I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. You might know us as the Mormons. I was twenty-one when the missionaries began teaching me the gospel. For some inexplicable reason, I found myself overcome with laughter just about every time they taught me. The message they were teaching me was sweet, uplifting and inspiring. They taught me about the Plan of Salvation, about eternal families, and how Heavenly Father loved me because I was His daughter. There was nothing in what the missionaries were teaching me that called for the kind of gales of laughter I regularly fell into when they taught me. I don’t know if it was frustrating for them, though I’m sure it must have been, but I do know it was very embarrassing to me!
It wasn’t until I went to the temple, a sacred place of learning for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, that I finally kicked the laughter. There, in the quiet holy places of the temple, I finally understood the laughters’ source, and its meaning.
At the time the Toronto Temple featured a large painting of Jesus Christ that has always had a powerful influence on me. In the painting, Jesus stands amidst the clouds while angels herald His glorious resurrection. The painting tells me He is waiting for me, He is calling to me, He wants to welcome me home.
There, in the temple, the giggles finally released me and in their place came the understanding that the joy I had long been feeling was the promise and the gift of redemption. In the giggles’ place lay a quiet and sure knowledge of my Savior’s sacrifice for me and of His great love for me. The words to an LDS Hymn came to mind:
“I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he profers me.
I tremble to know that for he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.Oh it is wonderful that he should care for me, enough to die for me!
Oh it wonderful, wonderful to me!”
(LDS Hymn #193)
I am so thankful for my Savior and for my Heavenly Father. Because of Their great love for me, and for you, our Father gave up His Only Begotten Son that He be might the sacrificial lamb through which we could all be forgiven of our sins. Because of the birth of a tiny baby, and the spotless life He led, you and I can have eternal life and eternal joy.
“I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
“For unto you is born this day … a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11.)
Were it not for the gift of our Savior, we could have no hope of eternal joy.
