What Easter means to me

With the Easter Season almost upon us, I felt it most appropriate to take this time to ponder and reflect on the life and mission of our Savior Jesus Christ. Hearing these words spoken by Elder Holland awaken every soul to the realization of the divinity of Jesus Christ. The Spirit that is felt as we listen to an Apostle of the Lord speak to us, is awe inspiring. We must always remember, as Elder Holland pointed out, that because Jesus walked that path utterly alone, we don't have to. If we go through life suffering and wallowing in our own guilt and sorrow, it is because we choose to go it alone and not rely on the divine gift of the Atonement. Through His suffering first in Gethsemane and then on the cross He was able to not only take upon Him our sins, but also our sorrows and sufferings. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:3-5)." Centuries before His coming, Isaiah saw and witnessed the path that Christ would have to travel. But because that path was trod and that price was paid, we are able to receive forgiveness and feel the cleansing power of His Atonement. Then to contemplate the wondrous blessing of the empty tomb on Easter morning. Christ, the perfect being, was able to break the bands of death and usher in the blessing of the resurrection. The Apostle Paul wrote, "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)." Because of Christ all shall be resurrected and receive perfect, immortal bodies. That this gift extends to all, wicked and righteous alike, shows the infinite power and universal nature of the Atonement. With these things in mind I invite all to ponder in your hearts the true meaning of Easter this season. With the eggs, candy, and bunnies that surround it; seek to look through to the heart which is our Savior Jesus Christ. As we come to understand His sacrifice and what it means to us, we will feel the desire to draw nearer to Him and live by His side. Of this I leave my testimony that Jesus Christ indeed died for us and rose again three days later. I know that He lives, and loves each and every one of us. And because of that love we may live after death and enjoy the blessings He has bought with His blood in Gethsemane and His suffering on the Cross. I leave you these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.