He is Risen!

I have heard it said that Easter is the most important day in the Christian world. Even greater than our Savior's birth is the day He rose again. With Easter and spring time we celebrate new life and new beginnings. Because our Savior died for us and rose again, we too shall rise again with new life. We experience fresh beginnings each time we turn to our merciful Redeemer for repentance of our sins and plead for strength to be better. We can experience daily growth as we make this an ongoing part of our lives. This daily transformation will bring us closer to our Savior and bring us his joy. In our journeys of life, may we find Christ in our hearts, in the scriptures, in service to others and becoming better. Christ no longer lies in the sepulchre; as the angel said: He is not here: for He is risen! Matthew 28:6

Knowledge

• As we acquire more knowledge, our perspective expands and our understanding deepens. Some things we learn change everything. There is an old proverb that embodies this principle well: "Give a man a fish and he will eat one day; teach a man to fish and he will eat the rest of his life." Although information is a public good, knowledge and information are consumed (applied) privately--it is our individual choice to absorb and apply the knowledge and information waiting at our fingertips. 

   

  My parents are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and therefore taught me from a very young age the commandments and gospel given to us through God's holy prophets. My parents frequently created opportunities for me to learn and gain knowledge for myself. They knew, and I knew, that the information and knowledge they shared with me would have no significance to me unless I sought after it myself, concluded that it is important for me, and chose to apply it. I have learned for myself that there is a loving God in Heaven. He cares about us and wants us to be happy. I know He lives and because of His Son, we too may have joy in this life and in the life to come. This knowledge has changed everything for me. It has set me free. I have perspective and understanding. I have motivation to live life to its fullest, to serve other people, and to improve myself daily. I am filled with gratitude that God cares so much for us as to give us opportunities to learn, grow, and one day return to live with Him. As my parents invited me, He invites all of us to come unto Him and gain knowledge of the truth for ourselves. 

   

  Learn of Him and deepen the knowledge that you already do have of Him. By doing so you will find joy and happiness. In the words of the Savior, "If ye continue in my word..." (if we study and apply His word) "...then ye are my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32).

   

  -- Thomas C.

Cast Your Net

I have found the scriptures to be a constant source of guidance and peace in my life.  While I was serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there were times that were very difficult for me and I was not sure how to keep moving forward.  During one of those difficult times I remember reading in the Bible the story of when Christ calls Simon Peter to be a fisher of men (Luke 5:3-10).  The scriptures say that Christ asked Simon to cast his net on the other side of the ship: “And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.  And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake” (Luke 5:5-6).  I felt that I had been toiling all night and that I had not been having any success.  The Lord was asking me to cast out my net one more time and I would see the blessings of His hands.  Many times in our lives we feel like we have been toiling all night and haven’t seen the fruits of our labor.  Frequently all we have to do is to try again; to cast our nets on the other side of the boat.  As we strive to obey and seek help from God, He will bless us with more than we can ever imagine. 

Barbara D.