Tag Archives: Jesus Christ

The Standard of Truth Still Stands Strong

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I haven’t written much on the topic of gay marriage in recent months because I felt that pretty much everything on the legal merits had been said ad nauseum. I also had little pretension or doubt as to what the outcome of the Supreme Court case would be, though I was eager to see what rationale the Court would use as it created a constitutional right to same-sex marriage.

This morning, knowing that the decision was pending, I spent time in the temple praying for peace and clarity regarding the opinion. As I did so, I again received a reassurance that I have received frequently over the past several months. Ultimately, while there are reasons to despair over the changes that have swept the nation, we should be filled with hope because the Lord is in charge.

While many are celebrating today, I know that many others are afraid of the impact this decision will have on the Church and the cause of religious freedom.  And many are wondering how to respond as our views increasingly become a minority position. While these thoughts are purely my own, I hope that some of what I express in this post will provide comfort and consolation for those who are anxious as a result of the Supreme Court’s decision.

Opponents of same-sex marriage have frequently warned that when the Supreme Court legalizes same-sex marriage (which it did today), it will be this generation’s Roe v. Wade and lead to a never ending cultural war on the topic. I sincerely hope not. Though I have frequently and strongly spoken up against the legalization of same-sex marriage, I hope that the fighting will recede and that those who see the urgent need to defend the family from decay and destruction will be able to move on to fighting for other pro-family measures.
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The Burial of Jesus Christ

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Because he lives SaturdayEach day this week, as part of the Church’s #BecauseHeLives Easter initiative, there will be a new question, meme, and/or video that members can share with their friends. Today is Saturday of the Holy Week and the focus of today’s devotional is the burial of Jesus Christ. The scriptures are quiet about the events of Saturday after Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. Likely, it was a time of reflection for His followers, just as it can be for His followers today. What things are possible in your life because of Jesus Christ? Share your answer with your social networks, and see what others are saying at http://mor.mn/2qtmz.

We hope you join us back here today and tomorrow to share your thoughts on General Conference and Easter.

Good Friday: The Crucifixion and Burial of Christ

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Because he lives FridayEach day this week, as part of the Church’s #BecauseHeLives Easter initiative, there will be a new question, meme, and/or video that members can share with their friends. Today is Friday of the Holy Week and the focus of today’s devotional is the Crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ. You can find out more about Jesus Christ at http://mor.mn/2puvc.

Here in New Mexico kids are out of school today for Good Friday. I’m very glad, because it gave us some extra time this morning with our daily “scripture-picture”. Each morning over the course of this week, we have focused on the events of the Holy Week. This morning as I sat down next to my kids, my six year old asked if we were going to learn about Jesus on the cross today. Yes, kiddo, we sure are! Continue reading →

The Atonement: Turning Sorrow into Joy

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Because he lives ThursdayEach day this week, as part of the Church’s #BecauseHeLives Easter initiative, there will be a new question, meme, and/or video that members can share with their friends. Today is Thursday of the Holy Week and the focus of today’s devotional is the Last Supper and Atonement of Christ. You can find out more about Jesus Christ at http://mor.mn/2puvc.

I always get a little bit weepy and contemplative on the Thursday before Easter. This day, along with Friday are big days in the course of the Holy Week.

On this night, Christ gathered with his friends and disciples one last time to teach them. During this Last Supper, Christ instituted the ordinance of the Sacrament. He explained to His disciples the meaning of the bread and wine, and how that will relate to what is about to happen to Him. Every week, as Latter-day Saints we repeat this ordinance, just as the Savior revealed it.

Christ also taught His disciples about the power of the Holy Ghost and He promised them that the Holy Ghost will be with them after He was gone. He taught again, that he is the Messiah, and gave the commandment to Love One Another. My favorite verse from this day is John 16: 20, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” Our sorrow shall be turned into joy! What a hopeful scripture. And so many other beautiful and important things were taught during this evening. Continue reading →

The Teachings of Christ in Action

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Because he lives Weds
Each day this week, as part of the Church’s #BecauseHeLives Easter initiative, there will be a new question, meme, and/or video that members can share with their friends. Today is Wednesday of the Holy Week and the focus of today’s devotional is the teachings of Christ. You can find out more about Jesus Christ at http://mor.mn/2puvc.

One of the most touching events of the Holy Week for me is the Woman anointing Christ in preparation for his death. There is some discrepancy in the time line on this. In the Gospel of John, John states that Mary, the sister of Lazarus, is the woman, and that she performs this act of service on the day Christ raises Lazarus from the dead. Matthew, Mark and Luke do not mention who the woman is, and put this happening somewhere in Holy Week.

All of that aside, I think this day, and occurrence is the most touching event of Holy Week outside of the actual time Christ spends in Gethsemane. Here we have Christ, who has ridden into Jerusalem, has cleansed and taught in the temple, and knows of his impending death, and who is just working and serving and teaching others. Mary takes the time to serve him, because she loves him so very much. She also uses in her offering of service a very expensive vial of oil to anoint the Savior, her King. How very fitting that she serves him with a precious sacrifice.

Woman anointing ChristI also find it so interesting that Mary understood, I think more than Christ’s disciples, that he was going to die at the end of this week. I’m not sure why she got that, and they did not. But here she was in preparation for the death of her Master, and I’m sure she was heart broken as well, because not only was Christ her Master, but I’m sure he was her friend as well. I’d like to think as Christ was teaching his disciples thru this powerful act of service, that he took a quiet moment to thank her, and to bless her, as he did with most people that sought him out. “Suffer the little ones,” in the end, aren’t we all the “little ones” that Christ speaks of?

Scriptures for this event:
Matthew 26: 6-13
Mark 14: 3-9
John 12: 3-7