Who do we serve?

This week in my studies I came across a scripture in Mark that really struck me.
Mark 15:15- "And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified."

I couldn't stop thinking about it for the longest time. Knowing the innocence of Christ yet wanting to please the people Pilate released Barabbas, a murderer, and sent Christ to be crucified. Think about that for 10 more seconds. Really, think about that. Wanting to please the world Pilate killed the Son of God, our Savior, even Jesus the Christ.

Judas Iscariot.
"Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him."
(Matthew 26:14-16)

For thirty pieces of silver Judas betrayed the Savior. Thirty pieces of silver.

Betraying Christ to the chief priests, releasing a murderer and condemning Jesus to death. Being in the exact same situation as Pilate or Judas isn't likely to occur to us. Yet, everyday in life we make decisions regarding who we serve. Do we serve Christ, do we follow Him and do as He would do? Or, do we serve man? Do we strive to please man ignoring the promptings of the Spirit, ignoring our better judgement?

Of course, in the scriptures we see examples of those that chose to follow the Savior, that chose to suffer great afflictions rather than forsake what they knew to be right and true.

Abinadi.
Noah.
Joseph.


When making a decision I challenge you to reflect, who am I serving? Is this wrong? Is this right? Is this straddling a line I shouldn't be straddling.


While you are contemplating this remember the counsel from a wise prophet in the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin.
"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it." (Mosiah 2:41)

True happiness comes through our Savior, through following the teachings of Jesus Christ.
So, who are you serving?

His Sacred Name

This Easter let us truly remember what Easter means... and it is all because of our Savior and what He did for us. This is one of my new favorite videos about the Savior, concluded by the testimony of a prophet of God. Please, look at tell me what you think, how it made you feel.

His Sacred Name

What does this week mean?

Guest post from Sister Kelsey Farmer: Easter is in one week, and as we go back in time this is the last week of our Savior's mortal ministry. Today begins one of the most important weeks in the history of the world. If it wasn't for this week then God's plan for all of us would cease to exist. But since that is not true, we have every reason to be grateful because one, God is our Father in Heaven who loves us; two, He has a plan for all of us because He wants us to be happy and live with Him again; and three, Jesus Christ is at the very center of that plan as our Savior and Redeemer. The last week of our Savior's mortal ministry includes many significant events which include, Jesus instituting the Sacrament at the Last Supper, Jesus suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, the arrest, the trial, suffering again on the Cross at Calvary, and ending triumphantly with the empty tomb. Because of the restoration of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we can better understand this Easter week. Here is a talk given that expounds on these moments in the scriptures. But as we go throughout this week, let us reflect upon these momentous experiences and how we can better bring the Savior, His life and His Atonement into our own.

Charity and Love

"A man once asked Jesus, 'What is the great commandment in the law?' Jesus replied: 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself' (Matthew 22:36-39)." Preach My Gospel pg. 118

As missionaries we work weekly on developing "Christlike Attributes". This has been one of the most fulfilling things about being a missionary, actively working everyday on at least one thing to become more like my Savior. This week I am working on charity and love- developing true love for others as our Savior loves them.

So, how has Jesus Christ showed his love for us?

1Nephi 19:9: And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.

Our Savior has endured all things for us because He loves us. He has commanded us to be like Him. To show this love to others, to be charitable, to sincerely desire good for those around us. So what more can we do than to get outside ourselves and love others?

I guess that this is the challenge. Do something kind for someone this week that you normally wouldn't. When you are about to say a cutting remark about someone, just hold it back that one time. Think of someone as who they really are, as a child of God. Divine. Loved by the Savior of the world.

Baptism

I remember the day I was baptized like it was yesterday. My parents had finally given me permission. After over a year of wanting and waiting to be baptized, they called me into their room and said I could do it. They'd support me. I broke down crying I was so happy.

The day finally came. September 30, 2006. As I walked into the font I burst into tears. Honestly, I couldn't stop sobbing the whole time-I couldn't believe that it was finally happening. Being baptized by immersion under the proper priesthood authority is the most amazing thing. You go down under the water and come out a new person in Christ; bury your old self and you are new in your Savior.

The Book of Mormon illustrates how important this doctrine is. In 3Nephi 11 when Christ came to visit His people on the ancient American continent He quickly began to teach them about baptism.

"And again the Lord called others, and said unto them likewise; and he gave unto them power to baptize. And he said unto them: On this wise shall ye baptize; and there shall be no disputations among you."

The Savior knows how important it is for us to be baptized. He was baptized by John the Baptist to fulfill all righteousness. He knows that when we do so under the proper authority as He did we become literal members of His Church. In 3Nephi He said "there shall be no disputations among you" and in Ephesians we learn that there is "One Lord, one faith, one baptism".

What a privilege it was for me to be baptized a member of Jesus Christ's Church. When we are baptized we promise to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. Let us exemplify our Savior in all our words and deeds. Let us represent Him well. Let us bring others to this truth and happiness.

General Conference at Temple Square

General Conference is one exciting event for missionaries at Temple Square. We had trainings, we had goals, we prepared ourselves physically and spiritually... even with all that it was hard to feel truly prepared.

Over two days more than 100,000 people sat in the conference center to listen to the prophet and apostles. Those that couldn't fit in the Conference Center were scattered across the square... some literally scattered across the lawn and others in the theaters.

We had the opportunity to talk to hundreds of members. We discussed why they traveled so far to get here, why they enjoyed conference, who they looked forward to hear speak and whose talk struck them the most. Their answers regarding their favorite speakers differed greatly, but the reason they traveled to Salt Lake City, the reason they stood in the rain and snow waiting for tickets, the reason they were excited to be there, was generally the same.

"To hear the prophet speak".

Image Source

I know that God has called a prophet to the earth. I know Jesus Christ is our Savior, that He lives. I know His Gospel is on the earth and I have the great blessing of teaching it to all I meet.

If you haven't had the opportunity yet of watching General Conference, do not dismay, it is available online! Watch it here and answer me this, what was your favorite talk?

This weekend was tiring. Long days, not much sleep, many people to talk to. Conference at Temple Square was hard work, but the most amazing work, the Lord's work.