"Could ye not watch with me one hour?" (Matthew 26:40)

March 27, 2023

"Could ye not watch with me one hour?" (Matthew 26:40) - March 27, 2023

Spiritual Thought

No event in the history of the world demands as much reverent pondering as the Savior's final hours in mortality. These scenes laced with suffering, rejection and betrayal would forever change the history of the world and the course of the entire human family. Indeed, it is these very events that all others revolve around. In the midst of all this there came a point, during the very act of atonement, when the Savior returns to his small group of disciples and finds them asleep. In response to this the Master gently chastised by asking "Could ye not watch with me one hour?"

The profoundly sacred nature of this scene is difficult to comprehend and must be spoken of with reverence. The long anticipated atonement was taking place at that very moment, just a few short paces away. The Savior of the World was being racked with pain on our behalf. He had already begged for some other less excruciating path yet was even now drinking the bitter cup placed before him. It had always been known that Satan would be conquered but that battle was being won in real time. This small group of men had been given the unfathomable privilege to be here with the Redeemer of the world as he fulfilled his eternal mission. And what had they been asked to do? "To tarry…and watch with [Him]." To stay alert and attentive as they watched for danger and reverently basked in the glow of the eternal triumph of righteousness. Yet, not once but three different times the Master came to them, taking what must have been agonizing steps as the weight of treading the olive press alone weighed upon him, and each time found his most stalwart leaders fast asleep. As they looked upon their master and friend, visibly in anguish and soaked with blood, their words to themselves surely must have been far harsher than the Savior's gentle rebuke of "Could ye not watch with me one hour?"

In this day you and I are still asked to "watch with him" in a no less sacred and meaningful way. To stand as witnesses of him, to testify of him and to freely give of our time and resources in his service. I fear, however, that too many of us are fast asleep with those disciples in Gethsemane. Too many are caught up in the cares of the world and cannot or will not "with him" for even one hour. In exchange for all we have been given, what is asked of us is incredibly small. Our Savior subjected himself to the grave when death had no claim on him. And what is it we have been asked to do? To learn of him, walk with him and trust in him. To testify of him and invite others to come unto him. To study his word, kneel in prayer and take his Sacrament each week. To serve in his restored church in whatever capacity may be asked of us. To worship in his house and honor the covenants made there. To me, this sounds like an extremely unfair arrangement, one in which we have received vastly more comfortable terms. For that I express undying gratitude. May each of us never be found deserving of the rebuke "Could ye not watch with me one hour."

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Weekly Update

Hello everyone,

Well…hello there! Welcome back!

Let me just start by saying it is unbelievably, unbearably hot right now. We are in a town called Mahajanga and I think it's the hottest place I've ever been. Imagine Phoenix with 80-100% humidity and you have a pretty good idea. I'm writing this at about 8 p.m. and am still dripping in sweat. I've woken up at 1 a.m. and been sweating like I just finished doing a cardio workout with Usain Bolt. It's unbelievable!

We flew back to Antananarivo from Fort Dauphin on Tuesday. The flight was rerouted to Toliara so that a person could be life flighted to Tana. It made the trip longer but was kind of fun to see Toliara a little bit. I felt like I was landing in Albuquerque. Very similar landscape. We'll most likely go to Toliara next transfer so I'll let you know what I think after that.

We were able to do two different exchanges in Antananarivo this week. The first was with Elder Andriamalalatiana. His area is in Manakambahiny which is very close to the mission office. The area presidency would like to create a new stake in his area within the next year but it will depend largely on the number of baptisms. I was able to invite one of his investigators to be baptized so I feel like I contributed in some small way.

The second exchange was with Elder Lewis. Finally, after all these months in Madagascar, I was able to do an exchange with him and spend the day with another vazaha. It was probably one of the top three best days of my entire mission. As we were planning for the day, Elder Lewis felt like we needed to spend all day in a part of his area he had never visited before. He is very confident missionaries have never worked there, even before COVID. I thought it sounded like a great plan so we decided to set some ambitious goals for the day. Elder Lewis suggested we try to find 30 new investigators. I increased it to 50. Elder Lewis sat there for a minute and said "I think we could do 75." My response was "Why don't we just make it 100." Elder Lewis agreed and we went to work. Some things came up that made it so we were later than normal getting to the area. We brought a massive stack of pamphlets with us and started talking to everyone and teaching a couple principles from one of them then scheduling return appointments. Well, long story short, the field was very white and ready to harvest. Not only did we find 100 new people to teach but it only took four and a half hours to do it. I love Madagascar. Where else could you find 100 new investigators in one day?

After that it was off to Mahajanga. I don't know what was going on but all the animals along the way kept trying to run in front of the truck. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but even though I did my best to avoid them I hit a chicken and a dog. Not my finest moments but all of you will get the no outtakes version of my mission in these emails. Mahajanga used to have missionaries about six years ago but now all the work is left up to the branch. They are doing an amazing job! While visiting the branch we were able to interview six people for baptism, two of which are prospective priesthood holders. One of the men was honestly probably the most prepared person I have ever interviewed. The Lord's work cannot be stopped. The Gospel will continue to fill the world regardless of what the obstacles may be.

I think that about sums things up. This is the last week of the transfer so say a few prayers Elder Razafimanantsoa and I will stay together.

I hope you all have a great week!

Elder Payne