Lessons of 2026
Lesson No. Thirty-Seven

Being At One with Jesus Christ is Central to His Gospel

“The word atonement describes the setting ‘at one’ of those who have been estranged and denotes the reconciliation of man to God” (Atonement, LDS Bible Dictionary). It is important to recognize that the three syllables of atonement are at-one-ment. The word ment is “the action or process of doing something” (Britannica Dictionary). Therefore, the atonement (at-one-ment) of Jesus Christ means setting ‘at one’ man and God through the atoning sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son.

In His great Intercessory Prayer Jesus prayed for the unity/oneness of His Apostles: “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are” (John 17:11).

Jesus then prayed for the unity/oneness of all who believe in Him through the words of His Apostles: “Neither pray I for these alone [the Apostles], but for them also that shall believe on me through their word; that they may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20-21).

After His resurrection Jesus prayed for the unity/oneness of His twelve Nephite disciples, of all that believe in their words, of Himself, and of the Father: And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one” (3 Nephi 19:23).

The semi-annual General Conferences of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is an important part of the way we become at one with the Lord. At General Conference we can become at one with the living Apostles as they are at one with the Lord, as He is at one with His Father, that we may all be at one together. In the recent General Conference held October 3 – 4, 2026, as in all previous General Conferences when I have been in tune with the Holy Spirit, I felt unified and at one with the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and with members, the saints, world-wide.

The leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints put great emphasis on the semi-annual General Conferences. These Conferences are planned six months in advance. Then as soon as a conference is finished sermons are published in many languages worldwide. Much of the curriculum of home and Church gospel study for the next six months is centered around sermons given at the previous General Conference. As we study these sermons for the next six months we are able to retain this unity and oneness with the Lord, His Apostles and other leaders, and with members worldwide.

The temple is the ultimate way we become one with the Father and the Son – Near the end of the temple endowment we covenant to give all that we have to the Lord and His work. Then we are symbolically invited into the Celestial kingdom. This is individual salvation. But temple blessings do not end with individual salvation. The greatest blessings of the gospel are received as we take the final step into the sealing room where family exaltation is possible.

Testimony. In the sealing ordinance we receive all that the Father and the Son have. We previously consecrated all that we have to the work of the Lord. Now we receive all that the Father and the Son have. This is the greatest of all exchanges. We have nothing to offer that is of eternal worth except willing obedience. They have everything that matters, and They will share it all with us if we are faithful to the end. This is the ultimate unity and at-one-ment.

Released on October, 11th. 2026.