Brian Turner Daily Easter Week Messages

Easter Message #1 In one of Arthur Oakman’s messages, he tells us “Thus it was that Christ brought life and immortality to light. It was something done from God's side. He took the initiative. It was through the preaching of the resurrection that men found forgiveness of sins, If the resurrection were not true, if Christ had not risen, the preaching of the apostles was vain, based on an untruth. All that their converts experienced in the way of remission of sins and freedom from the guilt of sin was an illusion if Christ were still in the tomb. This vindication of Christ by the resurrection was and still is the pivotal point in the process of historical revelation.” Oakman is correct; Jesus Christ did bring light and immortality to the forefront in a time that was bound to the Mosaic Law that at times was void of the Love of God, as we understand his Love today. This is one of the many purposes of the atonement and part of God’s plan to bring his children home to Him. Many times these significant messages are easy to miss. Christ cleared the pathway for you and I when he rose from the grave after three days. The overall message is to not be discouraged, beaten down or deterred from coming home to the Father. The message is to rejoice in the opportunity to come home and find that peace that you are seeking. This Easter Sunday take a loved one or a lost one to Church! Brian Turner

Easter Message #2 On the Tuesday of Passion week we find that Jesus was in the midst of extreme persecution, he was being questioned by the Chief Priests and at the same time trying to prepare his followers for what was to come. There was unbelief among the group that was following him as they had assumed that he would bring down the hosts of heaven to protect him. We can see today that while they sat under his teaching they were not able to comprehend what he was teaching even though there were many parables to support what he was telling them. The Book of Mormon brings clarity to his earthly ministry… Alma 18:12 Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness. Ether 1:108 For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world. He was to be the light in a dark world. To help guide you and me during this time of probation. No matter where you are look to the eternal light that will forever shine. Reach for this light and hold tight to it. For this light will guide you out of the darkness that you may be in and make it so that you will have clarity of vision and you will be able to see the mercy and grace that have been afforded to you though the atonement. This Easter Sunday take a loved one or a lost one to Church! Brian Turner

Easter Message #3 In the middle of the week, we believe, Jesus rested. And I am sure that he needed the rest, can you imagine the continual questions not only from the High Priests but his own followers. Not to mention those that needed or wanted to be healed. I believe that Christ rested in the middle of all of this as a way to show us that we also need to rest from the trials of the day. To take the time and step away from those things that are pressing, causing heart ache, frustration or concern. And we are to take that time to be truly quiet. That is hard for many of us, to be quiet, so that we can hear the prompting of the Holy Spirit, the guiding words of God. So many times our quiet times are filled with thoughts of things that we want to do or things that we should do – even our prayers are pre-loaded with what we want God to focus on instead of saying “not my will but thine will be done”. Alma gave counsel to those of us that have afflictions in our lives, I suspect that pretty much includes all of us. Alma 16:239 And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions; that ye do not revile against those who do cast you out because of your exceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them; but that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions. No matter where we are in our walk with Christ we do need to learn to have patience while we bear those afflictions knowing that there will be a time of rest! It is easy to say when one is not in the middle of your affliction but trust in the Lord for He can do all things. Don’t go this path alone, kneel in prayer and I am confident that the Lord will send the solution to you. This Easter Sunday take a loved one or a lost one to Church! Brian Turner

Easter Message #4 On this, the fifth day of Passion Week we find Christ in prayer for his Apostles! Look to John 17:1-26 for the entire prayer. The deep expression of Love that is in these words never ceases to amaze me. This group of misfits was truly blessed by the Savior himself. John 17: 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one; 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. How many of his disciples do you think really understood what was being said at the time? Few if any I suspect. Isn’t that the way with us many times? This scripture is a perfect example of Christ praying and bestowing a blessing over us in this day and time. All we have to do is accept the prayer, faith believing. Can you accept this? Have you? Do you realize the power that lies in the scriptures? This Easter Sunday take a loved one or a lost one to Church! Brian Turner