Because of Him

This week is Easter. When I think of Easter my thoughts immediately turn to family get-togethers at my Grandma and Papa's house. They would hide eggs with spare change in them and baskets for all the grandkids, and Grandma would make up the best snacks and food for everyone to munch on throughout the day. I think of hugging relatives that I didn't see often, and running off with cousins. I think of matching Easter dresses that my Mom would make for us girls. They are happy memories.

Easters are different now. All of my grandparents and my mom have passed away. I'm all grown up (kinda...) and we aren't close to family this year at least. I feel like we should do something special to celebrate, but we're not very good at that kind of stuff with just the two of us. In a way, it makes it a little easier to focus on what Easter's really about. And when I can focus on that, I don't have to be sad that Easters are different now, because everything that I really miss about those Easters will be restored to me. Because of Him.

So, to get into the Easter spirit, which for me is one of reverent gratitude and awe, here's my list of things I have because of Him.

• Because of Him, I will live again.
• Because of Him, I get to be with my family for all eternity. 
• Because of Him, death does not signify the end -- only change. 
• Because of Him, I do not have to carry my burdens - sorrow, grief, pain, regret, sin - alone. 
• Because of Him, I can be made pure and my sins can be forgiven.
• Because of Him, I can change and become the better person I want to be. 
• Because of Him, I look forward to an eternity of family, learning, and constant progression. 
• Because of Him, I am not afraid.
• Because of Him, I have hope.

He did the unthinkable for us in performing the Atonement. Now it's our turn to take action. Reach out to Him and accept that gift. With it, any change is possible. With it, everyone can have hope. This Easter, discover what is possible for you because of Him. 

Joseph Smith

If people know anything about the Mormon church it is usually 1) we believe in the Book of Mormon, and 2) "Joe" Smith founded the church. I've never heard anyone in the church refer to Joseph as "Joe", but it is still common to come across "Joe" on the internet, particularly when the writer is anti-mormon.

I'll be honest. My church history knowledge isn't really as good as I'd like it to be, so I am hesitant to write out a bunch of dates and events on here. I've embedded a video of a talk given at general conference last weekend about Joseph Smith, and I'll provide some links where you can learn more if you'd like. (I really should have more committed to memory, considering I took an entire course all about Joseph Smith at BYU.) Besides, this all makes much more sense than me blabbing on. :)

And here's the link to the text of the talk, if you'd rather read it.

You can read Joseph's accounts of the first vision here. The "First Vision" refers to Joseph's first vision, the one of God and the Father in the grove of trees, spoken of in the video above.

This website has sections for various parts of his life.
http://www.josephsmith.net/?lang=eng

There is a project going on in the church, where they are making digital copies of all of the papers, letters, journals, etc. that they have from and to Joseph. It is a huge effort, and while you can buy hard copies at church bookstores, they are making it all available to the public online. It's very cool.
http://josephsmithpapers.org/

I do have a testimony Joseph Smith was really a prophet of God. To be honest, it was one of the things that took me a while to have a strong testimony of. I took that course at BYU about Joseph because I wanted to learn more and be able to strengthen my testimony of him. I've had a strong conviction of the Book of Mormon for quite a long time, so I knew through logic that if it were true, Joseph Smith must have been a prophet of God, but I wanted that to be a stand-alone conviction. (Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon from ancient record delivered to him by the Angel Moroni, so if the book was true, he certainly didn't make it all up.) It takes study, and earnest prayer to gain a testimony of something, and that class at BYU gave me the perfect opportunity for just that.

I am grateful to Joseph and everything he did to bring this gospel forward. I am grateful to have knowledge that would not be available to me without his efforts. Without this gospel, I would not understand why I am here and what the future (big picture) could hold for me. I would not have the peace and comfort that comes from knowing that families are eternal. I would not have the same relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we don't worship Joseph Smith, but we do have a great amount of reverence and appreciation for what he did.