Tuesday, May 20, 2014

If Grandma were here


Dear Grandma,

I miss you. I wish you were still here. I miss sitting at the round, wooden table in your dining room and seeing you, sitting with one leg tucked up underneath you, your other leg propped up and held close to your chest as you sip your diet Coke. 

I can see the light from the coming in through the back window, muted by the heavy curtains and rosy as it picks up the color of the orange shag carpet.

But the warmth in the room doesn't come from the afternoon sun. Warm, accepting love found a home with you. Your willingness to listen to and value me, always warmed me from the inside out. I miss you.

If you were here, I would sit again at your table and pepper you with questions. You and I both know how you like pepper. You see, I've started writing. I like to do it and I like to think that some of that comes from you. 

If you were here, I would ask you if you ever doubted yourself as a writer?
Did you ever feel like you were in over your head? Like you have no idea what you're doing and you write like a 1st grader?
Did you ever get so nervous about your writing that you had a stomach ache? Did you cry?
Were you ever so full of self doubt that you couldn't write anymore? Did you ever want to quit?
Did words ever fail you?

Oh Grandma, how I wish you were here and we were cuddled up around your table, eating homemade toast with extra crispy crust and lots of butter. I wish I could lean into you and tell you all my insecurities and whisper all my fears. You'd wipe my tears and calm my nerves, gently laying your smooth, wrinkled hand on mine, not needing the words you so artfully craft on paper, to ease my troubled heart.

I love you Grandma. I miss you.

With endearment,
me

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Gospel Doctrine OT C18: Strong and Good Courage

Gospel Doctrine OT c18 strong and good courage
Joshua 1, 3-4, 6, 23-24 (Marvin J. Ashton, “Straightway,” Conf. Rep., Apr. 1983)
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Ready to enter the promised land. Moses has given his final counsel. Joshua is the new prophet. Can you imagine how he must feel? To step into Moses’ sandals would be extremely intimidating. The Lord speaks to Joshua with comfort and counsel. ?Why? Because the Lord never leaves us alone, especially in hard, intimidating times!

Joshua 1
Read 1:6-9
What command did the Lord repeat 3 times in Joshua 1:6-9? To be strong and of good courage.
??What challenges do we face today that require strength and moral courage?
??When do you need strength and courage in your daily life?
??How/Where do you find it?
??What do you do to implement it?

Joshua 3
Entering the Promised Land, they are going to cross the Jordan River. The people were told to watch for the Ark of the Covenant because it would go before them and they would follow. They were told to prepare themselves and to sanctify themselves. V5- “Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
Read 3:15-17
??What did the priests who carried the ark have to do before the waters of the Jordan River stopped?
The priests walked into the water, during the flood season, before the water was stopped and the people passed over on dry land to Jericho.
??How is this like your life?
            We have to prepare, step into the water before the miracle, we follow the Lord against odds and during flood times, we are asked to do things we don’t understand or even believe are possible, we allow the Ark, or covenants, to direct our paths.

Elder Boyd K. Packer said:
“Shortly after I was called as a General Authority, I went to Elder Harold B. Lee for counsel.  He listened very carefully to my problem and suggested that I see President David O. McKay. President McKay counseled me as to the direction I should go. I was very willing to be abedient but saw no way possible for me to do as he counseled me to do.

“I returned to Elder Lee and told him that I saw no way to move in the direction I was counseled to go. He said, ‘The trouble with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.’ I replied that I would like to see at least a step or two ahead. Then came the lesson of a lifetime: ‘You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you.’” (“The Edge of the Light,” BYU Today, March 1991)

Joshua 4
After Israel was on the other side of Jordan, they were commanded that a man from each tribe (12 men) would go and “take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you,”.
Read 4:20-24 The stones would stand as a memorial.
??What personal memorials remind you of God’s power in your life?
??How do personal memorials bless you and others?

Joshua 23-24
Most of the rest of Joshua is about battles in reclaiming the Promised Land. Joshua led his people well. The book of Joshua ends with his final counsel before he dies. He reminds the Israelites about what God has done for them and how they’ve been blessed. He also reminds them to be careful and remain faithful.
Read 23:6-8 Cleave unto the Lord
24:15 Choose ye this day…


Elder Marvin J. Ashton said: “Joshua reminds us of the importance of making decisions promptly: ‘Choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord’ (Joshua 24:15). Not tomorrow, not when we get ready, not when it is convenient – but ‘this day,’ straightway, choose whom you will serve. He who invites us to follow will always be out in front of us with His Spirit and influence setting the pace. He has charted and marked the course, opened the gates, and shown the way. He has invited us to come unto Him, and the best time to enjoy His companionship is straightway. We can best get on the course and stay on the course by doing as Jesus did – make a total commitment to do the will of His Father.” (Conf. Rep., “Straightway,” Apr. 1983).

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Gospel Doctrine OT C17: Beware Lest Thou Forget

Gospel Doctrine OT c17 Beware Lest Thou Forget
Supplemental Reading: “Born of God,” Ezra Taft Benson, Gen. Conf., Oct. 1985
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After testing, chastening, and teaching the Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years, the Lord said they were ready to enter the Promised Land. But first, he had some important instructions for them. Moses delivered these instructions in three sermons that are recorded in Deuteronomy.

Deut 8:1-10   Children of Israel had many evidences of Christ. They saw miracles and witnessed his hand many times during their 40 years in the wilderness. They knew and had testimonies of Jesus Christ. But still, they struggled.
? How did they struggle and why?
I believe they struggled with making actions consistent with belief.
? What is the difference or makes the difference in converting belief into action?

Pres. Ezra Taft Benson said: 
“What think ye of Christ?” (Matt. 22:42) That question, posed by our Lord, has challenged the world for centuries.Anyone who will read the Book of Mormon and put it to the divine test that Moroni proposes (see Moro. 10:3-5) can be convinced that Jesus is the Christ. Once that conviction is gained, then comes the question “Will we choose to follow Him?” The devils believe that Jesus is the Christ, but they choose to follow Lucifer. (See James 2:19; Mark 5:7)Throughout the ages prophets have exhorted the people to make up their minds. “choose you this day whom ye will serve,” pled Joshua (Josh. 24:15)Elijah thundered, “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him.” (1 kgs. 18:21)When you choose to follow Christ, you choose the Way, the Truth, the Life – the right way, the saving ruth, the abundant life. (See John 14:6)“I would commend you to seek this Jesus,” states Moroni. (Ether 12:41) 
?What makes it hard to choose to follow Christ consistently?
?How can we make it easier to choose to follow Christ?
Moses’ counsel to the children of Israel can help us!



Deut 6: 5-9
WHAT                                                HOW
Love the Lord                                  w/ heart, soul & might
These words (scriptures)                  in heart
Teach words                          in house, talk, while sitting, walking, lying down,                                                                            rise up
Bind words                           on hand and eyes –
    Mosiah1:5–always before our eyes–what is before              our eyes now?
                                                        Is it symbolic of relationship w/ Christ or                                                                                     longing for the world?
Write words                          on posts and gates

Ezra Taft Benson said: 
"people who are “captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ. … Enter their homes and the pictures on their walls, the books on their shelves, the music in the air, their words and acts reveal them as Christians.They stand as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places. (Mosiah 18:9)  They have Christ on their minds, as they look unto Him in every thought. (D&C 6:36) They have Christ in their hearts as their affections are placed on Him forever (Alma 37:36).” (Conf Rep. Nov. ‘1985)
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Deut 6:10-11           ?What does this mean? Then he says BEWARE!
Deut 6:12-18 (Also Deut 8:11-18) ?Beware of what? Why?
            Don’t forget the Lord
            Fear the Lord
            Serve the Lord
            Swear by his name
            No other gods
            Don’t tempt the Lord
            Diligently keep commandments
            Do what is right and good

In the midst of the depression, Melvin J. Ballard warned of this danger:
“We are in the age of self-indulgence. It is not peculiar to this Church; it is in the world. The spirit of it is rampant everywhere. It beats upon our shores from all points. It enters into the midst of the people. It is a deadly siege in an attempt to destroy that which persecution, mob violence, privation and hardship failed to destroy, -the integrity of this people. I am not a pessimist either. While I recognize the storms that are raging against our standards, I am as sure as that I live that the promises of the Lord will be fulfilled, and that this work shall not fail, nor shall it be given to another people. I recognize however, with my brethren, that the sorest trials that have ever come to the Church in any age of the world are the trials of peace and prosperity. But we are to do a new thing, a thing that never has before been done—We are to take the Church of Christ not only through the age of persecution and mob violence, but through the age of peace and prosperity. For we must learn to endure faithfully, even in peace and prosperity.

I am not praying for the return of persecution and poverty; I am praying for peace and prosperity; but above all things for strength and power to endure this test. For it was not the design and the intention of the Lord to have this people always in suffering, in bondage and distress. They shall come to peace and prosperity, but it is the sorest trial that will come to them. (Elder Melvin J. Ballard, April 1929 Conf. Rep.)

God will bless us. We must be cautious and careful with our blessings and testimonies. We must make our actions consistent with our beliefs.          
Deut 8:18 What does it meant to establish his covenant?

Deut 6:23 He brought us out that he might bring us in.
**********************************************************************

Elder Ballard acknowledged that some young Church members worry about being misjudged and ridiculed for standing up for the Church’s doctrines and values.
“My dear young friends, don’t worry about those in the large and spacious building. … You are a great and important generation, and this is a great time to be alive! The future is bright. Say to yourself, “I am helping the Lord as I reach out to share my testimony and to teach the truths God has revealed in the last days.’” (CES Devotional, Sunday, May 4, 2014, San Diego, CA)
“They [handheld devices, such as smartphones] need to be our servants, not our masters.”


Rev 12:3 – 7 heads (lop one off and there’s another ready to getcha) ‘behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.’


D&C 76:28-29 (Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon had this vision while translating the Bible) ‘wherefore, he maketh war with the saints of God, and encompasseth them round about.’

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

A surprise publication

Years ago, the end of 2011, I came across a call for essay submissions for a project sponsored by BYU Women's Services, themed Recapturing Beauty. So I penned ashort essay and tried my hand at a poem for good measure and submitted them. 
 
Not long after, I received an email saying they wanted to publish my essay in their book. Time passed and graduate students in charge of the project came and left and every once in a while I would follow up with no concrete information other than they were still looking at the possibility of publishing it.
 
Fast forward 3 or so years to now. I received an email from BYU Women's Services regarding the book, "Why I Don't Hide My Freckles Anymore," published by Deseret Book (also available on Amazon). Because I was a contributor, they had a complimentary copy of the book for me in their office. What a surprise! What a fun title!

I was shocked! I almost wondered if they had my address wrong. It had been so long, maybe they'd made a mistake. When we were at BYU for the Hope of America, I stopped by the office to pick up my book. I joked with the woman (who was the editor of the book) that I hoped my essay was really in the book. She said, "Oh, I remember your essay, about the rainbow. I really like it. And here's your copy." 
 
And sure enough, there was my essay and a warm, fuzzy feeling settled in my heart. I must admit, after several recent rejections, seeing this short essay published, 3 years after submission, was a very, very nice surprise. 
 
Here is Rachel, modeling the book in Deseret Book.
 
Seriously though, I am really looking forward to reading this book. The messages are short and sweet, exploring the true definition of beauty. You can read as many or few as you have time for. Nothing but uplifting inspiration and validation will come from reading "Why I Don't Hide My Freckles Anymore." I wish I could buy a copy for every beautiful person I know.
 
 
 
 
 
Side note/Tip:This book would make a fantastic Mother's Day gift. One reason is because it doesn't focus on being a mother. Contradictory?
 
Being a mother is a noble and wonderful person to be, but sometimes it is quite overwhelming to contemplate how vast and important the responsibility is to be a mother.
 
I just erased two paragraphs here and realized I need to have a whole separate post about the pressure of Mother's Day. Let me just say, a book on loving yourself for the beautiful person you already are would be a simply magnificent gift for any womanon Mother's Day. And I'm please to have my name in there somewhere. 

And here is the poem, even though it's not in the book :)
 
RAINBOW

An arch

Of splendid color,

crescent shape spanning the sky,

heavy with moisture, like diamonds.

Its unabashed beauty lies not purely in its shape or reflection

But in the beauty of the One

Who created it.

Beauty in the

Reflection of

His light.

 

WORLD

The world

Would have beauty

Defined, as a rainbow, in

Mere shape, color and reflection

Of profession, accomplishment and reputation.

And so, like the rainbow

The world’s defined beauty

remains always just

Out of reach.

 

SPIRIT

Authentic, real beauty

Is inherently ours, for it resides

In the essence of our Creator.

We, who carry within us the reflection of the Creator

Of His glory, power and love

Are beautiful because

We are

His.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Gospel Doctrine OT C15: Fiery serpents

Gospel Doctrine OT c15 Fiery serpents
Numbers 12-14, 21:4-9
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Activity: Stand a class member on one side of the room. Indicate the other side of the room is the Promised Land. The class member must walk to the Promised Land but he must look behind him the whole way. After all is said and done, it would be must easier to make that journey looking forward. Where we are looking is important.

LOOK TO…..
The Prophet c12
Story of Miriam and Aaron – They spoke against Moses as their presiding authority, pointing out that they too had received revelation and the Lord rebukes them.
            Num 12:1-6 – summary, rebuke
                        12:7-8 – how the Lord talks to Moses
?How are we affected when we criticize church leaders?
?How can our criticism of church leaders affect our family and friends?
                        12:9-10 – what happens to Miriam?
                        12:11-15
?How did Moses react to Miriam’s punishment?
?How can we use Moses’ reaction in our own lives? How do you respond to criticism?
?How do you follow the prophet? Bottom line question!

The Promised Land/eternal life c12-13
13:1-3, 17-20 Moses sends 12 men to scout out Canaan, which is supposed to be their promised land. They are gone 40 days. When they come back, this is their report.
13:27-33 men’s reports
?What is the difference in the reports?

Hinckley:  “Ten of the spies were victimsm of their own doubts and fears. The gave a negative report of the numbers and statue of the Canaanites. … They compared themselves as grasshoppers to the giants they had seen in the land.

“We see some around us who are indifferent concerning the future of this work, who ar apathetic, who speak of limitations, who expres fears, who spend their time digging out and writing about what they regard to be weaknesses which really are of no consequence. With doubt concerning its past, they have no vision concerning its future.” (Conf Rep Oct, 1995).

?How do some of us make the same error as the 10 spies?
14:6-9 How was Caleb’s and Joshua’s report different?
?What were Caleb and Joshua looking toward? Promised Land, hopeful future?
?What are some ways we can follow their example, especially in difficult times? Spirititual, mortal, social

Hinckley: “There is no place in this work for those who believe only in the gospel of doom and gloom. The gospel is good news. It is a message of triumph. It is a cause to be embraced with enthusiasm.

“The Lord never said that there would not be troubles. Our people have known afflictions of every sort as those who have opposed this work have ocme upon them. But faith has shown through all their sorrows. This work has consistently moved forward and has ndever taken a backward step since its inception. …

“This is an age of pessimism. Ours is a mission of faith. To my brethren and sisters everywhere, I call upon you to reaffirm your faith, to move this work forward across the world. You can make it stronger by the manner in which you live.” (Conf Rep. Oct. 1995).

14:26-35 because of murmuring- 40 days turned into 40 years. Only Caleb and Joshua were originals to see Promised land.

In the Book of Mormon we read about the Liahona. How did the Liahona work? Scriptures tell us the Liahona was a type. Alma 37:43-47

The Savior c21:4-9
Why didn’t the Lord get rid of the serpents? Because the serpents were not the problem.
?What was the problem?
1 Nephi 17:41
Alma 37:46-47
?If the way is easy-why do we make it so complicated?

Jacob 4:14
?How do we make it complicated?
?What is the mark? Simple, saving principles and ordinances. What are they?
?How can we keep our focus on Christ and not on other things?

Elder Carlos E. Asay: “We, like Israel of old, must rivet our eyes and minds upon the cross of Christ if we hope to gain eternal life, because through his resurrection e will gain the victory over physical death. And his atonement opens up to us a way to overcome our sins, a way to spiritual rebirth, and a way back to the presence of God.


“The direction of our look is critical. … Our looks must not be allowed to wander across the way or to become fixed upon the perishable things of the world. The eye … must be trained to look upward. WE must look to God and live!” (conf rep. Oct 1978)

Monday, April 7, 2014

Gospel Doctrine OT C13: Bondage, Passover, Exodus

Gospel Doctrine Old Testament C13
Bondage, Passover, and Exodus (Exodus 1-13)
____________________________________________________________________
Display stuffed lamb, tortilla, herbs, shoes – What do these represent??

Read: Hebrews 11:24-29 Faith of Moses

Summary Ex. 1-6: 
            The Lord calls Moses to deliver Israel from bondage.
            ???Is there anything you want to discuss from this section?
            1:8 new king who knew not Joseph

            1:17 midwives feared God (D&C 3:7)

            2:23-24 God hears prayers and remembers his people and covenants

            -3:3-4 Moses turned toward bush before God spoke
            3:5 Holy ground

***3:7 God will come to our aid (D&C 90:24; Mosiah 24:14-15)

            Joseph’s experience led him to give Pharaoh this answer (Gen 41:15-16)

-4:1-5 such a human reaction (rod into snake)

4:10-11 why doubt God when he is the ultimate creator. Of course he controls all and boy is he patient!

5 This Pharaoh is not Moses stepfather

5:10-13, 22-23 Moses was supposed to save them but their work just became more difficult

???How can we not doubt God when things become hard and remember that he is God? 6:8 I AM the LORD

Summary Ex. 7-10:
7 – we should beware of Satan’s false imitations
8-10 The Lord sends plagues upon Egypt.
Water to blood
Frogs
Lice or gnats
Flies
Cattle dying
Boils and blains
Hail and fire
Locusts
Darkness
Death of first born

Read: Final plague 11:1, 5-6
Identify symbolism in 12:1-14; 22

Exodus 12 details the Lord's very specific instructions to Moses for Israel to observe in order to be saved from the destroying angel's deadly work.  The elements listed below are some of the symbolic meanings beyond their historical use in Egypt; note how they point to larger realities within the Lord's redemptive work throughout all time.
  • Exodus 12:1—their life in Egypt represents bondage to sin.
  • Exodus 12:2—the "Passover" becomes the marking of their new calendar and as such points to the newness of life that we should live in Christ (see Romans 6:1-6 and the later symbolism of Israel's passing through the waters of the Red Sea and the Lord's fiery revelation at Sinai).
  • Exodus 12:3—the use of a lamb, the quintessential representation of Christ himself (see also Revelation 5:6)
  • Exodus 12:5—properties of the lamb point to Jesus' perfect life and priesthood power (note that goats could be used as well; the Day of Atonement held at the end of the Israelite harvest and festival season featured two goats described in Leviticus 16). The Savior is the firstborn Son of God, the Lamb of God without spot or blemish ( 1Peter 1:19).
  • Exodus 12:6—the slain lamb represents the "infinite and eternal" sacrifice of Jesus Christ (cf. Alma 34:10-11).
  • Exodus 12:7—the blood of the lamb marking the door of each house signified who should be spared (atone means to ‘cover'); so shall each individual be spared the fulness of punishment owed for their sins due to the blood of him who did no sin; see D&C 45:4-5. The Savior’s blood, which he shed in Gethsemane and on the cross, cleanses the faithful and saves them from spiritual death (Mosiah 4:2).
  • ***Exodus 12:7—the doorposts representing the daily acts of our lives affected by this marvelous offer in Christ's atonement. “By sprinkling our Lord's blood upon the doorposts of our hearts and upon the lintels of our souls, we set our dwellings apart from the world: we make open and visible confession of our allegiance to Him whose blood has eternal saving power; we set ourselves apart from the Egyptians, the Sodomites, and the seekers after Sheol; and we place ourselves with the believing portion of mankind.” Ted Gibbons LDS Living.
  • Exodus 12:8—roasting the meat with fire symbolizes the purifying work of the Holy Ghost and the baptism of fire (see also 2 Nephi 31:13-17).
  • Exodus 12:8—the unleavened bread typified the coming Lord as the bread of life without any impurity (leaven, or yeast, is a corrupting agent). “Leaven, or yeast, was seen anciently as a symbol of corruption because it so easily spoiled and turned moldy. … For the Israelites, eating the unleavened bread symbolized that they were partaking of the bread which had no corruption or impurity, namely, the Bread of Life, who is Jesus Christ (see John 6:35)” (Old Testament Student Manual). The removal of leaven also suggested repentance or the removal of sin from a person’s life.
  • Exodus 12:10—the bitter herbs represent the suffering of sin and the bitterness of soul that results from willful rebellion against God.
  • ***Exodus 12:11— Eat in haste, loins girded, shoes on, and staffs in hand symbolize the journey out of sin and also the preparedness for the Lord's call when deliverance will be announced. Like the Israelites, we need to respond eagerly and immediately to the deliverance that the Savior offers us.
  • Exodus 12:13—the angel of death passing over represents the saving work of the Atonement providing deliverance from spiritual death.
  • ***Exodus 12:22- Warning not to wander – “Once we have installed the protective influence of the atonement in our lives, we must not leave it to go out the door to explore theh world. There is no possible concern or opportunity that could justify setting aside the protection o the blood of Christ and his atonement to become a partaker of the things of the world.” Ted Gibbons LDS Living
  • Exodus 12:30-32—Israel's actual freedom typifies the final release from mortal corruption in the resurrection and rewards granted in the Judgment.
  • ***Exodus 12:42—the injunction to hold this (and other feasts) points to the Lord's wise program of remembrance through mnemonic tools such as our latter-day Sacrament meeting where we partake of similar emblems of Christ's wondrous work of salvation.
  • Exodus 12:46—the lamb was not to have a broken bone stands as one of the more fascinatingly unusual details of an otherwise normal crucifixion when Jesus was brutally hung on the cross at Golgotha (see John 19:31-36).
Many of the above notes can be found in Elder McConkie's The Promised Messiah (pp. 431-32). 
Read: 12:29-30- the final plague is devastating. Think about how worn down they have been. All the plagues and hardship have worn them down. They are weak mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The work of taking thousands of people on a trek is astounding. Think of a time when you have been beat upon until you can’t take it any longer and you are just a hot, crying mess.  Think of preparing your family for a long trip. Then make it a camping trip. Then make it a week long, month long, year long.
Ex. 12:42 ???Why did the Lord want Israel to continue to keep the Feast of the Passover in the future years?
President Hunter talks about the final hours of the life of Christ and says:
“Finally, preparations for the Passover meal were complete, in keeping with nearly fifteen hundred years of tradition. Jesus sat down with his disciples and, after the eating of the sacrificial lamb and of the bread and wine of this ancient feast, he taught them a newer and holier meaning of the ancient blessing from God.
The bread and wine, rather than the animals and herbs, would become emblems of the great Lamb’s body and blood, emblems to be eaten and drunk reverently and in remembrance of him forever.” (Howard W. Hunter, “Christ, Our Passover”, Conf, Apr 1985).
Pres. Hunter also said:
“This magnificent gesture of love and unity was a fitting prelude to the paschal meal that followed. From the time the firstborn of the faithful children of Israel had been “passed over” in the destruction brought on Egypt by Pharaoh’s intransigence, the Passover meal, with all its symbolic emblems and gestures, had been faithfully observed by Israel’s families. How fitting it was during the observance of this ancient covenant of protection that Jesus should institute the emblems of the new covenant of safety—the emblems of his own body and blood. As he took the bread and broke it, and took the cup and blessed it, he was presenting himself as the Lamb of God who would provide spiritual nourishment and eternal salvation.” (Howard W. Hunter, “His Final Hours”, 1974).
??? How is the sacrament a “new covenant of safety” for us?
??? How do we treat the sacrament?
“Perhaps we do not always attach that kind of meaning to our weekly sacramental service. How ‘sacred’ and how ‘holy is it? Do we see it as our Passover, remembrance of our safety and deliverance and redemption?

With so very much at stake, this ordinance commemorating our escape from the angel of darkness should be taken more seriously than it sometimes is. It should be a powerful, reverent, reflective moment. It should encourage spiritual feelings and impressions. AS such it should not be rushed. It is not something to ‘get over’ so that the real purpose of a sacrament meeting can be pursued. This is the real purpose of the meeting. And everything that is said or sung or prayed in those services should be consistent with the grandeur of this sacred ordinance.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “This Do in Remembrance of Me”, Conf, Oct 1995)