"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.