Easter Hope

Melissa sat in Primary, excited to learn a new song. Her teacher, Sister Costa, said it was called “Gethsemane.”

“This song talks about how much Jesus Christ loves us and what He did for us. Listen closely and try to sing along.”

Sister Costa played a video that showed the words to the song with pictures on the screen.

Melissa sang even though she didn’t know all the words yet. She felt very calm inside as she listened to the words, “Gethsemane! Jesus loves me.”

When the song was over, Sister Costa held up a picture of Jesus Christ coming out of the tomb. “Jesus died, but then He lived again! Because of Him, we will all live again too,” she said.

Melissa got a peaceful feeling, like she was getting a big hug. “So … if someone dies, it’s not forever?” Melissa asked.

“That’s right, Melissa,” Sister Costa said. “Because Jesus Christ was resurrected, one day we will all be resurrected too.”

That Sunday, Melissa went home with a happy heart. She thought about the Savior’s love for her.

Some time later, Melissa’s house became quiet and sad. Her father had been sick for a while and passed away. Her mother cried more often. People gave longer hugs. Melissa could feel something very important had changed.

On the day of the funeral, it was very cold, and the sun barely showed in the sky. There were flowers around the casket. People stood quietly, and some were crying.

Melissa tightly held her mother’s hand. As she went up to the casket and looked at her father, she remembered the picture of Jesus Christ leaving the tomb. She also remembered Sister Costa saying that because of the Savior, we will all live again one day.

“Mom, Jesus is alive. He died, but He was resurrected. One day, Daddy will be resurrected too, right?” Melissa asked.

“Yes, dear,” Mom said. “Because of Jesus, we will all see Daddy again someday.”

Melissa missed her father. She wanted to hug him, hear his voice, and play with him again. Because of Jesus Christ, someday she would. But she would have to wait. Melissa placed her hand on the casket and whispered, “See you later, Daddy.”

Even though it was a very sad day, Melissa felt the same peace she had felt in Primary. She knew it was the Holy Ghost.

In the days that followed, whenever she missed her father, Melissa softly sang the words to “Gethsemane” to herself. And every time she sang, she felt comforted.

When Easter Sunday arrived, it felt different for Melissa.

Instead of thinking about chocolate eggs or bunnies, she thought more about Jesus Christ and her father. She knew she would still miss him. But she also knew that death was not the end.

She knew Jesus had risen and that one day her father would live again too.

And until that day came, she could sing, remember, and feel peace.

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Illustrations by Teresa Alberini. May be copied for Church use only.