Doctrine and Covenants 19: 15-20; John 15: 13; Mosiah 3: 7; Alma 7: 11-12; Doctrine and Covenants 18: 10-13

 

Why was the Savior so willing to suffer for you and for me?

"15 Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not.

16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

20 Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit." (Doctrine and Covenants 19: 15-20)

"13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15: 13)

"7 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people." (Mosiah 3: 7)

"11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7: 11-12)

"10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.

12 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.

13 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!" (Doctrine and Covenants 18: 10-13)

And here's the beginning part of the commentary entitled: "Jesus Christ suffered so that I can repent and come unto Him."

"The New Testament describes the Savior’s suffering in Gethsemane from the perspective of the people who observed it. In Doctrine and Covenants 19:15–20, Jesus Christ told about His suffering from His own perspective. As you read this sacred personal account, look for how the Savior described His suffering. Consider what each word or phrase teaches you. Why was the Savior willing to suffer? You can discover more in John 15:13; Mosiah 3:7; Alma 7:11–12; Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–13."

The Savior described His suffering as sore, exquisite, hard to bear. His suffering caused Him, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that He might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink. He suffered those things for all so that we would not suffer as He did when we repent. 

We would suffer those punishments in the smallest, even in the least degree, we have tasted at the time He withdrew His Spirit.

The Savior was willing to suffer because of His love for us, His friends.