Easter 2011

It is no ordinary thing, to believe in Christ.  His life, ministry, death, and resurrection were not ordinary.  They were EXTRAORDINARY.  Many had Him right in front of their physical eyes, and still would not believe.  I often think about living at the time of Christ, and wonder if I would have had enough faith to believe He was who He said He was.  It wasn't the accepted way, to be a believer.  After all, how could this man that had come to this earth in the most meager of circumstances, raised by a carpenter, reared in a humble family, possibly claim to be the Son of God?  Not only that, but be a miracle worker, healer, teacher, Redeemer of ALL mankind?   It is difficult for people today to understand how I could believe that God the Father, and His son Jesus Christ appeared to a 14 year old boy, Joseph Smith, in answer to his yearning for truth.  This was not an ordinary occurrence.  It was EXTRAORDINARY.

My faith is not easy to live.  It is not the "accepted" way.  We are very much swimming upstream.  So why do I believe?  I believe because I have gained a testimony that these things are indeed true.  For myself.  I've read the Book of Mormon, cover to cover, and have asked God to tell me if it was truth.  I have had many spiritual experiences, some to precious to write here, that have confirmed to me that this is indeed God's true church on the earth.  I do not believe just because it was the way I was raised.  I do not believe just because I think it's got some good points.  A testimony is not something I can hand someone and prove to them how and why I believe.  There is no scientific formula. Personal conversion comes personally.  It takes work.  It takes faith.  It takes a desire.  It takes a broken heart and a contrite spirit. 

I indeed know that I am a daughter of a Heavenly Father, who loves me.  Who loves ALL his children.  I know His Son is my Redeemer, and that He suffered for my sins, weaknesses, fears, and sorrows out of His own free will, giving all glory to God.  Through that atonement he conquered death, bridging the gap between mortality and immortality, that we might not be lost forever.  I'm so grateful for Him, for this beautiful Easter season, and most of all for the knowledge that He lives!!!