The Word: Perhaps in a book devoted to the names and titles of Christ it is appropriate that the final entry be the Word. I have filled a number of pages with many words in an effort to sketch even the briefest dimensions of Jesus Christ’s mission and majesty.  But ultimately words fail us, and, in that sense, I have failed the Word.  No matter how much we write or how many titles we apply, mortal man and the human vocabulary will never do justice to Him whose impact and power, whose importance and presence, are “clear as the moon, and fair as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners” (Doctrine and Covenants 5:14; 105:31). I have loved writing about this greatest of all men; nevertheless, I admit failing in my effort to capture on paper the proper respect and admiration that should be given the living Son of the living God. Even if I were better at using them, there aren’t words precise enough, or grand enough, or plentiful enough to praise adequately the Redeemer of our souls (Jeffrey R. Holland, Witness for His Names, pg. 161).

I wrote these four posts about the Savior because I enjoyed reading President Holland's book about the names of Christ, and I have relied on the grace of Christ in a major way these past few weeks. 

 

Alpha and Omega: These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.  Their meaning is synonymous with “the first and the last” and “the beginning and the end,” suggesting the permanent, everlasting, never-failing presence of Jesus Christ in the great plan of redemption, in His triumph of life over death, in salvation from sin.  He is omnipresent, immovable, and victorious from start to finish in the cause of eternal life.  He is with us through it all, always reliable and always nearby (Jeffrey R. Holland, Witness for His Names, pg. 20).

 

The Good Shepherd: It has been said that the most familiar verses of scripture in all of the Old and New Testaments are those in Psalm 23,  which beings, “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalms 23:1). A shepherd knows his sheep, and they know him.  He provides good pasture for them and protects them against predators.  He knows their names and, if one is missing, he immediately seeks that stray or endangered animal.  He leads that wanderer back to safety and, if necessary, he carries the lame or wounded one on his shoulders until it can be healed and healthy again.  Jehovah is the Good Shepherd of the Old Testament and Jesus is the Good Shepherd of the New.  At some time in life all will feel the need—and be grateful for—the shepherding guidance Christ gives to those who are lost or straying (Jeffrey R. Holland, Witness for His Names, pg. 138).

 

 

Nail in a Sure Place: When the Roman soldiers drove their four-and-one-half-inch crucifixion spikes into their victim’s flesh, they did so first in the open palm.  But because the weight of the body might tear that flesh and not sustain the burden to be carried, they also drove nails into the wrist, down in the nexus of bones and sinews that would not tear no matter what the weight.  Thus, the nail in the wrist was the “nail in a sure place.” Once it was removed and the Savior was “cut down,” the burden of the crucified body (more literally, the burden of the Atonement) was brought to an end.

In terms of salvation, Christ is the Nail in a Sure Place—never failing, never faltering, every the most certain and reliable force in eternity.  For this we surely “hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house” (Jeffrey R. Holland, Witness for His Name, pg. 113).

 

A few lines from the pages of notes I took last week:

Elder Holland: Cling to the standards works. The mists of darkness settle on the faithful and the unfaithful. Help the missionaries cling to the rod.

Elder Cook: The Lord's hand is in the hastening. This is an unprecedented and blessed time to be a missionary!

Sister Wright: Rededicate your life to Jesus Christ. Begin with exaltation in mind.

Elder Renlund: Remember the converting power of the Book of Mormon.

Elder Christofferson: Treasure up the word and it will be in your heart and mind when needed.

President Eyring: Pray to know the missionary's hearts. See their goodness. God has called you and He will strengthen you when you are weak.

Elder Bednar: Become servants of the members. As you serve the members, you'll earn their trust.

Elder Andersen: The Lord will bless you with miracles if you believe in Him.

Elder Gong: Repentance looks like walking towards Christ with His arms outstretched.

Elder Rasband: Live in thanksgiving daily.

President Oaks: Connect your teaching to the doctrine of Christ. Ensure that the missionaries have a testimony of Joseph Smith. He has not called you because you will be the same as someone else. He has called you because you are you!

Elder Uchtdorf: There is a sacred flame of fire inside each missionary. Your purpose is to invite. this is under your control. Continue to trust the Lord even when miracles do not happen.

Elder Kearon: No effort is wasted. Turn to the Lord and He will uphold you. Be happy! Embody what you are teaching.

Sister Freeman: Your mission is a time to become more like Christ. You will be blessed with power suited to your circumstances.

Elder Stevenson: Have high expectations and have high love. 

Elder Soares: Study and pray and the fear will go away.

President Nelson: The Book of Mormon contains the answers to life's most vexing questions. Blessings will come as you study, teach from and testify of the Book of Mormon.

We met several couples at the MTC who are going to serve as mission leaders in the Philippines. Some of the couples are from the Philippines and are moving from one island to another, and other couples are Americans who will be serving at a location in the Philippines for three years. There are now over two dozen missions in the Philippines.

We feel energized and uplifted after receiving instruction. The task still seems daunting, but we have been promised heavenly help as we humbly ask for it.

A little change in plans as we are now pointing at the Philippines on the map, and not Toronto, Canada. We are honored to serve.

 

 

I have a friend named Laurie who is finishing her mission this week.  She and her husband have been mission leaders in Brazil the past three years. She wrote this in September, 2024, and I learned from it:

Am I speaking perfect Portugues? Absolutely not! But I understand and am understood and it is absolutely wonderful.  In the first year of our mission I asked Rick if he could fast forward and get to the end of our mission with no negative consequences, i.e. we'd have done well and it would be over, would he do it? He was a little put off by this hypothetical question and said, "Of course not! I want to experience it all." But I admit that I was totally in for the fast forward. The days were very long that first year when I could only understand parts of what people were saying.  Year two things changed and I started to hear about the miracles first hand and it was a lot more fun. Now in year three, if given the option to fast forward to the end of our mission, my response would be the same as Rick's, "Of course not! I want to experience it all." Now that I understand what's going on and can fully participate. I don't want to miss a minute.

 

On Friday, June 6th we were asked to go to the Church Office Building and meet with an Apostle.  We were told of an unusual circumstance where a mission leader is having health issues and needs to be released. We were asked to serve in the Cebu, Philippines mission as mission leaders for three years instead of serving for eighteen months in Toronto, Canada. Most mission leaders are called in October or November and have months to prepare.  We are scrambling to be ready to leave for the Philippines in a month. There are so many details to think about and take care of. My mind is full and I am having a hard time sleeping, but we keep coming back to the fact that God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ will help us do this!  They have called us and now we trust that They will qualify us. Though we feel completely overwhelmed, we are at peace and excited. Now, back to my "to-do" list...

 

Brian Kershisnik

Night's Impossible Burden

"For an artist, a painting is like a sentence in a novel that you're writing your whole life."

"If I am not careful about how much I reveal my own intentions, I run the danger of closing the door on what the painting can mean to you or anyone else.  What a viewer takes away is every bit as legitimate as what I intended, possibly more legitimate than what I intended."

Brian depicts women as very capable and thoughtful and going about engaged in great work. He paints women in real situations, and there's not a sense of putting them on a pedestal where they're not given anything to do, but rather embracing women in lots of different capacities.

Brian always paints a kind of heaven that is close, that is near, that wants to intervene or help or point you in a direction. It doesn't become too weighty because of the hope that is also there and the angels that want to intervene and assist and aid and comfort.

(Michael R. Walker, "Everyday Heaven," Y Magazine, Winter 2025)

 

Anthony Ray Hinton is a hero of mine. 

He spent 30 years on death row for a crime he didn’t commit. 

His time in jail was spent in solitary confinement in a five-by-seven-foot cell, allowed out only one hour a day. But, Hinton quickly became a friend and counselor to other inmates and the death row guards, many of whom begged Hinton’s attorney to get him out.

A unanimous Supreme Court ruling ordered his release, and he was able to walk free. In an interview he is quoted saying: “One does not know the value of freedom until it is taken away, People run out of the rain. I run into the rain…I am so grateful for every drop. Just to feel it on my face.”

Hinton was later interviewed on 60 Minutes. The interviewer asked if he was angry at the people who put him in jail. He said he forgave them all.

The interviewer asked, “but they took 30 years of your life — how can you not be angry?”

Hinton responded: “If I’m angry and unforgiving, they will have taken the rest of my life.”

(https://therockwalltimes.com/2024/04/positive/finding-freedom-the-remarkable-story-of-anthony-ray-hinton/)