![]() He understood that it was for him personally! He knew the power of the Atonement and the hope it gives when all might seem lost or hopeless. His Last Name is Christ Mug- The Office Gift - Michael Scott Christmas, Funny Jesus Mug, The Office Coffee Cup - Ceramic Mug. This young man’s hope was based not only upon a knowledge and testimony of the Atonement but also upon a personalization of this gift. I am the best missionary in the missionary training center.” And I believed him. I know I should, but I just don’t remember.” Somewhat embarrassed, I said, “I’m sorry. At the conclusion of the devotional, I was visiting with missionaries when I saw a young man with a familiar face. Three or four months later, Sister Edgley and I were speaking at a missionary training center. I want you to be the best missionary in the entire Church. ![]() Moved by his humility and by the Spirit, I said, “I am going to recommend you to serve as a representative of Jesus Christ.” And then I said, “I am going to ask only one thing of you. And then he said, “I believe the Savior’s personal suffering in Gethsemane and His sacrifice upon the cross were powerful enough to rescue even a man like me.” He bore his testimony and expressed his love for the Savior. He talked about the Atonement-the infinite power of the Atonement. When he was through, he began to explain the steps and the personal suffering he had gone through. In the privacy of the office, I asked just one question: “Why am I interviewing you?” I wondered how I could excuse myself because it was apparent he wanted to talk and I had an appointment with a very troubled young man. As I was waiting, a handsome young man with a wonderful countenance approached. I wondered why I would be asked to visit one with such a background, concluding it would be most unusual for me to recommend him for approval as a missionary.Īfter the Saturday evening session of conference, I retired to the stake president’s office for the interview. This boy had committed serious transgressions. As I read some background regarding the reasons for my interview, my heart ached. Now, General Authorities do not usually interview potential missionaries. For any of us to give up hope for the purifying of our lives is to disavow the depth, power, and extent of His suffering in our behalf.Ī few years ago I had the assignment while at a stake conference to interview a 21-year-old man to determine his worthiness to serve a mission. ![]() Or, if they do understand, they have not internalized the meaning of Jesus Christ’s suffering in Gethsemane and on the cross. Such do not understand the cleansing power of the Atonement. Repentance, they feel, is beyond their reach and forgiveness outside their grasp. Thérèse of Lisieux said, trust leads to love.I have met people who have lost all hope. Lack of trust in what God’s grace can do in our lives, and what we can do with his help, leads to a shrinkage of the heart, a lessening of charity. Or else-the most common condition among people of good will- we would like to love and be generous in loving and giving ourselves, but we are held back by fears, hesitations, and worries. We don’t wait to find the fullness of our existence in God, and so we shape an artificial identity grounded in pride. Jacques Philippe says, “Lacking hope, we don’t really believe God can make us happy, and so we construct our happiness out of covetousness and lust. Is the Lord asking you to remove an idol from your life, which is preventing you from worshipping him alone? He’s simply Jesus, the man, with all the attendant problems and failings. Ask yourself what this means in your own life. Jesus Christ, played by Jeff Fenholt, loses his temper, doubts God and gets a bit caught up in his own celebrity. For example, the phrase “The Lord our God is Lord alone!” might have stuck out to you. Take the word that comes to mind and reflect on what it means to you personally. We are called both to love God above all things and to love our neighbor with the love of Christ. Here, Jesus lays out the twofold commandment of love for those who have ears to hear. When we are able to approach him with humility and not skepticism, then Jesus is able to reveal his deepest commandments to us-that we are made to love God and neighbor. In the Gospel for this week, we see firsthand the peace and simplicity that flows from entering into relationship with Jesus.
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