A Sacred Easter Sacrament Meeting

Today was Easter and Frank and I went to church at the MTC. There was a special sacrament meeting held for all of the missionaries. President Boyd K Packer was the visitor. Just imagine being in a sacrament meeting and taking the sacrament in the presence of an apostle on Easter Sunday.
The meeting was to start at 9am. Everyone was in their seat by 8:30. There were over 2000 missionaries there. There was complete reverence for 15 minutes and then we sang a prelude hymn. The hymn was "I Know That My Redeemer Lives." The Holy Spirit was present as we sang. After a few more minutes the meeting began.
We sang "Called to Serve" for the opening hymn. President Packer is responsible for that hymn becoming the missionary anthem of the church.

For the sacrament hymn we sang "I stand all amazed", while 20 Elders prepared the sacrament. After the sacrament prayer, 45 Elders passed the 75 sacrament trays. It was so solemn and beautiful. I have never had an easier time reflecting on my Savior and His great atoning sacrifice than I did during those few minutes. Again, the Holy Spirit was present in great abundance. Again, there was perfect reverence.

President Packer's son, Elder Allen Packer spoke first. He is a member of the first quorum of the Seventy. Among other things he said that we do not think of the crucifixion as an end, but a milestone on the way to the resurrection. Death is not an end, but a graduation.
What we celebrate on Easter is the opportunity given to all, through the atonement of the Savior, to return to our Heavenly Father.
Study carefully the Atonement and the doctrines of Christ.

Next we sang a rest hymn "He is Risen."

President Boyd K Packer then spoke. He is the senior apostle and president of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. He is also next in line to be the prophet. He mentioned that he had polio as a child and it has returned. That is why he can't walk, but otherwise he is in good health.
He said to look to the Almighty for your strength and power. It is always there. It is there when you are alone.
He quoted the scripture in Alma 42 that says "Now repentance could not come unto man save there be a punishment." So what are we to do? We will make mistakes that we cannot fix ourselves. Since we cannot fix everything ourselves we had better find a good relationship with Jesus Christ. That is why He came-to pay the price.
If you can understand who He is, what He did, and why He did it, you will be filled with great love and with that love will come a great desire to obedient to His commandments.

It was so wonderful to sit in that meeting with an Apostle and 2000 missionaries who have a similar calling-to teach and testify of Christ.

I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. I know that because He atoned for my sins, I have the opportunity to return to live with Heavenly Father and live in peace and joy forever.