Christ-Centered Easter
Christ-Centered Easter
President Quinn’s Weekly Message
California Santa Rosa Mission
February 26th, 2024
We will soon enter the month of March. On the last Sunday of March, we will celebrate Easter. In his April 2023 General Conference address, Elder Stevenson encouraged us to make Easter a more “Christ-centered” holiday. To do this, he reminded us that:
“…we as Latter-day Saints are endowed with a most remarkable Easter gift! A gift of unique witness, another testament of the Easter miracle that contains perhaps the most magnificent Easter scriptures in all of Christianity. I am referring of course to the Book of Mormon and, more specifically, to the account of Jesus Christ appearing to inhabitants in the New World in His resurrected glory.”
I hope in addition to your reading the four gospels of the New Testament between now and Easter, you will spend time reading the account of the Savior’s visit to the Americas following His crucifixion. Who cannot be moved by this beautiful account of the Savior offering the emblems of His crucifixion to the people as evidence of His atoning sacrifice and love:
“…behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; …And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying: Behold, I am Jesus Christ… And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying: Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world. And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; …And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying: Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him.” (3 Nephi 11:8-17)
I believe there is no more beautiful witness of the Savior’s resurrection than this account shared in the Book of Mormon. We should be grateful for this priceless gift! I hope we will make reading and reflecting on this record a part of our Easter tradition. As you prepare for Easter, please spend time pondering ways you can make this holiday a Christ-centered celebration of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice and resurrection. As His full-time emissaries, we are in a unique position to feel close to Him and to share His message of hope and joy.
Thank you for your faithfulness, goodness, and discipleship. We love you! Sister Quinn and I pray the Lord’s choicest and abundant blessings upon each of you.
Love,
President Quinn
(707) 758-6380
