“Death of the Testator”
Hebrews 9:15–17
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote:
“In legal usage, a testator is one who leaves a valid will or testament at his death. The will or testament is the written document wherein the testator provides for the disposition of his property. As used in the gospel sense, a testament is a covenant. Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant or testament, that is of the gospel which came to replace the law of Moses. . . .
“Paul mixed these legal and gospel definitions to teach a basic doctrine. . . . Christ had to die to bring salvation. The testament or covenant of salvation came in force because of the Atonement worked out in connection with that death. Christ is the Testator. His gift, as would be true of any testator, cannot be inherited until His death. Christ died that salvation might come.”
(Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 784–85.)
