Israel with many friend from the neighborhood/ward was a fun once in a lifetime experience. June 8-22, 2023
There were 44 of us in total. Most of whom we knew.
We flew into Tel Aviv. Many people in our group had their luggage lost. We dont usually check our luggage for this very reason so we were ok. We checked into our hotel and had a nice buffet. (Pronounced "boofay" in Israel)
WE boarded the bus in our Church clothes and headed to the Tel Aviv Branch on Saturday. 
Caesarea on the Mediterranean Sea where Paul was in prison and after Paul had preached to him, King Agrippa said, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
Our fun filled day started in Bethlehem. After breakfast we boarded the bus and had a short drive through the city to visit an Olive Wood Factory. We were able to see a large natural limestone cave under the home where they dried the olive wood that they carved the statues out of. We also saw them carving the details on the statues by hand.
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We had a remarkable visit to The Church of the Nativity. The Church of the Nativity is the oldest church in the world. Per tradition this is the place Jesus was born. The church is built on the caves below. The church was built in 334 AD. We could see the original Mosaic floor built by queen Helen in 334 AD. We saw the traditional site where Christian groups believe Jesus was born.
We visited a limestone cave under the Church where Herold B Lee and all the other prophets have felt and declared this is the birthplace of Jesus Christ. As we quietly sat in this limestone cave we listened to Dennis Leavitt tell us the history of the cave and the significance of that sacred spot. Dennis asked us to reflect and ask ourselves the question, "Is this really the Christ? Did he really come to earth?" This was a very spiritual sacred place where we could strongly feel the spirit. It was definitely a highlight of the day and we felt blessed to be there.
There is another cave under the Church of the Nativity called St Jerome. It is where some Christians believe that St. Jerome was for 30 years translating the Vulgate (Latin) Bible. He translated it from Greek into Latin. This was the original burial place of St. Jerome. His burial site has been moved to Rome. They believe he chose to translate the Bible here because he knew Christ was born here.
In the courtyard area of the church we sang together "Jesus once of Humble birth". Testimonies and feelings were shared by Bizzy Eaplin, JR Martin and Matt Gottfredson about how they felt at this site.
The Devotional on the Bus was given by Ken and Lenae Trent. They taught us about John the Baptist and making our path straight toward Jesus Christ. They encouraged us to help others on the path and on the highway to heaven. Be the on-ramp for others to the highway to heaven (the Jesus highway) keep on the covenant path.
Dorothy Heers gave a beautiful opening prayer for the devotional.
We left Bethlehem and drove down to Qumran. This is the place where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered in a cave by boys throwing rocks after a discouraging day with their sheep. They were upset at their sheep and threw a rock in a cave and heard a breaking of glass, when the went to see what it was the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. President Chad Olsen taught us about the discovery of these scrolls. The people of this time, the rituals they participated in. These scrolls basically contain the books of the Old Testament and mirror closely to the King James Version that we study.
Our last stop of the day was Masada. It is on a massive plateau overlooking the Dead Sea. We got there minutes before the last tram departed up the mountain. Once on top we were all amazed at what we saw. We saw King Herod's palace. Which sprawls over 3 rock terraces, and a Roman style bathhouse with mosaic floors.
After the Romans destroyed Jerusalem some of the Jews escaped and went to Masada. They built up a magical city with water systems, bath houses and many other magical things but eventually the Romans came in to destroy them. Rather than giving the Romans the satisfaction of killing them, the Jewish people decided that they would take their own lives.
MAN BE BORN OF THE WATER, and OF THE SPIRIT . . .
Devotional - Baptism of Christ - Heers gave a wonderful devotional on the Baptism of Christ. They read the accounts from the New Testament and from 2nd Nephi. They also used Elder Renland’s talk from April 2023 General Conference entitled, “Accessing God’s Power Through Covenants”. “As you come to Christ and are connected to Him and our Heavenly Father by covenant, something seemingly unnatural happens…I can imagine Him saying to you, ‘Thou art my dear child in whom I delight. Welcome home.’”
She added an inspired 4th verse to the primary song, “Baptism”.
I can almost hear Him saying,
As the covenant path I roam,
“I delight in thee, dear child,
To My kingdom, welcome home.”
We arrived at the possible baptism site of Christ on the Jordan River. This is also the place where Joshua parted the River Jordan as the children of Israel passed into the promised land in the Old Testament. We watched other Christian groups getting baptized. The scene was complete with the arrival of a white dove! Ben Gottfredson represented all of us as he entered the water to experience it first hand!
In contrast to the peaceful spirit at the river, as we drove away, Amro, our guide, pointed out the signs warning of land mines hidden in the fields lining the road.
