Easter

As Andrea mentioned, those of us who have been keeping up on reading two pages a day in the Book of Mormon found ourselves reading about the visit of the Savior to America right at the Easter season. President Turley challenged me in my last interview with him to student that last week of the Savior's life leading up to the resurrection. As I did so I realized the Bible is largely silent about what happened on that Saturday between the crucifixion and the resurrection. But as I studied I became aware that one of the things Christ did while his body lay in the tomb in Jerusalem was visit his children on the American continent. He didn't show himself to them yet, but they heard his voice. We read in 3rd Nephi chapter 9 that while the people around Zarahemla were wandering around stunned in the darkness after earthquakes and fires and other natural disasters that the voice of Jesus Christ was heard by them saying, "behold, I ma Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are." It made me realize that Jesus loves all his people. My study of the events leading up to that first Easter have increased my appreciation for and testimony of our Savior.

3 Nephi 15:9

This verse truly, is one of my favorite scriptures. This is Christ speaking to the people in the Americas as he teaches them the gospel. The reason I really love this scripture is because it is still very important to us today and still applies in our lives. He says to them: Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.

For we, in order to receive eternal life, must be baptized and have the gift of the Holy Ghost bestowed upon us. We must be worthy, by obeying the commandments and living the gospel to recieve our endowments in the temple. We need to be sealed to our spouse and family in the temple. And finally, we all must endure to the end.

I am so thankful that it is Easter today and that we have been able to celebrate Jesus Christ's resurrection. I know that because of him we will all be able to be resurrected one day. I know that he is the Savior and Redeemer of this world. I am so thankful for his willingness to sacrifice for us in Gethsemane so that we would be able to repent and live with him and Heavenly Father again. I know that this is the true church and that the scriptures are true. I am so thankful that we will be able to attend the temple as a youth body this Thursday and partake of the eternal blessings offered there. I know that we have a true prophet here on Earth, Thomas S. Monson. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

His Sheep

It was very fitting that throughout this past Easter week, in my scripture reading, I happened to be at the part in 3rd Nephi where Christ comes to the Americas. I noticed one day as I was reading that he often refers to us as His sheep, with Him as our shepherd. I found that so comforting.
In 3 Nephi 15:21, Christ was telling the people, "Other sheep have I not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." Isn't it so nice to know that our Savior is aware of each and every one of us and our needs? He wants every one of His sheep in His fold because each of us are valuable children of God. "They shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep." (16:3) I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He knows and loves me. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

O That We Had Repented

It was interesting to me as I read 3rd Nephi chapter 8 how the Lord comes through with his promises when it comes to both blessings and cursings. When the great destructions in the 3rd Nephi come to pass it's only then that the people wish they had repented. But it was a case of too little too late. And yet we read in chapter 10 verse 14 where it says that "he that hath the scriptures, let him search them because all of these deaths".. . were a fulfillment of prophecy.

What can we learn for our day. I think people, likewise, are ignoring the consequences of poor decisions. Then when those consequences hit they wish they had repented. It's my hope that none of us will be in that position - that we will chose the right and let the positive consequences follow.

Did Not Sin Ignorantly

We learn in 3 Nephi chapter 5, how after the Lord helped the Nephites destroy the

Gadianton robbers that the people were so humbled and grateful that "there was not a living soul among all the people who did doubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets."(chapter 5 verse 1). We go on to read that, "they did forsake all their sins, and their abominations, and did serve God with all diligence day and night." (verse 3).

What righteous people they were - all of them. And yet we turn the page (seven years later) and we read that the majority gave in to the temptations of the devil and "did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God concerning them, for it had been taught to them; therefore they did willfully rebel against God."(2 Nephi 6:18)

There are two lessons I take away from these verses for our day. First, like the Nephites, if we sin we do it willfully because we've been taught better and are under greater responsibility and thus greater condemnation if we sin. Second, I'm amazed at how quickly these people who had

such great testimonies (remember they did not doubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets) fell away and fell to temptation.

It makes me realize that we have to work on our spirituality every day. But I also know that when we do that is when we feel the greatest peace and happiness.

3 Nephi 9:14

Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I recieve; and blessed are those who come unto me. What a unique scripture this is of how we must come unto Jesus. That if we come unto him he will extend his arm of mercy to us and will grant us eternal life. Through him we will all be blessed and we can inherit the kingdom of God. He is the light and life of the world. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. The Father and the son, our savior and redeemer. He healed the sick, the dead he raised, he suffered the attonement willingly and died for us on Calvary's Hill. It is not just our responsibility to come unto Jesus Christ alone. We have been challenged to invite all to come unto him so that they may also partake of the many marvelous blessings he bestows upon us. For it is his work and his glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. And the only way for this to happen is to be missionaries and invite, invite, invite all to come unto Christ the Savior. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

3 Nephi 3:14

"...he caused that fortifications should be built round about them, and the strength thereof should be exceedinlgy great." I think we all should 'cause exceedingly great fortifications' to be built in our own lives. At General Conference, we were, as always instructed to pray often, study our scriptures, and bear our testimonies. We wouldn't be getting told this all the time if it weren't important! These are our latter-day fortifications, and we want them to be as strong as possible so we can stand as witnesses of God.

Wickedness Never Was Happiness

The scripture I want to comment on is similar to the famous "wickedness never was happiness" quote from Alma. Another witness of that theme comes in slightly different words but a similar meaning in Helamn 13:38:

"... And ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head."

Don't we see this in the world today? People think that immorality, drugs or other sins will bring them happiness. There may be some momentary pleasure, but it doesn't bring real, lasting happiness - in fact, it usually brings sorrow and misery. I have a strong testimony that the one and only path to true happiness lies in living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Helaman 13:29

"...how long will ye choose darkness rather than light?" That is a very good question. A lot of times, doing spiritual things like studying the scriptures and watching conference may not seem very interesting. But the way I like to think of it is, that even if it's not necessarily interesting, it's in your best interest to do it. Our life here on Earth won't last forever, and we need to actually be able give ourselves credit for trying, and being examples of the believers, and being member missionaries. In our little everyday decisions of whether or not to pray, or study our scriptures, and so much more, we are choosing- either darkness or light.