Mormon Monday: New Easter Traditions

As a fairly new married couple (only three years so far), we are still establishing family traditions.

One of the things that we really wanted to do was to make Easter less about bunnies and more about Christ. We wanted to focus the whole week on the Savior and what he did for us. So, after a discussion last Monday, we came up with the following plan for every day of this week:

Palm Sunday:

This is the day Christ rode into Jerusalem.

Put this scripture in an Easter egg and hide it for Adam to find.

Mark 11: 1-11

We then go outside and find the best plant that we would give to the Savior. We can press our flower or leaf in the pages of a book to flatten it.

Cleansing Monday:

This is the day Christ cleansed the temple.

Hide this scripture in an Easter egg and hide it for Adam to find.

Mark 11:12-19

After reading the scripture, we “cleanse” the house. Everyone helps to make the house as temple clean as possible. Once everyone has helped, we dye Easter eggs for FHE.

Teaching Tuesday:

This is the day that Christ delivered his last sermon about the last days and contended with the Pharisees.

Hide this scripture in an Easter egg and hide it for Adam to find.

Mark 11: 20-Mark 13:37

As a family, go on a hike up a mountain and read these scriptures.

Bring figs (or fig newtons) and talk about the fig tree.

Service Wednesday

This is the day that the woman anointed Christ with perfume and Judas Iscariot contrived to betray the Savior.

Place this scripture in an Easter egg and hide it for Adam to find.

Mark 14:1-11

Do an act of service for someone as the woman did for the Savior. List reasons why we love each family member and we’re glad they’re part of our family. Play family game such as hide and seek or capture the flag.

Passover Thursday

This is the day of the last supper and the Passover.

Place this scripture in an Easter egg and hide it for Adam to find.

Mark 14:12-51

Eat lamb, fish, and unleavened bread. Drink grapejuice (or grape-flavored kool-aid).

Good Friday

This is the day that Christ was crucified.

Mark 14:53-15:45

Watch video To This End Was I Born. Can also watch church bible videos.

Do Easter egg hunt! Explain how eggs symbolize Christ’s rebirth (resurrection) that will be celebrated on Sunday.

Holy Saturday

Mark 15:46-47; 1 Peter 4:6; D&C 138

This is when Christ was in the tomb. He was also preaching to the dead. For this day, we’ll spend some time working on family history and watching family videos.

Easter Sunday

This is the resurrection of the Savior. Have Easter treats Sunday morning when the children wake up. 

Have the following scripture in one of the eggs.

Mark 16: 1-20

Read scripture as a family and watch videos about the Savior. Sing hymns. Eat candy.

So, that's our plan. So far it's going pretty well. We have been cleaning all morning, and we're taking our first break. Feel free to steal any of our ideas. Our hope is that as we focus on the Savior this week, that Easter will have more significance and will be more about Jesus Christ.