I can not say I am surprised, but I am definitely saddended by the recent decison of the Judicial Council regarding the consitutionality of the “Traditional Plan.” The General Conference had voted on them as a cluster, but the Judicial Council decided to separate and handle them individually.

We made it to the Sunday after Easter, hurray! We heard from one of the more famous scenes from the gospel of John, where the “doubting Thomas” finally comes face to face with the risen Jesus. Thomas had complained to the other disciples who had told him of the Resurrection that, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe" (John 20:25). Then Jesus shows up and is basically like, “Alright, Mr. Doubty Pants, go on then, stick your hands here.” (This is the official scholarly Savvy translation of the bible.)

So last week was Easter, and Christ is Risen! We heard the Resurrection story from the gospel of John, where Mary Magdalene is the first person in history to see the risen Jesus. Unlike Jesus’ male disciples, Mary did not flee at the horror of the crucifixion. And unlike Peter, she cannot leave the tomb. Consequently, she will become the first witness to Easter. And when Jesus tasks her to inform the other disciples of his coming, Mary Magdalene is made the first missionary.