Mormon Archives - Currently Wandering

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Easter is a wonderful time to celebrate our Savior, Jesus Christ. The symbolism of spring, a rebirth and a fresh beginning is a perfect frame to consider the new life offered by Christ. Symbolism is important in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (which is the official name of the Mormon Church) though we use symbolism in different ways.

If you have ever visited an LDS church or temple, you will notice that the symbol of the cross is absent. We do deeply believe that Christ sacrificed himself for us, but we choose to symbolize his life over his death.

He lived for us, loved us, and taught us. He died for us, redeeming us from our sins. He opened the gates of death, and we all will be resurrected. The real magic of Easter is that Christ Lives again, and is here with us. He loves us, watches over us, and helps us in more ways than we can detect.

Part of Christ’s involvement in our life today is the calling of Prophets. As in days of old, he has called prophets to teach us the Good News of the Gospel and help us apply it in our lives.

Twice a year, we have the opportunity to hear directly from a prophet called of God, his 12 apostles today, and other leaders in the church. Each April and October a conference is held, and using today’s awesome technology we can stream it right over the internet.

Saturday April 4th and Sunday April 5th, there will be sessions streamed live at 10am and 2pm Mountain Standard Time. Please join us and hear the messages and music presented. (Visit lds.org during conference time to see the live stream.) My soul is fed each time, as The Spirit touches my heart and motivates me forward on the path of faithful living.

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We enjoy some typical traditions including yummy breakfasts and Easter egg hunts, but my favorite part of celebrating Easter is dedicating some of our time to learning and living the Gospel of Christ more fully.

One of my favorite stories in the Book of Mormon occurs just previous to the birth of Jesus Christ. Across the ocean on the American continent lived a people descendant from a prophet who followed the Lord and left Jerusalem with his family 600 years earlier. At the time of the birth of the Savior, most of the people had lost their faith and had become a wicked and idolatrous people. A handful, however, held fast to their belief that Christ would be born and, as the Savior, redeem all mankind.

A prophet named Samuel foretold the date of Christ’s birth and the sign of the star that would be given. As time passed, and the sign had not come, the unbelievers had set aside date, “that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.” Nephi, the prophet living among them at the time, wept over the wickedness of the unbelievers, bowed himself before God and cried mightily unto the Lord on behalf of his people who would soon be slain for their beliefs.

I love the answer he received.

“Behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying: Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.”

The Lord counsels Nephi to “Be of Good Cheer” for He was to be born in a lowly stable. A humble, yet fitting place reflective of the man He was to become.

A midst the presents, the trees, and the Christmas Carols, let us all take a moment to remember the true meaning of Christmas: to celebrate the birth of a tiny baby born long ago. Be of Good Cheer. Rejoice. The Savior of the World was born. I can’t think of a better reason to celebrate.