Lance Evanson
BYU Jerusalem
November 17, 2007
New Testament Journal One
A delightful day of active and joyful Sabbath worship, today was a just another great day in Jerusalem. Over the last few months the Sabbath schedule has been a true relief as it seems to be the only day of rest from mental exhaustion. Today has held a new spirit; as the days go on and I grow more accustom to living in the Holy city I feel as though I come closer to the days of the savior rather than further away. Teachings are coming alive that were spoken so many years ago by the savior. Though we try daily to remember Jesus, the Sabbath always seems to excite feelings of gratitude and reverence for Him.
Today as I walked into the Oasis there seemed to be more smiling faces than usual and a pleasant feeling in the air; it made my smile just that much bigger. Choir was splendid as it always is, we soon will be having our concert so we practice for that and we were to sing a prelude hymn. The members started filing in just as we were finishing. It is a splendid feeling to enjoy hymns of an angelic choir on the Sabbath in Jerusalem. Now just quickly as an overview of the rest of the day: we had sacrament meeting, Sunday school, and priesthood, and then we were free as always to go and enjoy our day. A few of us went to the Garden Tomb and there enjoyed the sweat spirit that is in that sacred place; we came back in time for dinner and waited until the evening when we would have a fireside by Brother Draper about the Book of Revelation. If I where anywhere else it would have been my desire to be here in this place, the Holy city.
Though we may not be able to walk where Jesus walked we can do what Jesus did and love as He loved. I find that these words have been comforting to me as I realize that soon I will have to leave. Because of what I have experienced here I will be able to be more like Jesus by living like Him rather than living where He did, but while I am here I will try and take in all that I can in order help myself learn how to be emulate him.
We now are studying the New Testament of the Lord Jesus Christ and it is a most wonderful experience as I am able to enjoy not only the teachings but also the places where they were taught. All my life I have desired to walk where He walked, now I desire to live as He lived and become more like him. We have been promised that as we keep his commandments, remember him, and take his name upon us we will come closer to him and have his spirit to be with us. My desire as I am learning more about the life and teachings of the Savior is to learn how I can fulfill my covenants with him and have his spirit to be with me. I desire to emulate his personality, his character, and his love. Over the last months I have strived to understand the covenants that I have entered into through baptism and in the temple. Christ and His atonement are central to my covenants and to allowing me to have his spirit with me. I hope that in my study of the New Testament I am able to become more like the Savior, draw closer to the Spirit, and understand more fully the covenants of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
November 16
Amie Ostler
November 16, 2007
Friday morning we had New Testament with Brother Ludlow and Near Eastern Studies with Brother Huntington. In New Testament we talked about the “kingdom of heaven” parables of Matthew 13 and Mark 4. Brother Ludlow used his “fickle finger of fate” to call on different people in the class to share their insights on what the nine parables can mean for us as members of the church today. For me, the thoughts from the different people in our class coupled with Brother Ludlow’s teachings were very insightful and brought new light to the scriptures we read. It was a very inspiring and spiritual class period for me, and I feel that my understanding of these parables has greatly increased.
After classes finished, most people spent the afternoon studying for the two upcoming finals-both in our Modern Near Eastern Studies Classes, one Jewish and the other Palestinian. There was a definite tense air throughout the building as students typed furiously at the computers, discussed the Arab-Israeli conflict and poured over their notes from class.
However, come nightfall, many students managed to take a break. Twenty students went to a synagogue with our Judaism teacher, Ophir Yarden. It was a very interesting experience, or so I am told. The forty Arabic students of the group went to their Arabic teacher, Ayman’s home for dinner. His house was beautiful and his wife was a wonderful cook, or so I am told.
For the remaining twenty students, we spent several hours in the quiet of the Jerusalem Center- continuing to study, taking a brief break to eat dinner in the Oasis. It was very lonely with just the twenty of us, but sort of nice at the same time. One thing of note: the appearance of Jim Kearl from BYU in Provo at dinner! It was nice to talk with him over our chicken, salads, and rolls.
Once the students got back from their activities it seemed that most of us continued to study for the tests. Not a typical Friday night for eighty college students, but still productive!
I have several expectations for our New Testament class these next few weeks. I hope to learn things about the life of Christ in a way that I have never learned about it before. I hope that I will be able to recall the many miracles he performed and find my own meaning in each of them. I hope to understand the history and politics surrounding New Testament times better, which will hopefully add to my understanding of Christ’s ministry during this time. Most of all, I hope to draw closer to my Savior through the study of his life on earth. I hope that my testimony of him and his miraculous work will be strengthened.
November 16, 2007
Friday morning we had New Testament with Brother Ludlow and Near Eastern Studies with Brother Huntington. In New Testament we talked about the “kingdom of heaven” parables of Matthew 13 and Mark 4. Brother Ludlow used his “fickle finger of fate” to call on different people in the class to share their insights on what the nine parables can mean for us as members of the church today. For me, the thoughts from the different people in our class coupled with Brother Ludlow’s teachings were very insightful and brought new light to the scriptures we read. It was a very inspiring and spiritual class period for me, and I feel that my understanding of these parables has greatly increased.
After classes finished, most people spent the afternoon studying for the two upcoming finals-both in our Modern Near Eastern Studies Classes, one Jewish and the other Palestinian. There was a definite tense air throughout the building as students typed furiously at the computers, discussed the Arab-Israeli conflict and poured over their notes from class.
However, come nightfall, many students managed to take a break. Twenty students went to a synagogue with our Judaism teacher, Ophir Yarden. It was a very interesting experience, or so I am told. The forty Arabic students of the group went to their Arabic teacher, Ayman’s home for dinner. His house was beautiful and his wife was a wonderful cook, or so I am told.
For the remaining twenty students, we spent several hours in the quiet of the Jerusalem Center- continuing to study, taking a brief break to eat dinner in the Oasis. It was very lonely with just the twenty of us, but sort of nice at the same time. One thing of note: the appearance of Jim Kearl from BYU in Provo at dinner! It was nice to talk with him over our chicken, salads, and rolls.
Once the students got back from their activities it seemed that most of us continued to study for the tests. Not a typical Friday night for eighty college students, but still productive!
I have several expectations for our New Testament class these next few weeks. I hope to learn things about the life of Christ in a way that I have never learned about it before. I hope that I will be able to recall the many miracles he performed and find my own meaning in each of them. I hope to understand the history and politics surrounding New Testament times better, which will hopefully add to my understanding of Christ’s ministry during this time. Most of all, I hope to draw closer to my Savior through the study of his life on earth. I hope that my testimony of him and his miraculous work will be strengthened.
January 16, 2007
Bailey Porter
November 19, 2007
Brother Ludlow/ New Testament
Journal: November 16, 2007
Today most people were trying to study for the Palestinian and Jewish finals. Most people didn’t though, everyone was watching movies and playing games, I think we are coming experts at procrastinating studying for finals.
Later in the day people got ready to go to the synagogue. I crossed my name off the list because Arab classes were going to be going to Ayman’s house. I got ready and headed up to the eighth floor when somebody said that they met at 4:30 instead of 5:00 and that they had already left. Sooo…I hear it was pretty fun. I heard good and bad comments about the food, but overall everyone really enjoyed meeting Ayman’s family and seeing where he lives. While we were sitting at dinner in the center our table decided that we should prank people before everyone got back, but we couldn’t think of anything fast enough with our limited resources and without getting Sister Lee mad at us.
The thing that I am expecting and looking forward to most from our New Testament course is coming closer to Christ. Not only having a closer relationship with Him, but knowing who He is and His character. Through learning more about the Savior’s life, I hope to develop these charactersitics and attributes.
November 19, 2007
Brother Ludlow/ New Testament
Journal: November 16, 2007
Today most people were trying to study for the Palestinian and Jewish finals. Most people didn’t though, everyone was watching movies and playing games, I think we are coming experts at procrastinating studying for finals.
Later in the day people got ready to go to the synagogue. I crossed my name off the list because Arab classes were going to be going to Ayman’s house. I got ready and headed up to the eighth floor when somebody said that they met at 4:30 instead of 5:00 and that they had already left. Sooo…I hear it was pretty fun. I heard good and bad comments about the food, but overall everyone really enjoyed meeting Ayman’s family and seeing where he lives. While we were sitting at dinner in the center our table decided that we should prank people before everyone got back, but we couldn’t think of anything fast enough with our limited resources and without getting Sister Lee mad at us.
The thing that I am expecting and looking forward to most from our New Testament course is coming closer to Christ. Not only having a closer relationship with Him, but knowing who He is and His character. Through learning more about the Savior’s life, I hope to develop these charactersitics and attributes.
January 15, 2007
Shannon White
Journal Entry
In the JC—November 15, 2007
We began the day in New Testament. It was a two hour class. We began discussing the parables of Jesus. Brother Ludlow compared parables to a pyramid. The parables begin with a storyline, teach a moral lesson, then a spiritual lesson. Two other parts of the pyramid can be added when you implement latter-day lessons and individual lessons. In NES 336 we discussed Alexander the Great, his conquests, and how he changed the world.
Since we had free time the rest of the day,Brittany, Emma, Laura, and I decided to go to the Old City. We explored some different sites, inc luding Herod’s Gate. We also went to a place called Helena’s Cistern, where we sang a couple hymns before continuing on our adventures. After a falafal break, we entered the courtyard to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre from the rooftop of the Church. We descended through a couple of Ethiopian churches to get to the courtyard. We continued to wander in the city, doing some shopping along the way.
Talking to other people, I found out that most went into the city as well. There were some who went to Aladdin’s, Tomb of the Prophets, Shaban’s, and various places within the Old City. For many the night was spent finishing up New Testament and Archaelogy homework, as well as watching a variety of movies and playing games.
I am very excited to learn about the New Testament! It is something I have been looking forward to all semester. It is exciting to think that I am learning about Christ and His teachings in the place He lived and taught. As we study the New Testament the rest of this semester, I hope to develop a greater love and appreciation for my Savior and His marvelous life and mission. I desire to study His teachings in greater depth and glean the vast amount of knowledge that is there. What I hope to gain most from this experience in studying the New Testament is a closer relationship with my Savior and my Heavenly Father. I hope and pray that my faith and my testimony of the Savior will be strengthened through my study and through the various fieldtrip experiences I have. What a marvelous blessing it is to study the New Testament! I am really looking forward to it.
Journal Entry
In the JC—November 15, 2007
We began the day in New Testament. It was a two hour class. We began discussing the parables of Jesus. Brother Ludlow compared parables to a pyramid. The parables begin with a storyline, teach a moral lesson, then a spiritual lesson. Two other parts of the pyramid can be added when you implement latter-day lessons and individual lessons. In NES 336 we discussed Alexander the Great, his conquests, and how he changed the world.
Since we had free time the rest of the day,Brittany, Emma, Laura, and I decided to go to the Old City. We explored some different sites, inc luding Herod’s Gate. We also went to a place called Helena’s Cistern, where we sang a couple hymns before continuing on our adventures. After a falafal break, we entered the courtyard to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre from the rooftop of the Church. We descended through a couple of Ethiopian churches to get to the courtyard. We continued to wander in the city, doing some shopping along the way.
Talking to other people, I found out that most went into the city as well. There were some who went to Aladdin’s, Tomb of the Prophets, Shaban’s, and various places within the Old City. For many the night was spent finishing up New Testament and Archaelogy homework, as well as watching a variety of movies and playing games.
I am very excited to learn about the New Testament! It is something I have been looking forward to all semester. It is exciting to think that I am learning about Christ and His teachings in the place He lived and taught. As we study the New Testament the rest of this semester, I hope to develop a greater love and appreciation for my Savior and His marvelous life and mission. I desire to study His teachings in greater depth and glean the vast amount of knowledge that is there. What I hope to gain most from this experience in studying the New Testament is a closer relationship with my Savior and my Heavenly Father. I hope and pray that my faith and my testimony of the Savior will be strengthened through my study and through the various fieldtrip experiences I have. What a marvelous blessing it is to study the New Testament! I am really looking forward to it.
January 15, 2007
Jenessa Simmons
November 15, 2007
Today was a long day. Just one of those days where you spend all your time thinking of all the things you need to get done, and not enough time doing those things. We didn’t have any fieldtrips today, but we did have two hours of New Testament and one hour of Near Eastern Studies. Usually this lack of pre-scheduled activities would result in most of us spending our afternoon out of the center in our own little groups, but since we have two finals next week most of us spent all day inside. Slightly grumpy.
I don’t know about everyone else, but the highlight of my day was in Near Eastern Studies when Brother Huntington decided to have a class vote. He wanted to know whether we wanted to have both of our finals on Sunday to get them over with, or if we preferred one on Sunday and one on Monday. What was supposed to be a two-minute vote became a 15 minute discussion on which choice was better. Ultimately everyone argued, half the class was super riled up, but I’m pretty sure that no one’s arguing actually changed anyone else’s mind. I love democracy! The vote was in favor of taking the finals on two different days, with the winners taking the lead by only one vote – talk about a close call! I think that Brother Huntington will refrain from ruling by popular opinion in the future.
I spent half of my day floating from place to place trying to find a suitable place to study, where I wouldn’t be distracted by those obnoxious people who just wanted to play, and then I spent the other half of my day alternately succumbing to those people and telling them to study. The thing about those people is that they are the type that seems to be playing all the time, but by the time the test comes around they’ve somehow managed to squeeze 40 hours of studying in, and they blow everyone else out of the water. One thing I love about living here is that it’s easy to observe all the different ways people study, and how stress affects different personalities.
Well, like I mentioned before, we had New Testament today; we just started that class recently. I am so excited for this part of the curriculum! I believe I share the sentiments of many in this program when I say that one of the chief reasons I wanted to come here was so that I could learn more about my Savior in the place where he lived and taught. This is going to be so amazing; we just get to study about him and his gospel every day. I am excited to learn from Brother Ludlow and partake of his wisdom! One of the things I most want to focus on this semester is being able to recognize the Savior’s voice. I want to study his words so that I can identify when I hear the words that he has spoken.
November 15, 2007
Today was a long day. Just one of those days where you spend all your time thinking of all the things you need to get done, and not enough time doing those things. We didn’t have any fieldtrips today, but we did have two hours of New Testament and one hour of Near Eastern Studies. Usually this lack of pre-scheduled activities would result in most of us spending our afternoon out of the center in our own little groups, but since we have two finals next week most of us spent all day inside. Slightly grumpy.
I don’t know about everyone else, but the highlight of my day was in Near Eastern Studies when Brother Huntington decided to have a class vote. He wanted to know whether we wanted to have both of our finals on Sunday to get them over with, or if we preferred one on Sunday and one on Monday. What was supposed to be a two-minute vote became a 15 minute discussion on which choice was better. Ultimately everyone argued, half the class was super riled up, but I’m pretty sure that no one’s arguing actually changed anyone else’s mind. I love democracy! The vote was in favor of taking the finals on two different days, with the winners taking the lead by only one vote – talk about a close call! I think that Brother Huntington will refrain from ruling by popular opinion in the future.
I spent half of my day floating from place to place trying to find a suitable place to study, where I wouldn’t be distracted by those obnoxious people who just wanted to play, and then I spent the other half of my day alternately succumbing to those people and telling them to study. The thing about those people is that they are the type that seems to be playing all the time, but by the time the test comes around they’ve somehow managed to squeeze 40 hours of studying in, and they blow everyone else out of the water. One thing I love about living here is that it’s easy to observe all the different ways people study, and how stress affects different personalities.
Well, like I mentioned before, we had New Testament today; we just started that class recently. I am so excited for this part of the curriculum! I believe I share the sentiments of many in this program when I say that one of the chief reasons I wanted to come here was so that I could learn more about my Savior in the place where he lived and taught. This is going to be so amazing; we just get to study about him and his gospel every day. I am excited to learn from Brother Ludlow and partake of his wisdom! One of the things I most want to focus on this semester is being able to recognize the Savior’s voice. I want to study his words so that I can identify when I hear the words that he has spoken.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
November 14, 2007
Meg Rampton
14 Nov 2007
Today was my favorite day that we have had thus far. I really saw the law of opposition as we went into Bethlehem, the place where Christ was born. As we crossed the separation wall I couldn’t believe the difference and the sadness that it created. Walls do not bring people together and this wall has only caused a larger gap to the Israeli/Palestine conflict.
I was very thankful that we weren’t just dropped off at Manger square but had the opportunity to walk through Bethlehem. My eyes where opened as I saw the streets lined with posters from the radical groups of their “martyrs” or suicide bombers encouraging more to join them. They were everywhere with posters of men and guns, and even young boys and guns. These posters gave me such an ere feelings. But there was such an opposite feeling as we walked into the Church of the Nativity and down in to the holy grotto. To me it is one of the most sacred places on this earth. The spirit was so strong and I was so thankful to Heavenly Father for sending His son Jesus Christ to this earth and perform the ultimate mission of salvation.
Then as we went the evening out in the Sheppard’s field I knew again in my heart what a sacred place and Land this is. Brother Ludlow reminded us of a (to me) truth that we were probably among the angles who song and were around that the joyous night Christ was born. How familiar this place felt to me. It was a very spiritual fireside program.
In this next month of New Testament study I hope I will increase my understanding of cultural happenings of the time so that I understand Christ’s teachings. I also hope to become more like him through understanding more of his life, what he did, why he did it, and how so that I can in turn spend my life trying to emulate it.
14 Nov 2007
Today was my favorite day that we have had thus far. I really saw the law of opposition as we went into Bethlehem, the place where Christ was born. As we crossed the separation wall I couldn’t believe the difference and the sadness that it created. Walls do not bring people together and this wall has only caused a larger gap to the Israeli/Palestine conflict.
I was very thankful that we weren’t just dropped off at Manger square but had the opportunity to walk through Bethlehem. My eyes where opened as I saw the streets lined with posters from the radical groups of their “martyrs” or suicide bombers encouraging more to join them. They were everywhere with posters of men and guns, and even young boys and guns. These posters gave me such an ere feelings. But there was such an opposite feeling as we walked into the Church of the Nativity and down in to the holy grotto. To me it is one of the most sacred places on this earth. The spirit was so strong and I was so thankful to Heavenly Father for sending His son Jesus Christ to this earth and perform the ultimate mission of salvation.
Then as we went the evening out in the Sheppard’s field I knew again in my heart what a sacred place and Land this is. Brother Ludlow reminded us of a (to me) truth that we were probably among the angles who song and were around that the joyous night Christ was born. How familiar this place felt to me. It was a very spiritual fireside program.
In this next month of New Testament study I hope I will increase my understanding of cultural happenings of the time so that I understand Christ’s teachings. I also hope to become more like him through understanding more of his life, what he did, why he did it, and how so that I can in turn spend my life trying to emulate it.
November 14, 2007
Jocelyn Schmidt
Journal for Nov. 14
Today was the Bethlehem Field Trip. We took the buses through the separation wall into Bethlehem. Before we could pass through, soldiers with machine guns had to come onto our bus and check our passports. Once we were in the city we had a quick tour and then had an hour or two to wander around the shops. Most of the students were looking for sentimental things like Bethlehem blankets and ornaments, because items were more expensive there than they are in the Old City. It was sad to see the effect that the separation wall has had on the merchants and condition of the city. The hassle created by the separation wall has significantly lowered the number of tourists that visit and consequently the merchants don’t sell as much as they used to. After shopping, we went into the Church of the Nativity. As we were waiting to go inside, we were able to see a funeral procession go in before us. It was interesting to see the way that they commemorate their dead. The church was magnificent and beautiful. We were able to go down through the grotto where they believe that Christ was born. It was really cool to realize that we were standing in the actual location that Christ may have been born and to appreciate that the manger may not have been what we have always imagined it looking like. From the city, we drove to Shepherd’s field. This was my favorite part of the trip. We ate our sack dinners as we watched the sun set from the top of the hill and then began our program. First, Brother Ludlow told us an exceptional story that illustrated the parallels between Bethlehem today and Bethlehem as it was during Christ’s day. I also like how he pointed out several times, that many of us may have been present in the choir of angels that sang out to the shepherds. Following his talk, we had the nativity story narrated and acted out. There were multiple musical numbers and hymns that we sang as a class that really brought in the spirit. To end the night, we had about five minutes of silence where we were able to contemplate the magnitude and reality of what happened there. One thing that I would love to get out of this New Testament class is a better understanding of Christ’s ministry on Earth and a better understanding of his teachings. I have also never learned much about the disciples on an individual basis, so I would enjoy learning about each of them.
Journal for Nov. 14
Today was the Bethlehem Field Trip. We took the buses through the separation wall into Bethlehem. Before we could pass through, soldiers with machine guns had to come onto our bus and check our passports. Once we were in the city we had a quick tour and then had an hour or two to wander around the shops. Most of the students were looking for sentimental things like Bethlehem blankets and ornaments, because items were more expensive there than they are in the Old City. It was sad to see the effect that the separation wall has had on the merchants and condition of the city. The hassle created by the separation wall has significantly lowered the number of tourists that visit and consequently the merchants don’t sell as much as they used to. After shopping, we went into the Church of the Nativity. As we were waiting to go inside, we were able to see a funeral procession go in before us. It was interesting to see the way that they commemorate their dead. The church was magnificent and beautiful. We were able to go down through the grotto where they believe that Christ was born. It was really cool to realize that we were standing in the actual location that Christ may have been born and to appreciate that the manger may not have been what we have always imagined it looking like. From the city, we drove to Shepherd’s field. This was my favorite part of the trip. We ate our sack dinners as we watched the sun set from the top of the hill and then began our program. First, Brother Ludlow told us an exceptional story that illustrated the parallels between Bethlehem today and Bethlehem as it was during Christ’s day. I also like how he pointed out several times, that many of us may have been present in the choir of angels that sang out to the shepherds. Following his talk, we had the nativity story narrated and acted out. There were multiple musical numbers and hymns that we sang as a class that really brought in the spirit. To end the night, we had about five minutes of silence where we were able to contemplate the magnitude and reality of what happened there. One thing that I would love to get out of this New Testament class is a better understanding of Christ’s ministry on Earth and a better understanding of his teachings. I have also never learned much about the disciples on an individual basis, so I would enjoy learning about each of them.
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