"For This is the Message"

"For this is the Message"
~Reflections on our era of Ministering~
By: Jacob Sok

This week when reflecting on what could be written, I reviewed something I had marked in my scriptures in my reading of the New Testament this week. In 1 John 3:11 we read, "For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another," We are living in a time when I think the adversary does not have to destroy dramatically but convolute subtly the essence of the gospel. The message from the beginning is one of love, a plan and gospel that helps us find the love of God, and share that love with others.

When it comes to ourselves he (the evil one) bombards us with the deceitful endless torment of perfectionism, blinding us to God's love and grace that is so readily accessible. When it comes to serving others, we some times fall as prey to a level of caring for others that is as Elder Jeffery R. Holland states becomes, "function-without feeling" (see Conference 2018). In that latter-day conundrum, I took great hope this week in the reminder of love, that LOVE was the message since the start, and will be the message till end.

This week I had the distinct privilege to hear from Elder Neil A Andersen of the Twelve Apostles, who shared with us the joys of this "Message of Love" will come into our lives as we follow the prophetic initiative to "minister in a holier way". He reminded us that the first and second commandments are that of love, teaching that "the first commandment must be understood and followed before exercising the second"(see BYU Speeches, 2018).  As we come to God Elder Andersen promised we will be given spiritual power to love and bless others. I know this to be true for the in the epistle of John we also are taught "for God is Love"(see 1 John 4:8)

It is my hope and prayer that we can study the invitation by our Prophet to minister unto others, and remember that this is the message/ heart/ and essence of the gospel. Please note I am so grateful for that the church has done in the past, and by no means wish to belittle what was done in previous years. I do however wish to invite us to reflect on the beauty of the bold new era of the Lord's work, even His labor of Love!

NOTE: *In that spirit, I humbly present a feeble attempt at a poetic reflection on our opportunity to minister. I do not claim to be a poet by any sense, and I only pray that this small piece, can in loving fun and unique way, instill a chance for us all to consider how we can take this "message from the beginning"--even the message of Love, to those around us.

Remember to Love

Long since uttered in the dusty streets, of far off Galilee;

Still comes the earnest invite sweet, from a moder'n pulpit's plea;

Hark to the words and listen to, that eternal Clarion Call;

Turn to your feeble brothers near, and strive to serve them all;

 Remember Love--He pleads,

Sanctioned by reminder's kiss, once more a work has begun;

While not exactly picture perfect, Saints look to what can be done;

On occasion a call is given to, a lonely sister's phone;

A monthly message perhaps presented, in a quick visit to a home;

 Cookies baked and dishes washed, cans of jellies all preserved;

Folded chairs and floors freshly swept, are halmark's of those that served;

Scrambled dashes to the finish, oft make up this hectic dance;

Most of the time without second thought, until the next month's chance;

But Remember Love--He cries;

With efforts made and service rendered, the reports are thence submitted;

The pattern then repeats itself, to the serving charge we're recommitted; 

Tossing from plans to practice, a small thought begins to spark;

In all this effort to make a goal, have we begun to miss the mark;

In all the times you drove the Scouts, or social functions you have aided;

Snow shoveled and those gardens kept, has the purpose silently faded;

In the quantifying checklists made, to achieve our mandate from above;

Its funny how we so quickly we forget, that the whole point is love;

Oh how the deceitful one works all day, at great lengths  to convolute;

The rather simple task we have, and cloud us from the truth;

The truth is that with love as the root, of this celestial command;

We'll remove the facade and rut, from a falsely painted routine demand;

Oh Remember Love--He reminds,

Now please rest assured the afore mentioned acts, are still counted with great worth;

For any stride to help mankind, will bless our home on earth;

However we live in a time, where we can now take a stand;

By serving in"a holier way", the idea of ministering will expand;

As we sing "Called to Serve", "On this day of joy and gladness";

Strive for the gift of which Mormon spoke, to avoid all the madness;

No written rubric or monthly quota, will dilute your helping hand,

Simply "love thy neighbor as thyself', and with your Savior stand;

Do Remember Love-- He teaches,

Lend a listing ear to him, who feels to scared to speak,

Help some find the strength to stand, when they are down and weak;

Included can be thoughtful texts, or basketball just fine;

Use your natural gifts and talents, with this end in mind; 

We are to help others come to know, the Precious Savior dear;

Help them on paths to covenants, and happy families rear;

With hopeful hearts and fresh eyes of faith, by small and simple things;

Miracles both large and small, will remove adversarial stings;

For this is Love--He demonstrates,

For in a lowly garden, with no bare minimum in mind;

He entered meekly and paid the price, for us the indebted and the fined;

In His darkest hours, of pain and agony;

He Himself became Pure Love, to rescue you and me;

Today for Him there is no stressful checking, of some big cosmic clock;

To juggle time to answer prayers, with other things of nought; 

His focus is on us you see, and those we often might pass by;

So hear this invitation once again, to remember love as the "why";

Love is in the simple, the giving of one's time; 

Love is in the efforts, to follow the Divine;

God be thanked for this the day, the new era of Ministering;

Were we can help ourselves and all, feel near the King of Kings

Remember--He IS Love.  

I love the Savior, and I know that blessings will come as we strive to minister this message of Love, in new exciting ways. I know Christ lives, and that He has called a Prophet to help us in these our times, not only feel this live more, but also serve as emissaries of this love for others.

This I share with my love for you, in His name- AMEN.

Sources:

-New Testament, 1 John 3&4

- April Conference, LDS.org 2018

-BYU Speeches, April 2018

-Pictures by Google Search/ Images

~Original Poem, By Jacob Sok. 

The Chance to Behold

The Chance to Behold
-A Short Commentary on "Behold the Man-By Elder. Dieter F Uchtdorf"
By: Jacob Sok


I hope to keep my remarks brief this week and I would invite everyone to review the apostolic testimony of Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf in, "Behold the Man".

Recently while walking through the Church History Museum, I was walking past a painting that stoped me in my tracks. It seemed to depict for me, a scene from the final days of our Savior, where his followers gazed longingly upon their still and silent Lord. My heart was absolutely touched by an unmistakable gratitude, a simple but poignant feeling of awe and love, for the King of Kings.

This feeling was just a Costco size sample of what, a modern day Apostle (Elder Uchtdorf), just invited us to do; when he used Pontius Pilate's famous line preluding Christ's crucifixion "Behold the man." Of the many invitations that have come by prophetic provision of late, this invitation to "Behold the man" has become a new mantra for my life.

Of course the story will be familiar to us. Christ is brought from the Sanhedrin to the presence of the Roman elected procurator of Jerusalem Pilate. Upon an inquisitive exchange Pilate rather perplexed as to what would be the crimes of Christ, that would have the local citizens demanding His death. Finding no fault with Christ, and yet still succumbing in cowardice to the pressures of the people he invokes the unjustly choice condemnation of Christ. To which he says "Behold I bring him forth unto you...that ye may know that I find no fault in him...Behold the man" (see John 19:4-5).

I do not know if Pilate ever understood the significance of this utterance. I will leave the fate of Pilate to the good Lord of Heaven above, even the righteous judge, our job is never to condone or condemn; but look to Christ. And, it is that purpose of mortality that grants such power to the phrase, "Behold the Man."


The dictionary suggests that to Behold; means to see, observe, witness, regard, and contemplate among other things. The duality of this word even invites further reflections, seeing it really is comprised of two words "BE -- HOLD". Meaning to emulate and treasure, grasp, carry or support. When it comes to the Savior of the world, oh how we can only long for the chance to do as such. To emulate and follow, grasp and carry His teachings--grace--and spirit.

Elder Uchtdorf said it beautifully, "the most important day in the history of mankind was the day when Jesus Christ, the living Son of God, won victory over death and sin for all of God's children. And the most important day in your life and mine is the day when we learn to 'behold the man'."

I sit here in almost frustration, at my in-ability to express even a fraction of the power that can and will come into our lives, as we learn to behold the man. Christ is the answer, the power, the healing, the light, the truth, the way, the One who knows you and your struggles, and loves you perfectly enough to have overcome the most infinitely unthinkable sufferings to do so.

"Because Jesus owed no debt to justice, He could pay our debt and meet the demands of justice for every soul. And that includes you and me.", Elder Uchtdorf continued.

I now paraphrase the plea of this dear servant of God, when he in essence, encouraged us all to; when we feel lost or forgotten, abandoned or stuck, overwhelmed or discouraged; behold the Man. The fountain of hope is in the beholding, for all of our injustices, guilt, inadequacies , and imperfections, are gone as we accept this Great Atoning Sacrifice and learn to continually Behold the Man.

May I just say in closing, that I know that is invitation is to be one of hope and healing. In our efforts to behold, my heart recognizes that it is hard at times when we feel alone or scared, maybe slightly distanced from the joys of our Father in Heaven. But I also need to remind myself at those times when I feel maybe He is not 'there', is that  the most reassuring words of all time forever will be "He is not here: for he is risen" (Matthew 28:6). My joy is in an empty tomb, because of an empty tomb, we can in turn be filled. Just as He was gone, so will those heartaches, fears, and stumbling blocks, as we continue to push on in the faith, beholding not just the Son of God, bud our Redeemer, Savior, and Friend.

Amen.


Sources:
- New Testmeant
- Behold The Man, By: Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf, April 2018 Conference Report.
-Images: Google Imaging, and LDS ART.