Many of you may recognize this. For those who do not this is a the Christus in the visitor center on temple square in Salt Lake City. Im sharing this because of the experience that I had while taking these pitchers. I walked over to the visiter center while Wendy was feeding Eli in the marriage waiting room (Cory, Wendy's cuisine got married). I found myself with Wendy's brother Richard all alone looking at the Christus. This is a rare event in it self, usually the place is bustling with people. I had perviously planed on getting a shot of Christ from underneath him. So, I kneeled down to take the pitcher. I then realized what I was doing. I was kneeling before a representation of our savior. I began to think what it would be like to kneel before Christ himself. The phase came to mind "every knee shall bow...". So, I thought I would ask the group who is this Jesus? What is he to each of you? What is he like? What will it be like to kneel before him?
4 comments:
Too deep John.
John,
I read your comments regarding the Christus in the Salt Lake visitor’s center. Here are some quotes, then my thoughts as to what it all means. (Obviously these are only my opinions.)
1. From Bruce R. McConkie, I believe included in his final testimony in General Conference:
“And now, as pertaining to this perfect atonement, wrought by the shedding of the blood of God, I testify that it took place in Gethsemane and at Golgotha; and as pertaining to Jesus Christ, I testify that he is the son of the Living God and was crucified for the sins of the world. He is our Lord, our God, and our King. This I know of myself, independent of any other person. 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”.
2. Richard may remember parts of this, when he was around twelve we spent a few days at an all LDS scout camp, Elder Vaughn Featherstone was there as both a BSA Scout Executive and as a General Authority. Rich and I were walking in the camp, passed by Elder Featherstone, he stopped us and asked Rich if he wanted to shake a hand that shook the hand of the Prophet the day before (which Richard did). On Sunday we had a Sacrament meeting. At the end of the meeting Elder Featherstone bore his testimony. I was sitting right on center, two or three rows back. Elder Featherstone stated, maybe not verbatim, but very close to word for word: "I will now bear my testimony - listen closely to the words I will use - I have absolute knowledge that the Lord often visits the earth to direct the affairs of His church". When I heard that I leaned over to Howard Christensen sitting next to me and asked him if he heard what I heard, and if it meant what I thought it meant. His response was that yes he did hear it and it could only mean one thing.
3. From Elder McConkie’s “Millennial Messiah”, regarding Adam-ondi-Ahman.
We now come to the least known and least understood thing connected with the Second Coming. It might well be termed the best-kept secret set forth in the revealed word. It is something about which the world knows nothing; it is a doctrine that has scarcely dawned on most of the Latter-day Saints themselves; and yet it is set forth in holy writ and in the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith with substantially the same clarity as any of the doctrines of the kingdom. It behooves us to make a needed brief commentary about it.
Before the Lord Jesus descends openly and publicly in the clouds of glory, attended by all the hosts of heaven; before the great and dreadful day of the Lord sends terror and destruction from one end of the earth to the other; before he stands on Mount Zion, or sets his feet on Olivet, or utters his voice from an American Zion or a Jewish Jerusalem; before all flesh shall see him together; before any of his appearances, which taken together comprise the second coming of the Son of God-before all these, there is to be a secret appearance to selected members of his Church. He will come in private to his prophet and to the apostles then living. Those who have held keys and powers and authorities in all ages from Adam to the present will also be present. And further, all the faithful members of the Church then living and all the faithful saints of all the ages past will be present (bold is mine). It will be the greatest congregation of faithful saints ever assembled on planet earth. It will be a sacrament meeting. It will be a day of judgment for the faithful of all the ages. And it will take place in Daviess County, Missouri, at a place called Adam-ondi-Ahman.
4. From President Spencer W. Kimball in June 75 Ensign:
“Abraham was true with God in all respects….Do you think it was any easier for Abraham to be righteous than it is for you??....Do you inwardly suspect that Abraham was given a little extra help by the Lord so that he could become a great and righteous man, or do you feel that we can all become as Abraham if we will learn to put God first in our lives. I testify to you that we can become as Abraham, who now, as a result of his valiance, hath entered into his exaltation and sitteth upon his throne. Is such exaltation a blessing reserved only for General Authorities, or stake presidents, or quorum presidents or bishops?? It is not. It is a blessing reserved for all who will prepare themselves by forsaking their sins, by truly receiving the Holy Ghost into their lives, and by following the example Abraham has set…..If parents would seek the blessings Abraham sought, they could also receive such revelation, covenants, promises, and eternal rewards as Abraham received.
What all this means to me is that the opportunity to see the Savior can happen in mortality, it probably happens more often then we know. There have been various testimonies of some of the General Authorities attesting to such. I am absolutely confident that such experiences are not limited to General Authorities. They can happen for us if, if, if we really seek for the opportunity and live our lives accordingly.
But time to get back to work now.
Steve
Wow, I didn't expect to find this while exploring family blogs. I couldn't help but get a little emotional reading it though...you being my brothers son. I also am teaching seminary...right in the middle of the last week of Christ's life. I've just taught doctrine like, The True Vine, The Second Comforter, Love one another as He loved us and if the world hates us, they hated Him first. You hit a very tender spot with your post John...thanks
First of all I apologize for the delay in commenting, I haven't been on for sometime.
Now I will address some of your questions.
Mostly just the question of what it will be like to kneel before Him? I have a feeling that for many of us it will bear some significant resemblance to what you described as your experience taking this picture. Many of us will not realize what is occurring until we are already on our knees before Him.
What the circumstance will be for each of us when we find ourselves kneeling at his feet may vary slightly but undoubtably the result will be the same.
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