Why I love Easter

I love Easter.
It's my most favorite holiday.
I even like it more than Christmas.
Now, while I've caught you in your gasps of horror at my yuletide blasphemy, hear me out.
I love what it means.
It means the Son of God came to Earth. It means He lived a perfect life. It means He overcame sin. It means He took our sins upon Himself. It means He suffered our sins, our afflictions and the burdens of our illnesses. It means He gave up His life for us. It means that He kept his promises. It means He will intercede for us. It means we have a chance at life eternal and exaltation. It means I can live again. It means that He lives. It means that He loves us. It means that He listens to us. It means that He desires to bless us. That's why I love Easter.

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 "And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

"Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."

Alma 7:11-13

For me this message is one of the utmost importance. A few years ago something traumatic happened to me, and it hit me hard. To say that hit me hard would be an understatement. It took me and yanked me down under the bus of hell. I tried so hard to do good, but I was living in a nightmare. I felt like I had lost myself. I felt alone and confused. But worst of all, out of everything, it was the fact that I did not feel that God was near. Whenever I had struggled in my life, I had always felt that God was near, that He listened to me and loved me. I was very close to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. But when I needed them most at that moment-
I felt like they had left me.
I felt like they left me alone. I felt nothing. I felt like I was talking to the wall. I was thrown into the deepest, darkest pits of despair.
Only to wander and wallow in it alone.
Before I was 110% that God was there. That He loved me. That He would always be there for me. And now- now I doubt. Where was He? I feel hurt that He left me. Does He really love me? I wonder about these things all the time.
When I slip into the deep crevices of my mind, lost in the ravines of such dark doubt, I remember. I remember those many times where He did answer my prayers. When He has blessed me. When he has shown me in ways big and small that He is aware of me.
One day I will once again come to know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live. That They love me and stand to bless me.
That's why I love Easter.
I feel like this was all done with a purpose. Heavenly Father tore my metaphorical house down with a giant wrecking ball, He reduced to pebbles my foundation, only to maybe have me build a foundation and a mansion more sturdy, more beautiful and more sure than ever before.
That's why I love Easter.
Because Jesus Christ has made that possible.
I was promised that I will one day come to know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live, and that They love me and stand to bless me throughout my life. That's only possible through the atonement.

That's why I love Easter.