In March 2008, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints published in its monthly magazine, The Ensign, a collection of marvelous articles on Jesus Christ--his life, his ministry, his atonement. If you own that issue (or can access it online) now would be the perfect time to read it again. Christmas is a time to reflect on the life of our Lord and Savior.
One article, written by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, begins by telling of a sacred experience, a dream, had by a young man on his mission. Years later the young man became an apostle.
As you read this selection from Elder Holland's talk, consider the following questions so that you might take this message and apply it to yourself:
How do you think Elder Whitney was affected by this dream?
How does one develop this kind of love for Jesus Christ and this kind of knowledge of His character?
What do you think it would mean in your life if you could feel that way about the Savior?
What are you doing now to develop that kind of love and awareness of your need for His atonement?
Perhaps you already have a deep and lively love of the Savior. Have you recorded those feelings? Have you, through inspiration, shared them with others?
In the Garden of Gethsemane
As a young missionary, Elder Orson F. Whitney (1855–1931), who later served in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, had a dream so powerful that it changed his life forever. He later wrote:
As a young missionary, Elder Orson F. Whitney (1855–1931), who later served in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, had a dream so powerful that it changed his life forever. He later wrote:
“One night I dreamed … that I was in the Garden of Gethsemane, a witness of the Savior’s agony. … I stood behind a tree in the foreground. … Jesus, with Peter, James, and John, came through a little wicket gate at my right. Leaving the three Apostles there, after telling them to kneel and pray, He passed over to the other side, where He also knelt and prayed … : ‘Oh my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will but as Thou wilt.’
“As He prayed the tears streamed down His face, which was [turned] toward me. I was so moved at the sight that I wept also, out of pure sympathy with His great sorrow. My whole heart went out to Him. I loved Him with all my soul and longed to be with Him as I longed for nothing else.
“Presently He arose and walked to where those Apostles were kneeling—fast asleep! He shook them gently, awoke them, and in a tone of tender reproach, untinctured by the least show of anger or scolding, asked them if they could not watch with Him one hour. …
“Returning to His place, He prayed again and then went back and found them again sleeping. Again He awoke them, admonished them, and returned and prayed as before. Three times this happened, until I was perfectly familiar with His appearance—face, form, and movements. He was of noble stature and of majestic mien … the very God that He was and is, yet as meek and lowly as a little child.
“All at once the circumstance seemed to change. … Instead of before, it was after the Crucifixion, and the Savior, with those three Apostles, now stood together in a group at my left. They were about to depart and ascend into heaven. I could endure it no longer. I ran from behind the tree, fell at His feet, clasped Him around the knees, and begged Him to take me with Him.
“I shall never forget the kind and gentle manner in which He stooped and raised me up and embraced me. It was so vivid, so real that I felt the very warmth of His bosom against which I rested. Then He said: ‘No, my son; these have finished their work, and they may go with me; but you must stay and finish yours.’ Still I clung to Him. Gazing up into His face—for He was taller than I—I besought Him most earnestly: ‘Well, promise me that I will come to You at the last.’ He smiled sweetly and tenderly and replied: ‘That will depend entirely upon yourself.’ I awoke with a sob in my throat, and it was morning.”1
You may wish to read the above entry again, with greater imagination and inspiration. And you may wish to read the entire article by Elder Holland in the March 2008 Ensign. Make it part of your Christmas celebration.
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