Meekness

 The Word of the week is “mansedumbre.” Each night during the week after Christmas, Kaleen and I have happily served in the Visitor’s Center at Temple Hill. It has been so much fun to talk to people from literally around the world. As new visitors drive into the parking lot, the first thing they see is the huge statue of Christ in the large glass windows overlooking the Oakland Temple grounds. 

As they walk through the doors and into the Center, people are drawn to the statue and immediately notice the wonderful spirit of peace and comfort as they gaze up at Jesus’s loving face and notice the prints of the nails in His hands and feet and the wounds in his side.

A narration in His own words from the scriptures that describe His Mission, His Character and His Love for each of us can be heard in over 20 different languages. In the Spanish version, a calming voice with beautiful music in the background describes the Greatest Story Ever Told:

“Behold the wounds that pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet ... for behold, I have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent. Learn of me, and listen to my words, walk in the “mansedumbre” of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.”

Mansedumbre is Spanish for meekness. Jesus Christ was and is the most meek and humble of all of the Father’s spirits and yet He is Lord and master of us all. What an amazing act of charity he performed to condescend to come to earth and be born in a tabernacle of clay and endure unimaginable pain and suffering that we, his brothers and sisters might be able to partake of His precious offering and become eligible to return to our Heavenly Father and loved ones who have gone on before us. Oh, Hallelujah and God be praised for the life and sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.