Hi Mom,
So it sounds like you have a crazy couple of weeks ahead of you. (We have two family reunions and girls camp coming up.) I am sure it will be a lot of fun though and you will be just fine. Say hi to everyone in the family and let them know that I love them. Also, if they have any questions, I would love to answer them so just send them my way. Anyway, so Caitlin is at Bear Lake all week and Chelsea is playing soccer - or watching it all week. And then you are working all week. What does Dad do? Just kidding. Sounds like life is just as busy as it always was, except now I have something that is keeping me busy too.
It seems that Ward conference went well. Again, another great opportunity to receive guidance from our leaders. President McConkie is such a spiritual leader and he definitely knows what he is doing as the Lord is guiding him in his calling. The commandments are so basic and key, but sometimes they do seem tough to follow or we just forget about them. What President McConkie said is true though, when we follow the commandments, we will receive peace and joy. That is what we try to tell people here to help them read the scriptures or give up smoking. God loves us. We are here on earth to receive joy, as 2 Nephi 2:25 says. God gives us commandments so that we can have that joy. It is so basic. Anyway, so I actually read that talk from Elder Carlson this morning so it is pretty convenient that you talked about it. Those scriptures he shared at the end are great too. Along with them, one that came to my mind when I read it was D&C 82:10 which says, "I the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." Also D&C 130:20-21 go along with it. Every commandment has blessings along with it. As we read the scriptures, there is a pattern of law, and then promise. As we diligently search the Scriptures, we can find those promises right along with those commandments. And because God is perfectly just and loving, he always blesses us when we keep the commandments.
So, just to update you on the work here. There isn't much at all actually. This was the hardest week of my mission without a doubt. It is ok though, because Elder Parker is a great missionary and he is guiding me a lot. We are going to keep working and try to find people. Elder Smith and Fanning are still here in Rivne. It is their second transfer together. They don't have a whole lot either. It is really tough right now, but that is because Satan is pulling everything he has out to bring us down. He knows that in less than nine weeks, he will lose whatever grasp he has over Ukraine. The temple is ready. It is so close to being done and in 2 months, President Monson will be here to dedicate it to the work of the Lord. I am so excited for that day. Until then though, we still have a lot of work to do. There are plenty of people who know nothing about the temple and it is our responsibility to bring that knowledge to them. There are families everywhere that could receive the blessings of the temple, but first, we need to talk with them. What would you say to a mother and father who are walking around with their kids? What would be the most comfortable approach for them that we could take in trying to talk with them? If you have any ideas, that would help a lot.
Well, I want to finish with my testimony that I know this is the true Church of Jesus Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon is the true word of God. I know, because I read it everyday and I feel the Holy Ghost bear testimony to me. I know that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God. I am so grateful to him for the many sacrifices he made. It wasn't easy, but he did his responsibility and as a result, we have the knowledge of Christ's gospel. It is true. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way that we can live together as a family, with God, for eternity. It is the only way to a fullness of joy and peace, in this life, and for eternity. Thomas S. Monson is God's prophet on the earth today. He loves us and through revelation, he guides us. All we have to do, to know this for ourselves is to follow the teachings of Christ, because they are true, and the blessings that result testify to us. God lives. Christ lives. They love us.
I love you all,
Elder Jones
No comments:
Post a Comment