“Yes, Jesus Loves Me”

By Lori Smith

In between waking and sleeping early this morning, the Christian song, “Yes, Jesus LovesMe” began to play in my mind:

Yes, Jesus Loves Me,

Yes, Jesus Loves Me,

Yes, Jesus Loves Me,

The Bible tells me so.

That chorus brought peace to my soul. My mind went back to my childhood and visits with my elderly next-door neighbor, Mrs. Ella Fletcher. Sometimes my brother and I would go over to her house, and visit for an hour or two. I think our mother sent us over when she had to run an errand or something. Maybe it was in the summer or on Saturdays. I remember enjoying these visits. Mrs. Fletcher would invite us into her living room—I would call it a parlor—I don’t remember what she called it, if anything, but as I remember, it was decorated in a Victorian style. 

I believe she had a sofa that we would sit on opposite of her chair. She would tell us stories of her younger days. Having been born in the late 1800s, Mrs. Fletcher had seen many changes in society during her lifetime. She would offer us treats, also. And she would sing the song, “Yes, Jesus Loves Me,” and talk some about Jesus. I cannot remember any of the other details, but I knew that she was a kindhearted person. I have fond feelings for Mrs. Fletcher. 

The idea of God was not discussed in my home. My parents and grandparents on both sides did not attend a church or talk of God. Mrs. Fletcher’s words and example, along with the influence of other school friends and extended family, introduced me to Christianity. I began pondering on the meaning of life and thought there must be more to life than just living and dying and that’s the end of it. At the invitation of some childhood friends, I started attending the Presbyterian church in town. 

Although I was at times quite uncomfortable, often sitting by myself among strangers in the congregational meeting and jumping when the pastor raised his voice during his oratory, I wanted to absorb all I could. When they passed the collection plate around, I would add a few coins when I could. I looked forward to the Sunday school class where I could meet with children my own age, and I had a kind and patient teacher, Mr. Carl Anderson. We learned from the Bible, and I asked him many questions and pondered on the things he said. We did some scripture memorization, too.  I remember learning John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”

I received a brand new Bible with a red cover. I don’t remember if my parents bought it for me, or if I received it as a gift from Mr. Anderson, or if everyone in our Sunday school class was given one, or what. That Bible was a treasure to me: I remember it came in a gold-papered cardboard box, and I kept it in the box to protect it when I wasn’t using it.

I could go on sharing several other experiences related to my early Christian leanings, but I want to get back to the thoughts I had this morning that relate this story to the “In His Name” project.

Some thoughts I had earlier this week while pondering the scriptures come to mind when I think of the good Christian people, not of my church, but yet who are—in significant measure—of my faith, who have helped me along the path of discipleship. They helped prepare the way for me to embrace the fullness of the gospel when it was presented to me.

Earlier this week, I was listening to the Doctrine & Covenants: 

“Ask the Father in my name in faith, believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things which are expedient unto the children of men.

“And if you have not faith, hope, and charity, you can do nothing.

“Contend against no church, save it be the church of the devil.

“Take upon you the name of Christ, and speak the truth in soberness.

“And as many as repent and are baptized in my name, which is Jesus Christ, and endure to the end, the same shall be saved.

“Behold, Jesus Christ is the name which is given of the Father, and there is none other name given whereby man can be saved;

“Wherefore, all men must take upon them the name which is given of the Father, for in that name shall they be called at the last day” (D&C 18:18-24).

I feel that my Christian acquaintances who are not LDS have taken upon them His name as far as they are able at this time, and although they haven’t received the full gospel and been baptized with the proper authority, which is essential for their salvation eventually, they have done amazing things with that which they have, and I can learn much from their examples. I strive to have an open-minded view of the gospel, although I have sometimes had a tendency to think narrower, which thinking might be influenced by living in Utah for so long. But I can’t blame any skewed thinking on others: I am responsible for rejecting cultural influences that do not align themselves with what the Spirit testifies to me.

I have no doubt that Heavenly Father perfectly knows our hearts, and since we do not perfectly know other people’s hearts, we may be surprised to learn who among our acquaintance would be considered among the righteous and who would not.  I listened to another scripture earlier this week that alludes to our potentially improper judgment of others. It was related to Joseph Smith losing the 116 pages of translation of the Book of Mormon. The Lord counseled Joseph to show the translation to no one at that time:  “you cannot always tell the wicked from the righteous” (D&C 10: 37).

I believe my Christian acquaintances of other denominations—and even those who do not affiliate with any denomination—who sincerely believe in Christ and who try to be Christ-like will have reason to rejoice. Despite not having a fullness of the gospel, they have had a measure of it, and they have lived good lives and impacted others for good:

“Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God” (Ether 12:4).

I am grateful for all those who have acted “in His name” in whatever capacity, who have shared their faith to influence me for good: “For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God” (Alma 5:40). I have learned a lot from them about being a Christian, and a feel a fellowship with them, as my brothers and sisters who rejoice in the gospel of Jesus Christ.