Jordan River and more :)

 Our last day in Jordan was quite rainy. Very rainy, in fact. There were humongous puddles of water everywhere, and it might have even been considered minor flooding. Lots of the things that we had planned for the day didn't go through, but we went to the most important ones.

We went to another Roman theater. A little info on this place: Roman theaters were often freestanding structures with the stages attached to the seating areas, creating an integral whole. The theater in Philadelphia was built on a natural slope, but with an integrated stage. Seating around 6,000, it was one of the largest Roman theaters east of Ephesus, which seated 24,000. The theater opened into a large Roman forum or public square. A smaller theater, or odeon, stood on the south side.

The giant theater in Philadelphia!! This place was giant, and it looked really epic in the rain. See the architecture, the engineering, the sheer size of the place! Those seats and stairs were super steep.  

A pic inside of an odeon, which is used for chamber concerts! If I was a musician back in ancient Rome, I would've played here!

This is a super cute picture because we're all wearing raincoats and bright colors!! Rainy days don't get us down :) Susanna, Kara, Lindee, Michelle, Lizzy

The River Jordan

On our way back to Israel, it was still raining pretty heavily outside. I wrote a little note in the steam of the window so the people outside could see....can you see what it says? :) "I <3 Dan"!!!

We visited the river Jordan on our way back to Israel. It was amazing--while driving there, the skies cleared up and the sun came out. We sang hymns on the bus up to the site, and the Spirit was very present through the music. I think it's amazing what singing a hymn can do to your mood and the Spirit's presence. I'd say that singing hymns, both from the hymnbook and the Children's Songbook, was more of a spiritual experience than seeing the actual sight. Just a little testimony that we can have incredibly spiritual experiences wherever we are in the world. We don't have to go to the river Jordan to know that Christ was baptized as a perfect being, but it is still pretty darn cool :)

My first view of the river Jordan. Doesn't look too clean, does it? But it's beautiful because of the many miracles that have happened here. My favorite stories of this place are the baptism of Jesus Christ and the healing of Naaman the Syrian from his leprosy. 

A church commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ was built on the Jordanian side of the river. Btw, the Jordan river is a physical boundary between Israel and Jordan. We could have crossed the river and been on Israeli dirt, but we probably would've gotten shot. Anyway, this church is beautiful. We didn't go inside, but it is an example to show that many of God's children love and revere Him. Many strive to follow His example and lead good and happy lives. We are all brothers and sisters with each other, and we should all help each other to salvation.

We saw someone getting baptized in the river Jordan! He baptized himself, three or four times, but it was still really neat to see. Look at how happy he was as he came out of the water. Baptism, as defined in the Bible Dictionary....

...is an introductory ordinance in the gospel. As one of the ordinances of the gospel, it is associated with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Baptism symbolizes death, burial, and resurrection, and can only be done by immersion.The Melchizedek Priesthood has power to baptize not only with water, but also to confer the  Holy Ghost. Baptism is a most sacred ordinance which a person, having received it, can remember throughout life as a reminder of the personal commitment to Jesus Christ. Its symbolism is beautiful, and its consequences ever so desirable. John the Baptists had the signal honor among all men to take the Son of God into the water and baptize him, ,after which he saw the Holy Ghost descend upon Jesus. By being baptized Jesus obeyed the law himself, and set the example for all mankind. 

The account of the Savior's baptism is in Matthew 3:

4) And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his lins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5) Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6) And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
13) Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14) But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15) And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer me to be baptized of thee, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16) And John went down into the water and baptized him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and John saw, and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon Jesus.
17) And lo, he heard a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved  Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye him. 

The Savior was perfect and had no need to be baptized. However, He was baptized so that we could have an example to follow. I know that my Savior sets the example in all things, and it is my duty as his disciple to follow His example and do everything I can to be like Him. I'm so grateful that Christ descended from His throne on high to come to earth and save us in our sins. I love Him so much for it.

Touching the water of the beautiful and sacred river! I was baptized on March 25, 2000 by my father, a very worthy priesthood holder. The witnesses for my baptism were my two grandpas, and my family was there to support my decision. I'm so happy that my parents raised me to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized into this beautiful and wonderful gospel. I am so blessed to renew and be reminded of these covenants when I take the sacrament every Sunday, and I'm excited to continue to keep making covenants with the Lord! :)