He Is Risen!

• If there is a design in this world in which we live, there must be a Designer.
• Man alone received intelligence Cleon Skousen would be chagrined to hear that from the prophet.
  • Who could persuasively argue that man should come to an end when the spirit forsakes its earthly temple?
• To understand the meaning of death, we must appreciate the purpose of life.
  • In our premortal state we shouted for joy because of the opportunity to come to this challenging yet necessary mortal existence.
  • We knew that our purpose was to gain a physical body, to overcome trials, and to prove that we would keep the commandments of God.
  • Our Father knew that because of the nature of mortality, we would sin and would fall short. So He provided a Savior, who would suffer and die for us.
  • Not only would He atone for our sins, but as a part of that Atonement, He would also overcome the physical death.

To all within the sound of my voice, I declare, If a man die, he shall live again. We know, for we have the light of revealed truth.

I will mention just part of one such account. Two weeks ago I received a touching letter from a father of seven who wrote about his family and, in particular, his son Jason, who had become ill when 11 years of age. Over the next few years, Jason’s illness recurred several times. This father told of Jason’s positive attitude and sunny disposition, despite his health challenges. Jason received the Aaronic Priesthood at age 12 and “always willingly magnified his responsibilities with excellence, whether he felt well or not.” He received his Eagle Scout Award when he was 14 years old.

Last summer, not long after Jason’s 15^th birthday, he was once again admitted to the hospital. On one of his visits to see Jason, his father found him with his eyes closed. Not knowing whether Jason was asleep or awake, he began talking softly to him. “Jason,” he said, “I know you have been through a lot in your short life and that your current condition is difficult. Even though you have a giant battle ahead, I don’t ever want you to lose your faith in Jesus Christ.” He said he was startled as Jason immediately opened his eyes and said, “Never!” in a clear, resolute voice. Jason then closed his eyes and said no more.

His father wrote: “In this simple declaration, Jason expressed one of the most powerful, pure testimonies of Jesus Christ that I have ever heard. . . . As his declaration of ‘Never!’ became imprinted on my soul that day, my heart filled with joy that my Heavenly Father had blessed me to be the father of such a tremendous and noble boy. . . . [It] was the last time I heard him declare his testimony of Christ.” Jason passed away less than two weeks later.

Jason’s sister was serving in the same mission that Stephanie Eyring was called to this year.