Three Years ago Elder Gary E. Stevenson gave all of us a challenge to consider and even change the way we celebrate Easter. How are you doing or what are you doing to make Easter special? This week’s episode will give an Old Testament framing to the greatest true story ever told. And hopefully it will give some creative new ways to celebrate the Easter season.
Segment 1
Scriptures:
1 Corinthians 5:7 (Christ is our Passover)
Exodus 12 (Institution of Passover)
Words of the General Authorities:
The more I thought about our celebrations, the more I found myself wondering if we are inadvertently shortchanging the true meaning of this holiday, so central to all believers in Jesus Christ….How do we model the teaching and celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Easter story, with the same balance, fulness, and rich religious tradition of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Christmas story? (Gary E. Stevenson, “The Greatest Easter Story Ever Told”, April 2023 General Conference)
Segment 2
Scriptures:
Matthew 26:2 (The Last Supper at a Passover feast)
CR: Mark 14:12
CR: Luke 22:13-15
Exodus 11:4-9 (Moses’ final plague)
Exodus 12:26-27 (What is the passover)
Words of the General Authorities:
How fitting it was during the observance of this ancient covenant of protection that Jesus should institute the emblems of the new covenant of safety—the emblems of his own body and blood. (Howard W. Hunter, “His Final Hours”, April 1974 General Conference)
By voluntarily taking upon Himself the sins of all mankind, being cruelly nailed to the cross, and victoriously conquering death on the third day, Jesus gave a more sacred significance to the Passover ordinance that had been bestowed upon Israel in ancient times. In fulfillment of prophecy, He offered His own body and precious blood as the great and last sacrifice, validating the traditional symbols used in the celebration of the Lord’s Passover. (Ulisses Soares, “Jesus Christ: The Caregiver of Our Soul”, April 2021 General Conference)
Segment 3
Scriptures:
Genesis 25:22 (If it be so, why am I thus)
Exodus 12:3-5 (A lamb for sacrifice)
Alma 34:14 (The meaning of everything points to Christ)
2 Nephi 11:4 (All things typify Christ)
Exodus 12:7 (Instructions for the blood of the lamb)
Leviticus 17:14 (Blood is life)
Words of the General Authorities:
It is easier to avoid temptation than it is to resist temptation. (Lynn G. Robbins, “Avoid It”, BYU Speeches delivered on September 17, 2013)
Tomorrow is Easter, a time for the righteous principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ and His Atonement to “pass over”—pass over conflict and contention, pass over despair and transgression, and ultimately pass over death. It is a time to pledge total loyalty in word and deed to the Lamb of God, who “[bore] our griefs, and carried our sorrows” in His determination to finish the work of salvation in our behalf.
In spite of betrayal and pain, mistreatment and cruelty, and bearing all the accumulated sins and sorrows of the human family, the Son of the living God looked down the long path of mortality, saw us this weekend, and said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Have a blessed, joyful, peaceful Easter. Its untold possibilities have already been paid for by the Prince of Peace, whom I love with all my heart, whose Church this is, and of whom I bear unequivocal witness, even the Lord Jesus Christ, amen. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Not as the World Giveth”, April 2021 General Conference)
Translations:
Passover - pesach = to skip or passover, also protect (Hebrew)
Atone - kaphar = to cover, also used in Yom Kippur The Day of Atonement (Hebrew)
Segment 4
Scriptures:
Deuteronomy 12:6 (Freewill offerings)
Mosiah 3:7 (More than any man can suffer)
D&C 19:18 (Christ suffered body and spirit)
Translations:
Seder = Order (Hebrew)
Segment 5
Words of the General Authorities:
I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” (Henry B. Eyring, “O Remember, Remember”, October 2007 General Conference)
Segment 6
Scriptures:
Malachi 3:1 (The Lord’s messenger)
D&C 110:13-16 (Elijah will come)
Words of the General Authorities:
One of their sons, who is currently serving as a bishop in Brazil, related the following to me: “It was so difficult to see my parents depart from this world in that condition, but I could clearly feel the hand of the Lord in my life amidst that tragedy, because I received strength and peace that transcended my understanding. Through my faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, I received divine help to strengthen and comfort my family members and all those who helped us during this trying experience. Even though the miracle that everyone hoped for did not occur, personally I am a witness of many other miracles that have occurred in my own life and in the lives of my family members. I felt an inexplicable peace that penetrated the depths of my heart, giving me hope and confidence in the love of the Savior for me and in the plan of happiness of God for His children. I learned that on the very most grief-filled days, the loving arms of the Savior are always extended when we seek Him with all our heart, power, mind, and strength.” (Ulisses Soares, “Jesus Christ: The Caregiver of Our Soul”, April 2021 General Conference)
Read the transcript here.