Easter Talk 2013 by Ryan Oldroyd

Two thousand years ago lived a man, no ordinary man, but the perfect son of a Heavenly Father. A man who was chosen from before the world was to save mankind from death and hell. He would do this by taking upon Him the sins of the world and, thus, extend everlasting mercy to all in order to fulfill justice required by the law. His mission was clear and His love was pure. He may have known it would not be easy, but He came to earth to fulfill the mission for which He had volunteered.

He arrived to meet many who believed His words and many who were skeptical. He did much good and performed many miracles. Nevertheless, many still did not believe. He healed the sick, made the blind see, helped the deaf hear, fed the hungry, raised the dead, forgave the sinner, and comforted the downtrodden, yet faith must precede the miracle and many still did not believe. 

He taught, He inspired, He uplifted, He guided, He corrected, He exemplified, He blessed, and He showed a love and patience that is unknown among ordinary men.

 

He was spit upon, smitten, slapped, whipped, humiliated, taunted, bound, mocked, betrayed, judged, condemned, and eventually crucified. In a garden, alone, when even His closest friends had fallen asleep as they kept watch, He asked that this bitter cup might pass from Him. Yet His mission was clear and His love was pure. In this moment He trembled because of pain, bled from every pore, and suffered both body and spirit. He took upon himself the pains and sicknesses of all people that the prophecy might be fulfilled: "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people." (Alma 7:11) "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

Only through Christ can we overcome physical death and be resurrected as well as overcome spiritual death and return to live with our Father. "Jesus saith..., I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

This Easter, may we remember not only the miracle of the resurrection of our Lord and Redeemer, but let us also remember His life, His sacrifice, His example, and His love. As we do so we shall find the blessings and peace that only He can give: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you." (John 14:27)

I know that Jesus is the Christ, the living Son of God the Father. His mission was clear and His love is still pure. He lives and He loves each one of us individually. He continues to teach, to guide, to correct, and to bless us today. I feel His influence through the Holy Ghost everyday. Through those feelings from the Holy Ghost, I know that He suffered for my many sins and mistakes. He also encourages and motivates me to to follow His example and to do the will of the Father. I love Him and am forever grateful to Him for what He has suffered to bring me the great blessing of being with my family forever. I leave you my witness of His Divinity in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.