12 Apr
Jesus Christ, The Sacrificial Lamb
Some years ago, President Gordon B. Hinckley told “something of a parable” about “a one room school house in the mountains of Virginia where the boys were so rough no teacher had been able to handle them.
“Then one day an inexperienced young teacher applied. He was told that every teacher had received an awful beating, but the teacher accepted the risk. The first day of school the teacher asked the boys to establish their own rules and the penalty for breaking the rules. The class came up with 10 rules, which were written on the blackboard. Then the teacher asked, ‘What shall we do with one who breaks the rules?’
“ ‘Beat him across the back ten times without his coat on,’ came the response.
“A day or so later, … the lunch of a big student, named Tom, was stolen. ‘The thief was located—a little hungry fellow, about ten years old.’
“As Little Jim came up to take his licking, he pleaded to keep his coat on. ‘Take your coat off,’ the teacher said. ‘You helped make the rules!’
“The boy took off the coat. He had no shirt and revealed a bony little crippled body. As the teacher hesitated with the rod, Big Tom jumped to his feet and volunteered to take the boy’s licking.
“ ‘Very well, there is a certain law that one can become a substitute for another. Are you all agreed?’ the teacher asked.
“After five strokes across Tom’s back, the rod broke. The class was sobbing. ‘Little Jim had reached up and caught Tom with both arms around his neck. “Tom, I’m sorry that I stole your lunch, but I was awful hungry. Tom, I will love you till I die for taking my licking for me! Yes, I will love you forever!” ’
For Easter Sunday, I wanted to write something marvelous. I wanted to pray to God to make me a profound writer, for the Holy Ghost to inspire me and help me speak to you in a way that would convey the gloriousness that is the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
And then I realized that this is not my gift. There are others who have been ordained as Special Witnesses of Jesus Christ. They bear their testimony with a power I cannot match, because they are men called by God.
Jesus Christ lives! He suffered and died for us, all of us. He descended below all so that I, you, we, may live again. How I love him! I praise his name, and have pledged my life to take his name upon me, serve him, and always remember him. I know that he is the Son of God. I know that we can because of him we can live eternally with our Father in Heaven once again.
I'm a farm-raised almost-crunchy stroller-pushing picture-taking lifestyle-blog-writing gastronomy-obsessed divine-seeking thrift-store-combing cheese-inhaling pavement-pounding laughter-sprinkling lover of individuality and taking chances.
Jenna,
You answered a prayer. I have to speak tomorrow in my singles ward, and I’ve been struggling to come up with a jumping off point! It’s my last Sunday in the singles ward before I get married, so I’ve been stressing about it being wonderful and remarkable, and memorable. Plus, it’s Easter! I want to be able to do justice to the Savior.
Thank you for reminding me that my testimony is my testimony, no matter how simple it may seem. It is the sentiment and the faith that matters. I don’t need to try and be all eloquent…just speak from the heart. Just like you. Thank you for sharing *your* beautiful testimony. I also know that our Savior suffered for us, and that He understands every pain and sorrow I have ever experience. I am never alone, because of Him. I love and honor Him with all my heart.
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1Happy Easter!
I’ve always loved that first story, thanks for sharing it. Have a nice, happy, first Easter together!
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2Happy Easter to you and your family Jenna!
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3You’re so great at offering inspiring words! I’m so happy that the first presidency does it because I got nadda. You’re great though!
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4I did not watch the clip when I first saw it yesterday because I was limiting my time online and, well, it is not your words and I read your blog to see what *you* have to say (even when you don’t feel eloquent
).
But I did this morning, and I am glad that I did, because it helped combat an idea I’d gotten recently. From comments made here it seemed that Mormons did not recognize the importance of the “bitter cup.” It is clear that your speaker** does believe that the real meaning of Easter involves recognition of something more than just happiness.
Do you think that your church may be moving toward a new understanding of Easter?
**I know that you’ll probably be amused that I don’t know his name/title. But then I realized that you probably wouldn’t recognize individual leaders of the Catholic Church so it should be fine?
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Jenna Reply:
April 13th, 2009 at 10:00 am
New understanding? No.
I think it was the same as it always was. I believe it is those outside of the Church who do not understand what we believe, not the leaders themselves.
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Sophia Reply:
April 13th, 2009 at 11:07 am
I’d reiterate what Jenna’s saying- ever since I first talked to any of my Mormon friends, they emphasized just how deep and meaningful the sacrifice of Christ was, and how hard it was for him. The idea always presented to me was that his agony started in the Garden of Gethsemane, and didn’t quit until after he had descended to hell and was then resurrected. Much emphasis was specifically put on his trials in the Garden, alone, readying himself for the task at hand, knowing how hard it would be- we all know how hard it is to dread a terrible thing, how much more for Christ, knowing what he had before him.
I think the main misunderstanding comes from Mormons not being focused on the Cross in and of itself- no crosses on the church, etc. This leads to people thinking that they don’t fully understand the sacrifice, but most of my Mormon friends say something along the lines of the Atonement being a long, arduous process for Christ, not just the crucifixion itself. There has always been communicated to me a reverence at the depth of love and sacrifice of Christ in going through such an incomprehensible task.
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R Reply:
April 13th, 2009 at 11:30 am
I actually know very little about Mormonism other than what I’ve read on this blog. So it wasn’t the lack of crosses in church etc. (I didn’t know about that before here) that led to my confusion. It was the fact that Mormons here were saying that they focus on the Resurrection *rather than* the Crucifixion etc. etc.
I am thrilled to find that they share a love and appreciation for the tremendous sacrifice of Christ.
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R Reply:
April 13th, 2009 at 11:26 am
I wasn’t saying the leaders didn’t understand what they believe!
I was saying that what the apostle said didn’t match with what was previously expressed on your blog (esp in comments). So I wondered whether it was the laypeople who were confused (or poorly articulating) or whether it was that, since your leaders can change teachings, they were adding a new focus.
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Interesting that the posts that aren’t nearly as controversial, yet the very base and purpose of our religion and our lives, hardly get any comments at all.
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