Easter Thoughts

I am home from church today with C. Bear and wanted to add some spirituality to my day, so I was reading this month's Ensign.  Since Easter is this month, much of this issue is on the atonement, crucifixion, and resurrection of the Savior.  One of the talks I read referred me to Elder Holland's talk from last April's General Conference.  It is one of the most beautiful talks on this subject I have ever heard.  I highly recommend reading the entire talk, especially in preparation for this Easter week, but here is a wonderful video of a portion of the talk .



It is impossible for man to fully comprehend the magnitude of the gift that the Savior has offered to each one of us, but as we use the blessing of the atonement more readily in our lives we will see more clearly the love and peace He is waiting to bless us with if we will but turn to Him.  I hope that in return for this matchless gift I can always answer the challenge presented by Elder Ballard:  "As we approach this holy week—Passover Thursday with its Paschal Lamb, atoning Friday with its cross, Resurrection Sunday with its empty tomb—may we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear. This Easter week and always, may we stand by Jesus Christ “at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death, for surely that is how He stood by us when it was unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."