Lani Hilton is a dedicated enthusiast of the Easter Season. She has lived a Christ-centered Easter season with her family for 20 years and has been teaching about it in settings like BYU Education Week and firesides since 2015. She published a book called Celebrate Sunday and has written articles for the Liahona and LDS living. Along with her husband, John, she is the proud parent of six children, four currently at Brigham Young University. Lani finds great joy in the simplicity and beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

lanihilton.com/easter

Lani Hilton talks about the importance of making Easter a season rather than just a single day of celebration. Lani shares her journey of creating meaningful Easter traditions and how she has implemented these ideas at both home and community levels, particularly focusing on Palm Sunday.

00:04:04 – Lonnie’s Journey to Celebrating Easter

Easter as a Season: Lani emphasizes the need to extend the celebration of Easter beyond just Easter Sunday, suggesting that it can encompass a period of reflection and worship leading up to and following the holiday.

Inspiration from Church Leaders: Elder Stevenson’s talks have encouraged members to recognize Palm Sunday and the Easter season more thoughtfully, prompting a shift in how Latter-day Saints approach these celebrations.

Community Involvement: Lani highlights the importance of involving the entire community in Easter celebrations, suggesting that events should be inclusive and accessible to all, not just church members.

Simple Traditions: She advocates for simple, Christ-centered traditions that can be easily integrated into family life, making it possible for busy families to participate without feeling overwhelmed.

Worshipful Experiences: The focus should be on creating worshipful experiences that allow participants to praise and adore Jesus Christ, fostering a deeper connection to the Savior during this holy time.

Planning Ahead: Leaders should begin discussions about Easter celebrations in January to allow ample time for planning and community involvement, ensuring that activities are well-organized and meaningful.

Encouraging Participation: Leaders can facilitate events that invite participation from all ages, such as a Palm Sunday celebration, which can help foster a sense of community and shared worship.

Flexibility in Activities: Leaders are encouraged to adapt ideas and resources to fit their local context, recognizing that not every ward or stake will have the same capabilities or traditions, but all can create impactful experiences centered on Christ.

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Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.

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