In the April 2023 General Conference, Elder Gary E. Stevenson taught, “I observe a growing effort among Latter-day Saints toward a more Christ-centered Easter. This includes a greater and more thoughtful recognition of Palm Sunday and Good Friday as practiced by some of our Christian cousins. We might also adopt appropriate Christ-centered Easter traditions found in the cultures and practices of countries worldwide.”
There’s lots we can learn from our “Christian cousins” when it comes to celebrating Good Friday.
Since at least the third century, Christians have been celebrating Good Friday as a time to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ. While some have suggested that the “Good” in “Good Friday” (an English phrase coined more than six hundred years ago), is related to the fact that what happened on that day was “good” for humanity, or that “Good” is related to the word “God,” these explanations are likely historically incorrect.
The “Good” in “Good Friday” comes from an archaic meaning of the word “Good”—“Holy.” In Spanish, “Good Friday” is called “Viernes Santo” and in French, “Le Vendredi saint,” both of which translate into English as “Holy Friday.” Thus when we think of Good Friday, we can think of “Holy Friday,” or, as Elder Jeffrey R. Holland phrased it, “atoning Friday with its cross.” It is the day that Jesus died for our sins. (Learn more about the etymology of the phrase, “Good Friday.”)
How can we remember and celebrate the events of Good Friday?
- Read what each Gospel author wrote about the events of Good Friday (side-by-side version here: VERY useful!).
- Consider making a special food. One traditional Good Friday food you might enjoy is hot cross buns (background and recipe).
- Forgive others. On the cross, Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” President Nelson has invited us to do the same at Easter season.
- Watch a movie about Jesus Christ. My annual tradition is to watch “The Gospel of John.” I watch “The Son of God” on Easter Sunday (those are my top two favorite movies about Jesus Christ).
- Good Friday Reader’s Theater (similar to the Nativity you would do on Christmas Eve, but for Good Friday).
- Seeing, touching or tasting objects related to the Crucifixion can be helpful, especially for children, in remembering what happened on Good Friday. For example, turning off the lights at 3:00 PM, making or holding a crown of thorns, carrying a heavy beam, handling a long nail, or tasting vinegar could each provide connection points to the events of Good Friday.
- Read 3 Nephi 8-10 to learn more about what happened in the Americas when Christ was crucified.
- Share your testimony. When a centurion saw the signs accompanying Christ’s Crucifixion, he exclaimed, “Truly this is the son of God.” We can follow his example and testify of Christ on Good Friday.
- Learn more about the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ said, “I [was] lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me” (3 Nephi 27:14). Some people think to themselves, “Why did the Savior have to die such a terrible death?”
Jesus answered that question—to bring us closer to him. That’s why we celebrate Good Friday.
I pray that we will draw closer to him this Good Friday as we commemorate the event that Jesus himself defined as his greatest act of love (see John 15:13).
Follow me on Instagram or sign up here for Come Follow Me insights.
