Oh, it is wonderful!

I am reading the third book in a series about Christ. This one is called "Behold the man". It is such a wonderfully written book. The history alone is remarkable. I have found that when we don't know the history and traditions of the Jews that we miss half the meaning in the stories he told. I have sat and cried several times while reading this.

These books are written in a way that makes you feel like you are there. I truly wish I could have been. My testimony feels to much stronger just because of the things I have read.

I have learned the difference between saduccees and pharisees. I didn't know that before and the meaning of certain words where the translation makes all the difference.

The book also makes me look at how intolerant we are of each other. The Pharisees hated everyone else, thinking no one obeyed the laws as well. No one thought anything good could come out of Gallilee and everyone hated the Samaritans. Those who lived in Jeruselem were the really favored and anyone else was looked down upon.

How often do we do that today? Do we look at those who are not members of the church and feel sorry for them and look down on them just a little? Do we think that they could not possibly be as happy as we are? I don't know. I try not to do that. Being married to a man who did not grow up in the church but did grow up in Utah has really opened my eyes. I did not realize how black and white I saw things. Even after my mission, I was so self riteous and did not see it. I don't know what Bryan saw in me but thank the Lord he saw something.

Jesus loved everyone he came in contact with. That was one thing that really bothered people of his time. The posiibility that he loves Saddam Hussein, or the murderes in Rhuanda, or the man who beats his wife as much as he cares about my beautiful, perfect children seems wild in one sense, and totally perfect on the other.

May God grant us all the ability to see past the bad and on to the good. May those of us who are capable, truly love everyone around us. May we be able to forgive those who we really feel don't deserve it.

Love to you all.