He is Risen

One of my 101 list goals was to attend an Easter or Christmas mass, so I did that today. I went downtown and went to the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. The Cathedral is beautiful, both inside and out. It was a neat experience to be able to go and see how others celebrate such a holy day. I wish I had worn different shoes, though. All the pews were full when I got there (after having to walk a few blocks, due to the fun parking situation downtown), so I got to join many others against the walls, where we stood for the entirety of the service. And for whatever reason, I actually wore heels today, instead of my usual flats. Oh well. It was still a good experience.

I went pretty much straight to church right after mass. Sacrament meeting was wonderful today. Along with a couple of beautiful musical numbers, a few different people had been asked to bear their testimony of Christ and the Atonement. It was so simple, but absolutely beautiful and the Spirit was so strong. Because isn't that what the gospel is all about? The good news of the gospel is all about Christ and what He has done for us. He atoned for our sins. He is there to succor us, and has overcome death. One of the testimonies really struck me in particular. One of the men related a story a sister told him on his mission She had someone ask her to consider where she would have been during the Savior's crucifixion. Would she be at the foot of the cross, with His other loved ones and the believers? Would she be mocking Him? Would she be at home unaware? As she pondered the thought, an impression came to her that she would actually be alone in the desert, trying to carry her own cross alone, because she wasn't fully utilizing Christ's Atonement.

How grateful I am for the knowledge that I don't have to carry my own cross alone, for Christ has invited me to take His yoke upon me, that my burdens may be light. I don't have to continue to punish myself for sins I've committed, for once I've utilized the Atonement, they are forgiven. I don't have to struggle alone and feel like nobody understands, because He does. He is there, always. I just need to turn to Him. For He lives.