Finding Hope in the Gospel of Jesus Christ

This is a gospel of hope and joy! Despite the challenges, heartbreaks, fears, pains, disappointments, temptations, and illness we face, we can find hope and joy in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. His Atonement is infinite, and with that comes infinite hope. Elder Maxwell declared, “The joy made possible through the infinite Atonement is infinite joy- joy that extends endlessly and to immeasurable heights.” Think of it, Christ offers us everlasting and true joy! All He asks is for us to accept the glorious gift of His Atonement and “Come, follow me.”

Words from one of my favorite songs come to mind. The song is entitled, “You are for me,” by Kari Jobe. The title alone has a beautiful message. God, our loving Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ are for us! They have a beautiful plan of hope and happiness for each of us. It is a personal, perfect plan. Perhaps we begin to doubt that They are for us when things just don’t seem to be going right. The Lord asks us to, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” I have found that the most discouraging and frustrating times in my life stem from “leaning unto my own understanding.” The key to finding direction in life is 1. Trusting in the Lord and 2. Acknowledging Him.

This morning I met a sweet elderly lady in the temple who exemplified this trust. We spent some time talking in the locker room. Her husband passed away 8 years ago. Despite the loneliness she must feel, she stood tall and with confidence in the Plan of Salvation. She spends two days a week as an ordinance worker in the temple and the rest of her time doing genealogy. I was inspired by this woman because I could see the hope and light of the gospel in her eyes and could hear it in her words. There was no doubt in my mind that she trusted in the Lord and acknowledged His plan, and because of that she was sustained in her daily life. She involves herself in the things that matter most and lives with thanksgiving daily, despite her challenges. I want to live in such a way that when people see me, they see the hope and joy and light of the gospel of Jesus Christ! May this promise of the Lord sustain all of us: “Let your hearts be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly” (Doctrine and Covenants 100:15). May we each have eyes to see the silver lining!

Last Week

Our last two field trips focused on the events that happened in the last week of Christ life.

Inside Lazarus' Tomb. Lazarus' tomb is in Bethany, where Christ raised him from the dead. According to tradition, he later died and was buried here.

Outside Lazarus' tomb

This church was built to honor Bethany, the town of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Bethany is where Christ made His headquarters for the last week of His life. Christ loved Bethany because He was accepted and loved by friends there.

Inside the church at Bethany

Church at Bethphage, the traditional location where Christ mounted his donkey to prepare for His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Inside the church at Bethphage

Dormition Abbey behind us

Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu. 

This church commemorates Christ's trial by Caiaphas.

 It also commemorates Peter's triple denial of Christ.

Pater Noster Church. This site was previously the traditional site where Christ instructed His apostles during the last week. It was later associated with the Lord's prayer.

The Lord's prayer in Spanish.

Dominus Flevit. This church commemorates Christ weeping over Jerusalem (see Luke 19: 41; Matt 23:37).

View of the Old City from the church

A beautiful view of the Old City

Moon over our home

On our second day of field trips, we went to several churches. We started our day at the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations built on site. It was peaceful to be there one last time and reflect on the events that occurred there for me and for all mankind. I am grateful that it didn't take traveling to this garden to know that Christ atoned for me, but that I was led to think of Him while sitting there. Brother Belnap talked about how the 3 days following the Atonement were dark days for the apostles. We too will experience dark times, but we can rest assured that Christ is always our morning star, our hope of a brighter future! Because the Light of the World came into the world, we will never walk in darkness, utterly alone.

I think it is very fitting that "Peace" is written in the Garden, for it is through Christ's Atonement that we can all have peace.

Then we went to the Gethsemane grotto, the traditional site where the apostles fell asleep while Christ suffered in Gethsemane. Brother Belnap talked about the heaviness of that night and how the apostles likely tried to stay awake, but could not because of the heaviness in the air.

Following the grotto, we went to St. Anne's Church, near Bethesda. We walked in on a quartet singing "Amazing Grace." That song was fitting, especially since Bethesda means "House of Healing/ Mercy." Christ has healed my heart time and time again. How grateful I am for His mercy and amazing grace!

Our next stop was the Church of Flagellation, the traditional site where Christ was whipped. Truly "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities... and with His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53: 5). Following this stop, we went to the Church of the Condemnation.

We ended our day at the Garden Tomb. We had a beautiful meeting filled with song and testimony. I sang "Jesus the Very Thought of Thee," in a quartet with Kensi, Jared, and Nick. I am grateful for the power of music and the gift of expression it gives to me. This meeting was the perfect way to end our semester.

The Gunthers- the humanitarian service couple. I have learned so much from their example.

The Seeley's! Oh how we love them! Brother Seeley was our Ancient Near Eastern professor.

Golgotha

Carissa and I went to our favorite singing spot and sang for the last time. We felt it was appropriate to end with "Savior, Redeemer of my Soul."

Carissa and I said our goodbye's to the Garden Tomb, our favorite place in Jersualem. It was an emotional experience. However, the thought came to me, "Catie, just because you're leaving the place where the Resurrection could have happened, it doesn't mean that the things you felt and the eternal truth that He lives will be left behind too. A place is a place, but the doctrine of the Resurrection will last forever and is a gift that all mankind will be blessed by." I am so grateful for the truth that He lives! Whether we are close to the place it happened or not, He was resurrected and that is all that matters!

Heavenly Father painted a beautiful sunset in the sky to finish a great day!