VardellApril 10, 2020

There is another way to interpret what Benjamin meant in 3:19. He said we must become a saint through the atonement of Christ and become as a child… In chapter 5:7 Benjamin continues with the child topic but says (paraphrasing) because of the covenant ye have made, ye shall be called the children of Christ. Because this day he hath spiritually begotten you, you are born again, changed through faith on his name. Becoming a child "this day", being changed "this day", doesn’t sound like a lifelong effort at changing our behavior. Becoming a child and being forgiven and changed occurred "this day" because they had asked for Christs mercy and his atoning blood, by which they gained a remission of sins, and its companion, a mighty change of heart. All children are innocent, not because they don’t sin, but because they are not accountable. We become as a child when we gain a remission of sins, the mighty change of heart, and are spiritually begotten as the children of Christ. Just like Benjamin said, we become a saint and a child through the atonement.