Tree of Life: River of Water

Today I'm going to expand on the river of water.

1 Nephi 8

Vs. 13 - River of Water

- water is filthy and the depths of hell
- it ran near the tree but not to it, I saw the significance of this because no unclean thing can be in Heavenly Father's presence

"Be clean - in language, in thought, in body, in dress." - Pres Gordon B. Hinckley (2007 Apr Conference, I Am Clean)

"Our behavior in public must be above reproach. Our behavior in private is even more important. It must clear the standard set by the Lord." - Pres Gordon B. Hinckley (2002 Apr Conference, Personal Worthiness to Exercise the Priesthood)

"We cannot indulge in sin, let alone try to cover our sins. We cannot partake of the vanity of unrighteous ambition. . . If we do any of these things, the powers of heaven are withdrawn. The Spirit of the Lord is grieved. The very virtue of our priesthood is nullified. Its authority lost." - Pres Gordon B. Hinckley (2002 Apr Conference, Personal Worthiness to Exercise the Priesthood)

- I may not hold the priesthood, but access to it may be denied if I am not worthy

•  Col 1:10

- I need to always strive to be clean and worthy, teach my children the importance of living a worthy life

"Imagine, the consoling, liberating, exalting feeling that will come to you when you see the reality of the Atonement and the practical, everyday value of it to you individually." - Elder Boyd K. Packer (1997 Apr Conference, Washed Clean)

- The atonement is there for us to be made clean and pure

- 3rd Article of Faith: We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

Easter

With the hype of the Easter Bunny, candy and treats, I think that we tend to forget the real meaning. Easter is, I think the most important Christian holiday next to Christmas. It is the day at we celebrate the ressurection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is the day that He overcam death in order to complete our Heavenly Father's plan.

President Ezra Taft Benson said, "The literal resurrection of every soul who has lived and died on earth is a certainty, and surely one should make careful preparation for this event. A glorious resurrection should be the goal of every man and woman, for resurrection will be a reality."

The scriptures talk about ressurection and why Christ had to go through all the pain and suffering of the world. In 1 Corth. 15:22 it states, “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

Christ has made it possible through his atonement in the Garden of Gethsamane that we can repent of our sins so that we can live with him and our Father in Heaven. What a beautiful, glorious day that will be when we can be reunite with those who have passed on before us and to see our Father.

One of my favorite Easter hymns is He is Risen! (hymn # 199)

He is risen, He is risen! Tell it out with joyful voice.

He has burst his three days' prison;

Let the whole wide earth rejoice.

Death is conquered, man is free.

Christ has won the victory.

Come with high and holy hyming, chant our Lord's triumphant lay.

Not one darksome cloud is dimming,

Yonder glorious morning ray,

Breaking o'er the purple east,

Symbol of our Easter feast.

He is risen! He is risen! He hath opened heaven's gate.

We are free from sin's dark prison,

Risen to a holier state.

And a brigher Easter beam

On our longing eyes shall stream.

Click here to watch a short Easter video.