Here is an excerpt from my weekly
letter to President Beesley. These are just some of my thoughts.
I was very happy to hear the
announcement about the age change for coming missionaries, but even
more happy when President Monson said that it was because of the
increased obedience of the incoming missionaries. I felt the spirit
witness to me that I’ve been a part of that. It was encouraging to
feel again that witness that I am doing what I need to be doing and
the Lord recognizes and appreciates me, and that I’ve been an
influence for good. I’ve also noticed that there seems to be an
ever widening gap between the strong and faithful in the church and
the less valiant in the church. It seems like more and more of those
who serve the Lord are doing it because they love him. It seems the
Lord is kicking everyone off the fence, separating the wheat from the
tares so to speak in the church. Especially after this conference it
was reconfirmed to me that now is the time to have our own
testimonies. I feel the urge to help those on the fence to come back
into the light of the restored gospel. I remember the charge the
savior gave to Peter that after he was converted to “strengthen
[his] brethren”. I also found it interesting that Peter was talked
about and quoted so much and that Elder Holland gave the talk he said
he would give when he was with us in Anchorage. I felt a deeper love
for my family as I listened to the story of Ann Rowley in Elder
Nash’s talk, the story of her, also in 17 Miracles, and the two
hard sea biscuits. Ann Jewel Rowley was my 4th great grandmother.
Without talking to her I know my mother was deeply touched.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about
David, Saul, Solomon and ancient Israel. It pains my heart that such
great men did not stay firm and reminds me that you’re never too
righteous to be exempt from temptations. At the same time I marvel at
how merciful and patient the Lord was with the people. I read like 3
times while skimming through the Book of Judges that the people in
those days did “as seemeth them good in their own eyes.” They
were in apostasy and were lost in spiritual darkness without a
leader. The tribes were not unified. It amazes me that they even
survived as a group. And under David’s brilliant leadership the 12
tribes were unified. God still loved the people and, as they humbled
themselves, He placed prophets to guide them and preach the gospel.
Amidst all the chaos I think of great men like Joshua, Gideon,
Samuel, David, Josiah, and Nehemiah. They were great men who, even
through personal weaknesses, moved the work of the Lord forward with
courage and brought about righteousness. The man who stands out the
most to me is Josiah. It says of him that there was never anyone
before or since like him that turned to the Lord with all his might,
mind, and strength (2
Kings 23:25). It amazes me that the Lord still took care of and
watched over a degrading society. There must have been some stalwart
people who kept their covenants or else we wouldn’t have had men
like Josiah. Where did they draw their strength from? How did they
gain so much courage to stand up when no one else would? Again I find
the answer with Josiah. They yielded their hearts to God. It never
said Josiah was the best looking, the strongest, the most courageous,
benevolent, patient, or kind. He was so strong because he turned to
God and humbly followed him.
I know that God lives. I know that our
savior, Jesus Christ, atoned for our sins. I know that He is ever
mindful of us and knows our situations. I know He wants us to stay
strong, and I know we can. I know that as challenges increase there
is nothing I cannot handle as long as I turn to the Lord and seek his
help. He has set the standard, Christ provided the way to follow, and
I will never back down. I hope it will be said of me that “like
unto him was there no [man] before him, that turned to the Lord with
all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might…
neither after him arose there any like him.” The Book of Mormon is
true, and I know the spirit will witness to the hearts of all those
who read it that it is indeed the word of God because it has for me.
Love, Elder Record
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