A Vision to Remember All Things Handmade Blog: February 2024

How to Memorize The Living Christ - Simple and Easy

It has been one of my goals over the last 4-5 years to memorize The Living Christ. This is the method that I have used to memorize it.

How to Memorize the Living Christ

I love to memorize scriptures, general conference talks and quotes, and church proclamations.

Today I am sharing how I have memorized the Living Christ.

I love to use the website memorizenow.com to take what I want to memorize and to cut out words to familiarize myself with it. Then I remove the words and do only the letters.

Step 1: Familiarize and read

Here is the Living Christ:

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.

Step 2: Start to Take out Words

_ we commemorate the birth _ Jesus _ two millennia _, _ offer our testimony _ _ _ of _ matchless _ _ the infinite virtue _ _ _ atoning sacrifice. _ _ has _ _ profound an influence upon all who have lived _ will _ _ upon the earth.

_ _ _ _ Jehovah of the Old _, _ Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His _, _ was the creator _ _ _. “All things were _ _ _; _ _ _ was not _ _ _ that was made” (John 1:3). Though _, He was baptized to _ _ righteousness. _ “went _ doing good” (_ 10:38), _ _ despised for _. _ _ _ a message of _ and _. _ _ _ to follow _ example. He _ _ _ of Palestine, healing _ sick, causing _ blind _ see, and raising the dead. He taught _ _ of eternity, the reality of _ _ existence, the _ of our _ on earth, and _ potential for _ _ and daughters of God in the life to come.

_ instituted the sacrament _ _ reminder _ His _ _ _. _ _ arrested _ condemned on _ charges, convicted to _ a _, _ _ to _ _ Calvary’s _. _ _ His _ _ _ for the _ of all mankind. His was _ great _ gift in behalf of all who would _ live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which _ central to _ human _, neither _ in Bethlehem _ _ on _. _ was the Firstborn _ the _, the _ Begotten Son _ the _, the Redeemer _ _ world.

_ _ _ _ grave _ “become _ _ of them _ slept” (_ _ 15:20). As Risen _, He _ among those _ had _ _ life. He also _ among His “_ sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In _ modern _, He _ His Father appeared to the boy _ Smith, _ _ _ _ “dispensation of _ fulness of _” (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living _, the Prophet _ wrote: “_ eyes were as a _ of _; _ hair of _ _ _ white like the pure snow; his countenance shone _ _ _ of the sun; and _ voice _ as the _ of the rushing _ _ waters, _ the voice _ _, saying:

“I am the first and the last; I _ he who _, _ am he who _ slain; I _ _ _ _ the Father” (_ _).

Of Him _ _ _ declared: “_ _, after _ many testimonies _ _ been given of him, this is _ _, _ of all, which we give of _: _ he _!

“For _ saw _, even on the right _ of God; _ we _ the voice _ record that he is _ _ Begotten of the Father—

“_ by him, and through _, _ _ _, _ worlds _ and were _, and _ inhabitants thereof are _ sons and daughters _ God” (D&C _).

_ declare in words of _ that _ priesthood and His Church have _ restored _ the _ upon _ foundation of … apostles and _, _ _ _ being the _ _ _” (_ 2:20).

_ testify that He will someday _ to _. “And _ glory _ _ Lord shall _ _, and _ flesh shall see it _” (Isaiah 40:5). _ _ _ as _ of Kings _ _ as Lord of Lords, and every knee _ bend _ _ tongue shall speak _ worship before _. Each _ us will stand _ be judged of Him according to our works _ _ desires of _ hearts.

We _ testimony, _ _ duly _ Apostles—that Jesus _ the _ _, the immortal _ of _. He is _ great _ Immanuel, who stands _ on _ _ hand of _ _. _ _ _ light, _ _, _ the _ of the _. _ _ _ the path that _ to happiness in _ _ and eternal _ in the _ to come. God be _ for the matchless gift _ _ _ _.

Step 3: Switch to Letters Only

A w c t b o J C t m a, w o o t o t r o H m l a t i v o H g a s. N o h h s p a i u a w h l a w y l u t e.

H w t G J o t O T, t M o t N. U t d o H F, H w t c o t e. “A t w m b h; a w h w n a t m t w m” (J 1). T s, H w b t f a r. H “w a d g” (A 1), y w d f i. H g w a m o p a g. H e a t f H e. H w t r o P, h t s, c t t s, a r t d. H t t t o e, t r o o p e, t p o o l o e, a t p f t s a d o G i t l t c.

H i t s a a r o H g a s. H w a a c o s c, c t s a m, a s t d o C c. H g H l t a f t s o a m. H w a g v g i b o a w w e l u t e.

W s t t H l, w i c t a h h, n b i B n c o C. H w t F o t F, t O B S i t f, t R o t w.

H r f t g t “b t f o t t s” (1 C 1). A R L, H v a t H h l i l. H a m a H “o s” (J 1) i a A. I t m w, H a H F a t t b J S, u i t l “d o t f o t” (E 1).

O t L C, t P J w: “H e w a a f o f; t h o h h w w l t p s; h c s a t b o t s; a h v w a t s o t r o g w, e t v o J, s:
“I a t f a t l; I a h w l, I a h w w s; I a y a w t F” (D 1).

O H t P a d: “A n, a t m t w h b g o h, t i t t, l o a, w w g o h: T h l!

“F w s h, e o t r h o G; a w h t v b r t h i t O B o t F—

“T b h, a t h, a o h, t w a a w c, a t i t a b s a d u G” (D 7).

W d i w o s t H p a H C h b r u t e u t f o … a a p, J C h b t c c s” (E 2).

W t t H w s r t e. “A t g o t L s b r, a a f s s i t” (I 4). H w r a K o K a r a L o L, a e k s b a e t s s i w b H. E o u w s t b j o H a t o w a t d o o h.

W b t, a H d o A J i t L C, t i S o G. H i t g K I, w s t o t r h o H F. H i t l, t l, a t h o t w. H w i t p t l t h i t l a e l i t w t c. G b t f t m g o H d S.

Step 4: Remove some Letters

A w c t _ o _ _ _ _ _, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ o H m l a t _ _ _ H g a _. N _ h h s p _ _ u a _ h l a w _ _ u _ e.

H w _ G J _ _ O _, t M o _ N. _ t d _ _ _, _ _ t c _ t e. “_ t w m b h; a w h w n a _ _ _ w _” (J _). T s, H w b t _ a r. H “w _ d _” (_ 1), y _ _ f i. H g _ a m o p _ _. _ _ a _ _ _ e. _ w t _ o P, h _ s, _ t t s, _ r t d. H _ t _ _ e, _ _ o _ p e, _ p o o _ _ e, a t p _ t s _ d _ _ _ _ l t c.

H _ _ s _ a _ o H _ _ s. _ w _ _ c _ _ c, _ _ _ _ m, a _ _ d _ C _. H g _ _ t _ f _ s _ _ m. _ w a _ _ _ i _ _ a _ w e _ u _ _.

W _ t _ _ l, _ _ _ t a h h, n _ _ B _ _ _ C. _ _ t F _ t F, t _ B S i _ f, t _ o t w.

H r _ _ g _ “_ t f o t t s” (1 _ _). _ R _, H _ _ _ _ _ l _ _. H _ m a H “o s” (_ _) i _ _. _ t m w, H a H _ a _ _ b J _, _ _ _ l “d o t f o t” (E 1).

_ t L _, _ P _ _: “H _ _ _ _ f _ f; _ h o _ h _ w l t _ _; _ _ _ a _ _ _ t s; a h v w a _ s o t _ o g w, _ _ v _ J, s:

“_ a _ _ a _ l; I a h w _, _ _ h w _ s; _ a _ a w t _” (_ _).

_ H _ _ a _: “A _, a t m t w _ b g _ _, t i _ _, l o a, w _ g o _: T _ l!

“_ _ s _, e _ _ r h o G; a w h _ v b r t _ _ t O _ o t F—

“_ _ h, a t _, a o h, t w a _ _ c, a t _ t a b s _ _ u _” (D _).

_ _ _ _ _ s _ H _ a H _ h _ _ u t e u t f o … _ a p, J C h _ t c c s” (E 2).

W _ t H w s r t e. “A _ g o t _ _ b _, a a f s s i t” (I 4). H w r a K o K a r _ _ o _, _ e k _ b a e _ _ s i w b H. _ _ _ w s _ b j o H a t o w a t _ o _ _.

_ b _, a H d _ _ _ i _ L C, t i S o _. _ i t g _ I, w s t o _ r h _ _ F. _ i t _, _ l, a _ h o t w. _ w i _ _ _ l t h i t _ _ e _ _ _ w t _. G b _ f t _ _ o H d _.

Step 5: 1st word of Each Sentence:

As, we

None

He, the

Under, He

"All; and"

Though, he

He, yet

His

He, walked, healing, causing, and

He, the, the, and.

He, convicted, and

His

We, which, neither

He, the, the

He.

As, He.

In, He, Ushering

Of, the: "His; the; his; and:

"I; I, I; I

Of: "And, after, this, Last, which: that

"For, even; and-

"That, and, and, the, and"

We- "built, Jesus"

We. "And, and"

He, and

Each

We, as - that, the.

He, Who.

He, and.

His.

God.

Step 6: 1st letter of Each Sentence:

A, w

H, t

U, H

"A; a"

T, h

H, y

H, w, h, c, a

H, t, t, a.

H, c, a

W, w, n

H, t, t

A, H.

I, H, U

O, t: "H; t; h; a:

"I; I, I; I

O: "A, a, t, L, w: t

"F, e; a-

"T, a, a, t, a"

W- "b, J"

W. "A, a"

H, a

W, a - t, t.

H, W.

H, a.

Conclusion

Memorizing the Living Christ has been life changing for me. I feel like it has brought me closer to Christ. I am learning who he is. In the short document his name is mentioned over 30 times. Different versions of his name but it is still him. Each name describes Christ in a different way.

7 Ways to Celebrate the Meaning of Resurrection Sunday

Easter has been described as the "Greatest Story Ever Told."

But even though it is the greatest story ever told, it may be one of the least understood.

The Easter holiday initially began as a way to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His death is the most pivotal event in all human history.

Jesus Christ's birth may well be the most celebrated event in all of history, but without his death and resurrection, there would be no reason to celebrate his birth. Christmas would never have become the most wonderful time of the year with out the Atonement.

Last year, in April, a worldwide conference for Christians put on by the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During that conference, a member of the 12 Apostles, Gary Stevenson, invited everyone everyone, especially Christians and members of the Church of Jesus Christ to make Christ the center of their Easter holiday.

Easter, growing up was a fun holiday. Filled full of Easter egg hunts and spring toys to get us out of the house after being cooped up all winter. We also would get an Easter dress.

My family has carried on those traditions, but we are also adding to our traditions to make sure that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is front and center to our holiday worship.

Here are 7 things that we are doing (and you can too!) to make Easter the Greatest Story Ever Told in your home

Add Jesus Christ Artwork to your home

Adding Jesus Christ artwork to your home can help you remember Jesus all year long, but especially during Easter.

One of my favorite artists of all time is Brett Borup. I have a giant picture he painted in my home that we got for Christmas a few years ago. I adore it because Jesus is walking a path, but turning to invite me to join with him. This is why I chose this particular piece. Christ looks so happy and peaceful that I can't help but want to be with him. To walk with him. To talk with him. To count him as my dearest friend.

Come Follow Me by Brent Borup

I hope this is the message my kids also remember each day as they walk past this painting.

I also REALLY want to add this piece of art to my home. I have been seeing it around instagram for several months and can't stop admiring it. It speaks to my soul about Christ is in our midst. He is with us. We may have our head down in the grass, chomping away at our food, our phones, and whatever else is important to us right then. But he is standing right there, watching over us, protecting us. He is ALWAYS there.

I also have these displayed in my home. They are both from AVTRBoutique on Etsy

Think Celestial Temple Art

The Christus with I am a Disciple of Jesus Christ is the youth theme for 2024 for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and is a scripture from 3 Nephi.

I love the simple reminders of Christ during Christmas and Easter. But more importantly I love the reminder year round. It is part of taking the Sacrament each week that we will always remember him. Displaying artwork that reminds me of him is definitely helpful in keeping the covenant

2. Change your Calendar Alerts for Easter

I have an Iphone and religiously use its calendar to schedule my life. I have gone in and changed my Easter Sunday holiday calendar notification to alert me 1 week before Easter. I did the same for Palm Sunday. I wish I could change it to 1 month before, but sadly, I don't know how or Iphone calendar isn't capable of doing that.

Calendar events to set up notifications for Easter:

Lent - 6 weeks before Easter.
Palm Sunday- 1 week before Easter
Good Friday - The Friday before Easter
Easter Sunday - Easter!

Calendar Notifications for Easter!

3. Do an Advent to Countdown to Easter

I don't know about you, but Easter always sneaks up on me. It's not like Christmas, where it lands on the same day of the same month, year after year. It always changes! But one thing that has made a huge difference in my study of Easter and Christmas (I do it for both!) is to do a countdown advent.

I have created several different ones that I have used over the years and now I offer then for sale in my shop. There are a few different types to choose from:

Names of Christ

Names of Christ Coins

Names of Christ Popsicle Sticks

Easter Story (28 Days)

Light the World (service ideas) - Light the World isn't just or Christmas, though it is awesome for then. Christ is the perfect example for us to follow. He served others everywhere he went. He washed their feet, I can wash windows. He healed, I can bring food. He taught, I can listen. So light the world to learn more about Christ

Light the World

4. Easter Decorations

...and not the bunny and kite sort. I am talking about the kind of decorations that are Christmas like in our reminders of Christ's birth.

Nativity's!

This nativity I designed for my own family. It includes many scenes from the Saviors last week of his life also referred to as Holy Week. Each Holy Week my family for Come Follow Me before bedtime, we light a candle, turn the lights off, display the nativity scene for the scripture of the day. Then we read the scripture and learn more about the Savior. We have done this for 2 years. It is one of my kids absolute favorite things about Easter. We also do it for Christmas.

The change of pace for our Come Follow Me makes is special. I highly recommend it for anyone that wants to make Easter special. Even babies are mesmerized by candlelight. It is sure to hold their attention for the short reading of the scriptures.

The Easter Creche is also available in one of my etsy shops AVTRBoutique

5. Music

I have made a special playlist just for Easter in my apple music app. I listen to it all month before Easter.

Here is a link to my apple music playlist with some of my favorites for Easter

The list includes music by Phil Whickham including Behold, Sunday is Coming, and Living Hope. Jeremy Camp with Christ in me. I am a Witness by Shawna Edwards. and so many more!

6. Read 3 Nephi 11

Gary E Stevensen said in his talk about "The Greatest Story Ever Told" to read 3 Nephi 11 and to make it a part of your Easter tradition. Let it become the Luke 2 equivelent part of your Easter celebration just like we use scripture for Christmas.

3 Nephi 11 has so many great insights into who Christ is. I will leave you my favorites here:

Reminder to Hear Ye Him.

God spoke these words to the people before Christ appeared to them on them on the American continent.

Reminder that Christ died for you and for me

The people in America were able to feel the nail marks in his hands, feet, and thrust their hands in his side. A testament that he really died for all mankind including you.

Reminder to approach Christ with a broken heart and a contrite spirit

He invited them to offer for a sacrifice, instead of animals from the Law of Moses, a Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit. That is all he asks of us really. He will heal us if we do so.

The invitation to be Baptized

Part of accepting the invitation to offer a broken heart and contrite spirit we are invited to be baptized to show him that we are willing to take upon us His Name

The invitation to listen to the Holy Ghost, a gift from God

To help us through the earthly experience, we are (thankfully) given the gift of the Holy Ghost to help us stay on the path to the Celestial Glory that we Seek.

7. Spend time with Family

This I think goes without saying, but spending Easter with those that mean the most to us, can make Easter the most special day of the year.

Spending Easter doing the traditional bunny, candy hunts, kite flying, ham eating, and whatever else, can be the icing on the cake.

This life is a time to develop our relationships that will go on through eternity. There isn't a better time to celebrate family (and might I also add family that we choose too!), than on Easter. Because without Christ's death and resurrection that family relationship would not be able to perpetuated beyond the grave.

8. BONUS - Memorize the Living Christ

To me, Easter is about 2 things. 1 - Christ. 2 - Family. One of the ways that I have felt the closest to Christ is through memorizing "The Living Christ"

I have a fun little way that I have memorized it. You can find how to Memorize The Living Christ on our blog.

Check it out. Then either print the blog post or return often to familiarize yourself with it. It can be life changing as you get to know Christ through the Living Christ

Conclusion

So spend your month before Easter celebrating Christ. Spend it learning who Christ is. Spend it with family. And spend it making it unique and special time of year.

You will not regret it.

Learning who Christ is, has been on of the greatest blessings in my life. I have learned as the

New Testament scholar N. T. Wright suggested: “We should be taking steps to celebrate Easter in creative new ways: in art, literature, children’s games, poetry, music, dance, festivals, bells, special concerts. … This is our greatest festival. Take Christmas away, and in biblical terms you lose two chapters at the front of Matthew and Luke, nothing else. Take Easter away, and you don’t have a New Testament; you don’t have a Christianity.”