Rediscovering the Savior

Before I jump into my Easter message about rediscovering the Savior, I would like to write a little about art. Specifically, sculpture. More specifically, Michelangelo. I have had the privilege of seeing some of his great religious sculptures in person: Pietà in the Vatican, David in Florence, and Moses in Rome.

Everytime I see what he and other artists are able to do with a simple block of stone, it amazes me. For example, The Veiled Christ, by Giuseppe Sanmartino. Somehow, this master managed to make the stone look like translucent shroud covering the Savior’s body. Remarkable.

How can they possibly do this? Michelangelo explained it this way:

“The sculpture is already complete within the marble block, before I start my work. It is already there, I just have to chisel away the superfluous material.”

The process these artist go through is much different than painting or composing. In those pursuits they create their art by adding paint or sounds. Sculptors create art by removing stone. They slowly chip and scratch away the unwanted stone until they are left with the finished product. Art by subtraction.

What does this have to do with Easter? As we focus on getting to know the Savior, and strengthening our relationship with Him, I think we sometimes forget a simple truth:

We already know Him.

Our relationship with Jesus is already there. We have known Him for thousands of years. We have known HIm since He stood before us and offered to take on the supernal role as the Savior of Mankind – our Savior. For time immemorial we have existed in His circle. We loved Him then, we strive to love Him now. He loved us then, and still loves us now.

Did we walk with Him? Perhaps.

Did we talk with hIm? Probably.

Did we participate in that great Council in Heaven where we chose to follow Him, as He chose to be the intergral part of our Heavenly Father’s plan? Emphatic yes! (link)

Did we sing with the heavenly host when Jesus was born? I sure hope so!

Did we weep as he suffered in Gethsemane and on the cross – for us? Did we rejoice and glory in His resurrection? What does your heart tell you?

My Easter message is simply this: We do not need to discover the Savior. We need to rediscover the Savior. We need to remember Him, because we already know Him. Somewhere in our minds and hearts, that memory is yet intact. When it flashes through, it blossoms into what we call a testimony.

Personally, I believe that is why some things “ring true,” when we hear them. They draw on long-forgotten memories of truth we learned even before this earthly journey began. We arent learning new truth, we are recalling eternal truth.

And how do we remember Christ? Through subtraction. With the help of the Spirit, and Christ’s atonement, we can chip away those things that inhibit our ability to see – and remember – Him clearly, despite the veil of forgetfulness. “The Lord wants all his children to gain light and truth and knowledge from on high. It is his will that we pierce the veil and rend the heavens and see the visions of eternity.” (Bruce R. McConkie)

We also remember Him through addition: “With every righteous movement toward Him, we see Him more clearly.” (Neil A. Anderson)

As we participate in the sacrament each week, the goal and promise of remembering is part of the ordinance: “O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this water to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.” (link)

Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke about how our focus can enlighten us: “The more we incline our hearts and minds toward God, the more heavenly light distills upon our souls. And each time we willingly and earnestly seek that light, we indicate to God our readiness to receive more light. Gradually, things that before seemed hazy, dark, and remote become clear, bright, and familiar to us.” (link)

If our memories of the Savior are “hazy, dark, and remote,” or even non-existent, they don’t have to be. We are blessed with the ability and assistance to chip away at those hazy, dark traits and behaviors that inhibit our closeness and familiarity with Jesus.

Some ask if when we stand before the Savior if we will recognize Him. Of course we will! We have known Him for thousands of years, and He has known us. The better question is if we can recognize Him now.

It is on us to remember Him. As Michelangelo said, we “just have to chisel away the superfluous material.”

Have a happy, joyous Easter.