thursday

So memorable and truly transcendent were the events of Thursday evening that none of the Gospel writers tell us what happened during the day -- what the Savior did, or what he taught at the Temple. Instead, they moveright to the Passover Feast.

Following the instruction of the Master, Peter and John located a furnished, large upper room in which they could celebrate the Passover when the hour was come. When there, he took bread "and brake it ... This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."

While non-Christians may think it is at least strange to have a Sacrament which symbolizes body and blood, it illustrates what is the true Gospel's greatest attribute: as the Gospel of Transformation. In pre-mortal life, the critical decision was whether the children of God would be divided forever or not. Satan said no. We said yes because it was Heavenly Father's plan, with the Savior as our champion and Michael as our general. If the Father could accept the loss of a third of his children in that war, in order that we would all have a chance for the most magnificent transformation of all, eternal life, then we would not spurn that gift and would take that chance ourselves to employ free agency and progress. Our spirits were transformed into a body, which will die, only to be resurrected purely as a spirit body for eternity. Our souls are transformed from dross to gold if we are obedient to the commandments. I believe that was the lesson of Jesus's first miracle of water-into-wine at the wedding, and his last major miracle raising Lazarus from the dead. Through the Savior and his Atonement, and depending on our obedience, we have the possibility for unimaginable transformation. Obedience to what? It's simple and is told in the last week. First in the two great commandments on which hung all the law, and finally in the synthesized, shortened version he gave at the Last Supper -- the new commandment, As I have loved you, love one another. If you love him, keep his commandments. If you keep his commandments, you will know joyful love, and you will know him. If you know him, you are with him. Forever.

It is for you students to continue to ponder for yourselves the first part of the Atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane, which was so great and terrible that an Angel was sent to help the Savior through it -- when his Apostles could not stay awake. The second part of the Atonement came with the crucifixion and mortal death, and subsequent resurrection. The greater suffering was in the Garden, and was as much a torment of the spirit as of his physical body, which sweated drops of blood. All sin passed through him; all disease and pain. He did this for you, and for me -- for everyone.

True and full conversion in the Gospel of Jesus Christ only comes with a testimony of the Atonement. The Savior instructed Peter, When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Peter could not be fully converted at the point of the instruction, because the Atonement had not yet occurred. You and I are fortunate and blessed to live after that event, instead of having it foretold to us at some far-off date. But it means our responsibility is greater then those living in B.C., because we have his example, the newer greater commandments he elucidated, and the responsibility that the fact of the Atonement puts upon us. I believe we chose or fully accepted the "calling" to be in this important time together. I pray that we do not waste it.