As we take this sacred opportunity to reflect not only on the resurrection of The Savior, but on his life and ministry and the ability for each of us to be redeemed, we can find peace. I have taken the opportunity this morning to relax with the family and enjoy the joys of Easter. Not only have we focused on the fun and candy, but before all of that we focused on the most important topic of the day and frankly our lives, The Savior Jesus Christ and his sacrifice and resurrection.

Today is truly a day of rejoicing. It is a day of commemoration and peace. It is the day that man triumphed over death, hell and the devil. It is the day that all things pertaining to this great Plan of Happiness were fulfilled. It is the day that it was truly “finished”. It is the day that Christ rose from the dead and unlocked the chains of death.

As the feast of the passover culminated Christ shared the last supper with his fellow disciples, thus introducing the Sacrament and it’s meaning. As he then departed to the Garden of Gethsemane, or place of the press, he departed afar off from his brethren to commune with his father. In his own words through modern revelation he records,

For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit?and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink?
Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. (Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19)

He suffered for each of us that we may be free from the wrath of God and able to then abide in his presence. Christ then was crucified and laid in a sepulcher’s tomb. He but only spent a brief period time in the tomb as His spirit was then reunited with his body to never again depart.

He Lives! He Is Risen. Let us sing it out.

He then spent time among his disciples in the old world until he ascended to then descend to spend time among the Nephites in the new world. He stated in John,

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:16)

Among the Nephites he taught them as he did during his ministry in the old world. He then ascended from them to see the others of the tribes of Israel to teach and minister to them.

Nearly two millennia later he returned to restore His church through the prophet Joseph Smith in 1820 with His Father. Through Joseph all the keys and authorities were restored to again govern the Kingdom of God of on the earth. This kingdom is here to stay until Christ comes to reign on earth as King through the great Millennium talked about by the prophets of old and of today.

Let us look to Christ as our King, our Savior, our God. It is only through him that we can rise triumphant over death and hell. He has given us the power over death. As we hold to him and follow His example we too may rise to be with God again.

Happy Easter to all!