I can think of no greater evidence of God's love than that exhibited in the act of permitting his Son, Jesus Christ, to come to the earth and suffer as he did for the sins of the world, that they might not suffer if they would but conform to his laws and thus accept the terms of salvation. It would seem, too, that the same attribute of love exists in the breast of the Son, for the sacrifice he made for the redemption of the world was a voluntary act. He was not compelled to make the atonement, but of his own free will he volunteered to become our ransom.[U] [Footnote U: Pearl of Great Price, p. 41] He himself testified: "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."[V] [Footnote V: John x: 17, 18.] Thus, the atonement of Jesus, for the children of men, was a voluntary act; and his death and suffering for the world, was the strongest expression of his love it is possible to conceive--"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." From the foregoing testimonies we learn the following things respecting the character of God. "First, that he is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness, and that he was so from everlasting, and will be so to everlasting. "Secondly, that he changes not, neither is there variableness with him; but that he is the same from everlasting to everlasting, being the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that his course is one eternal round, without variation. "Thirdly, that he is a God of truth and cannot lie. "Fourthly, that he is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he who fears God and works righteousness is accepted of him. "Fifthly, that he is love."[W] [Footnote W: I quote the above paragraphs from the III. Lecture on Faith, Doc. and Cov.] I conclude this chapter with the remarks made upon these attributes of Deity, to be found in one of the lectures on faith in the Doctrine and Covenants: