Now, for Elder Smith's letter:
Well....I'm being transfered. We got the call last night and I am
being sent to Currituck, North Carolina. I am really going to miss
Colonial Heights. I have learned so much. There are some really cool
things happening here though. We had a church tour with a potential
investigator a few days ago and it was SO good. For those who don't
know what that is, it's where we go through the building with
non-members and discuss certain things about church. The Spirit was SO
strong, especially when we took them to the baptismal font and spoke
about Jesus Christ and His Atonement. We set her for baptism for May
19th. I really wish I could stay one more transfer and help teach her
but I am being sent elsewhere. My companion, Elder Bradfield, is such
a stud; I'm going to miss that guy. He is, afterall, my Dad
(missionary terminology for Trainer). So for all those who may be
sending letters, I'll announce my new address as soon as I find out.
In my personal studies today I ran across a verse in the New Testament
that really made me think. In Matthew 12:25 Jesus Christ says,
"...Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and
every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:" In my
mind I was reading it as, "A family divided won't be Eternal" and I
thought back on some things I recently heard in church.
You've probably heard the saying, "Offense sells tickets, defense wins
games." How can we increase our spiritual fortitude, and that of our
families, so we may have the defense necessary to endure to the end
and "win the game"?
Spiritual fortitude...FORTitude...fortress...castle...HEY! The Temple looks like
Fortress! They look like Castles with great defense capabilities.
If the Temple is the only place wherein our families can be sealed
together for time and eternity, why can't it be the place to provide
the spiritual fortitude, the spiritual defense, for ourselves and for
our families? It IS! We have been commanded, by God, to attend the
temple FREQUENTLY. Are His commandments restrictions? Are His
commandments temporal restraints? Said He, "Wherefore, verily I say
unto you that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time
have I given unto you a alaw which was btemporal; neither any man, nor
the children of men; neither Adam, your father, whom I created.
Behold, I gave unto him that he should be an aagent unto himself; and
I gave unto him commandment, but no temporal commandment gave I unto
him, for my bcommandments are cspiritual; they are not natural nor
temporal, neither carnal nor sensual." (D&C 29:34-35). He doesn't
command us to do something if it wasn't for our ETERNAL benefit. Too
many people think in terms of "today" and not in terms of "eternity".
This life is the EXTREMELY brief time we have to prove to our Beloved
Father that we want what He has, that we want to be as He is. Ponder
the words of President George Albert Smith, "Today is the beginning of
eternal happiness or eternal disappointment for you.” This is the life
for men to prepare to meet God, and He has provided the Temple, with
its eternal life saving blessing, to provide us and our families with
the spiritual fortitude to withstand everything the Satan will throw
at you. And I warn you...Lucifer is preparing his weapons of death and
destruction and will soon unleash everything he's got to destroy your
family. Are you prepared? Are you doing everything you can so that
your house will not be divided?
Change your priorities, put God FIRST!!!! And He will provide for you
everything you need. Don't get caught up in the wants and desires of a
pleasurable and comfortable life. Such things won't last the eons of
your immortal life. Don't be eternally disappointed. Put Christ first.
Don't waste that drop of precious blood he spilt for you.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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