This Is The Christ

"They heard His voice, a voice so mild. 

It pierced them through and made their souls to quake. 

They saw Him come, a man in white, The Savior, who had suffered for their sake. 

They felt the wounds in hands and side, 

And each could testify

This is the Christ. 

This is the Christ, the holy Son of God, Our Savior, Lord, Redeemer of mankind. 

This is the Christ, the Healer of our souls, Who ransomed us with love divine.

I read His words, the words He prayed While bearing sorrow in Gethsemane. 

I feel His love, the price He paid. 

How many drops of blood were spilled for me? 

With Saints of old in joyful cry I too can testify

This is the Christ. 

This is the Christ, the holy Son of God, Our Savior, Lord, Redeemer of mankind. 

This is the Christ, the Healer of our souls, Who ransomed us with love divine."

I too think about what i must've been like. To see the Saviour of the world come again. To show he fulfilled the will of his father. To show the world he is our Redeemer. That he accomplished the one thing that no one else could've have done. The love that must've been there. The tears of joy. The falling down and praise that must've been shown. 

This week we had the privilege of having Elder Alan T. Phillips join us for our Zone Conference. Being in the presence of one of Jesus Christ choiced servants was such a sacred experience. The spirit he brought was pure and true. The spirit consumed me and i found myself in tears the whole meeting. It was a day full of feeling the love my Saviour has for me. 

During the meeting Elder Phillips invited us to go around the mission office and find a spot to ponder on our relationship with Jesus Christ, to really think about how he feels about us. 

Tears continued to stream down my face as i prayed and pondered this. 

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

"I did this all for you" he says.

A love so personal. 

Not one could explain. 

But all i can explain is the feeling i get when i realise it was all for me. 

He knows me. 

He knows my pain. 

It hurts so bad. 

But, he felt it too. 

And through it all he is right beside me. 

He lives. 

He walks with me. 

He also carries me when i feel like i can't stand anymore. 

He meets me on the ground. 

He holds me as I cry and says, 

Be still and know that i am with thee.

This is the Christ. 

This became real to me as i sat on the floor of the cultural hall. Praying to him to let me see and feel. He met me there. I felt how he felt about me and i saw what he needed me to see. I feeling and sight I can't deny. He is real. This is something i have been trying so hard to know. To really and truly know for myself. 

And now i know. 

This is the Christ. 

As i have been studying jesus christ ministry the more i realise he truly had a true human experience. Before he suffered for all of us in the Garden of Gethsemane he had lived a life full of ups and downs. A lot of the pain and rejection came even before the suffering on that significant day. His ministry continues to build my testimony and understanding of what he truly did for each of heavenly fathers children. 

I had 2 experiences this week that were major testimony building for me. 2 very different situations. 

As we were teaching our friend Marvin this man came over and started sharing some very unkind words about how i was teaching and about the gospel. His words hurt me really bad. It was super sad to see another believer in christ come and attack others who and teaching about christ. It was hard to have this all happen during a lesson. The hardest part was seeing our friend go over and converse with him after our lesson. 

This experience taught me a lot. After this interaction before we left we walked over and shook his hand and wish him well and then we went into the bathroom and shed a few tears. It wasnt because i was offended. It was because i love jesus christ. For a small moment i felt what it must've been like for him. For him to go around and do the will of his father and get persecuted for it. To have the deepest desire for the salvation of every soul, and those precious souls reject him. That had to hurt so bad. But, he forgave them and continued going about his fathers business. 

This is the Christ. 

What a blessing it is that we have him as our greatest example. 

I was able to say a prayer and forgive these 2 men. It changed my heart. I felt gods love for them. I know that one day they will be able to know the truth! That makes me happy that our god is merciful enough to give even the greatest sinners another chance. I know that because he has done that for me over and over again! 

On saturday our friend Jemal made his 1st covenant! This day was so special! I have known jemal my whole mission so to be able to be apart of this special day is something i will never forget. 

The day before his baptism Sister Slade and I met with him and we shared our conversion stories with him. This is a lesson i will never forget. Getting to reflect on my journey as i have been able to be apart of Jemals journey was so special. I love how heavenly father sets up our lives so perfectly. How each and every experience we have is for the benefit of what's to come in the future. These experiences i have had in my life have been so i can help other come unto to jesus christ. I wouldn't trade that for anything. 

Watching jemal change the last few months has changed me. I have truly seen the lord soften his heart. He has allowed the saviour to work in his life. 

I think of the Saviour watching his disciples soften their heart. Watching them grow a deep love for him and his gospel! That joy he must have felt seeing these men become disciples. I feel like got a little taste of what that must've been like! He makes imperfect people perfect! He believe in all and gives all the opportunity to come and follow him! 

This is the Christ! 

Watching jemal come out of the water touched my heart. He is changed! He is a mighty one in the Lord's army. I love my brothers and sisters so much. Getting to see them be cleansed and connected to heavenly father is the most rewarding blessing. I feel so blessed that the Lord trusted me to stay in Stockport longer. He knew i needed these experiences with his precious children! He loves me. He loves Jemal. He love everyone so perfectly. 

Being his servant in the vineyard is so rewarding. I can't believe how much this work has changed me over the last 6 months. He is shaping me. Its hard and it hurts but im growing into what he needs me to be. Each day i wake up so excited to see what he is wanting to teach me. Each day i wake up so excited to bring his precious children back to him. 

I love my Saviour Jesus Christ.

He is everything to me. 

He is the Christ. 

How do you know Jesus is the Christ? 

I love you. 

He loves you. 

Be believing. 

With love, 

Sister B.