A Humble understanding

As the John the Baptist charged his disciples to go meet the Savior they inquired of the Saviors identity as it related to the many revelations they had heard concerning his mortal ministry. If I put myself in the shoes of those two disciples I think I would of reported back to John 3 things:
1. How difficult it was to approach him because of the multitudes of people surrounding him.
2. I would of described the look of joy upon the faces of those who had been healed.
3. I would of attempted to express the joy I felt from finally having the opportunity to hear the voice of the Messiah.
It seems evident and consistent that John charged his disciples to seek out the Savior in order to afford his disciples the opportunity to see, hear, and identify the promise messiah. By doing so, these disciples could develop their own testimonies of the promised Christ.
John was regarded by the Savior as the greatest prophet to ever have lived. Joseph Smith enumerates the facts that gave John such a position. John was went forth wirth the power of Elias and prepared the Jews for the ministry of Christ. He was also honored with mission of Baptizing the Savior. Lastly, he was the lone administrator of the ordinances of the priesthood at a time when the Mosaic law was at its pinnacle of corruption.
Perhaps the most scintiallting feature of John the Baptist was his unfailing humility toward his mission. John exemplified perfect understanding of that mission as he uttered "He must increase, but I must decrease." As prophesied by his father, John came forth in the power of Elias to prepare the way for the Savior. This is in reference to an ancient tradition in which servants, or runners, would go before their King and clear the path the King was to travel. In every way he could, John cleared the path for the Savior's ministry, and once that mission was completed John deferred to the Savior.
As I consider John's example, I hope to serve with that same humility and  understanding. I hope that I will always defer to the judgment of those I am serving.

"Come and See"

I decided to look into some apostles who don't get very much attention in the scriptures. There isn't much to say about Thaddaeus except that his original name was Lebbaeus. Simon the Canaanite, he was was from the land of Canaan. Andrew, he was the brother of Simon Peter. Andrew was the one who brought Peter to listen to Jesus Christ, and he was also one of the earliest disciples of Jesus Christ.  I'd like to think that Peter owes  a lot to Andrew given the fact that he was the one who ran to find Peter so he could see the Savior. It's obvious that Andrew had a thorough understanding of the prophecies of Christ. When he found Simon he said, " we have found him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write." I hope that when the Savior does appear once again I will have enough knowledge and awareness to recognize him and invite others to "come and see."

When I was about 16 years old I traveled to Salt Lake for the first time to go and see Temple Square and the different sites there. The most memorable moment of that occurred when I was standing in a hall way that contain an enormous mural of Christ ordaining the twelve. I was waiting for my parents to get out of the bathroom, so I had a long time to look at it. I stood there for what seemed like an eternity looking at this picture examining every detail of it. I must of looked like an idiot so transfixed on this painting. I examined each apostles faces just guessing what that experience must have been like. How unworthy and overwhelmed some must have felt to receive such a calling, to be a special witness of Him who had been prophesied for so long. As I sat there and contemplated the implications of that event, I thought to myself that I had that same priesthood authority as those men in the painting. Surely I didn't have the same keys or stewardship, but I had been ordained to administer the ordinances of the priesthood just like those original 12 apostles. 

I look back to that experience now and hope that I have that same reverence for the priesthood. I'm grateful that I can act in the name of Jesus Christ wherever I go. I'm grateful that my soon to be wife will have access to the power of God everyday of her life. 

As I examine the calling of the original 12 apostles I find myself focused on their ability to act without hesitation. Given that I have made those same covenants I hope I would be quick to "forsake all" and follow the Savior. 

The wind and the womb

             As Christ met with Nicodemus he painted a picture that Nicodemus clearly could not comprehend. Nicodemus could not see the symbolism that filled the Savior's teaching. It seems that Nicodemus could see the Kingdom of God, but he could not understand how to enter the kingdom of God. He could see, from a superficial perspective, that the Kingdom of God was something higher, something to aspire to, but something he clearly lacked the understanding to enter. Nicodemus failed to see that a man must become a "new creature" to enter the kingdom of God. He failed to see the need to be Baptized by water and by the Holy Ghost.
            Christ clearly taught Nicodemus that he needed to be Baptized by water(born of water) to enter into the aforementioned kingdom. Baptism was such an effective analogy of rebirth because it embodies the process by which somewhere is reborn. As one is baptized they are completely submerged in the water as upon death one is completely submerged in the ground. As an individual rises from the water they are made clean, unblemished, untarnished just like a new born infant. They have, in effect, become a new person with this baptism. They have been reborn in Christ and are entitled to the companionship of the Holy Ghost predicated upon their obedience to his commandments. To further explain the role of the Spirit, the Savior compares its influence to the wind. Surely Nicodemus could understand that even though he could not see the Holy Ghost, he could certainly feel it's influence in his life, just like the wind.
        
                As I consider the teachings of Jesus Christ to the Jewish leader Nicodemus I am grateful that I never have to be confused in the way Nicodemus was. I have the scriptures before me, I have the modern revelation of Prophets, and I have the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost. I understand that I  have all these things because of Jesus Christ. I have them because he revealed himself to the boy prophet all those years ago. I know this things to be true because I have Christ's promise to have the Spirit to guide me to all truth. In a very real way Christ is the light in my life because his gift to me defeats the darkness that has blinded so many.