He lives!

“Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen…” (Luke 24 5 &6) 

As I contemplate this Easter post I consider the whole Christian world and the influence our Lord and Savior has had on each of us individually. The enormity of his influence is amazing to behold.

Sunday, 1^st  April 2018, Easter Sunday was a special day to remember the resurrection of our Lord. What a spiritual feast to hear the inspired talks and feel the Holy Spirit testify of Jesus Christ. That he who atoned for our sins in the garden, an experience which no mortal could have endured, gave up his life on the cross then arose on the third day. That he lives. And because he lives we also can live again in our heavenly home. It does not matter what church you belong to, what sect, what you call yourself, Catholic, Methodist, Baptist or whatever, so long as you believe in Christ.

“Thus, we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will in the sincerity of their heart call upon his holy name. Yea, we see that the gate of Heaven is open unto all, even unto those who will believe in the name of Jesus Christ, who is the son of God. Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and wiles of the devil and lead the man (woman and child) in a straight and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery prepared to engulf the wicked. And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls at the right hand of God in the kingdom of Heaven.” (Helaman 3: 27 -30))

Who are the rightious?

I was talking with a lady yesterday about My Favorite Scriptures and I quoted, “It is by the prayers of the righteous ye are spared.” (Alma 10:23)

“Are you saying I'm wicked?”  She asked.

I was stunned and finally answered. “I never thought of that scripture it that way. I have always looked at it as hope for me and my loved ones." It is true that Nephi is talking fire and brim stones in that passage but, I find great comfort in that scripture. Prayers are love. When someone prays for me or you it is because they love us. That is what that scripture means to me. Where would I be now if I hadn’t had the prayers of my Grandmother, and others?

Are we wicked? Well yes, we all are, at times. Anything that takes me away from the Holy Spirit is cause for prayers, and that happens every day. I need to pray and I need the prayers of others. I need your love, I need your caring and I need to pray for you because you also need love and caring. I can feel the effect of having someone pray for me. It feels like love and hope and you need that as much as I do.

Was it because the scripture says the “prayers of the righteous” that she felt that way? To some it might sound like Nephi is making a division there, but again I never thought of it that way. While my grandmother was certainly a righteous woman and did many charitable acts she was not perfect and neither am I. We have to be righteous to some degree or we cannot pray for others.

Who are the righteous anyway?  I think it is all of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and call upon his name.

Jesus at the mount of Olives

Today in remembrance of the great sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I share a few verses from Luke.

“And he came out and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray, that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and knelt down and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22: 39 – 44)