Redeemed Through Christ

 

Redeemed Through Christ: Martin Harris, the Atonement, and Overcoming Our Mistakes

Martin Harris is often remembered for one of the greatest missteps in early Church history—losing the 116 pages of the Book of Mormon manuscript. His mistake led to sorrow, regret, and even a temporary loss of his role in the unfolding Restoration. But Martin’s story does not end there.

Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, he found redemption, moved forward in faith, and played a crucial role in bringing forth the Book of Mormon. His story is a powerful testament that no mistake is too great to be overcome through Christ.

The Weight of Mistakes

In 1828, Martin Harris, a respected and prosperous man in Palmyra, acted as a scribe for Joseph Smith. Anxious to prove the truth of the Book of Mormon to his skeptical wife and friends, he repeatedly asked the prophet for permission to take the manuscript home. After multiple denials, the Lord allowed Martin to take the pages under strict conditions. Tragically, they were lost.

This mistake weighed heavily on Martin. The Lord chastened him, and for a time, he lost the privilege of helping with the translation. However, Martin did not let his mistake define him. He repented, regained his standing before the Lord, and later made an enormous sacrifice to ensure the Book of Mormon was published—mortgaging his farm to pay for the printing.

If Martin had let his failure consume him, the story could have ended differently. Instead, because of his faith in Christ’s redeeming power, he pressed forward, ultimately becoming one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon.

The Atonement: Overcoming Our Own Mistakes

Martin’s journey mirrors our own. We all make mistakes. At times, we may feel like we have lost something precious—our peace, our testimony, or our closeness with God. But Christ’s Atonement makes it possible for us to move forward.

In Doctrine and Covenants 19:15–20, the Savior speaks of His suffering in Gethsemane:

"For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent."

Jesus Christ willingly bore our burdens so that we don’t have to remain trapped by our past. When we truly repent, we are not just forgiven—we are changed. Like Martin Harris, we can turn our greatest mistakes into stepping stones for growth.

What Is the Gospel Worth to Us?

Even after his mistake, Martin was willing to sacrifice his wealth, reputation, and comfort for the Book of Mormon’s publication. He put his faith in something greater than himself. This raises an important question for each of us: What is the gospel of Jesus Christ worth to me?

Sometimes we let our past mistakes convince us that we are unworthy to serve or sacrifice for God’s kingdom. But Christ’s Atonement is proof that we are never beyond redemption. If Martin Harris, once chastened by the Lord, could go on to do great things, so can we.

Finding Peace in Christ

The Lord’s invitation in Doctrine and Covenants 19:23 is clear:

"Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me."

The peace Christ offers is not dependent on a perfect past—it is available to all who come unto Him. No matter our missteps, we can find peace in knowing that the Savior sees our potential, not just our past.

Moving Forward in Faith

Martin Harris’s story does not end with his mistake. He went on to be a witness of the gold plates, testified of the Book of Mormon until his dying day, and eventually gathered to Utah to be rebaptized. His life teaches us that failure is not final when faith is present.

If we have fallen short, we can take comfort in knowing that Christ’s Atonement allows us to get back up. Like Martin, we can repent, refocus, and move forward. Our past does not have to define us—through Christ, our future is always bright.