the correct understanding

Joseph Fielding Smith: A word or two showing how it was possible for Jesus Christ to come and redeem us is necessary at this point. Jesus had no father of the flesh, that is who was mortal and subject to death. Our Eternal Father to whom we pray is the Father of the body of Jesus Christ and from his Father he inherited life and death was always subject to him. He had the power to lay down his life, because he was the Son of Mary who was like us, mortal, and he had the power to take his life up again for that power was in him. In his teachings to the Jews and his disciples he frequently told them of this power and of his mission. On one occasion he said:

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man [God] (John 5:26-27).

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father (Ibid., 10:17-18).

I hope I have made this matter clear to all teachers of children, for they must have the correct understanding of the doctrine of the resurrection, and how we became redeemed through the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ.

(Book: "Answers to Gospel Questions,"

5 vols., 1957-1966, vol. 1, p. 34)