Sunday, March 23, 2008

The Tomb Was Empty

Today we celebrate the resurrection of the Savior, Jesus Christ. In 1992, I heard Marion D Hanks tell the following story in General Conference. I have a horrible memory, but I have never forgotten this story. I wanted to share it with you today, on this wonderful Easter day.

"As Easter time approaches, let me share with you the tender story of an eleven-year-old boy named Philip, a Down’s syndrome child who was in a Sunday School class with eight other children.
Easter Sunday the teacher brought an empty plastic egg for each child. They were instructed to go out of the church building onto the grounds and put into the egg something that would remind them of the meaning of Easter.
All returned joyfully. As each egg was opened there were exclamations of delight at a butterfly, a twig, a flower, a blade of grass. Then the last egg was opened. It was Philip’s, and it was empty!
Some of the children made fun of Philip. But, teacher, he said, teacher, the tomb was empty.
A newspaper article announcing Philip's death a few months later noted that at the conclusion of the funeral eight children marched forward and put a large empty egg on the small casket. On it was a banner that said, 'The tomb was empty.'”


On this day, may we always remember that yes, The Tomb Was Empty.

2 comments:

Sondie said...

Beautiful story! And so fitting for today! Thanks for sharing.

Fuzzy White Dogs said...

That is such a touching story. Thanks for sharing!