In a revelation given to Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer the Lord explained the inestimable value of souls—mortals are of infinite worth because they have been purchased at an infinite cost by an infinite being:
“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; 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. And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth! Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people. ”
(D&C 18:10-14.)
“For Behold He Suffereth the Pains of All Men”
The Lord’s command—a command given to lead us in that path which will result in our own joy and happiness—is thus to repent and to call others to repentance, all that the suffering and death of our Lord may not have been in vain. “For behold, 1, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; but if they would not repent they must suffer even as I.”
Then the Savior, recalling with poignance the hours of agony in Gethsemane and on the cross, added:
“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—nevertheless, glory be to he Father and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.” (D&C 19:16-19.)