I love Celebrating Holy Week

We are back from a trip to Bahia Blanca from April 7-10. Yesterday, we had the groundbreaking of the Bahia Blanca temple and how I love celebrating Holy Week or Semana Santa after we had just returned from the groundbreaking. How fitting! 

The beautiful program lasted for about an hour. I was touched by the young adult’s testimonies and the children’s choir. This special temple will be an added blessing for the people in Argentina.

As I listened to our dear friends, Ines Walker and Elder Joaquin Costa I thought about our grandchildren and their progression in the midst of all the complexity and uncertainty found in the world today.

I feel confident in their ability to navigate these choppy waters and testify that the Lord has foreseen our day and in loving kindness offered compensatory spiritual powers and amazing parents, aunts and uncles that all our children are. 

As I listened to the children’s choir, I thought of our grandchildren and these two questions came to mind:

 

· What the youth of 2022 are carrying (spiritually, mentally and emotionally) in their hearts each day

· What tools the Lord has provided for His and our children through Prophets, Seers and Revelators 

The following conference and related talks are excellent references and examples of the Lord's love and concern for our youth:

Watching with All Perseverance - Elder David A. Bednar

Parents and Children - President Dallin H. Oaks

A Sin-Resistant Generation and Essential Conversations - Sister Joy D. Jones

Be of Good Cheer; Children and Youth is Here - President Steven J. Lund

I see great evidences of the power of God in the lives of our grandchildren. I am grateful for our children and their efforts to be amazing good parents - it is making a difference and their lives are brighter and happier because of it. We feel gratitude for role in teaching their children, our grandchildren those things that matter most. 

We hope you take the time to be part of this special Holy week as we commemorate the life, atonement and resurrection of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. The Church has a beautiful new Easter video under the ComeuntoChrist website we can enjoy together with our children. 

This is one of our favorites:  https://youtu.be/8KCUs7oJxjc 

I am also posting a newsletter I received today from Work and Wonder 

Sunday April 10, 2022 

The Power of Spiritual Momentum 

By Russell M. Nelson 

 

Good morning friend!

 

Happy Palm Sunday! What a beautiful day to begin our study of the words of general conference—sure testimonies of light, truth, and our Living Savior.

 

In his Sunday afternoon address, President Nelson extended 5 powerful invitations to us. But as I reread his words I noticed one of them was repeated 5 times…

 

— “My call today, dear brothers and sisters, is to end conflicts that are raging in your heart, your home, and your life.”

 

— “I plead with you to do all you can to end personal conflicts that are currently raging in your hearts and in your lives.”

 

— “I repeat my call to end the conflicts in your life.”

 

— “Between now and [Easter], I invite you to seek an end to a personal conflict that has weighed you down.”

 

— “Strive to end conflict in your life.”

 

When you first heard these words, maybe a point of conflict in your like came to mind right away. And maybe the immediate thought following was how impossible that seemed—the hurt is too deep, the time passed is too much, the opportunity is far too gone. When the weight of forgiving, hearts softening, and minds changing weighs on us, it does feel impossible. And quite frankly, with our ability alone, it likely is. But then President Nelson said this, “If forgiveness presently seems impossible, plead for power through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ to help you.”

 

Get on your knees and plead. Again and again. Believe that is it possible with Him.

 

The conflict may not end all at once. But that doesn't mean the promised blessings of “personal peace and burst of spiritual momentum” won't begin to be realized as we try. Let us begin today, on Palm Sunday, to shout Hosana (save us!) to He who bears healing in His wings.

 

Affirmation 

I am resolving personal conflict in my life as I plead for His power to help me. Through Christ, I know hearts will soften and what is broken will be made whole.

Happy Easter!

Vero and Daniel