"As many of you, I'm sure, I struggle with this finite mind to comprehend that infinite sacrifice of the Savior," he said. "I don't pretend to be able to plumb the depths of the subject, but hope that I can offer an insight or two that would be helpful."

Elder Christofferson asked audience members to try to imagine what the days leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection were like for the disciples, and bring that vision into the present.

"Try to place yourselves at that moment, in that time," he said. "Today is Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, here we are, the events of yesterday and beginning the day before have had a tremendous impact on us. It was Thursday evening when the Last Supper occurred, and then that night, Jesus passed over the brook and into the Garden of Gethsemane, and suffered there in a way that none of us have fully witnessed, and certainly none comprehend."

Elder Christofferson suggested that audience members try their best to emulate Christ's willingness to do Heavenly Father's will, as evidenced by His words.

"All of His agony was accompanied by a willing submission to the Father's will," he said. "I wonder if we, in order to endure to the end, to reap the full benefits of His Atonement, must similarly devote ourselves to the will of the Father and Son, and their glory."

He noted that while we may not initially submit as fully as the Savior did, Christ progressed from grace to grace, just as we can.

"We may not do it perfectly, as the Savior did, but we can progress from grace to grace, just as Christ did, until we receive a fulness," he said.

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E-mail: mdecker@desnews.com