A witness of the heart

Yesterday I went to the crafts store and to Trader Joe's in Santa Maria. I was by myself because Charly wanted to stay and have dinner with her friends at Bella's house. Driving there, I was thinking about the business, both my medical practice and the business I was going to do in Santa Maria. However, when I was done, I just drove home. I was singing in my head Reverently and Meekly Now (Hymn 185), and when I got to the part, "With my blood that dripped like rain, Sweat in agony of pain..." I could see the Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane, suffering Eternal torment. He came out to His sleeping apostles and, still in pain gave Peter a gentle rebuke, "...could ye not watch with me one hour?" But they kept sleeping; He was alone. He went back and asked that He not have to suffer. But he did, sweating blood. I could see His suffering.

I felt so much compassion for Him, I wanted to cry. He did suffer damnation and Eternal suffering. This is so bad that nobody even knows how bad it is, as recorded in D&C section 76:

"And the end thereof, neither the place thereof, nor their torment, no man knows;

Neither was it revealed, neither is, neither will be revealed unto man, except to them who are made partakers thereof;
Nevertheless, I, the Lord, show it by vision unto many, but straightway shut it up again;
Wherefore,the end, the width, the height, the depth, and the misery thereof, they understand not, neither any man except those who are ordained unto this condemnation." (D&C 76:45-48)
We may think we suffer pain, deprivation, a broken heart, or misery of any kind, but comparing this to Eternal torment is like comparing a candle to the Sun. There is nothing on Earth to compare to what Christ suffered.

Nobody knows how bad it really is, but He knows. He went there. He knows "the end, the width, the height, the depth, and the misery thereof." He was there. He records it himself: "Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit -- and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink..." (D&C 19:18) He didn't want to do it, but He humbly submitted to the will of the Father in all things from the beginning. 

I've known this for a long time -- in my head -- but this is the first time I have felt it in my heart. I love the Lord. I am so grateful to Him for finishing His work, for suffering the will of the Father, for taking upon Himself my sins, my pain, my suffering. I know that would be me -- I would be in Perdition, suffering for all Eternity with the Devil and his angels. But, as it is, I will never know the results of my sins and transgressions because He suffered all these things for me, so I don't have to. I thank and praise Him for His mercy, grace, and charity towards me. I will do all He asks because I love Him. I love Him because He loved me first! I am so grateful that He has given me a heart that can feel compassion for His suffering. I feel, and I know.

I am a witness of Him. I know He paid the price for my sins, as well as the sins of all mankind. Everyone needs to know this! If they don't, they will have to suffer. All are doomed if they don't believe in Him and accept His sacrifice for them. "If they would not repent they must suffer even as I..." (D&C 19:17) There is only one way out of this pain: repent! Turn to the Lord and ask for forgiveness. He is quick to forgive. It's so easy, anyone and everyone can do it. There is nothing else. Whatever else you do is less important than putting your trust in the Lord. There is no pain on Earth to compare to what we will have to suffer if we don't turn to Him. Believe me! I adjure everyone to believe in Jesus Christ, repent of all your sins, and be baptized in His name for the remission of sins. I feel there is an urgent need, for the end is near wherein no man can work, and it becomes everlastingly too late. Don't put it off! Do it, NOW! This is important, the most important thing in the whole world!

 

It's going to be the best Christmas ever, as I celebrate the birth of Him who has loved so much, who offers His gift to all.