“Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.
And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil— And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works. And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.” -3 Nephi 27:13-16
As I have pondered on what we do in the New York Utica mission, I have come to the conclusion that we LIFT. Lift is the greatest word I could use to describe the past 17 months of my life. Let me tell you why! 🙂
Reflecting on the examples in the holy scriptures, there are many who lift.
Ammon lifting his sword
Sons of Mosiah lifting their heads
Alma lifting converts out of the water
Nephi lifting his hands
Alma the younger lifting his heart
The star lifting up as a sign of Christs birth
The angels lifting their trumps to proclaim His birth
Mother Mary lifting Him into her arms
Christ being lifted out of the river Jordan
He lifting the lame and the leprous
Lifting Jarius daughter from he sleep
Lifting Lazarus from the tomb
Lifting the disciples feet as he washes them
And greatest of all, the Savior being lifted up upon the cross so he could have power to lift us up at the last day.
How do you lift others? How has Christ lifted you?
We strive to bring EVERYONE to Christ, neighbors, investigators, members, less actives, recent converts, those in the community, friends, family, companions and other missionaries. It is through living Christs gospel that we can be lifted up at the last day to live eternally with our Father in heaven in the Celestial kingdom! As I have reflected on the role and mission of Christ, I have come to realize that He not only overcame the affects of the fall (sin and death) but He also has the power to lift us HIGHER! Similarly, when we repent our sins are not simply washed away. Because Christ suffered for our sins and pains and weaknesses, He not only forgives sins, but he also adds strength! Sincere repentance allows us to be spiritually healed, strengthened, and lifted to a higher sphere. Although the doctrine of Christ includes faith, repentance, baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end, it is not a checklist but rather a process, a way of life. These are all interrelated and are meant to be connected.
As I partook of the sacrament this past week, I pondered on the sacrament tray. Each week we partake of the emblems of the Lords body and blood. Christ, through His ordained priesthood holders is the one who gives it to us, but we, His children, have the opportunity to share it. For example, the person next to me partakes of the bread, lifts the tray and shares it with me. I partake of it, lift it, then share it with my neighbor. Likewise, my parents and leaders have taught me the gospel. They passed on to me the means to access Christs atonement and now, after receiving a remission of my sins and the Spirit of God, I must share that with others. It is not always a light tray to pass. It can be heavy at times. I can, at times, relate to Mormon who said:
Although many people do not accept their Redeemer, I know I will be lifted up by Him. I feel Him lift me on a daily basis. Sorrows are always swallowed up in the joy of Christ!
One quick story of lifting up. We met the Ortega family this week! They are from the Dominican republic! They have 6 kids. We are teaching 4 of them plus the parents and the other ones are little! They RADIATE with the light of Christ. Thee nicest people! We have taught them a few times now and they always have such great insight! They all speak Spanish, but 2 of the teenage girls translate for us great and we bring a recent RM with us who served in a Bolivia! Austin does a great job translating too! It has been amazing to see how they have lifted me this week! They are so Christlike and their smiles warm my soul! I am so excited for them to progress in this gospel! I love them so.
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:10“Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees.” Hebrews 12:12
“And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be.” 1 Nephi 13:37
Sister Rebekah Ruth Folkman 