Husband, father, Christian, Latter-day Saint, professor of ancient history and religion at BYU, sings with Tabernacle Choir, autism advocate, Jerusalem lover
Far, far too many feelings to describe my release Sunday from the #TabernacleChoir, so I will let the pictures and video clips do the talking. Let me just say that it has been such a wonderful season of my life, one which a will always cherish. Thanks and love to my dear carpoolmates; my baritone brethren; Mack and Ryan; Andy and Paul; other friends; and of course my family.
"And when [Jesus] had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." (Acta 1:9-11)
Today is Ascension Day! Last year, the feast commemorating the Risen Lord's return to heaven 40 days after his resurrection. Last year the commemoration fell on May 29 and was the same day for both the Western and Eastern churches. I was in Jerusalem, so I walked across the Mount of Olives to the Chapel of the Ascension, originally a Byzantine and then a Crusader Church, Saladin converted the small central part of a mosque, but Christians are allowed to use it on Ascension Day.
The Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square dropped a new album today. Take a listen to this title track! Check out the title track, "This New Day" https://t.co/evK3QCO0o0
It was recorded last summer while I was still in Jerusalem, but this week we are recording a new album for release next year. It's a great way to end my 21 years of service!
As I mentioned during my general conference address Sunday morning, followers of Christ should follow Him by forgoing contention and by using the language and methods of peacemakers. In our families and other personal relationships, let us avoid what is harsh and hateful. Let us seek to be holy, like our Savior.
Truly, Jesus Christ is the way to peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come. He knows and loves each of us perfectly, and invites us to walk with Him, abide in Him, and follow His example of ministering to others one by one in charity and love.
We have been reminded of the central role of marriage and families in our Heavenly Father’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. May we demonstrate the pure love of Christ in our families, in our communities, and in all of our interactions with God’s children.
#GeneralConference #GreaterLove
Nearly 2,000 years ago, a small group of women rose while it was still dark and made their way towards the tomb where the body of their beloved Lord, Jesus Christ, had been laid to rest.
Despite grief, fear, and unanswered questions, they encountered the empty tomb and learned for themselves the glorious truth of His Resurrection.
These few women became the world’s first witnesses of the single greatest event in the history of the world.
We must all do the same.
We must encounter the empty tomb, experience the reality of what it means and, in turn, share that witness with others.
No, we were not with Mary on that blessed Easter morning. We did not see what she and the other women saw. But we can ask ourselves: what have we seen, felt, or experienced?
Shall we not, therefore, become witnesses of Jesus Christ? Shall we not share our love for Him with others?
My dear friends, on this holy Easter morning, I offer my witness:
He is risen.
#GeneralConference
He is risen! And because Christ rose again, we will too. Thanks to Him, no pain, fear, failure, or unfairness is permanent. This is greater love. This is Easter.
While the place of Jesus' burial is still uncertain, the so-called "Herodian Family Tomb" near the modern King David Hotel gives us a good idea of what the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea would have looked like. #HolyWeek#GoodFriday#BurialofJesus#HuntsmansintheHolyLand #GreaterLove
https://t.co/teO5LBb4AP
In 1882–83, British General Charles Gordon was staying at the Spaffords' American Colony House just inside Damascus Gate. As an English Protestant, he was not particularly comfortable with the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. As the story goes, one morning as he was eating on the roof of the Spafford House, he looked over the wall to a rock hill face and saw what he thought looked like a Skull.
An earlier German visitor, Otto Thenius, has thought the same thing, but Charles Gordon really popularized the idea that this was the site of the crucifixion, giving the rock face the name "Gordon's Calvary." When a tomb was found nearby, donors in London quickly raised funds to purchase the property, which has now become the popular Garden Tomb.
#holyweek #GoodFriday #CrucifixionofJesus #huntsmansintheholyland
https://t.co/VvnAQOyTHH
While the traditional route of the Via Dolorosa, set by the Franciscans in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, moved from the site of the Fortress Antonia to the Holy Sepulchre, Pilate most likely tried Jesus in the Palace of Herod on the western side of the city, which the Roman governors took over when Judea became a province. Shimon Gibson has located the remains of the gate of this palace where he believe Pilate presented Jesus to the mobs.
#GoodFriday #HolyWeek #huntsmansintheholyland #GreaterLove
https://t.co/VvnAQOyTHH
A description of the Garden of Gethsemane and the Basilica of the Agony with its history and theological significance, especially from the Latter-day Saint perspective. #HolyThursday#MaundyThursday#HolyWeek#HuntsmansintheHolyLand
https://t.co/nxzO581JGa
When Mary returned to the Garden Tomb, angels—and then the risen Savior Himself—asked her a simple, searching question: “Why weepest thou?” (John 20:15). At Easter, that same loving question is quietly extended to each of us.
I pray that you will find in your faith the light, the love, and the joy that He would have all of us feel at this sacred time of year.
#GreaterLove
The Savior’s charge to His disciples to love one another—and the dramatic and powerful way He taught this principle at the Last Supper—is one of the most poignant and beautiful episodes from the last days of His mortal life.
He was not teaching a simple class in ethical behavior. This was the Son of God pleading with His Apostles and all disciples who would come after them to remember and follow this most central of His teachings.
In the face of the eternity-shaping Atonement He was about to undertake, such a commandment requires our obedience.
We manifest our love for God when we keep His commandments and serve His children. We don’t fully comprehend the Atonement, but we can spend our lives trying to be more loving and kind, regardless of the adversity we face.
#GreaterLove
I testify that what happened on Easter Day really happened. Jesus Christ is resurrected. He lives.
I hope you will find the joy that I find as well in this special Easter season and celebrate the gift of the Son of God.
Here is an interview that I did with Kerry Muhlestein about #HolyWeek in general and #PalmSunday in particular. Give it a listen, and if you enjoy it, please share it!
https://t.co/sEgE6EJL0G