He Spoke I Went

On that first Easter morning, the angel declared: “He is not here: for he is risen.” Matthew 28:6

Those words not only changed the world. They also changed my life.

When Tisa passed away from cancer, Easter stopped being symbolic hope and became living hope. I didn’t just lose my wife of 28 years — Tyson, Peyton, and Risa lost their mother. Our home grew quieter and at times, heavier.

There were nights I prayed to know how we could go through life without her. Over time, I have come to understand something sacred: we are not asked to walk this road alone.

Following the Resurrection, two disciples walked the road to Emmaus, grieving and confused. They did not recognize that the risen Savior was walking beside them (Luke 24:13-35). Only later did they realize He had been with them all along.

Like them, we each walk our own road to Emmaus. For some, that road includes poor health, difficulty finding employment, divorce, wayward children or unexpected change. For me, it included hospital rooms, whispered prayers, and learning to move forward without the woman I love beside me.

But the message of Easter is this: Jesus Christ walks with us. The Book of Mormon teaches that He suffered “pains and afflictions of every kind” so He would know how to succor His people (Alma 7:11–12). He understands grief. He understands sorrow. He understands us.

The Atonement did not remove our heartbreak but it strengthened us inside it. His grace has met us in quiet moments. His peace has come when we needed it most.

The Lord has promised: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (Corinthians 12:9)

I have learned that weakness is not a sign that we are failing — it is often the place where Christ’s power becomes most visible. And Easter means even more than strength for today.

The Savior declared: “I am the resurrection, and the life.” (John 11:25)

Because He lives, Tisa lives.

Because He lives, cancer does not win.

Because He lives, the grave is temporary and families are eternal.

The Book of Mormon promises that the body and spirit will be reunited in perfect form (Alma 11:43). That promise fills our future with light.

On our personal road to Emmaus, we can ask Him, as the disciples did, “Abide with us.” And when we do, our hearts begin to burn within us. We begin to recognize His hand. We see that He has been walking beside us all along.

Because He lives, we never walk alone.

Hope is stronger than grief.

Light is stronger than darkness.

Life is stronger than death.

Praying you will always feel the Savior walking beside you.