Acts
I have sat in many theatres throughout the world.
Yesterday, in Ephesus, I sat in one of the most ancient.
In its day, it could hold some 24,000 people.
Starting in the 4th century BC, it took over 60 years to build.
This trip is with other mission leaders from throughout Europe.
Walking the streets of Ephesus, I imagined what it was like to live there.
New Testament
From the New Testament, we know that the Apostle Paul lived in Ephesus for up to 3 years.
Towards the end of our visit, we all assembled in the theatre to listen to LDS scholar James Toronto give a masterful discourse on the ancient Apostle.
He shared many interesting insights.
Then he started to read through Acts 19: 19-31, where there was an incident with the Apostle in the very theatre that we were gathered.
Ancient history suddenly came to life.
Apostles
Listening and reflecting in that moment, I thought about the ancient Apostle and imagined what happened that day.
As I sat pondering, I turned to my right.
Sat close by, was a modern Apostle, Quentin L. Cook.
A few moments later he addressed us and shared a personal experience he’d enjoyed with his fellow Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland who had dedicated Türkiye some years ago for the preaching of the Gospel.
The book of Acts was written by Luke, a disciple who travelled with Paul on his missionary journeys, in fulfilment of the command Jesus gave His Apostles to preach the gospel “in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47).
Sat with mission leaders from around Europe, I couldn’t help but draw a modern parallel to the ancient text of the book of Acts, as we 𝒂𝒄𝒕 together and testify of the restored gospel, bringing it unto “every nation, kindred, tongue and people. (Alma 37:4).
It was a sobering thought.
In Paul’s day, the Lord Jesus Christ called Apostles to preach the gospel.
In our day, I know that once again, He has called Apostles to preach the gospel for one last time.
