Today marks the conclusion of Lent, and tomorrow marks the start of Holy Week.

Some people stop their Lenten fast today.

Others continue through Easter.

Of course, it is up to you.

But this will be my last daily email to you. Though I might send more thoughts over the following weeks and months.

It's truly been a blessing in my life to write every day during this Lent. I've grown. I've seen my own weaknesses, and I've hopefully impacted your life in a positive way.

This sacrifice has been a temporal sacrifice.

You've given up something that is temporal in nature.

Temporal, which we often use to denote that something is of the earth (according to Merriam-Webster), also means temporary, as in not eternal, and not permanent.

Our temporal concerns are temporary concerns.

We in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are concerned with things of eternity, for that is what we believe.

Living in this temporary life, we understand it is but a moment, but vital to our eternal salvation.

This truth is something that is difficult for us to truly comprehend. But think about it like this.

Suppose you live to be as old as President Nelson, 100 years. This brief, 40 day-Lent will have been 0.09% of your life.

Has it made an impact on your life?

Have you learned something that will stay with you forever?

Has your sacrifice been impactful enough to change the course of your life?

The Hebrew word for patience is savlanut (סבלנות). The root, s-v-l (ס-ב-ל), literally means “to bear” or “to suffer.” The virtue is to bear or suffer something unpleasant or painful, without increasing the suffering.

By using this Lent as a way to sacrifice something voluntarily, I hope you have been able to suffer something unpleasant but not increased the suffering.

I hope that you have attached a deep spiritual meaning to what you've done.

For me, personally, I made two sacrifices, which I will also continue through Easter Sunday.

One sacrifice was physical (it was more of a burden, than a sacrifice) and the other was mental.

Physically, it was much easier to accomplish, because it was very clear. I either added that burden or I didn't.

Mentally, it was much more difficult. Because of how I set it up, it had fuzzy borders, which means I could easily fall into the mental trap.

What about you? What made your sacrifice worthwhile. Of course, I'd love it if you respond, but at the very least, ponder this in your heart:

Was your sacrifice the kind of sacrifice that will help you remember for the rest of your life? Will it shape you into something different?

Starting tomorrow, we celebrate all the joyful things that the Atonement of Christ has brought for us.

I hope you enjoyed celebrating Lent in this new way, and I pray for a wonderful rest of the Easter season for you!

Daily Journal Prompt

​A challenge you overcame with the help of others ✪

Traditional Readings

​Psalm 31:9-16; Leviticus 23:1-8; Luke 22:1-13