Monday, November 19, 2012

ANOTHER CATCH-UP LETTER!


Hyrum Smith
Nov 5, 2012
                                 
Hello Everyone!
Wow...what a crazy week. Crazily AMAZING that is! The two investigators we have that got married not too long ago have now set a baptismal date and are working hard to achieve it. They're so excited and it has been so, SO amazing to see their progression and change as they've applied to principles of the Gospel to their lives. Currituck now has a senior missionary couple in the branch and we are so excited to have them. Senior missionaries are such an amazing addition to the work and they're contributions are immeasurable. If you're in your "more mature" years I would highly encourage you to look into missionary service. It's a prayerful process but know that your contributions will help improve the lives of many. The Lord is hastening His work and is calling for more laborers. All who have willing hearts and working hands are duty bound to help lift a fellow brother or sister.

So, remember that story a while back where I was with a group of missionaries in a restaurant and a man had been listening to us speak and wrote on a napkin desiring to learn more? Well, it happened again! It didn't happen with a napkin this time, but I was with some fellow missionaries at lunch and when our meal arrived we each said our own silent prayers. Well, we weren't aware that a man in a booth directly across from us had been observing and listening to us and as we began our meal he made some very complimentary comments and asked us who we were. We explained who we were and what we did and he began telling us how he has some Mormon friends and has always been impressed by them. After talking some more we gave him a Mormon.org pass-along card and invited him to check it out. Luckily, he had a nifty smart phone and started immediately to investigate the website. After some time, he bade us farewell and thanked us for the card and said he would be looking into it a little more. Again, might I stress the importance of incorporating the Gospel into your life to where it becomes who you are at all times. People are very observant creatures and as you "let your light so shine" before them, they will will desire that light. "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and
be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." (1 Peter 3:15) It's really a lot of fun to share the gospel. Give it a shot.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. Repentance isn't something to be feared but something to look at with joy and excitement! There is a way provided for us to clean up our past! To wipe the slate clean and start over again! Isn't that great? I don't know about you but I'm definitely not perfect and I make stupid decisions and mistakes every day...and I've made some big ones in the past. However, the Lord has promised, "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18) I have experienced the joy and repentance and having a burden lifted from off my conscience. Peace of mind and heart, knowing that I don't have to worry about my past, is such a wonderful blessing. And now to those who know of that wonderful feeling of which I am describing, "And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of
redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" (Alma 5: 26) Remember that great and wonderful feeling? Don't you want that for your friend? Don't you want that for your neighbor? Or perhaps, don't you want that for a family member? It's up to you to act and start sharing that feeling. This was made possible through the suffering of one who loves more than we are able, "And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people." (Mosiah 3:7) Don't forget the sacrifice made for you. If you haven't felt this song of redeeming love, it's available to you! Just take the first step and that is getting on your knees. He loves each of you.

I love you all,

Elder Smith

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