God’s Son had pushed the earth apart
And laid my finger on His heart!
Christ’s death split the veil in two,
And let the face of God shine through.
—RMJ (Adapted in 2023 from the 1912 poem Renascence by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY and D&C 138, 88 & 93)
ATONEMENT AND RESURRECTION
Easter asks us a question, is the joy of Sunday worth the pain of Friday? That's what Easter's all about. It's that question. Is the joy of Resurrection Sunday at the Garden Tomb worth the Atoning pain of Friday in Gethsemane and on the cross? Will the joy of our resurrection be worth the painful adversities of life? Jesus and the scriptures and the prophets (and Edna St. Vincent Millay) are going to say, "Yes, yes, it's worth it.
—S. Michael Wilcox (Follow Him podcast New Testament Episode 19 part 2 edited by RMJ)
It is also my testimony that it won’t be easy but it will be worth it. Our hereafter will depend on what we seek after here.
Robert JohnsonMarch 20, 2026
God’s Son had pushed the earth apart
And laid my finger on His heart!
Christ’s death split the veil in two,
And let the face of God shine through.
—RMJ (Adapted in 2023 from the 1912 poem Renascence by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY and D&C 138, 88 & 93)
ATONEMENT AND RESURRECTION
Easter asks us a question, is the joy of Sunday worth the pain of Friday? That's what Easter's all about. It's that question. Is the joy of Resurrection Sunday at the Garden Tomb worth the Atoning pain of Friday in Gethsemane and on the cross? Will the joy of our resurrection be worth the painful adversities of life? Jesus and the scriptures and the prophets (and Edna St. Vincent Millay) are going to say, "Yes, yes, it's worth it.
—S. Michael Wilcox (Follow Him podcast New Testament Episode 19 part 2 edited by RMJ)
It is also my testimony that it won’t be easy but it will be worth it. I conclude, where I started, with the theme for today. Our hereafter will depend on what we seek after here. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Robert JohnsonMarch 20, 2026
What promised joy helped the Savior fulfill His sacrifice for us?
(Hebrews 12:2) “Joy is powerful, and focusing on joy brings God’s power into our lives. As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar, ‘who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.’ Think of that! In order for Him to endure the most excruciating experience ever endured on earth, our Savior focused on joy!
“And what was the joy that was set before Him? Surely it included the joy of cleansing, healing, and strengthening us; the joy of paying for the sins of all who would repent; the joy of making it possible for you and me to return home—clean and worthy—to live with our Heavenly Parents and families” (Nelson, “Joy and Spiritual Survival,” 82–83). October Conference 2016
—The New Testament Study Guide: Start to Finish by Thomas R. Valletta
Joy is powerful, and focusing on joy brings God’s power into our lives. As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” Think of that! In order for Him to endure the most excruciating experience ever endured on earth, our Savior focused on joy!
President Russell M. Nelson (October Conference 2016)
In Latter-day Saint theology, Jesus Christ endured the agony of the Atonement, focusing on the "joy set before him" (Hebrews 12:2), which was the opportunity to cleanse, heal, and bring all humanity back to the Father. This joy includes redeeming humankind, fulfilling the Father's will, and bringing souls to repentance.
Key aspects of the "joy" that motivated the Savior include:
* Saving Souls: His joy is seeing us receive eternal forgiveness and returning home.
* Our Happiness: The ultimate goal is that we might experience the fullness of joy and have our souls filled with His love.
* Love for Us: The "joy set before him" is, in part, us—the opportunity to rescue and redeem his children.
* The Power to Heal: His sacrifice allows Him to understand our trials and bring us peace.
* Russell M. Nelson has called Jesus the "ultimate exemplar," who endured the most excruciating experience in history by focusing on the joy of making eternal life possible.
————————
My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.
HelenCMarch 19, 2026
And now I find myself asking, “What cost have I declined as too dear for His Salvation?”
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Robert JohnsonMarch 21, 2026
God’s Son had pushed the earth apart And laid my finger on His heart! Christ’s death split the veil in two, And let the face of God shine through. —RMJ (Adapted in 2023 from the 1912 poem Renascence by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY and D&C 138, 88 & 93) ATONEMENT AND RESURRECTION Easter asks us a question, is the joy of Sunday worth the pain of Friday? That's what Easter's all about. It's that question. Is the joy of Resurrection Sunday at the Garden Tomb worth the Atoning pain of Friday in Gethsemane and on the cross? Will the joy of our resurrection be worth the painful adversities of life? Jesus and the scriptures and the prophets (and Edna St. Vincent Millay) are going to say, "Yes, yes, it's worth it. —S. Michael Wilcox (Follow Him podcast New Testament Episode 19 part 2 edited by RMJ) It is also my testimony that it won’t be easy but it will be worth it. Our hereafter will depend on what we seek after here.
Robert JohnsonMarch 20, 2026
God’s Son had pushed the earth apart And laid my finger on His heart! Christ’s death split the veil in two, And let the face of God shine through. —RMJ (Adapted in 2023 from the 1912 poem Renascence by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY and D&C 138, 88 & 93) ATONEMENT AND RESURRECTION Easter asks us a question, is the joy of Sunday worth the pain of Friday? That's what Easter's all about. It's that question. Is the joy of Resurrection Sunday at the Garden Tomb worth the Atoning pain of Friday in Gethsemane and on the cross? Will the joy of our resurrection be worth the painful adversities of life? Jesus and the scriptures and the prophets (and Edna St. Vincent Millay) are going to say, "Yes, yes, it's worth it. —S. Michael Wilcox (Follow Him podcast New Testament Episode 19 part 2 edited by RMJ) It is also my testimony that it won’t be easy but it will be worth it. I conclude, where I started, with the theme for today. Our hereafter will depend on what we seek after here. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Robert JohnsonMarch 20, 2026
What promised joy helped the Savior fulfill His sacrifice for us? (Hebrews 12:2) “Joy is powerful, and focusing on joy brings God’s power into our lives. As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar, ‘who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.’ Think of that! In order for Him to endure the most excruciating experience ever endured on earth, our Savior focused on joy! “And what was the joy that was set before Him? Surely it included the joy of cleansing, healing, and strengthening us; the joy of paying for the sins of all who would repent; the joy of making it possible for you and me to return home—clean and worthy—to live with our Heavenly Parents and families” (Nelson, “Joy and Spiritual Survival,” 82–83). October Conference 2016 —The New Testament Study Guide: Start to Finish by Thomas R. Valletta Joy is powerful, and focusing on joy brings God’s power into our lives. As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” Think of that! In order for Him to endure the most excruciating experience ever endured on earth, our Savior focused on joy! President Russell M. Nelson (October Conference 2016) In Latter-day Saint theology, Jesus Christ endured the agony of the Atonement, focusing on the "joy set before him" (Hebrews 12:2), which was the opportunity to cleanse, heal, and bring all humanity back to the Father. This joy includes redeeming humankind, fulfilling the Father's will, and bringing souls to repentance. Key aspects of the "joy" that motivated the Savior include: * Saving Souls: His joy is seeing us receive eternal forgiveness and returning home. * Our Happiness: The ultimate goal is that we might experience the fullness of joy and have our souls filled with His love. * Love for Us: The "joy set before him" is, in part, us—the opportunity to rescue and redeem his children. * The Power to Heal: His sacrifice allows Him to understand our trials and bring us peace. * Russell M. Nelson has called Jesus the "ultimate exemplar," who endured the most excruciating experience in history by focusing on the joy of making eternal life possible. ———————— My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.
HelenCMarch 19, 2026
And now I find myself asking, “What cost have I declined as too dear for His Salvation?”
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