March 27, 2005
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What a beautiful day for Easter. The sun is shining, the morning was warm, the flowers are about to bloom, the trees have budded- some already in flower, the birds are chirping, and air feels fresh from Friday’s rain. It is as if nature itself is bearing testimony of the remarkable events, even the most sacred events of human history, that we celebrate this Easter Sunday. For on a spring morning like this nearly two thousand years ago, the tomb of Jesus the Christ was found empty.
Today we celebrate the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the resurrection following His death. What a wonderful day.
I was really touched by Nicola’s testimony today. She said that she had learned recently that it wasn’t enough to know that Jesus was the Christ. It wasn’t enough to know the Book of Mormon is true, or that the Church is true, or that God lives. She said you have to feel it. She bore testimony not only that she knew all these things, but that she felt them. Knowledge, she says, fades. Feelings are what renew faith. Isn’t that profound. It reminded me of D&C 6:22-24.
Friends, I want you to know that I feel the power of God in my life. I feel an assurance that He lives. I feel like shouting alleluia when that assurance comes over me- that assurance that Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World, has descended below all. He suffered and died that we may be exalted and live. He has redeemed us from the sins that damn us. I remember those first times when I gained a knowledge of these things- that Jesus was the Christ, our personal Savior, that Joseph Smith was His prophet, that the Book of Mormon was His word, and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was His Church. In bearing testimony now, I feel the same feeling that I first felt during those experiences of my youth.
I read a scripture in the Book of Mormon today that really struck me. Mosiah 4:9-10 “Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend. And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.”
How grateful I am for that forgiveness. How grateful I am for those feelings, for the happiness that I found in the Gospel, for the family that taught me that Gospel, and above all for the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the World. I close in His name, amen.
Comments (2)
Aww! Thanks! Jeremy’s the best…I love my movie. I do think I look much better in live motion than still pictures. See ya around!
Amanda
Hey Dan, Happy Resurrection Day to you too! I had such a wonderful Sunday.
At my friend’s ward last month (at fast and testimony evening), this one guy got up and bore his testimony. He was a parapalegic (I can’t spell it), but he talked about how so many people who are in his same condition hate life, and hate what has happened to them so much, that they die in depression. He stated strongly that he lived each day for Christ, each breath he took, every challenge he went through, he did it for his Savior, to show him how thankful he was to be able to live, and to love life. Well, he died on Friday, but it was just amazing how he bore such a strong testimony so close to his death. I hope when the end comes for me that I’ll be that strong. But what I find so amazing, is that this holiday will be such a comfort to him, his family, and friends because it shows how Christ overcame all – he conquered death! It’s such a comfort to me to know that they will see him again, that he is spirit is still living, and that someday his body will be resurrected to a perfect state. I am so grateful for that.
Anyway, just wrote a novel on your site, sorry about that. Just wanted to share that with you. Hope you have a great week.
-Megs