If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them

One of the basic principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that there are commandments. God has given us instructions for how to return to Him. When I was younger, I wrote this story as a parable of sorts about what commandments are for me:

I had grown, and now there was a mountain. My days of innocence had gone, and now I needed to go home-- the top of the mountain.

I wasn't completely certain why this  mountain was mine; after all, there were countless others to choose from. As I scanned my surroundings, I noticed that though the mountains were different, they all ended in the clouds.

Behind the clouds was light.

I looked to my side, to my friend who was going to climb this mountain with me. Her mouth hung open as she stared up at it.

"How will we ever make it?" she asked me. I pointed to the trail, "We just need to follow The Way."

Before we knew it we were climbing. The Way was steep and hard. Rocks moved and turned under our feet, creating bruises. Occasionally, we found water and food left for us. There were also signs and notes of encouragement left on the trees and always counsel never to leave The Way.

In time, we came to an overlook: a place in the shade with a seat, where we could see how far we had come, and look up to our goal. 

Then we started moving again. For a while, my friend and I were both optimistic. We both felt energized after the overlook. But when we came to the next deposit of refreshments, my friend refused to join me.

"I can wait," she said, "I'm still pumped from the overlook."

"Okay," I said. Worried for her, I ate thoughtfully.

As we continued, the trail grew harder. My friend insisted on only taking sporadic meals, and soon her strength started to diminish.

I helped her through the tough spots and she said she'd eat and drink more, but every time we came to some, she'd just nibble and sip.

She began to be despondent, and frustrated.

"Why is the path so hard?" she'd ask me, "Why must we only go 'The Way'?"

"The Way takes us home," I'd answer, surprised at her questions. "It's the only  Way."

"Well, what about that  path, over there?" with the arm I wasn't supporting, she pointed off into the trees where the ground seemed more level and where a crooked path wound its way.

Just then, we came to another overlook.

"C'mon," I tugged her over to the bench, "Let's rest, and get our bearings."

Once again, we sat on a bench, and I enjoyed the view. But my friend was jittery and anxious to explore the crooked path. When we stood again, she went straight into the trees and onto the path. She gasped, "You've got  to come and see this!"

I hesitated as I reached the edge of The Way.

"What about food?" I asked. "We'll starve."

"There's food here, too!" my friend yelled, "And this path takes the easy way up the mountain."

I couldn't let her go off by herself. Maybe I could go to convince her to come back and climb The Way with me.

Just then, a breeze blew a letter up to my feet.

No matter how hard it gets, no matter how long it takes, follow The Way. I have gone off onto crooked paths, but they only lead to danger. There is  a road back to The Way, but it is hard. Trust me, The Way is the only Way.

Hailey.

I didn't know Hailey. All I knew was that my friend was in trouble. I had to save her.

"Wait up!" I called, but she was already out of earshot. Following, I left The Way.

As I ran through the trees, I tripped on unseen roots and stones. Soon, I came to a fork in the middle of the road. Which way had my friend gone?

I shouted her name, but she didn't answer. Fatigued, I looked around for the food she'd mentioned. Finding some, I ate it-- it disappeared in my mouth like a breath. What had I done?

Then I saw a fork in the path. By one of the entrances was another note.

You've made a mistake, friend. But I've prepared this path for you. You've made it harder than it could have been, but you can still get back home. This Way will lead you home.

Love, Your Brother.

I went. This Way was  hard, but there were real food and water here and hope! Looking at the thick foliage around me, I knew that this Way had been forged with a  great sacrifice.

At last, I reached The Way again-- right where I had left it. I still had scars from my time off the path, but the wounds were healed. I went out to the overlook where I'd last seen my friend. I looked up the Mountain to where Home was and felt a renewed vigor and dedication to get there.

I started climbing once more. Although it was still difficult, I had faith that I was heading Home.

Occasionally, I could see the crooked path; but I also saw pits, cliffs, ledges, and dead ends. I hoped and prayed that my friend would make it back.

As I was resting at another overlook, I heard someone running up behind me. I turned and cried for joy! There was my friend! Out of breath and scarred but happy and strong. I asked her what had happened.

"After I left The Way, I followed the crooked path to a river. I ate a lot of the food, but it was never enough. The crooked path led through a river, and there was no other way for me to go. I decided I could swim it. I never even got half-way. 

"The river pulled me farther and farther down; I struggled for breath! …" my friend shook her head as she stared at the ground. I put my arms around her and listened.

"I knew I would be taken all the way back down the Mountain. I didn't want that. I wanted to go Home again. I had forgotten that. But once I remembered and desired it again, the oddest thing happened. Someone gave me strength. I used it and swam as swiftly as I could for the bank. 

"When I finally got out, I was stained a muddy brown. I found another path, but it seemed different from the crooked paths. Following it, I came to a pond, with a sign that said "Malada." There was some strong soap next to it. I knew what to do. I took the soap, and washed up!"

I looked into my friend's eyes: sparkling, looking up at the Mountain.

"It felt so good to be clean again," she breathed softly.

"How did you catch up with me so quickly?" I asked her.

"I ran. I ran all The Way. I ate the food, drank the water, and stopped at every overlook I could," she stood, "And now I'm ready to begin again. Shall we go?"

So we did. We got up and climbed the Mountain.

 Through writing this story, I learned that commandments are instructions for the best path back to God and all His promises. Some of those promises are true joy, peace, being with your family forever, and in some cases "the windows of heaven will be opened." Who doesn't want happiness?

Nephi, a prophet in the Book of Mormon, was commanded to build a boat. When his brothers mocked him, Nephi responded: "If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them." He believed he could do anything, as long as it was the will of God. I was thinking about this phrase, and wondered, "If God had commanded me to do all things, would I do them?" If He told me to study calculus, would I? If He told me I couldn't have children, would I still trust Him? If He told me to sell everything and move to Africa, would I? If He told me to study my scriptures every day before studying, would I?
I have faith in God, I know He can do anything and that through His power I can too. But would I?

I hope that I would. I know I don't a lot. But thankfully, God doesn't ask us to be perfect. He doesn't ask us to jump from the foot of the mountain to the top of it. He just asks us to keep climbing, keep progressing.
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." "(He) is the way, the truth, and the life."

Beautiful Story of Love

A hospital nurse led a tired, anxious serviceman to a bedside in the emergency wing. “Your son is here,” she said to the old man lying on the bed. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient’s eyes opened.  

Heavily sedated due to his heart attack, the old man dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent.
He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man’s limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.


The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night, the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man’s hand and offering him words of love and strength.
Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. But he refused.
Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital — the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.
Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, and held tightly to his son all through the night.


Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding, and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.
Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her. “Who was that man?” he asked.
The nurse was startled. “He was your father,” she answered.
“No, he wasn’t,” the Marine replied. “I never saw him before in my life.”
“Then why didn’t you say something when I took you to him?”



“I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn’t here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed."

Judge Not: Eating Cookies

A friend of mine, returning to South Africa from a long stay in Europe, found herself with some time to spare at London’s Heathrow Airport. Buying a cup of coffee and a small package of cookies, she staggered, laden with luggage, to an unoccupied table. She was reading the morning paper when she became aware of someone rustling at her table. From behind her paper, she was flabbergasted to see a neatly dressed young man helping himself to her cookies. She did not want to make a scene, so she leaned across and took a cookie herself. A minute or so passed. More rustling. He was helping himself to another cookie. By the time they were down to the last cookie in the package, she was very angry but still could not bring herself to say anything. Then the young man broke the cookie in two, pushed half across to her, ate the other half and left. Some time later, when the public-address system called for her to present her ticket, she was still fuming. Imagine her embarrassment when she opened her handbag and was confronted by her package of cookies. She had been eating his.
~~Reader's Digest, Dan P. Greyling

 I love this story. It's a wonderful example of judgement being switched into understanding.
But imagine what the story would have been like if the young man hadn't been kind. What if he had snatched up the bag? What if he had yelled at the woman, maybe even calling her a thief? The woman may have responded in anger of her own--she didn't know they weren't her cookies.
How different could this story be, if the young man didn't chose to react with love instead of judgement or anger.

What about your story? Do you have a person in your life that acts out or acts angry? Maybe all you need is some understanding.

Another story tells of a mother whose son wet the bed every night. She got so angry! Hadn't he learned by now how to go to the bathroom? But no matter how much she lectured or scolded, he continued to wet the bed.
Many years later, doctors discovered that this mother's son had a serious medical problem. One of the symptoms of that problem was bed-wetting. 

How might this mother feel, hearing that all those years her son had wet the bed, it was only his body reacting to a sickness? If she had been able to find understanding with her son they might have discovered the problem early, or at least she and her son could have had a better and stronger relationship.

I know that a lot of anger, frustration, and resentment can be avoided if we strive for understanding. Heavenly Father can bless us with understanding or at least with patience until we can receive that understanding.

Judge Not: Dirty Windows

Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

In the above video, the woman's husband was able to help stop the judgement, but the only way he was able to do that was by looking not through the window at the other lady's laundry, but AT the window.
I know that we can gain guidance through the Spirit. And maybe the Spirit of God will tell us to go and get guidance from others, such as this woman's husband.

This is a beautiful story of a prophet not knowing the facts and not judging:
“A young mother on an overnight flight with a two-year-old daughter was stranded by bad weather in Chicago airport without food or clean clothing for the child and without money. She was … pregnant and threatened with miscarriage, so she was under doctor’s instructions not to carry the child unless it was essential. Hour after hour she stood in one line after another, trying to get a flight to Michigan. The terminal was noisy, full of tired, frustrated, grumpy passengers, and she heard critical references to her crying child and to her sliding her child along the floor with her foot as the line moved forward. No one offered to help with the soaked, hungry, exhausted child.

“Then, the woman later reported, ‘someone came towards us and with a kindly smile said, “Is there something I could do to help you?” With a grateful sigh I accepted his offer. He lifted my sobbing little daughter from the cold floor and lovingly held her to him while he patted her gently on the back. He asked if she could chew a piece of gum. When she was settled down, he carried her with him and said something kindly to the others in the line ahead of me, about how I needed their help. They seemed to agree and then he went up to the ticket counter [at the front of the line] and made arrangements with the clerk for me to be put on a flight leaving shortly. He walked with us to a bench, where we chatted a moment, until he was assured that I would be fine. He went on his way. About a week later I saw a picture of Apostle Spencer W. Kimball and recognized him as the stranger in the airport.’”2
Several years later, President Kimball received a letter that read, in part:
“Dear President Kimball:
“I am a student at Brigham Young University. I have just returned from my mission in Munich, West Germany. I had a lovely mission and learned much. …
“I was sitting in priesthood meeting last week, when a story was told of a loving service which you performed some twenty-one years ago in the Chicago airport. The story told of how you met a young pregnant mother with a … screaming child, in … distress, waiting in a long line for her tickets. She was threatening miscarriage and therefore couldn’t lift her child to comfort her. She had experienced four previous miscarriages, which gave added reason for the doctor’s orders not to bend or lift.
“You comforted the crying child and explained the dilemma to the other passengers in line. This act of love took the strain and tension off my mother. I was born a few months later in Flint, Michigan.
“I just want to thank you for your love. Thank you for your example!”

The Anti-Nephi-Lehies

One of the most inspiring stories in the Book of Mormon is the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies--also known as the people of Ammon.
These people were Lamanites who had separated themselves from the other Lamanites because they had been converted and now believed in God. The other Lamanites were angry with the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. They probably felt betrayed and confused by the change in their friends and former brothers-in-arms. The Lamanites prepared to go to war against the Anti-Nephi-Lehies.
When the Anti-Nephi-Lehies heard about the preparations, they were naturally scared. The king and the prophet counseled together and with God to decide what to do. They felt inspired that they should not fight against the Lamanites.
In fact, they gathered together all of the people and challenged them to make a covenant with God: that they would never raise a weapon against anyone ever again. As a symbol of that covenant, every single person took their weapons and threw them into a pit, burying them where they couldn't be reached.
When the Lamanites were ready, they came and attacked the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. As they'd agreed, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies didn't fight back. Instead they knelt down and prayed to Heavenly Father.

22 And thus without meeting any resistance, they did slay (1,005) of them; and we know that they are blessed, for they have gone to dwell with their God.
23 Now when the Lamanites saw that their brethren would not flee from the sword, neither would they turn aside to the right hand or to the left, but that they would lie down and perish, and praised God even in the very act of perishing under the sword—
24 Now when the Lamanites saw this they did forbearfrom slaying them; and there were many whose hearts hadswollen in them for those of their brethren who had fallen under the sword, for they repented of the things which they had done.
25 And it came to pass that they threw down their weapons of war, and they would not take them again, for they were stung for the murders which they had committed; and they came down even as their brethren, relying upon the mercies of those whose arms were lifted to slay them.
26 And it came to pass that the people of God were joined that day by more than the number who had been slain; and those who had been slain were righteous people, therefore we have no reason to doubt but what they were saved. (Alma 24)

 When I read through this story last, I had a few cool thoughts I'd like to share.
I wondered why, when Heavenly Father had saved so many people who placed their trust in Him, He chose not to save the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. Then I remembered that only a generation after these people came the 2,000 Stripling Warriors (read that story here). These young men were protected by the mighty power of God... and maybe by 1,005 angels as well.
The example of faith that their uncles, fathers, mothers, sisters, aunts, grandparents, cousins, and many others who died for their covenants must have also been a powerful force for the young men.

Finally, I thought of the question in "The War Room" (amazing movie, you should watch it). "Do I just let him walk all over me?"
The Anti-Nephi-Lehies not only were walked over, they were killed.

For a man to lay down his all, his character and reputation, his honor, and applause, his good name among men, his houses, his lands, his brothers and sisters, his wife and children, and even his own life also—counting all things but filth and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ—requires more than mere belief or supposition that he is doing the will of God; but actual knowledge, realizing that, when those sufferings are ended, he will enter into eternal rest, and be a partaker of the glory of God.   ~Joseph Smith

Although many of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies were killed, many more people were converted. And through the scriptures we can know that those who were killed were taken up to heaven.

This story has come to mean much more to me. To me it is now a story of how a large group of people, unified in faith, can find new life through conversion and through the resurrection.

A Careful Boy I want to Be

I recently heard a story about, "Please." In the story, one boy is extremely rude while his older brother is extremely polite. What ends up changing the younger brother's attitude is the example his older brother set. When the younger brother sees how polite his older brother is, he thinks "Hmm... I wonder what it would be like to be like that?" And then he changes.
The examples we set for our families are so important.
I love this poem:

A careful boy I want to be;

a little brother follows me.

I do not dare to go astray

for fear he'll go the self-same way

I cannot once escape his eyes;

what e'er he see me do, he tries.

Like me he says he's going to be-

that little brother following me.

He thinks that I am good and fine;

believes in every word of mine.

The bad in me he must not see-

that little brother following me.

I must remember as I go

through summer's sun and winter's snow

I'm building for the years to be

that little brother following me.

Finally, Elder Gene Cook from the Quorum of the Seventy shared the story of his brother's example:

When I was a boy, my family wasn’t very active in the Church. When my older brother, Ron, was turning 12, a man in the ward convinced him to become a deacon. ...When Ron was about 17 and I was about 12, his teacher told him that he needed to gain a testimony of his own. He said to me, “I intend to find out for myself if the Church is true. I’m going to pay any price to know for myself.”
Over the next few weeks, I watched him. I’d find him on his knees praying. I’d see him reading the Book of Mormon. I was amazed at how diligent he was.
... Later ..., Ron told me,  “...I now know for myself that the Church is true. ...Because of what has been happening to me in reading the Book of Mormon. I’ve got my testimony by reading and praying over every page. I know all that we’ve been taught in the Church is correct, and I am going on a mission.” I’d never heard Ron say that before. It was evident to me, even as a young boy, that he had really been impacted by something.
After Ron left me alone, I thought to myself, “If the Lord would tell my brother, then I’ll bet the Lord would tell me.” So I did what my brother did, reading and praying over every page of the Book of Mormon. Because I was still young, I didn’t understand a lot of the words, but it wasn’t long before I began to feel the Lord speak to me in my heart, telling me it was true. I read the whole book through and ended up with a strong testimony even at age 12. That really helped me through my youth and in preparation for a mission.
I have always been thankful for my good brother, who loved me enough to show me by example how to gain a testimony.

Heavenly Father has told us to "let your light so shine before men." I know that as we fearlessly and boldly testify of the truths we've learned to our family and friends they will be strengthened, and our example can lead them closer to Christ.

The Recovering Perfectionist

One of my dear, dear friends recently started a blog called "The Recovering Perfectionist." In it, she shares her story. She gave me permission to share it here:

A couple of years ago I began to worry about my appearance. I looked in the mirror and pointed out- and even made up- countless flaws. I compared myself to others and I became distressed. I’ve always had a perfectionistic nature, and I believed the countless lies around me that I was never enough. Little by little I become more obsessed with how I looked, and I saw food as something bad- and I thought that the less you had the better. The media was saying that carbs were bad, and fat foods were bad, and sugar was bad. And in my attempt to do everything perfectly, I started to count calories and restrict my intake. I didn’t realize that little by little I was leading myself deeper into a pit of destructive mental habits. Pretty soon food became my fear and my enemy. I became an unhealthy weight and my family was concerned. I was miserable. I felt trapped. False body perception wasn't the only thing that contributed to my eating disorder. I indulged in this false sense of control. But never were things more out of control. I couldn't go to activities with friends for fear that they would try to get me to eat  certain things that weren't on my list of acceptable foods. If I didn't exercise one day I felt like a complete failure. My family began to notice that I would make excuses to skip family meals. Meanwhile these unhealthy habits took control over more and more portions of my life. My mom tried to tell me that she thought I had a problem, but I was in denial. "A mental disorder? No, not me- I was fine." I told myself. But deep inside I knew I wasn't fine. I was cold, dizzy, moody, sick and stressed out all the time. My hair was falling out in frighteningly big amounts.I was terrified. How had I immobilized myself in such a way? Finally, I admitted with devastation that I really did have a problem. That was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but it was the beginning of a new freedom in my life. My mom and I constructed a healthy meal plan and I stopped exercising to give myself a chance to recover.  The road has been difficult, but so rewarding. I share my feelings with my mom, who is always gives me further light and knowledge. I also decided to visit with a counselor weekly, even though I was gaining weight and doing better, because I still was having some irrational fears and concerns. This really helps me to see what skills I can work on and how I can achieve better self confidence. I share my story as a message of hope. We can and will win this war. Whether it be a battle of depression, mental illness, addiction- or any other thought habit holding us back. These wars of the mind can be overcome.

Now you may think that to all of her friends this was obvious. She describes how she became unhealthily thin and was avoiding friend gatherings; but the truth is... I had no idea. The way I saw my dear friend was as a sweet, gorgeous, talented young woman and a wonderful friend. I had no clue that she was struggling with an eating disorder.

Please be aware of this epidemic. My friend has some great resources on her blog and there are other places out there where you can also get help, or where your friends can get help. 

“Your Heavenly Father loves you—each of you. That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not changed by your talents and abilities. … God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there” ~Thomas S Monson

12 Days of Easter: Day 5-8-- An Easter Pageant

This post counts as four days because it took that long and longer to put it together :S.

EASTER PAGEANT

By Tova Biesinger

This can either be recorded or acted, depending on your level of comfort acting out these different people.

Voice of God: But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.
Narrator: Our Heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior and show us the way to live according to God's plan. For God so loved the world, that he gave his onlybegotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

He Sent His Son
Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love
Nephi: And behold he cometh, according to the words of the angel... . And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.
Enter Caiaphas and priests
Narrator:Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
Caiaphas: Jesus is entering the city for Passover. We must find a way to take Him and put him to death
Priest: Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
Enter Judas
Judas: What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?
Caiaphas: (after a whispered conference) And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
Exit all.
Narrator: And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane
Enter JESUS, Peter, James, and John, and other disciples.
JESUS: Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
Exit other disciples.
JESUS: My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed
JESUS: O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter
JESUS: What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
He went away again
JESUS: O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

Thy Will, O Lord, Be Done
Gethsemane
Then cometh he to his disciples
JESUS: Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Enter priests, mob, and Judas.
Judas: Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.  Hail, master; (and kissed him.)
JESUS: Friend, wherefore art thou come?
Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
James stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.
JESUS: Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Exit all.
Narrator: Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands
Enter priests with JESUS, meeting Pilate and soldiers.
Narrator: And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
Pilate: Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
Narrator: And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
Enter mob.
Narrator: And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
Pilate: Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
Mob Barabbas.
Pilate: What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?
Priests: Let him be crucified.
Pilate: Why, what evil hath he done?
Mob: Let him be crucified.
Narrator: When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, ..., he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude.
Pilate: I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
Exit all; soldiers taking JESUS.
Narrator: Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
 ¶And when they had plaited 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.

O, Savior Thou Who Wearest a Crown

Isaiah: He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
¶Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.Narrator: 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 as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

There is a Green Hill Faraway
Enter mob, soldiers, Disciples, Mary. Set up Cross.
Narrator: ¶They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

Upon the Cross of Calvary
¶And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
Priest: And saying, ... save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
2 Priest: If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
Priest: He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
Narrator: Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice
JESUS: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Amazing Grace

Narrator: ¶Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. And Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom was John.
JESUS: Woman, behold thy son!
to the disciple  Behold thy mother!
Narrator: And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
JESUS: I thirst.
Narrator: Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost

Behold the Great Redeemer Die

D&C 19:16-19

Reverently and Meekly Now

I Stand All Amazed
Enter Mary Mag., Joanna, Mary mother of James, and Luke
Luke: Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, Mary Magdelene, Joanna, and Mary mother of James 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.
Enter Angels.
Luke: And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth
Angel: Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen
He is Risen
Exit all.

That Easter Morn
Enter two disciples and JESUS, meeting.
Narrator: ¶And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, ....And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
JESUS: What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
1 Disciple: Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
JESUS: What things?
2 Disciple: Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
JESUS: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
Narrator: And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
1 Disciple: Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.
Narrator: And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Abide with Me
Enter Disciples.
Narrator: And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them.
Enter JESUS.
JESUS: Peace be unto you.
Narrator: But they were terrified and affrighted, ...
JESUS: Why are ye troubled? ... Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself:...
Narrator: And he shewed them his hands and his feet. And they yet believed not for joy, and wondered
Peter: O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Hosanna

(optional for those who believe in the Book of Mormon...)Enter Nephites and Nephi.Nephi (the 3rd): And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude gathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land Bountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the great and marvelous change which had taken place.
And they were also conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the sign had been given concerning his death. And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn. And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not. And again the third time they did hear the voice, and didopen their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.
Voice of God: Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.
Enter JESUSJESUS: Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.
Nephi: And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.
Easter HosannaExit Nephi and Nephites.

JESUS: And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father.

You Raise Me UP

Joseph Smith: Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.
Onward Christian Soldiers

I Can Only Imagine

A Heart to Fill

Ellen Dibble Cox, Ensign Dec. 2001

It was turning out to be another rushed and harried holiday season.

When I was younger, I had envisioned peaceful Christmases filled with twinkling lights and glistening snow, with me seated before a fireplace and surrounded by my dream family.

To my disappointment, however, as a young adult I still had not seen the fulfillment of that dream. Instead, my time and energy during Christmas were being spent on my work as a schoolteacher and on various holiday-related activities. As my involvement in these activities increased and my to-do list grew longer, I felt more and more overwhelmed.

In the middle of the chaos came a request from a friend for our young single adult group to sing at a local nursing home. It was to be a family home evening presentation for the elderly patients there. I must admit that I didn’t really want to go, but I halfheartedly consented anyway.

Monday evening came, and when I got to the nursing home I was relieved that the hour had arrived—the service project would soon be erased from my to-do list.

A group of patients in wheelchairs had been gathered together in a cold, sterile room. A woman with silver hair and a tremulous voice opened our family home evening with prayer. She petitioned our Heavenly Father and sincerely and humbly said, “We thank Thee for all of our many blessings.” Blessings? I was puzzled by the thought. How could she see her world of wheelchairs, bedpans, hospital food, lonely days and nights, dependency, crippled limbs, and faded youth as blessings? The woman finished the prayer, and my thoughts were filled with wonder at her expression of gratitude.

Our group stood and began to sing.

Slippered feet tapped on foot rests, gnarled fingers kept time, and smiles appeared at the sound of the familiar melodies. Their expressions mirrored ours as we sang of Christmas delights and heavenly gifts. Something warm and magical gradually seemed to fill the room.

I gazed into the ageless eyes of the onlookers and found myself floating in their warmth and wisdom. They too had been teachers or carolers in a choir—married, single, parents, or childless.

The final notes of the closing song drifted softly around the room: “Sleep in heavenly peace.” A benediction was offered. My spirit was subdued and quieted.

My view of Christmas and of life began to change that night. For one moment I could see that I didn’t need to worry so much about what I felt was lacking in my own life. I sensed that within the withered physical bodies of those to whom we had sung were spirits filled with happiness, gratitude, and God’s love. No matter the person’s age or station in life, a portion of that love and happiness was there, if only I had eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to fill—with gratitude.

Screwtape Letter and the Devil

Again, for my class, we read the Screwtape Letters (an AMAZING book; it makes you look at temptation, and all the little things that come with it). After discussing it, we were challenged to write our own letters. We could do it from any perspective, and send it to any of the characters. I chose to write as the human that Screwtape and Wormwood were trying to tempt:

Dear Screwtape and Wormwood, 

Looking down from heaven, and reviewing my life, I'd like to thank you for the role you played in my temptation. It is accurate to say that "there is opposition in all things." 

Because of the constant need to fight you, I grew stronger, and became closer to, as you call Him, the Enemy. And as a result of my closeness to Him, I was able to become even stronger in resisting you, (truly, as they say, He has "one eternal round"). 

I do lament your deplorable profession, but realize it's value. 

Please realize, that you have no power. The Enemy could destroy you, your colleagues, your leader, and your kingdom; the reason he does not is the same reason I thank you: opposition.  

Just as businesses need opposition to thrive, so people need it to realize their genuine opinions and beliefs. But some businesses crumple under the opposition. Thankfully, we humans have been promised that we will never "be tempted above that which (we) are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that (we) may be able to bear it." 

So, dear Screwtape, you will lose. The victory will come to the righteous and their King.  

Sincerely yours, 

Christian

The Church defines the Devil as "the enemy of righteousness and of those who seek to do the will of God. ... Since the time the devil was cast out of heaven, he has sought constantly to deceive all men and women and lead them away from the work of God in order to make all mankind as miserable as he is."

 

Elder Holland (one of my favorite speakers in General Conference!) said "We speak boldly because Satan is a real being set on destroying you, and you face his influence at a younger and younger age."
There are two videos that he speaks in that refer to Satan's subtle power, and how we need to constantly be alert to him:
Watch Your Step  
Stay Within the Lines 

I know that Satan is a real being, and that he is miserable. He fights the light of Christ in each of us, and tries to persuade us to follow him to everlasting sorrow. 
But we don't have to listen. "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be ^btempted above that ye are able; but will with the ^ctemptation also make a way to ^descape, that ye may be able to ^ebear it" (1 Corinthinas 10:13)

THE MOUNTAIN-- a journey to salvation

(btw, I'm taking a writing class, which is why many of my recent posts are stories :))

I had grown, and now there was a mountain. My days of innocence had gone, and now I needed to go Home-- the top of the Mountain. 

I wasn't completely certain why this  mountain was mine; after all, there were countless others to choose from. As I scanned the range, I noticed that thought the mountains were different, they all ended in the clouds. 

Behind the clouds was light. 

I looked to my side, to my friend who was to climb this mountain with me. Her mouth hang open as she stared up at it. 

"How will we ever make it?" she asked me. I pointed to the trail, "We just need for follow The Way." 

Before we knew it, we were climbing. The Way was steep and heard. Rocks moved and turned under our feet, creating bruises. Occasionally, we found water and food left for us. There were also signs and notes of encouragement left on the trees; and always counsel never to leave The Way. 

In time, we came to an overlook: a place in the shade with a seat, where we could see how far we'd come, and look up to our goal.  

Then we started moving again. For a while, my friend and I were both optimistic. We both felt energized after the overlook. But when we came to the next deposit of refreshments, my friend refused to join me. 

"I can wait," she said, "I'm still pumped from the overlook." 

"Okay," I said. Worried for her, I ate thoughtfully. 

As we continued, the trail grew harder. My friend insisted on only taking sporadic meals, and soon her strength started to diminish. 

I helped her through the tough spots, and she said she'd eat and drink more, but every time we came to some, she'd just nibble and sip. 

She began to be despondent, and frustrated. 

"Why is the path so hard?" she'd ask me, "Why must we only go 'The Way'?" 

"The Way takes us home," I'd answer, surprised at her questions. "It's the only  Way." 

"Well, what about that  path, over there?" with the arm I wasn't supporting, she pointed off into the trees, where the ground seemed more level, and where a crooked path wound it's way. 

Just then, we came to another overlook. 

"C'mon," I tugged her over to the bench, "Let's rest, and get our bearings." 

Once again, we sat on a bench, and I enjoyed the view. But my friend was jittery, and anxious to explore the crooked path. When we stood again, she went straight into the trees, and onto the path. She gasped, "You've got  to come see this!" 

I hesitated as I reached the edge of The Way. 

"What about food?" I asked. "We'll starve." 

"There's food here, too!" my friend yelled, "And this path take the easy way up he mountain." 

I couldn't let her go off by herself. Maybe I could go convince her to come back, and climb The Way with me. 

Just then, a breeze blew a letter up to my feet. 

No matter how hard it gets, no matter how long it takes, follow The Way. I have gone off onto crooked paths, but they only lead to danger. There is  a Way back to The Way, but it is hard. Trust me, The Way is the only Way. 

(heart) Jen. 

I didn't know Jen, but I knew my friend was in trouble. I had to save her. 

"Wait up!" I called. Already, she'd gone far away. Following, I left The Way. 

As I ran through the trees, I tripped on unseen roots and stones. Soon, I came to a fork in the middle of the road. Which way had my friend gone? 

I shouted her name, but she didn't answer. Fatigued, I looked around for the food she'd mentioned. Finding some, I ate it-- it disappeared in my mouth like a breath. What had I done? 

Then I saw the Way to The Way. By the entrance was another note. 

You've made a mistake, ______. But I've prepared this path for you. You've made it harder than it could've been, but you can still get back home. This Way will lead you home. 

(heart), Your Brother. 

I went. This Way was  hard, but there was real food and water here, and hope! Looking at the thick foliage around me, I knew that this Way had been forged with a  great sacrifice. 

At last, I reached The Way again-- right where I'd left it. I still had scars from my time off the path, but they had healed. I went over to the overlook where I'd last seen my friend. I looked up the Mountain to where Home was, and felt a renewed vigor and dedication to get there. 

I started climbing once more. Although it was still difficult, I had faith that I was heading Home. 

Occasionally, I could see the crooked path; but I also saw pits, cliffs, ledges, and dead ends. I hoped and prayed that my friend would make it back. 

As I was resting at another overlook, I heard someone running up behind me. I turned, and cried for joy! There was my friend! Out of breath and scarred, but happy and strong. I asked her what had happened. 

"After I left The Way, I followed the crooked path to a river. I ate a lot of the food, but it was never enough. The crooked path led through a river, and there was no other way for me to go. I decided I could swim it. I never even got half-way.

"The river pulled me farther and farther down; I struggled for breath! …" my friend shook her head as she stared at the ground. I put my arms around her, and listened. 

"I knew I would be taken down the Mountain, all the way. I didn't want that. I wanted to go Home again. I'd forgotten my goal, and my purpose. But once I remembered and desired it again, the oddest thing happened. Someone gave me strength. I used it, and swam as swiftly as I could for the bank.  

"When I finally got out, I was stained a muddy brown. I found another path, but it seemed different from the crooked paths. Following it, I came to a pond, with a sign that said "Malada," and some hard soap. I knew what to do. I took the soap, and washed up!" 

I looked into my friends eyes: sparkling, looking up at the Mountain. 

"It felt so good to be clean again," she breathed softly. 

"How did you catch up with me so quickly?" I asked her. 

"I ran. I ran all The Way. I ate the food, drank the water, and stopped at every overlook I could," she stood, "And now I'm ready to begin again. Shall we go?" 

So we did. We got up, and climbed the Mountain.