The Greatest Accomplishment

I was sitting in church this past Easter Sunday, I was thinking about Christ's Resurrection. I started to reflect on His appearance to His apostles and how that must have taken place. Could you imagine the elation and sense of accomplishment He must have felt knowing that He had taken upon himself the pains, afflictions, temptations, sicknesses, and infirmities of the world and that He made it possible for us all to live again? Can you imagine Him speaking to His apostles and saying, "And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: (Luke 24:46)" He told them before his death that this is what he was going to do and now, after His death He was able to come back and say, "I have done it!" I think it is one of the most wonderful things to imagine. I encourage everyone to think a little deeper and try to visualize what may have occurred.

                                            

The True Meaning of Easter

As tomorrow is Easter, I thought it would be appropriate to share this video along with my testimony of the divinity of Christ's role in the atonement. I know through this act we will be able to live with our Father in Heaven and Savior Jesus Christ again. Alma 7:11-12 says: And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. This is the reason for the Atonement. This is the reason our Savior had to go through all of the hardships. so that he would know how to help us in our time of need and to help us repent for what we have done.

I know that Jesus Christ did this for us. I know that he is our Savior and redeemer. I know that He died and suffered for us but more than that He lives again. A popular hymn that I love says: "I know that my Redeemer lives! What comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives, he lives, who once was dead; He lives, my ever living head!" I know this is true. I know that our Heavenly Father and our brother love us. I pray that we can all keep this, the true meaning of Easter in our hearts and minds at all times. I say this all in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, our brother and redeemer. Amen

They were taught by their mothers.

     In the scriptures we read of many amazing women in ancient times. We read of Esther, and Hannah, and Mary, the mother of Christ. We see all these women and their great faith. One of my favorite stories comes from the Book of Mormon. It begins with a people, the Lamanites, who were converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because they were fully converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ, they made a vow before God that they would not take the life of another person again and they decided to bury their swords. In Alma 24:6 it says: Now there was not one soul among all the people who had been converted unto the Lord that would take up arms against their brethren; nay, they would not even make any preparations for war; yea, and also their king commanded them that they should not. At this time there was a war going on and a wicked group of Lamanites came and began to attack them. Because of their vow that they made, they allowed these men to kill them. As a result of this, their sons, who did not take the vow, decided to take up arms and protect their brethren. These men, numbering 2,000, became known as the Stripling Warriors. When confronted with adversity and the need to fight, they bravely took up their arms and pressed on in defense of their beloved. In Alma 56:47 it says: Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. I have put in bold and underlined my favorite part. They had been taught by their mother the things of God. I am proud to say that I have been taught the things of God by my mother. Growing up she led me and guide me in the things that I needed to do to become the man that I am. She is responsible for the success and joys that I have had. She has been there for the ups and the downs and for that I will be forever grateful. My mother has been there for me, she is my support. I know that she has had to put up with a lot but that  has helped our bond grow even stronger. I am grateful to my mother and all the other women that have played a huge role in my life. I want to publicly say how much I love my mother, I love my family, and I love my Savior.