Monday, April 6, 2015

Construir o Reino (Build the Kingdom)

Oi família! 

Wow!  Who loved conference?  It was an awesome oportunity to be able to recieve revelation for our daily lives and learn what we need to do to get better.  If you missed the conference (or just want to watch it again) check out the church website:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2015/04?cid=HP_SU_4-5-2015_dPTH_fGC_xLIDyL1-B_&lang=eng

It´s good stuff.

But this week was good stuff.  We had some really cool experiences and the highlight of the week was a BAPTISM!!!  Aurilene was baptized yesterday between conference sessions.  It was a really spiritual service and she was really excited.  This week as we were teachng her she said a number of times that she knew that the Lord had responded to her prayer that this is the true church of Christ on the earth and that she had to follow the answer that she got.  The coresponds perfectly with the way that the Lord teaches us that we should seek in James and in Moroni.  In James 1:5-6 we are taught that we have to ask in faith, nothing wavering.  That means that we have to trust that the Lord will answer our prayer.  In Moroni 10:4 we learn that we have to ask with real intent, or, with the plan to follow the answers that we get from the Lord.  Aurilene is full of faith and a true seeker of the truth.  I know it was inspiration of the Lord that led us to her.  It was awesome. 

The other cool experience we had was with Maia this week.  We headed over on Good Friday (which is actually a celebrated holiday here) because we knew that she would have the day off and given her busy work schedule we hadn´t talked with her in a while.  We got there and she and her family we excited to see us.  We talked a little about General Conference and then we asked if we could give a brief message.  We left a message about Easter and then we asked each person if they could talk a little about what Jesus Christ meant to them.  Well, it got to Maia´s turn and she said, "You know, when we begin to truly follow Jesus Christ and His church, it all seems so hard.  But then as we practice and we work we realize that it´s truly the best thing that can happen to us. I can´t imagine my life any other way than the way that I live now as a member of the church."  That is conversion.  I loved her answer.  It´s for these moments that I serve a mission.  It´s such a blessing. 

I know that it is my privelege to build the kingdom of God on the earth. The Lord explains very clearly our calling as missionaries and member-missionaries in the work of salvation in Doctrine and Covenants, section 58.  He says,

6 Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you—that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come;

 7 And also that you might be honored in laying the foundation, and in bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand;

And we have the blessing and the oportunity to stand as the witnesses of this great latter-day work.  We live in an age that has been prophesied of since the beginning of time.  We live in the blessed dispensation of the fulness of times and we are priveleged beyond all measure to take part in these wonderful latter-day blessings.  The blessings of the sealing power encircle the earth as more and more temples are built and as more and more people join the cause of good.  The forces of the Lord are with us, and though the enemy may be strong, he is destined to fail.  As we stand strong on the side of the Lord, He promises us His aiding hand and His great power.  As we pray, study the Book of Mormon and other scriptures, and renew our covenants every week in Sacrament Meeting, we will be fortified against the temptations of the adversary.  Jesus Christ is our great eternal head.  He loves us.  He knows us.  He will always be there to strengthen us as we work to fulfill his plan for us.

Amo vocês!  Até o próximo!


Élder Evans

No comments:

Post a Comment