Greetings "Kindred and Noble Friends",
It was a great week in Selah this week! We're working our hardest
to find people to teach and may have hit the jackpot. There is a family
that was investigating the church a while back and sort of stopped
coming for various reasons. Recently, the mom referred us to her
grandmother who was interested in coming to church up in Everett WA. So,
we decided to stop by and maybe start meeting with them again. We went
by and we talked for a little bit and they really wanted us to come by
again and teach them! They also wanted to come back to church! We are
going to see them this week with our ward mission leader and invite them
to church and the whole 9 yards. Miracles do happen!
This week in my scripture study, I studied Ether 12. Moroni talks a
lot about faith and its purpose. Specifically, Ether 12:6 has really
impacted my mission. We "receive no witness until AFTER the trial of our
faith." This one line has guided me through the toughest of times, but
the rest of the chapter is often lost on me. The rest focuses on faith,
hope, and charity. These three Christlike attributes are what missionary
work is all about. In D&C 4:5 it says: "And faith, hope, charity
and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him [or her]
to the work." As we develop these attributes, our ability to share the
gospel increases. Back to Ether 12, as our faith increases, through
obedience to God's commandments, we grow in Hope as well. These two
attributes are inseparably connected. Hope is the anchor of our souls.
It allows us to see what the eye cannot see and hear what the ear cannot
hear. Hope gives us direction and a purpose: that we are sons and
daughters of a loving Heavenly Father, who wants us to return to Him;
however, even with the faith to do miracles and the hope to endure to
the end, without charity, we are nothing. Charity, the pure love of
Christ, is the Why of missionary work. As we love our fellow
brothers and sisters as God loves them, a new light will come into our
lives. On my mission, even when doors are slammed in my face, I have
tried to pray with "all the energy of heart, that I may be filled with
His love" (Moroni 7:48). Charity, the desire for others to return to our
Father in Heaven, is why Jesus Christ went through all that he did, so
that we may become as He is. THIS is charity. "Greater love hath no man
than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
As we give of our time and talents for the benefit of others, our love
for those we serve will increase and "when he shall appear we shall be
like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope;
that we may be purified even as he is pure." Love is the PURE love of
Christ so that when we have charity, we will be pure. I know that as we
love those around us, we will see how God sees us and we will want to
serve our fellowmen accordingly. I love you all and may God bless you
with his boundless mercy!
Love,
Elder Spencer Coleman
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