It was nice to visit with Benjamin. He came down and went to church with us in our ward and then left to go to his ward. We got to show him off to our ward friends and that was fun. We also had him stand up in class and tell where he was going. We made an Easter basket for him which, I am sure, had enough candy to share with his roomies. Of course, they probably were already sick from the candy their mothers had sent. ;)
The night before, Saturday, we went up to Provo right after the temple. Benjamin and Michael were both there and ate dinner and colored eggs with their cousins (and us). We had a lot of fun laughing together and having a good time.
We had a small controversy in Relief Society on Sunday. The teacher asked, "Which was more important, the Resurrection or the Antonement?" I said that, of the two, the Atonement was the most important because, without it, there would have been no need for a the Ressurection. Man's spirit would have left his body but would have been, basically, evil and could not have ever lived with our Father again. Therefore, his spirt would have gone with Satan. However, Chirst paid that debt for each man so that he could repent and be worthy to live again in the presence of our Father. Several of the sisters took exception to that and said the Atonement and the Ressurection could not be separated in importance. However, I maintained my stand that without the Atonement there could be no Ressurection. I came home and found the following in a Sunday school manual: "Jesus Christ 'came into the world … to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; that through him all might be saved' (D&C 76:41–42). The great sacrifice he made to pay for our sins and overcome death is called the Atonement. It is the most important event that has ever occurred in the history of mankind: 'For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; … yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement' (Alma 34:9)."
I found the following Easter poem and loved it because it reminds me of the talks that were given during conference. I included it in the Easter cards for those here in the states but I sent you a different card that was just picked for its prettiness.
Love's Garden
by Ellen Robena Field
There is a quiet garden,
From the rude world set apart,
Where seeds for Christ are growing;
This is the loving heart.
The tiny roots are loving thoughts;
Sweet words, the fragrant flowers
Which blossom into loving deeds,
Ripe fruits for harvest hours.
Thus in our hearts the seeds of love
Am growing year by year;
And we show our love for the Saviour,
By loving His children here.
We love you! We hope that you are continuing to enjoy the few weeks of your mission that you have left.
Grammy and Gramps
