What Easter Means to Me

     One of my favorite songs is "I Believe in Christ."  I love my Savior and this song, by Bruce R. McConkie, for me is an expression of that love.  I especially love the last verse and, as I sang it in the MTC one day, it really hit me that this song is true.  The part that brought tears to my eyes and gratitude to my heart was when it says, "From him I'll gain my fondest dream."  For me, my fondest dream is that returning to my Heavenly Father and spending eternity with him and my family.  The problem is, I can't do that on my own.  I make mistakes and I become unclean in the process.  The scriptures say no unclean thing can be in the presence of God.  Because of Jesus Christ's sacrifice, and through his grace, I can be clean again and I can become perfect when I repent and do the best I can to follow Jesus Christ.  My weaknesses will become strengths.
     The other part of Christ's Easter gift was that, just as he rose again on the third day, we can, too.  During my last year of college, I started to get sick.  I felt lightheaded all the time and my body always hurt.  I felt nauseated all the time and it was so bad I couldn't read my school books.  I had no energy and I had constant headaches.  I finally went to the doctor and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.  This was about 13 years ago.  Back then, doctors didn't really know what caused it and there was no cure.  I was facing a lifetime of pain and illness.  As the years have gone on I have found things that help and if I take care of myself things are pretty much ok.  I have flare-ups from time to time, but most of the time I can almost forget.  I have to lead a pretty quiet life, though.  On those days when I can't do what I want without pain I remember that, because of Jesus' resurrection, I will once again be able to do things without pain.  Not only that, I will be able to associate once again with those I love who have passed on before me.  I will be able to meet my sister, Sarah, and my niece, Graycee, who passed on before I even got to know them.
     All of these things are possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  It is because of him that I can sing:

I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!

From him I'll gain my fondest dream;

And while I strive through grief and pain,

His voice is heard: "Ye shall obtain."

I believe in Christ, so come what may,

With him I'll stand in that great day

When on this earth he comes again

To rule among the sons of men.