Easter Testimony

Easter Testimony April 20, 2025

Testimony – 4 Nathan Brown

Luke 24:1–6

1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6 He is not here, but is risen.

In recent months, for the first time in my life, I was forced to leap from the false comfort of “I’m invincible, and I’m going to live forever” into the sobering reality of my own mortality—and the possibility of an early exit.

When faced with the real potential of premature death, I quickly found myself working through the natural flood of thoughts and concerns.

After a couple of days filled with worry and uncertainty, I was thankfully given a more hopeful diagnosis. That shift allowed my overactive mind to pause, reflect, and take inventory of everything I had been feeling.

I’d like to share two things with you today:

What I was most concerned about, and

What I wasn’t concerned about—what I was actually completely at peace with.

What concerned me most: my wife and children.

Every thought about a shortened future revolved around them.

How would my wife handle life without me? (one concern I had is that it might be better for her).

Would she have to move? Would her life completely change?

Would she remarry?

I worried about my children.

Would I miss their weddings, their children, their ups and downs?

Would they grow up to be strong, self-sufficient, gospel-centered people?

Would it matter if I was around or not in them accomplishing the goals they have in life?

I even thought about things like life insurance, finances, and making sure we had everything in order. (which I was concerned we don’t).

And yes—I’ll admit it—I thought briefly about my funeral.

In this area I was less concerned. I’ve made my wishes clear to my children: Viking funeral.

Out on Utah Lake. Flaming arrows, bagpipes, kilts—the works.

It’ll be epic… until one of my kids gets arrested for setting a burning boat adrift with a body on it.

Now, more importantly: what I was not concerned about.

I wasn’t afraid of the actual moment of death.

I wasn’t worried about where I was going.

I wasn’t wondering if I’d see loved ones again.

And I had no fear that death was the end.

In those sacred and eternal matters, I was filled with peace, faith, and confidence—because of the faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ and what he has done for us all.

Because He lives, we will all live again. Death on this earth is not the end. There is so much of eternity we have to look forward to.

Because He lives, and the great Plan of Salvation, repentance, and the Atonement, we can be made clean and return to the presence of our Elder Brother and Heavenly Parents.

Because He lives, we have sacred temple ordinances that bind us together eternally as families.

Those are the things I did not worry about—because I know they are true.

Now, I don’t think for a second that I’m ready to “graduate” from this test.

I’m far from perfect.

But I know the Lord is still shaping me into the person He needs me to become.

I’m not without flaws, sins, or mistakes.

But I try to show Him I love Him and appreciate His sacrifice.

I try to study His word regularly.

I try to be obedient.

I try to repent often.

I try to invite the Holy Ghost into my life.

I try to love and serve those around me.

It’s my faith in the living Jesus Christ that gives me hope, assurance, and a testimony of this eternal plan of happiness.

I’m grateful for that knowledge.

I’m grateful for prophets, for scripture, for temples, for covenant paths—

and for the Holy Ghost, who has confirmed these truths to me time and time again throughout my life.

When difficult times come—and they will—it is that knowledge that keeps my hope alive.

To recap:

The only concern I had about “leaving early” was that brief moment in mortality where I’d be separated from the people I love most.

That would be painful—for them and for me—but because of our Savior, we can be comforted, it will all be made right, and we have an amazing future to look forward to.

He lives. And because He lives, so shall we.

I share these things in the sacred name of the Living Jesus Christ,

Amen.