The Promise of the Atonement

The Lord promises victims full restitution and thorough healing. He taught this doctrine to ancient Israel and during his earthly ministry, and he has reaffirmed it in these latter days. The law of Moses is the schoolmaster that holds the key to understanding his promise. It can lead us to valuing the Atonement enough to forgive and to feel forgiven.

[The mistaken notion that we are required to excuse those who have trespassed against us and that we must discount the pain we have suffered leaves many wounded souls unnecessarily guilt-ridden and comfortless, ] writes author Ester Rasband.

In this important volume, we learn that acceptance of the Atonement allows us to forgive those who have wronged us--not because that acceptance is a forfeiture of justice but because it is the very assurance of it. And justice, as The Promise of the Atonement ultimately shows, means restitution, restoration, and healing for the [heavy laden.]

Ester Rasband was born in Seattle, Washington. She is the youngest of ten children born to immigrant parents who were converts to the LDS Church.

She graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in English. She received the College of Humanities Honored Alumni Award from that institution in 2001 in recognition of her book Confronting the Myth of Self-Esteem. She has a marked interest in the Old Testament and has done graduate work in ancient Near Eastern studies.

Ester, who has written for the Ensign magazine and other publications, is also the author of Man and Woman, Joy in Oneness,  What Think You of Christmas? and Mother Love.

She is married to James E. Rasband, a retired radiologist. They have served two missions—the first when Brother Rasband presided in the Canada Montreal Mission and the second when he served as second counselor in the presidency of the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.

The Rasbands, who live in Provo, have two sons and seven grandchildren.