The Presentation of Jesus Christ at the Temple

The next account found in Luke 2, though not as well known as the appearance of the angels to the shepherds, is the presentation of Jesus Christ in the Temple forty days after he was born (see Luke 2:21-39).

According to the Law of Moses, a woman was considered unclean because of the blood that was associated with birth (see Leviticus 12). Anytime anybody touched blood in any way, they were considered unclean. If you touched a dead body, if you helped somebody that had been wounded, you would be considered unclean for seven days. On the eighth day the child, if male, was circumcised, and they were given a name. Thirty-three days later, for a total of forty days, the woman was to come to the temple and offer a sacrifice to complete the cleansing process because of the birth of the child.

The woman was to offer a lamb and a turtledove or a pigeon as part of the sacrifice (see Leviticus 12:6). If the woman did not have enough money, she was able to offer two turtledoves, or two pigeons instead (see Leviticus 12:8). We know that Mary and Joseph must have been poor because of the fact that they were only able to bring two turtledoves instead of the normal sacrifice of a lamb and a turtledove (see Luke 2:24).

Next in the account, we learn of Simeon and Anna who come and find the baby Jesus. Simeon had been waiting on the Lord and was a righteous man who was looking for the signs of the Messiah. When he saw the baby Jesus, he knew who he was (see Luke 2:25-32). Likewise, Anna who is called a prophetess, when she heard the words of Simeon immediately knew who Jesus Christ was. We read of her that she “served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (see Luke 2:37-38).

The interesting thing is how both of them respond; Simeon responds by praising God, Anna responds by telling everybody around her, both giving us an example of how we as disciples of Christ should act. Like Simeon, we should be looking for the signs of the Messiah, we should be looking for the signs of his second coming. And like Anna, as we learn about him, and as we hear more about his teachings, we should be willing to tell everybody around us.

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Luke 2 is one of the most read chapters of the Christmas story. It tells of the actual birth of Jesus
Christ and the appearance of the angel to the shepherds telling them to go and find the Lord who was born in Bethlehem.

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed” (Luke 2:1). From the very start, it appears that Luke was trying to set these two men against each other, Caesar Augustus and Jesus Christ, because both of them shared similar titles yet had very opposing views of power. For example, Caesar Augustus was called a savior and a peace giver because he brought to an end a century of Roman wars, bring peace to a war filled land. He also was called the son of god because he was the adopted son of Julius Caesar who had been deified. Jesus Christ is also a savior, except that he is the Savior of our sins. He also is the Prince of Peace, but he will bring a permanent peace that will last forever. Lastly, Jesus is truly the Son of God.

Next, in the account we learn of when Mary and Joseph travel the long road from Nazareth to Bethlehem; this road was about 95 miles and would take about four to five days to travel. The scriptures read, “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:6-7)

When they arrived, they came to find that there was no room in the "inn," however the word inn could be better translated as a "caravansary," or even as simply as just a "room." If it was really more like a caravansary, it is possible that the innkeeper, that we often criticize for turning away Mary and Joseph, may have actually been trying to do Mary a favor by giving her a location that was much more private.

Caravansary or "inn" with animals in the center of the courtyard

A caravansary would have had a large open courtyard in the center with rooms around it. Everybody would be able to stay in those specific rooms and there most likely either would have been just a wood door or maybe even just a curtain for privacy. All the animals would be in the very center and it would be a very noisy and dirty environment.

The stable also is another thing that is often misunderstood. We call it a stable because in England they had wooden stables, and so they say that Jesus must have been born in a stable because he was born with animals. However, at the time of Christ the most likely place that Jesus would have been born is actually in a cave because there were many caves in the area of Bethlehem which made a perfect place to keep your animals (instead of having to build your own "stable").

Thus, it seems that right from the beginning that Luke was trying to foreshadow the events of Christ's death through the events of his birth. At his birth he was laid in a cave wrapped in swaddling clothes because there was no room in the inn, and at his death he was laid in a borrowed tomb wrapped in white cloth.

The fact that Jesus Christ is the firstborn of Mary is also extremely significant (see Luke 2:7). During the time of the Bible the firstborn child was given a double inheritance. This double inheritance was specifically given to eldest son so that he could be the caregiver of the family when the father died. So you think about it, the oldest son, the firstborn, would be in charge of helping the mother if the father had died, supporting the sisters who may have not married, or maybe providing extra help for a wayward sibling. In short, the eldest brother would be in charge of caring for the needs of the family. Likewise, Jesus Christ does the same thing for each of us. As the firstborn, he truly is the one that watches out for the widows, for the unmarried, for those who are struggling, for all of us!

We next learn in the account of Luke 2 about the visitation of the angel to the shepherds, proclaiming to them the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ (see Luke 2:8-14). We often glorify and romanticize these shepherds, calling them humble and submissive—not that they weren't—but actually during the time of Christ most of the people would have actually looked down upon shepherds. Shepherds were seen as unclean, nomadic (having no home), uneducated, and poor. More significantly, they also were seen as being dishonest because they would allow their animals to graze on land that did not belong to them.

I think it teaches us a valuable lesson about who the Lord chooses to do his work, and more importantly what the Lord sees in each of us. Often when we look at somebody we see the outward appearances of them being poor, or unclean, or uneducated (or whatever it may be). But what the Lord sees is their potential and their ability to learn and grow from giving them experiences and opportunities to serve. He does not see them with physical eyes, but spiritual eyes!

We read in the scriptures that it says of the shepherds, “And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” (Luke 2:16-17). In other words, they immediately acted when they were told to do something by the angel; they did not wait. In addition, once they had found the Christ Child, they told everyone around them about what they had seen.

Each of us must be witnesses of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. How will we act? Will we act like these shepherds that when we are commanded to tell the people about the Savior, will we act in haste? Will we tell everybody we know? Or like so many of the people during this time that heard the witness of the shepherds, maybe marvel at the words and wonder what was said, but do nothing about it. Will we be doers of good like the shepherds? That is the question, for truly we all must be witnesses of Jesus Christ.

First Christmas Series Introduction

The above video series is devoted to teaching about the birth or Advent of Jesus Christ as recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Advent means “coming” and is a season when Christians commemorate the various “comings” of Jesus Christ into the world. There are three general Advents, first the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, second, the coming of Christ into our own lives through the Eucharist, communion, or sacrament, and finally, the coming of Christ at his second coming before the Millennium.

Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and is a season of preparation. Christians will often take up a study of the birth of Christ, as they prepare for this significant holiday. My hope is that these videos will help you as you prepare to more fully welcome the Savior into your life.

As you watch these videos, I recommend that you first read the scripture block found at the beginning of each of the videos. This will help you have a better understanding of the story as found in the scriptures.

If you are interested in learning even more, I have several recommended books by various authors about Christmas on my blog that you can find here. I also have the full text of each of the videos on my blog with references, links and photos.

A special thanks to the Madeleine Choir and to Lyle Hadlock for allowing me to use their beautiful music.

And don’t forget, if you like my videos, please like and subscribe so you can know about other videos I create in the future. Hope you enjoy, and have a wonderful Advent and Christmas!

Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) 2013

Below are a few of the pictures from my 2013 Feast of Tabernacles (or Sukkot). This year was the first year to build an outdoor sukkah, which was a blast! We actually used a tent canopy (without the tarp) as the frame, and then added rope and branches for the roof. Sadly, the tabernacle (sukkah) was not large enough for everyone, so we had to "extend the stakes" of our tent and have some people sit on the outside. I guess that next year I will have to build an even bigger one!

Panorama of everyone (of course minus me)

Our tabernacle (sukkot) from the outside

Guests enjoying the biblical food under the canopy of leafs

Guests eating the meal under the sukkah

View of the table from the canopy of the sukkah

Guests at our Feast of Tabernacles party

Cleaning up the dinner table

Perfection and Grace

Excerpt from a talk I gave in church last week:

What does it mean to be perfect?

The scriptures teach us that “Noah was a just man and perfect” (Gen. 6:9). Abraham was commanded by the Lord to “walk before me, and be thou perfect” (Gen. 17:1). Job also “was perfect and upright” (Job 1:1). The Savior himself taught us to “be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48).

So the question is what is perfection? If Noah, Abraham, Job, and others were able to obtain perfection, and if the Savior himself has commanded us to be perfect, than how do we accomplish this? Can we really be perfect in this life?

The question must be asked then, what does it mean to be perfect? The word ‘perfect’ in Greek means to be ‘complete’ or ‘whole.’ Thus the connotation of being perfect, meaning sinless, is actually a more modern interpretation of the word perfect. When the scriptures speak of perfection, as in the case of Job and Abraham being perfect, it does not mean being without sin. If this was the case, none of us would be able to be perfect. Let me be clear, there was only One sinless being, thus if perfection is being sinless, than we will never be perfect.

What then does it mean to be perfect, if being perfect does not mean sinless? Can we really be "perfect, even as [our] Father which is in heaven is perfect." Can we actually become like the Father and the Savior? I think we all have struggled with this question, I in particular.

President Ezra Taft Benson said that “we must be careful, as we seek to become more and more godlike, that we do not become discouraged and lose hope. Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit and very often involves growth and change that is slow, almost imperceptible. The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant, as it were: Alma the Younger, Paul on the road to Damascus, Enos praying far into the night, King Lamoni. Such astonishing examples of the power to change even those steeped in sin give confidence that the Atonement can reach even those deepest in despair.

“But we must be cautious as we discuss these remarkable examples. Though they are real and powerful, they are the exception more than the rule. For every Paul, for every Enos, and for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life. They live quiet lives of goodness, service, and commitment. They are like the Lamanites, who the Lord said ‘were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.’ (3 Ne. 9:20; italics added.)” (“A Mighty Change of Heart,” Ensign, Oct. 1989)

What is grace?

To understand perfection, it is helpful first to understand what the Lord means when He says that we should be perfect. It is also helpful to know how perfection will be determined at the judgment. Let me explain perfection by first explaining grace.

I remember as a teenager being taught that grace was similar to as if you fell into a pit, and the only way to get out is if you can build yourself a ladder. You find pieces of wood on the floor of the pit, and you begin to build. However, you do not have enough sticks to build the ladder all the way up the side of the pit. This (as explained by my teacher) is where grace comes in. Our works, they said, represent the portion of the ladder we make, and the remaining distance to get out of the pit represents the grace of Christ. In other words, Christ makes up the difference so that we can make it out of the pit.

Christ does not make up the difference! He is the difference! He is the reason we can get out of the pit. We do not create the ladder, He built the ladder, and we climb out. Christ is the difference!

Two scriptures to back this up. When speaking of Jacob, Lehi said “Wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed,” now note why Lehi says that Jacob is redeemed “because of the righteousness” of who? “because of thy Redeemer” (2 Nephi 2:3).

And in another scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants the Savior says “Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.” (D&C 45:3-5)

Notice that nowhere in this verse does the Savior actually point to our works of righteousness. When judgment comes it is the Savior who is on trial, and because He lived a sinless life, He then can turn to the Father and ask for us to be saved through Him. In essence He says “judge them the way you would judge me, and because I was sinless, judge them to be sinless.”

So then, what is perfection? Again, it is not that we are sinless. It is that Christ is sinless, and we are not judged because of our merits, but because of His merits.

Why do we need grace?

Image our life is like a college degree. We are told that we are to be perfect (or receive a 4.0). We do everything we can our first semester to be ‘perfect’ but we get one B+. The question is can we ever now get a 4.0? What if we work really hard and get 4.0s the rest of our college years? We never really will be able to accomplish a 4.0. We may get close, but we never will be able to get that perfect 4.0.

Only the Savior has received a 4.0. Only He has lived a life which would merit any reward. We do not deserve the blessings we receive. Only the Savior deserves salvation and exaltation.

Bruce R. McConkie said “Now let us suppose a modern case. Suppose we have the scriptures, the gospel, the priesthood, the Church, the ordinances, the organization, even the keys of the kingdom—everything that now is, down to the last jot and tittle—and yet there is no atonement of Christ. What then? Can we be saved? Will all our good works save us? Will we be rewarded for all our righteousness?

“Most assuredly we will not. We are not saved by works alone, no matter how good; we are saved because God sent his Son to shed his blood in Gethsemane and on Calvary that all through him might ransomed be. We are saved by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 6:20).

“To paraphrase Abinadi: ‘Salvation doth not come by the Church alone; and were it not for the atonement, given by the grace of God as a free gift, all men must unavoidably perish, and this notwithstanding the Church and all that appertains to it’” (Doctrines of the Restoration: Sermons and Writings of Bruce R. McConkie, ed. Mark L. McConkie [1989], 76).

How do works fit in?

So how do works come in? Why are works important? Can't we just be saved by the grace of Christ?

Paul taught “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

So in other words Paul is teaching that it is through grace that we are saved, not through works. But we also have Nephi who taught “For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” (2 Nephi 25:23)

So how do grace and works relate? The way I like to explain it is that grace is what saves us; Paul is correct when he says that it is by grace that we are saved. Our works, however, give us access to His grace. It would be similar to saying that the Lord has built a mansion for us, a beautiful home like no other and we are allowed to live in it. The catch is that Christ does not have the key to the mansion, we do. For us to be able to enjoy the blessings of this beautiful mansion, we must insert the key and open the door and go into the home. But it is His home, He was the one who built it, He spent the money. He hired the architect, the builders, the craftsmen, etc. It is nothing that we did, but if we don’t actually turn that key to open that door, we cannot go inside. Our works are the key to enjoying the grace of Christ.

The reason I share this about the significance of grace is because I feel that we often focus on works (after all that is what we must do, that is our part), and we forget about who really saves us. It is the Savior who saves us in the end. Our works, such as having faith, repenting, baptism, serving others, paying tithing, going to church, etc. only give us access to His grace. In the end, it is by “grace that we are saved.”

Inside the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane

I want to close with my testimony. In 2007 I had the blessing to live in Jerusalem for two months. While there, I often visited the Garden of Gethsemane. In the garden there is a beautiful Catholic church called the church of all nations, which was designed specifically to be dark inside to imitate that dark night 2000 years ago. I had the chance to sit in the church on one occasion, and no one was in the church. I remember sitting there in that room and the thought came to me of all the sins that I had committed and all the things that I had done which made the Savior suffer at this very location, and then all of a sudden the pain was gone. Instead, my pain was replaced by joy and happiness. As I sat there, I could not help but feel a deep sense of gratitude and love for my Savior. It is something I will never forget.

I don’t deserve the blessings that He is willing and able to give. The blessings that He will give, we do not deserve. That is perhaps the greatest sign of God's love. He is blessing us with something that we do not deserve.

I testify that the Savior did die on the cross and that through Him and through his atonement we can be saved. I testify that because of His grace we can be perfect, because He is perfect. Of this I testify in his sacred name, even Jesus Christ, amen.

Triclinium Passover 2013

This year I held another Triclinium Passover Feast. I tried a few new things that I did not do last year. First, I changed the lighting by turning off the overhead lights and added spot lights around the room. This allowed the participants to still be able to read, but also created a more subdued environment. Next, I had all guests remove their shoes upon entering the room. Lastly, I served lamb as the main course, including serving lamb as part of the Hillel sandwich (the lamb actually sweetens and overpowers the bitter herbs). This is a powerful lesson in that just as the lamb takes away the bitterness, so Christ (the Lamb of God) takes away the bitterness of sin and death and sweetens our lives.

Triclinium table prior to adding the appetizers

Triclinium table set with appetizers

Everyone ready to start the feast

A 'servant' washing the hands of the guests

A 'servant' serving lamb

Guests reading the Hagaddah during the feast

Guests reclining at the triclinium tables

Had I Been There

The script I wrote for our Church Easter Program last year.

Today, with millions of Christians around the world, we commemorate the most significant single day in the history of the universe. As we read from the four Gospels, and from the words of modern-day apostles and prophets, let us ponder the valuable and penetrating question of how we would have responded had we been there in Jerusalem during the Last, Holy Week of the Savior’s mortal life.

As Raymond Brown, a renowned Catholic scholar wrote: “[Would I have welcomed Jesus with palm branches, and shouts of acclimation?] Is it not more likely that I might have been among the disciples who fled from danger, abandoning him? Or at moments in my life have I not played the role of Peter, denying Jesus, or even of Judas, betraying him? Have I not found myself like ... Pilate, trying to avoid a decision between good and evil, [or washing] my hands so that the record could show that I was blameless? Or, most of all, might I not have stood among the religious leaders who condemned Jesus?” (A Crucified Christ, by Raymond Brown, pg. 11-12)

At this time, let us also ponder the perfect and selfless example of the Savior. During His most agonizing, and trying trials, He turned towards others and served them. When He needed comfort, He comforted others. When He needed strength, He bore our burdens to strengthen us. May we ever more, allow the Savior into our lives by becoming more faithful disciples of the Lord, and by following His perfect example.
____

On the Thursday of that Holy Week, the Savior held a special Last Supper with His apostles. During this meal He instituted the holy sacrament, washed the dusty feet of His disciples, and taught them and comforted them. Some of the greatest teachings of all scripture are contained in this evening discourse that Jesus gave; a discourse that was meant to comfort and encourage His apostles on this night when all would seem lost.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) “In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
____

After the Last Supper, Jesus took his disciples to the Mount of Olives. “And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.” (Mark 14:32-42)
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After the excruciating suffering of Gethsemane, Jesus was arrested and taken before both the Jewish and Roman authorities to be judged. On that Friday morning the Creator of the universe, the Great High Priest, the King of kings and Lord of lords was condemned to death for being the very King He was. During these harrowing moments, no one stood with Him. All had fled. All had forsaken Him.

“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, they crucified him. And they that passed by reviled him, saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, [saying] He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:27-43)

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said: “Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays. But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come. No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, in this life or the next, Sunday will come.” (Sunday Will Come, October 2006).
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“Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, [the women] came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake [unto you] saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words, And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.” (Luke 24:1-9)
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The scriptures record of many others who were witnesses of the resurrected Lord: Mary Magdeline, Peter, the apostles, Paul, James, the Nephites and Lamanites of 3 Nephi, and hundreds of others. In our day, the risen Lord has appeared once again, visiting Joseph Smith the prophet, and countless others. Today each of the Apostles is a special witness of Christ’s divinity. Only two weeks before his death, Elder Bruce R. McConkie testified, “I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears. But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God’s Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way. God grant that all of us may walk in the light as God our Father is in the light so that, according to the promises, the blood of Jesus Christ his Son will cleanse us from all sin.” (The Purifying Power of Gethsemane, April 1985)
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As we contemplate the singular events of the death and resurrection of the Lord and Savior, let us remember the words of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland when he said, “My ... plea at Easter time is that these scenes of Christ’s lonely sacrifice, laced with moments of denial and abandonment and, at least once, outright betrayal, must never be reenacted by us. He has walked alone once. Now, may I ask that never again will He have to confront sin without our aid and assistance, that never again will He find only unresponsive onlookers when He sees you and me along His Via Dolorosa in our present day. As we approach this holy week—Passover Thursday with its Paschal Lamb, atoning Friday with its cross, Resurrection Sunday with its empty tomb—may we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear. This Easter week and always, may we stand by Jesus Christ “at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death,” for surely that is how He stood by us when it was unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone.” (None Were with Him, April 2009)

Let us this Easter season, renew our efforts to feed the hungry, to lift up the hands of those that hang down, to strengthen the feeble knees, and to comfort those who stand in need of comfort. In short, let us follow the example of the Savior, who when all was dark, brought light to those around him by serving, lifting, and comforting. Let us also, with those of old, be witnesses of Christ in all things. Truly we have reason to rejoice, for Christ the Lord is Risen today!

Joseph Smith Papyri Display

Yesterday I had the chance to see a display on the Joseph Smith Papyri at the Church History Library in Salt Lake. The display was entitled "Treasures of the Archives" and was shown in conjunction with the Church History Conference that took place at the LDS Conference Center Theater. I happened to get a new camera a few days before, so I thought I would play around with it. Below are a few of the pictures I took:

Egyptian Papyri purchased by Joseph Smith in 1835

Joseph Smith Papyri close-up

Egyptian Papers

Print plate for Facsimile #1

Print plate and Facsimile #1

Printing plate for Facsimile #2

Printing plate for Facsimile #3

Printing plate and print Times and Seasons for Facsimile #3

Incidents in Travel in Yucatan by John L. Stephens

The Law of Sacrifice and the Messiah

This is a video I put together from a slide show produced about the Law of Moses by the Church Education System (CES). It is one of the best discussions I have ever seen on the topic of the Law of Sacrifice and the mission of the Savior. It goes into great detail describing the various ordinances of the Law of Moses and how they represented the future sacrifice of the Messiah. It is about 25 minutes in length and is not the most exciting video, but very informative and I think very well worth the time. Because it is so difficult to get a copy of the slides (it was produced in 1980, and no longer used), I decided to publish it on YouTube with the hopes that more people may use it and learn of this difficult yet important part of the Old Testament.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Everyone knows the Christmas song "The Twelve Days of Christmas." It can be a fun song, but sadly most of the times it is just one of those songs that just seems to drag on forever. Even though the song is so well know, few people realize why we sing it, or even when the 12 days are. Most assume it relates to 12 days of gifts leading up to Christmas day. I remember as a youth when our youth program took gifts to a struggling family of our congregation, one gift each night for 12 days until Christmas. I don't even remember the family we shared the gifts with, but I do remember the good feeling I had for helping someone else in need. Though this is a wonderful tradition of many families, the actual meaning of the 12 days of Christmas is quite different.

The 12 days of Christmas actually starts Christmas day and goes until January 5th (the day before the day of Epiphany, or the day of the Wise Men). The 12 days are days to remember Christ's birth, each day representing a specific feast, like the feast of the Holy Innocents, or the feast of the Holy Family. The days, or feasts, are designed to help the Christmas spirit last into the New Year, not just for one day. In a way the 12 days of Christmas are actually gifts for us, 12 days that we can continue to remember the birth of Christ, even after Christmas.

In the middle ages the 12 nights were filled with feasts, merriment, and celebration. William Shakespeare even titled one of his famous plays the Twelfth Night, after the last, and most anticipated of the 12 days. Today, some Christians will give gifts each of the 12 days, some will only give gifts on Christmas and the day of Epiphany, or the day of the Wise Men (January 6th, the 13th day). It is also tradition to leave your Christmas decorations up for the full 12 days (taking them down on the twelfth night). In short, Christmas, if celebrated properly, is not to end on Christmas day, it is to last for 12 days.

In an effort to make Christmas last into the New Year and beyond, I created this calendar of the 12 Days of Christmas. I invite you to study the story of each of these individuals, or groups of people found in the Nativity story. As you study their story, look for how they responded to learning about the birth of Christ. How did they worship the Lord? How did they honor the Savior?  Most importantly ask, what can I learn from how they reacted? How can I better come and worship the Savior this year and into the New Year?

Day 1 (December 25) - Gabriel (Luke 1:11-20, 28-38)
Day 2 (December 26) - Zacharias (Luke 1:5-23, 62-79
Day 3 (December 27) - Elisabeth (Luke 1:24-25, 41-45, 57-61)
Day 4 (December 28) - Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)
Day 5 (December 29) - Heavenly Angels (Luke 2:9-14)
Day 6 (December 30) - Mary (Luke 1:26-40, 46-56; 2:6-7, 19, 22-24, 33, 39)
Day 7 (December 31) - Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-5; Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23)
Day 8 (January 1) - Jesus (Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31; 2:21 - Jesus is named on the 8th day)
Day 9 (January 2) - Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)
Day 10 (January 3) - Anna the prophetess (Luke 2:36-38)
Day 11 (January 4) - Herod the Great (Matthew 2:1-8, 12-13, 16-18)
Day 12 (January 5) - The Wise Men (Matthew 2:1-12)

A Christmas Gift of Service

For the past five years I have been working on a book about my grandmother's artwork. It was a huge project, and is now finally finished! The book contains over 600 of her drawings and around 100 of her poems. One of the things she loved to draw was artwork about the birth of the Savior. Her work is fairly simple, yet beautiful. This video includes most of her artwork about the nativity and Christ. I hope you enjoy.

May the light of Christ rest upon each of you this Christmas Season, and may each of us reflect His light and life to others by living as He did. May each of you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Oh Holy Night

The script I wrote for our Christmas Program today in church.

One of the powerful messages of the Nativity story is the importance of making difficult decisions, and doing challenging things. Each of the characters of the story of the birth of Christ had a choice. They could choose the easy way by living a normal life, or they could choose the more challenging road by following and honoring the Lord. These stories of Elizabeth, Zacharias, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and others are not only recorded in scripture so that we can learn of the birth of the Lord, but they are written so that we might ponder and internalize these important stories.

How would we have acted had we been there on that joyous night over 2000 years ago? Would we be like Mary, submissive and humble; would we be like Joseph, obedient yet merciful; would we be like the wise men who made great sacrifices to know the Christ child; or would we even be like King Herod, who was more concerned about his own power and glory, instead of knowing the true King of kings.

As we study the stories of these faithful witnesses of the birth of Christ, let us remember the sacrifices and the decisions they made to worship and bring honor to the infant Savior. But more importantly, let us remember that we too must be willing to make these same sacrifices and choices if we truly want to honor and worship Him during this Christmas season and throughout the year.
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Mary is, and always will be the first and one of the greatest disciples of Jesus Christ. She is also perhaps one of the most powerful witnesses of the Savior, because she knew Him like no other person on earth. She was there at His birth; she was there as He grew to a man; and she was there at His death and resurrection. She was always faithful to her Son, and she always believed in His divine mission. As a young girl of about 12 or 13 Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel and was told that she would bear a son who would be the literal Son of God. She had a choice. She could accept, which most likely would mean ridicule, estrangement from friends, and embarrassment, or she could choose not to accept the will of God, which would mean she would be able to live a normal life, a life like any other girl her age.

Yet Mary chose the more difficult path; she chose to be the mother of the Son of God. Because of her decision, she most likely lost many friends who assumed she had broken the law of chastity; she also lost the chance of having a normal wedding, but instead was quickly married to Joseph in a small private setting. For the rest of her life she had to face the scorns of those who did not understand, of those who would not believe. Mary was a young girl, yet she chose to do the right. She chose to believe! And because of her choice, she is called blessed among all women!

Each of us should ask ourselves, if I were Mary, how would I have acted? Would I have chosen the easier way, or would I, like Mary, be willing to do whatever it took to follow and serve God.
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Joseph was a man who of strict obedience, yet slow to judge, and quick to offer mercy towards others. According to the Law of Moses, Joseph had two choices when he found that his betrothed wife, Mary, was with child. First, he could have had Mary publicly judged for her supposed crime, where if she was found guilty she could likely be stoned. Second, Joseph could divorce her in private, not requiring a public trial. By choosing the second option, Joseph would not only preserve the life of Mary and the unborn baby, but he would also save Mary from public humiliation and judgment by the town's people. Joseph obeyed the law, yet he was merciful by caring more about Mary than his own feelings of hurt and pain.

If I had been Joseph, would I have sought retribution for supposed wrongs committed against me, or would I seek mercy while still fulfilling the law? Would I be more interested in my own feelings of hurt and pain, or would I care more about being merciful to someone who had hurt me?
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We often depict shepherds as humble servants of the Lord. We glorify them as gentle and kind, willing to give their life for the flock. Though this often was true, at the time of Jesus shepherds were not seen in such positive light. The people saw shepherds as poor, nomadic and uneducated. Many even despised shepherds because they allowed their sheep to graze on land that did not belong to them. Yet, we learn that when these simple shepherds were tending their flocks at night, and heard the glorious message of the angels, they "came with haste" to find the promised Messiah. We also learn that once "they had seen [Him], they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child." They may have thought that no one would listen to a shepherd. No one would believe their words because of who they were. Yet it is as if they did not care. They were not afraid or ashamed to testify of the Messiah.

If I were a shepherd, poor and despised, would I be willing to be a witness of the truth of Christ’s birth, even though people may not believe me?
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In Matthew we learn of wise men, who traveled far, to come give gifts to the child who had been foretold. These wise men traveled from the East, and apparently took up to two years to find the promised King of kings. When they arrived, they bestowed gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, all gifts fit for a king. We know they arrived when Jesus was around one or two, meaning that they had traveled for many months, even years, after seeing the sign of the star. This teaches us that not only were they watching for the coming of the Savior, but they were also willing to go the distance to make him a part of their life.

Are we preparing and watching for the Savior's Second Coming? Are we ready, and willing to go the distance to make the Lord a part of our life? Are we willing to give great gifts of service, love, and devotion to the King of kings, or do we bring our store-bought gifts to the child with the hope that he will not notice?
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This Christmas season, let our gift to the Savior be a willing heart and a keen desire to obey, honor and worship the Lord. Let us learn from these great women and men of the Nativity story by not only admiring their courage, but by following their example. No greater gift can be given to the Lord than to commit ourselves to following him and to serve others. Let us, like the wise men, bring gifts fit for a king, gifts of service, love and devotion to our fellow being. Let us like the shepherds be willing to go in haste to find Jesus, and when we know him, let us be willing to testify of him to others. Let us, like Joseph, be quick to obey, yet merciful in all our actions towards others. And let us, like Mary, be willing to accept the will of the Lord, even if the consequences may be difficult to bear. May this Christmas not only be a time of gifts given on one single day, but may our gifts towards God and towards others last the entire season and year! And most importantly, may we never forget the greatest gift, the gift the Savior gave to us in Gethsemane, on Calvary, and in the Garden Tomb.

As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland explains, "You can't separate Bethlehem from Gethsemane or the hasty flight into Egypt from the slow journey to the summit of Calvary. It's of one piece. It is a single plan.... Christmas is joyful not because it is a season or decade or lifetime without pain and privation, but precisely because life does hold those moments for us. And that baby, [the] beloved and Only Begotten Son in the flesh, born 'away in a manger, [with] no crib for his bed,' makes all the difference in the world, all the difference in time and eternity, all the difference everywhere, worlds without number, a lot farther than your eye can see."

Truly, we have great reason to exclaim, joy to the world!

The Sacrament and the Atonement

"Greatest in the Kingdom II" by J. Kirk Richards

A talk I gave today in church about the Sacrament and the Atonement of Christ.

My purpose today, I hope, is to increase our depth of understanding of the Sacrament (also know as Communion, or the Lord's Supper), and thus increase the significance of this sacred ritual. Of all the ordinances of the gospel, it is the only one that is performed on a weekly basis, and performed on behalf of an individual more than once in their life. We are only given a baby blessing once, we are only baptized once, for men we are only ordained to the priesthood once, and we are only endowed and sealed once in the temple. We may return often to the temple to perform work for the dead, but once we have received one of these ordinances, we no longer receive them for ourselves again. Yet the ordinance of the sacrament is performed every week, and is for our benefit each time. It is the only ordinance that we are explicitly commanded to observe more than once in our life (see D&C 59:9-12).

Ordinances have been a part of the gospel since the foundation of the earth. They are an essential part of the process that must be completed in order to become one with Christ. Ordinances are a representation of an inner-change that must occur within ourselves prior to becoming truly unified with Christ. Ordinances are a sign or witness of the eventual destination that we each must have. Ordinances, such as baptism, in and of themselves, are not enough to bring us to exaltation. The ordinance is only a symbol of what we are to become. When we truly have faith in Christ, repent of our sins, and have been baptized of water and of the spirit, then we are truly born again as Christ commanded us to become.

The simple act of partaking of the sacrament, in and of itself, will do nothing for us. The actual saving power comes when the change represented by the sacrament, actually takes place in our lives.

As asked by Elder Orson F. Whitney: “Is there any sacred efficacy in the bread or water, taken alone? No; there is not water enough in the ocean nor bread enough in all the bakeries of the world, to constitute the Lord’s Supper. What, then, makes it effective as a sacrament? It is the blessing pronounced upon it by the Priesthood and the symbolism whereby those elements are made to represent something greater than themselves, namely, the body and blood of the Savior. What is done then becomes a holy ordinance, full of force and effect” (as quoted in The Sacrament, by Truman G. Madsen, pg. 23)

Historical Background

To better understand the symbolism of the Sacrament, we must first understand the roots, or historical background of the Last Supper which took place on the eve before the Lord was crucified. On that night of nights, the Savior of the world and his apostles gathered to celebrate the Passover feast.

Passover is the oldest continuously celebrated religious holiday that exists. For over 3,500 years Jews have celebrated the Passover every year during the spring, to remember the miraculous exodus of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.

There are several key factors to celebrating the Passover, each of which also directly relates to the symbolism and significance of the sacrament.

First, a lamb was to be chosen for each family that was to be sacrificed on the day before the eve of Passover. The lamb was to be a unblemished male, a year old, and was to be taken into the home five days before Passover. This little lamb would almost surely become a favorite pet of the children as they played with it, slept with it, and ate with it for the five days before Passover. Then, without breaking any of the limbs, they were to kill the lamb. It must have been a sobering experience for the children to see this “pet” die that they might live. The blood of the lamb was to be poured into a vessel and then dabbed onto the three lintels of the front door using a branch of hyssop, a type of tough wiry branch. This blood was to mark the home so that the destroying angel would pass by, not harming the first-born of that home (see Exodus 12:3-7).

Second, the Passover meal was to be eaten with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. The bitter herbs represented the bitterness and hardship of the slavery of Israel. The unleavened bread represented the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt (see Exodus 12:8). In the Bible, leaven or yeast, also was a symbol of impurity, thus unleavened bread represented purity and un-defilement (see Matthew 16:6).

Lastly, the Passover meal was to be celebrated every year, in remembrance of the mighty hand of the Lord, who brought freedom to the oppressed Israelites through the death of the first-born of Egypt (see Exodus 12:14).

The Last Supper

Christ, as an observant Jew, likewise celebrated Passover every year of his life. This feast was considered the most sacred of feasts, and hundreds of thousands of Jews gathered every year in Jerusalem for this special feast. According to Josephus, a historian of the first century, there were around 2.7 million Jews that would gather in Jerusalem every year for Passover, with an estimated 250,000 sacrificed lambs. Though this number is likely exaggerated, the number of sacrifices, and the number of visitors to Jerusalem must have been staggering. Coming to Jerusalem for Passover would have been a memorable experience to put it lightly.

According to the gospels, Jesus had his apostles prepare an upper-room in Jerusalem where they were to partake of the feast of the Passover (see Luke 22:7-8). This was a joyous time, a time to celebrate freedom and liberty, similar to our Fourth of July celebrations with fireworks and barbeques. As the apostles sat down prepared for the feast that they had each experienced on numerous occasions, Jesus changed the ritual, and added new symbolism to this important feast. Instead of focusing on the redemption of Israel from Egypt, 1,500 years before, Jesus instead looked forward to a different kind of redemption, a spiritual redemption that would take place that night in Gethsemane, the next day on the cross of Calvary, and three days later in the Garden Tomb.

The somber, yet reverential attitude of Jesus must have surprised the apostles, yet the greatest surprise must have come when he took the unleavened bread, and wine, also a part of the Passover feast, and converted them into a new symbol to represent his body and blood. From the Gospel of Luke we read: “And [Jesus] took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 2:19-20).

The apostles must have been shocked. It probably would have been as surprising to us as if the bishop decided to sacrifice a lamb during our sacrament meeting today. For them, this was a sacred ritual and Jesus was now drastically changing it. However, Jesus, who gave the law to celebrate Passover, could also change the ordinance and give it new meaning. Truly in him the law was fulfilled.

In addition, Jesus also took the chance to wash the feet of his disciples, which was unthinkable for the master of the house to submit to such a task that was only suitable for slaves and servants. Then Jesus taught his disciples some of the greatest teachings contained in the scriptures. Teachings such as the second comforter, the great intercessory prayer, to love one another even as Jesus loved them, how the Father and Son are one, and how we might gain eternal life. All of these teachings were contained in the discourse following that last authorized Passover feast in the Gospel of John chapters 13-17.

Symbolism and Application

Now let us discuss the symbolism and application of the Passover, the Last Supper, and how it relates to the Sacrament. As I mentioned, there are three key elements to the Passover feast; the lamb, the unleavened bread, and the commandment to remember Israel’s redemption.

First, the lamb of course symbolized the Lamb of God, the Holy One. Christ was the firstborn of the Father, and the only sinless being born to this earth. He followed the command of the Father with exactness. Thus, he is the perfect fulfillment of the unblemished Pascal lamb. Like the Passover lamb, his blood was shed as a witness, or to give protection for those who covered their doorposts with the blood. As Christ was on the cross, his blood oozed down and covered the wood beams of the cross, symbolically creating a gateway, door, or entryway unto eternal life, similar to the blood that covered the protected Israelite home. According to the Gospel of John, even the hyssop branch, used to dab the blood on the doorposts, was used to administer vinegar, or cheap wine, to the Savior while on the cross (see John 19:28-29). Also according to John, Jesus was even sacrificed at the exact same hour as the lambs which would be sacrificed for the Passover meal (see John 19:14).

The bread (which is sanctified or made holy) represents the body of Christ. During the Last Supper the only bread available for the Savior to use would have been the unleavened bread. Being unleavened bread, the representation of purity directly relates to the Savior’s sinless life. As we partake, we symbolically become sanctified, pure, and undefiled, representing the actual change that should and can take place when we partake of the bread, worthily and with real intent.

The wine (likewise sanctified or made holy) represents the blood of Christ. Blood in the scriptures was considered sacred because it was what gave and took life, thus, the blood of Christ, or the water of the sacrament, represents the life giving power of the atonement of the Lord. As we worthily partake of the water, we symbolically gain life through the Savior’s death and resurrection.

Remembrance is the last key element to the Passover, Last Supper, and Sacrament. When the Lord commanded Israel to observe the Passover, the concept of remembering was used several times as part of the command. In fact the entire purpose of the Passover feast (after leaving Egypt) was to remember that great event. During the Last Supper, the Lord again used the word “remember” during his prayer, and in his teachings. During the sacramental prayer used today, the word “remember” is used four times, twice in each prayer, once again emphasizing its importance (D&C 20:77-79). In fact, the word remember is mentioned more than any other word or phrase in the prayers except the name of Jesus Christ.

An important part of remembering is to remember what the Sacrament truly represents. As I mentioned at the start of my talk, the symbolism behind ordinances are to represent the true inner-change that is to take place within our hearts. For the sacrament to have effect, we must first have this inner-change. What then is this inner change? Jesus, after feeding the five thousand, taught us of this important key. In the Gospel of John it reads:

“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” (John 6:53-57).

What is the partaking of the sacrament to represent if we truly want the blessings of eternal life? We must partake of the atonement of Christ and make it part of us, just as the bread and water nurtures us and provides strength, so too the atonement must become part of us and give us strength. When the atonement becomes part of us, just as literal as the bread and water becomes part of our very being, then too, the sacrament has fulfillment, and we are sanctified and purified through the Pascal Lamb, the Lamb of God.

Conclusion

I invite you to study and ponder the meaning and symbolism behind the Passover, the Last Supper, and the Sacrament. Study Exodus 12-14, John 13-17, 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, 11:23-26, 3 Nephi 18-20, and the sacramental prayers found both in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. Look for similarities, patterns, repetition of words and phrases, and the symbolism behind this important ordinance. As you seek to better understand this important ritual, I promise that you will also likewise better understand the Savior and his atoning sacrifice that he made for each of us on that night, almost 2,000 years ago at the time of Passover.

As we study his life, our hearts will change. When that change of heart takes place we too will be redeemed from all physical and spiritual bondages. May we always remember the Lord, take upon his name, and always keep his commandments that we may always have his spirit to be with us is my prayer.

I testify of the reality of the atonement. I testify that the Savior died for us and that through the gospel of Christ we not only can be redeemed from physical and spiritual bondage, but can once again live with him and our Father in heaven again. Of this I testify in the name of the Lamb of God, even Jesus Christ, Amen.