"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