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An Easter Message

© Rebecca Talley

This time of year often brings to mind colored eggs, jellybeans, and bonnets. However, the true meaning of Easter lies in the atoning sacrifice of our redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Over two thousand years ago the only begotten Son of the Father gave His life for each one of us. He had the power to give His life because He also had the power to take it back as He explains in John 10:18, "No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." He freely chose to suffer the sins of the world.

The true sacrifice did not happen as the Savior hung upon the cross, but rather in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the garden Jesus did what no mortal could do; He took upon Himself every sin of all mankind. The pain was so intense and so exquisite that He bled from every pore. It is beyond the comprehension of our mortal minds how this was accomplished, but He, and He alone, truly atoned for each one of us.

We believe that only through His name may we be saved. "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 3:12) There is no other name under Heaven whereby we may be saved. We also believe that we must do more than merely accept Him as our Savior. We are each individually responsible for our acceptance or denial of His gospel. Acceptance of the gospel of Jesus Christ means we strive to become like Him and like our Father in Heaven. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48) This means we keep all of His commandments and live our lives in accordance with His teachings. We will be judged according to our works. "And thus saith the Lord: They shall stand as a bright testimony against this people, at the judgment day; whereof they shall be judged, every man according to his works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil." (Mosiah 3:24) When we truly accept Him in our lives we make use of His sacrifice. When we deny His gospel we mock his ultimate gift.

Because of the atonement we will all be resurrected and saved from physical death. However, only those who come unto Christ and are truly born again can be saved from spiritual death. (See article " ") Only those who repent can enjoy the full effect of the atonement.

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