7/04/10

Hey family,

I had a pretty amazing week. Life is awesome as a missionary. So many neat experiences and opportunities to help others. I have really grown to love and treasure the time I have to serve the Lord. I was reading a quote from President Hinckley the other day that really articulates how I feel about my mission. I can't quote verbatim, but he said something to the effect of "you can't call a mission a sacrifice...it's not a sacrifice when you receive more than you give". I love that! It's so true. You could never receive this kind of growth and these kinds of experiences in any other way. Yes it takes some work and sacrifice on the part of the missionary, but the blessings far outweigh the sacrifice. I have found that concept to be consistent with every principle of the gospel. Sacrifice is an interesting commandment...sometimes it's one that stretches our faith the furthest. One of my favorite scriptures form the Book of Mormon talks about sacrifice and how those who truly seek the will of the Lord will give anything up to follow Him. In Alma 22, one of the sons of Mosiah teaches the Lamanite king about Jesus Christ and eternal life. After hearing his testimony and invitation to pray, the king kneels down and begins to pray in an almost childlike sincerity. He said "O god, Aaron hath told me there is a God; and if there is a God and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee..." I love this scripture. It means so much to me. I just love the way this king, who probably had lots of mistakes to make right, was willing to sacrifice everything, especially his sins, to know Heavenly Father. I've realized that getting to know Heavenly Father is really what life is all about. There's another scripture in the New Testament that teaches that very concept, that eternal life is to know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I can't wait to see what that's like, to come to know Heavenly Father and His son. It sounds incredible. The Plan of Salvation and the atonement are so perfect. It can take someone as imperfect as me and turn it into someone perfect and someone like Father in Heaven, with all the attributes of godliness perfectly attained. I think if we all could get a glimpse of how Heavenly Father sees us and what are potential really is, we would have an attitude like the Lamanite king to give up everything, all our sins and worldly possessions, to have eternal life. And it's available to all, we just have to choose to receive it.


Well, I'll get off my soap box-I don't mean to preach, I'm just excited about some things I've been thinking about. I love you all. You're all so fantastic. I hope you had a good week and enjoyed the 4th of July.