From a note written Nov. 27, 2006: Dear Xangans, Family, and Friends, I hope your thanksgivings were good. I short while ago I told you about "R", a person I had given a blessing to before he was taken by ambulance to the Hospital. This past Wendesday he passed away. I will be going to his funeral this coming Wendesday. Just some things to think about during this thankful season. Love, Elder Embree
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The Root of Christian Doctrine
From a study journal entry dated November 16, 2006:"[The Atonement of Christ] is the very root of Christian doctrine. You may know much about the gospel as it branches out from there, but if you only know the branches and those branches do not touch that root, if they have been cut free from the truth, there will be no life nor substance nor redemption in them" (Apostle Boyd K. Packer, "The Mediator," Ensign, May 1977, p. 56).
Today I discovered an article that has redeemed my view of us Latter-day Saints. More importantly this article has changed the way I worship. The principles of Thomas B. Griffith’s "The Root of Christian Doctrine" can and must bring Latter-day Saints to a new, deeper level of worship. It can only do that if we read it and apply the scriptural principles to our lives, so please, get a copy of the Fall 2006 BYU Magazine and read it.
The need for a change in our worship has been the soapbox craving on my mind for a very long time. The problem is that far too often our meetings do not reflect fully the living water of Christ that was restored to the prophet Joseph Smith. Because of those meetings, the edifying fountain that burst forth continually in our living prophet and apostles does not always trickle down to many of our members. It is too easy to come to some of our meetings spiritually thirsty, and leave just as parched.
I share this problem publicly with much reservation because I have such a deep conviction of the Restoration. By that I mean that the pure teachings of Jesus Christ were lost through centuries of apostasy, but that those same pure Christian teachings were restored by Jesus Himself to Joseph Smith and his successors. I have received a spiritual witness that this restoration is true. Furthermore, those same restored doctrines of Jesus Christ have sustained me through every affliction and have quenched every spiritual thirst I have ever had. However, not every meeting has reflected the power of such a miracle. I believe that we can do more to edify each other at every meeting.
I could give examples to prove the problem, but I think it would be more beneficial to teach the restored principles of Christ and prove the solution. The solution is to constantly help the people understand the depth of Christ’s Atonement.
In the mission I have become famous for saying:
"In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen" should never, ever be the first time Christ is referenced in any talk, testimony, or lesson, no matter what the topic is. I am relieved to know that I am not alone in this. As a stake president, Thomas B. Griffith "laid down a rule that every sacrament meeting talk and every lesson in Sunday School, Relief Society, and priesthood meetings must be related to the Atonement of Christ in a direct and express way." He said, "Our goal was to have all of our meetings filled with "life [and] substance [and] redemption" by having them connected to "the very root of Christian doctrine": the Atonement of Christ. We told the bishops that if they wanted a sacrament meeting about the principles of emergency preparedness—important principles, to be sure—that meeting would be about "Emergency Preparedness and the Atonement of Christ." If you cannot figure out the link between the topic you are to teach and the Atonement of Christ, you have either not thought about it enough or you shouldn’t be talking about it at church. In our limited time in church, we must be talking about the Atonement of Christ." Doing so will be ensure that we never leave a meeting thirsty for truth.
Now, what is the key component to a change in our worship? How can we more completely understand the depth of Christ’s Atonement? Thomas B. Griffith reveals the answer from the Book of Mormon. In reflecting on Christ’s visit to ancient America, he was touched by the change that happened in these people after they touched the scars in the risen Lord’s hands, feet, and side. He writes about these people:
"Although they have been obedient [before Jesus appeared to them], perhaps they had not yet come to know him as their Savior because they had not yet felt the need to be saved. They had led lives filled with good works. They knew Jesus as God, as Exemplar, maybe even as Friend. But maybe they didn’t yet know him as Savior. Their prayer wasn’t, "Thank you for having saved us in the past and reminding us of that by your presence today." No, the prayer was "Hosanna!" or "Save us, now!" That suggests to me that they were just then coming to know him as Savior.
"What had done that? What had turned them from good, obedient people to good, obedient people who now know Jesus Christ as Savior? What had caused them to fall down at his feet to worship him? It was physical contact with the emblems of his suffering. . .
"We have that experience every Sunday when we partake of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. We eat the broken bread, a token of his slain body. We drink the water, a symbol of his spilt blood. These are striking symbols intended to shock us, to evoke in us a deep sense of gratitude."
I hope that realizing the significance of our weekly sacrament will change the way you worship. I can say that contact with the emblems of Christ’s suffering has in deed changed me. My Sunday meetings will never be the same. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true and living church of the true and living Lord. Of the suffering of that Lord for us I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
"No member of this Church must ever forget the terrible price paid by our Redeemer, who gave His life that all men might live—the agony of Gethsemane, the bitter mockery of His trial, the vicious crown of thorns tearing at His flesh, the blood cry of the mob before Pilate, the lonely burden of His heavy walk along the way to Calvary, the terrifying pain as great nails pierced His hands and feet … We cannot forget that. We must never forget it, for here our Savior, our Redeemer, the Son of God, gave Himself a vicarious sacrifice for each of us" (President Gordon B. Hinckley "The Symbol of Our Faith," Ensign, April 2005, p. 4).
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from a letter dated November 6, 2006
Dear family and friends,
In case I forgot to mention it last week, I have a new companion. His name is Elder Fillerup. He is from Cody, Wyoming. Cool stuff.
Yesterday I confirmed Jose and gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost. It was a wonderful experience. He even bore his testimony in sacrament meeting. His family was all there to support him, and his mom joined us for sunday school, promising to return next week.
Right now though I have another experience to write about. It is actually what happened a week ago from last Saturday on October 29, 2006. There is a man, here I will refer to him as "R", who has terminal cancer. He is not active in the church, but we visit him fairly often to lift his spirits and sing Karaoke with him. That day we went randomly to do just that. His wife answered the door and said that he was sleeping. She invited us in and went to wake him. From his bedroom, she screamed for us to call 911. We did and rushed in. He was foaming at the mouth- a thick, white fluid. He was not responding. After following the instructions of the person on the phone, I asked his wife if I could give him a blessing. She was hysterical, but she agreed. The moment I placed my hands on his head, she became instantly still and calm. I quickly annointed with oil and practically in the same breath sealed the annointing and gave a blessing. It was short, but it came deep from within me. I'm not sure I was really registering what was actually going on. The paramedics were there in a split second and started asking questions and sticking tubes everywhere. Then they took him away as we comforted loved ones.
Tuesday he was home, but the doctors did not give him very long to live. To my knowledge he is still home, past the doctors expectations, but still awaiting a soon death. I have thought often of what might have happened if we hadn't stopped by that day at that time. Would his last days with his family have been cut short? Prior to my mission, death was a foreign concept for me. In many ways it still is, but I have had many experiences that have helped me gain perspective on eternity. I have seen things that I think most people my age have not. (and, I have not seen things that most people my age have). Interesting things to think about.
I love you all and miss you,
Elder Embree
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From an e-mail dated October 17, 2006
Dear family and friends,
Today is my 14 month mark. Happy Birthday to me.
This past week was exceptionally good. We taught 22 lessons to investigators and less active members we are working with, had one investigator at church, and had the same investigator commit to prepare for baptism on the 29th. The week also stands out because of a reception at Brother Swartwood's mom's house, a 24 hour exchange on Thursday/Friday, the Arcadia missionary for a day program on Saturday, and some really good experiences Sunday night. I have time to ellaborate on a few of the highlights.
A 24 hour exchange is when a district leader switches places with a missionary in his district for 24 hours. My companion and Elder Dayton, my district leader, switched places so that Elder Dayton could see how I'm doing in my area. Anyway- it was a lot of fun. Elder Dayton is probably one of the sole reasons I've made it through this transfer.
Friday was fun from the beginning. Despite being tired from talking to much the night before, I got up on time and made french toast for breakfast. We had very effective, powerful, even entertaining study that morning. Then we were out proselyting. We found a new investigator at the third house.
Then we went to teach JS. JS is a 22 year old guy who has been searching really hard for a Church to be a part of after he made some changes in his life. Teaching him has been awesome. Elder Dayton and I had planned a lesson on faith, specifically that you have to take a step of faith first before the confirmation or witness comes. It was very powerful. JS committed to setting a date for his baptism. We now have a few weeks to resolve some concerns and help him get ready. We are all excited.
For lunch that day I made Jewish Potatoe Pancakes (Latkes). It was fun.
Sunday was powerful because of two lessons that we taught. I'll have to tell you more about them next week, because I'm getting booted off the computer. I love you all and, miss you all very much.
Love,
Elder Embree -
Swartwoods
"And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come ..." (Mosiah 5:3).
Dear friends, family, and xangans,Sunday was one of my mission highlights. It has motivated me to be a better missionary and has given me a stronger drive for success as a missionary. It helped that it was the conclusion of a great week. We had given some investigating youth a tour of the church and they were pointing out all their friends on the bulletin boards. Then we got Jose to go to the institute and attend a forum. There were other successes, but no one ended up coming to Church.
Elder Harris and I were therefore sitting investigatorless on the back row during the Sacrament when I noticed commotion in the foyer. I caught a glimpse of a girl I didn't recognize, but I began to wonder if the Swartwoods were in the foyer. Silence was broken with the organ and in came Brother Swartwood. He comes up and gives me a big hug. His whole family was there.
He was the first to bear his testimony. He spoke about joining the church right here in Walnut when he was 19. He talked about the passing of his step dad that week, and how they were here for the funeral. He talked about me, and about my family. I couldn't sit still at all. I was squirming with the emotion.
As he talked about his conversion story, I was suddenly filled with a vision. In my mind's eye, I saw him being baptized, right here in Walnut. Then I saw him serving a mission, getting married, raising his children, teaching me seminary, being my young men's president, having me home teach their family, teaching friends the gospel in his home, sending a son on a mission. Suddenly in a way that I had never realized before I saw the end from the beginning. I realized that baptisms lead to an immense, wonderful, beautiful future. I had to share this vision with the ward.
I stood up and read Mosiah 5:3, and then I bore my testimony and asked the ward to catch the vision. I told them about how lucky they were for the people that came out of this area. I turned to the several young single adult recent converts. I asked them to see themselves where Brother Swartwood now is. I asked them to catch the grand vision of their future. I asked the congregation to visualize their friends being baptized. To visualize their aquaintances and neighbors accepting the gospel and partaking in this glorious future. I assured them that we as missionaries have a vision for this area. We have great views of that which is to come, and it is wonderful.
I could not stop shaking. I felt on fire. I felt wonderful. I know that I was called here now for a reason. Perhaps it was not the initial reason I assumed, but I was called here for a reason. It was to catch this vision- this perspective of what my work was. It was to realize in a personal way the influence of a convert from Walnut. It was to realize how much I had been touched by someone baptized here 30 years ago.
Have you caught the vision?
During Church, the Bishop had us go and teach the young women and young men. It wasn't planned, but he felt inspired to take advantage of the excitement and teach them how to catch their own vision of missionary work. It went very well. I shared stories from my high school experience and promised them that their freinds would not think it was weird or awkward if they invited their friends to activities. We put this mental block in our minds that people will get uncomfortable if we invite them to church functions. It is not true. They get invited to things all the time. It is normal. It is natural. Telling the youth that made an impression. I can see now that I have under-used my potential in training the members. I need to be more aggressive about teaching the members of the church how to share what they know with confindence. Man, my vision of what I can do as a missionary has just been raised so much. I feel empowered.
Have you caught the vision?
Love,
Elder Embree
"And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now? (Alma 5:26). -
Adapted from a letter dated Monday, August 28, 2006:
"We are going to save people- save eachother- one person at a time" (Jeffrey R. Holland, Arcadia California Stake Conference Saturday Evening Session, August 26, 2006).
Dear friends, family, and xangans,This past weekend Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came to speak at the Arcadia Stake Conference, and I was fortunate enough to see him both at the Saturday night adult session and the Sunday morning session where he called a new stake presidency. It was a powerful, moving experience. This is the same man who taught me about the "The Grandeur of God" in the fall of 2003 and who spoke of "Broken Things to Mend" this past April. (You can read the articles at www.lds.org). In countless speaches Elder Holland has touched me more than any other living person. I know that he is a true apostle of Jesus Christ.
Since there is so much that he said, I can't possibly write it all here. Instead I have chosen two things he said that I want to tell you all about. I took good notes and wrote furiously to capture every word I could, and so the quotes are accurate, with elipses marking words or phrases I missed.
On Sunday morning, he spoke of a miracle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is that Apostles like Elder Holland could come to places like Arcadia not knowing anybody in the area and then choose in a matter of days a person to replace the current Stake President. That could only happen, he says, through revelation. Revelation, and Elder Holland "do[es] not take that word lightly", happens all around us in this Church.
The real miracle, however, is that the old Stake President can leave "power" and hand the keys over to a new one with out disturbing the system. Now that is a miracle. Elder Holland challenged us to find any other organization where that could be true. Name any other organization where without election, without campaign, a leader can be "released" from responsibility and new one "called" and there be no problems. If you did that in Oracle, Elder Holland said, "there would be blood in the parking lot." If you did that with any other group, there would be picketing and recounting, but it happens without incident weekly in this Church. What a miracle.
Hearing that made me realize what a wonderful thing our lay ministry is. It is amazing that we can make a voluntary unpaid clergy support a world wide Church. The leaders don't seek leadership, and when they a new leader is called they step down cheerfully. The Bishop one week could be the Nursery teacher the next. That is amazing, and it is only the introduction to Elder's Holland's Sunday address.
On Saturday, his speach was more intimate and more personal. He spoke on the power of one, the significance of individuals no matter how unknown. And he spoke of the 96 year old Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley. Of President Hinckley, he said, "He is a sick and tired man, and we weep to see his courage ... he comes to work every day, and he comes early and stays late ... and we pray for him ... I love President Hinckley ... I have seen him weep. I have seen him sob ... about ... the members of this church. He prays for them, and then he sobs ... The Lord is going to have to take President Hinckley, he is not going voluntarily."
Elder Hinckley went into more detail, describing the loss of his wife, and how he comes home each night and picks out which can of soup he is going to eat and then cries over his wife. He longs to be reunited with her, but he will not until he has fulfilled his work here. I want you to know that I know President Hinckley is a prophet of God. A prophet- and I do not take that word lightly.
I also know that Elder Holland is a prophet. I have heard his prophet words and blessings. I have seen him respond to revelation. I bear testimony of the restored Church of Jesus Christ in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
"In the gospel, love shared is never ever love divided. Love shared is always love multiplied" (Jeffrey R. Holland, Arcadia Stake Conference, August 27, 2006). -
Dear friends, family, and anyone else who reads this thing,
Just so you know, my brother is at BYU now, if any of my friends at BYU still read this, write me a letter so I can have you meet my brother. He is really cool.
I write from a new area, the Creekside Ward (Walnut and West Covina). I was suddenly transfered here yesterday. It was a surprise to all, but I am thrilled to be here. This morning, for example, we rode our bikes over to see a nice couple in Walnut. They may be getting baptized in November. We went to trim their hedge. If any of you know what it is like to trim a hedge in a white shirt and tie in 100 degree weather, it is not fun. To find relief from the heat, I would step back across the street into the shade and make sure we were cutting evenly. Many passerby's stared.
While I was across the street, I noticed a street side reading, "Camino de Rosa". I knew that was familiar. Camino de Rosa Camino de Rosa. Hmm. Oh yea, that is where a dear friend (Brother StWd)'s mom lives. I was so excited. I ran in and asked this couple how long they had lived here. They said since 1950. I asked if they knew the StWd's. They did. I was so excited. Their kids had gone to school together. Here I was where Brother StWd had grown up. As a young adult he joined the Church. Later he moved to Chicago where I was his hometeacher and he was my Young Men's President. Coincidence?
I know God lives. This past weekend I heard an Apostle, Elder Holland. I shook his hand. I looked into his eyes, and I saw the countenance of Jesus upon him. I wrote down many of the things that he said and will share them with you next week. I testify that he is a special witness of Jesus Christ. It was wonderful to have him speak in Stake Conference. It was just so awesome.
Well, I must sign off. Please stay in touch all you people. So many things are changing. Don't leave me out of it! Marriages, Mission Calls, School. I miss my old area and companion, but am excited for what the future brings. Life is grand,
Elder Embree
P.S. I am happy, but if being depressed will make you write me more letters, I won't hesitate to write you a nice long sobful xanga entry.
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From an e-mail dated August 21, 2006:
Behold, thou wast called and chosen ... to my ministry; and I have lifted thee up out of thine afflictions, and have counseled thee, that thou hast been delivered from all thine enemies, and thou hast been delivered from the powers of Satan and from darkness!... And thou shalt continue in calling upon God in my name, and writing the things which shall be given thee by the Comforter, and expounding all scriptures..." (Doctrine and Covenants 24:1,5).
Well, I don't really know what to say. I hit my year mark last Thursday. Sunday I turn 20. Time flies. Tell you what, if you want to hear a good story about how a dog almost took my life, write me a letter (Is it pathetic to resort to bribery?). I know that what I am doing is the Lord's work. I have felt His guiding Hand and have heard His divine Word.
I know that the message we share with people enhances lives and uplifts the soul. Some times I wonder why so many people insist on persecuting us. I am barely an adult and yet people seem to fear me as if I have some sort of power to change the world. Maybe that power they sense is real, but it is certainly not mine. If I am to be feared, avoided, even hated, so be it.
I take comfort in the countless lives that I feel I have touched. I have contacted too many people who have told me how much they needed me to feel like I am wasting my time. To quote a missionary in ancient America, "For because of the word which [God] has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God" (Alma 36:26).
"And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me" (Alma 36:27).
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From an e-mail dated 8/14/06: "It is the office of a true teacher to show us that God is, not was; that He speaketh, not spake" Ralph Waldo Emerson, poet.
This past week I think I may have suffered what some people may term a "mid life crisis." This of course may be fitting, seeing as my one year mark is in three days.
I am half way through what has become my life. I want to write about a mission trip to the Los Angeles Temple. We went about two weeks ago. It was particularly powerful because we got to see the new film: "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration." You must see this film. It is artistically current, dramatically entertaining, theologically enlightening, emotionally driving, and spiritually empowering. You must see this film. Look up locations and times at http://placestovisit.lds.org.
If you want to know anything about what makes me want to sacrifice two years of my time without salary (paying my own way in fact), watch this movie. If you want to understand anything about the phenomenon that is Mormonism, watch this movie. If you want to see what modern Christian martyrs are, watch this film.
I have learned for myself that Joseph Smith saw God. The Father and the Son spoke to him. They revealed new scripture to him, scripture with worth, truth, accuracy, and relevance only now being realized. This is an exciting work to be a part of. I testify that it was started by a true teacher, a prophet, a leader, a giant, a farm boy, a saint, an apostle, a sinner, a man, a general, a seer, a revelator.
"The most important of life's battles is the one we fight daily in the silent chambers of the soul" David O. McKay, Mormon prophet.
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