He Is Risen

Today is Easter Sunday. I love reading the scriptures about our Savior’s last few days, how he suffered for our sins and was crucified. But most of all I rejoice in the scriptures that tell of his resurrection and the accounts of those that have witnessed his resurrection. I love the comfort that words of the Hymn “He Is Risen” give. The first verse says it all:

He is risen! He is risen!
Tell it out with joyful voice.
He has burst his three days' prison;
Let the whole wide earth rejoice.
Death is conquered; man is free.
Christ has won the victory.

(Hymn # 199)

I remember as a youth attending the Methodist Church, we would attend sunrise services on Easter morning and watch the sunrise as we read from the scriptures of that first Easter morning when Mary and the others came and saw the empty tomb. While the disciples ran to tell the others Mary stayed behind; it was then she saw the risen Lord for herself:

11 ¶But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

 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 gardener, 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.

 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:11-17)

What a wonderful witness for Mary, there was no doubt left for her. Later when the disciples were talking about how the resurrected Lord had appeared to the Apostles, Thomas said that the only way he could believe was if he could touch the nail prints in the Lord’s hands and thrust his hand into his side. The Lord suddenly appears again and speaks to Thomas:

27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20:27-29)

Many today, like Thomas, doubt that Christ lives and will only believe if they are able to handle him and see. But we live by faith and must rely on the Holy Ghost, which testifies of the Father and the Son. I am one who knows by the witness of the Holy Ghost that Jesus Christ does live today. He has overcome death and because he did, we will also. That is the promise that the scriptures give:

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:19-22)

Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Lord’s Prophet on the earth today, shares his testimony of that first Easter morning:

At the last moment, the Master could have turned back. But He did not. He passed beneath all things that He might save all things. His lifeless body was hurriedly but gently placed in a borrowed tomb.

No words in Christendom mean more to me than those spoken by the angel to the weeping Mary Magdalene and the other Mary when, on the first day of the week, they approached the tomb to care for the body of their Lord. Spoke the angel:

“Why seek ye the living among the dead?

“He is not here, but is risen.” 12

Our Savior lived again. The most glorious, comforting, and reassuring of all events of human history had taken place—the victory over death. The pain and agony of Gethsemane and Calvary had been wiped away. The salvation of mankind had been secured. The Fall of Adam had been reclaimed.

The empty tomb that first Easter morning was the answer to Job’s question, “If a man die, shall he live again?” To all within the sound of my voice, I declare, If a man die, he shall live again. We know, for we have the light of revealed truth.

“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 13

I have read—and I believe—the testimonies of those who experienced the grief of Christ’s Crucifixion and the joy of His Resurrection. I have read—and I believe—the testimonies of those in the New World who were visited by the same risen Lord.

I believe the testimony of one who, in this dispensation, spoke with the Father and the Son in a grove now called sacred and who gave his life, sealing that testimony with his blood. Declared he:

“And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father.” 

The darkness of death can always be dispelled by the light of revealed truth. “I am the resurrection, and the life,” spoke the Master. 15 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” {“He Is Risen”, President Thomas S. Monson, General Conference April 2010).

I add my testimony that I know that Jesus Christ, our Savior, suffered for our sins was crucified, died and rose again after three days. I know that through his atonement we can be forgiven of our sins and be clean. I know that because Christ was resurrected all of Heavenly Father’s children will be resurrected. It is a free gift to all men, women and children. What a glorious message of hope Easter brings. I invite you to watch this 13-minute video of Easter and for those who would like a real spiritual experience watch the second video of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing Handle’s Messiah (2 hours and 47 minutes).

Your comments and questions are welcome

Called to Serve

Today was the culmination of a process that has taken seven weeks to accomplish. On March 16^th and March 23^rd I wrote about some promptings that came the evening of February 23^rd. I talked about recognizing and responding to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. I wondered at the time I received those promptings if they were my thoughts or if indeed they were from the Lord. Today I was sustained as a Bishop for a married student ward here in Logan, Utah.

After going to bed on Sunday February 23^rd I woke with the thought that I was going to be called as a bishop for one of the student wards. The married student stake that I serve in had a new stake presidency sustained earlier that day and two of the bishops were called to the new presidency, which meant they needed to find new bishops for those wards. My first thought when I woke with this feeling was that there was no way that they would call me to be a bishop in this stake because most of the bishops there had been a bishop before and I had not. I tried to dismiss the thoughts but they did not leave. Needless to say, I spent the rest of the night without sleep but in prayer and meditation to know if I was worthy and up to the calling.

A few days later while attending the Logan Temple, the spirit confirmed again the call was coming. I also had another experience that confirmed the calling would be soon. That night I talked to my wife about my feelings and if we were ready to serve as a bishop. Her comment was that if it came we would accept it and give all we have to the calling.

The call was extended on Sunday, March 16^th and they told me that I would be sustained on April 13^th, which was a month away. I was reminded that we were to tell no one other than family members until it happened (and a couple of people that I was given permission to talk to). That was difficult to not say anything and admit that it did slip a couple of times (I guess I am still human after all). The 5^th Article of Faith says:

We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy,and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

Participating in the process that the visiting general authorities went through to call and sustain a new stake presidency was a great spiritual experience. I have a personal testimony that the new stake presidency was called of God by revelation and they then were setup apart to their callings by the laying on of hands by authorized representative of the First Presidency and the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. I also participated with this new presidency as they sought to know who they should call to fill one of the bishop’s positions (not my call but the other bishop).

For those who are not familiar with the position of a Bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints it is similar to a minister of other Christian Churches. A ward is a local congregation of members. Some wards are like the one that I will preside over that covers a small geographic area; others in areas that there are not many members the ward covers several square miles. Here in Logan, Utah we have student stakes (which are comprised of several wards) where only students at Utah State University that are married attend.

The Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day saints do not pay their leaders we willingly serve in these callings for a period of time (three years for those called to serve in student stakes and wards). The call to serve comes from the Lord, who is at the head of his church, to the presiding authority. To serve as a bishop in our church the person has to be approved by the 1^st Presidency of the church. The Stake President issued the call to me to service as the Bishop of the Logan Married Student 4^th Ward and my two counselors and I were presented to the members of the ward for a sustaining vote. After being sustained, the stake president ordained me to the Office of Bishop and set me apart to serve as the Bishop with all the keys of the priesthood needed to perform the duties of my calling. Elder Dallin H. Oaks, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, made this comment about those who are called to serve in the church:

“We have a great tradition of unselfish service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Indeed, one of the distinguishing characteristics of this Church is the fact that we have no paid or professional clergy in our thousands of local congregations and in the regional stakes, districts, and missions that oversee them. As an essential part of God’s plan for His children, the leadership and work of His Church is provided by His children who give their time freely for the service of God and their fellowmen. They obey the Lord’s command to love Him and to serve Him (see John 14:15; D&C 20:19; D&C 42:29; D&C 59:5). This is the way men and women prepare for the ultimate blessing of eternal life.” (I’ll Go Where You Want ME To Go”, General Conference, October 2002)

Elder Robert D. Hales speaking on when is the right time to serve said:

“For every one of you the question will come in life, ‘When is the time to serve?’ The best answer I can give you is, ‘When you are asked.’” (“When Is the Time to Serve?”, Robert D. Hales, Ensign, February 2010)

King Benjamin in his final address reminded us the true reason for our service in the Lord’s Church:

And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. (Mosiah 2:17)

On of my favorite scripture dealing with priesthood leadership is found in the Doctrine and Covenants section 121. It says:

39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.

 40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.

 41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

 42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

 43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

 44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.

 45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

 46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

It is with a hope in my heart that I will be able to rise up to the stature the Lord expects of me as I take on this new calling as a Bishop over one of his flocks. It is my prayer that I will be able to follow the example of the Good Shepherd and truly be able to feed his sheep and his lambs.

Knowing that this call comes from him, I know that I will be able to call on him when I need his help and inspiration to know what he expects of me and how to best serve the members of the ward. I know he will continue to answer my prayers because he has done so in the past. I am grateful to know revelation continues to flow from the Lord to the Prophet and his other servants. I know that as one of the Lord’s “Watchman on the Tower” I have a great responsibility to watch for the enemy that would break down the walls and scatter the flock and warn the members of those who would destroy their faith.

I also know that I have been called of God, by prophecy and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority and that I have been given priesthood keys which will enable me to rise up and magnify the calling to which I have been entrusted.

Your comments are welcome.