Messages from the Easter Story: Love One Another

One of my favorite examples of Christ's love for all people is the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19. Zacchaeus was probably unliked because he was a wealthy tax collector for the Romans. He sought to know Jesus, but was cut off from Him because the crowd was too big and because he was short. He climbed a sycamore tree to see Christ before He went to Jerusalem for the last time. As Jesus walked by, He looked right up at Zacchaeus, called him by name, and asked to spend the day with him.

Just a few days later in the upper room the night before He was crucified, the Savior taught His disciples to love one another, even as He had loved them (John 13:34-35). Jesus was the perfect example of loving all - the poor and rich, learned and illiterate, disciple and sinner. He is the Redeemer of all. The story of Zacchaeus teaches that He knows the name and situation of each of us, and exactly what will bring us joy. ‪#‎BecauseHeLives‬

Messages from the Easter Story: The Passover

In all of LDS scripture, Jesus is known by around 200 different names, each of which testifies of a different aspect of His many characteristics, roles, and titles. I love studying about several of Christ's names, but around this time of year "the Lamb of God" is my favorite.

On Jesus' last night in mortality, He celebrated the Passover with His apostles: "With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer" (Luke 22:15). Isaiah, John the Baptist, John the Beloved, Nephi, Alma, and Moroni all called Christ by this name, but during this week it was Jesus who testified to the world that it was He who was the pascal lamb, who died for all men. ‪#‎BecauseHeLives‬

Messages from the Easter Story: Palm Sunday

A week before Christ rose from the dead, He rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, even amid threats of death. As He went through the crowds, they shouted Hosanna and praises to His name.

Many of the Jews expected the Messiah to bring salvation through military dominance. Instead of riding through the city proudly on a war horse, He did so meekly on a donkey. They thought He would restore them through power. Rather, He did so through peace. ‪#‎BecauseHeLives‬ 

Messages from the Easter Story: The Least of These My Brethren

Jesus truly is the Master Teacher. He used parables to teach lessons of faith, testimony, forgiveness, and love. The last three parables recorded are found in Matthew 25. I don't think it is a coincidence that the final parable before His death is the parable of the Sheep and the Goats, a message of caring for the "least of these my brethren."

"I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me." Just like a Good Shepherd, Christ spent His life serving the hungry, naked, sick, and imprisoned. And He does the same today. #BecauseHeLives

Messages from the Easter Story: The Raising of Lazarus

Jesus performed miracles for a number of reasons. One of the last recorded miracles before His death was the raising of Lazarus. It seems that Christ purposely waited for Lazarus to die so that He could show His great compassion, and to testify that He was indeed the "Resurrection and the Life."

After Mary and Martha showed great trust and faith in the Lord after their brother had passed, John noted that "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). This story was one of many times Christ showed His great compassion to His people. He continues to do so today. ‪#‎BecauseHeLives‬

The orange commitment

"I prefer eating cuties. Starting an orange is too big of a commitment." - Danielle 

What baby likes best

Some people think raising a baby's a test

Not so! So long as you do what baby likes best

You must cook, shop and clean all with baby at chest

Always bouncing and patting with nothing but zest

And rocking and cooing in a spit-up proof vest

With puffy eyes looking just beyond stressed

While entertaining guests who should be grateful you're dressed

Forever walking, never sitting at a right angle facing west

While standing on your head with your hair of rat's nest

With life upside down looking like one big hot mess

Yep... that's just how mom does it

'Cuz that's what baby likes best!

Katelyn's baby blessing