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".

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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.

Our People

Have you ever been to mormon.org before? If not... you need to check it out. Mormon.org has an amazing part of the website called "Our People". There are videos that profile various members of the Church. Every person in the world goes through different struggles, different trials and afflictions, mormons not excluded. I really think the description on mormon.org says it best: "While our backgrounds and experiences are diverse, we share a deep commitment to Jesus Christ, to each other, and our neighbors. Watch these stories of faith in the everyday lives of Mormons."

I'd like to include three of my favorite videos of people that have trials, big and small, and how they have overcome them.

Reine Rob Allan

Watch these videos and let me know what you thought about them! Do you have a favorite video of your own? Is there someone you have found on mormon.org that you have been able to relate to?

It was Red and Yellow and Purple and Brown and Blue!

I love the story of Joseph of Egypt. Perhaps it is because I was raised on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. (I'm able to name all of the colors on his coat, try me.) But, above that, Joseph's story is rich with indications of the Lord's love for us.

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We know the story. Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers. They hated him because he was his father's favorite. They hated him because he was a prophet of the Lord. Even though Joseph was a slave, the Lord still blessed him, he became ruler of Potiphar's house. Potiphar's wife then falsely accused Joseph and he was imprisoned. "But the Lord was with Joseph" (Genesis 39:21). Joseph was still in prison, he was still enduring hardships, God didn't take away his afflictions, but the Lord was with him.

Later, after Joseph is made ruler of all Egypt, he talks to his brothers about his experiences. Even though his brothers technically sold him to be a slave, he explains to them, "So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God" (Genesis 45:8). What a man Joseph was. He continually knew the Lord was aware of him, the Lord was with him. He trusted God and his divine plan.

Sometimes life just doesn't work out how we want it. We may come to the point in our life where we say, "O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?"(D&C 121:1). We must remember, we must always remember that God promises, "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;"(D&C 121:7). He promises "if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?" (D&C 122:7-8)

God has a divine plan for each of us. He knows each of us individually. He is our father and he loves us more than we can imagine. He is there for us. Turn to him.

More can be learned about God's plan for us here.

Prophet of the Restoration

This morning our mission had the amazing opportunity of seeing the new movie, Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration. It was really powerful, and honestly, made me reflect on this man, Joseph Smith.

Joseph Smith was about 14 years old when he became concerned about the welfare of his soul. Pretty deep for a 14 year old, right? At that age all I was thinking about was running and cute boys. Joseph's faith was great and deep. He read in the Bible, James1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." He knew that he must do as the Bible directs and ask of God. The sacred experience Joseph had because of that prayer has changed the world. He was called as a prophet of God, just as God has called prophets throughout time.

I'm so grateful that Joseph had that faith to pray. That through his life he never denied what he saw, he never took it back. Later in life Joseph said regarding his experience, "I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it".

Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Through him God was able to restore the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. He endured many hardships in life and ultimately died for this truth. I know this because I have done as James directs and asked God. If we are willing to learn these things, God will tell us, all of us.

"Shall we not go on in so great a cause?"