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The Atoning One
The Atonement of Jesus Christ is and should be at the very center of all we teach. Everything else is peripheral. Everything else is either connected to this central, saving truth or it has no power to bless or change us. It is vital that we understand that through this singular act by our loving Lord, we can be reawakened, redeemed, reclaimed, and restored when we fall short or wander off the gospel path. At the same time, we must recognize that although the Lord's Atonement is at the heart of God's plan, we cannot and should not attribute everything good that happens in our lives to that Atonement. Both the first and third members of the Godhead have a myriad of ways in which they too bless the children of our Father in Heaven. In The Atoning One , acclaimed author and experienced educator Robert L. Millet describes the mystery and majesty of who Jesus Christ is; His singular saving role in the plan of salvation; how the Father and the Holy Ghost are inextricably linked with Christ in the redemption of humankind; and how members of the Church can come to comprehend and rely upon divine grace. As Brother Millet teaches, we rejoice in the fact that Latter-day Saints are now more Christ-centered and Atonement-centered than ever before, but we must ensure that how we talk about and approach our Savior's offering is done with care. This book provides insightful guidance for deepening your understanding and appreciation of the Savior's ultimate gift.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published April 3, 2018
14 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Robert L. Millet
141 books70 followersRobert L. Millet, professor of ancient scripture and former dean of Religious Education at Brigham Young University, holds a master s degree in psychology from BYU and a Ph.D. in religious studies from Florida State University. He is a popular speaker and prolific writer whose other books include Lost and Found: Reflections on the Prodigal Son; Grace Works; and More Holiness Give Me. He and his wife, Shauna, have six children and live in Provo, Utah.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
May 14, 2018
A deeply reverent and thoughtful book. I will need to read it more than once to fully understand all the points made here.
August 23, 2020
A great companion (along with The Christ Who Heals) to The Infinite Atonement.
April 21, 2018
I love Brother Millet and his wonderful way of teaching important principles. There is none more important than the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It is worthy of our deep contemplation and understanding.
This book is wonderful. Take the time to ponder sacred things. I read the ebook and loved it so much that I asked my kids for it for Father's Day so I can highlight some key thoughts. There is new stuff in here at least to me.
This book is wonderful. Take the time to ponder sacred things. I read the ebook and loved it so much that I asked my kids for it for Father's Day so I can highlight some key thoughts. There is new stuff in here at least to me.
August 5, 2018
This book was perfect for Sunday reading. Read by the author, Millet uses a lot of scriptures, quotes, and personal experiences to build a spectrum of insight around Christ's atonement and it's necessity. I also really appreciate Millet's familiarity with other Christian faiths and his recounting of conversations he's had with other pastors along the lines of Adam and Eve or Grace and Works.
My favorite chapters--the ones I went back to over again and then referred to the written text to read a 3rd time were about the Fall of Adam and Eve and the state of the garden of Eden. There were some quotes from early prophets I hadn't heard before on this topic, and I really liked getting some further insight into questions I've been posing for a long time, like "How can God give two disparate commandments when it is not possible to keep both?" Or "other than the Book of Mormon prophets teaching us that Adam and Even couldn't have had children in the garden of Eden, how do we know that's true? And why?"
Millet talks a lot about grace--about a lot of experiences he's had with increasing his understanding of grace and his knowledge of grace as well as his gratitude/testimony of grace. But I would have loved for him to have shared more of that with us, rather than just telling us that it had affected him and he is different because of it.
Lots of insights sprinkled throughout the book. I enjoyed listening to it and contemplating new points that he brought up.
Well written, interesting and insightful. Definitely recommend.
My favorite chapters--the ones I went back to over again and then referred to the written text to read a 3rd time were about the Fall of Adam and Eve and the state of the garden of Eden. There were some quotes from early prophets I hadn't heard before on this topic, and I really liked getting some further insight into questions I've been posing for a long time, like "How can God give two disparate commandments when it is not possible to keep both?" Or "other than the Book of Mormon prophets teaching us that Adam and Even couldn't have had children in the garden of Eden, how do we know that's true? And why?"
Millet talks a lot about grace--about a lot of experiences he's had with increasing his understanding of grace and his knowledge of grace as well as his gratitude/testimony of grace. But I would have loved for him to have shared more of that with us, rather than just telling us that it had affected him and he is different because of it.
Lots of insights sprinkled throughout the book. I enjoyed listening to it and contemplating new points that he brought up.
Well written, interesting and insightful. Definitely recommend.
July 25, 2018
I love anything Brother Millet writes, but this was my favorite of those I've read. It was so powerful in such an approachable, personal way. I listened to this book, which is read by him, and it was wonderful to hear it in his voice. He is a family friend through both my in-laws and my father, who served under Brother Millet at BYU. This truly fortified my personal testimony of Jesus Christ as my Savior and Redeemer. It gave me much to think about and reflect on, and it gave me a greater desire to strengthen my relationship with Jesus Christ through study, prayer, and personal obedience to His teachings. Will listen to this over and over.
April 4, 2019
Another great book by Robert Millet. I read this to prepare myself for Easter. Such a moving recounting of all we owe to the Savior.
March 21, 2019
Inspirational book with profound and thoughtful insights about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
January 29, 2019
This was another one of those books that I kept saying to myself as I listened to it, "I LOVE THIS BOOK!" This is so, so good. Millet is the narrator for this and for that I am so glad. He starts where you really should start a book on Christ, in the beginning....moving on to Adam and Eve, the fall.
I loved his chapter on Grace. I loved all his chapters really. I have this on my Amazon wish list for my library. I NEED this book on my shelf.
I loved his chapter on Grace. I loved all his chapters really. I have this on my Amazon wish list for my library. I NEED this book on my shelf.
June 29, 2020
Reading this on a Sunday morning was about as peaceful as I've felt in a long time.
May 27, 2024
This is a sweet and helpful book about Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Here are some of my favorite quotes:
"Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven. These matters are what the Prophet Joseph Smith referred to as the 'fundamental principles of our religion.' 'Truth, glorious truth, proclaims there is a Mediator' (Boyd K. Packer, p. xi)."
"Instructors were asked to teach out of the scriptures... read, ponder, and immerse themselves in the doctrinal messages of the Book of Mormon. One does not travel very far into that scriptural text before he or she encounters what might be called 'redemptive theology' (p. 4)."
"Today we are more focused on the Savior, on his Atonement, and on the divine grace that flows from him and his Father (p. 4)."
"Peace and contentment in this life, linked with everlasting fulfillment in the life to come, are to be found in and through his atoning sacrifice and in no other way (p. 5)."
"No one can ever really appreciate the value of medication until he or she understands the seriousness of the malady (p. 6)."
"After Adam partook of the forbidden fruit, blood became 'the life-giving fluid in Adam's body, and was inherited by his posterity. Blood was not only the life of the mortal body, but also contained in it the seeds of death which bring the mortal body to its end. Previously the life force in Adam's body was the spirit' (p. 9)."
"To argue or debate or quarrel over what the Lord has chosen to leave unclear for now is foolish and certainly unproductive (p. 15)."
"'The need which the Christian faith answers is not so much that we are ignorant and need better information, but that we are lost and need someone to come and find us, stuck in the quicksand waiting to be rescued, dying and in need of new life' (p. 17)."
"Before we can, in the words of Apostle Paul, 'put on Christ,' we must first, in the words of the angle to King Benjamin, put off the natural man (p. 17)."
"The Fall was a vital part of the great plan of the Eternal God (p. 18)."
"To say that we are not responsible for or condemned by the Fall of Adam is not to say that we are unaffected by it (p. 18)."
"'Temporal death passes upon all men when they depart this mortal life. Spiritual death passes upon all men when they become accountable for their sins' (Bruce R. McConkie, p. 19)."
"The Lord's redemption takes us well above and beyond where we were before we sinned (p. 20)."
"'The grace of God does not merely restore us to our previous innocent state... His aim is much higher: He wants His sons and daughters to become like Him' (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, p. 20)."
"Seeking to be independent, natural men and women ironically end up conforming to the telestial trends of the day (p. 23)."
"As a sanctifier, the Holy Ghost 'expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity' (p. 24)."
"It isn't that these wonderful people never sinned again but that they didn't want to.... What they did over time... was yield themselves to God's sanctifying influence and find themselves less attracted to worldliness and impurity and more drawn to and enticed by goodness, by righteousness (p. 25)."
"'Satan does not hold any power over man, only so far as the body overcomes the spirit that is in a man, through yielding to the spirt of evil' (Brigham Young, p. 27)."
"Little children are saved without any preconditions (p. 29)."
"Our natures cannot be changed by merely attending meetings and being involved in the work of the Church (p. 29)."
"The answer is to be found--the solution is to be discovered only--in the man Jesus, called the Christ or Anointed One, the Atoning One (p. 31)."
"Christ's life 'neither began in Bethlehem nr concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world' (p. 32)."
"'Create' means to organize (p. 35)."
"The Savior is Christ of the cosmos, God of the galaxies. Surely this is part of what it means to refer to the Savior's work as infinite and eternal (p. 38)."
"Christ is Father through spiritual rebirth (p. 40)."
"'He is the God of Israel, the Holy One of Israel; the one who led that nation out of Egyptian bondage, and who gave and fulfilled the law of Moses.'... 'The Father has never dealt with man directly and personally since the fall, and he has never appeared except to introduce and bear record of the Son' (Joseph Fielding Smith, p. 43)."
"Who can comprehend the saving and redeeming work of a God (p. 60)?"
"Jesus Christ our Lord came to earth not only to change us, but also to exchange with us; it is as if he says to each one of us, 'Come unto me. I will take your sin, and I will give to you my righteousness' (p. 67)."
"In the sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth, 'the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men' was purely and plainly manifest (p. 69)."
"He who stood in for us, our Substitute, our Satisfaction, our Ransomer, our Redeemer calls to us to follow him, to emulate him, and to testify of him, particularly to those who have not yet come to know him. IT is to the Savior's disciples that the good news has been given, and it is from them that these glad tidings must go into all the world. That is our Great Commission (p. 69)."
"'My Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross... that I might draw all men unto me' (p. 73)."
"We come to know those we serve (p. 74)."
"Surely part of coming to know our Lord and Savior is coming to know who he is and what he has done (p. 82)."
"Be close to him... spend time with him... enjoy communion with him (p. 83)."
"When we speak of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the greatest act of mercy and love in all eternity, we must of necessity speak of that intercession, that reconciliation as being both infinite and intimate (p. 83)."
"'Christ's Atonement is the centerpiece of human history' (Neal A. Maxwell, p. 90)."
"Christ's infinity does not preclude either his immediacy or his intimacy (p. 90)."
"Eternal life is always a gift (p. 104)."
"Understanding the grace of God and learning to trust in and rely upon that grace have changed the lives of thousands upon thousands of Latter-day Saints (p. 111)."
"'Our obedience to God's commandments comes as a natural outgrowth of our endless love and gratitude for the goodness of God' (p. 112)."
"Our Savior is far more interested in the direction we are headed, in the genuine effort we are making, than he is with our immediate geography or our current accomplishments. Our sacrifice is more sacred to him than is our increase (p. 115)."
"I believe Nephi is trying to teach us... that we are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ--meaning, his unmerited divine favor, his unearned divine assistance--above and beyond all we can do, notwithstanding all we can do, perhaps even in spite of all we can do (p. 127)."
"Jesus is not only central to the plan of salvation; he is vital and indispensable. We cannot save ourselves. We cannot earn our exaltation. We cannot exercise the sufficient grit and willpower to do the words of righteousness and battle against Satan on our own (p. 128)."
"'Grace is not God's backup plan. Jesus is not plan B. God's boundless grace comes first and sin is what follows. Grace is not God's response to sin. Sin is our embarrassed, improvised, rebellious rejection of God's original grace' (Adam Miller, p. 129)."
"God and human beings are working together for the salvation of their souls (p. 132)."
"God is the perfect embodiment of every divine quality. Hence he is love... light... the God of all grace (p. 136)."
"For our prayers to be the most focused, we are to do so by the power of the Holy Ghost (p. 141)."
"Christ is our Mediator with the Father, our Intercessor in the courts of glory, but we pray directly to God our Father (p. 142)."
"Jesus Christ is worthy of our veneration, our adoration, our worship, and... our time. His name is a holy name. It is by the power of his name and by his word that worlds came rolling into existence, that individuals are healed, that the blind see and the deaf hear, that the dead are raised (p. 153)."
"He is called the Almighty, the Almighty God, Alpha and Omega, Creator, Eternal Father, Eternal God, Eternal Head, Eternal Judge, Everlasting God, Father of heaven and of earth, God, God of Abraham, God of nature, Holy Messiah, Holy One of Israel, Immanuel, Keeper of the gate, Lamb of God, Lord God Almighty, Lord God Omnipotent, Lord God of hosts, Mighty One of Israel, Most High God, Redeemer of Israel, Supreme Being, True and Living God, True Messiah (p. 154)."
"'It is doctrinally incomplete to speak of the Lord's atoning sacrifice by shortcut phrases, such as 'the Atonement' or 'the enabling power of the Atonement' or 'applying the Atonement' or 'being strengthened by the Atonement.' These expressions present a real risk of misdirecting faith by treating the event as if it had living existence and capabilities independent of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ' (Russell M. Nelson, p. 156)."
"Truly the work of redemption, the labor of salvation, is an endeavor undertaken by all three members of the Godhead (p. 158)."
"Our good works are necessary but insufficient for our salvation (p. 159)."
"We do not need to understand all of the particulars of the Master's mediation in order to feel profoundly grateful for the Savior's infinite love and compassion (p. 161)."
"Thank heavens that Jesus did come to earth... offer himself a ransom for our sins... rise from the dead and make the Resurrection available to all the children of God (p. 166)."
"I am staggered and overwhelmed 'by the love Jesus offers me' (p. 169)."
"Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven. These matters are what the Prophet Joseph Smith referred to as the 'fundamental principles of our religion.' 'Truth, glorious truth, proclaims there is a Mediator' (Boyd K. Packer, p. xi)."
"Instructors were asked to teach out of the scriptures... read, ponder, and immerse themselves in the doctrinal messages of the Book of Mormon. One does not travel very far into that scriptural text before he or she encounters what might be called 'redemptive theology' (p. 4)."
"Today we are more focused on the Savior, on his Atonement, and on the divine grace that flows from him and his Father (p. 4)."
"Peace and contentment in this life, linked with everlasting fulfillment in the life to come, are to be found in and through his atoning sacrifice and in no other way (p. 5)."
"No one can ever really appreciate the value of medication until he or she understands the seriousness of the malady (p. 6)."
"After Adam partook of the forbidden fruit, blood became 'the life-giving fluid in Adam's body, and was inherited by his posterity. Blood was not only the life of the mortal body, but also contained in it the seeds of death which bring the mortal body to its end. Previously the life force in Adam's body was the spirit' (p. 9)."
"To argue or debate or quarrel over what the Lord has chosen to leave unclear for now is foolish and certainly unproductive (p. 15)."
"'The need which the Christian faith answers is not so much that we are ignorant and need better information, but that we are lost and need someone to come and find us, stuck in the quicksand waiting to be rescued, dying and in need of new life' (p. 17)."
"Before we can, in the words of Apostle Paul, 'put on Christ,' we must first, in the words of the angle to King Benjamin, put off the natural man (p. 17)."
"The Fall was a vital part of the great plan of the Eternal God (p. 18)."
"To say that we are not responsible for or condemned by the Fall of Adam is not to say that we are unaffected by it (p. 18)."
"'Temporal death passes upon all men when they depart this mortal life. Spiritual death passes upon all men when they become accountable for their sins' (Bruce R. McConkie, p. 19)."
"The Lord's redemption takes us well above and beyond where we were before we sinned (p. 20)."
"'The grace of God does not merely restore us to our previous innocent state... His aim is much higher: He wants His sons and daughters to become like Him' (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, p. 20)."
"Seeking to be independent, natural men and women ironically end up conforming to the telestial trends of the day (p. 23)."
"As a sanctifier, the Holy Ghost 'expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity' (p. 24)."
"It isn't that these wonderful people never sinned again but that they didn't want to.... What they did over time... was yield themselves to God's sanctifying influence and find themselves less attracted to worldliness and impurity and more drawn to and enticed by goodness, by righteousness (p. 25)."
"'Satan does not hold any power over man, only so far as the body overcomes the spirit that is in a man, through yielding to the spirt of evil' (Brigham Young, p. 27)."
"Little children are saved without any preconditions (p. 29)."
"Our natures cannot be changed by merely attending meetings and being involved in the work of the Church (p. 29)."
"The answer is to be found--the solution is to be discovered only--in the man Jesus, called the Christ or Anointed One, the Atoning One (p. 31)."
"Christ's life 'neither began in Bethlehem nr concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world' (p. 32)."
"'Create' means to organize (p. 35)."
"The Savior is Christ of the cosmos, God of the galaxies. Surely this is part of what it means to refer to the Savior's work as infinite and eternal (p. 38)."
"Christ is Father through spiritual rebirth (p. 40)."
"'He is the God of Israel, the Holy One of Israel; the one who led that nation out of Egyptian bondage, and who gave and fulfilled the law of Moses.'... 'The Father has never dealt with man directly and personally since the fall, and he has never appeared except to introduce and bear record of the Son' (Joseph Fielding Smith, p. 43)."
"Who can comprehend the saving and redeeming work of a God (p. 60)?"
"Jesus Christ our Lord came to earth not only to change us, but also to exchange with us; it is as if he says to each one of us, 'Come unto me. I will take your sin, and I will give to you my righteousness' (p. 67)."
"In the sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth, 'the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men' was purely and plainly manifest (p. 69)."
"He who stood in for us, our Substitute, our Satisfaction, our Ransomer, our Redeemer calls to us to follow him, to emulate him, and to testify of him, particularly to those who have not yet come to know him. IT is to the Savior's disciples that the good news has been given, and it is from them that these glad tidings must go into all the world. That is our Great Commission (p. 69)."
"'My Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross... that I might draw all men unto me' (p. 73)."
"We come to know those we serve (p. 74)."
"Surely part of coming to know our Lord and Savior is coming to know who he is and what he has done (p. 82)."
"Be close to him... spend time with him... enjoy communion with him (p. 83)."
"When we speak of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the greatest act of mercy and love in all eternity, we must of necessity speak of that intercession, that reconciliation as being both infinite and intimate (p. 83)."
"'Christ's Atonement is the centerpiece of human history' (Neal A. Maxwell, p. 90)."
"Christ's infinity does not preclude either his immediacy or his intimacy (p. 90)."
"Eternal life is always a gift (p. 104)."
"Understanding the grace of God and learning to trust in and rely upon that grace have changed the lives of thousands upon thousands of Latter-day Saints (p. 111)."
"'Our obedience to God's commandments comes as a natural outgrowth of our endless love and gratitude for the goodness of God' (p. 112)."
"Our Savior is far more interested in the direction we are headed, in the genuine effort we are making, than he is with our immediate geography or our current accomplishments. Our sacrifice is more sacred to him than is our increase (p. 115)."
"I believe Nephi is trying to teach us... that we are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ--meaning, his unmerited divine favor, his unearned divine assistance--above and beyond all we can do, notwithstanding all we can do, perhaps even in spite of all we can do (p. 127)."
"Jesus is not only central to the plan of salvation; he is vital and indispensable. We cannot save ourselves. We cannot earn our exaltation. We cannot exercise the sufficient grit and willpower to do the words of righteousness and battle against Satan on our own (p. 128)."
"'Grace is not God's backup plan. Jesus is not plan B. God's boundless grace comes first and sin is what follows. Grace is not God's response to sin. Sin is our embarrassed, improvised, rebellious rejection of God's original grace' (Adam Miller, p. 129)."
"God and human beings are working together for the salvation of their souls (p. 132)."
"God is the perfect embodiment of every divine quality. Hence he is love... light... the God of all grace (p. 136)."
"For our prayers to be the most focused, we are to do so by the power of the Holy Ghost (p. 141)."
"Christ is our Mediator with the Father, our Intercessor in the courts of glory, but we pray directly to God our Father (p. 142)."
"Jesus Christ is worthy of our veneration, our adoration, our worship, and... our time. His name is a holy name. It is by the power of his name and by his word that worlds came rolling into existence, that individuals are healed, that the blind see and the deaf hear, that the dead are raised (p. 153)."
"He is called the Almighty, the Almighty God, Alpha and Omega, Creator, Eternal Father, Eternal God, Eternal Head, Eternal Judge, Everlasting God, Father of heaven and of earth, God, God of Abraham, God of nature, Holy Messiah, Holy One of Israel, Immanuel, Keeper of the gate, Lamb of God, Lord God Almighty, Lord God Omnipotent, Lord God of hosts, Mighty One of Israel, Most High God, Redeemer of Israel, Supreme Being, True and Living God, True Messiah (p. 154)."
"'It is doctrinally incomplete to speak of the Lord's atoning sacrifice by shortcut phrases, such as 'the Atonement' or 'the enabling power of the Atonement' or 'applying the Atonement' or 'being strengthened by the Atonement.' These expressions present a real risk of misdirecting faith by treating the event as if it had living existence and capabilities independent of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ' (Russell M. Nelson, p. 156)."
"Truly the work of redemption, the labor of salvation, is an endeavor undertaken by all three members of the Godhead (p. 158)."
"Our good works are necessary but insufficient for our salvation (p. 159)."
"We do not need to understand all of the particulars of the Master's mediation in order to feel profoundly grateful for the Savior's infinite love and compassion (p. 161)."
"Thank heavens that Jesus did come to earth... offer himself a ransom for our sins... rise from the dead and make the Resurrection available to all the children of God (p. 166)."
"I am staggered and overwhelmed 'by the love Jesus offers me' (p. 169)."
August 13, 2025
Deeply Insightful and Spiritually Uplifting
The Atoning One by Robert L. Millet is a book that has greatly deepened my understanding of the Atonement. It has helped me reflect more deeply on its importance and central role in the gospel. While I recognize that I cannot fully comprehend its magnitude, this book opened my eyes to a vital truth: the Atonement of Christ is not the source of all our blessings. Each member of the Godhead has a divine role, and we are blessed as we come into communion with each one individually.
One of the concepts that stood out most to me is the importance of never separating the name of Christ from the word “Atonement.” The Atonement is not an abstract power but a living reality in the person of Jesus Christ. I was also struck by Millet’s teaching that Christ suffered for all people, not just for those who repent, and that His grace aims not only to restore innocence but to transform us into His likeness.
The book also gave me new perspective on Christ’s mortal ministry—how, though He was God before birth, He chose to veil His glory, growing “from grace to grace” until receiving the fulness after His resurrection. This helped me understand why even His own family did not initially believe in Him, and it reminded me that faith is a gradual process requiring personal revelation.
Another key insight was the connection between the Fall and the Atonement: without understanding the Fall of Adam and Eve, we cannot fully appreciate the Savior’s work. I also learned that while Christ’s suffering spares us from the full weight of justice, true repentance still involves a measure of personal sorrow. The description of the Father withdrawing His presence in Gethsemane so the Son could experience the full magnitude of His suffering was particularly moving.
This book has motivated me to seek not just personal redemption but greater capacity to serve and bless others—spiritually and temporally. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to better understand the mission of our Savior and what He expects of us.
The Atoning One by Robert L. Millet is a book that has greatly deepened my understanding of the Atonement. It has helped me reflect more deeply on its importance and central role in the gospel. While I recognize that I cannot fully comprehend its magnitude, this book opened my eyes to a vital truth: the Atonement of Christ is not the source of all our blessings. Each member of the Godhead has a divine role, and we are blessed as we come into communion with each one individually.
One of the concepts that stood out most to me is the importance of never separating the name of Christ from the word “Atonement.” The Atonement is not an abstract power but a living reality in the person of Jesus Christ. I was also struck by Millet’s teaching that Christ suffered for all people, not just for those who repent, and that His grace aims not only to restore innocence but to transform us into His likeness.
The book also gave me new perspective on Christ’s mortal ministry—how, though He was God before birth, He chose to veil His glory, growing “from grace to grace” until receiving the fulness after His resurrection. This helped me understand why even His own family did not initially believe in Him, and it reminded me that faith is a gradual process requiring personal revelation.
Another key insight was the connection between the Fall and the Atonement: without understanding the Fall of Adam and Eve, we cannot fully appreciate the Savior’s work. I also learned that while Christ’s suffering spares us from the full weight of justice, true repentance still involves a measure of personal sorrow. The description of the Father withdrawing His presence in Gethsemane so the Son could experience the full magnitude of His suffering was particularly moving.
This book has motivated me to seek not just personal redemption but greater capacity to serve and bless others—spiritually and temporally. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to better understand the mission of our Savior and what He expects of us.
March 27, 2024
I read and return, read and return. I do not believe my relationship with Christ, my Lord, my Saviour I
I don't think I will ever be the same. All of my life I've read, taught and studied the Scriptures wanting to understand more. Read books written by many knowing so much more than I ever will. I love the books written by Robert Millet. He has introduced me to my Lord not just with facts. Somehow after reading his books I feel as though I've met Jesus, His love, His trust, His willingness to look at His Father and say Thy will be done, His innocence. Now when He's in the garden, when all the sins, all the pain that ever was is placed upon Him and blood drips from every pore knowledge becomes reality. His God with draws His spirit and the Eternal sacrifice is ready. When Jesus cries out to His Father it must have broke Gods heart, it felt like mine was breaking. Then on the cross My God, My God why has thou forsaken me? Then He says it is finished and dies. He had to die, He had to be human to die. He has to come back, He has to be God to be the first fruits of the resurrection. What absolute love and faith and trust. And then The resurrection. And I absolutely knew I wasn't worthy. But He thought I was, He thinks I am. So when I stop crying I'll maybe read it again and try to understand.
I don't think I will ever be the same. All of my life I've read, taught and studied the Scriptures wanting to understand more. Read books written by many knowing so much more than I ever will. I love the books written by Robert Millet. He has introduced me to my Lord not just with facts. Somehow after reading his books I feel as though I've met Jesus, His love, His trust, His willingness to look at His Father and say Thy will be done, His innocence. Now when He's in the garden, when all the sins, all the pain that ever was is placed upon Him and blood drips from every pore knowledge becomes reality. His God with draws His spirit and the Eternal sacrifice is ready. When Jesus cries out to His Father it must have broke Gods heart, it felt like mine was breaking. Then on the cross My God, My God why has thou forsaken me? Then He says it is finished and dies. He had to die, He had to be human to die. He has to come back, He has to be God to be the first fruits of the resurrection. What absolute love and faith and trust. And then The resurrection. And I absolutely knew I wasn't worthy. But He thought I was, He thinks I am. So when I stop crying I'll maybe read it again and try to understand.
September 3, 2019
Brother Millet again delivers. I took down some good notes and potential talk ideas in my Evernote account. This is the second book of his I've read in the past few weeks (the first being "Whatever Happened to Faith?"). He shares some very interesting ideas and concepts to follow in regard to the atonement of Jesus Christ, many of which we get casual about or have never thought about seriously. I particularly liked this one: He likes to think that when the moment came in Gethsemane where Christ could’ve backed away he said, “No, I’m going to do this. Bob Millet will need me.” In my case it would be “Jeff Birk will need me. Brittany and Sydney will need me.” He shares a strong testimony at the end knowing that the Savior remits sins because he has remitted his own sins. I liked how he encouraged more reverence in taking Christ's name in any setting, especially when giving and closing prayers and talks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2021
This is a scholarly approach. Robert Millet is obviously well-versed in all he presents. I consider myself well-versed in the scriptures and religious thought as well and still I found new concepts to ponder here. I listened to this as an audiobook. I think I will get the book so I can study and ponder it further.
Some favorite concepts:
Freely does not mean without consequences.
Gap thinking about the atonement of Jesus Christ. That some members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints think they need to do as much as they possibly can (works) and then Jesus Christ will make up the difference (grace). I get this is not how I should think about it, but honestly, it is how I think about it.
People's concept of what constitutes Celestial material. Am I good enough to even try?
I recommend this book to anyone that wants to better understand Grace/Works and the mission of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice.
Some favorite concepts:
Freely does not mean without consequences.
Gap thinking about the atonement of Jesus Christ. That some members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints think they need to do as much as they possibly can (works) and then Jesus Christ will make up the difference (grace). I get this is not how I should think about it, but honestly, it is how I think about it.
People's concept of what constitutes Celestial material. Am I good enough to even try?
I recommend this book to anyone that wants to better understand Grace/Works and the mission of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice.
July 27, 2020
This has been one of the most impactful books on the Atonement I’ve ever read. Among the concepts discussed that were perspective changers:
1. Christ was both fully human and fully divine. Not 50% human and 50% divine. The author also asked us to imagine that he suffered one second for every person to help us better conceptualize the idea that He knows intimately how we feel.
2. At the judgement bar, the potential answer to how we will measure our life is our utter dependence on Christ and His Atonement and Grace.
Highly recommended. Millet is both highly personable and has done years on research on pondering on this subject.
1. Christ was both fully human and fully divine. Not 50% human and 50% divine. The author also asked us to imagine that he suffered one second for every person to help us better conceptualize the idea that He knows intimately how we feel.
2. At the judgement bar, the potential answer to how we will measure our life is our utter dependence on Christ and His Atonement and Grace.
Highly recommended. Millet is both highly personable and has done years on research on pondering on this subject.
May 26, 2019
The first few chapters of this book cover well-tread ground. If you have read The Infinite Atonement, for example, there won't be anything new in these chapters. It's a necessary foundation though, for the rest of the book.
I think the book really takes off when it comes to the chapter about grace. Millet gives a nice overview of how the understanding of grace has evolved in the church, compares our views to other protestant faiths, and discusses the balance between grace and works. This book is a good addition for anyone wishing to understand the atonement of Jesus Christ further.
I think the book really takes off when it comes to the chapter about grace. Millet gives a nice overview of how the understanding of grace has evolved in the church, compares our views to other protestant faiths, and discusses the balance between grace and works. This book is a good addition for anyone wishing to understand the atonement of Jesus Christ further.
March 12, 2018
A strong testimony from one who has studied and taught about the Savior for decades. Robert Millet has a gift for saying the essential and leaving out the superfluous. A book that is definitely worth at least one reading, probably more. Millet's testimony of the Savior is touching. The part that rang truest to me was his answer to his friend who asked what Bob Millet would say if he were before the throne of God, requesting entrance to heaven. I'll leave the answer for the reader to discover.
April 14, 2018
It's been a few weeks since I listened to this audiobook so I'm a little slow in getting a review written. A lot of great thoughts, scriptures and doctrinal information about Christ and His Atonement. As Easter was approaching this year, I wanted to listen to several books about Christ and have my thoughts focusing more on Him and His life and sacrifices. I enjoyed this one a lot.
The author shared several personal stories from his life and experiences he has had over the years, either his or his students (he is a professor of ancient scripture) relating to Christ and His Atonement. I enjoyed the different perspectives this brought and the thoughts it provoked. From some of his beginning thoughts about the Atonement through many years of study, learning, teaching and applying the Atonement in his own life.
This is another book that I would enjoy to have a physical copy of to highlight, make notes in and take more time to ponder over some thoughts, which an audiobook doesn't always allow for. Although I love the convenience of having the book playing while I am doing work around the house, driving my family around or just sitting quietly listening.
Content: Religious aspects about the Atonement of Jesus Christ
I listened to an audiobook on my Deseret Bookshelf account.
Happy Reading!!!
The author shared several personal stories from his life and experiences he has had over the years, either his or his students (he is a professor of ancient scripture) relating to Christ and His Atonement. I enjoyed the different perspectives this brought and the thoughts it provoked. From some of his beginning thoughts about the Atonement through many years of study, learning, teaching and applying the Atonement in his own life.
This is another book that I would enjoy to have a physical copy of to highlight, make notes in and take more time to ponder over some thoughts, which an audiobook doesn't always allow for. Although I love the convenience of having the book playing while I am doing work around the house, driving my family around or just sitting quietly listening.
Content: Religious aspects about the Atonement of Jesus Christ
I listened to an audiobook on my Deseret Bookshelf account.
Happy Reading!!!
March 17, 2022
This book had answers to questions I've asked in my life (and found the same answers to, most of the time). That's the first time a single book has addressed more than one of my personal questions, so I was surprised. I know that doesn't mean it will necessarily answer yours, but perhaps give it a shot. The thing I enjoyed most was that gospel books don't grow testimonies, but this one somehow gave me space to ponder the atonement of Jesus Christ and grow on my own.
April 21, 2018
The Atonement of Jesus Christ is fundamentally important to understand in today's Christianity and Brother Millet does an excellent job of going into the reasons for it by starting with the Fall of Adam to the saving grace of the Savior. Wonderful book to put you in the mood for Easter or to better understand and become acquainted with our Master.
June 24, 2018
There are a lot of great concepts collected into this book. I loved the clear treatment of the Fall of Adam and Eve and it's proper place in understanding the need for Christ's Atonement. I learned about the words Jehovah, Adonai, and Yahweh in a way I had not before. And I enjoyed the author's personal story of coming to understand grace.
December 7, 2018
This insightful, thought provoking book on the Atonement of Christ should be placed among other classics such as the Infinite Atonement by Callister. What this book offers is perspective from new angles. Best of all, there were things I learned because of how Millet presented the topic - with fresh perspective.
December 8, 2018
This book really delves deeper into the meaning of the Atonement and what Jesus Christ has done for us. He also talks about grace and how that intertwines with the Atonement. I loved the chapter where he went into greater detail of Gethsemane. This is definitely a powerful book that is worth reading.
January 4, 2022
An amazing book on the life and atonement of Christ. I love Brother Millet. His method of teaching and soft tone really help you feel the Spirit if the Lord. Among other things in this beautiful book, I love the way he talks about some if the key followers of Christ at that time. Think about who they were before mortality. You will love this book. Also amazing on audio!!
April 15, 2018
I can’t say enough about this book. I love Robert Millet’s insight, testimony and knowledge of Jesus Christ. His testimony has strengthen mine. His insight and wisdom of Christ has increased mine. The more I study of Christ, the more I love him.
April 29, 2018
This is an excellent book. I really enjoyed it. He covers the beliefs of Protestant friends along with the LDS church beliefs on Grace and also the dangers of “cheap Grace”; along with many other important things in understanding what our Savior did for us. Good book.
May 28, 2018
Did not answer the question for which I was seeking an answer. But it did compile many of the piecemeal teachings about the grace and mercy of Christ and our role in coming to him as the only source of our salvation.
June 10, 2018
Robert Millet teaches with insight and understanding about the Savior and his atoning sacrifice. I gained many insights by listening to his teaching. His discussion of Moroni’s scripture on charity was my favorite part of the book. The pure love of Christ is his love for us.
November 24, 2018
4.5 stars. Fabulous reflections on the Savior and what He means for each of us in our fallen state. I didn’t quite follow the logic behind each chapter’s subject so it didn’t quite feel like a unified message, other than the authors reflections on each topic he chose. Still amazing stuff, though.
March 5, 2019
This books was awesome! What I really enjoyed was the new thoughts and insights I gained from reading this book. Some misconceptions were delicately handled. I would definitely recommend this book!
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