"It's the classic Christian witness that the crucifixion was not an accident. Jesus went to Jerusalem the last time knowing what was at stake. It was a purposeful event for Jesus and God the Father, and a classic Christian affirmation that Jesus is both God and man, both divine and human."

Catholics focus heavily on Good Friday events, with most churches and cathedrals featuring detailed depictions of the Stations of the Cross, which recall Christ-centered events on the road to Calvary.

In his book, "Death on a Friday Afternoon: Meditations on the Last Words of Jesus from the Cross," Catholic theologian Richard John Neuhaus explores the gravity of individual human sin and the redemption that occurred through Christ's atonement.

While the implications of the cross are unique and personal for each person, he writes, modern culture and religion would shift the focus. "Groveling is out; self-esteem is in. And if self-esteem seems not quite the right note for Good Friday, at least our complicity can be understood as limited liability. Very limited."

As Christ cried out from the cross, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do," Father Neuhaus writes that "now, like the prodigal son, we have come to our senses. Our lives are measured not by the lives of others, not by our own ideals. . . . The judgment that matters is the judgment of God, who alone judges justly. In the cross we see the rendering of the verdict on the gravity of our sin."

While Latter-day Saints share with other Christians a deep reverence for Jesus and accept the Bible as scripture, President Hinckley wrote, they believe Christ not only resurrected but appeared to church founder Joseph Smith with God the Father, as separate and distinct beings.

Latter-day Saints believe Christ personally directs church affairs through President Hinckley and other top church leaders.

"And so, because our Savior lives, we do not use the symbol of his death as the symbol of our faith," President Hinckley said. "No sign, no work of art, no representation of form is adequate to express the glory and the wonder of the living Christ. He told us what that symbol should be when he said, 'If ye love me, keep my commandments.' "

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E-mail: carrie@desnews.com