, it would in another. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols. 6:314)