My Dream - Easter 2022

 Originally posted on Facebook, April 18, 2022

Re-posted on Blogger.com, October 14, 2022

My Dream… Easter Sunday,

By Don Bahr 17 April 2022

I just read President Russell M. Nelson’s Easter Morning post about the Savior, and it put my mind in thought of my experience with Jesus Christ…

It happened several years ago, when our family still lived in New Jersey. I believe it was while I was serving as bishop of the Princeton, NJ 1st ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so it would have been in the 1999 – 2004 range of time. Silly of me for not recording it sooner or, better yet, right after having the dream. “Better never late” my brother Marv used to say whenever I would say “better late than never”. Well, I should have listened to my brother more.

My dreams are seldom stories; they are usually cut and dried situations, much like a painting depicts a situation with a story behind it. That’s a good way to put it for my dreams. This dream was a snapshot – or a painting – of me being in a room with the Savior Jesus Christ. I had dreamed of something else entirely beforehand, but I don’t remember what it was. This dream had me stepping into a medium-sized room with chairs and a desk. Seated on the chair was a man with somewhat middle eastern features. From looking at him, I felt I knew him. The feeling he stirred in me was undeniable: He was Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God the Father.

A feeling of exquisite joy coursed through my body and centered in my heart, yet he did not speak a word. I was mesmerized by the situation. Who would ever think a man could meet Jesus just by stepping into a room? The pure joy I felt was like electricity and as the dream ended and I began to awaken, the feeling of joy did not dissipate, at least not at first. I opened my eyes, and it took a moment to realize I had dreamed of seeing Christ. In a minute or so I recognized I was in my bed and my wife asleep next to me. All during that time, though, the joy did not leave me. Now fully awake, I pondered the gift I had just been given. After a couple of minutes, I started getting sleepy again (it was the wee hours of the morning, after all) and as sleep began to fill my eyes, the Joy began to fade. I understand now that it could fade at that time because it had done its job: It was the Holy Spirit, testifying that what I had seen was a gift from God the Father and from Jesus Christ.

I know that what we celebrate on Easter – the resurrection of Jesus the Christ – is a reality, and that we are blessed because He lives. He Lives! He has paid the price required for our sins and we are redeemed by His sacrifice. He only asks us to follow Him, keep His commandments and to love and forgive one another. He asks us to follow His example. May we each have a snapshot with Jesus that will change our lives and put us on the road to follow our Savior.

I testify that what I have written is true. I am trying and sometimes succeeding in learning and doing His will, and I am grateful for the support and encouragement of you all.

With Brotherly Love, and in the name of Jesus Christ I testify.

Don Bahr

South Jordan, UT