Students of Brigham Young University celebrated an early Easter on Tuesday in tandem with the school’s yearlong sesquicentennial celebration.

At a Holy Week devotional for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ flagship school, multiple faculty members joined the university’s president, C. Shane Reese, at BYU’s Marriott Center in recounting the biblical story of Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

After each segment, speakers were followed by performances of Easter hymns from the school’s choir, student dancers and a student pianist.

Reese opened the devotional by commenting on the importance of Easter and how its significance should align with BYU’s 150th anniversary theme, “Celebrating Gifts of Light.”

“We gather today in the final weeks of a landmark semester in a landmark year, the 150th anniversary of BYU’s founding. And during one of the most sacred weeks on the Christian calendar, it is appropriate that these two occasions converge today,” Reese said. “We’ve honored many, many gifts of light that shine at BYU. And today, in this devotional, we honor the greatest of all the gifts of light himself — even our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

After Reese’s opening remarks, five faculty members spoke of different aspects of Christianity’s holiest day and how its story should still be remembered today. Here are excerpts from their remarks:

“Those ancient disciples had climbed high on the figurative hills of their devotion to the Savior and his teachings. Still, on that Sunday morning, they were overwhelmed by the mountainous, miraculous surprise of the resurrection. So it is in our relationship with the Savior. When we follow him, when we lean into our discipleship, we find that there is more there for us than we imagine there would be.”

— David Seely, professor of ancient scripture.

“As you look for ways in which you can better show your love for the Savior, you may feel prompted to reach out more energetically in service and kindness to the people around you.”

— Jo Ann Seely, professor of ancient scripture.

“Everything we do at this university, every effort by faculty, every resource allocated, every initiative launched, is ultimately aimed at lifting and supporting students. It is your growth, your discovery, your discipleship that matters most. You have been taught by the spirit, mentored in faith and empowered to go forth as beacons of light.”

— Shana Clemence, from the Office of Belonging.

“What is the Lord’s way? You will remember [church] President [Dallin] Oaks’ address in which he counseled us to draw closer to the Savior. And he gave us four principles. President Oaks called them impressions that will help each of us as we strive to do that. He urged us to strengthen our faith in the Savior, increase our humility, seek help from others and to be patient.”

— Ed Eyestone, director of track and field and former Olympian.

“Soon, near that plaque [on campus] containing the words of [former church] President [Spencer] Kimball, a second plaque will be mounted. It will contain the words of President Oaks, our beloved prophet today, spoken in this very arena in February. ‘I firmly believe that it is the destiny of Brigham Young University to become what past and present prophets knew it could become. With the consecration and leadership of this community, BYU will become the great university of the Lord, not in the world’s way, but in the Lord’s way.’”

— Ed Carter, professor of communications.

Reese concluded the devotional by sharing a story from his trip to attend a BYU game in the NCAA Tournament. The school president said he was exhausted from travel but was asked to meet a family who was at the same hotel.

Agreeing to meet the family members, Reese said he noticed they consisted of a mom who “had in tow a whole bunch of children from varying ages.”

Reese found out that the children’s father had died only a couple of days earlier and his loved ones were in the area to honor him. They told Reese that their father wanted more than anything to watch BYU play during March Madness.

Reese said he was heartbroken but that he learned the true meaning of Easter from meeting this mother and her family.

“You see, she knew that the sting of death was truly overcome,” Reese said. “The victory of the grave was completely obliterated because of the miraculous and infinite resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Note to readers • Dylan Eubank is a Report for America corps member covering faith in Utah County for The Salt Lake Tribune. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories.