Week 14: He is Risen

“He is Risen.” Three of the most beautiful words. This past week we had the opportunity to reflect on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and as I pondered on the Atonement of Christ my heart was full of gratitude. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to see the Savior being tormented, tortured, spat upon and ridiculed. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to feel the darkness as He ‘gave up ghost.’ I will be forever grateful for the willingness of my Brother to endure all the pain and anguish He went through that night. He did it for me. He did it for you. He did it for all of us. He did it for our Father. But because Christ went through with all that He promised to do, He was resurrected three days later. After the death of Christ, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. When she arrived, she found the tomb open and an angel spoke to her. Matthew 28:5-6 reads:

“And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not yee: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

“He is not here. For he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

“He is Risen.” For me, these words are where I find the greatest hope. Christ overcame everything in this life. He experienced every trial you and I will every go through. He knows how it feels to be lonely, depressed, guilty, distant, sad, discouraged. And because He knows perfectly, He will give us the strength, endurance and help we need to return to our heavenly destination. I love my Savior with my whole heart. I know He lives. He is my rock, my salvation. He is my greatest Friend. Let Him be yours.

Week 13: Valleys and Mountains of Life

When I was on my mission, we were privileged to have a zone conference with Elder Hamula of the seventy. He spoke many wonderful truths that strengthened my testimony, but the one I would like to share today is about the valleys and mountains of life. He began by drawing a wavy line that went up at an angle. The valleys were the lower points of the wave, while the higher points were the mountains. The times we have felt peace, joy, and happiness were the times we were on top of the mountain. Maybe we had just accomplished a major goal, learned a valuable lesson or overcome a hard trial. When we are on top of a mountain, we usually can always look back and see how far we have come. But eventually, we always come to another valley. Valleys are when we are going through trials, feel lost, less guided or unsure about where we are heading. But in the end, the valleys always lead to a higher mountain. I am grateful for all of the valleys that Heavenly Father has given me, and I am excited for the ones to come. Even though the valleys of my life have been the hardest and most trying times of my life, I came out so much higher than before. Because of the valleys in my life, my Savior has been able to shape me into the person I am today. And I am so grateful He will continue to guide me through my valleys and lead me to the highest mountain. And one day I will be able to stand on the high mountain with my Father and Savior, to live with them forever.

Week 12: Unimaginable Heights

Each of us have times when we give into temptation, make a mistake, have our hearts shattered, or just feel we can’t do it anymore. We may feel that God has forgotten us. Sometimes we may even feel He is disappointed in us. But neither of these statements are true. Heavenly Father never condemns or says we have completely failed. Instead He asks us three simple questions:

“How are you going to become a better person? How are you going to get up and move on? Are you willing to let me in to help you through this process?” If we can just answer yes, we can be lifted to such unimaginable heights.”

I love the promise at the end. “If we can just answer yes, we can be lifted to such unimaginable heights.” I know with my whole heart that the moment we turn to Heavenly Father and ask for His help, we are immediately lifted. Overtime hearts become new and we are changed. Most importantly we are taken higher than we’ve ever been before. And one day everything we experience in this life will be the very reason we will return to live with Heavenly Father for eternity.

Week 11: Garden of Gethsemane

As Christ walked into the Garden of Gethsemane, the weight of the world was put on His shoulders. The Son of God, the only Perfect Man, was beginning to feel the pains, sorrows and afflictions of mortality. As He walked farther into the Garden, He said, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death” (Matthew 26:38). In modern day language, He may have been saying, “I think I am going to die.” Bearing the weight of the world, Christ fell to the earth and cried, “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” (Mark 14:36) This is the moment that changed our lives forever. Not only did Christ die for each of us, but He chose to live. He chose to live through the anguish, guilt and heartache so He could take it away from us. He chose to live so when we feel like no one understands, He can say He knows perfectly. Christ chose to live so we would have a way to return to live with Heavenly Father.

I will be forever grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know with Him all things are possible. I know because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, if we turn to Him, we cannot fail. He simply won’t let us. Christ chose to live for me. I hope I will always choose to live for Him.

Week 10: I Can Do Hard Things

Why does God ask us to do hard things? I’m sure at times we have all asked this question. I know for me I feel like at times I know what is best for me. Sometimes the unknown holds me back. Other times I don’t see the reasons why or the blessings that will come from following Heavenly Father’s counsel. But I have come to know through personal experience that Heavenly Father only wants to draw us closer to Him. And that is why He asks us to do hard things. Matthew 13:45-46 reads:

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

“Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”

When we give our lives to God, He can make so much more out of it than we can. He will work miracles in our lives. He will bless us beyond what we ever imagined possible. Heavenly Father will ask each of us to do hard things from time to time. But we can always find comfort knowing He is doing even harder things for each of us personally. I know in my life the times I have taken a great leap of faith have been the hardest, most rewarding times of my life. And I know with my whole heart that every leap taken is one closer to returning to live with Him forever.

Week 9: Watches and Waits

This last week we talked about three different parables found in Luke 15. The first is the parable of the lost sheep. Out of 100 sheep, one begins to wander and gets separated from the group. The Good Shepherd leaves the 99 and goes after the one. The next parable is the lost coin, and the woman searches everywhere until she finds the piece of silver. And finally, the Prodigal Son. The son chooses to leave his inheritance in order to seek things of the world. And the father waits and watches until the son ‘comes to himself’ and turns back to his father, where he is welcomed home with open arms.

There are times when we all feel like we are wandering, getting lost in the crowd. But the Good Shepherd is always there to bring us back to the fold. There are times we may forget to do some things and lose ourselves for just a moment. But Heavenly Father is always there to give us loving correction. Then there are even times when we, or our loved ones, choose to leave all we have in search for what seems like would bring us more happiness. At these times, Heavenly Father is watching and waiting for us to turn back to Him. The moment we turn back to Him and ask for His help, He will welcome us home with a warm, loving embrace. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the greatest way Heavenly Father has shown us His love. The Atonement is what makes forgiveness possible. 

Week 8: "Beautiful Heartbreak"

While we were discussing the miracles Christ performed, we were asked, “Why does God allow us to suffer?” As I pondered this question, I was reminded that Heavenly Father does not allow our hearts to break because we have done something wrong or just because He wants to. He allows our hearts to break so we can experience the miracle of the Atonement. Yes, this life will have disappointments. We may lose a dear loved one, make mistakes that seem beyond repair, lose a cherished relationship. But these experiences only draw us closer to Christ if we let them. There is no pain, sorrow, disappointment or broken heart that cannot be repaired by the hands of Christ. It is through Christ our broken hearts become a “Beautiful Heartbreak.”

“Every fear, every doubt, all the pain I went through,

Was the price that I paid to see this view.

And now that I’m here, I would never trade

The grace that I feel and the faith that I find

Through the bitter-sweet tears and the sleepless nights.

I used to pray He’d take it all away.

But instead it became a beautiful heartbreak.”