Today Begins Holy Week

Temple with Angels

I spent some time this week in the temple, as is my customary pattern these days. I read in 3 Nephi 11:1-17, while I was waiting for the session to begin:

And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude gathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land Bountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the great and marvelous change which had taken place.

And they were also conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the sign had been given concerning his death.

And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.

And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not.

And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.

And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:

Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name — hear ye him.

And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.

And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying:

Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.

And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.

And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.

And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying:

Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.

And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying:

Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him. (Emphasis mine.)

The words “GREAT multitude” jumped off the page at me. A multitude of eye witnesses of the resurrected Savior Jesus Christ!! The Book of Mormon is the unimpeachable and true record of the reality of Christ’s resurrection. It’s why we refer to it as “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.”

Today is known as “Palm Sunday,” commemorating Christ’s triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem when palm fronds were strewn before Him as He rode on the back of a donkey into the city.

Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

His true believers were hailing Him as the Son of God, but it would also mark the beginning of the end of His mortal life.

My brief study in the temple this week also prompted me to turn to 2 Nephi 10, where the reasons for His coming to Jerusalem are spelled out:

Jacob explains that the Jews will crucify their God — They will be scattered until they begin to believe in Him - America will be a land of liberty where no king will rule - Reconcile yourselves to God and gain salvation through His grace. About 559–545 B.C.

And now I, Jacob, speak unto you again, my beloved brethren, concerning this righteous branch of which I have spoken.

For behold, the promises which we have obtained are promises unto us according to the flesh; wherefore, as it has been shown unto me that many of our children shall perish in the flesh because of unbelief, nevertheless, God will be merciful unto many; and our children shall be restored, that they may come to that which will give them the true knowledge of their Redeemer.

Wherefore, as I said unto you, it must needs be expedient that Christ. . . should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify him - for thus it behooveth our God, and there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their God.

For should the mighty miracles be wrought among other nations they would repent, and know that he be their God.

But because of priestcrafts and iniquities, they at Jerusalem will stiffen their necks against him, that he be crucified.

Wherefore, because of their iniquities, destructions, famines, pestilences, and bloodshed shall come upon them; and they who shall not be destroyed shall be scattered among all nations.

But behold, thus saith the Lord God: When the day cometh that they shall believe in me, that I am Christ, then have I covenanted with their fathers that they shall be restored in the flesh, upon the earth, unto the lands of their inheritance.

And it shall come to pass that they shall be gathered in from their long dispersion, from the isles of the sea, and from the four parts of the earth; and the nations of the Gentiles shall be great in the eyes of me, saith God, in carrying them forth to the lands of their inheritance. (2 Nephi 10:1-8, emphasis mine).

He came to Jerusalem among the Jews because “there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their God.” Their degree of wickedness had reached its zenith and found expression, sadly, in the crucifixion of our Lord. The events leading up to His betrayal by Judas Iscariot and subsequent crucifixion are well-documented in the New Testament. It’s only in the Book of Mormon, however, that we learn the answer to the “why” question.

I will encourage each of you to spend some time in your family circles this week, the Holy Week, reviewing the events that culminated in the happy conclusion of resurrection morning. I have loved seeing this portrait prominently featured in the temple film:

Mary Greets Christ in the Garden

She was the first of many witnesses, including the multitude in the New World, to see the Savior in His resurrected body. All of us who embrace the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon are likewise witnesses of that reality. The promises we will someday stand in His glorified presence and share eternal with the Father and the Son are astounding and comforting beyond my ability to describe them.

As one continues reading in 2 Nephi 9-10, the glorious and eternal promises that are held out for the Jews who crucified Him are perhaps the ultimate expression of forgiveness that we have in Holy Writ. As I grow older in my mortal probation there is little left on earth that stimulates me more than the HOPE of eternal life with Patsy and all my progenitors who have preceded me. It is a door through which I will someday pass, and I am filled with eager anticipation of its fulfillment even as I continue to revel in my joy among my family here in the flesh. Truly, I can say I am living in the best of times in my life.

Never doubt that you are loved and cherished by your Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ. They have made ample provision for each of us despite our weaknesses and imperfections in the generous plan of salvation that includes the possibility of repentance and forgiveness.

My memories of what Patsy did to emphasize her testimony of the Savior’s resurrection on Easter morning are always fresh in my mind. The glorious Easter feast she always provided with her lace tablecloths, crystal goblets, best chinaware and sterling silverware, were emblematic of her belief that her best was never good enough in exchange for what her Savior had done for her and for each of us. It was her way to say “Thank You,” and so it must be for each of us. 

When we do our best to emulate the goodness of God as we act in service and love for our fellowmen, we are demonstrating our love for Him and our Father in Heaven in the best way we know how.

I love you too. I love the newness of Spring. I have seen the sandhill cranes, the mallard ducks, the rock chucks and pot guts, even the deer, and the snow is nearly all gone this week. The river is rising, the sky today is a radiant azure blue overhead, and the temperatures are almost balmy.

What a glorious time in which we live! And it’s Holy Week too!