A Modern Apostle

I had a rough day Saturday. I was as discouraged as I have been in a long time. Going to church, I felt much better. I was quite nervous to teach Sunday School today as I was not feeling very positive. I prayed that the Lord's spirit would be there and I was not disappointed. I felt so uplifted by the lesson and the comments that were shared in the class. I love being able to teach from the scriptures, what a blessing in my life.

One of the patterns that Jesus established when he walked on the earth was to call twelve men to be his apostles. Holy men that knew him and were special witnesses of his name to the world. The restored gospel message is that Jesus still calls men on the earth today and reveals to them his will. We have today, twelve men-apostles-who know and testify of the Savior. Gina and I were privileged to attend a meeting this evening where one of the twelve, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, presided. Having such an experience is a pretty rare occurrence. He spoke to us of where Jesus has been known to walk but then explained that to know Jesus, we don't need to walk where Jesus has walked but rather to walk as Jesus walked. There was such a calm peaceful spirit about him. At the end of the meeting he said that he would be honored to have us come shake his hand. We briefly did so. Someone watching said that she noticed that all who came down after greeting him had a smile on their face. I had to agree. As discouraged as I felt yesterday, I felt equally hopeful tonight. I am grateful to feel of the Lord's love, to know that He lives and will guide as today as he has in the past.

Joseph

I have been thinking a lot about Joseph, the man called on to raise the Son of God. I've been carving a figure representing him and had the opportunity to do so at our church's annual "Creche and Carol" event last weekend. It has given me time to contemplate the little we know of him. I truly believe he was a special man and a good father. We do know that he came from the house of David since they had to travel to Bethlehem to be accounted. His lineage was royal. I can imagine that learning that his espoused wife was pregnant came as a great shock. I think he understood and accepted that early on, receiving the angelic visitation explaining his situation. I imagine that his family and friends were not so accepting. I am sure he must have had family in Bethlehem with accommodations and yet he and Mary traveled on donkey and could not find a place to stay. He stood by Mary even taking her and Jesus out of the country to Egypt when his life was in danger. I love Joseph and hope to know more of the man some day.

His very name reminds me of another Joseph who was ridiculed for having claimed to received angelic visitations and being led by God. Is it so crazy to think that God would act today just as He did when announcing the coming of his Son to the earth? I have read that one definition of an angel is a messenger sent from God. I am surrounded by angels and am grateful for the influence of good people inspired to bless my life. I have felt the protection and guidance of others, yet unseen by my eyes. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that is their message, a message that rings as clear and true today as when it was declared by angels to the shepherds of old.