Ogden, Utah
14th operating temple
Dedicated: 18-20 Jan. 1972
By: Joseph Fielding Smith
Jesus Christ, Judge
3 Nephi 27:14
And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil -
Book of Mormon/"Come Follow Me"
Happy Easter! We did the Easter Study by the Redheaded Hostess and listened to "The Lamb of God" music
April General Conference
"The Power of the Book of Mormon in Conversion"
Elder Benjamin M.Z. Tai
"The Book of Mormon provides spiritual nutrition, prescribes a plan of action, and connects us with the Holy Spirit."
"Happy Easter!"
Things I miss about Easter: Our Saturday Easter family gathering for a potluck lunch and an Easter egg hunt.
Attending church on Easter Sunday to celebrate the Savior's Resurrection through song and word.
Things that have helped me celebrate Easter this year:
The book, "Celebrating a Christ-Centered Easter" by Sister Emily Belle Freeman, and my new Easter display portraying 7 new Easter traditions.
Rob Gardner's "Lamb of God" musical portrayal of the final days of the life of Jesus Christ from the raising of Lazarus, to the devastating arrest and crucifixion of Jesus, and finally to His glorious resurrection.
And last but not least The Last Week of Jesus' Life an Easter Study the The Redheaded Hostess, Shannon Foster. Thanks Kacey for telling me her material are worth it.
This has been one of the most spiritual Easters I have ever had. I know He lives and that because of His Atonement and Resurrection we will live again too in an Eternal family unit. I love all of you and wish you a glorious Happy Easter!
I played the "Lamb of God" and afterwards James and I partook of the sacrament. We had an opening song and also a sacrament song. "He Is Risen", and "I Stand All Amazed."
After the sacrament we got out the Easter Study by Shannon Foster and worked on it. James was very impressed with how thorough it was and so was I. We both saved our copies in an Easter file.
I guess I forgot that the first thing that happened this morning was a herd of elk came by and visited Luna.
She's more concerned about when James is going to come out the
door to feed her. She whinnies every time he comes out and if he
isn't fast enough she starts pawing the ground.
We had our own private Easter dinner and celebration. We had homemade scalloped potatoes, green beans, ham, salad, croissants and lemon squares for dessert. We even got out the china to eat on.
,
Lemon squares from Walmart were
delicious!
The red eggs in the middle of the table represent belief in Jesus Christ. I quote from Emily's book:
When my son returned home after living in Serbia for several months, he told me about an Easter tradition he had experienced there. It is a tradition that celebrates the witness of women, and that is why it left such an impression on my heart.
After World War II came to an end, many people in Eastern European countries were not allowed to attend church services. The Communist Party taught the children that there was not a God. However, not wanting their grandchildren to grow up without a knowledge of the Savior, the grandmothers would teach the children about Jesus within the walls of their own home. Then, every year at Easter, the families would attend a midnight service. When they returned home, they would stay up all night long talking about Jesus and decorating red Easter eggs. For the people in Serbia, eggs symbolized the eternal life of Jesus. According to some legends, the white eggs Mary left at her son's tomb as a sacrifice turned red after His resurrection. These red eggs hold deep meaning for the people of Serbia.
My son explained that the morning after the midnight service, as soon as the sun had risen, the people would have a huge breakfast. They they would go from door to door and visit each of their neighbors. As each door was opened, they would say, "Christ has risen," and the person at the door would answer, "Indeed He has risen." Then the person would give the guests at the door a red egg. The red egg meant good luck. It was common for a family to choose one red egg and display it until Easter came again the next year.
Although Christians in Serbia are now allowed to worship publicly, much of the tradition still stands. It is not uncommon to see a red egg displayed prominently in a Serbian house long after Easter has passed. This egg is often called "the housekeeper," and it is supposed to guard the house until the next Easter. I love the imagery in this tradition - the grandmothers teaching, the white eggs that turned to red in memory of the sacrifice, the decorating of eggs every single year as a reminder.
On Easter my husband and I invited our children's grandmother to dinner. Before we sat down to eat, we talked about the story of the grandmothers in Serbia who taught their grandchildren about Jesus Christ. I placed one red egg in the middle of the table. Then we asked our grandmother to share her feelings about Jesus Christ. My children sat transfixed. A beautiful spirit filled the room. It was an evening I will always remember.
I love this tradition. I wish I lived near my grandchildren so we could practice this tradition together.
We Facetimed with Jared, Kacey, and Charlie. James took the phone out so that Charlie could see Luna.
We had our first Lambson Gospel Study Group discussion this evening via Skype. All of the adults participated except Darrel and Trina. I think they went camping this weekend with Trina's family.
Our discussion was on faith and these are the three articles we read:
"Face the Future with Faith"
President Russell M. Nelson
"Lord, I Believe"
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
"As in Faith"
Elder David A. Bednar
James and I both felt like the discussion went really well. Everyone participated. At the end Brian talked about our old FHE's and how he missed everyone. I am grateful to him and Kim for coming up for the idea for this group. Jared will be in charge next week. He said he needed some time to decide what the topic would be.
After our discussion James helped me finish up my baskets and we went out to deliver them to Tanna, Catherine, Cammy, and Jean.
They all seem pleased with the gift and each one of them thanked me. Catherine said she was going to use the questions at their Christmas family gathering because of the emphasis on the Savior.
It was a wonderful Easter!
Sweet and Beautiful Scarlett!
The Case family camping trip
Case family Easter egg hunt
Sheri's Easter picture
