Journal of Discourses, 3:205-206 “…God never bestows upon His people, or upon an individual, superior blessings without a severe trial to prove they will keep their covenants with Him…For this express purpose the Father withdrew His spirit from His son, at the time he was to be crucified.
Jesus had been with his Father, talked with Him, dwelt in His bosom, and knew all about heaven, about making the earth, about the transgression of man, and what would redeem the people, and that he was the character who was to redeem the sons of earth, and the earth itself from all sin that had come upon it.
The light, knowledge, power, and glory with which he was clothed were far above, or exceeded that of all others who had been upon the earth after the fall, consequently at the very moment, at the hour when the crisis came for him to offer up his life, the Father withdrew Himself, withdrew His Spirit, and cast a veil over him.
That is what made him sweat blood. If he had had the power of God upon him, he would not have sweat blood; but all was withdrawn from him, and a veil was cast over him, and he then plead with the Father not to forsake him. ‘No,’ says the Father, ‘you must have your trials, as well as the others.’” – Brigham Young, Great Salt Lake City, February 17, 1856 [emp. added]
