my easter

despite my failures on the secular side of easter (see previous post), i actually had a wonderful easter. after elder jeffrey r. holland's talk at conference last week, i decided that i wanted to spend this week preparing spiritually for the easter by reading about the last week of the savior's life, culminating in scripture study about the resurrection this morning. it was the perfect way to get my mind focused on the savior before easter. i loved the experience of reading about his suffering and atonement throughout the week and then ending on easter by reading about his glorious resurrection. i think that this is a tradition that i will continue throughout the years.

today in church, a woman recited "the living christ" from memory. it was very powerful and i was especially touched by this section:

"We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to "become the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His "other sheep" (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised "dispensation of the fulness of times" (Ephesians 1:10)."

i am grateful for easter and the chance to focus on the savior. i know that he lives and because he lives again, we can all return to live with him again.