Monday, April 6, 2015

Letter home on Easter

HAPPY EASTER!! What a wonderful week to celebrate our Savior, Jesus Christ and all he did for us. My companion talked and we came up with all the appreciations and blessings that we have received in our lives. I have learned so much in just this week of doing the work. I will try my best just to highlight the most important parts of the week that will hopefully have a principle that you will be able to use. On Sunday we had a fantastic Easter sacrament meeting. Not too many people showed up but those that showed up were meant to be there on that Sunday morning. We had one of our couple missionaries talk about the importance of gaining a testimony. What is a testimony? It is having that firm belief that God is a loving God, Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer of the world, that Joseph Smith was the prophet that restored the proper authority on earth again, the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Later Saints is Gods kingdom on the earth again. How does one know this? It is by the Holy Ghost that one can gave a divine testimony about all these truths, one must pray with a sincere heart and with "full intent" knowing that Heavenly Father will manifest the truth through enticing of the Holy Ghost. Each of us have had in our life a moment where the Holy Ghost touched our hearts, that moment we should always cherish, but it doesn't just stop there. Just like Alma as he described the truth being as a "seed of truth" in the Book of Mormon, we each need to continue in nourishing that truth that we have had given to us by God himself. In the introduction of the book of Mormon in the last two paragraphs, the invitation is even extended to all of us in three ways. 
One: read
Two: ponder
Three: pray 

If we do those three steps, continue in searching and strengthening that testimony then we wouldn't have to second guess ourselves. It's just like what President Uchkdorf said "doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith". The plan of salvation is the plan that we all knew in the pre-mortal life. As we ponder, read and apply the principles found in the plan of salvation then we will see the gratitude of having that plan. 

My companion and I are full of gratitude for the miracles that we received this week.  We were coming back one day just after visiting one of our members that came out with us. She is a recent convert to the church was able to experience the missionary life getting a glimpse of what happens on the other side of being a member while helping none members out. We had another Nephi experience were we just rode our bikes down an alleyway in the night time, which is probably not a good idea, but while riding, my companion and I ran into a girl name Marianne. We didn't  feel comfortable trying to stop here so we just said hi and bye while continuing on riding our bikes through the alley way. After that she said two wards that caught our attention that made us come to a stop, "hi Elders". We stopped and were surprised because nobody but members calls us elders, usually none members calls us Brothers. She then explained to us that she used to talk with missionaries when she lived in Australia. She told us her feeling that she wanted to get baptised, took all the lessons and loved the church because she was accepted as herself and even though she did not know much she was welcomed and felt loved. While listening to her, my companion and I were lost for words, not knowing what to say, the only words that came out were "really", not very wise words to use but at that time we were shocked. Marianne then expressed that she wanted us to come over and start teaching her again, and that she has been praying ever since she moved to New Zealand to meet up with missionaries again and get in touch with them to continue in searching in the church. Later that week one of the YSA girls came out with us and connected great with her. The conversation ended up talking and sharing all of our insights about the ten commandments. I'm so grateful for Heavenly Father putting us at the right place at the right time. My heart is full of gratitude for the tender mercies that we received. Moments like these I just take a deep breath and give a smile of gratitude and a heartfelt prayer for the blessings of serving him. 

One attribute that I learned about Jesus Christ would have to be the attribute of humility. Being humble in all things, giving credit to Heavenly Father for every miracle that he did, every person that he healed and every heart that he changed, Christ had that perfect humility. While reading the New Testament I have recognized that Jesus Christ would never acknowledge himself. His acknowledgement would be always towards his Father, he wouldn't say "oh yes this was me" rather he was more giving his Father the credit. I have come to love the Savior, as he has changed my life, my views of the gospel, and felt his tender mercies and felt that reassurance of hope that future will be brightly shined before all of us as we continue to give him the credit for the blessing we receive while life here on earth. 

Thank you all and I hope you all have a wonderful week and conference. See you next time. 
Elder Thorpe.
 
 



 

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