Happy Easter!

We attended the Naples Ward Sacrament meeting Sunday morning at which the cutest old lady sang a medley of Easter Songs. You could truly feel the love she had for the Savior through her simple songs that were so heartfelt. The Stake President spoke as well. His message was beautiful. He mentioned one thing I thought I would share. It was not the crucifixion of Jehovah that made him our Savior, our Messiah, as many thousands of people were crucified by the Romans. In fact, the streets leading to the city of Rome were lined with men hanging from crosses so that those who entered would be afraid and feel the terror of the Roman Empire. How scary would that have been to see men in agony on a cross as you entered that city?!?! Needless to say, to them the symbol of the cross is a sign of torture and cruelty.

Easter is my favorite holiday. Because of the sacrifice our Savior made in Gethsamane and again on the cross, he bore our pains, felt our sorrows and took our guilt so that we could be cleansed of hurt and sin. Because he rose again on the third day, we all will rise again. He provided us all with the gift of immortal life. We celebrate His birth at Christmas but celebrate the way he lived at Easter. It is His life we try to emulate. And if humble and repentant, we are granted mercy to obtain not just immortal life, but eternal glory with Our Father in Heaven.