5th Sunday joint Relief Society/Priesthood meeting

 President Dennis gave a great lesson focused on the idea that Jesus Christ loves each of us, as individuals. He began by having us read 3 Nephi 11:7-17 which is the account of Christ coming to the people of the Book of Mormon. This recording of such a marvelous happening is the only record  we know of this type of occurrence.  Jesus Christ descended from the heavens and spoke to and with the people. As he came, a voice from heaven announced that this is God's son. In the following verses, it states that Jesus Christ identified himself as God's son and the Christ. He invited all the people to come up to him and feel the wounds in his hands so that they could testify that he was whom he said he was. By having all those come to him and touch him with their own hands, there could be no doubt that this was the Savior. They could testify with assurance, as individuals.
In discussing the symbolism here, we noted that Christ asked each person to "come unto me." He taught these people that he died for each of them. He asked for the sick and lame to come forth; he healed each one as they came forward. All who came to him were healed on a singular basis, not with a wave of his hand over the entire group which is probably something he could easily have done. If we come unto Christ, he can heal us from whatever "ails" us. Each person is valued on their own merits. The only way to do this is to know us as individuals.
Brother Dennis quoted Elder Maxwell in saying the Lord has known each of us for a very long time. He has loved us for a very long time. No matter where we are or what has happened, he loves us. He knows those whom we love and all those around us, even those whom we may not like. He loves us all.
The story of the prodigal son in Luke was summarized. From that we noted that the son who squandered all that his father had given him was welcomed home with open arms. The father went out to greet the son who was seen from afar with arms flung wide to welcome him home. He did not chastise the son, but loved him and was happy to have him back home. If we make the effort to be where we should be, our Father in heaven will always open his arms to us. He is eager to reward us for our good works. If we love those around us and try to be more like the Savior, He will bless us more as we bless others with service.
There was one story told about a pioneer family in southern Utah that was called to move from Snowflake to Provo. The journey was long and difficult but Thomas Farley had made that trip before. He knew where to travel and where the water was. With a family, the trip was more assiduous and longer  than before. The family got to a certain place along the way and found  they had used all their water and all the previously discovered water holes were dry. They all worried that they could not make it to their destination. They scouted more and then decided to kneel and pray.  After the prayer, they noted a cloud in the otherwise clear sky approaching them. As it reached their camp, the cloud let loose its load  whereupon they caught as much water as they could in many different ways. When they had all the water they could carry, the rain stopped. The Farley family gathered up everything again and headed off toward Provo. They soon discovered that the only area wet from the rain they had experienced was where they had been. All the surrounding area is that desert area was dry as could be.
Does the Lord listen to each individual's needs and desires? I bear witness to you that he does. If you do not know this to be true, I challenge you to study so that you too will know how much our Father in heaven loves you.
Your bloggess,
Janice