Easter was wonderful this year.... really wonderful! It was one of those days when you have to be grateful for all of the little things that make life so good. Jace, Caitlyn and Kassi were all speaking in Sacrament meeting and it was just wonderful! It was Caitlyn's first big talk and she did so well. Sunday Jace gave a talk in Sacrament about the Savior. He bore such an amazing testimony of the atonement and the gift that He gave to all of us, and he shared part of Bruce R. McConkie's talk about the Savior... I can barely even read it or think too deeply about the pain that the Savior suffered as He took our sins, our pains, our fears upon Himself... but I am so thankful that there is One that can carry everything for us, who knows how to overcome all things!
We do not know, we cannot tell, no mortal mind can conceive the full import of what Christ did in Gethsemane.
We know he sweat great gouts of blood from every pore as he drained the dregs of that bitter cup his Father had given him.
We know he suffered, both body and spirit, more than it is possible for man to suffer, except it be unto death.
We know that in some way, incomprehensible to us, his suffering satisfied the demands of justice, ransomed penitent souls from the pains and penalties of sin, and made mercy available to those who believe in his holy name.
We know that he lay prostrate upon the ground as the pains and agonies of an infinite burden caused him to tremble and would that he might not drink the bitter cup.
We know that an angel came from the courts of glory to strengthen him in his ordeal, and we suppose it was mighty Michael, who foremost fell that mortal man might be.
As near as we can judge, these infinite agonies—this suffering beyond compare—continued for some three or four hours.
After this—his body then wrenched and drained of strength—he confronted Judas and the other incarnate devils, some from the very Sanhedrin itself; and he was led away with a rope around his neck, as a common criminal, to be judged by the arch-criminals who as Jews sat in Aaron’s seat and who as Romans wielded Caesar’s power.
They took him to Annas, to Caiaphas, to Pilate, to Herod, and back to Pilate. He was accused, cursed, and smitten. Their foul saliva ran down his face as vicious blows further weakened his pain-engulfed body.
With reeds of wrath they rained blows upon his back. Blood ran down his face as a crown of thorns pierced his trembling brow.
But above it all he was scourged, scourged with forty stripes save one, scourged with a multithonged whip into whose leather strands sharp bones and cutting metals were woven.
Many died from scourging alone, but he rose from the sufferings of the scourge that he might die an ignominious death upon the cruel cross of Calvary.
Then he carried his own cross until he collapsed from the weight and pain and mounting agony of it all.
Finally, on a hill called Calvary—again, it was outside Jerusalem’s walls—while helpless disciples looked on and felt the agonies of near death in their own bodies, the Roman soldiers laid him upon the cross.
With great mallets they drove spikes of iron through his feet and hands and wrists. Truly he was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities.
Then the cross was raised that all might see and gape and curse and deride. This they did, with evil venom, for three hours from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Then the heavens grew black. Darkness covered the land for the space of three hours, as it did among the Nephites. There was a mighty storm, as though the very God of Nature was in agony.
And truly he was, for while he was hanging on the cross for another three hours, from noon to 3:00 p.m., all the infinite agonies and merciless pains of Gethsemane recurred.
And, finally, when the atoning agonies had taken their toll—when the victory had been won, when the Son of God had fulfilled the will of his Father in all things—then he said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), and he voluntarily gave up the ghost.
It just turned out to be one of those days that felt so good... when everything felt wonderful. I am so grateful for my family and the blessings that have come because of them!
Tanner even helped Nate dye eggs after dinner...
Somehow the Easter Bunny found his way to our house while we were at church and it looked like an explosion of candy happened all over the living room!
Gabriel is telling grandma, "Cheeeese!"
My little man... oh how I love this face!!!!
I am thinking that a lot of candy will slowly disappear over the next few days...
2 of my favorite little guys... they had matching suits for Easter!
Checking out the candy... wayyyyyyyyyy too much candy!
5 of the most amazing boys EVER!!!
All dolled up in their new Easter dresses...
My girls... who always brighten my day! I feel so blessed to feel of their amazing spirits and to just be in the same room with them. There is rarely a dull moment when they are around. They have taught me more than I will have ever taught them!!!
