A Most-Blessed Easter

"The Savior has suffered not just for our iniquities but also for the inequality, the unfairness, the pain,

the anguish, and the emotional distresses that so frequently beset us. There is no physical pain, no anguish of soul, no suffering of spirit, no infirmity or weakness that you or I ever experience during our mortal journey that the Savior did not experience first. You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, 'No one understands. No one knows.' No human being, perhaps, knows. But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He felt and bore our burdens before we ever did. And because He paid the ultimate price and bore that burden, He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy in so many phases of our life. He can reach out, touch, succor—literally run to us—and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do through relying upon only our own power." ~David A. Bednar

I love bearing my testimony of the Savior, but there are times when my words just won't do, and His other anointed servants - His Prophets and Apostles - say it far better than I ever could.

The Unchanging Word of the Lord

When Christ came into the world to save His people from sorrow, sin and oppression, many were disappointed because due to the traditions of their fathers, they had expected and eagerly awaited a conquering king from the royal house of David - a  man who would overthrow Roman rule and lead

the people in battle. What they got was oh, so much more! Yet they did not - COULD NOT - see it. And because of their blindness, or rather, the blindness of their Jewish leaders, they missed out on learning at the feet of the greatest teacher who ever walked the face of the earth.

However, even among those who were Christ's followers, many found some of his teachings hard to take and there was a great division among the people. And just as it was then, so it is today. To live the gospel is not a matter of picking and choosing what commandments to obey. The Lord said if we are not FOR Him, we are AGAINST Him, which means we had better decide WHOSE side we are on.
I love and cherish every single word of the gospel of Christ, and lowly sinner that I am, I will continue to do my best and pray that my humble offering will be accepted, and that the Savior's atoning sacrifice will make up the difference. Which means, I am on His side no matter what!

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He ~Matthew 10: 34-38

that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."

 

Looking Forward to That Day

With each day that passes, I find myself reflecting more and more on the Savior's gifts to me - His teachings and His many sacrifices, the biggest of which is the Atonement. I'm more prone to tears these days and my emotions run high when I think about the many ways the Lord's life has blessed my own. Flawed creature that I am, I have received much comfort, and answers to prayers that have strengthened and increased my faith and testimony of the Father and the Son's love for me, and for all of us.

Oh, how I look forward to the Savior's return! How I look forward to kneeling before Him, for the opportunity to bathe His feet with my tears, to feel the nail wounds there, and in His hands. And how I pray that when that day does come, I will be worthy of the blessing. Until then, I will do my best to live my best and be my best.
I pray for this for all of us.