By Krista Ralston Oakes
Several years ago we added some new decorations to our home at Easter time, and we leave them up all year round, long after the bunnies and baskets and plastic grass are packed away. Three are paintings, each by a different artist, of the Savior emerging from the tomb. One is a painting of the Savior in Gethsemane.

The representations of Jesus stepping out of the tomb have fascinated me. I remember how I felt when I first saw one of those paintings on display in a store. After all, I had seen much artwork depicting the empty tomb. I had seen artwork depicting the Resurrected Lord as he appeared to others. The implication of the Resurrection was always there. But this time
I was looking at artwork that helped me envision the very moment when the Savior’s mission was fulfilled. It captured the very moment when the difficulties of mortality were overcome and relegated to insignificance.

A wise friend once told me: “The most important thing to remember…is that the most important thing…is the most important thing!” Another friend discussed the word “redemption” using the analogy of a coupon (something of lesser value) being redeemed for something of greater value. I reflected on these concepts once while sitting in the temple.
The temple is a perfect place for pondering the majesty of the Creation and the plan for the ultimate destiny of man, which is immortality and eternal life (Moses 1:39). Nothing else matters nearly as much.

And this “most important thing” was made possible because of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He stepped out of the tomb, triumphant over anything that would separate us from what is most important. Because of this, the time will come when I will be able to leave behind the temporal, and step forward into eternal life with all that matters most to me. The temporary cares of mortality can be redeemed for something of much greater value as we take full advantage of Jesus Christ as our Redeemer.

The representation of Christ in Gethsemane reminds me that we are blessed to have the Book of Mormon, which gives a greater understanding of the Atonement. We know that Jesus made it possible for us to overcome spiritual and physical death and receive “the most important thing,” but we also know that he did even more.

The prophet Alma tells us, “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. 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)

As I considered Alma’s testimony, the words from a favorite hymn took on new significance: “I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me.” Our Savior has perfect compassion for all that we experience in this lifetime, because he bore it personally – and voluntarily – for the purpose of knowing how to “succor his people.” He said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He faced and overcame all that mortality can throw our way, and he knows perfectly how to help us do the same. He invites each one of us to come unto him (Matthew 11:28).

There is no sorrow, no disappointment, no sin, no illness, no pain, and no death that can’t be overcome. He bore it all in Gethsemane. He died on Calvary. He was resurrected, and he stepped out of the tomb. He fulfilled all that was required, so that the Atonement was completed. President Howard W. Hunter said that if our lives and our faith are centered upon Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong.

Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35). His love is the motive for all that was done on our behalf. He is our Savior, truly saving us in every way that is needful.

When I keep my eye single to the glorious, redeeming reality of the Atonement, and what it means for me, the challenges of mortality diminish in their magnitude. Because Jesus Christ – our Savior and Redeemer — faithfully finished his most important work, all that we must suffer has been rendered as temporary as last year’s plastic Easter grass, and the “most important thing” becomes an eternal possibility to anticipate with great joy.