Happy Easter!

Over the past three years, I have presented the histories of many families on this blog. Many of them joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in America or in Europe. Most of the histories assume knowledge about the history and doctrines of the Church. It is easy enough to learn more about the church on mormon.org or lds.org or even the Wikipedia entry about the Church. But always, throughout all the histories, the primary message and belief of the members of the church is of the life and mission of Jesus Christ. Since we are celebrating the resurrection of Christ at Easter time, here is a scripture from the Book of Mormon, and the text of a curious little hymn by James Montgomery, who wrote the words to many hymns including "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief," "The Lord is My Shepherd," and "Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire."

 • • •

And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection.

But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.

He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.

(Mosiah 16:7-9)

• • •

Go to dark Gethsemane, 

All who feel the tempter’s pow’r;

Your Redeemer’s conflict see. 

Watch with him one bitter hour;

Turn not from his griefs away; 

Learn of Jesus Christ to pray.

See him at the judgment hall, 

Beaten, bound, reviled, arraigned;

See him meekly bearing all! 

O the pangs his soul sustained!

Shun not suffering, shame, or loss; 

Learn of Christ to bear the cross.

Calvary's mournful mountain climb; 

There, adoring at his feet,

Mark that miracle of time, 

God's own sacrifice complete.

"It is finished!" hear him cry; 

Learn of Jesus Christ to die.

Early hasten to the tomb 

Where they laid his breathless clay;

All is solitude and gloom. 

Who has taken him away?

Christ is risen! He meets our eyes; 

Savior, teach us so to rise.

(James Montgomery)

Photo of the daffodils from www.flickr.com/photos/anvica/3435319380/.