Delivered by Bishop Scott J. Wakefield, April 21, 2019 - Easter Sunday
The Life of Christ.
The purpose of my remarks today is to share my witness of the Living Christ who is my personal Savior. Even though my witness of Him is one among so many, His influence in my life is everything.
We have met together today celebrate the Life of Christ. I love the words of King Benjamin, a Book of Mormon prophet who said this about the Lord in about 130 B.C.
5 For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases.
As the only being on earth who lived a perfect life, Jesus qualified himself to fulfil his divine assignment. King Benjamin continued:
7 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.
Alma, another prophet leader in the Book of Mormon testified that, “Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and…shall atone for the sins of the world.
With Alma, I testify that the Lord atoned for the sins of the world by offering himself as an “infinite and eternal sacrifice” on the cross and in the garden of Gethsemane.
Let’s pause for a minute to consider the cruelty the Savior endured at the hands of mere mortals. In His pre-mortal state, He was the Great Jehovah, the Great I am. We know that under the direction of His Father, He was the mighty creator of this earth. And yet, shortly after enduring such great anguish in the garden to bring to salvation unto the children of men, He allowed himself to be brought, “as a lamb to the slaughter…yet he opened not his mouth.”
Nor (I might add) did He open his hand to smite those who would
9 …consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and…scourge him, and …crucify him.
No, instead He reached out His hand and said – “Father, forgive them. For they know not what they do.” Instead of retaliating… instead of shrinking… He partook of the “bitter cup” and took upon himself the sins of the world.
Finally, “He poured out his soul – unto death” and “suffered death in the flesh.” Allowing himself to be “encircled about by the chains of death.”
Please forgive me for a brief cultural reference to one of my favorite movies. At one point in the film, Inigo and Fezzick take the Man in Black to Miracle Max to see if they can buy a miracle. Miracle Max tells them that the Man in Black is only “mostly dead.” And that with “all dead there’s only one thing you can do…go through his clothes and look for loose change…but mostly dead, is slightly alive.” Eventually, the miracle pill with “the chocolate coating” brings the Man in Black back to life.
And while this is a great idea and a fun story – in reality, there is no way to buy a miracle and no such thing as “mostly dead” or “slightly alive.” I think that all of us have hoped for a miracle or two in our lives. And I am sure that the disciples of Jesus hoped for one as they retrieved His body from the cross – but, He was dead. When his disciples met together and mourned their loss – He was dead. As they cleaned the body, probably at risk to themselves, dressed it, and lovingly placed it in a borrowed tomb – He was truly dead.
However, it is the fact of His death and His raising from the dead, that makes His life truly remarkable!
In the past few weeks, I have had 3 experiences with Life and Death that I want to mention.
3 weeks ago, I traveled to Idaho to attend and participate in my Grandmother’s 90th Birthday. Referring to living for 90 years, my friend Larry said, “that is quite the accomplishment!” And I guess it is, but like most decisions of life or death, my grandma didn’t choose it. It is a gift that is given to her and to us. Perhaps only the Lord knows the answer to this question – but why? Why is her health preserved and she given the opportunity to continue? Why are we blessed to still have her here – teaching and inspiring us?
For her birthday, she had only one request. She wanted her family to perform a musical production for all of her friends and fellow residents at the senior living center where she lives.
At first, I thought this musical production was just a way for her to defer the attention away from herself or maybe to showcase the talents and personalities of her family. However, as I considered the messages of the songs she chose, and watched 70+ family members perform them, I realized this was not about her at all. It was a unique way for her to bless and minister to those around her. The family greatly outnumbered the residents but we sang hymns, patriotic songs, and a few old -fashioned favorites like “Down on the bingo farm” and “sweet violets, sweeter than all the roses!”
Two weeks ago, my supervisor at work told the group some distressing news about a member of our faculty. In mid-march she had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and was given a matter of weeks to live. In fact, just this week we heard the news of her passing. It happened so quickly! When these things happen, we are left to wonder why. Why did she have to leave mortality at such a young age? I also wonder how I would act – what I would do, if I knew that I had a few short weeks to live?
A couple of weeks ago we lost our friend Jackson Langford. He was a young man who loved gymnastics, and music, and could play the piano very well. He also was good at making people laugh. His tragic loss came as huge surprise to many of us and felt like a punch in the gut. He was there at school doing normal things one day, and then he was gone.
It is very difficult to understand and deal with this tragedy in our lives. My reaction to Jackson’s death was probably very mild compared to those who knew him well. But I was stunned. And I began to feel hopeless. Not only in my inability to provide relief or comfort to others that I knew were struggling in an intense way. But I also began to feel hopeless about the things I had to do. I found myself lying on the floor of my studio grieving and praying. I prayed for Jackson and his family. I prayed for his friends and the youth in our ward. But I also prayed for strength to continue. How many of us have said similar prayers – simply praying for the strength to continue.
All of us deal with tragedy in our lives at one time or another. How do we get through it? It is simplistic and unrealistic to say that we should just have faith and that it will all work out. What about the real pain that we feel? How does faith fill the void of those we have lost? Where can we turn for Peace?
I am reminded of the words of hymn #129 written by Emma Lou Thane:
Where can I turn for peace, where is my solace?
Where, when my aching grows, Where, when I languish, Where, in my need to know, where can I run? Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish? Who, who can understand? He, only One.
Some time ago, our prophet and president of the Church, Thomas S. Monson said this:
“My beloved brothers and sisters, in our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace from the words of the angel that first Easter morning: ‘He is not here: for he is risen.’”
“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…”
end quote
The Bible teaches the truth of Christ’s resurrection. In Acts chapter 1, Peter testifies (verse 3) that Jesus “shewed himself alive by many infallible proofs.” When He greeted Mary near the garden tomb, he was alive! When he walked with his brethren on the road to Emmaus – he was alive! When he met them on the shore after a long night of fishing, appeared to Thomas in the upper room, and sent his apostles into all the world – he was alive!
In addition to the bible’s account, we can learn that he was alive when he visited the children of Lehi on the American continent, as recorded in the Book of Mormon. We know that he was alive when he first appeared to Joseph Smith in Palmyra, New York. He was alive when he appeared in a vision in the Kirtland, Ohio temple and restored priesthood authority to the earth. I testify that He is alive today, as he guides his Church through living prophets. I witness that He is alive today as he answers my prayers, brings me comfort, and guides my actions.
Joseph Smith taught:
“The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”
I hope that our understanding of the resurrection can bring us great peace. I know that our “brothers, children, and friends who have gone to a world of spirits…are only absent for a moment. They are in the spirit, and we shall soon meet again.” (Joseph Smith)
This scripture in 1 Corinthian 15:22 teaches us an important truth:
“As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” I am grateful to know this.
I would like to use the balance of my time to speak about being “made alive” in Christ.
We are made alive in Christ, because He has redeemed us from temporal death.
Scripture: Alma 11:42-44
· death is an essential part of our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness.
· death is the separation of the spirit from our mortal body.
· It is temporal – meaning it relates to this world and it is temporary in that it will not last.
It brings me great comfort to know that Christ has saved me from death and disintegration – from vanishing into nothingness, and being erased from the consciousness of the world. For someone like me who is alive, who exists, who has an identity – that is a very comforting thought.
We are made alive in Christ, because He has saved us from the effects of sin.
Scripture: Alma 5:27, have ye been humble, your garments cleansed? Behold, prepare quickly.
· Through baptism and continuous repentance, Christ can erase the constant guilt and pain or regret that I would feel
· consider the blessed and happy state of those who keep the commandments of god.
The scriptures teach of two sources of spiritual death. The first is the fall of Adam. Helaman 14:16 in the Book of Mormon reads as follows: "All mankind, by the fall of Adam being cut off from the presence of the Lord, are considered as dead, both as to things temporal and to things spiritual" We may experience feelings of spiritual numbness, diminishing faith, and disconnection with God, and these feelings are primarily a result of the Fall.
The second source of spiritual death is disobedience. We may have planted the seed, but then forgot to nourish with faith and diligence. Or we might simply choose to live our life without the influence of the Divine. We might turn away, walk away, or push away his outstretched hand.
In all cases, it is the Lord’s life and infinite sacrifice that allows us to come back into His presence. Because of His sacrifice, we can repent of our sins and overcome sin and death.
We are made alive in Christ, because He can make us whole.
Scripture: 3 Nephi 9:13-14, return, repent, be converted – that I may heal you.
Story: The woman with an issue of blood. “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole”
· Being Whole is not just being physically healed.
· part of our process of being healed by the Savior is being converted.
· Faith is required before the miracle.
We are made alive in Christ, because He has offered Eternal Life.
Scripture: Moses 1:39, my work and my glory, D&C 132:24, 21-22.
Story: During his mortal ministry, Jesus taught the words given him by His Father, even our Eternal Father. His teachings were filled with love, but He taught a higher law. When he taught the multitude in John (chapter 6) that He was the Bread of Life, and that “he that eateth of this bread shall live forever,” many felt that this a “hard saying.” Many disciples “went back, and walked with him no more.” But Simon Peter answered and said to Jesus, “thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” With Peter, I also testify that Jesus is the Christ.
· By following the law of Christ, we can attain Eternal Life
· Strait & narrow way leadeth to exaltation
· Few find it because the “receive me not” neither know the Lord.
Because I am alive in Christ, I am saved from my own weakness.
Scripture: Ether 12:27, be humble, my grace is sufficient, weak things become strong.
Story:
· We are given weakness that we may be humble
· His grace is sufficient for all men
· Faith is required to make weak things become strong,
· It is a promise.
Because I am alive in Christ, I am guided through the wilderness (life)
Scripture: Psalms 23:1-4
Story:
· What does he save me from? The Lord saves me from uncertainty.
· I rely heavily on his guiding hand and the influence of the Holy Spirit.
· The Lord is my light. Shadow by day, pillar by night.
Because I am alive in Christ, I am nourished by the good word of God.
Scripture: Alma 32:28, the word is a seed, beginneth to enlighten my understanding.
Story:
· The Lord saves me from a lack of understanding, or walking in darkness.
· His word is light & truth. It illuminates my life as I feast upon the words of Christ.
· His words strengthen me as I walk in the light.
· For the words of Christ will tell me all things what I should do.
Because I am alive in Christ, I am connected to my family by ordinances.
Scripture: Matthew 16:19 whatsoever ye seal on earth, shall be sealed in heaven.
Story:
· And ordinance is a sacred, formal act performed by the authority of the priesthood, like baptism
· The Lord saves me from disconnection.
· Through the sealing power and saving ordinances in Holy temples, I am eternally connected to my family. My immediate family. And my extended family going back many generations.
· I am connected to the family of God, each of you.
Because I am alive in Christ, I am saved from loneliness or alienation:
Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, go ye therefore, and teach all nations, I am with you alway Story:
· The Lord saves me from loneliness or alienation.
· I will be with you always, even unto the end of the world.
· My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth. Peace & comfort. Understanding, love. That soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose.
I close with the words of a favorite hymn:
I need thee every hour,
In joy or pain.
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.
I need thee, oh I need thee;
Every hour I need thee!
Oh, bless me now, my Savior;
I come to thee!
This is my prayer for each of us.
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