Testimony of the Prophets

During his lifetime, Jesus was seen by and taught thousands. Many walked, talked, touched, ate with him, and were taught by him. Scribes, pharisees, Pilate, and the Jewish leadership were among them. And yet, they never gained a testimony of his divine mission. They did not have the witness that he was their Redeemer.

Does it matter that we have not seen, heard, or touched him?
The majority of the human race has not. For most of those who did have the privilege of living in the same place, at the same time that Christ did, it still made no difference. Even though he was right there among them, they never came to know who he really was. They totally missed that he truly was and is the Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Christ taught that there is a much more powerful and lasting means by which we gain knowledge of truth. A spiritual witness is always much more powerful than a physical witness:

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 16:15-17

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Romans 8:16

Every prophet that has ever lived, both modern and ancient, has borne testimony of Christ.
It's their job. And each one of them had to first seek and obtain their own personal witness in the very same way each one of us has to. At a general conference, President Harold B. Lee prefaced his witness by these words: "I know, with a testimony more powerful than sight...." (Oct 1972)

How do we receive this witness? Can we?

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

 

 First, action is required on our part - ask, seek, knock
 

And then a promise: receive, find, it shall be opened
 

A promise made not just to the prophets, but to every single one of us...... Ye shall find!

 

David O. McKay shares his witness:

“Brethren and sisters, I have cherished from childhood the truth that God is a personal being and is, indeed, our Father whom we can approach in prayer and receive answers thereto. My testimony of the risen Lord is just as real as Thomas’, who said to the resurrected Christ when he appeared to his disciples: ‘My Lord and my God.’ (John 20:28.) I know that he lives. He is God made manifest in the flesh; and I know that ‘there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.’ (Acts 4:12.)

“I know that he will confer with his servants who seek him in humility and in righteousness. I know because I have heard his voice, and I have received his guidance in matters pertaining to his kingdom here on earth.

“I know that his Father, our Creator, lives. I know that they appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith and revealed to him the revelations which we now have recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants and in other Church works. This knowledge is as real to me as that which occurs in our daily lives. When we lay our bodies down at night, we know—we have an assurance—that the sun will rise in the morning and shed its glory over all the earth. So near to me is the knowledge of Christ’s existence and divinity of this restored Church.” (In CR, Apr. 1968, pp. 9–10.)

We have finished our study of the four gospels! I have loved studying the life and teachings of our Savior. Thank you to all who followed along or contributed to the posts. I have learned so much from all the insights and testimonies that have been shared. As happens at the end of every good book, I find myself wanting more and wishing that I had not turned the last page so soon. Fortunately, this is a story that never ends but continues on throughout eternity with each of us intertwined within it. Each of us is writing our own chapter at this very moment. I hope, someday as I look back on my own chapter, that in spite of the many mistakes which I am sure will be there, that it will reflect a life lived as one who has a great love of the Savior. What will your story tell?

 

 

 

Posted by Sister Montgomery

 

 

"I Know that He Lives"

"I Know That He Lives"  

No statement is more true and more heartwarming than these words. By believing in these words and knowing that our Savior lives and that through him we can and are saved is a great comfort to me. The song "I know that my Redeemer lives" sums up exactly how I feel about the knowledge I have regarding this statement:

 

I know that my Redeemer lives.

What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

He lives, he lives, who once was dead.

He lives, my ever-living Head.

He lives to bless me with his love.

He lives to plead for me above.

He lives my hungry soul to feed.

He lives to bless in time of need.

 

What a great blessing it is to each of us to have a savior who overcame death and has given us a way home. And to go with this, the only thing he asks in return, is to feed his sheep. What a simple and also rewarding task we've been given. I know that my savior lives and I love him; and I love this gospel for giving me the opportunity to serve my Father in Heaven and to grow and one day return to live with my Heavenly Father and brother Jesus Christ! I know that as we put our faith and trust in the Lord he will bless us. We are a blessed and chosen people. Always remember that Heavenly Father and Christ love you and want to bless each of us with all they have! 

 

 

Posted by Sister Toni Jorgensen

"He is Risen"

 

We laugh, we cry, we work, we play, we love, we live. And then we die…

And dead we would remain but for one Man and His mission, even Jesus of Nazareth…

No words in Christendom mean more to me than those spoken by the angel to the weeping Mary Magdalene and the other Mary when, on the first day of the week, they approached the tomb to care for the body of their Lord. Spoke the angel:

“Why seek ye the living among the dead?

“He is not here, but is risen.”

Our Savior lived again. The most glorious, comforting, and reassuring of all events of human history had taken place—the victory over death. The pain and agony of Gethsemane and Calvary had been wiped away. The salvation of mankind had been secured. The Fall of Adam had been reclaimed.

The empty tomb that first Easter morning was the answer to Job’s question, “If a man die, shall he live again?” To all within the sound of my voice, I declare, If a man die, he shall live again. We know, for we have the light of revealed truth.

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

I have read—and I believe—the testimonies of those who experienced the grief of Christ’s Crucifixion and the joy of His Resurrection. I have read—and I believe—the testimonies of those in the New World who were visited by the same risen Lord.

I believe the testimony of one who, in this dispensation, spoke with the Father and the Son in a grove now called sacred and who gave his life, sealing that testimony with his blood. Declared he:

“And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father.”

The darkness of death can always be dispelled by the light of revealed truth. “I am the resurrection, and the life,” spoke the Master.“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.”

With all my heart and the fervency of my soul, I lift up my voice in testimony as a special witness and declare that God does live. Jesus is His Son, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. He is our Redeemer; He is our Mediator with the Father. He it was who died on the cross to atone for our sins. He became the firstfruits of the Resurrection. Because He died, all shall live again.

I declare my personal witness that death has been conquered, victory over the tomb has been won. May the words made sacred by Him who fulfilled them become actual knowledge to all. Remember them. Cherish them. Honor them. He is risen.

~Thomas S. Monson

"I find No Fault in this Man"

I have been a nurse for 21 years this year. All of my career has included either caring for those facing life-threatening illnesses, including oncology patients, or providing end of life care to those who are terminally ill. Our Father expects every one of us to return home eventually when our purposes here have been fulfilled. There is no escape from death for any of us.

I never specifically sought out those type of experiences. They sort of fell into my lap. Those experiences taught me things I never expected.
I never expected that I would love it.

It is a great privilege to help someone leave this life resting comfortably without physical pain. To help them feel that someone is standing watch over them ready to see to any need that may arise. To try and give them peace. Many times this meant caring for an entire family. Too often, it was just that patient and me. No one should ever have to die alone.

When someone is facing the end of their life, their true nature invariably comes to the surface.
I have seen those patients who knew where they were going, and to whom they were returning, slip away peacefully with a surprising lack of discomfort. Tears were shed but it was not a traumatic, unhappy event. Strong faith and peace were abundant. They knew that even when no one else was in the room, they were never truly alone. God always watches over his child.

I have seen those whom had no idea where they were going, or whom had done terrible things in their lives, have great distress and anxiety. They fought and suffered terribly. Fear and ugliness would fill the room. Their physical pain was much harder to relieve, and for relief of their emotional and spiritual pain, I could do almost nothing. It was too late. They either had filled their lives with such things that the spirit could have no place in them, or they just had no idea whose child they really were.

If you knew the end of your mortal life was near, what are the words you would want your loved ones to hear? What words would you want to leave in their ears and in their hearts before you left this world? What would your words reveal about your true nature?

Just before his arrest and illegal trial, Christ instituted the sacrament. He washed his disciples feet. He then knelt in a garden to offer prayer.

He prayed for us.

As he willingly hung in spiritual and physical agony under the crushing weight of all that was necessary for him to take upon himself to bring about the atonement, much was revealed about his character, attributes, and divine nature by the last words that he spoke.

These are the last 7 recorded statements made by Christ as he hung from the cross:

The first illustrates his forgiving nature:

1. Then ^asaid Jesus, Father, ^bforgive them; for they know not what ^cthey do. Luke 23:34


The second and third show his concern for others, even while enduring his own agony on the cross:

2. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in ^aparadise.
    Luke 23:43

3. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the ^adisciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, ^bWoman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy ^amother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. John 19:26-27


The fourth through the seventh show his resignation by his own will to voluntarily die a physical death. With all of the Father's support withdrawn, with his pains of Gethsemane recurring, our Savior was left unto himself in order that he alone might complete the atoning sacrifice and have "the glory of complete victory over sin and death." (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, p.661)

4. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, ^aMy God, my God, why hast thou ^bforsaken me? Matthew 27:46

5. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. John 19:28

6. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is ^afinished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. John 19:30

7. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I ^acommend my ^bspirit: and having said thus, he ^cgave up the ^dghost. Luke 23:46

At no time, in spite of his great suffering, did he complain. Resigned as he was to complete his great mission, throughout this great ordeal there is but one recorded instance which even begins to be expressive of his physical suffering, "I thirst." This one statement he only uttered after he knew that all of his work was complete.

What motivates someone to endure such things for so many others?!

 Dr. Rodney Turner, professor of Church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University, had this to say:

"As each ordinance of salvation is performed on an individual basis, so may the Savior have possessed an awareness of each soul for whom he was being sacrificed. Moses "beheld the earth” yea, even all of it, and he beheld also the inhabitants thereof, and there was not a soul which he beheld not…. If Moses was empowered to discern every individual soul on the earth at a given time, may not the Son of Man have been aware of the sins of each of his brothers and sisters for whom he was laying down his very life?"

an awareness of each soul..... of my soul
......and yours
He knows each of us, individually

He loves us that much.

Posted by Sister Montgomery

"Not My Will, But Thine, Be Done"

Two gardens.

The first called Eden, where our first parents, Adam and Eve lived in the presence of God until the Fall. In Hebrew, Eden means, "delight or pleasure." That would be an exceptional delight AND pleasure, living in God's presence. We all lived in the presence of God before we were born. Those of us who have been given the opportunity to come to earth to experience mortality had shown in the pre-existence that we would follow God and be obedient to Him. Living with Him, we were obedient by sight.

Now it was time to take the next step in our growth and progression, requiring that we leave Gods presence. It was time to show that we would still follow Him, this time by faith. In leaving the first garden, the only way to return to Gods presence would be to follow a Savior on a difficult but necessary journey on a path leading us through a second garden.

Gethsemane.

An olive garden, on the slope of the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem. In Hebrew, Gethsemane means, "olive press."

At harvest, the branches of the olive tree are beaten to cause the olives to fall. A first grinding or crushing under heavy crushing stones yields a pure virgin olive oil which is clear and free from impurities. Anciently, this was skimmed off by hand. The crushed olives then have additional weight applied and, under tremendous pressure, release a bitter brownish red oil.


It was in this second garden, which bears the name of the olive press, that Christ willingly first shed his blood for us. Under the tremendous, crushing pressure of so much more than just our sins, Christ began the atonement necessary to redeem us from the Fall that occurred in the first garden.

 "And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and he sweat as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Luke 22:44 with JST

 Alma's words in the Book of Mormon give us greater insight into what Christ began in Gethsemane and completed on the cross at Golgotha:

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.  And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me." Alma 7:11-13

 

Pains, afflictions, temptations, sicknesses, death, infirmities.

Very last on the list: sins and transgressions.

 

A bitter cup, from which he willingly drank so that when the time comes, we can return to live in God's presence once again. How bitter? Christ tells us in his own words: 

 

"Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—" D&C 19:15-18

 

 

How can we ever, ever thank Him?!! How is it possible to ever show enough gratitude to someone who saves your life?

 

We can do what the sacrament prayer asks us to do every week:

Always, always remember Him

 

We can also learn, like Christ, to always say to our Father no matter what trials or challenges we face:

"Not my will, but thine, be done." Luke22:42

 

 





Posted by Sister Montgomery

Additional References:
The New Testament Made Easier, Part One, Second Edition by David J. Ridges
The Infinite Atonement by Tad R. Callister
emp.byui.edu/.../Olive%20Tree/olive%20tree%20horticulture.htm‎

"My Peace I give Unto You"

Peace

 

But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come. 

(D&C 59:23)

 

 

Many people think of peace as the absence of war. But we can feel peace even in times of war, and we can lack peace even when no war is raging. The mere absence of conflict is not enough to bring peace to our hearts. Peace comes through the gospel—through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the ministration of the Holy Ghost, and our own righteousness, sincere repentance, and diligent service.

Even when the world is in turmoil all around you, you can receive the blessing of inner peace. This blessing will continue with you as you stay true to your testimony of the gospel and as you remember that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you and watch over you.

In addition to feeling peace yourself, you can be an influence for peace in your family, your community, and the world. You work for peace when you keep the commandments, give service, care for family members and neighbors, and share the gospel. You work for peace whenever you help relieve the suffering of another.

 

The following words of the Savior teach us how we can experience the peace that the gospel brings:

“The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

 

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”

 

“Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.

 

“Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.

 

“Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.

 

“Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.

 

“Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven” (D&C 6:33–37).

 

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” ( John 16:33).

 

 

As you remember the Savior and follow Him, you truly can be of good cheer. You can experience real, enduring peace at all times. You can find hope in the Savior’s first words to His disciples after His Resurrection: “Peace be unto you” ( John 20:19).

  Source: True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference
 

Posted by Sister Montgomery

"As I Have Loved You"

It's So Easy

A look at parts of Matthew 26:1-5, 14-35; Mark 14:1-2, 10-31 ;Luke 22:1-23, 31-38 and 24:30; John 13:1-38

When we are children and sheltered by our parents and society, we look out at the world and it seems as though it is our play place. Then we become teens, practicing independence and preparing to step out into the world on our own; the world holds so much promise and our future looks so bright. Then we marry, make a home and have children; we promise ourselves, our spouse, our families, and Heavenly Father that our family will be all they should be in the eyes of God and man.

On our way through and past all these stages of life, stuff happens, we err or circumstances take us on a different route than we had in mind. Things don't turn out to be as easy as we thought they would be. The path that seemed clear as we gazed down it from the start, is filled with side routes, thorns and obstacles.

The scriptures give us examples so we can see that even those in privileged positions suffer imperfection as we do. The disciples, who had the privilege to walk side by side with Jesus, had similar overly optimistic visions of their own faith and endurance when faced with trials.

Matthew 26: 31-34 reads:
Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd , and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
We live in times that make life hard to deal with. (See 2Timothy Chapter 3) Generation after generation we pass down an unspoken web of "shoulds" that entangle us and can potentially distract us from serving the ideals of a Christ like life. We "should" achieve academically at or above a certain standard; we "should" maintain a certain level home, car, decor or life-style; we "should" maintain our appearance and wardrobe according to a certain standard of fashion; we "should" drive our children to achieve this worlds highest standards of excellence in all their activities... ITS EASY
But it's not easy... and it becomes progressively more difficult. None of these things are "bad" per se. They are just things that are easy to get caught up in, with generations of desire for approval creating the ruts we can get stuck in.
Society once thought if they could just create industry that produced gadgets to do our chores, we could all live a life of ease. Did it work out that way?What about the promising future computers were to bring us? How about the technology of today? Will it really make our life easy? Is it really worth it to use the limited time we have in this life to desire, work for, shop for, learn to use and maintain all these "shoulds" and gadgets? Along with each "advancement" comes it's own difficulties and complexities, until we have created, generation by generation, a world that is so complex and dependent that even when we choose to live simply, it is a major undertaking to untangle ourselves from the web the world has bound us in.
How did Jesus show us is the way to live? In those last hours with His disciples He tirelessly and carefully took advantage of every opportunity to teach them and all who would listen. He didn't partake in distracting activities, He knew He had a short time to instill in them what was necessary for them to carry out their own lives and to leave the footprint of scripture, principle, and prayerfulness that can guide each of our lives through this world and back to him.
It's not easy to walk in Jesus footprints, but we can do it. We can find our way through what sometimes seems an impassable path of life. The path isn't what it seemed at first glance, but it is a path we can navigate with the help of the Holy Ghost, the Priesthood, Scripture, the sacred gift of our Ward Family, and the volumes of spoken and written guidance from our prophets past and present.
Let's follow Jesus footprints to stay on the path in our own special journey!

Posted by Sister Linda Roper

"What Shall Be the Sign of Thy Coming?"

 Surely the Lord God will do nothing,
but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Amos 3:7

 

I can hardly bear to watch the news these days. So much pain, suffering, and sorrow. So many selfish, senseless acts. So much wickedness.

 

"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."  Matthew 24:12

 

We knew it would be like this. We know it will get worse.

 

And yet, if you watch a little longer, there follows each tragedy a great outpouring of love and goodness. Individuals, families, and communities coming together. Friends, neighbors, and strangers lifting, helping, supporting, and comforting each other. Ordinary people acting with great bravery to protect and rescue. So many heros we didn't know existed. Such kindness, selflessness, and love.

 

Christ is there.

 

"...see that ye be not ^btroubled: for all these things must come to pass, so likewise mine elect, when they shall see all these things, they shall know that he is near, even at the doors."  

Matthew 24:6, 33 with JST

 

We know the time for Christ to come is drawing ever closer. The signs are there. The scriptures outline in  great detail the conditions that will be present in the last days. They speak of great wickedness and turmoil. They also speak of great righteousness and those who are valiant in their testimony of Christ, "mine elect."

Elder Neil L. Andersen said: 

The Lord has long spoken of the necessary preparations for His Second Coming. To Enoch, He declared, “Righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, … and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth.”¹¹ The prophet Daniel prophesied that in the latter days the gospel would roll forth unto the ends of the earth as a “stone [that is] cut out of [a] mountain without hands.”¹² Nephi spoke of the latter-day Church as being few in number but spread upon all the face of the earth.¹³ The Lord declared in this dispensation, “Ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect.”        (Preparing the World for the Second Coming, April 2011)

"And this ^agospel of the ^bkingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations" Matthew 24:14

It is happening!

At General Conference in October 2012, it was announced by our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, that the age would be lowered for when young men and women are eligible to serve full-time missions. The response has been astounding.

Have you noticed that almost every time you drive across town there are a pair of missionaries either riding bikes or walking down the street? They are everywhere!

Why now with this generation?

President George Q. Cannon (1827–1901), First Counselor in the First Presidency Said: “God has reserved spirits for this dispensation who have the courage and determination to face the world, and all the powers of the evil one, visible and invisible, to proclaim the gospel and maintain the truth and establish and build up the Zion of our God fearless of all consequences. He has sent these spirits in this generation to lay the foundation of Zion never more to be overthrown, and to raise up a seed that will be righteous, and that will honor God, and honor Him supremely, and be obedient to Him under all circumstances.”⁷

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “The youth of this generation have a greater capacity for obedience than any previous generation.” (October 1997)

 

My husband and I had the privilege of spending 4 days and 3 nights in the company of many of these valiant youth as Ma and Pa on a Pioneer Trek two years ago.

 

That was one of the most powerful spiritual experiences of my life.

 

Here is a piece of the letter we wrote to our trek family after we had returned home which we titled, "Pioneer Trek according to Ma and Pa:"

 

     After arriving at Pioneer Trek and meeting their 5 daughters and 4 sons, Ma and Pa looked at each other and said, “Some of these kids are going to be a handful!” They couldn’t have been more wrong.

     Ma and Pa watched as their children cared and watched out for each other. They jumped in and helped without being asked. They pulled heavy handcarts up steep, rocky, narrow mountain trails without complaining. Everyone did their share and encouraged each other.

These were only some of so many lessons taught through both words and deeds by these remarkable youth. One afternoon we were to hold a Family Home Evening presented by the children. Our family set off to a secluded spot in a beautiful grassy meadow. There we learned about the power of prayer, faith, strengthening your testimony, and the courage and faith of Esther. We were taught that it doesn’t really matter that you can recite the psalm if you don’t know the shepherd, there were a whole lot of push-ups, and Ma and Pa will never think of raisins the same again.

     As we prepared for the trek home on the last morning, our family was excited to find themselves at the head of all 14 families. On the first day of the trek we kept falling behind as we stopped to doctor blisters, and the boys found this especially discouraging. We did great on our way out, still having to stop for blisters, but not losing our place like the first day. We had less than two miles to go of our 25ish mile trek, (they never really told us how many miles it was!) when poor Jadie said her feet hurt worse than ever. Ma and Pa sent the rest of the family ahead and told them we would catch up. Jadie already had the worst blisters of the family and had so much tape and moleskin on her feet that Ma and Pa told her they looked like Frankenstein feet. Jadie wanted to try and make it the rest of the way, they were so close! Her feet were retaped and padded the best that could be done. Pa ran to catch up with the others. Ma and Jadie started out, but did not get far when Jadie felt one of her blisters pop. She could not go any farther. They moved to the side of the road to wait for the medical van, and watched as all 13 other carts passed them by.

     It took a while for the van to come, and when it finally arrived it was packed full. Ma helped Jadie in and said she would walk the rest of the way. She didn’t think there was any hope of catching up to the others, but because Ma and Pa had not been allowed to help the children push or pull the handcarts at all during the trek, she at least wanted to walk every step that the children had gone. If they could do it, so could she.

     As Ma caught up and walked for a while with a few stragglers, they came around a bend and Ma saw her entire family pulled over to the side of the road waiting for her.  Two daughters had hurt ankles, one had a pulled leg muscle, and at least 3 other children had blisters.  With the end in sight, they had turned their sore, tired bodies around and walked back down the hot, dusty trail to gather the rest of the family. They met their Ma with a tin cup full of water and said, “We need our Ma. We need to finish this together with our family.” As we neared the cart Ma saw that Jadie was with them as well. The family had flagged down the medical van and insisted that they give Jadie back to them. The driver said they were so close to the end that he would just go ahead and drive her, but the family insisted, “Give us our sister.” Pa and the brothers took turns carrying Jadie in their arms, and when they couldn’t carry her anymore, they placed her in the cart. Together they then pulled their handcart to the end, in very last place. They knew it didn’t matter how long it took to get there as long as they did it together, with their family.

I had gone on the trek thinking we would be the ones teaching and strengthening the faith and testimonies of these remarkable youth. I hope we did. I did not expect it would have such a powerful effect on my own. I cherish the memories I brought home with me.

 

Since this time, one daughter has married in the temple, another daughter is moving forward with plans for her mission, and a son has received his mission call and will be leaving this summer.

 

They are valiant in their testimony of Christ. They are standing as witnesses of Him in the face of tremendous temptations and worldly pressures. They are among those referred to in the scriptures as, "mine elect."

 

There is great righteousness and light in the world despite all of the darkness. "But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience, possess ye your souls."  (Luke21:19)

There are miracles happening, exactly as the prophets have taught. We are watching them unfold.

 

"Therefore be ye also ready

Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing

Watch therefore...."

 (Matthew 24:42, 44, 46 )

 

 

There is need to watch. There is need to be ready. There is need to be serving diligently.

There is however, no need to be troubled. Christ is near.

 



 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us ^acheerfully ^bdo all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the ^csalvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed. (D&C 123:17)

 

 

Posted by Sister Montgomery

"Woe Unto You Hypocrites!"

Jesus had only 3 days left before his arrest and crucifixion. He had cleansed the temple a second time, throwing out again the moneychangers and all them that bought and sold. He then remained in the temple to teach and to heal.

But the temple was still contaminated.
Those who had taken upon themselves to be the spiritual leaders of the Jews were plotting murder in the very presence of the Savior and in the house of the Lord.

"And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,  And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him."  Luke 19:47-48
"Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk." Matthew 22:15

Who were the Pharisees?
From the Bible Dictionary:

A religious party among the Jews. The name denotes separatists. They prided themselves on their strict observance of the law and on the care with which they avoided contact with things gentile. Their belief included the doctrine of immortality and resurrection of the body and the existence of angels and spirits. They upheld the authority of oral tradition as of equal value with the written law. The tendency of their teaching was to reduce religion to the observance of a multiplicity of ceremonial rules and to encourage self-sufficiency and spiritual pride. They were a major obstacle to the reception of Christ and the gospel by the Jewish people. For the Lord’s judgment on them and their works see Matt. 23; Mark 7; Luke 11:37–54.

 

"Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:  For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." John 12:42-43

Hypocrites.

After he had been confronted by all the Jewish leadership, Jesus turned to the multitude and his disciples to give one last public warning and denunciation of the whole Pharisaic system:

"But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation." Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Matthew 23:13-14, 28

And then she was there.

The poor widow. Coming to the temple to pay her tithing. A bright light shining in the midst of the corruption. Walking right through the middle of it. Alone. Surrounded by the rich and men who had achieved great status in their own eyes and in the eyes of their community. Did she feel insignificant? I would have. And yet her faith and desire for obedience carried her forward as she placed what would have appeared to worldly eyes to be the smallest of offerings into the treasury. Next to nothing.
Or.....maybe she had endured such trials throughout her life that what would have felt to me like a horribly intimidating situation seemed totally insignificant to her. Had she been so strengthened and refined by her trials that anything other than her total commitment to the Lord and her desire to give all to Him was beneath her notice? Had she filled her heart with such great faith that fear could have no place in her?

There was one in the temple that day who did notice and understood the extent of her sacrifice. One who notices every sacrifice made by each one of us.
"And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this ^apoor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living." Mark 12:43-44

 

Courage, determination, obedience, faith, strength.

Great love for the Lord.

Selflessness

 

I don't think she realized that the Savior would be there watching in person as she made her sacrifice.  I don't think she knew that her story would be written and handed down through generations.

 

She was just paying her tithing.

 

I don't think we always realize the Savior is there watching in person as we make our own sacrifices.

We are just paying our tithing.

 

We are just trying to get our whole family together in one place long enough to kneel together in family prayer.

 

We are just stopping to visit that one sister that has been on our mind.

 

Just all those little things we do. Such small things.

He notices.

They make all the difference

 

Posted by Sister Montgomery

The Triumphal Entry

On the Sunday before his crucifixion Jesus entered Jerusalem.  He entered the city as its King – not riding a white steed with sword and shield as some hoped – but as the King of peace.  Fulfilling ancient prophecy he rode a colt, openly signifying himself as the Messiah and of royal birth, but also meek and submissive to his Father’s will.

The people rejoiced at his coming and spread their clothing and foliage in his path.  For this little while the Lord Jesus was their King and they his people.  Some were his disciples who truly honored him, others thought him a prophet, some had witnessed his miracles and many were simply curious.  It was a peaceful procession that failed to rouse the Romans attention but it did rile the spiritual leaders who had fought Jesus’ every step back to Jerusalem.   The Pharisees demanded that Jesus rebuke his disciples.  One can almost see their sneering lips and jutting chins as well as the malice in their eyes as they confronted the Lord who threatened them in every way.  Jesus answered simply, “…if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.”  This statement touches my heart.  Did not his hands span the universe as our God and creator?  If all of his chosen people should fail to recognize their King, yet the voiceless stones would sing out in glory and praise.

Upon entering the city, Jesus went to a high place and looked over the city and wept.  The people wanted Him to give them victory over their enemies, peace and freedom from the Romans.  So few understood the true spiritual peace and freedom he would have granted - and now it was too late.  He saw the destruction and misery that would come to his people.  How bittersweet this must have felt to the Lord as the people shouted his praise and still failed to recognize him as the Son of God.

It’s easy to condemn the blindness of the Jews.  These verses also beg reflection into our own hearts.   Do I truly partake of the Lords offerings of peace and grace and freedom from sin?  Do I fully utilize the gift of the atonement in my life?  Or, do I, like the Jews only see what I want to see?  Do I pick and choose aspects of the Lord’s gospel that are palatable to me and my lifestyle?  Do I push away truth and knowledge and make choices that crucify Christ afresh and in effect reject him as they did?  Have I ever presented the Lord with a face full of defensive anger, pride and arrogance or offended scorn?  And, last, if I had been there, would I have loved him? 

As Jesus spoke to some Greek investigators, he was tormented in his heart and mind.  He felt the foreshadow of sin that would be his to carry.  The scriptures tell us he groaned in anguish.  He was truly caught in that horrible, awful place of anticipating suffering.   There were no surprises to pop out of the shadows – the Lord knew every horrific detail of his required sacrifice.  He also knew that all humanity, our future, our happiness, hinged on his obedience and willingness to accept it.   Then something magnificent happened.  Seeking comfort and reassurance from the only source that could provide it, Jesus prayed, “Father, glorify thy name.”  The Father replied as a voice from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”  This was a statement of reality-a declaration of how things would be- and it brought comfort as nothing else could.  Jesus would be triumphant!  And Jesus joyfully exclaimed, “And I, If I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”   

I can think of times in my own life when unexpected challenges arose.  Often the anticipation and fear of the trial was worse than the trial itself.  As I turned to my Father in Heaven for comfort, he granted me the tender mercy of peace and assurance that he cared and loved me and that no trial is in vain.  These tender mercy moments are precious and sacred and to be remembered.  Do you have a tender mercy moment that draws your heart to the Lord? 

The following morning, Jesus was hungry and saw a fig tree with many leaves (this is significant).  The fig tree was barren of fruit and Jesus cursed it, causing it to wither and die.  Being an admitted tree hugger, this has always bothered me.  It seemed unfair to the tree – until I learned that a fig tree puts out its blossoms and fruit before its leaves.  A fig tree with leaves should have had ripe fruit.  This particular tree was truly barren.   The Lord’s cursing is layered in symbolism perhaps representing a people barren of truth or religious leaders who preach the letter (leaves) and deny the spirit (fruit). 

Again, honest reflection is required to see our own personal hypocrisy and our ratio of leaves and fruit.

Jesus also took this opportunity to teach his disciples about faith.  Faith they would need to do his work.   Faith is a principle of word and power and action.  We have to ask, without doubt, being led by the spirit to ask correctly and being worthy to ask, having forgiven others.  Then, by the Lords admission we can move whatever mountains (obstacles) are set before us. 

Faith is the first principle of the Gospel, yet a principle very difficult to fully utilize and master.  When crisis strikes and faith is needed we often find ourselves vacillating between belief and victory and doubt and fear like sound waves.  Faith and fear cannot coexist.  We deny ourselves the powers of heaven when fear and doubt overwhelm.  One of the greatest struggles of mortality is to become wholly faith filled without doubt or fear of anything.   It’s helpful to have, I think, examples to look to of those who overcame through the power of faith.  My faith heroes are Paul and Nephi.  They provide a pattern of faith and action that I can follow.  Who are your faith heroes?

Jesus makes his way to the temple and sees the filth and desecration in his Father’s house.  The people didn’t learn their lesson the first time and so he clears the temple once again of the animals, money changers and merchants.  This time the Lord stays in the temple teaching and healing despite the anger of the impotent authorities whose stewardship it was to protect the temple from the very things they permitted.

It has always puzzled me why those expelled and rebuked didn’t fight the Lord’s actions in this.  He was one man, they were a potential mob.  Perhaps they were condemned as much by their own guilty conscience as by the Lord.  Sin weakens while power is given to one with righteous authority. 

In a world where purity and obedience to Gods laws are perceived as evil, foolish, and prejudiced it is good to remember that power is given to the righteous individual who will not bend to the world’s shifting morality – especially when standing seemingly alone.  We are never alone.  God is ever faithful.

 

Posted by Sister BJ McCormack 

"What Lack I Yet?"

Jesus’ ministry was drawing to a close. One final journey, a few days in Jerusalem, and it would be finished. The Atonement would be complete. Yet this last journey was to be of great significance. This was a time when very important doctrines of the kingdom were emphasized—the kingdom of God, eternal marriage, the concept of true service. This was a time when Jesus blessed young children, gave instructions to the Twelve, and taught how one attains eminence in the kingdom of God. Then he visited Bethany, where he was anointed by Mary at Simon’s supper.

In our Savior’s life we witness the perfect example of the totally committed life—a life completely disciplined to the will of the Father.

In this lesson you will read the tragic account of one, loved of the Savior, who went away sorrowing because he could not follow his Lord in the way of complete commitment. Surely all must be willing to ask of God, as did the young ruler, “What lack I yet?” But more importantly, we must be prepared to act.

The young ruler was perfectly obedient to all of the basic commandments, but when called upon to live the higher law he just couldn't do it. He could not bring himself to sacrifice his worldly treasures to devote himself 100% to following the Savior. When he was called, he was not prepared to act.

 I love the account in the Book of Mormon of King Lamoni's father. When the time came for him to choose the path he would follow his reply was:

" What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy...... I will give away all my sins to know thee." (Alma 22:15,18)

I want to be like that. 

I would give up all my sins to know him. I was already trying to get rid of those anyway.

The following story was shared by the Apostle Hugh B. Brown:

“We were in Canada. I was … an attorney for an oil company and a manager of it. We were drilling wells and making money. I was at the moment up in the Canadian Rockies, way back from the highways. We were drilling there. Everything looked very prosperous. I woke very early one morning before daylight. I was troubled in my mind, and I didn’t know the source or the reason for the trouble. And I began to pray, but didn’t seem to get an answer. And I remembered that the Savior was wont to go into the mountain tops frequently. You remember, his life was punctuated by mountain peaks. There is the mountain peak of the temptation, there is the mountain peak of the transfiguration, there is the mountain peak of the Beatitudes, there is the mountain peak from which he took flight into heaven. So thinking about this, I arose before daylight and went back up into the hills where I knew no one would be near. And when I got up on an advantageous point, I began to talk out loud. I was talking to God! Now, I do not mean that he was standing there listening to me or replying to me. But I mean from the center of my heart I was calling to him.

“Now my family were all in good health, all quite prosperous, and it looked as for myself that within a few days I would be a multimillionaire. And yet, I was depressed. And up there on that mountain peak I said to him, ‘O God, if what it seems is about to happen will happen, and if it is not to be for the best good of myself and my family and my friends, don’t let it happen. Take it from me.’ I said, ‘Don’t let it happen unless in your wisdom it is good for me.’ Well, I left the mountains and came down to the camp. I got into my car and drove to the city of Edmonton. It was a Friday, and while I was driving I was thinking of what had happened. And I felt that there was something impending that I couldn’t understand. When I arrived home, and after a bite to eat, I said to Sister Brown, ‘I think I’ll occupy the back bedroom because I’m afraid I’m not going to sleep.’ Now I went in the bedroom alone and there, through the night, I had the most terrible battle with the powers of the adversary. I wanted to destroy myself. Not in the sense of suicide; but something within me was impelling me to wish that I could cease to be. … It was terrible. The blackness was so thick you could feel it.

“Sister Brown came in later in the night, toward morning in fact, wanting to know what was the matter. And when she closed the door, she said, ‘What’s in this room?’ And I said, ‘Nothing but the power of the devil is in this room.’ And we knelt together by the bedside and prayed for release. We spent the night together, the balance of it. And in the morning I went down to my office. It was Saturday now and there was no one at the office. And in going into the office, I knelt by a cot and asked God for deliverance from the darkness that had enveloped me. And coming from somewhere there was an element of peace, the kind of peace that rests on the souls of men when they make contact with God. And I called her and said, ‘Everything is all right, or is going to be!’

“That night at 10:00 o’clock, October 1953—the telephone rang. Sister Brown answered. She called me and said, ‘Salt Lake’s calling,’ and I wondered who could be calling me from that far away. I took the phone and said, ‘Hello.’

 ‘This is David O. McKay calling. The Lord wants you to give the balance of your life to Him and His Church. We are in a conference of the Church. The concluding session will be tomorrow afternoon. Can you get here?’

“I told him I couldn’t get there because there were no planes flying, but I would get there as soon as possible. I knew that a call had come. And the call came after this awful conflict with the adversary. And when he said, ‘The Lord wants you to give the balance of your life to the Church,’ I knew that it meant giving up the money; it meant that I’d turn everything over to someone else and go to Salt Lake without monetary remuneration.

“Since that time, I’ve been happier than ever before in my life. The men with whom I was associated have made millions. And yet, when one of them was in my office not long ago in Salt Lake, he said, ‘I am worth at least seven million dollars. I would gladly give every dollar of it to you if you could give me what you have. I can’t buy it with money, but I’d like to have what you have. What you have is peace of soul, and I cannot buy that with money.’” (Hugh B. Brown, “Eternal Progression,” Address to the student body, Church College of Hawaii, 16 Oct. 1964, pp. 8–10.)

Hugh B. Brown was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 24, 1883. In 1953, while working as president of Richland Oil Development Company of Canada, Ltd., he was called to serve as an Assistant to the Twelve Apostles. On April 10, 1958, he was ordained an Apostle, and on June 22, 1961, he was sustained as a counselor to President David O. McKay. He served in the First Presidency until President McKay’s death on January 18, 1970, when he resumed his position in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He died on December 2, 1975.

Temporary worldly happiness or everlasting joy?

There comes a time when we all have to choose what comes first in our lives - us or the Savior. 

Do we have things that hold us back?  

Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught:

“It is our privilege to consecrate our time, talents, and means to build up his kingdom. We are called upon to sacrifice, in one degree or another, for the furtherance of his work. Obedience is essential to salvation; so, also, is service; and so, also, are consecration and sacrifice.” (CR, Apr. 1975, p. 76.)

Posted by Sister Montgomery