He is Risen.

Have you ever wondered about Christmas and Easter? They are so near the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. One represents the last of darkening days. Going forward from December 21 is a promise of more light. March 21 is a promise of more life with the start of spring. Christmas and Easter are not really about birth and death of Christ. Both Holy Days are about birth, really. The beginning of Christ's mortal life and the promise of a life after this life with resurrection.

Today - Easter was a wonderful day. We rode with missionaries that are much better described as friends. We went to our Branch in Mt. Pleasant Iowa with the Whitneys and Saltzgivers. Without sounding like a play-by-play, there were some great speakers with thoughts about Easter and an amazing Vocal solo by Sister Whiting.

Our evening was a gathering with more missionary friends for dinner in the Arrival Center at the Temple. There were about 30 of us including President and Sister Kooyman of the Nauvoo Temple. There were 2 musical numbers including "He is Risen" by a quartet we started a few weeks ago. The prelude to our dinner was a downpour of rain followed by hail. Needless to say, the sky was gray.

A wonderful little thing that happened at the very end of our day, was that with the closing prayer, I noticed that the sun had emerged from the drained clouds and a single beam of light joined us. I had the distinct feeling that Joseph approved and was certainly with us. Perhaps more than just as art.