Your Easter Journey
Small actions can add up in a big way.
Most people will never have any idea what an elephant tastes like. Even so, there’s something thought-provoking in the common expression “The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.”
If nibbling away at pachyderms doesn’t sound all that enticing, here’s another one: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” In both sayings, small actions (or bites, if you prefer) make a big difference.
This approach can be especially helpful with brand new endeavors like learning a new language or plotting out your career. Similarly, this one-thing-at-a-time approach can help us successfully begin new habits, such as striving to celebrate Easter in a more meaningful way.
Easter, Elevated
You’ve probably noticed the inspired counsel these past few years about how we should aim to increase our Easter celebrations. Last Easter, for example, the First Presidency challenged us in a special Easter message to “celebrate the Resurrection of our living Savior by studying His teachings and helping to establish Easter traditions in our society as a whole, especially within our own families.”
President Russell M. Nelson even taught recently that “[Easter] is the most important religious observance for followers of Jesus Christ.”
Clearly this is important! But how do we elevate our personal celebrations of and attitudes toward Easter? Especially if Easter hasn’t been a big moment for us in the past?
In that same spirit of small and consistent actions leading to big results, let’s examine a scripture parable that can help.
Drop by Drop
The parable of the ten virgins found in Matthew 25 has inspired countless people around the world for thousands of years.
President Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society General President, taught, “Much like the five wise virgins who had their lamps full with oil when the bridegroom came, we can be whole in Jesus Christ as we fill our lamps with the nourishing oil of conversion to Him.”
That “nourishing oil of conversion to [Jesus Christ]” is a powerful image in its own right. Jesus Christ and His Atonement are at the very heart of Easter. Anytime we draw closer to Christ, we are not only adding oil to our lamps, but we’re also simultaneously honoring and celebrating Easter. Conversion to Jesus Christ is about the most Easter-like thing you can do.
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles also taught, “We strive to remain worthy of having the Holy Ghost always with us. This capability must be acquired individually and personally, drop by drop. Consistent, personal, private acts of devotion invite the Holy Ghost to guide us.”
Drop by drop! That sounds a lot like one bite or one step at a time. Small, consistent, and intentional actions bring about staggering changes over time. As you strive to enhance Easter this year, each small effort you make to draw closer to the Savior and His gospel makes a difference.
Helps Headed Your Way
Keep an eye out over the next few months for Easter ideas and insights from Church magazines, digital channels, and more on how you can elevate your Easter season. You’ll almost certainly find more ideas than you’ll be able to attempt all at once. But that’s OK! Start small and work from there. Drop by drop, your lamp will burn full and bright.