The New Testament does not say much about what Jesus’ followers did while their master was in the tomb, and modern revelation does not significantly alter this situation. Certainly, the Doctrine and Covenants provides more detail as to what Jesus did when he “went and preached unto the spirits in prison”; but neither the Book of Mormon nor the Doctrine and Covenants nor the Pearl of Great Price says anything about his followers’ activities. Nonetheless, there are some clues, and those clues suggest that their waiting was anything but passive—or unimportant.

I had not expected this. The sorrow, the heaviness in my heart. A trip to the Holy Land, led by my brother Steve, had inspired me as I traced the footsteps of Jesus Christ and focused on His life and teachings. But an excursion to the Golan Heights had me standing on the crest of Mount Bental in a biting wind. My feet were planted on Israeli occupied soil, but my eyes were fixed over the razor wire border, gazing into Syria.

Everybody faces adversities in life. That’s plural for a reason. Among other purposes, we’re here to be tested. Sometimes we pray for a get-out-of-trials-free card, but that isn’t the plan. And is it possible that sometimes, we are a test for somebody else?

I always knew that Sunday was a holy day – sanctified by God as a day of rest and worship: a day to renew our baptismal covenants through the taking of the Sacrament. It is also a day in which we study the gospel, perform service and refrain from any worldly activities. However, it was Elder Wirthlin’s powerful message--reminding me of the most important Sunday morning in history--that taught me Sunday is more than the above – much, much more!