easter

I love the fresh, bright, sunny, and happy feelings of Easter. It is one of my favorite holidays. I love the simplicity of the holiday, combined with family and friends to share it with. I love the coloring of eggs, the songs in church, the crisp white shirts on the boys and men, the gleaming dresses (and faces) on the women and girls, the brilliant tulips, the fresh green grass, the blooming trees, and the sunny skies. Most of all, I love the reminder of Christ's atoning sacrifice for each of us. I love the reminder that He rose from the dead, and that He lives again!

I love the talk Elder Holland shared in the April 2009 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Excuse my indulgence. It is long, but it is oh so beautiful. You can read, watch or listen to the entire talk here.

"Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: 'I will not leave you comfortless: My Father and I will come to you and abide with you.'

My other plea at Easter time is that these scenes of Christ’s lonely sacrifice, laced with moments of denial and abandonment and, at least once, outright betrayal, must never be reenacted by us. He has walked alone once. Now, may I ask that never again will He have to confront sin without our aid and assistance, that never again will He find only unresponsive onlookers when He sees you and me along His Via Dolorosa in our present day."

4 years ago, I was just leaving to go to BYU Jerusalem. The memories of my time spent in the Holy Land will always be special to me, especially during the Easter season. Time sure does fly! This is a picture of two great friends and me at the Garden Tomb. The sign within the tomb says "He is not here, for He is Risen"!