The Atonement

Around Christmas time I was preparing a lesson to teach the children that the ancient prophets talked about Christ before he came. I was reading Isaiah 53.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Heavenly Father was "pleased" and "satisfied" to see his son suffer. Why? What father wants their beloved son to suffer? But the reason is because Heavenly Father loves all of us to much that he was willing to let Jesus suffer for us. He allowed it, so that we would not have to go through the same suffering and so that we could come back and live with him. Jesus Christ is described, in several verses in the Doctrine and Covenants, (6:20-21&32-37, 19:1-3, 29:1-2, 38:1-3, 43:3-5) with grandeur and might. Yet even with his glory, power and perfection; he was willing to die for me and suffer for the sins that I commit. Not only did he willingly suffer for me, but when he did it pleased Heavenly Father to know that we would then all have the chance to repent and return to Him.

So how can I show gratitute for this sacrifice? I can live in righteousness and employ the atonement in my life often. I can serve and love his children. I can read my scriptures to know how He would have me live. I can pray for strength, comfort and guidance on what the Lord would ask of me.