A special day, Gethsemane.

A Special day, Gethsemane.

Today was a special day, a holiday in fact. Today is Yom Kippur, the holiest of Jewish holidays. Another name for Yom Kippur is “The Day of Atonement.” Not only is today the day celebrated as a day to repent and put your sins behind you, but today is also Shabbat, or the Sabbath-this makes it a special Yom Kippur.

 In Israel we observe the Sabbath on Saturday just like the Jews do: So we had sacrament meeting as usual, then we had a special meeting were we watched the Saturday afternoon session of general conference. We did not watch all of conference last week because of the time difference and other reasons. So my day today consisted of both having the sacrament and then watching General conference: it was to say the least a spiritual feast. But there is more…

After conference I grabbed a few friends and we decided that we wanted to go to The Garden of Gethsemane, the place where our Savior suffered for my sins. I brought my journal with me and I will share with you an edited version of my Journal entry:

8 Oct. 2011  Gethsemane

Today I write from a special place. Today I write from The Garden of Gethsemane. As I sit here, in The Garden where our Lord suffered for my sins, I can’t help but wonder what is was like… What it was like to be one of the ancient Apostles to see this greatest of all sacrifices followed by the coming of the guards. What it was like to be Melvin J. Ballard and see the atonement taking place in a vision. What it was like to be the Angle sent to comfort our Lord in his greatest hour of need, and the greatest hour of need for all mankind. I struggle to wonder what it was like for our Lord to suffer here, in THIS spot, for Jared Maxfield. I wonder what his seasons were for doing such a great thing for me.

  I can hear church bells ringing across the city, their echoing cry’s remind me of the countless s pilgrims who have come here before me, who also loved The Lord, and wanted to get to know him better. We are all strangers and pilgrims HERE, but blessed to be on the earth. While we are pilgrims we are not comfortless. I think of my companions and the strength and faith they give me. I am here with Cassie, Nick, Izak, Melisa and Whitney. They are examples to me of faith and service. They are also examples to me of diligence and humility and a spirit of prayer.

  This garden is just east of “the Temple Mount” near the ancient city of David, within the greater modern city of Jerusalem. I wonder if the residents of this city realize the great blessing they have, to have such a sacred place in their own yard. At the same time this humbles me to think if I realize the great blessing it has been to me to have the gospel in my own room my whole life. I have no memory of a time when I didn’t own a copy of The Book of Mormon, which testifies so strongly of Christ and his Atonement. I do not remember a time when my Mother and Father didn’t pray for, and with, me. I am grateful to know that I didn’t need to come to this place to know that Jesus is The Christ my Redeemer and Savior, that I knew it (and know it) before I came here. I am grateful to be here, to worship him, and I will always remember my visits to gethsemane, but I will remember more and be equally grateful for the many days and nights at home, in my own room or living room when The Holy Spirit testified to me that Jesus IS the Christ, my redeemer, Savior, and Friend. I am grateful for my testimony of His love and the love of The Father for me, and the abiding witness of The Holy Ghost. I am grateful that my parents raised me to believe and My God verified their teachings to me. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen. - Jared J. Maxfield 

As you can tell it has been quite a Spirit filled day, and I expect that it will only get better because I am going to watch another session of General conference in just a few minutes.

All the best to you and yours.

 Adieu from Jerusalem.