Week 85: Gratefulness
Hey everyone! This week was fantastic. I feel so grateful to be able to be a missionary in this time. It is a privilege for us to be part of the Lords true Gospel and I hope you all feel how amazing it is to be part of this wonder work. This week we had our zone conference. We were able to feel the spirit very strong and were taught my many great leaders. This week was normal we were able to work hard. What I want to share with you all most right now and what I feel that is important for me to tell you all is my testimony. I feel so thankful for what I have and for what God has given and done for us. We should truly be grateful. We have so many blessings at our hands and we have much to be grateful to be for. I have been thinking alot lately about what the Prophet Brigham Young said:
Why do people apostatize? You know we are on the “Old Ship Zion.” We
are in the midst of the ocean. A storm comes on, and, as sailors say, she
labors very hard. “I am not going to stay here,” says one; “I don’t believe
this is the ‘Ship Zion.’” “But we are in the midst of the ocean.” “I don’t care,
I am not going to stay here.” Off goes the coat, and he jumps overboard.
Will he not be drowned? Yes. So with those who leave this Church. It is the
“Old Ship Zion,” let us stay in it (DBY, 85).
God is at the helm of this great ship, and that makes me feel good. . . .
Let those apostatize who wish to, but God will save all who are determined
to be saved."
This powerful invitation from a Prohet of God I extend it to you all as my own. We are in the true church of the Savior Jesus Christ. This is His church! What a beautiful blessing it is! Let us stay in the "Old Ship Zion" because the waves are high great storms are coming. I cannot tell you how important it is for us to be ok with our Heavenly Father. We need to be faithful. We need to repent everyday. Many think that repentance is a back up plan for when we mess up. I would add that repentance is the plan. Like our Savior and our Prophet and many other leaders have asked us to do, I would ask of you all the same. We need to repent. "Time is running out." Like our Prohet has said. Notice the words of our Savior in the 19th section of Doctrine and Covenants.
16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—
19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.
20 Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit.
These verses can seem harsh but if we think about it, why does the Lord want us to repent? Or why does the Lord need followers. Does he want power or gratification?. Of course not. He has all power and it would be disrespectful to say that. Like my Grandma Gigi explained to me once as a very young man, the Lord wants these things because it gives Him joy. Imagine these scriptures. He doesnt want us to suffer and He wants to help us. We owe him everything for that. If there is any that we need to change. Lets do it. If we havent been to church for a while for what every reason it is, lets go back. It is not worth it to miss out on the blessings that the Lord has for us. Time is running out. I love you all so much and I love my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. They have given us everything. No its our turn to serve them. I cant express the gratefulness that I feel and I hope you can feel it as well.
I love you all
Elder Smith
1. Elder Hermansen- my current companion
2. The missionary I trained -Elder Coronado
3. A past and favorite companion -Elder Duarte
