Drawn to Christ

Some years ago, I saw a video clip of musician Brandon Flowers talking about his faith in Jesus Christ. “I feel drawn by Jesus Christ,” he says. As I watched that clip for the first time, it occurred to me that he was giving voice to something I have felt since I was young.

In the Gospel of John, Christ speaks of His future crucifixion and the result it would have on mankind:

31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

As long as I can remember, I have felt drawn to Jesus Christ.

I’m not sure when or where I first felt it but I do believe the feeling has been present for some time.

I was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And like all member children, I attended a type of Sunday school we call Primary. It involved singing, activities, and lessons designed to teach gospel principles and to build faith in God and His Son.

The purpose of Primary is stated on the Church’s website:

The purposes of Primary are to help children:

• Feel their Heavenly Father’s love and learn about His plan of happiness.
• Learn about Jesus Christ and His role in Heavenly Father’s plan.
• Learn and live the gospel.
• Feel, recognize, and act on the influence of the Holy Ghost.
• Prepare for, make, and keep sacred covenants.
• Participate in the work of salvation and exaltation.

Many of the songs we sang continue to hold a special place in my heart. Songs like, I Feel My Savior’s Love, He Sent His Son, and my absolute favorite I’m Trying to be Like Jesus. I can hardly think of the words to the chorus of I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus without getting choked up:

Love one another as Jesus loves you. Try to show kindness in all that you do. Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, For these are the things Jesus taught.

I think what I’m trying to do now with this blog grows out of those inspired words. I hope to find common ground with good people everywhere regardless of their beliefs. What better place to meet than at the foot of the cross?

This idea of Christ drawing men and women to Him is repeated in Restoration scripture. After His death and resurrection, Christ visited the Americas–His “other” sheep (John 10:16).

In the Book of Mormon, the book of 3rd Nephi, verses 14 and 15, the Savior says:

14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—

15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.

In 1829, the Lord taught a 24-year-old Joseph Smith the same principle. This was the same revelation instructing Joseph that God would again call 12 Apostles to lead His Church. The book containing the revelations given to the prophet Joseph Smith, and others, is known as the Doctrine and Covenants and forms one of the four standard works of the Church, i.e. our scriptural cannon (the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price).

In the 18th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants, we read:

10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.

12 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.

13 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!

I love the Savior. I believe that through Him I have been saved from death and damnation, or in other words, from being forever barred from returning to God’s presence.

As I go through life and experience its ups and downs, I have had many difficult and dark moments. Within the last few years, a particular thought has stuck with me. It is that if I could only spend 5 minutes with the Savior, everything would be alright. In those 5 minutes, I would be so strengthened that I could do anything He asked of me. What power His love would have on me.

I think this is partly why I try to spend time in the Gospels daily. Like Zacchaeus, I seek “to see Jesus who he was.” If I physically can’t be with Him now, I can learn about Him, read His words, and follow in His footsteps.

I’m reminded again of His words as recorded in John’s Gospel:

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.