Looking for other ideas to help family members understand the events of Holy Week? I found this blog that provides some historical background about the events surrounding Holy Week, the Passover, and even Christmas. You may want to check it out: http://www.redeemerofisrael.org/
A Family Easter Tradition
Based on The Living Christ - The Testimony of the Apostles
One week of simple activities for families to enjoy
This schedule can be as simple as a 5 minute devotional each day;
or families may choose additional activities as their schedule allows.
Based on The Living Christ - The Testimony of the Apostles
One week of simple activities for families to enjoy
This schedule can be as simple as a 5 minute devotional each day;
or families may choose additional activities as their schedule allows.
Palm Sunday - 1st Day
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"As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth. . . .
We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles— that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son." (The Living Christ, First and Last Paragraph) Optional Activities:
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2nd Day - Monday before Easter
"He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3).
Optional Activities:
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3rd Day - Tuesday before Easter
"Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill."
Optional Activities:
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4th Day - Wednesday before Easter
" He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come."
Optional Activities:
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5th Day - Thursday before Easter
"He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth."
Optional Activities:
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6th Day - Friday before Easter
"We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world. He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10)."
Optional Activities:
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7th Day - Saturday before Easter
"Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying: “I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).
Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! “For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father— “That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24). We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth— “built upon the foundation of . . . apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20)." |
Optional Activities:
- Knock down the church made of blocks earlier in the week and talk about the apostasy. Rebuild a church as you talk about the restoration of the gospel and priesthood power.
- Easter Egg Hunt. Before the hunt, talk about how many "sweet" parts of the gospel were no longer available because the priesthood was not on the earth. Hide a few Easter Eggs labeled with the "sweeter things" of the gospel (priesthood power, eternal family, ordinances and covenants, the Book of Mormon)
8th Day - Easter Sunday
"We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts."
Optional Activities:
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