Hey Yinz! Hope you all had a good week!
Things over here in PA are warming up....yayy...have I
told you how much I love humidity? We aren't the best of friends...but working
on it. Ha Ha! It was kinda an average week but a good one, don't get me wrong!
It's always a good week when you're serving the Lord! :)
This week I was reminded of the awesomeness of the
invitation we as missionaries extend to people daily. The introduction to the
Book of Mormon says it best: "We invite all men everywhere to read the
Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to
ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those
who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and
divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost."
Throughout my mission thus far I've extended the
invitation to read the Book of Mormon many multiple times to all sorts of
different people. Some choose to not open it and read and pray, while some do
and deny the witness they receive and then some do and act on the truth they
find. Even just this week we met with someone that wouldn't even think about
praying about it because they were already set to believe it wasn't true. We
also met with a less-active member that actually texted us first saying that she knew
she needed to fix her priorities and go back to the beginning to work on her
testimony. She asked for a Book of Mormon and for us to come teach her. That
was legit because that's the first time I've ever had a 'golden' less-active member
like that! Ha, ha, ha!
Looking back over the times that I personally have taken
on this challenge both before and during my mission; to read, ponder and pray
and then to act, I've come to gain a powerful witness that God answers us when
we are seeking truth every time. We just have to remember it's in His time. ;) He
loves us and doesn't want us to be lost or miss out on the greatest blessings
of all eternity!! It's like asking someone who's sitting on the couch if they
want a chocolate bar... of course the answer is yes! Then you tell them that
it's waiting for them in the fridge and all they have to do is make the effort
to get it. Each path to that chocolate bar or "truth" may be
different. Some may have to climb down or up stairs, walk a long way or maybe
some just have to walk a short distance but the point is no matter what there
is a way to find and receive the truth. It's as simple as reading and praying!
When you put in that effort, if your heart is in the
right place, you will always be rewarded and God will direct you. The beautiful
thing about the gospel is that we keep on learning. Even if we have gained a
witness of truth it doesn't hurt to pray again and strengthen that knowledge!
So everyone you ready for a challenge? :) This week I
want you to take on my friend Moroni's challenge, to read the Book of Mormon,
ponder/think about if it truly does witness of Christ, pray to know if it's
true and pay attention to the answer that will come. If you don't have a Book
of Mormon feel free to go on mormon.org and order yourself a free (yes it's
100% free) paperback copy or you can go to your app store and download the Book
of Mormon app. You don't have to read the whole book, you could read a chapter
or a verse or however much suits your fancy. But I can promise you as a witness
and servant of the Lord, Jesus Christ, he WILL answer your sincere prayers. I
have come to know for myself that the Book of Mormon is a witness of Jesus
Christ. It has brought me more happiness, peace and direction than anything
else. It has gotten me through the toughest of days to know my Savior
personally. I know He Lives. I know that the Book of Mormon along with the
Bible testify of Christ and show us how to live our lives in such a way so that
we can make it back home and one day and hear "well done thou good and
faithful servant!" May God bless
you every day friends!
Love you :)
~ Sister McDonald
Ponderize: Matt 25:21 "Well done, thou good and
faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee
ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
Commitment: Have meaningful prayers (be humble, follow
the spirit, let the Lord change my heart) ~ Elder Stevenson
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