The Resurrected Christ

Easter Sunday almost passed me by. It was so early this year, and my week was so full of life-changing events that I didn't even see it coming. Thankfully, I was reminded shortly before Sacrament Meeting started.

My Easter highlight today came during the Sacrament. The bread was blessed and reverently passed to the congregation. As the tray came to me, I thought of Christ's pierced and broken flesh that arose that glorious morning in perfection and glory. As I drank the water I thought of His precious blood that was willingly spilt for me.

I've been studying a particular verse in the Book of Mormon - 1 Nephi 19:10: "And the God of our fathers, who were led out of Egypt, out of bondage, and also were preserved in the wilderness by him, yea, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, yieldeth himself ... as a man, into the hands of wicked men, to be lifted up, ... and to be crucified, ... and to be buried in a sepulchre...."

What a sacrifice! He, the God over all, yielded Himself as a man into the hands of those who would mock, scourge, torment, deride, and finally crucify Him. I had never before noticed the words "as a man." Truly He descended below all things, and He did it for me and for you and for all men.

The glory in this is that He rose in perfect glory from the tomb on the third day. He came off conqueror of death and hell and He offers eternal salvation and glory to all who will accept Him and walk in His ways. What a glorious gospel! What great gifts He offers! Jesus Christ, son of Mary, is the Lord and Savior of mankind. He is the Lamb of God, slain for the sins of the world. He is the One True Light, the Bright and Morning Star. He is the Living Water, the Fountain of Truth and Light, the Giver of all Good Gifts. How I love Him - how I yearn to be like Him.

Small and Simple Things

One of the principles that is repeated in the Book of Mormon is that the Lord often performs His work in small and simple ways. Referring to the great work to be wrought by the advent of the Book of Mormon, the prophet Alma said: "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise."

Another example of this principle is the Lord's choice of servants. He called Joseph Smith, a farmboy with hardly any formal education to restore His church to the earth. He sends 19-year-old young men and 21-year-old young women across the world as missionaries to spread His truths. And the leaders and teachers in the Church are lay members, not professional clergy. There are numerous verses that describe this principle: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; D&C 1:19; D&C 133:57-59.

How does this principle apply in my life? I've been pondering this question lately with reference to my daily habits. I recently began waking up early to spend an hour or so studying various things, including the scriptures, poetry, languages, current events, history. Some mornings I wonder if I'm really getting anything out of my study. But I remember this principle and I know that although I don't see the fruits of my efforts in the short run, I will one day look back and recognize the power of today's daily habits.

Consider the power of 20, 30, 50 years of daily prayer, daily scripture study, regular fasting. Each individual effort may seem trivial (or small, or simple), but diligent, continuous effort brings great growth and spiritual strength. Even if our efforts are humble and faltering, the Lord will recognize our diligence and dedication to Him and will bless our faithful efforts.

So often we look for some grand thing to show our faith and dedication to the Lord. But that is not what He is seeking from us. He wants our hearts and our wills and this is best shown in our daily devotions - in the small and simple things that turn our hearts to Him.

"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things procedeth that which is great.

"Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days." (D&C 64:33-34)

Fast Sunday

Once each month, usually on the first Sunday of the month, Latter-day Saints fast. It is a practice that allows us to come closer to God and remember our dependence on Him. My favorite scriptural passage on fasting is found in Isaiah 58, where it describes the proper mindset of fasting and outlines the rich blessings that flow from a proper fast.

Two thoughts on fasting: First, I have always loved the elegance and efficiency of the Lord's program of fasting. Fasting, when done in the proper spirit, edifies me and draws me closer to God. It builds my spirit and allows me the opportunity to express my devotion to my Father and His Son. Yet my fasting also blesses the lives of others. Inherent in the fast is to "draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul" (Isaiah 58:10). In the Church, this goal is facilitated through the fast offering, whereby I contribute (at least) the value of the meals that I would have eaten, the funds going to feed the hungry and support the needy. What an elegant program! Fasting helps me spiritually and others temporally, and does so efficiently and simply.

Second, though I have fasted many times, it is still not an easy thing. After a few hours I feel discomfort; after missing two meals, I feel quite weak. How dependent we are on regular nourishment! And if my body weakens so quickly without food, how quickly must my spirit weaken without spiritual nourishment. No wonder we are taught to pray always (Luke 21:36; Alma 34:17-27; D&C 88:126). No wonder we are encouraged to make the scriptures a part of our daily lives. How thankful I am for the principle of fasting!