GOOD FRIDAY!

When I was younger, I couldn't understand why the very worst day for Jesus Christ during Easter Week was called GOOD FRIDAY.  It didn't seem to me that there was anything good about it at all.  He suffered the beginning agony of the Atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane.  He was betrayed by a friend, insulted in a mock trial, sentenced to death by crucifixion, and forced to carry his own cross to the place of execution.  He hung from this cross in unbearable pain until He himself yielded his life when his work here on earth was finished.  

However, I have come to learn, and know for myself, that Christ's atonement which began on that day was very good indeed.  A divine gift freely given to all of God's children who would embrace it and use this perfect sacrificial love to not only be forgiven of our sins and transgressions, but also to find comfort through a power which can make our grief and tribulations bearable.

Now for Good Friday, April 10, 2020, our Prophet Russel M. Nelson has invited the whole world  to join a second time together in fasting, no matter what religious denomination or faith.   “...during times of deep distress, as when illness reaches pandemic proportions, the most natural thing for us to do is to call upon our Heavenly Father and His Son—the Master Healer—to show forth Their marvelous power to bless the people of the earth.”

And he said the following last Saturday in the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,

“Let us prayerfully plead for relief from this global pandemic.

I invite all, including those not of our faith, to fast and pray on Good Friday, April 10, that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers protected, the economy strengthened, and life normalized.”

I, with so many others, know that the Lord will answer our prayers.  We will see miracles!

Yes!  GOOD FRIDAY indeed!