Week 12

Whatup

Last Monday I had the privilege of enjoying a morning hike in a nearby town with my companion, another companionship, and a couple members from our ward.  All of us went up to a trail that leads to a well-secluded climbing wall, with views over a close valley and reservoir.  We hiked over everything from soft dirt to volcanic rock until we reached the base of the wall.  It was cool and quiet, and it felt nice to get back against a mountain.

Visits with members has gone well so far, they are enthusiastic about us and our work.  We're teaching a new friend, his mother is a less-active member and he has a desire to be baptized.  We are excited for him and are trying to teach him to feel and recognize the Spirit to help him make these decisions on his own.  

Having the opportunity to meet so many new people, I get to explain what being a missionary is, and what it means to me, especially to those who aren't of our faith.  At one point, we knocked on a door who initially turned us down, and then opened their garage to call us back over for Gatorade and then they offered us dinner.  Turns out, their daughter is a member, but they don't know a lot about the Church.  We got to explain and get to know them very well.  Although they don't seem particularly interested right now, we have made friends with them, and they will be prepared for when the time is right.

I enjoyed conference, I hope you all had the opportunity to enjoy it as well.  Happiness truly comes as we choose to align our will with the Lord.  Prophets, apostles, and officers are called to help us understand His will.  We need only listen and obey to discover that happiness these people preach from the pulpit.  Love of the Savior, and submitting to His plan will give us safety and happiness in our personal relationships and in our roles in this life.  His plan extends to all.

Last Sunday, we sang I Need Thee Every Hour, and it was nice.

"I need thee ev’ry hour,

In joy or pain.

Come quickly and abide,

Or life is vain"

What the heck does that even mean though?  

Each verse describes a beautiful variant of the many possible relationships we can have with the Savior.  I have learned to love the Savior in times of both joy and pain, but what is this final line, "life is vain"?  We know without Jesus Christ's sacrifice, we would have been subject to permanent spiritual and physical death.  His sacrifice is His perfect and sinless life, His ministry, His atonement and crucifixion, and His resurrection from the tomb.  Because of this-His ability to forgive us of our mistakes and to rend the shackles of mortality-life goes on.  The plan continues.  As God designed, we can be happy.  We can make others happy.  We will live again.  His work and His glory is mine to share with the world.

His mission, His son

Elder Gneiting