1st Covid Baptism!!

June 15, 2020

1st Covid Baptism!!

Hello everyone!

I've had some wonderful pondering time this week. It started on Monday when my brother told me to study the "Why's" of the gospel. I found that very interesting, but it makes a lot of sense. The scriptures tell us to become as little children. Since I have 3 younger sisters I know that one of the things little children do often is ask WHY about everything! Heavenly Father never tells us, because I said so. He always leads me to greater light and understanding. As I've done this I have felt the spirit a lot more in my studies. It takes more brain power, but it has been so worth it. I wanted to share what I've been thinking about with you!

Each week as we partake of the sacrament we remember Christ's blood he shed for us as he took upon himself ALL of our pains, sicknesses, afflictions, and infirmities. A couple of my favorite verses in the Book of Mormon are in 3Ne 11:10-11.

"Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.

And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning."

I love those verses! One of the first things that Jesus Christ tells the people after he appears to them in Ancient America is that he has drunk out of that bitter cup and taken upon himself their sins. At some point, we all will have to experience our own bitter cups. They can come from sin that causes feeling of sorrow and grief. It may come from afflictions that are meant to refine our character and change our nature. Because Christ drank out of that bitter cup, we don't have to do it alone! Like the Savior, we can say, "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me." Unlike the Savior, the cup CAN pass from us as we rely on Christ's infinite atonement.

WHY must we all experience our own bitter cups? It's because in order to become like Him we must experience some of what he felt when he suffered for our sins. It's part of God's plan for us to learn and grow. It's an interesting paradox, but it's because He loves us!

I recently experienced a bitter cup as I have tried to navigate life as a missionary during Covid. Each day seems to feel more and more redundant. We are running out of things to do! I feel uncertain and afraid sometimes because nobody has a clue when we will be able to go outside and do missionary work like normal.

This Sunday we had the opportunity to take the sacrament at a members home. Ryan even met us there and got to take the sacrament for the first time! I thought about the Savior and His suffering for me. I began to feel my burdens lighten. I thought, this isn't all that bad. It could be a lot worse. I began to smile and my heart was immediately filled with love and gratitude for my Savior.

Over the last few months of quarantine I've learned how to use my creative juices more than ever! I feel invigorated each time I receive personal revelation for these different circumstances. I have learned how to work effectively and diligently even when I feel like I have every excuse not to. I've had the great opportunity to join ward councils over zoom and listen to the leaders of the ward find ways to serve their organizations in new ways! I've even seen miracles! One of which being Ryan's baptism on Saturday.

I never would have supposed that 3 months ago when Sister Perez and I knocked on Ryan's door she would become one of my very best friends. I tell her all the time that she's the only reason I can get through this pandemic. She knows it's a test of my patience. Her testimony every time we talk about the Book of Mormon fills me with so much joy! She has soaked everything up and has gone above and beyond! She is the strongest person I ever met and one of the kindest. At her baptism it was me, Sister McEntire, Ryan, Brother Shurtleff, and Sister Perez came from Illinois to be there! It was such a special day and the spirit was so strong. I even got to give a talk about baptism :) After her baptism, Ryan said she felt so much lighter! I can tell that her countenance is so much brighter as well. Moments like that make every bitter cup worth it.

I hope that the next time you experience a bitter cup you remember Jesus Christ and His suffering for you. This allows us to access His strength, love, and support. I love you all. Have a fantastic week!

Love,

Sister Butler