He is Risen!

Sunday I really wanted to post something about Easter but I've always struggled to write or talk about the resurrection. The tears usually start to flow and then I can't think straight. :-) I had hoped a couple of days would give me the space to do so without emotion but I'm not sure it will happen because the tears are already flowing.

In primary they had a wonderful sharing time about the Savior. Several pictures were on display and below the pictures were several pairs of shoes. She talked about the phrase "being in someone else's shoes" and how that meant you were trying to imagine what that person felt. I'd like to share some of that message with you.

Before His death, the Savior met with his disciples and after their supper, he demonstrated his love for them as he washed their feet.

John 13:4-5, 8-9
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

What would it have been like to have been in the shoes of the disciples when Jesus was washing their feet? I'm sure they felt his love for them!

After his death, Jesus was placed in a tomb, and to make sure his body was not taken by his disciples, Pilate had them place a large stone in front of the opening and had men left to guard the stone.


Matthew 27:64-66
64 Command therefore that the sepulcher be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead . . .
65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
66 So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
Matthew 28:2-4
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his rainment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake . . .

What would it have been like to have been in the shoes of the guards at the sepulcher? They must have been very afraid!

On the third day several women came to anoint the body of Jesus and found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.

John 20:11-16
11 But Mary [Magdalene] stood without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher.
12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardner, saith unto him, Sir if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

What would it have felt like to be in Mary's shoes and to realize that Jesus had risen from the dead as He had promised. What joy she must have felt!

After His resurrection, the Savior appeared to the people in America.

3 Nephi 11:8-10
8 And it came to pass . . . they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.
9 And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying:
10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.

What would it have felt like to be in the shoes of the Nephites and witness the appearance of the Savior in America! The scriptures tell us that they fell to the earth.

Our prophet, Thomas S. Monson, is a witness for Jesus Christ. He is his mouthpiece and receives direct revelation from both our Heavenly Father and from His Son, Jesus Christ.

Thomas S. Monson
With all my heart and the fervency of my soul, I lift up my voice in testimony as a special witness and declare that God does live. Jesus is His Son, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. He is our Redeemer; He is our Mediator with the Father. He it was who died on the cross to atone for our sins. He became the firstfruits of the Resurrection. Because He died, all shall live again. 'Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: I Know that my Redeemer lives!'

Although we cannot receive revelation for everyone, we can have our own testimony of the Savior and receive revelation for ourselves if we strive to feel the spirit and pray for guidance from our Heavenly Father. We can know what it feels like to be a witness of Jesus Christ and walk in President Monson's shoes!

I have a testimony of Jesus Christ! I know that He came to this earth for us, died on the cross and rose again on the third day! I am so grateful for His sacrifice on my behalf.

Lots of love to you all!

Thomas S. Monson, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives!,” Ensign, May 2007, 22–25