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Hopefully, tomorrow's predicted snow storm won't keep us from holding seminary. It will be our last day before the Christmas break. I will keep an eye on the weather report and call everybody if we have to cancel. Either way, we will continue to study Matthew 26 into the New Year. There are many important principles taught and events that occur in this chapter.

Today, we reviewed how a woman who had an alabaster box of very precious ointment used it on Jesus at the Passover Supper. His disciples thought they should have sold it and given it to the poor. Later, Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and sought to betray Jesus. We talked about how strongly people felt about Jesus. They either hated Him or loved Him. There didn't seem to be neutral ground. This contrast in feelings and Judas' actions remind us of a church history story. There was a conversation with Joseph Smith, recounted by Daniel Tyler, an early member of the Church:

“Soon after the Prophet’s arrival in Commerce (afterwards Nauvoo) from Missouri prison, Brother Isaac Behunnin and myself made him a visit at his residence. His persecutions was the topic of conversation. He repeated many false, inconsistent and contradictory statements made [against him] by apostates, frightened members of the Church and outsiders. . . .

“When the Prophet had ended telling how he had been treated, Brother Behunnin remarked: ‘If I should leave this Church I would not do as those men have done: I would go to some remote place where Mormonism had never been heard of[,] settle down, and no one would ever learn that I knew anything about it.’

“The great Seer immediately replied: ‘Brother Behunnin, you don’t know what you would do. No doubt these men once thought as you do. Before you joined this Church you stood on neutral ground. When the gospel was preached good and evil were set before you. You could choose either or neither. There were two opposite masters inviting you to serve them. When you joined this Church you enlisted to serve God. When you did that you left the neutral ground, and you never can get back on to it.’” (Juvenile Instructor, 15 Aug. 1892, 491–92).

A student shared how someone she knows who has left the church is very negative about it. People who once had a testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel are often the church's worst enemies. At the very least, church-related things bother them. They can't seem to leave them alone.

We talked about Matthew 26:26–29 and the important symbolism of the sacrament. We watched a clip of Elder Perry talking about the sacredness and blessing of partaking of it. Then we read this quote by Elder Spencer W. Kimball, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve:

“Every time we take the bread and water, there should be a reconsecration, a rededication. When we are not living the commandments, when we are in transgression, when we have angers and hatreds and bitterness, we should consider seriously if we should take the sacrament” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 225).

We also read 1 Corinthians 11:23–29 which helps us remember the importance of partaking worthily.

Toward the end of class, we read Matthew 26:30. Right after the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn together. Singing hymns is an important blessing. In part, the First Presidency Preface to Hymns found in the hymn book says:

“Inspirational music is an essential part of our church meetings. The hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members, and provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord.

"Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end.”

To finish class, I read the words of one of my favorite sacrament hymns: ("In Humility," LDS hymn #172. Lyrics by Mabel Jones Gabbott)

In humility, our Savior,
Grant thy Spirit here, we pray,
As we bless the bread and water
In thy name this holy day.
Let me not forget, O Savior,
Thou didst bleed and die for me
When thy heart was stilled and broken
On the cross at Calvary.

Fill our hearts with sweet forgiving;
Teach us tolerance and love.
Let our prayers find access to thee
In thy holy courts above.
Then, when we have proven worthy
Of thy sacrifice divine,
Lord, let us regain they presence;
Let thy glory round us shine.