The Significance of Easter

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The Significance of Easter Video Clip - Silent Easter Presentation by Shandy Vogt (link on SugarDoodle) (Don't show full video...clip it into sections) 0:00 - 1:19 20:35 - 24:16 31:15 - 36:20

The significance of this Easter holiday is really something special...that we often don't think about. Think back to our days in pre-existence. It's something we aren't able to remember, but we can imagine what it might have been like. We had a choice between: 1. God's Plan - (Christ to live and atone for our sins ---2. Satan's Plan

We chose God's plan (we know this, because we are here on Earth...a part of His plan). But even though we were in God's presence in our pre-mortal existence, we still had to rely on FAITH--faith that Christ would fufill his mission on Earth. Mosiah 5:8 - This teaches us that there was no back-up plan. If Christ failed, we wouldn't be able to progress (essentially, we'd be damned). Although we may have had great faith in God's plan, I can only imagine that we must have been a little apprehensive, wondering if Christ would truly overcome all things and achieve his mission to atone for our sins. There would have also been those following Satan who would have attempted to lead us astray. Exerpt from "The Great and Terrible, The Brothers" by Chris Stewart (Context of quote: A follower of Satan was trying to convince Ammon, a faithful follower of God's plan, that Christ couldn't possibly be perfect and get to the point of atoning for us.) "You believe in Him; I know that. But deep down inside, I think you wonder too. Will Jehovah go down and be perfect? Not even one tiny sin? Think about that. Is it possible? He will spit upon by far lesser men, and yet he will never, not once, have an uncharitable though, not a single pang of regret or ounce of self-pity. He will be hated and beaten, like some mongrel dog, while lesser men pass their judgment--and you believe he will never, not once, feel any anger or wish for revenge? Remember, it won't be good enough that he do the right thing. He can't even feel the wrong way, for that too is a sin. He must have perfect control over his body, his will, and his mind. He can't experience a moment of selfish anger or miss a single opportunity to serve. He can't entertain one self-serving notion, unkind thought, or harsh word! Not even one sin! Who can do that, I ask? It is impossible. So ask yourself...Will he go down and be perfect. Or will he spoil the plan.

But, we had Faith and we made our choice.

Then comes Christ's time on Earth...right down to his last days on Earth. And he atoned for our sins. He completed the task that His Father sent him to do. And he did it alone. This was a turning point of the war in Heaven. We no longer wondered IF he could do it. He did. He overcame all things for us, willingly and lovingly. What an AMAZING moment that would have been in heaven. In fact, we have scripture which talks of heaven "rejoicing!" Following is a portion of the glorious Vision of the Redemption of the Dead given to President Joseph F. Smith and sustained and accepted by the Church as holy scripture in April 1976: “Gathered together in one place [was] an innumerable company of the spirits of the just, who had been faithful in the testimony of Jesus while they lived in mortality; “And who had … suffered tribulation in their Redeemer’s name. “All these had departed mortal life, firm in the hope of a glorious resurrection. … “They were filled with joy and gladness, and were rejoicing together because the day of their deliverance was at hand. While this vast multitude waited and conversed, rejoicing in the hour of their deliverance from the chains of death, the Son of God appeared, declaring liberty to the captives who had been faithful; “And the saints rejoiced in their redemption, and bowed the knee and acknowledged the Son of God as their Redeemer and Deliverer from death and the chains of hell. Because He Lives, Ye Shall Live Also: article taken from President Ezra Taft Benson’s book Come unto Christ (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1983), pp. 117–26.

Although this talks of those who had already been to Earth and had passed on, surely we shared in that same joyous victory. We knew Christ had done his part... President Ezra Taft Benson said, "Sometimes the veil between this life and the life beyond becomes very thin." I believe that...somehow this Easter season makes that even more real

for me. Faith is not a sufficient description of my feelings about Easter...and the knowledge of the atonement and resurrection. It's almost as if, like Pres. Benson said, the veil has thinned....just enough for me to almost remember being there, rejoicing in the Savior's triumph! This gives me greater faith to follow Him and to do my part so that I, too, might join with Him and my Father and Mother in Heaven again. So, as you think of Easter...think of the true reason we have cause for celebration. Because He was resurrected...because HE Lives... We shall live also. Lyrics/Words that complement this lesson: I know that my redeemer lives - Hymn Because He Lives - Sally DeFord

*Handout/Worksheet - Understand the Resurrection (Red Headed Hostess) http://www.theredheadedhostess.com/?p=1703