Tag Archive for: Easter

Because of Him

Yesterday, I sat atop the stairwell.
Flooding my mind, were thoughts of days gone by.
Missionaries, family and dear friends, had all climbed these stairs.
Cradling our memory book, one by one, their names and faces flashed through my mind.

Gratitude

I was overwhelmed by feelings of love and gratitude.
Tears came easily…
It was a beautiful moment, I’ll cherish forever.
All of those missionaries in our book are home now.
“Will I meet them again?” I thought.
Rising to my feet, a swift and calming feeling came…
The answer was an emphatic and absolute “𝐲𝐞𝐬!”
I look forward to sweet reunions in the years ahead.

Easter

Today is 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲.
This morning, I’m mindful of other sweet reunions that I hope and long for…
My father, nana, gran, and many other family and friends who have already passed away.
Over the years, I have attended and spoken at many funerals.
Frequently, I witness tears of sadness over and over again.
Sometimes, I am asked about the whereabouts of their loved ones.

Scriptures

The scriptures clearly guide us to what the future holds.
Job asked the supreme question “If a man die, shall he live again?” – Job 14:14.
The answer is an emphatic and absolute “𝐲𝐞𝐬!”
Our Saviour Jesus Christ’s atonement and resurrection, enable us all to live again.
𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐢𝐦, each of us will overcome the ultimate obstacle of death.
𝐇𝐞 claimed the victory over death.
“But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.” – Mosiah 16:7-8.
In times ahead, as we each pass through the veil of death, I look forward to many sweet reunions, as we continue our journey towards the glorious day of our resurrection.
Come to church this Easter.
Speak with a missionary about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His plan of Happiness.

Palm Sunday

In the Christian calendar, today is the start of Holy Week.
My thoughts are already turning more towards Jesus Christ, especially today as we mark His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
The Old Testament tells us that Jews would rejoice greatly, to shout at the Messiah’s coming.
And they did.
The crowd cried “Hosanna,” the Greek expression for “save us now.”
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” See Zechariah 9:9.
In adoration, the people laid down palm branches before Christ’s path. See Matthew 21:1-11

An important week

Elder Ronald A. Rasband shared recently about the importance of Palm Sunday, and that it was the beginning of “the most important week in human history.”
“What began with the heralding of Jesus as the promised Messiah in His triumphant entry into Jerusalem closed with His Crucifixion and Resurrection,” he said.

Remembering

Three years ago, President Russell M. Nelson said. “I invite you to make this coming week truly holy by remembering — not just the palms that were waved to honour the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem — but by remembering the 𝒑𝒂𝒍𝒎𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑯𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔.”
He quoted the Saviour’s promise in Isaiah 49:16: “Behold, I have graven thee upon the 𝒑𝒂𝒍𝒎𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔.” — a promise, President Nelson said, that Jesus Christ “will never forget you.”
Upon His hands, are engraven our sins, our pains and all our afflictions, and if we come unto Him, I know, that each of us will feel of his redeeming love and heal us.

Follow His Teachings

Through repentance and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, you too can feel the joy of forgiveness of His redeeming love, always and forever, just like Gracie Reid and Mallory Grunander.
“After all that Jesus Christ did for you, I invite you to do something this week to follow His teachings,” President Nelson continued.
“You might make your prayers more earnest. You could forgive someone or help a friend in need. You can start today on a new spiritual quest.”
“Let us remember during this Easter season that the restored gospel of our Lord has the power to fill any emptiness and heal any wound” said Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf.
Why not invite the missionaries over this week, and consider why the Easter message is so important for you?

Good Friday

Today is 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲.
Christians all over the world remember this day as one of immense suffering for our Saviour.
Last night, two millennia ago, He suffered great pains in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Who can fail to remember His agony.
Speaking of Christ’s prayer in Gethsemane, Luke wrote…
“And he… kneeled down, and prayed,” saying Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. ” And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. ” And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. ” (Luke 22:41-44.)

Challenges

Quentin L. Cook said; “If the grim realities you are facing at this time seem dark and heavy and almost unbearable, remember that in the soul-wrenching darkness of Gethsemane and the incomprehensible torture and pain of Calvary, the Saviour accomplished the Atonement, which resolves the most terrible burdens that can occur in this life. He did it for you, and He did it for me. He did it because He loves us and because He obeys and loves His Father. We will be rescued from death — even from the depths of the sea.”
From Gethsemane, to the cross, and then the tomb, He rose triumphant, bringing life and hope to all of us.
In our Missionary Zone Conferences this week, I spoke about Jesus Christ, His Atonement and resurrection and the impact His life has for all mankind.
Sometimes, we may feel that He has forgotten us, yet He testifies… “Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee… Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.” – see Isaiah 49:15-16.
Upon His hands, are engraven our sins, our pains and all our afflictions, and if we come unto Him, I promise, that each of us will feel of his redeeming love and heal us.
Through repentance and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, you can feel the joy of forgiveness of His redeeming love, always and forever, just like Emma Bair and Janessa Anderson
Why not invite the missionaries over this weekend, and reconsider why the Easter message is so important for you?