Here’s a link to the PowerPoint I used in my 2025 Women’s Conference talk about Feasting on the Scriptures
Here are ideas for how to study. My personal favorites are #3, 9 and 11 but I like many of these ideas. I have learned that if I am not excited to go to the scriptures I know I need to change it up.
Lani Hilton
Deepening Our Reverence for the Sacred
Marriott Center
May 1, 2026
1:45pm
You are a beautiful sight!
I want to begin by testifying of Jesus Christ. He lives! He is real! I pray His spirit will be here.
Imagine if you saw this while scrolling on social media. “You’re not unhappy, you are just ignoring this one thing that almost everyone overlooks. It is not a life overhaul. Something simple that will multiply your joy, foster genuine gratitude and expand true happiness.
“Who would click?
We may or may not click, but many of us would be interested because we want greater joy and peace.
There is peace that comes in reflecting on who God is.
“But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works…for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. 1 Nephi 9:6
His kingdom cannot fail; he rules o’er earth and heaven. The keys of death and hell to Christ the Lord are given. (Hymn no. 6)
This is the God we worship. Thinking of who He is fills me with a sense of wonder.
Here is profound truth, we could put bold lights around, and is even better than the clickbait. Elder Ulisses Soares taught: “Reverence for the sacred fosters genuine gratitude, expands true happiness, leads our minds to revelation, and brings greater joy to our lives.”
That is quite a statement! So, what is reverence for the Sacred? Can it be cultivated? How does it impact our day to day lives?
Elder Soares continued,
“The word reverence can be traced to the Latin verb revereri, which means to “stand in awe of.” In the gospel sense, this definition mingles with a feeling or attitude of profound respect, love, and gratitude. Such expression for the sacred …fosters increased joy in [our] souls.”
Simply put, it’s the wow factor! It’s amazement. It’s realizing that something is deeply moving or far better than anticipated.
We could ask ourselves, do I have a “wow factor” when I pray? Am I “in awe” of God of the universe who lovingly invites me to communicate with Him.
Think to yourself, when was the most recent time you were in awe of something? Is there an experience from the last couple of days at BYU women’s conference when you were in awe?
Here are few responses from sisters:
“The last time I was “in awe” was a couple of hours ago when I was touching my baby. I can invite the Savior into my mind by seeing God at work.”
“Reverence stops me in my tracks. Praise follows. Recently I was struggling with something. I realized I need to just slow down. I stopped and looked at the blossoms. One time out of the year we have pink trees. Isn’t that incredible? Reverence is a choice, it is all around us.”
A few years ago I learned how impactful it is to feel and express awe for the sacred. I was in a poverty-stricken country talking with the locals.
One man in his early 20s was just exuberant, laughing, cracking jokes with everyone. I asked him, “Dennis, why are you so happy? He got all serious and said,
“Well my parents divorced when I was teenager and my family life wasn’t safe so I ran away. I was living in a shack. I had no way to earn money, no way to get married or even date, no family support, no opportunities for happiness, I thought I would just end my life. Then a friend invited me to church and that changed everything.”
I looked at him somewhat incredulously and asked, “Dennis what did you do at your church?” He said this phrase, “We sing, we praise, we teach the word of the Lord and when we come back we feel awesome!” Immediately a clear thought came to my mind, “Lani, pay attention to what he says. You have a lot to learn from Dennis.” I am still learning how the Savior speaks to me, but I know to pay attention to this type of thought. So I took it seriously. As I reflected on Dennis’ statement I realized I had experienced profound worship both with music and with teaching the word of the Lord, but I hadn’t with praise. Remember Dennis’ statement: “We sing, we praise, we teach the word of the Lord and when we come back we feel awesome.”
I felt I needed to incorporate praise into my life, but I honestly was clueless how. Then, I thought, “I am going to pray everyday, so what if I just begin my prayer by praising God?” So I did. When we try something new it may be a little awkward at first. Even with my imperfection, as I intentionally spent time “being in awe of” God, I was transformed.
I could see the truth of what Elder Patrick Kearon taught in his talk “Welcome to the church of joy!”
He said, “To attend is to be present at, but to worship is to intentionally praise and adore our God in a way that transforms us.”
One way we can feel and express “awe” for the sacred is by praising the Lord, by articulating how good God is.
What is praise and what does it look like?
I have learned praise is a form of worship that is most meaningful when I focus not only on what God has given me, but on who He is. The Lord’s Prayer begins and ends with praises to God. Worship through praising God IS of God.
Initially, C.S. Lewis found God’s command to praise Him unsettling. Isn’t that self-serving of Him? Then Lewis realized that praise was a natural expression of joy in the Lord. God doesn’t need my praise. God commands me to praise Him not for His sake, but for mine. I am filled with awe when I praise. Acknowledging and expressing truths about who God is brings His Spirit in abundance! My thoughts are higher and holier because they are about Him.
We can learn from those in scripture who are “in awe of God.”
Let’s start with women in tough situations:
The mothers of the Stripling Warriors view their covenants with such seriousness and sacredness that even in dire circumstances they are unwilling to break them and despite many of their husbands slain in war they could tell their sons “if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.”
When Mary visits Elizabeth, Elizabeth greets her in a spirit of praise. Then Mary, who is in the early stages of pregnancy, not married, and in many ways is in a very tough spot, responds to Elizabeth’s greeting by not talking of her own hardships, but by speaking the truth about who God is and what He has done. Mary says:
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him…He has performed mighty deeds with his arm…He has brought down rulers from their thrones…He has filled the hungry with good things… He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” Luke 1: 46-55 NIV
We also see “awe of” God in happy times.
After Jesus raised the dead son of the widow of Nain, “They were all filled with awe and praised God.” Luke 7: 16 NIV
To the woman who had been bowed over for 18 years Jesus said, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity…immediately she straightened up and praised God.” Luke 13:12
We see awe in action:
The Repentant woman comes to Jesus and “stands behind him at his feet weeping” and begins to “wet his feet with her tears”and “[wipes] his feet with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them”. Luke 7:38
A faithful female disciple anoints Jesus’ head prior to his burial in an act of adoration and Jesus calls it a beautiful thing. Mark 14
Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary” “ran to bring his disciples word” [that Jesus was Risen from the dead].” “Suddenly Jesus met them.” “They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him.” Matthew 28:8-9 NIV
In the Americas when Jesus introduced himself “the whole multitude [of men women and children] “fell to the earth.” (3 Nephi 11:12)
We can see reverence for the sacred can be shown in words and actions
These beautiful examples may seem out of reach in our less than ideal life. My guess is that each of us has been with someone in a sacred space who was not “in awe of” the sacred or we have been that person ourselves. I have been that person.
Picture this.
A busy mother has scripture study on her “to do” list and in her few minutes of alone time she opens her scriptures with a desire to feel connected to heaven but also a huge sense of overwhelm and obligation. Nearby another woman, opens her scriptures with a feeling of awe that she has the privilege to hold, read, and study the sacred word of God.
Or, this woman has spent hours getting herself and her little family fed and dressed one Sunday morning and there may even have been unkind words when someone could find their shoes. With a sigh she sits down on the pew. When the Sacrament tray comes by, her focus is on keeping her children quiet plus all the ways she has come up short that week.
Nearby another young sister sits at a soft pew, although just yesterday she faced major life disappointments she takes a moment to pause and “be in awe” that she can partake of emblems of the Last Supper, symbols of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice. Her mind goes to the ways God is relentlessly pursuing her. She smiles, rejoicing in God’s goodness.
What about a sister walking at a fast pace as she enters the temple. Her mind is on the urgent things she needs to do that day and she wonders if it is even worth it for her to take the time to be here.
Nearby a woman also with a busy day enters the holy temple. She is filled with a sense of wonder for God’s sanctuary and the sacred feeling that seems to permeate the air. Her prayer is that she can feel his Spirit and feel greater awe for the Savior as she worships in His house.
An exhausted sister barely has the energy to wash her face before dropping into bed. Rather than say a quick prayer she goes to another room and spends time “in awe” of her Father in heaven in prayer. She sits in that sacred space and feels close to heaven.
Let me be honest with you. I have been each of these women! Maybe you have been each of these women too. There were times I seemed totally unaware of the sacred, and at other times I deeply valued the sacred.
Interestingly, in each scenario the actual behavior didn’t change. What did change was the intention and the focus. In reverencing the sacred something that seemed meaningless becomes meaningful.
I want to acknowledge that blessings can come when I do something out of obedience instead of awe. Also, I want to be clear that intention does not equal perfection, but it does involve sincerity.
Intentional awe for the sacred moves me from “going through the motions” to actual worship, and changes me.
I saw this when I was chaperoning highschoolers in southern Utah national parks.
Upon arrival to the parks we were all in awe at the amazing rock formations and staring up at billions of stars in the dark night sky. But about the third day into the trip from the back of the car, I heard “Oh, not another overlook.”
Many of us can empathize with this student. Although she had been initially “wowed” by the beauty around her, she was now tired of the hours in the car. What was once awe-inspiring now seemed mundane and even annoying.
Then something intriguing happened. On the last day, one of the teachers gathered all the students at one final overlook. He told them that it was here at this location looking over the vast canyon that he got the idea to bring students there so that they could value the amazing beauty.
However, he realized that while he could facilitate the trip, he could not teach them to appreciate nature; they would need to internalize it themselves. So he asked them to journal for ten minutes on the question “why should I appreciate natural beauty?”
After they spent time writing and reflecting, they gathered to share their thoughts. The same student who just days earlier had said in desperation, “oh another overlook,” now expressed how being in these national parks lessened her anxiety and lifted her perspective. Student after student similarly commented on how being in awe of the surrounding beauty deeply impacted them.
I witnessed a person’s lack of awe be rekindled simply by intentionally taking the time to be in awe and by hearing someone else share their “in awe” moment.
My own sense of awe was renewed recently when a sister in relief society shared the awe she felt at the veil of the temple. Her experience inspired me to return to the temple with a yearning to feel that.
It is not hard to be in awe of God; in fact it is fun! In that spirit we are going to take a minute to journal our thoughts. You are welcome to just ponder, but I think it is helpful to write. You have about half a minute to write.
How can being “in awe” of the sacred bless your life?
Or, Write a little psalm of praise telling God what you love about Him, His attributes, remember praise is simply articulating your “awe of” Him.
One minute wait
I would love to hear what each of you wrote. Maybe at the break you can share with those near you. Here are few comments from sisters:
“When I live with the goodness of God in my mind He is more quickly brought into conversation. A repairman came to my house and I asked him how his Christmas was. He replied it was so good because they found out his wife was pregnant and they had been struggling with infertility. Without waiting a second I said, “Isn’t God so good!” Then we spent a couple of minutes just praising God together.”
“Reverence for the sacred helps me fulfill my mission on earth because I am thinking of His mission, my thoughts are turned to Him, He is in charge, He is my master.”
“I am in awe when I remember how He has helped me in the past and that He will help me in the future. I quickly see His hand in my life.”
Being “in awe”of the sacred is so joyful. I realize gratitude is focusing on how blessed I am; praise is focused on how good God is. When I am grateful I am thinking of the gift, but reverencing God is focused on the giver.”
These sisters could witness to what Elder Soares taught,
“We must remember that showing reverence for sacred things gives meaning to much of what we do every day and strengthens our feeling of gratitude—inspiring awe, respect, and love for higher and holier things.” Elder Soares
Reverence for God is a key part of major religions. For example, some of our Jewish friends wear a “kippa” or other head covering as a reminder that God is above them. Some of our Muslim friends show respect for God as they bow or prostrate themselves for prayer, and as they handle the Quran with care, and respectfully recite it and listen to it.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints demonstrate an awe for God as they keep His holy house set apart, honor their covenants, look to God in every thought, and live in a way that invites the Spirit of the Lord.
The Lord commands: Keep my sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary. Leviticus 19:30
Not surprisingly, Satan mocks the sacred. He mocks the law of chastity, temple ritual, the doctrine of the family, the need for a Savior, the role of prophets. First, he may tempt us to see it as not needed, then disregard it, then be bitter against it.
In the book of Helaman [the wicked did make a] mock of that which was sacred. (Helaman 4:12)
No wonder Satan mocks what is sacred– he wants us to feel distant from God.
Elder Ulisses Soares taught, “Reverence for sacred things … is a by-product of our connection to holiness and reflects our love for and proximity to our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ.” Elder Ulisses Soares
Years ago, not surprisingly I was distracted while making dinner and did not add the tuna to my tuna noodle casserole. Fortunately, most people at the dinner table did not notice. We still had dinner that night but the essence was missing because you can’t have tuna noodle casserole without the tuna. We could say the essence of something is its core, if removed it would not exist.
Listen for what Elder Soares said is the essence of spirituality.
“Reverence is not just an aspect of spirituality; it is the essence of it…Had we more of such feelings in our hearts, there would be undoubtedly greater joy and delight in our lives, and there would be less room for sorrow and sadness.” Elder Ulisses Soares
In other words, reverence is to spirituality as the fruit in the smoothie, the dough in the pizza, the cocoa in the chocolate, the rice in the sushi, the corn in the tortilla.
I wonder if sometimes we have the casserole- we pray, read our scriptures, attend worship services, but we are missing the key ingredient of awe.
Wow. “Reverence… is not just an aspect of spirituality it is the essence of it!”
In case that isn’t reason enough, there is actually a science of awe. It postulates that awe lessens focus on the self, gives us a greater sense of meaning, and overall improves emotional, social and mental health!
We may be thinking! Yes, I want to have reverence for the sacred. What makes something sacred?
Elder Paul Pieper taught,
“Sacred means worthy of veneration and respect. By designating something as sacred, the Lord signals that it is of higher value and priority than other things.” Elder Paul Pieper
Last summer some in my family visited Normandy, France. There, forces from about a dozen countries united in attacks from the sea, air and land. Thousands of men were killed, wounded or missing at this battle which on many accounts was the beginning of the end of WW2.
Today you can walk in a visitors center museum, an expansive cemetery, and sit on the now peaceful sandy beaches where decades earlier horrific and heroic events took place.
All of us visiting the site were from vastly different backgrounds but we all could sense the solemnity of this space. It is set apart, a memorial to the significant events that took place there. I felt it. Then my “sense of awe” deepened as my teenagers shared their own sense of awe for it.
I learned that, sacred places can be set apart for what happened/or happens there. They are also set apart for what does NOT happen there. What might be considered normal beach activities were not happening on this beach.
Could someone come to a place like Normandy and not have a sense of reverence for it?
Yes, someone who is oblivious to the historical events may not think anything of it.
Learning about the sacred can deepen our appreciation like it did for me as I listened to my children share their knowledge of Normandy.
While knowledge can be helpful, it is not always essential. Many of us may have heard of people who don’t know anything about our doctrine, but when they walk into a Latter-day Saint meeting house for the first time,
or an open house of a holy temple, they feel something they can’t describe; they can sense its sacredness. It is a real thing.
What is it about deepening our reverence for the sacred that so profoundly impacts our life?
A recent comment in Relief Society taught me at least one way. A sister said that her coworker, who was from another faith, spoke of God and expressed joy in Jesus more than anyone else she knew. I was happy her coworker was so quick to speak of God but I wondered why her friends of our faith did not do this. I don’t know this for sure, but my guess is that these other friends did love the Lord but perhaps felt reluctant to speak of God to not offend others or be pushy, or maybe they felt that since many around them believed as they did there was no need to. Or perhaps to avoid being irreverent or taking his name in vain.
For a long time I thought it wasn’t appropriate to say God or Jesus, but I realized that as I speak of them more my awe for them grows. That awe is reverence. Let’s be clear: frequently speaking of Jesus Christ brings power and even miracles. But you don’t have to take my word for it.
From Elder Andersen: “You and I speak of Jesus Christ, but maybe we can do a little better. If the world is going to speak less of Him, who is going to speak more of him? We are! Along with other devoted Christians!”
“My counsel is to speak more frequently about Jesus Christ. In His holy name is great spiritual power.”
President Russell M. Nelson: “Be intentional about talking of Christ, rejoicing in Christ, and preaching of Christ with your families and friends. You and they will be drawn closer to the Savior through this process. And changes, even miracles, will begin to happen.”
Elder Rasband: “Try just saying the name ‘Jesus Christ’…Just calling upon Him by name, with reverence, can make a difference in a difficult moment.”
The key is to speak it with awe.
When Aslan is described in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, we can sense the awe felt for him, and rightly so, Aslan was the only one who offered hope to each of the children and the forever winter in Narnia.
“I have come,” said a deep voice behind them. They turned and saw the Lion himself, so bright and real and strong that everything else began at once to look pale and shadowy compared with him.” “Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight, At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more, When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death, And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.” -CS Lewis
Aslan was deserving of their awe. He saved Narnia. Our God is deserving of our awe. He is mighty to save. He is merciful. He is the giver of good gifts.
You and I want and need what comes from reverencing the sacred. I hope in our time together you have received impressions for you. When I shared an early version of this talk with a friend she said, well I love the idea of increasing my awe for God, but I need to know how to do it. I hesitate to share because there are many possible answers but here are a few things to try. The next time we participate in an act of worship we could take a moment to pause and be in awe of God and the opportunity we have to commune with Him. We can bring up in conversations throughout the day how good God is, because He is so good! We can read psalms 145-150 and personalize them. Most importantly, we can ask God in prayer how we can increase our awe for Him. He will answer that prayer.
The fascinating thing is, whether or not I am “in awe of God” does not change God’s kindness and power. He is still the Almighty. Whether or not I am “in awe of God” does not change my life’s circumstances. Dennis’ life situation did not change. Mary the mother of Jesus’ life situation did not change. What does change when I am “in awe of” the sacred is my ability to feel His greatness and that changes me.
The more intentional I am about being “in awe of” God, the more confident I am that “He’s got this.” My mortal concerns shrink as my focus on Him swells.
As I spend time “in awe of” God, as I “revel in it” and rejoice in it, I am “in awe” how He lifts me.
Sisters, if we are in awe of the Lord let’s express it. Let’s let our awe be seen in how we speak to Him and how we speak of Him. When our awe of God is on our mind we frequently talk of His goodness. And if our awe of Him is not on our mind, let’s get it on our mind.
Jesus Christ is our exemplar in reverencing the sacred. He respectfully spoke to the woman taken in adultery, “Go and sin no more.” He cleansed the temple when it was not being reverenced like a house of the Lord. He came to Gethsemane asking if there was any way the plan could be changed, but He humbly submitted to His Father’s will. As he hung on the cross in agony He showed reverence for the sacred when he looked to the needs of His mother.
I am in awe of my Savior who gave his life for me and all mankind. I am in awe of a Father in Heaven who somehow can right all wrongs and bring Beauty from Ashes. That is the God I worship. That is the God I love, adore, praise and want to spend more time in awe of. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ Amen.
In an effort to follow Elder Gary Stevenson counsel quoting N.T Wright that we should be taking steps to do more for the Easter season including more children’s games I have compiled a few ideas of children’s games for the Easter Season below.
PEOPLE of Easter CARDS. I made a card set. The card set can be found on etsy but you can also create your own by writing the names of the people of the Easter Story on separate pieces of paper. You are welcome to use this pdf compilation of about FORTY people of the Easter Story.
Too many times I over simplify the account by leaving out many of the people involved. I have found that even young children can learn many of these details. Age 7-11 enjoy matching games and teenagers may like the challenge of 20 questions game, charades or pictionary type came to see if they can guess the person.
Here is the free pdf. Enjoy! I love seeing that SO MANY people were part of these miraculous events and thinking of each of their perspectives in this scriptural narrative.
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IMAGE match for Good Friday – Put images of Good Friday events up on a moveable chalkboard or wall. Have a list of events displayed large on a wall and see if people can match the events with the image. Or, do use images for the entire easter season. Older children may enjoy the challenge of putting the images in order. See an amazing compilation of images at the scripture central site.
ITEMS –Display and discuss a few items of Good Friday. Ask children or teens if they can guess what person or event they are connected to. See my Good Friday page for or this object page a list of items.
Pictionary of Holy Week – done respectfully, guess what event of Holy Week is drawn.
Make oil lamps out of homemade or store bought clay. A couple days later when they are dry put a little oil in it and a piece of napkin or cloth so it can lite on fire. BE CAREFUL and have ADULT SUPERVISON because this can get a big flame. Act out the parable of the 10 virgins. (source: Joe and Janet Hales book, A Christ-Centered Easter)
Parable Charades, Pictionary, or 20 questions to review parables Jesus taught.
Book of Mormon Easter account — Whisper 3x and see if children/youth can understand the message –to go with 3 Nephi 11; build a temple out of legos or clay.
For more fun religious themed craft ideas related to Palm Sunday see this page.
For more Good Friday ideas see this page
Jesus appeared many more times the weeks following Easter Sunday. Here is a church blog post I wrote that walks through the main events. Each of the images below are high quality and should print well in an 8×10 size. When printing please include the source info to give proper attribution to the artists. Images can be helpful when discussing the scriptural events the weeks following Easter Sunday. Only Thomas’ day, the Ascension and Pentecost have an exact date connected with them. The other events depicted below happened sometime in those 40 days before the Ascension.
Thomas’ day (a week after Easter Sunday) John 20
James Tissot, Christ Appears on the Shore of Lake Tiberias source John 21
The resurrected savior appears to his disciples at the Sea of Galilee. Artist: Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld. Engraver: Joch, inscribed lower left. Source: Die Bibel in Bildern, Plate 224. Click on image to enlarge it. Also John 21(this is the same event as the one above, just a different depiction).
Grant Romney Clawson source Jesus appearing to 500 at once, 1 Corinthians 15:6
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. [John 21: 7; King James Bible] source
Go ye into all the world and preach my Gospel; image source–The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Harry Anderson, source The ascension 40 days after Easter Sunday, Acts 1
Herbert R. Sim, Pentecost Acts 2, 50 days after Easter Sunday source
The above includes only images of the weeks following Easter Sunday.
For images of Easter Sunday only see this page.
For images Palm Sunday-Thursday of Holy Week see this page
For images of the surrounding events of Good Friday see this page. (Hopefully this page is coming soon, make sure you refresh your browser to get the most updated edition.)
Book of Mormon Easter images see below. These events happened almost a year after the events above (3 Nephi 8:5 & 9:18).
Images below depict accounts in 3 Nephi 11 & 17 especially, and chapters 11-30. They should be high quality and print well for an 8×10 size. Enjoy!
image source
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Liz Lemon Swindle. Raising of Lazarus John 11 (Before Palm Sunday)
Palm Sunday Triumphal Entry– source
Harry Anderson, Palm Sunday source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Jesus teaching in the temple
source Interesting to compare the woman who anointed Jesus prior to his burial (Mark 14: 3-9) and woman who anointed Jesus’ feet (John 12:1-9) with Jesus washing the disciples feet at the last supper.
The Woman Anointeth the Head of Jesus (engraving) by Julius (after) Schnorr von Carolsfeld. source
Last supper. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Carl Bloch
James Tissot source
Peter denies Jesus third time. Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The above images are of events Palm Sunday- Thursday of Holy Week. They are high quality and should print well for an 8×10 size. Try to include proper source info when printing to attribute the artist. Enjoy!
For Good Friday images see this page. There is one below, but there are about 15 more on the Good Friday page.
For images about just Easter Sunday see this page
For images of events the weeks following Easter Sunday and a Book of Mormon Easter see this page.
Two-Three-Many-and One
If you can remember that number sequence you will know how many women were at the tomb in each gospel. Two in Matthew, three in Mark, many in Luke and one in John. We say one in John because only Mary Magdalene is named, but it is possible there were more because when they run to the tell the disciples, she says, “we know not where they have laid him (John1:2)” implying she was with others. The images below depict each gospel’s account. These are images just for Easter Sunday–so many witnesses!
After appearing at the tomb, Jesus appeared to Cleophas and his friend on the road to Emmaus, Peter and then his disciples behind closed doors that evening. There are many more witnesses in the weeks after Easter. For images of those those events see this page.
Angels at tomb, source
source- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Getty Images
“Women at the tomb”. Mileševa Monastery, Wikipedia
Robert Zünd, The Road to Emmaus, 1877
Image source Peter seeing Jesus.
Below image —source The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Image source for above. The Resurrected Jesus appearing to his disciples Easter evening.
Thoughts on recreating your own Last Supper during Holy Week.
At dinnertime on the Thursday of Holy Week we like to have Mediterranean style food for dinner alongside a few Passover elements including unleavened bread, grape juice, bowl of salt water and a Seder Plate for display. During the meal, we choose a few of the following topics to discuss/have short devotionals on: Lord, is it I; the first sacrament; servant leadership; teachings from the Last Supper discourse; and we incorporate singing a hymn.
Items needed: place to sit on the ground to eat the meal; Bibles or print out of favorite Last supper teachings; Sacrament hymn (hymnbook or digital); Mediterranean Food and/or Passover Food with a seder plate.
Main events of Holy Thursday – give an overview of the big picture, then zoom in the events of just the Last Supper
Betrayal, Lord, is it I? – Mark 14:17-20, the humility of the Twelve to ask “Lord, is it I?” When have we shown that kind of humility?
First Sacrament –Mark 14:22-26 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. JST Mark 14:24 And as oft as ye do this ordinance, ye will remember me in this hour that I was with you and drank with you this cup, even the last time in my ministry…of this ye shall bear record.
Servant Leadership – Washing the feet (John 13:4-17); Who that is greatest among you shall be your servant. How can we serve more while we lead?
Teachings from the Last Supper Discourse John 13-16–
Here is pretty handout of teachings of the Last Supper
Hand students/children a sheet of paper with your favorite verses or better yet, have children/students find their own favorite teachings from the discourse at the Last Supper, write them on a sheet of paper and share why it is meaningful to them.
Sing a hymn- Mark 14:26 “And when they had sung a hymn they went up into the Mount of Olives.” A few possibilities: 169 As Now we Take the Sacrament; 173 While of these emblems we partake; Love One Another
We may not always picture women at the Last Supper, but it is possible women were there. Here are four reasons why:
1.When Jesus says, “One of you will betray me” They ask, “Lord is it I?” He answers, “It is one of the twelve that dippeth with me in the dish.” (Mark 14:20) If it is just the twelve with him at dinner, why would he specify it is one of the 12?
2.When the angel tells the women at the tomb, “He is Risen…But go your way, and tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.” (Mark 16: 6-7; Mark 14:28) When did he say this unto them? It was the Last Supper/and Mt. of Olives!
3.The women who followed him from Galilee, who were there at the cross and the tomb needed to be somewhere that night because they were from out of town. Galilee is a 4-5 day walk from Jerusalem. Since the group of women are ministering to him in Galilee (Luke 8:1-3) it makes sense they would be ministering to him this night at mealtime and stay with him.
4.Passover was a family event. Jesus’ mother, and aunt, Mother of James and John are all in Jerusalem this week. It would make sense they would gather together for this meal.
I hope you feel more connected to Jesus Christ and feel his love as you recreate the Last Supper and you feel the blessings of intentionally speaking of Jesus Christ like the below quotes teach!
“At this Easter SEASON, let us worship and praise Him for the peace, hope, light and truth He brings to us.” President Russell M. Nelson 2021
“Be intentional about talking of Christ, rejoicing in Christ, and preaching of Christ with your families and friends. You and they will be drawn closer to the Savior through this process. And changes, even miracles, will begin to happen.” –President Russell M. Nelson Nov 2018
Main Events
Last Supper events are found in John chapters 13-16. They are solemn and sacred: One of you will betray me. Lord, Is it I? First Sacrament; Washing of the Feet; Discourse at the Last Supper; Sing a Hymn prior to walk to Gethsemane; Walk to Gethsemane.
Gethsemane: Prayer; Jesus asks the Father if is possible the bitter cup be removed; Disciples fall asleep; Angel comes to strengthen Jesus; Betrayal by Judas and arrest; Peter cuts off the ear of Malchus who is then healed by Jesus; Disciples flee
Palace of Caiaphas: Trial with Caiaphas and chief priests (Jewish authorities) including mocking, slapping, spitting on; Peter denies Jesus 3x before the cock crows (Friday morning)
If you are looking for tips on commemorating the Last Supper see this post. Here is a handout of a few of the teachings of the last supper.
In our family we have a Last Supper meal on the Thursday before Easter. We start with a modified Passover meal in a sitting down position with the food set on the floor. We eat a simple Mediterranean meal often lentil soup, with grapes, and pita and grape juice. While we eat we: 1) Explain the reason for the Passover which is to remember the miraculous deliverance of the children of Israel from slavery 2) Show the Passover elements on the Seder plate (see below for specifics) and then we eat a Mediterranean style meal 3) We sing Dayenu (English lyrics below) 4) We also briefly talk about Elijah coming on Passover – D&C 110 & explained by Elder Gong (quote below).
If you are looking for an extensive Seder program you could look here or other online resources. We simplify ours because we focus more on the events of the Last supper. If I were going to do a more extensive Passover I would do so during the weeks before or after Holy Week, to spread out the celebrations.
The Seder plate contents & possible symbolism: 1) Roasted egg (circle of life, festival sacrifice); 2) Haroseth (reminder of the mortar Jews used in Egypt as slaves); 3) Green vegetable like parsley or lettuce (hope, renewal); 4) Bitter herb, like horseradish (bitterness of slavery); 5) Shank bone (the lamb sacrifice). Also on the table, but not necessarily on the seder plate: Bowl of salt water for dipping – (salt of the slave’s tears) and unleavened bread (the children of Israel left in haste and did not have time for the bread to rise).
Other Mediterranean food that is nice, but not necessary: Pita, hummus; Mediterranean Salad: cucumbers, tomatoes, with some lemon juice and dill; Grapes, grape juice; Cheeses; Dried fruit: apricots, dates, figs; Some type of soup: lentil soup, veggie soup.
Dayenu is a song often sung at modern-day Passovers, in Hebrew or English; its meaning is “It would have been enough.” We like to watch this entertaining video of the Maccabeats performing Dayenu, and this fun video which teaches the lyrics of Dayenu. I like to invite family members to write a few of their own verses of Dayenu for our family. I love this song but not everyone does, including some of my family members do. Here are the English lyrics to Dayenu.
Interesting facts about the Passover:
Here is part of the quote from Elder Gong’s talk entitled “Hosana and Hallelujah”.
The coming of Elijah in the Kirtland Temple also fulfilled Malachi’s Old Testament prophecy that Elijah would re turn “before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” In doing so, Elijah’s appearance coincided, though not by coincidence, with the Jewish Passover season, which tradition reverently anticipates Elijah’s return.
Let us also briefly recall what Passover signifies. Passover remembers the deliverance of the children of Israel from 400 years of bondage. The book of Exodus relates how this deliverance came after plagues of frogs, lice, flies, the death of cattle, boils, blains, hail and fire, locusts, and thick darkness. The final plague threatened the death of the firstborn in the land but not in the house of Israel if—if those households put the blood of an unblemished firstling lamb
The angel of death passed by the houses marked with the symbolic blood of the lamb. That passing by, or pass over, represents Jesus Christ ultimately overcoming death. Indeed, the atoning blood of the Lamb of God gives our Good Shepherd power to gather His people in all places and circumstances into the safety of His fold on both sides of the veil.
For more ideas on a Christ-centered easter visit this page.
Here is a blog with a slightly different take on Passover. She combines Passover elements with her Easter Sunday dinner.
It is always good to focus on the love God has for us, and it is especially fun during Valentines. Here are 8 of my favorite scripture valentines. Print them 4 to a sheet or select 9 to a sheet (on your printer settings) if you prefer a smaller card size.
Here is a free download. I hope you feel the power and reality of God’s love.
