From Tad R. Callister. . .
The Savior’s sacrifice required inexhaustibe stamina in order to bear the consequences of our sins and weather the temptations of the Evil One. But his suffering must have been more than a resigned submissiveness or a fist-clenching “taking of the stripes.” It must have been more than a defensive “holding of the fort” or raising of the shield to ward off the fiery darts of the Evil One. Part of the Savior’s atoning quest must have included an element of conquering, an offensive struggle of sorts. . . .
With merciless fury Satan’s forces must have attacked the Savior on all fronts—frantically, diabolically, seeking a vulnerable spot, a weakness, an Achilles heal through which they might inflict a “mortal” wound, all in hopes that they could halt the impending charge, but it was not to be. The Savior pressed forward in a bold assault until every prisoner was freed from the tenacious tentacles or the Evil One. This was a rescue mission of infinite implications. Every muscle of the Savior, every virtue, every spiritual reservoir that could be called upon would be summoned in the struggle. No doubt there was an exhaustion of all energies, a straining of all faculties, an exercise of all powers. Only then, when seemingly all had been spent, would the forces of evil abandon their posts and retreat in horrible defeat. . . . The Great Deliverer has rescued us—saved the day, saved eternity. But, oh, what a battle! What wounds! What love! What cost! ~Tad R. Callister, The Gift of the Atonement (Deseret Book, Salt Lake City, 2002). 50
