He is Risen!

This has been a wonderful Easter Sunday!

A couple weeks ago I got this fabulous Easter Basket from Emily's mom. So sweet and thoughtful! Thanks Marilyn :)

This past couple weeks in New Testament class we have been studying the last week of the Savior's life. I have learned so much more than I could have imagined and absolutely love the knowledge that I have. Jesus Christ is my Savior and He has become a friend to me as I have studied His life. Because of Him, I want to be a better person and follow His footsteps so that I can return and live with my Father in Heaven again. 

"In some miraculous way, which we do not understand, in the garden of Gethsemane the Savior lived your life" - Merrill J. Bateman

"Christianity is founded on the greatest of all miracles, the resurrection of our Lord. If that be admitted, other miracles cease to be improbable." -Bible Dictionary

If Christ can break the bands of death, He can do anything. How blessed are we that He made that sacrifice for us and for the joy that it brings into our lives. The ability to repent, and change, and become perfect through Him. We are never alone and that is the greatest comfort. The resurrection is the single greatest event in the history of the world. However, Jesus Christ is not just a character in the history books. He lives, He loves us, and He is our friend, brother, and Savior. 

I had the opportunity this Easter morning to go up to Salt Lake for a missionary farewell. Elder Benjamin Pearson will be leaving for the Barcelona Spain mission in 5 weeks. I got to know the Pearson family while they were serving their mission in my home ward. Their familly is such a great example to me and I enjoyed being able to spend time with Ben and becoming friends as we went to seminary, participated in orchestra, and were involved in sports. It's been fun to see him occasionally here at BYU and I'm so excited for the opportunity he has to serve. He did a phenomenal job this morning and bore such a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I totally agree with one of his young men's leaders as he said, "That sounded like a homecoming, not a farewell" Ben has a lot of great things ahead of him and the people in Spain are so blessed to have him! It was a special day because not only it is Easter, but his whole family was able to be there and he was able to speak with his dad, who is now a member of the seventy. Elder Pearson spoke about four reasons why the atonement was necessary:

1. Jesus Christ saves us and allows us to return into the physical presence of God

2. It ends suffering

3. It brings about change

4. It allows for the new and everlasting covenant to happen

Such true, important doctrine spoken by a special witness of Christ was such a great experience. As we receive, retain, and renew our covenants, we are on the path to exaltation and that is a wonderful feeling. The atonement gives us a brightness of hope and spiritual power. 

Before coming home, we stopped at Temple Square. I don't think I could ever get tired of going there. It is so beautiful! It is a gorgeous day and spring is definitely upon us. I always get such a strong confirmation that this is the true church and that we are so blessed to have it on the earth today each time I am there. It truly is amazing. Today there were beautiful flowers everywhere which are a reminder of new life and that just as our Savior rose again, we will too someday.

I then came back down to Provo and attended my own Sacrament Meeting where we had a wonderful musical program. There were two choir numbers, two special numbers one of which I accompanied for, and two speakers, the Elder's Quorum President and the Relief Society President, and a congregational hymn. I love singing about the Savior and the great spirit that it brings. The spirit testified to me today of the love that Heavenly Father has for each and every one of us and I am so grateful for the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ. I know that He lives and I am grateful for Easter and the opportunity it gives us to celebrate the life of our Savior and to remind us of the special covenants we have made and the pathway we must follow to return to our Heavenly Father. May we all remember that we are God's children and that as we follow the example of Jesus Christ, we will have everlasting joy.