The Vegetarian Tree: The Fruit is Good!: Happy Easter

Mormon Moms for Vegetarian, Vegan and Raw Cooking!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Happy Easter

When I was young and skinny I went to Europe. I went with a group of young single adults from Brigham Young University-Idaho. It was a religious history tour and mostly I was going to get a good deal on a trip to Europe but I also prayed that I would have a spiritual experience and learn something that would bring me closer to Jesus Christ.

I had the most amazing time. Our first stop was in Italy. Roma, Italia. We stayed in convents all over Italy (the only way to stay in Italy in my opinion). Despite being there during rainy season we had the most beautiful spring weather. Not a drop of rain, just sunshine to welcome us each morning. We ate the most delicious food (Italians know how to do pizza, pasta and gelato oh so well) and saw so many of the famous places (The Vatican, St. Peters, The Colosseum..etc) and things (The Pieta, The Sistine Chapel..etc) that I'd always dreamed about seeing in person.

It was such a busy week in Rome that when Sunday came I hardly remembered that it was Easter Sunday. We had to get on a bus to get to Pisa that morning but the sweet nuns in the convent we stayed at allowed us to use their chapel to have a short sacrament meeting. I remember two things about that meeting: The spirit was overwhelming and could not be ignored and we sang, He is Risen. Just as we started singing the words, "He is Risen, He is Risen, Tell it out with joyful voice!" the bells started to ring all across Rome. To me it seemed so loud as if the whole world was celebrating the risen Lord. It was a powerful experience and my testimony was strengthened of Jesus Christ.

I prayed this morning that this Easter Sunday would bring me closer to the Savior in testimony, gratitude or in knowledge and I can report that my heart has been filled. I know that Christ is the LIVING Son of the LIVING God. I know that just as He has power over death that He has power to lift, heal and change our hearts and that one day we will be able to live with Him and our Eternal Father. I am so grateful for this knowledge and my desire is to share it with anyone who will listen.

Happy Easter all you wonderful Vegi Tree readers! I hope you find the comfort, peace, health, healing and happiness that you may be seeking.

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Doctrine and Covenants 89:10-16

"I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—Every herb (plant) in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine. All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth. And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger. All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground." (emphasis added)

John A. Widstoe

"It was shown in the history of plant science that plants contain all the necessary food substances: proteins, fats, starches and the carbohydrates, minerals...water {and} vitamins. The Great builder of the earth provided well for the physical needs of His children. Countless varieties of edible plants, vegetables, cereals, fruits and nuts are yielded by Mother Nature for man's daily food. If one uses meat it must be used sparingly and in winter or famine only...They who wish to be well and gain the promised reward stated in the Word of Wisdom must obey all of the law, not just part of it as suits their whim or their appetite, or their notion of its meaning." (The Word of Wisdom, a Modern Interpretation, 1950)

Doctrine and Covenants 59:16-21

"...the fulness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees and walketh upon the earth; Yea, and the herb, and the good things which come of the earth, whether for food or for rainment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards; Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul. And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion. And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments." (emphasis added)

Ezra Taft Benson

"There is no question that the health of the body affects the spirit, or the Lord would never have revealed the Word of Wisdom...Disease, fever and unexpected deaths are some of the consequences directly related to disobedience...To a great extent, we are physically what we eat. Most of us are acquainted with some of the prohibitions of the Word of Wisdom...but what need additional emphasis are the positive aspects - the need for vegetables, fruits, and grain, particularly wheat. We need a generation of people who eat in a healthier manner." (Ensign, September 1988, p. 5)

Ezra Taft Benson