Scattering the Seeds

Tonight my family and I got on the topic of the Jerusalem Center. We actually had a debate about it. My brother is claiming that the Jerusalem Center is draining a lot of the Church's resources and that it shouldn't have been built. He thinks that the Church shouldn't focus their efforts on the Holy Land more than other countries. He thinks that the Church should make an equal effort to introduce non-proselytizing countries to the Church. He said that the Church shouldn't be spending tons of money on the Jerusalem Center just so they can gather "the chosen people." He feels like the Church glorifies the Holy Land more than they should.

I disagree. Yes, the Church spends a lot of money and resources on the Jerusalem Center, but I feel like it is definitely worth it. From first-hand experience, the Jerusalem Center has been spreading the seeds of the fullness of the gospel, despite the inability of the Church to proselytize. I feel like this is worth every penny of what the Church spends to keep this center running. I also feel like the Jerusalem Center was built in its due time and place. I know that the prophets were inspired by the Lord to build this center at this time and place. I feel like countries, such as India and China, may not ready for anything like this yet. That's why the Church hasn't built anything that could establish the presence of the Church in these countries. As a result, I don't think the Church should focus on giving all countries equal effort and resources. It all depends on the Lord's time table. I agree that the Church is glorifying the Holy Land, but for good reason. Monumental events have occurred there. The greatest event ever in history occurred in Jerusalem: the Atonement performed by Jesus Christ. This is something definitely worth glorifying over. As for the Church focusing on gathering "the chosen people," I don't think the Church is favoring one race of people over another. Like I said before, it's a matter of timing and preparedness. Maybe the Lord knew it's time that the people of the Holy Land get a taste of us Mormons.

This debate reminded me of something else. Even though we may not build anything like the Jerusalem Center in China, I feel like the seeds are being scattered in indirect ways. People from the PRC are working all over the world. Some of them are getting baptized. Some go back to the PRC. They probably introduce their family and friends to the gospel. Even these little efforts of "paying it forward"is a way of scatting the seeds on mainland China.

This idea got me pumped to preach the gospel in Mandarin Chinese in Australia. I'm pretty sure most of the Mandarin speakers in Australia are from the PRC. The PRC and Australia have strong ties. According to the Wall Street Journal, Australia wants to have strong ties not only trade-wise, but military-wise also. I feel like this is a sign that there's going to be more migration between the two countries. I hope those that I introduce to the gospel will plant seeds while they are in mainland China. I wonder how many destinies will be determined by one person's efforts?

Garden of Gethsemane

It's hard to imagine that Christ suffered here (or somewhere near here). It is such a peaceful place. I wish I would have came here more often. I only came here twice. I took these pictures during out "Last Days" walk. We went where Jesus went during His last few days. 

It's amazing how obedient Jesus was to God. It was not Jesus' will to suffer in order to save mankind. I'm sure He would have chosen any other way to save us. However, this was the Father's will. Christ performing the Atonement is the greatest act of submission. This reminds me of Elder Bednar's talk in a CES Fireside this past winter semester. Instead of having faith to be healed, we should have the faith not to be healed, if it's the Lord's will. Heavenly Father's ways are not our ways. This past year, I gained a greater testimony on this idea. Even if it means sacrificing what's most dear to me, I know I need to be willing to sacrifice if it's God's will.

This idea has been looming over me this past year. The idea that I might have to sacrifice something I love has been scaring me. It's difficult to give up something you care about, especially when you can choose not to give it up. Christ could have chosen not to go through with the Atonement. Abraham could have chosen not to sacrifice Isaac. Instead, they both submitted completely to God's will. I'm pretty sure I'm going to learn how to do this while I'm serving a full-time mission.

Missiles Targeted at Jerusalem

This is impossible. Who is dumb enough to aim at Jerusalem?!? Jerusalem is sacred to Jews, Muslims, and Christians. There is also a good mixture of Palestinians and Israelis in Jerusalem. If someone were to attack Jerusalem, they are only going to piss off the whole world. Hamas better get their militants under control if they want to survive.

So I'm trying to Google what's currently going down in Israel by typing in the search box "Hamas" and "Israel." Every time I would type in those words, Google would go haywire. So much for the Internet keeping us updated.

A stone of a sepulchre

I decided that I'm going to alternate writing about my present and my past (especially in the Jerusalem Center). I'll be throwing around random pictures that I took while I was attending the Jerusalem Center. I'm too lazy to write everything that happened from Day #1 of the Jerusalem Center until the end. I'll try to give a taste of all the different aspects of my Jerusalem Center experience.

During "the Last Days" tour of Christ's life, we went around the Mt. of Olives. Our teachers took us to a place that is assumed to have been graves. Above is a picture (not a very good one) of a type of stone that could have sealed Jesus' tomb. I thought this was neat because the Garden Tomb does not have the sealing stone next to Jesus' tomb. Items like these made me realize how real Jesus' death and resurrection was. 

Lame Mormons

On a sabbath afternoon in Jerusalem, I sat in front of the Dominus Flevit Church overlooking the Old City and the Kidron Valley. (By the way, this vantage point of the Old City and the Kidron Valley is the absolutely gorgeous. If you're ever down in Jerusalem, just sit in front of the Dominus Flevit and contemplate life. ) I could not stop thinking about the people of Jerusalem. I thought about the kindness they show for others. I thought about their sincerity. I thought about the emotion they have as they worship. I thought about the love that they have for who they are worshiping.

After contemplating what this all meant, I thought "Wow, there are people here in Jerusalem that are closer to Christ or God (for those who are Jewish and Muslim) more than some Mormons, if not most." I broke down crying as that thought came to mind. Too long and too often in my life I have forgotten the Lord. Yet, I have been blessed with the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I owe the Lord my heart and soul for the blessing of not only the Atonement, but having His fullness. I have been given much, but I have not been grateful enough.

The thought of Mormons lacking passion for the Gospel and the Lord has really been weighing on my mind. Coming back to BYU after spending time in Jerusalem was a culture shock. It was more of a religious shock actually. Church seemed like a social gathering, rather than a worship gathering. The young adults seemed a little too light-hearted on the sabbath. I questioned where their hearts were, especially on the sabbath. It made me sad to think that members of the Church lack love for their Savior. (Although I am saying all of this, this does not mean I am not like them.)

I was so so so so so so so grateful that this past General Conference revolved around having a true conversion to the Gospel and the Lord. I felt like the Lord knew what has been weighing on my mind, so He decided to address this issue at General Conference. It's not enough to just be a worthy, active member of the Church. We should be living and breathing for the Lord. We should be keeping the greatest commandment: to love the Lord. I just realized recently that we could be worthy, active members of the Church without keeping the greatest commandment. Our motive for being worthy, active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should be our love for the Lord. Actually, our motive in everything should be our love for the Lord.

So let's not be lame Mormons. Let's be true disciples of the Lord.

Playlist of My Life...in the Jerusalem Center

Sad day. The day after I landed in Hawaii, my laptop broke. There is a chance that everything on my computer will be wiped out when I get it back after it's repaired. That means pretty much all of the pictures that I ever took of the Jerusalem Center experience will be deleted. I took several thousand pictures and there's a possibility that they will go "chow-see-ya-go-bye-bye."    :(
At least there's thousands more that my fellow JC students took, so I could just rip their pictures off of Facebook or something.

The whole Jerusalem Center experience is over. After arriving back home from 30 hours of traveling, I felt like that whole experience was just a dream (kinda reminds me of Inception). I seriously need to remind myself that it was not a dream. The best way for me is to listen to the music that remind me of the whole experience. Throughout the semester, I compiled a playlist of songs that will remind me of the Jerusalem Center.

1. Fall Apart Today - Schuyler Fisk
2. Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen
3. Summer Love - Justin Timberlake
4. What Makes You Beautiful - One Direction
5. So Good - B.o.B.
6. Hallelujah - Rufus Wainwright
7. Jerusalem - Matisyahu
8. Helena Beat - Foster the People
9. So This is Goodbye - William Fitzsimmons
10. Consider the Lilies - MoTab
11. Flightless Bird, American Mouth (Wedding Version) - Iron & Wine
12. King Without a Crown - Matisyahu
13. Homeward Bound - MoTab
14. This is the Christ - MoTab
15. Time of Your Song - Matisyahu
16. On Top of the World - Imagine Dragons

I'll give some explanations to why these songs remind me of the Jerusalem Center:

• 2, 3, and 4 were the songs that were played in Turkey constantly. Since then, if there's songs being played on the intercom on the bus or at a dance, these three songs would definitely be in the mix. 5 was also played at like every dance party. And the fact that this song talks all about traveling, it reminds me of all of our adventures.
• 6 reminds me of the Old Testament. It describes the feeling I get as I read about King David and Samson.
• 7 obviously reminds me of Jerusalem. It mostly reminds me of the Old City. 
• 8 reminds me of the desert. It reminds me of the long bus ride down to Eilat to go swimming.  
• 9 actually reminds me of the middle of my Jerusalem experience. That was when it kicked in that we were actually going to leave Jerusalem for the states in no time. 
• We (the ward choir) sang 10 and 14 in sacrament meeting. 10 reminds me of the nature found in the Jerusalem Center/around the Jerusalem Center/Galilee. 14 reminds me of our last Sabbath day in the Holy Land. We sang 14 as the closing song in sacrament meeting.
• 11 reminds me of the sunsets in Galilee. I would listen to this song as I watched the sunset over the Sea of Galilee. It reminds me of calm waters, birds gliding in the air, a watercolor sky, shimmering Tiberias across the sea, and peace.
• 12 reminds me of driving around to our field trips in Galilee.
• 13 reminds me of going home. More specifically, being happy about going home.
• 15 reminds me of leaving the Jerusalem Center to go to the airport for the states. This song pretty much reminds me of the last things I see in Israel before we reach the airport.
• 16 reminds me of the whole Jerusalem Center experience. This song was on one of the memories videos.

AAAHHHH!!!

LESS THAN 24 HOURS UNTIL CHOW-SEE-YA-GO-BYE-BYE (THE WISE WORDS OF BASHIR).

On a happy note, here's a Primary song gone awry:

I looked out the window and what did I see?
Skinny dippers in the Sea of Galilee.
Summer has brought me such a nice surprise,
Naked Mormons right before my eyes.
I could take my swimsuit and wave it in the air.
Brother Jackson is coming but I really don't care.
Don't you want to be swimming bare and free.
Skinny dipping in the Sea of Galilee.


Once I get back home, I'll have legit internet so I could post pictures on here (not pictures that relate to this song though).

Elder Holland's Remarks

Here are the notes of Elder Holland's remarks in sacrament meeting that I promised from the post before. What he said was more applicable to those who have gone to Jerusalem; however, I feel like this talk can be stretched to apply to anyone who is LDS.

- Everyone doesn't get the chance [to be in Jerusalem].
- Savor, cherish, and be grateful for every moment here [in Jerusalem].
- We have an obligation to those who do not have the opportunity [to be in Jerusalem].
- The investment of this experience should touch lives.
- Our children's children's children will not have the chance to come here.
- There will be points in our life and the Church when life will not be so great (we are currently enjoying good times).
- Cloudy days will come in our lives and the Church.
- Individuals have to say they are here to stay.
- We are counted on being in the meeting of 120: the first church meeting mentioned in the book of Acts.
- The Church and the Savior needs to count on you.
- If there is a favorite place here, it would be the Garden Tomb.
- Everyone loves a happy ending.
- We can have a happy ending if we wanted to.
- We will have no one to blame in time and eternity.
- We have nobody to blame but ourselves.
- All has been done for us to gain eternity.
- We could not do this all by ourselves without grace.
- Every concern has been addressed in heaven.
- Be your best; be strong.
- If can all be done with grace - it has all been provided.
- It is up to us to embrace and receive all that we have been given.
- We are free and gifted and blessed people.
- Bare witness of the Son of God.
- Realize what it means to have the restored priesthood.
- Men have come to the Gospel because of the women in their lives.
- A missionary asks Elder Holland, "Would you give your life for the Church?" Elder Holland replies, "I am giving my life to the Church."

Throughout this talk, I felt like Elder Holland could see the future as he was speaking. It was interesting how Elder Holland said that in a couple generations, they won't have the chance to come to Jerusalem. It was also interesting how Elder Holland said that there will be a time of cloudiness in the Church. I might be completely misinterpreting what he said, but I think he made a reference to the fall of the Church. I have never really heard talks refer to the fall of the Church (or maybe I haven't been paying enough attention to talks to notice). We need to stay strong, while the Church is in this state. Even in our lives, we are in it to stay.

I am hoping that you guys were inspired to go to Jerusalem. If it is at all possible for you to come here, definitely do. And if you do go to Jerusalem, have the willingness to grow. While being in Jerusalem I had to make the effort to spiritually grow. For a bit, I thought that my growth would be handed to me on a silver platter because I thought the Jerusalem Center would just give it to me. I thought just being in Jerusalem would be enough for me to grow. I thought that hearing the things that were taught was enough. I learned that I need to fully embrace and take to heart the experiences and teachings that are offered here.

A Game-changing Experience

 I typically write about lighthearted things in my blogs. This is not one of them. Actually, my next couple posts will be serious and probably personal (this post will be personal). I'm going to try my best to write about what I am prompted by the Spirit to write.

The title of this post is taken from a topic that Bother Crockett mentioned in his talk today in sacrament meeting. A game-changer is one who brings innovative ideas to a business. He pointed out that the game-changer represented Heavenly Father and that the business is us. Brother Crockett gave an example of a man who had a game-changing experience that brought him to dedicate his life to the Lord. I believe that Heavenly Father blessed me with a game-changing experience these past two days that, like this man, had brought me to dedicate my life to the Lord. My life gradually changed these past two days. It was not until Elder Holland's remarks at sacrament meeting that I realized that I will never be the same.

A lot that that has gone yesterday prepared me for today. I talked to Sister Ludlow about serving a mission during the service project. Something that stuck out to me was that she wanted to serve a mission so that she could share all that she has learned about the Gospel. She also pointed out that she wanted to serve a mission because she loved the Lord. What she said reminded me of why I wanted to serve a mission. I forgot about those motives. I feel like that is a part of why I lost the fire to serve a mission.

After the service project, Alicia and I talked about serving a mission as we were walking to the Old City. As I was rambling on trying to figure out the numerous reasons to why I was unsure about serving a mission, I realized that a huge reason was that I was afraid of going on a mission. She told me that I should not pass the opportunity to serve a full-time mission because of fear. She asked me, "do you know where fear comes from?" I knew exactly where fear came from.

Alicia also mentioned that the mission will be the worst of times and the best of times in your life. That reminded me of a concept that a forum speaker mentioned to us this past Wednesday night: With high risks come high returns. I have been taught this concept before, but I felt like I most needed it now in regards to serving a mission. It is kind of a stretch applying the risk-return concept to serving a mission because if one deals with a high risk situation, there is no guarantee one will get high returns out of hit. I do believe that serving a mission is a high risk, but I know that through diligence and faith on the Lord one is guaranteed high spiritual returns from serving a mission.

Also watching "Life is Beautiful" for the first time last night helped me gain a better perspective on life. Even in the worst of times, you can make life beautiful through joy. It is a very touching movie that I would recommend everyone to watch.

As I took the sacrament today, I truly comprehended how much the Lord loves me and how much I needed to return that love. Jesus Christ is a completely righteous man, yet He took upon Himself all of the sins of the world. He died for me. I fully comprehended today that Christ's love for me is the purest and the most sincere love that could ever be shown to me. It made me realize how much more I needed to show my love and devotion to Christ.

After the Crockett family spoke before leaving Jerusalem after living here for 3 years, Elder Holland gave us the last remarks. He has been here on vacation, so he has been staying in the Jerusalem Center these past couple days. What he said changed my life. What he said was like no other talk I have ever heard. His talk was on a plane of its own. The Spirit was unbelievably strong. Maybe I felt this way because his remarks were directed to the Jerusalem Center students. It felt like God was talking directly to me. As he was speaking, my future life flashed before my eyes. I could see the next generations that would come after me. I could feel eternity. I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience the whole time. I will be posting the notes that I took of Elder Holland. All though I took notes on quite a bit of what he said, I know that they won't do his talk any justice. His talk is one of those you have to have been there to understand.

After his talk, I realized that I need to devote my life to the Lord from now on. Only now do I have the heart and willingness to serve the Lord. I need to be a disciple of Christ 24/7 and not just on Sundays (or in Israel's case, Saturdays).

As a result, I feel more content with the idea of serving a full-time mission. We even had a lesson on missionary work in Relief Society right after sacrament meeting. I think God has been trying to tell me that I should serve a full-time mission. I determined that I am going to start filling out my mission papers this Fall semester.

Food of Israel

Here's a list of food and food places that are pretty big in Israel and/or among the JC students:
- shawarma - After watching the Avengers in theaters for my birthday, it got me pumped to try a shawarma. Robert Downey Jr. suggested that they get shawarma as a victory meal. It was a prime moment in the movie considering Robert Downey Jr. said that (he's like my favorite actor) and I was watching it in Israel. I have been in Jerusalem for a month at that point in time and I still had yet to try a shawarma. I finally tried it like a week or two later and it was so good!
- falafel - Falafel and french fries in a pita dipped in fry sauce is delicious.
- hummus - I absolutely hate this stuff because I hate the taste of peas, including chickpeas. My hate towards chickpeas makes me feel unworthy being here in Israel. I feel bad, but I can't help it.
 - pita - Never have I eaten so much pita bread in my life.
- watermelon - When I get back to the states, I am going to miss having watermelon for breakfast everyday.
- Lion bar - It's like a 100 Grand candy bar, but better! I am addicted to these things.
- Magnum bar ice cream - Pretty much on every field trip, Huntsman would suggest we get a Magnum bar. Magnum bars in Turkey were a lot better though because almonds coated the ice cream bar. The Magnum bars in Israel are really bland. 
- "Nutella" - The Oasis has a Nutella-like spread offered at every meal.
- hot milk - I am in love with the hot milk in the Oasis. I am going to learn how they make the hot milk over here so I can make it for myself back home.
- gummies! - Buying gummies off the street is cheap so I would buy them every time I went out. I stopped doing it because I felt like I was going overboard with gummy eating.
- pistachios - I think it is just me, but I love pistachios. It's heavenly that pistachios are all over Jerusalem.
- The Waffle Bar - Haven't been there yet, but the JC students go there all of the time. I'll just buy waffles when I get back to the states.
- Holy Bagel - Overpriced bagels that I could make on my own. The cream cheese chive bagel was yummy though.
- The Armenian Tavern - I think this is what the restaurant is called. Every time I would walk from Jaffa Gate to the Armenian Quarter, I would pass this place. It smells so heavenly every time I pass by this restaurant. I am determined to eat there before I leave.
- "Arab Costco" - This is where the Shekel Shack (the JC snack bar) gets their goodies. It's Candyland over there.
- THE OASIS!!! - Eat here breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I am going to miss getting a balanced diet. Once I get back to Provo, it's back to Top Ramen.

There's other food places JC students often go to, but I can't think of the names off the top of my head. I would only eat outside of the Center if I skipped a meal in the Center. I haven't been doing that often though. I should probably eat out more just for the experience.

Spare a shekel

I have never felt so guilty about not giving money to the poor. Poor Palestinians, as wells as Israelis, have approached me asking for money. They looked hopeless, yet I would always shrug them off saying, "I do not have money." That phrase is total bull-crap. I always have money. I lie and I do not help the poor. This makes me feel like the cruddiest person ever. I know that this needs to change. I need the heart to help. I know if love was my motive, I would have never hesitated in sparing a couple shekels.

The Mormon Presence in Jerusalem

People, especially in East Jerusalem/the Old City definitely know about the Mormons. When the Jerusalem Center students would go out to the Old City, people would call out to us, "MORMONS!" This makes me smile every time because the people know who we are. I sometimes wonder though how much these people in Jerusalem know us. How much do they know about our beliefs? For those of you who do not know, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made an agreement with Israel that members of the Church are not allowed to proselyte in this county. I wonder how much people in Jerusalem are curious enough about Mormons to research who we are. Palestinians, especially, are always exposed to us since the the Jerusalem Center is in East Jerusalem and since the students go out to the Old City all of the time. I have seen olive wood carvings of Joseph Smith and Emma Smith in random stores in the Old City. There is a store called Jimmy's Olive Wood Carvings in East Jerusalem that caters to Mormons. He has wood carvings of the Liahona, Captain Moroni, Christ depicted through the LDS Church, and famous LDS paintings. He even has wood carvings of Jimmer.

Often times, people in Jerusalem have told me, "Mormons are good people." I can hear the sincerity in their voices. I have also heard from other students that people have approached them and told them, "There is a light in your eyes." When I went with a couple of students exchanging money, I overheard a cash exchanger tell a girl, "Mormons are the chosen people." He could have been joking with us, but I got a hint of seriousness in his voice.

Israel and Palestine: Complete Opposites

Yesterday, I have been cooped up in the Jerusalem Center all this week working on midterms, so I went to the shook (if that is how you spell it) in West Jerusalem. The shook is an outdoor market place. I love the shook. I discovered that I have an affinity for markets. To me, market places have genuinie personalities.

The time that I went to the shook was right before the start of the Jews' sabbath day. The sabbath day for the Jews starts on Friday sun down. The shook was crowded with locals. Since I was in West Jerusalem, the locals were Jews. I am pretty sure I could have found every kind of Jew here. There were the Orthodox Jews with their top hats and curly locks. There were a couple Hasidic Jews with their furry hats. There were a ton of people wearing a kippah. I overheard people speaking in Hebrew. A hand full spoke perfect English. I wonder what made these English speakers move from America to Israel. My guess is the Zionist movement. I was amazed to see a whole Jewish culture at a market place. I am pretty sure there is no where else in the world where you would find a community of Jews.

West Jerusalem is a clean, modern, European-style city. Even though West Jerusalem's shook has personality, West Jerusalem is a little too artificial for my taste considering this is Jerusalem. West Jerusalem is nice and all, but in addition to its artificiality, there is something off about this city that I cannot put my finger on.

I felt like I was in another country when I crossed the street to East Jerusalem to get back to the Jerusalem Center. The people were dark. Women wore head scarves and trench coats. The sidewalks were broken. The city was dirty. The modes of transportation looked broken down. Palestinians live here in East Jerusalem. 

I am amazed at the stark differences seen between the Israelis and the Palestinians. I don't think I could have ever grasped the disparity between these two nations if I had only learned about them through a textbook. I could see why some people want a two-state solution; however, I do not think the Israelis and Palestinians are ready for this jump anytime soon.