Good Friday

Today is Good Friday, the day when the Christian world remembers the death of Jesus Christ. I remember as a small child watching the news one Good Friday and seeing throngs of people pushing their way thru the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem.  There were even people who had lashed themselves to crosses and who were hanging as a sign of devotion to their faith.  Understandably, it left me feeling very confused.   I asked my mother why did we call it “Good Friday” if Jesus was killed this day.  She said simply, “Because of all the “good” Jesus did for us today.”  As I’ve grown older I’ve been able to learn for myself of the “Good Jesus did for us today.”

Two words I came across this week in my Come Follow Me study that helped me think of the “Good” Jesus has done were ransom and remission.  In Matthew 26, we read about the Last Supper — it’s during this last night together, that Christ finished teaching the disciples about his work on the earth — that he is the Messiah. Christ institutes the ordinance of the sacrament. Continue reading

Maundy Thursday

As we approach Easter, I always become a bit more contemplative on Thursday before Easter. Most of the Christian world refers to this day as “Maundy Thursday“. We don’t in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But the term has deep meaning, all the same. Maundy comes from the Latin word “mandatum” which means “to command”. On this night of the Holy Week, the Savior and his disciples met for one last time, to share the Passover meal and for one last lesson from the Master.

That lesson is the most significant and meaningful lesson, of all of Jesus’ lessons — that is, the sacrament, and the new covenant. “A new commandment I give you, that ye love one another; as I loved you, that ye love one another.” (John 13:34).  Christ loves us with “an everlasting love, and with lovingkindness he hath drawn us to him.” (see Jeremiah 31: 3).  When we love one another it needs to be with that same love, which is charity, the pure love of Christ.  Moroni teaches us what charity is: Continue reading

The Apostles Testify of Jesus Christ

If you’re on social media (have you liked the Millennial Star Facebook page yet?), you might have noticed a lot of activity surrounding the dedication of the Rome, Italy temple in the last few days. All the members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the 12 were in attendance at the dedication. There was also a new picture of all 15 men taken in the Visitor Center in front of the Christus and 12 apostles statues.

Today, the Church released this video of our apostles and prophet reading passages from “The Living Christ.The Living Christ was released by the Church in 2000, declaration to the world of our belief in Jesus Christ. Here is the video, I hope you will share it with your friends of all faiths.

Praying for Your Enemies Keeps You Sane

A reminder, when you’re out and about on Facebook and in your online interactions with people, to remember, the other person is a person with feelings and all. I was reminded today, thru something that was brought to my attention, and which I had chance to observe, how hate, bitterness and the desire for revenge can canker and destroy your soul. I get why Jesus Christ taught us to pray for our enemies, not so much for them, but for ourselves, so we don’t go over the cliff.

We need to do better, and be better in our online interactions. Christ gives us a template in Matthew 18: 15, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” Heavenly Father needs us up on top, not down at the bottom of that cliff.

In the end, you don’t have to win all the arguments, you don’t have to save the world with your tweets, but we should all be working face to face with each other when we need to resolve our differences. Commit today to be a better online participant.