Holy Week: Easter Sunday

Sunday: Jesus' Resurrection
Jesus was resurrected! He had risen from the tomb. An angel descended from heaven and rolled away the stone. Jesus told His disciples to teach and baptize others and promised to always be with them. (The Friend, April 2011)

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Holy Week: Saturday

Saturday: The Jewish Sabbath
Jesus's body lay in the tomb. A large stone was put in front of the door. The wicked priests asked Pilate to have guards stand outside the tomb to make sure no one went inside. (The Friend, April 2011)

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Holy Week: Friday

Friday: Jesus's Trial and Crucifixion
Jesus was taken to the high priest, Caiaphas. Jesus's disciple Peter denied that He knew Him. Jesus was questioned by the governor, Pilate, and by the king, Herod. He was condemned to die on the cross. Jesus was crucified. A rich man named Joseph laid Jesus in his tomb. Jesus's mother, Mary, and Mary Magdalene visited the tomb. (The Friend, April 2011)

Here is another video that depicts the crucifixion.

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Holy Week: Thursday

Thursday: The Last Supper, Jesus's Agony in Gethsemane
Jesus's disciples got ready for the Passover meal. During the meal, Jesus told the disciples that one of them would betray Him. Then, to help them remember Him, He gave them the sacrament for the first time. Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to suffer for our sins and to pray to God. People came with swords and arrested Him. The disciples ran away in fear. (The Friend, April 2011)

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Holy Week: Wednesday

Wednesday: Rest in Bethany
The scriptures do not say what Jesus did on this day. He may have spent the day with His disciples. You could read the Parable of the Ten Virgins, a story Jesus taught to His disciples to help them prepare for His Second Coming. (The Friend, April 2011)

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Holy Week: Tuesday

Tuesday: Parables and Teachings
Jesus taught people in the temple and on a nearby hill called the Mount of Olives. The priests plotted to kill Jesus. One of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, agreed to turn Jesus over to the priests in exchange for 30 silver coins. (The Friend, April 2011)

I'd

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Holy Week: Monday

Monday: Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Jesus saw people buying and selling things in the temple. Because He wanted the temple to be a "house of prayer," He made them leave. Then He healed people who were lame or blind. The jealous priests were angry with Him. (The Friend, April 2011)

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Holy Week: Sunday

Palm Sunday: Jesus's Triumphal Entry
Jesus walked from Bethany to Jerusalem. He rode into the city on a donkey, as a verse in the Old Testament said He would. People recognized Him as their King, shouting, "Hosanna," and laying down palm leaves in front of the donkey to keep dust from getting on the Savior. Jesus visited the temple and then returned to Bethany. (The Friend, April 2011)

Here are a few very simple ideas you can draw from to enrich your Palm Sunday. The article I'm using above this week from The Friend magazine has daily scriptures and songs for young children, although the concepts don't necessarily correspond with events of Holy Week.

All Bible videos I've used are from the excellent "The Life of Jesus Christ Bible Videos" website, which depicts scenes of the life of Christ taken exactly from the scriptures.

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A Christ-Centered Easter: Because of Him

Happy Holy Week! Does anyone else feel like it's so easy for the focus of Easter to be on chocolate bunnies instead of the Savior? I want to take back the holiday!

Since Christmas gets such a big celebration, why doesn't Easter have one as well? Over the years, I've tried to add activities and traditions to our Easter week that focus on Jesus Christ, His life, and resurrection. It's made our family's celebration so much more meaningful. I thought I'd share some of my ideas this week.

As the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is doing an Easter initiative that focuses on Jesus Christ called Because of Him, I want to use this week especially to reflect on what is possible in my life because of Him. I challenge you to do the same to make this a meaningful Easter.

Because of Him, I can be free of sin and heartache. He will even carry my pain that was caused by another or by circumstances that are out of my control.

Because of Him, I can live again. I can be with my family forever through the blessings of the holy temple.

Because of Him, I can feel peace in a world of turmoil. If I listen quietly I can feel Him saying, "Peace, be still." I can feel His arms around me when I feel lonely or sad or hopeless.

I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm forever indebted to Him. This Holy Week I hope to show where my heart and treasure truly lie through my thoughts, words, and actions.

#becauseofHim