Easter Sunday

"Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why then are they then baptized for the dead?" -1 Corinthians 15:29

As we have been approaching this Easter Sunday this particular verse of scripture has been weighing heavily on my mind. Growing up, Easter Sunday was always a bit of a miff to me. I always wondered why it changed days. Why we got pictures taken with a bunny and what in the world was up with the Easter baskets (although I love the peeps that come in my Easter basket every year, including this year...thanks Margaret!)

It seemed to me that we went to church on Sundays because that was the day of the week that Jesus rose from the grave, so why in the world did we need to have one special day to celebrate this, instead of remembering, every Sunday, the victory that Christ had over death.

This year, as I have said, this one verse has weighed particularly heavy on my mind and on my heart. As I have thought about it, I've begun to realize the full meaning behind this one very powerful verse of scripture.

Not only did Christ rise from the dead, gaining his victory over death and hell, but his rising has ensured that we, too, will one day rise from the dead and be united with our Heavenly Father and with our families.

This verse is the basis behind a lot of work that we, as members of the LDS church, do in the temple. Without the resurection of Christ, all of our work that we do in the temple would be in vain, for we could have no power over death. However, as Paul argues in 1Corinthians, not only has Christ risen from the tomb, but because of his ressurection, we too, can have the victory over death.

What a comfort to know, that as our loved ones pass away, this world is not the end. We have the bright hope that one day we will see them again. And this time they will not be confined to the weak and frail bodies that we have seen so many struggle with while on this earth, but rather in a perfected state, walking the streets of glory, singing with the chorus of angels, and seeing the Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer face to face.

I think that this year, for the first time in my life, I've begun to truly understand the special spirit that Easter brings. I am so thankful for the gift of my Saviour, and the sacrifice he has made to allow me to have the victory over death.