Other than the annual bout with hay fever, spring has always been my favorite season of the year. As I have contemplated the reasons I enjoy this time of year so much, along with others the word ‘promise’ seems to dominate my thoughts.
Having followed professional baseball throughout my life (actually only after the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1958) I have become accustomed to the news flowing from spring training camps being full of promise.
The dead arms from the end of last season have been renewed and show promise.
The newly traded for players and the upcoming phenoms show promise.
The new manager’s words are full of promise.
Cruising through the streets of the suburbs or a casual drive in the countryside one is greeted with views of promise on every side.
Trees bud with promise of fruit to come.
Seeds sprout with promise of multiple yields.
Animals bring forth their young and remind us of the promises which come with another new generation.
Somewhere between the 22nd of March and the 25th of April a day is set aside to remind us of the greatest of all promises.
A promise which will not be dashed by the reality of a big league curve ball.
A promise which will not be destroyed by a late frost.
A promise which has far reaching and eternal implications.
We celebrate this promise on a day called Easter or Pascha (Greek, Latin) which has reference to the resurrection of Jesus the Christ. However, the real promise of the day comes because of the Atonement of Jesus the Christ .
Because of the Atonement of Jesus the Christ the price for forsaken sins has been paid.
Because of the Atonement of Jesus the Christ we are promised reconciliation with our Eternal Parents.
Because of the Atonement of Jesus the Christ the promise of living eternally is given to all of Heavenly Father’s children.
As with most religious symbols which continue to be followed on days of celebration, those which accompany the festivities surrounding Easter, have likewise long ago vanished or been changed so that they have no connection to their original meaning.
The egg has been boiled and dyed and made completely devoid in any way of reminding us that just as a chick emerges from its barren shell, it is a reminder of the promise of the Savior coming forth from a rocky tomb.
The white of the Easter Lily is said to symbolize purity, honesty and immortality and was believed to have originally sprouted from Eve’s tears as she and Adam left the Garden and becomes a reminder of the promises of the gospel of the Lord.
In some cultures the emergence of the butterfly from its cocoon in the spring is a reminder of the Savior’s body being laid in the tomb and coming forth gloriously resurrected and assures us of the promise given to each of us of life after death.
There are an abundance of other symbols such as lambs, palms and ashes which have likewise lost much of their spiritual significance as celebration has become more of our holiday observances than reverential remembrance. Therefore, just as a reality check for each of us on this climatic Holiest of Days I offer the following which might be worthy of pondering.
The Savior has taught us of the importance of living in obedience to His laws and commandments and the promises of our receiving consequential joy, peace and comfort.
The miracles performed by the Savior should hold with them the promise that adversity and affliction are but for a moment.
The promise of unconditional forgiveness, through the love and mercy of the Savior, to they who repent, should awaken eternalness in each of our souls as we read about and view in our minds the scenes of the Garden of Gethsemane and the cross of Golgotha.
As we conjure up a vision of the empty tomb, we are reminded of the promise of life yet to come, because the Savior made being born into eternal life a reality.
It is my prayer that the newness of spring and remembering that first Easter will fill our thoughts with visions which will help us to always remember the greatest of all promises made to each of us by our loving Heavenly Father and fulfilled by His Beloved Son.
We will all come forth from the grave!
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
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