This time is such a sacred, unprecedented and holy time to be on the earth and a part of the Lord’s work. We have seen miracle after miracle and tender mercy after tender mercy. We have seen the safe evacuation of thousands of the Lord’s servant from the entire globe, we have seen temples announced in places otherwise shut off to the gospel, we have seen families more united in the midst of a worldwide quarantine.
Most of all, we have felt the peace of Christ, comforting us, consoling us, hugging us and pulling us through these last and latest days. Christ’s mission was not simply a mission to show us who He was, nor was it a show of perfection to make us feel disappointed when we do not achieve what He achieved. His mission was to show us how much He loves us. Despite, and often because of, our weaknesses.
As He prepared Himself for what we now call the Atonement, He was aware of us. He felt our "pains, and afflictions and temptations of every kind" even until He took "upon Him death." But why? Why did He love us so much and why was He willing? "That He may know according to the flesh how to succor His people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:12) The purpose was and is to heal us. It is that we might be clean and pure and holy and worthy and that we may try again.
That is what Easter means to me. Because of Him, we will live again. Our loved ones are not lost. We are not lost.
As Bishop Gerald Caussé said, "Our receiving the blessings of the Atonement is based upon our diligence in living the gospel of Christ." Soon after this statement by Bishop Caussé, Elder Ronald A. Rasband gave a talk where he touched upon how we can be diligent in living that gospel. During his talk, it was impressed upon me that this is the time that all the prophets have seen. This means that we have a sacred and vital responsibility to share the gospel, strengthen this church and strengthen Zion.
In Joshua 3:5 we read, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." I testify that the Lord will always do wonders among us. He already has, and will continue to do so. I testify that it is possible to be more holy, through Jesus Christ. The Atonement made it possible for us to simply improve and what an amazing gift that is to each of us
I testify of the reality of God, the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ. They live and love and work and care for every one of us. I have seen this my entire life and especially for the last twenty months, as a missionary and disciple of my Savior, Jesus Christ.
I know all of this is true and I testify of it in the name of our Resurrected Savior, even Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Campbell Jacob Allen
Brazil Porto Alegre South Mission
July 2018 - March 2020
