week 38

We went to Abberystwyth to watch General Conference there and we stayed at the elders place for the weekend.   We left to go Saturday morning and watched the Saturday morning session that night in the building they rent for the chapel.  No problems watching this one.
Then we went home and partied with the elders and had fun.  Sunday we head up for the priesthood session at 10.  We get through the song and poof! the computer starts to shut down then we restart it and the website is DOWN!!  We were like, "what conference is down!!"  So then our internet went out in  the building so we are desperately trying to fix it and around 3:00 we fix it and people are coming in to watch the Saturday afternoon session.  It ends and the priesthood stays and watches the priesthood session. Then more people come and watch the Sunday morning session.  6 HOURS STRAIGHT OF CONFERENCE!!!  

 

Serving in England is way hard.  People don't listen too much,  and the outward success is very small.  I never thought, "oh ya put me in that hard position because I can handle it!"  Because it is so hard sometimes I just want to quit, but I know that I can't, because if I do, not only will I regret it but I wont find those people that are waiting to hear what I have to say.  Welcome to life.  Just like they said in conference life wasnt meant to be easy or fair.  

I know that the most important aspect of the gospel is to just do it.   Just like Nephi, he was commanded to build a boat and he did it knowing, "man I have no idea what or why I'm doing this but I have been asked to so I will."  Over these past 9 months I have questioned and requestioned why I'm here on a mission and if this gospel is even true.  In going out and working everyday, seeing miracles, feeling the spirit in ways I never have before, and seeing the Lord's hand in my life, I have come to know that this gospel is true.  I know it is, but Satan is good at what he does and he knows that if I question that I will stop the work.  So I can't allow myself to question.  In Joseph Smith: A Prophet of the Restoration, Emma asks Joseph, "Do you think the Lord asks too much of us?" and Joseph Smith, a prophet of God says, "I don't allow myself to."  

I feel that one of the greatest blessings in this life is to share the gospel by word and example.  I know that this gospel is true.  Jesus is the Christ.  He came to this world to perform one of the greatest sacrafices the world would ever know.  He suffered and was crucified for each and every one of us so that we could return and live with Him, our Father, and our families.  Through the prophet Joseph Smith this gospel was restored to the earth so we could partake in the joy that comes from it.  This gospel brings happiness and peace to the soul.  The Book of Mormon is the word of God that testifies of the divinity of His Son Jesus Christ.  Through it, we can gain a knowledge of God's plan for us.  I know that through the power of the temple and the ordinances of sealing we can be with our families forever!  I love being a missionary!  Sharing this same testimony with random strangers who are my brothers and sisters brings me happiness. Even though I face rejection I know, like it says in the hymn, We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet:

  We'll sing of his goodness and mercy

  We'll praise him by day and by night

  Rejoice in his glorious gospel

  And bask in his life giving light

  Thus on to eternal perfection

  The honest and faithful will go

  While they who reject this glad message

  Shall never such happiness know.

 

I know that every time I share this message it gives that person the opportunity to accept it or reject it.  Our purpose as missionaries is to invite others to come unto Christ, by helping them recieve the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.  HOW GREAT IS OUR CALLING!

I know this is true!