The Seventy's Course in Theology
Fourth Year
The Atonement
BY B. H. ROBERTS
Of the First Council of the Seventy
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must theSon of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should notperish, but have eternal life."—Jesus.
Salt Lake City
1911
Introduction
POINTS OF DIFFERENCE.
The Seventy's Year Book No. IV, differs from the other numbers in twoparticulars:
First, in that there are no special lessons suggested as in the threeprevious numbers; nor are there any suggestions as to the manner oftreating a subject. In the three preceding numbers of the Year Booksuggestions on "discourse building" were made; for gathering thematerials, arranging a plan, beginning the discourse, conducting it,and completing it, (see Year Book No. III Lesson XXXI), together withsuch side suggestions on "clearness" and "strength"—the two greatessentials in the expression of thought—as were considered necessary.It is now concluded that the manner of thought expression, so far asour Year Books for the present are concerned, might be allowed to restthere; leaving it to the student to refer to those suggestions—towhich the class teachers at need should direct his attention—and tothe consultation of such special works as treat exclusively upon themanner of expression to be found in the current text books oncomposition and rhetoric, used in our high schools, and academies. Iwould also suggest in this line Pittenger's little work on "ExtemporeSpeech, How to acquire and practice it;" and also the admirable work ofProfessor Nelson of the Brigham Young University, Provo, on "Preachingand Public Speaking," a new and revised edition of which has beenrecently issued by the Deseret News Publishing Company.
Second. Instead of giving an Analysis of each lesson followed byunconnected Notes bearing upon the subjects compiled from a widerange of authorities—a method largely followed in the Year Book No.III—the author has written a connected treatise upon the Atonement,and for that reason has substituted the word "Discussion" forthe word "Notes" as being more appropriate to the method oftreatment. Other than this the general plan of the work is the same asthat followed in the previous Year Books.
A PRELIMINARY READING SUGGESTED.
It is suggested to all the classes that the first step in dealingwith the present Year Book, should be to require every member to readthe entire treatise through. This should be done rapidly, not withthe thought that such reading will yield a complete and thoroughunderstanding of, or mastery of the subject, but just to get acquaintedsomewhat with the spirit of the treatise, the scope of the inquiry, thelargeness of it, the majesty and glory of the subject. All which willenable the student to be somewhat conscious, as he seeks to master theseparate lessons, of the conclusions to which he is being led. Withoutsuch preliminary reading, except where students already have clearviews of the Atonement, each lesson will be something of a gropingforward without always appreciating to what culmination the movement ofthe respective lessons is tending.
The preliminary reading need not occupy more than one week. No moretime than that should be allowed for it. It is supposed that this YearBook will be completed by the first of January, 1912.
THE THEME OF YEAR BOOK IV.
The doctrine of the Atonement through the expiatory suffering anddeath of Christ, can only be rightly understood wh