Thank you for this message. I have been wearing a beautiful small gold cross with a heart in the centre (that my daughter bought for me) for years. It has always brought me great comfort because I know that Jesus understands my pain and sorrow and has always been there with me through the most difficult learning experiences in my life. I know that he has healed my emotional scars and made me whole and led me to the people that have guided me through this healing process. One day, a friend asked me why I wear a cross, and without even thinking, I said "because Jesus is my friend". He's so much more than that. But first and foremost, Jesus is my friend and my big brother who will always be there for me. Let Him be that for you, and let Him heal you ❤
Powerful! I recently felt inspired to wear a cross necklace, and since doing so I have felt closer to my Savior. What He has done for me feels so much more real as I have a physical reminder of His sacrifice, love, and life. It has helped me to center my thoughts on His love for me. I have always carried this in my heart, but having the physical reminder makes it more personal and I can’t help but be moved and filled with gratitude so much more as I carry this reminder with me ❤
I’m so thankful for this address. It dropped into my UA-cam feed about 10 days before Easter. Sometimes the UA-cam algorithm is cool. I’ve been pondering Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and death on a different level lately. Brother Hilton’s words here solidified some of my tentative thoughts. I’m so grateful for the clarity that came today.
Querido hermano, gracias por esta charla. Soy de Mexico 🇲🇽 y crecí en un hogar de mucha fe viviente en nuestro Salvador. me bauticé (1975) tenía 17 años. Los misioneros me dijeron que tenia q quitar las cruces y fotos de Jesucristo y su madre Maria. Mi familia no oraba a las estuatas/fotografías pero me insistieron que quitara todo lo que me identificaba como Católica. Lo hice pero atraves de los años me ha dolido mi alma por rechazar la fe q me había dado mi testimonio de Nuestro Padre Celestial, su hijo Jesucristo y el Espíritu Santo. I am sooo glad Pres Nelson has been “Catholicizing” us.
Dear John thank you for this deeply significant sermon. As I write from my hospital bed, recovering from cancer surgery, I have been drawn to think about how Jesus understands my pain and is a vital part of my new life following my treatment. My son has councelled me to “lean into it Dad, lean into the pain and the suffering” rather than resisting it. As I thought of this imagery, it occured to me that I’d seen images of Jesus carrying his cross and leaning into the awful task. He did not turn away from what was appointed tto him, but leaned into it. Even the fact of another stepping in to help carry the cross,so Jesus steps in to carry mine. I have recently chosen to identify with my fellow Christians and more easily identify myself as a disciple of Christ by wearing a cross lapel pin. When I think how much symbols like the statue of Moroni, or CTR rings have pervaded our faith symbolism, I believe there is much more chance of a conversation about Christ by wearing a cross, than either of these. I don’t see it as a contrary thing but as you so eloquently declare, it is a bridge to share my love of Christ and my shared faith in him. Thank you for debunking a vital topic embedded in our culture. Les
Thank you for reaching out anita. Yes I have recovered well and thank God every day for pulling me through-I am a walking miracle😇🙏@@anitakathleenpierce4420
Thank you for this presentation, Brother! I was raised Catholic in the Midwest and my many Bible belt cousins lived nearby across the state line. Unfortunately, religion-wise, we had the example to look down negatively on their cross necklaces without the figure of Christ's body, and they didn't like our crucifixes. I am in a new journey of discovery regarding Christ and his Doctrine taught in the Book of Mormon, and my relationship with Him. I will be attending my Catholic dad's funeral next week and will be askimg my siblings for the crucifix he kept on his wall forever. After converting to LDS so many years ago, I was conditioned to look down in the display of any cross. That has now changed. I am not ashamed, nor of a cross with the figure of His body on it. But, I am ashamed of wards and church members who do not discuss Christ's suffering and atonement except at Easter time. Nor talk about Him in Sacrament meeting talks or in RS or SS or EQ. It makes me want to cry. Why, we recently had a new EQ presidency installed who were assigned to be the speakers in Sacrament meeting. The two counselors spoke first, apologizing that they didn't know what to speak on and had to ask their new president who in return told them to pray to Jesus. So both jestingly and mockingly and laughingly said they did that, although they never mentioned the Savior in their talks. The new EQ president did, though, a little bit, and respectfully. Otherwise, I only heard mention of our Savior when they closed their talks with his name and in the sacramental prayer. All is not well in the Church.
Thank you so much for sharing this powerful message!! I would love to share a sWord game I created for my yoga class called X Space and it’s a way of understanding the war of the mind and the heart using a simple word game using the letters ASPATHS X! My name is Kat Pierce.
Thank you for this message. I have been wearing a beautiful small gold cross with a heart in the centre (that my daughter bought for me) for years. It has always brought me great comfort because I know that Jesus understands my pain and sorrow and has always been there with me through the most difficult learning experiences in my life. I know that he has healed my emotional scars and made me whole and led me to the people that have guided me through this healing process. One day, a friend asked me why I wear a cross, and without even thinking, I said "because Jesus is my friend". He's so much more than that. But first and foremost, Jesus is my friend and my big brother who will always be there for me. Let Him be that for you, and let Him heal you ❤
Best. Talk. EVER!!! Thank you!!!
Powerful! I recently felt inspired to wear a cross necklace, and since doing so I have felt closer to my Savior. What He has done for me feels so much more real as I have a physical reminder of His sacrifice, love, and life. It has helped me to center my thoughts on His love for me. I have always carried this in my heart, but having the physical reminder makes it more personal and I can’t help but be moved and filled with gratitude so much more as I carry this reminder with me ❤
Lovely talk
Thank you Brother John Hilton
Love catching this beautiful Talk.
Yes, I am going to use it
So good! Such a needed message! Thank you!
Thank you for this perspective. I’ve never thought of it that way either.
I’m so thankful for this address. It dropped into my UA-cam feed about 10 days before Easter. Sometimes the UA-cam algorithm is cool.
I’ve been pondering Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and death on a different level lately. Brother Hilton’s words here solidified some of my tentative thoughts. I’m so grateful for the clarity that came today.
My daughters invited school friends for their baptism. And I was so touched when they brought gifts. Some of which included a cross.
Querido hermano, gracias por esta charla. Soy de Mexico 🇲🇽 y crecí en un hogar de mucha fe viviente en nuestro Salvador. me bauticé (1975) tenía 17 años. Los misioneros me dijeron que tenia q quitar las cruces y fotos de Jesucristo y su madre Maria. Mi familia no oraba a las estuatas/fotografías pero me insistieron que quitara todo lo que me identificaba como Católica. Lo hice pero atraves de los años me ha dolido mi alma por rechazar la fe q me había dado mi testimonio de Nuestro Padre Celestial, su hijo Jesucristo y el Espíritu Santo. I am sooo glad Pres Nelson has been “Catholicizing” us.
Dear John thank you for this deeply significant sermon. As I write from my hospital bed, recovering from cancer surgery, I have been drawn to think about how Jesus understands my pain and is a vital part of my new life following my treatment. My son has councelled me to “lean into it Dad, lean into the pain and the suffering” rather than resisting it. As I thought of this imagery, it occured to me that I’d seen images of Jesus carrying his cross and leaning into the awful task. He did not turn away from what was appointed tto him, but leaned into it. Even the fact of another stepping in to help carry the cross,so Jesus steps in to carry mine. I have recently chosen to identify with my fellow Christians and more easily identify myself as a disciple of Christ by wearing a cross lapel pin. When I think how much symbols like the statue of Moroni, or CTR rings have pervaded our faith symbolism, I believe there is much more chance of a conversation about Christ by wearing a cross, than either of these. I don’t see it as a contrary thing but as you so eloquently declare, it is a bridge to share my love of Christ and my shared faith in him. Thank you for debunking a vital topic embedded in our culture. Les
🙏🙏🙏🙏
I hope you’re recovered and doing well today 🙏
Thank you for reaching out anita. Yes I have recovered well and thank God every day for pulling me through-I am a walking miracle😇🙏@@anitakathleenpierce4420
Power message of letting go of the stigma of the cross!!! ❤✝️
Thank you Bro. John, I am edified.
Glad somebody in the Mormon Church has an understanding of The Cross of Jesus.
Thank you for this presentation, Brother! I was raised Catholic in the Midwest and my many Bible belt cousins lived nearby across the state line. Unfortunately, religion-wise, we had the example to look down negatively on their cross necklaces without the figure of Christ's body, and they didn't like our crucifixes. I am in a new journey of discovery regarding Christ and his Doctrine taught in the Book of Mormon, and my relationship with Him. I will be attending my Catholic dad's funeral next week and will be askimg my siblings for the crucifix he kept on his wall forever. After converting to LDS so many years ago, I was conditioned to look down in the display of any cross. That has now changed. I am not ashamed, nor of a cross with the figure of His body on it. But, I am ashamed of wards and church members who do not discuss Christ's suffering and atonement except at Easter time. Nor talk about Him in Sacrament meeting talks or in RS or SS or EQ. It makes me want to cry. Why, we recently had a new EQ presidency installed who were assigned to be the speakers in Sacrament meeting. The two counselors spoke first, apologizing that they didn't know what to speak on and had to ask their new president who in return told them to pray to Jesus. So both jestingly and mockingly and laughingly said they did that, although they never mentioned the Savior in their talks. The new EQ president did, though, a little bit, and respectfully. Otherwise, I only heard mention of our Savior when they closed their talks with his name and in the sacramental prayer. All is not well in the Church.
Thank you so much for sharing this powerful message!! I would love to share a sWord game I created for my yoga class called X Space and it’s a way of understanding the war of the mind and the heart using a simple word game using the letters ASPATHS X! My name is Kat Pierce.
Wearing masks did nothing. Can't believe we so willingly bought into it. I never did. Great talk though.