In The Garden

One of my favorite things to do is think about what it must have been like to walk with the Savior on earth. To see his miracles and watch him bless the children. I actually put myself in the story of the women that touched Christ's clothing and had such great faith that among a crowd of people, he felt her.

20. For she said within herself, If I may touch his garment,
I shall be whole.
21. Jesus turned about him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort;thy faith hath made thee whole.(Matthew 9: 20-21)

This week my reflection of being with Christ brought me into the Garden of Gethsemane, I hadn't yet pictured being with Christ on earth at this time. My heart was full of sorrow, gratitude and a desire to be a better servant to Christ.

• What would it have been like to have to be reminded by Christ to wake and watch because you had disobeyed him and fallen asleep?

38. The saith he unto them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death; tarry ye here and watch with me.
40: And he cometh unto the disciples, and fideth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
Matthew 26: 38&40

On this Sabbath morning, I express gratitude that “in my Gethsemane" and yours, we are not alone. He that watches over us “shall neither slumber nor sleep.” His angels here and beyond the veil are “round about [us], to bear [us] up.” I bear my special witness that our Savior’s promise is true, for He says, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” May we wait upon Him by pressing forward in faith, that we may say in our prayers, “Thy will be done,” and return to Him with honor. (Robert D. Hales)

41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 26:41

• What would it have been like to betray the Savior of the world with such a delicate gesture as a kiss?

President Thomas S. Monson, "The label of a traitor’s kiss had identified the Master. Judas now wore his own label of inescapable shame and revulsion."

48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

 50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

Matthew 26: 48-50

Betrayed by a traitor’s kiss, condemned to die at foreign hands for a crime He did not commit, He humbly submitted Himself to the ugly lash and was nailed by His hands and feet to a wooden cross. Yea, the greatest of all of God’s children was left to die on a horrible cross. (Melvin Hammond)

I am grateful for the sacrifice that my Savior made for me. For the drops of blood that hit the ground that night in my behalf. I know that he loves me and died for me and there is nothing that I can do that will take that love away.

Let me be direct and clear. The answers to the questions “Am I good enough?” and “Will I make it?” are “Yes! You are going to be good enough” and “Yes, you are going to make it as long as you keep repenting and do not rationalize or rebel.” The God of heaven is not a heartless referee looking for any excuse to throw us out of the game. He is our perfectly loving Father, who yearns more than anything else to have all of His children come back home and live with Him as families forever. He truly gave His Only Begotten Son that we might not perish but have everlasting life!1 Please believe, and please take hope and comfort from, this eternal truth. Our Heavenly Father intends for us to make it! That is His work and His glory. (J. Devin Cornish)

Seek The Lost

I love the Savior so much. His entire ministry was nonjudgmental and loving to everyone. He not only loved the sinner He considered them lost and searched for them. He told the disciples to to go teach but not to visit the Gentiles and Samaritans, but go where the people needed them the most, seek the lost. "But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 10:6)

When I was twelve years old my family went inactive from church. Looking back I can see how crucial that time was for me as an adolescent. I needed the Savior and his young women's program to coach me in virtue, chastity, faith and to help me see beyond my insecurities and that I am a daughter of God. After years of loneliness, struggle and bad decisions I found my way back into the fold.

 At the age of eighteen after a loss of a very good friend I returned to church to try to more fully understand life after death. I was surprised at how much more I would find and discover not just about the gospel but about myself.



Coming back after years of inactivity is humbling and difficult."They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick."(Matthew 9:12)  I am thankful for the members that saw me as a daughter of God. A lost sheep that needed the Savior's atonement. There were times I felt inadequate and like I didn't belong but there was always someone there to remind me that I was not alone in my afflictions and that because of Jesus Christ I did belong.


It is a difficult path back to the fold. I remember having to say goodbye to many of my close friends because they weren't ready to accept the changes I was making in my life. I thank Heavenly Father for giving me new good friends that cared for me and loved me. My friends outside of the church really only cared about what I would do with them that night and how much fun we would have that weekend. My new friends inside the church cared for me eternally, the difference was magnificent and made me feel so good. I now love all sorts of people eternally, I am so thankful for God and caring enough for me to have brothers and sisters in his church love me and help me to heal. Mostly, I am thankful that He sent His Son to pay for my sins.

Everyone inside and outside of God's church are sick, they need people to love them back into the fold.