Tag Archive for: Jesus Christ

Joyfully United Together

On Saturday, I travelled to Vienna in Austria, with my fellow church leaders from Belgium and the Netherlands.
Starting very early, and finishing extremely late, made for one very long day!
Why go all that way for a few hours, I hear you say?
Well, we were able to meet with Elder D. Todd Christofferson, an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, in an Area Leadership Meeting along with other General Authorities of the church.
We gathered with other country church leaders from throughout Europe.
One word was prevalent throughout the sessions โ€“ ๐‰๐Ž๐˜!
How do you find joy today?
The answer was clear and simple.
Begin with your focus on Jesus Christ.
Connect to Him.
Connect to Him through the ordinances of His Gospel.
Connect to Him through the community of Saints.
Being together was not only a spiritual feast, but it was also a joy to associate with so many great friends from throughout Europe.
I especially loved meeting up with my dear friends Signe and Mike, who Iโ€™d last seen 5 years ago in Vienna, whilst we worked together in our respective Public Affairs and Communication roles.
A day never to be forgotten for sure.
I was grateful the next day, Sunday, our Sabbath day, its also well known by an alternative name โ€“ a day of rest!
I was in need of a bit of that ๐Ÿ˜Š
If you are looking for more joy in your life, then speak with the missionaries โ€“ they will help!

The Multiplier Effect

I offered a 1 Euro coin to the missionaries on Friday.
โ€œHow much is that worthโ€ I asked?
โ€œ1 Euroโ€ came the reply.
I inquired further, โ€œAre you sure?โ€
โ€œYesโ€ he said.
I responded, โ€œItโ€™s actually worth a lot more than that, let me show you how.”
I purchased a random item from the first missionary with the 1 Euro coin.
Then he purchased an item from the second missionary in line with the same 1 Euro coin.
The second bought something from the third, and the third bought something from the fourth, with the same 1 Euro coin.
As if by magic, the 1 Euro coin had now become worth 4 Euroโ€™s.
Repeating the process, 1 Euro can become worth thousands of Euro’s.

The Multiplier

In economics itโ€™s called the ๐’Ž๐’–๐’๐’•๐’Š๐’‘๐’๐’Š๐’†๐’“ ๐’†๐’‡๐’‡๐’†๐’„๐’•.
Multiplying means to increase or cause to increase greatly in number or quantity.
Iโ€™ve learned that there are, earthly economic principles and divine eternal principles of multiplying โ€“ it depends on who is doing the work.

Scripturally

For instance, the scriptures are filled with stories of multiplying.
In each of the Gospels, we read about the ๐‘ฎ๐’“๐’†๐’‚๐’• ๐‘ด๐’–๐’๐’•๐’Š๐’‘๐’๐’Š๐’†๐’“, our Saviour Jesus Christ, feeding the 5,000 with five loaves and two fishes.
We understand that after the breaking, came the giving.
In Mark 6:42-43 we read โ€œAnd they did all eat and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.โ€
The multiplication was a result of His work, not our work.
To meet a great need, He always starts with what we have.
I know that Jesus Christ is an expert at multiplication.
Time and time again, our Saviour takes something small, ordinary, seemingly irrelevant, and multiplies it into something amazing, remarkable and of eternal significance.

Starting Small

I find it interesting that He always starts small.
The loaves and fishes were broken by His hands.
Sometimes we are broken too, before we see the blessings of the Great multiplier.
Tenderly, He will multiply your faith, your hope, your love, your joy and your worth.
He can supply all that you need, in abundance.
Let Him be your ๐‘ฎ๐’“๐’†๐’‚๐’• ๐‘ด๐’–๐’๐’•๐’Š๐’‘๐’๐’Š๐’†๐’“.
Ask the missionaries โ€“ theyโ€™ll help you understand.

Running on Empty?

Our car doesnโ€™t run at all when the fuel gauges show empty.
Yesterday, as I filled up the tank, I was reminded that it has two separate fuelling sources to power the engine and run more efficiently.
Itโ€™s a hybrid vehicle.
The engine combines unleaded fuel and electricity, to provide energy.

Soul Power

Similarly, we have two fuelling sources to power our souls.
Everything we do in life requires energy, and we too have a constant need for fuel.
Scriptures tell us that โ€œThe spirit and the body are the soul of man.โ€ – Doctrine & Covenants 88:15
Your spirit and body donโ€™t run at all well when their fuel gauges are on empty.
We fuel our physical body through the things we eat and drink.
Just as your body needs to be nourished with good food, your spirit needs fuel too.
Combing the two, you will run more efficiently.
The soul combines physical fuel and spiritual fuel, to provide energy.
We can fuel our spirits through prayer, studying the scriptures, partaking of the sacrament, making covenants at baptism and in the temple.
Iโ€™ve found that one of the best sources of refuelling our souls, is time alone with my Heavenly Father in quiet morning reflection, study, and meditation.

Examples

Whenever I’m in need of refuelling, instead of looking to the example of the world, I look to the example of Jesus Christ.
In John 6:35, we read that we must feed on Him; โ€œ…I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.โ€
C. S. Lewis expressed it this way: โ€œGod designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other.โ€
Our faith in Jesus Christ is the fuel that feeds and sustains our spiritual needs.

Spiritual Fuel

โ€œWhat is required to maintain a sufficient store of spiritual fuel? We must acquire knowledge of God’s eternal plan and our role in it, and then by living righteously, surrendering our will to the will of the Lord, we receive the promised blessings.โ€ โ€“ L. Tom Perry.
My invitation today is to allow Jesus Christ to share your load and to fill up your spiritual fuel tank.
If youโ€™re running on empty, speak with the missionaries, they can help refill your tank.

Time Heals

Our time on earth is limited, yet the things to be done with our time are limitless.
Itโ€™s been six months today, since I broke my collar bone playing silly games at Zone Conference in Breda.
Actually, it feels just like yesterdayโ€ฆ
That time has come and gone.
Physical tests come to us because of our mortality.
Iโ€™d never broken any bones before, and that day I became aware of so many different things.
I discovered lots about new physical aches, discomfort and pain.
In the first few days, time passed slowly and each day I had many ups and downs.

Healing

At times, I literally had to ๐’๐’†๐’‚๐’ on others to help me.
The miracle of the human body is that it went to work and self-repaired itself.
Today, I have healed.
Healing happens through the process of living and taking action.
Yet, the timeline of healing is different for everyone, one day at a time.
We cannot save time.
We cannot call it back.
We cannot re-use it.
We simply spend time and then itโ€™s gone.
Yet, time does much โ€“ ๐’Š๐’• ๐’‰๐’†๐’‚๐’๐’” โ€“ it softens pain and sorrows too.

Enduring

We donโ€™t know what we can endure until we have to.
Yet there is one who truly endured all things.
It is through developing faith in Jesus Christ that accelerates and magnifies all healing.
He took upon Himself all โ€œour infirmitiesโ€ (see Alma 7:11-13/Luke 5:15) so that He can come to us โ€œwith healing in his wings.โ€ โ€“ 2 Nephi 25:13.
Jesus Christ always stands ready to save us from the pain and sorrows of our wounded souls, no matter how much time it may take.
He places His healing balm on our wounds and binds them up.
๐‘ณ๐’†๐’‚๐’ on ๐‡๐ข๐ฆ.
Jesus Christ heals all wounds, and He can heal yours too, through time in small and simple ways.
He has for me.
And He can for you too.

The Road to 200…

โ€œCan it be done?โ€ asked the missionary.
โ€œThatโ€™s a stretchโ€ was the reply.
Nevertheless, the goal was set.

Finding

Every week, finding new people with which to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is a challenge.

Missionary work is finding people, teaching them and helping them to come unto Christ.

Since 2017 in Belgium and the Netherlands non-religious people have been in the majority.

Indeed, recent censuses show that those following no religious belief is increasing.

Its tough out there!
And yet we try.
Our previous best, 10% shy of the new goal, was achieved with a seasoned group of experienced missionaries.
Things change, our mission is now made up of youthful inexperience, yet aflame with a fire of faith.

Impossible?

The scriptures are replete with examples where the Lord employs the unlikely to achieve the impossible.
Could it happen again?
โ€œAnd he said, the things which are impossible with men are possible with God.โ€ โ€“ Luke 18:27
Faith is a principle of action and power.
I know that struggles yield learning and growth.

Momentum

And so, with obedience, prayer, inner belief and frankly, a lot of effort, the missionaries went to work, with all their heart, might, mind and strength.
Momentum started to build.
Hour by hour, day by day, miracles happened.
One by one, clutching a Book of Mormon, missionaries spoke with everyone they met.
Hereโ€™s just one example.
By mid-week, I received a message from Kate, Emily, Anna and Grace.
Theyโ€™d been working their socks off all day in Amsterdam and online.
The result, that day, they found 32 people themselves.
By Friday afternoon the mission goal was done.
By this morning, it was completely smashed.
A remarkable week! How could that happen?
President Russell M. Nelson taught that as we increase our faith in Jesus Christ, focus on eternity and build our strength and courage in Him, miracles happen as we acknowledge the Hand of the Lord.
And they did!
How have you seen the hand of the Lord in your life?

Divine Passports

Travelling to a foreign land?
A passport verifies your identity and nationality.
If you donโ€™t have your passport, then – you wonโ€™t get in!
On Friday we were at Schiphol (again).
We were eagerly awaiting 8 new missionaries.
6 of the missionaries arrived, then I received a message from Bentley Lorimer…
โ€œHey, so I think I left my passport on the plane, me and Aliyah Oliveira will be out a little later than everyone else!โ€โ€ฆ
Thenโ€ฆ โ€œWe are pretty sure they found it, and they are just taking us to get it.โ€
Time passedโ€ฆ
15 minutes became 60, then 90!
Theyโ€™d gone to security, then back to the arrivals gate, then back to security and subsequently directed to lost & found.
Bentleyโ€™s anxiety levels reached record levels!

Lost and Found

Finally, lost & found said that Delta flight staff had located it and she needed to come and collect it.
Reunited with her passport, and her identity confirmed, she made it safely through security feeling ever so discombobulated!
We were delighted to eventually greet them both.
Passports are critical, allowing us to travel safely through countries.

The first passport

In the Old Testament, the book of Nehemiah records the first ever mentioned passport.
In Nehemiah 2:7 we read that he asked the king for letters to be able to pass through specific lands on his way to his destination.
Those letters were his traveling papers. Today, weโ€™d call them a passport.
His true identity was confirmed by the seal of the Kings letters and travelled safely towards Judah, and home again.
In a like manner, an understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ is just like a divine passport that confirms our true identity and nationality.
In Romans 8:16-17, we learn that we are the literal spirit offspring or children of God our Father.
You are indeed a child of God.
Divine passports are critical, allowing us all to travel safely through life and onwards into eternity.
For the next 18 months, Bentleyโ€™s mission is to help reduce others anxiety levels in Belgium and the Netherlands, by helping them find their divine passport and return safely home.
Look out for her โ€“ sheโ€™ll be passing your way sometime soon!

Christmas Eve

It was noisy.
Then it changed.
Missionaries arrived.
Our focus changed.
Beautiful melodic music filled the air.
Cellos.
Piano.
Singing.
Joy. Love. Peace.
Together.
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love’s pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Angelic. Glorious. Inspiring.
Thank you, dear missionaries.

My Finest Friend

Forty years ago this week, my missionary companion trainer (Kelley Gray) and I were serving together in Shepherdโ€™s Bush in London.
Weโ€™d moved there in the first week of December 1983.
We were two bright eyed and bushy tailed young missionaries resolute on finding success.
Christmas was fast approaching, and we were determined to find new ways to share our message of Jesus Christ.
A couple of years earlier, the church had produced a new Movie, โ€œMr Kruegerโ€™s Christmasโ€.
Video recorders were still new, and not too many people had them in their homes yet.
We decided that weโ€™d borrow a huge reel to reel projector (weโ€™re talking massive) from the mission office in our Hyde Park Chapel, transport it to our area, and then use it to go door to door, offering everyone we met a wonderful at home Christmas movie experience!
Whacky idea โ€“ Yes! Creative โ€“ Yes! Successful โ€“ Yes!
We transported the projector by tenaciously balancing it on the centre bar of our bicycles and vividly remember my companion nearly crashing and burning on a couple of occasions!
We also ingeniously, used an OAPโ€™s shopping trolley to pull the projector from neighbourhood to neighbourhood and door to door.
I cannot recall exactly how many peopleโ€™s homeโ€™s we got into, but it was lots!
We watched that movie so many times. Even now, I can recite the words and songs of the movie almost perfectly.
Great times, never to be forgotten.
This year, I may well watch โ€œMr Kruegerโ€™s Christmasโ€ once again.
In one scene, Jimmy Stewart who plays the lead role in the movie, as Willie Krueger, steps towards baby Jesus and says โ€œThank you for everything youโ€™ve done for me. As long as I can remember youโ€™ve been right by my side. Iโ€™ll never forget when you walked with me right in those first few hours after I lost Martha.โ€
โ€œIโ€™ve always been able to count on you when Iโ€™ve felt dark insideโ€ Krueger says.
As he kneels before the Christ child he says โ€œI love you. Youโ€™re my closest, ๐’Ž๐’š ๐’‡๐’Š๐’๐’†๐’”๐’• ๐’‡๐’“๐’Š๐’†๐’๐’…. And that means I can hold my head high, wherever I go.โ€
Forty years have passed since that Christmas experience.
In between, Iโ€™ve come to know the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, even more, much more personally.
Just like Willie Krueger I can say โ€œI love you. Youโ€™re my closest, ๐’Ž๐’š ๐’‡๐’Š๐’๐’†๐’”๐’• ๐’‡๐’“๐’Š๐’†๐’๐’…. And that means I can hold my head high, wherever I go.โ€
I hope you find Him too this Christmas Season.

Biographies

At our Mission Conference in Brussels on Friday, I shared some of my favourite church leader biographies and a scripture too.
Biographies โ€“ โ€œthe story of a real personโ€™s life.โ€
Our theme was โ€œLooking for Christโ€.
The Lord says in D&C 88:83, that โ€œHe that seeketh me ๐’†๐’‚๐’“๐’๐’š, shall find me and not be forsaken.โ€
What does it mean to seek Him, ๐’†๐’‚๐’“๐’๐’š?
It could mean to seek Him early in life.
Or another possibility could be to seek Him, every day, early in the morning.
Even another possibility could be to look for Jesus Christ before it is too late.
However we understand this verse, the message is the same… now is the time to look for Jesus Christ.
Not tomorrow, but today.
I love reading biographies, as they can give you a close-up view of a personโ€™s life.
When you read a biography, you are not just reading any book; theyโ€™re like time capsules, understanding decades of thinking, life’s lessons, including struggles and successes.
My experience of reading so many, is that each one shares a personal story, as they look for and discover Jesus Christ, early, then choose to follow Him.
In every generation, every individual needs to discover and obtain their own knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ.
Looking for and finding Jesus Christ is a very personal matter.
The scriptures are our primary source of biographical stories.
Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Elijah, David, Solomon, Ruth, Isaiah, Mary & Joseph, Peter, Paul, Lehi, Nephi, Jacob, Alma, Helaman, Mormon, Moroni and Jesus Christ.
On Christmas Day 1977, I received a now treasured gift, my first journal.
It was early in my life. I was 12.
Early in the morning on January 1st, 1978, I began my journal, my own biography and havenโ€™t stopped since.
I began writing before it was too late.
This Christmas, why not begin to write, discover Jesus Christ – the Light of the World and your eternal identity.
How can you find Him, โ€œ๐’†๐’‚๐’“๐’๐’šโ€ today?

Chargรฉ d’affaires

On Friday evening, Monic and I attended a โ€œLight the Worldโ€ dinner in the European Quarter in Brussels.
The annual event is attended by Ambassadors and Diplomatic representatives from all around the world.
To my left, sat the Chargรฉ d’affaires of Libya.
To my right, sat the Chargรฉ d’affaires of Belarus.
Both head up their diplomatic missions to the European Union.
I was dressed in my kilt, and they were taken by my attire.
They had many questions.
I hadnโ€™t worn it for a while. Somehow it was a little smaller!? ๐Ÿ˜‰
As we settled into the evening, we discussed many things, enjoyed some delicious food and appreciated some delightful music.

Christmas Traditions

Both of my new friends shared stories about their families, their Christmas traditions, and their diplomatic missions to the European Union.
Representing their nations affairs, they shared with me the difficulties, and challenges of conflict, having experienced much adversity in recent years.
Our conversation turned to the reason for our gathering.
โ€œ๐‹๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญโ€
I felt a real longing from both of my new friends.
A longing for more light, in a darkening and difficult world.
They asked about my faith.
I spoke of Jesus Christ, and that He is โ€œ๐’•๐’‰๐’† ๐’๐’Š๐’ˆ๐’‰๐’• ๐’๐’‡ ๐’•๐’‰๐’† ๐’˜๐’๐’“๐’๐’…โ€.
โ€œWe want the world to know of the peace that comes from following Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the light of the world. Let us follow Him as we try to light the world and share the light of Christ in our own small ways this Christmas season.โ€ โ€“ Elder Quentin L. Cook.
Jesus Christ is literally the Prince of Peace.
He can bring peace to all who are ravaged by war.
His message is peace on earth and goodwill toward men.
Departing, each guest received a special candle to light this Christmas season.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, may I invite you this Christmas, to share His light by letting your light shine in all that you do.
How can you let your light shine?