Letter 11/2/14

Dear Blog,

So here's a thought that I hope I say right. When Elder Bednar came here he talked about the hastening of the work as not a call for more missionary work, but rather "a call for individual repentance". The Lord can hasten His work in His time, but "the question is really whether or not we will keep up".(I hope quoted that right!) 

Now, I don't think Elder Bednar was meaning that we can stop doing missionary work--rather I feel he was pointing out our own individual responsibility for our own individual life. Our job is to be ready and willing to the Lord's call. Our job is to become more Christlike. Our job is to align our wills with His. And if we do these things, then all things will flow which should. Will we not love our neighbor if the atonement has changed our hearts? Will we not listen to the Spirit if we love our Lord's commands? Will we not do all things that are in our power to give all people as much of Christ's love as we possibly can--even the love they can experience from covenants, specifically temple covenants, and even the sacraments renewal of baptismal covenants--if we have a Christlike heart?

 I hope that each of us takes the time to do all things we know we should, and most especially we pray to God that he will help us, strengthen us, and change us to become more like the Savior through the atonement of Jesus Christ. We don't have to get there alone. We have help--we have the ultimate act of love by our Savior. Through baptism with proper priesthood authority we have access to the atonement. And if you don't have it yet, then get it. It's a blessing that the Savior wants you to have and use.

Alma 7:11-13  "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the band of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according tho the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities,

Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people that he might blot out their transgressions, according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."

Love,

Sister Short

PS: you know what? It's awesome to be a missionary. You really get to see how God takes care of all his children in such tender little ways. Like on Sunday, a little girl got up and bore her testimony and I swear it was just for me. It was everything I needed to hear. I am so thankful for that--and for her for being so brave. God is so kind.