I thought I would share my Easter thoughts in this thread, since my heart is full with gratitude for the experiences John and I have been having preparing for our good friend Bill Rowe's funeral tomorrow. Bill was such an incredibly good man that it is easy to miss him so much, he was loved by all. One of the hymns we are singing at the funeral is -
Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer - the lyrics are pure doctrine.
Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer
1. Precious Savior, dear Redeemer,
Thy sweet message now impart.
May thy Spirit, pure and fervid,
Enter ev'ry timid heart;
Carry there the swift conviction,
Turning back the sinful tide.
Precious Savior, dear Redeemer,
May each soul in thee abide.
2. Precious Savior, dear Redeemer,
We are weak but thou art strong;
In thy infinite compassion,
Stay the tide of sin and wrong.
Keep thy loving arms around us;
Keep us in the narrow way.
Precious Savior, dear Redeemer,
Let us never from thee stray.
3. Precious Savior, dear Redeemer,
Thou wilt bind the broken heart.
Let not sorrow overwhelm us;
Dry the bitter tears that start.
Curb the winds and calm the billows;
Bid the angry tempest cease.
Precious Savior, dear Redeemer,
Grant us everlasting peace.
Text and music: H. R. Palmer, 1834-1907
I feel we mortals take the resurrection for granted, and when we do take it for granted we are easily overwhelmed by the sadness that death brings to us. I love the following lyrics.
-
Precious Savior, dear Redeemer,
Thou wilt bind the broken heart.
Let not sorrow overwhelm us;
Dry the bitter tears that start.
Curb the winds and calm the billows;
Bid the angry tempest cease.
Precious Savior, dear Redeemer,
Grant us everlasting peace.
That is what the doctrine of the resurrection provides us with "everlasting peace". That is one of the messages that Easter brings to me.
"Condemn me not because of mine imperfection,... but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been." Mormon 9:31