Final Assessment Essay: The Things I Learned

Dustin Morris
Danny Brownell
FDREL 211 ~ 29 (ONLINE)
December 19, 2013

Final Assessment Essay: The Things I Learned

Over the course of this semester I have learned a great deal about our Lord and Savior, his life, teachings, and even about his disciples. I found it most interesting that during his mortal life on earth, he preached love, repentance, mercy, and forgiveness. Then, after his resurrection he preached the importance of missionary work to his disciples. “Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?” To which Peter replies, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.” Then Christ gives him instructions to teach the gospel saying, “Feed my lambs.” Christ ask Peter two more times if he loves him and each time Peter says yes of course I do, to which Christ replies, “Feed my sheep.” Christ could not have made the importance of missionary work any clearer than this. If you love me, then feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)

During his life Christ prayed often and in one instances an account was written in the book of Luke which says, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:32) Christ’s prayer was for us to have faith, to be converted, and when we have gained a testimony, we are to use it to strengthen others. Each of us as disciples of the Lord have tasted of the fruit that Lehi saw in his dream – and it is good. If we chose to live Lehi’s dream to the max, then we have to share our testimonies of the truth. Not because we have too, but because we want too. Remember if we love Christ, then we should be willing to follow his instructions to feed his sheep.

I know that many of us have testimonies of the principles of the gospel, but we often fall short of living up to them. That doesn’t make us bad people that makes us human, we are imperfect. Our desire to share the gospel is not dimensioned by hesitation to share it. Christ has told us that if we open our mouths, they will be filled, and we will become like Nephi of old. (Doctrine & Covenants 33:8-10)

In addition to missionary work, Christ often taught us about forgiveness and love. He showed us the importance of both in the parable of the prodigal son. As the story goes, there was a man who had two sons. Each of which stood to inherit all that their father had. One day one of the sons approached his father and asked if he could have his inheritance now instead of when his father passes away. With some hesitation his father obliged him and fulfilled his request.

The young man desired to break away from the restrictive traditions of his father. He sought to be free of what he felt were unfair rules and looked forward to exploring the world in his own right. Living lavishly and carelessly he soon found himself in quite the predicament. He was broke and indebt, living in squalor and literally eating with pigs from troths. It was then, and only after he had hit rock bottom that he realized his error. Covered in filth eating with pigs his heart was softened and he desired the true happiness he once had with his father at home. He remembered his father’s servants and felt that if only his father would take him back, he would live as a servant. For his father treated his servants well. He just knew if his father would have him, he could work off the debt of the squandered fortune and somehow return to his father’s good graces.

The young man mustered up the courage to make the long journey home, and in the distance his father saw him as he approached. With great joy and excitement his father greeted him with open arms and tremendous love. I can only imagine the reunion of a father and wayward son. I am sure the young man wept in his father’s embrace as he asked for forgiveness. What happens next is my favorite part. His father doesn’t seemed to be concerned about the errors the young man has made, he rather celebrate his return than focus on his sins. He tells his servants to prepare the fatted calf and to rejoice with him, as should we when any of our wayward friends return to the fold of the flock. If we ask for forgiveness, then it should be given, and we should remember the sins no more. (Luke 15: 11-32)

Finally we must have faith, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. If we believe in the Him, without a doubt, then all things are truly possible. If you recall the story in Matthew about the stormy sea and the apostles, then you might remember what happened when Peter called out to the Lord. As Christ approached the ship, the disciples became afraid, thinking that Christ was a spirit or ghost. Peter calls out to him saying, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” “And he said, Come.” Peter leaped out the boat and walked for a moment on the water toward Jesus. It was only when he took his eyes off the Lord and focused on the tempos tossed seas did he begin to sink. Peter had faith to walk on water like Christ did; he also had faith to call upon him for help when he fell short saying, “Lord, save me.” And true to his character he immediately did so, stretching out his hand bringing safely back to the ship. (Matthew 12:22-33)

Through our faith all things are possible. Wayward steward can regain their blessing, hearts can be softened and people converted. As we testify of the truthfulness of the gospel sharing Christ love for the world we can hasten the work. I know this to be true I have seen it done in my own life. I was like the prodigal son; the more I sought freedom by rebelling against what I knew to be right, the further I fell into despair. It was only when a friend shared her testimony with me and invited me to come with her to church did I know there was a better way. And like the prodigal son, I was welcomed with open arms.

My faith has helped me remain true to the things I know to be right, and the scriptures have helped me draw nearer to my Father in Heaven. I know the Church is true. I know that there is a Christ. I know his order has been restored to the earth, and that he has called his prophet to lead and guide us in these latter days. Amen.

The Savior’s Suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane: II

The Savior’s Suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane: II

·         Christ chose to retire to the Garden of Gethsemane to take on the burden of the atonement. This seems appropriate when you consider the process of an olive being turned to oil and that when translated, Gethsemane means oil-press. Christ felt the agony of the world and sweats blood in the garden. An olive turns to oil after being milled to mush and placed under a press, squeezing out the oil. The pressures that Christ must have felt are unimaginable, but like an olive being refined unto oil the reward is great.

·         While the Savior went to pray in the garden, he asked his disciples to watch and pray, but found them sleeping on three separate times occasions. He told them to pray less they be led in to temptation and that the spirit is willing, but the body is weak. I know that we have all experienced something similar; how often have we fallen asleep while praying? I am sure each of us has had moments when we were willing to go on in something that required endurance, but our bodies would not. I am a marathon runner and have had to summon all that I could to push myself to finish a race. The Lord said pray or be carried away into temptation. Oh how easy it is to not to pray, but how much strength comes through it.

·         Christ drank from the bitter cup so that he might glorify God in doing his will. The bitter cup being the torture and disperse of the task of the atonement. He knew what was to come and even still he did it according to his Father’s will. He showed unto us what it means to be obedient and humble. An example of Christ humility can be seen when he ask that the cup pass from him, but saying “nevertheless not as I will, but as thou will.” It was almost a rhetorical request. Again, he knew what needed to be done, but still being in his condition asked if there were some other way. In my own life, I guess I could say that my nevertheless moment was when I chose to get baptized. I knew that it would sever the ties I had with members of my family including my own mother; nevertheless I knew and still know what was right.

·         Luke taught us that while Jesus was in the garden he was in great pain, but he prayed anyway. Not only did he pray anyway, but he prayed more earnestly. The only thing that I can compare to that event was during an endurance race I began to cramp up. It hurt like the dickens and there was no place to go but forward to the finish line. In that moment I prayed, I prayed and I prayed for strength to carry own. I knew I had hurt my leg and there was not stopping the pain, but I prayed anyway. I prayed for a distraction and courage to go on. I know that we don’t always feel like praying when the going gets tough, but I know that when we do, the tough get going.

·         The acts that took place in the Garden of Gethsemane always tug at my heart. To know how Jesus suffered physically and emotionally for us is so intense. He prayed, cried, and even sweat blood for us. He was alone and felt alone. He asked his friends to pray and watch and they did not. He was turned in by one of his own and all this for us. I know that my Savior lives, I know Jesus is the Christ, and I know that he loves me.

The Savior’s Suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane: I

The Savior’s Suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane: I

Christ suffered beyond our ability to understand. Matthew, Mark and Luke tried to help us comprehend and appreciate the atonement through the illustrations they presented of the occurrence. They used words and phrases quoting the Savior saying, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death.” (Mark 14:34) “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”(Matthew 26:39) It is verses like that where we begin to see what is taking place. Matthew explains that Christ didn’t get down on his knees to pray, he fell, and he fell on his face. He prayed out, “O my Father,” Mark say he cried Abba, and Elder Jeffery R. Holland explained even more saying, “In that most burdensome moment of all human history, with blood appearing at every pore and an anguished cry upon His lips, Christ sought Him whom He had always sought—His Father. “Abba,” He cried, “Papa,” or from the lips of a younger child, “Daddy.” (Jeffery R. Holland, The Hands of A Father, General Conference, April 1999)

If any of you have children and have heard them cry out Daddy (or Mommy), you know the feeling it brings as a loving parent. Our children are our most precious gifts and when you read of the Savior’s Atonement in the garden as though he may be your son, you begin to feel something even more powerful. Christ felt agony, so much so that he sweats blood. He asked that the cup pass him, he prayed that if there was another way that it be presented, but none the less he was diligent in his task and fulfilled it.

Study manuals teach us that this was a lonely experience in that Christ had to do this alone, without his Father’s help. The scriptures tell us that an angel was there in the garden helping Christ, but you get we get a better glimpse in the feelings of loneliness when Christ catches his disciples sleeping after asking them to watch and pray. Three times he comes to them and finds them sleeping. How frustrating that must have been, and how lonely that must have felt. I know that the Savior did not wish them ill, nor was he mad at them. He knew that this task was his and his alone. I mean this in the most reverent and respectful way when I say that I imagine that it is like pregnancy. In that I cannot bear a child for my wife. I cannot suffer the pains of labor for her. I cannot take away the feelings that she has in those moments, and no amount or attempt to comfort her will suffice. But, like the Lord, he knew that the blessings were yet to come and that he was not alone. Perhaps that is not a good analogy or fair comparison, but even still I know that the Lord is my Savior and that he has blessed my life greatly because of his teachings, atonement, sacrifice, resurrection, and restoration of his true church.  

The Savior Taught the Apostles about Leadership

The Savior Taught the Apostles about Leadership

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches the best way to lead, is to serve. In the book of John, Luke and even Mark we read that the, “the chiefest, shall be servant of all.” Never before I have I seen greater examples of this principle than when I was the elder’s quorum president in my ward.

While serving as the president of the elder’s quorum, I received a call from one of my councilors. He explained to me that a mother was in need and asked if I would come help him administer a priesthood blessing to her. She had been flown into Anchorage from Fairbanks, which was more than 300 miles away to be admitted to a hospital that was better equipped to take care of her newly born, premature, twins. These infants could not have weight more than two pounds each, at best. They were so tinny, so fragile, and so precious.

My councilor and I had to take a moment to gather ourselves and come up with a plan on how we were going to execute the blessing. The babies were too small for us to both lay our hands on them, and much too delicate to risk too much handling from two clumsy priesthood holders. We decided that my councilor would anoint and seal the anointing while I placed my hands on his shoulders. As we look upon those precious babies and then upon the worries faces of their mother and grandmother, we knew that the spirit was with us. The blessing was pronounced and hugs were exchanged, but as we were about to leave we felt a pull to wait a moment longer and offer a blessing to the infant’s mother.

These women were strangers to us. We later found out that neither of them was active in the Church, and the mother was married to someone not of our faith. My friend and councilor saw a family in need, and without hesitation offered to help. He was not above giving himself to a stranger. He did not think of himself at all during their struggle, and he did as the Lord would have done. He blessed the lives of those around him.

I have yet to come across a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who does not take the Lord’s charge to love one another seriously. The Lord has told us, that “the servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” (John 13:16) He goes on to tell us that when we understand this, we will find true happiness in this life.  

I can’t speak for other faiths, but I know that every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days saints believes that we ought to follow Christ example in all things, even his example of humble service.