Welp this is the last transfer of my mission. I got a new companion named Elder Wallace who's another new missionary and I'm still with Elder Godfrey so I'm finishing training elder Godfrey while training elder Wallace too. So... yeah a good 6 weeks to finish strong is a good way to look at it. Still in the Alki Young single adult congregation. Love the Tongans and Samoans here they're Hype. I've been getting into the Tongan lingo a little bit. We've been playing lots of basketball with them to introduce ourselves to some of their friends and it's been super fun. A lot of our door is finding, a constant grind of contacting and I'm able to speak a little Spanish to people and teach about the Book of Mormon, so we end just referring half the people we talk to to the Spanish missionaries. It's fun though I always love going around talking to others and testifying of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Recently I've been thinking about my own personal testimony which I've strengthened immensely on my mission. I've thought about what I truly believe and know. The word "know" is thrown out a lot in testimonies, in most cases I trust the speaker does truly know, in some cases, amd maybe more than I think, its taken lightly and a replacer of the word believe, but at times I think most people are too embarrassed to admit they dont fully know and are trying to still gain a testimony. That being said, these are 3 fundamental truths, that I TRULY do Know and trust are True. And because I not just believe or have faith but I know these truths, the rest of the principles and laws within the Gospel of Jesus Christ fall into place. I know these things from the same principle Christ taught his apostles when he asks, "Who think ye that I am", Peter answers "Thou art Christ, Son of the Living God." Christ's response is a key, essential truth that I've come to know. "Blessed art thou Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven... upon this rock will I build my church."
God revealed this truth to Peter through the spirit, or revelation, which is what Christ's Church is built upon. These truths I know from the confirming whisperings of the Holy Spirit, which have been imprinted upon my heart. I know these truths because I've studied, researched, pondered, and prayed. And I have received countless witnesses of their truthfulness. Though never seen or received enough physical evidence to deem 100% true, I received that evidence spiritually and have seen the fruits of them firsthand in my life.
Truth #1: I know there is a God, and He truly loves me. How beautiful of a truth that is to come to know, and how important that knowledge is. Its essential for our salvation and exaltation. I know this God is the literal Father of my spirit or soul. I am of his literal offspring, and with that contains my very own divine identity as a Son of God. As well as my divine potential to become like Him as an heir "And if children then heirs, heirs of God, Joint-heirs with Christ..."(Romans 8:17). This truth brings me purpose and a desire to strive to follow the Will of God with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I am His son and an heir to His Kingdom
Truth #2: I know and witness unto you that Jesus is The Christ. The Savior of all mankind who suffered immense agony, died, and rose again the 3rd day glorified, so that we could be brought back into the presence of God and if we choose to, to be perfected and become like Him. I stand as a living witness of this truth, because I have applied the Atonement of Jesus Christ in my life. I trust in Him to cleanse, heal, redeem, immortalize, strengthen, and transform me. I have changed. Not from going through the day to day routine of a mission, but through learning about and following my Savior Jesus Christ. I have seen myself go from an idiot, frat-like teenager who committed some of the vilest of sins and have been transformed into a better person and new creature. Without him I would be STAINED with the sins of my past. My heart would be darkened and hardened to the light I so deeply cherish. I would have written on my forehead: Sinner, its obvious whos committed such and such sins. But because of Him, I can repent and feel purified as Isaiah describes it, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though your blood be red like crimson, it shall be as wool."(Isaiah 1:18)
My nature has been changed by Christ and I've moved on. I've been purified by my Redeemer. I have literally seen as I've humbled myself before Him and recognized my weaknesses, I've improved them and myself as a disciple of Christ. I came on the mission unprepared, all I had was a small testimony in Christ and the restoration that brought me enough joy to bring me out. That small knowledge and understanding has grown vastly. I've improved myself in christlike attributes. I'm more loving, patient, selfless, honest, virtuous, and humble. I still have so much room to improve and by no means am perfect a those, but have become better. My heart has been purified and my nature and desires have changed. I'm a witness of the power and grace of His Atonement working to cleanse and change me.
Truth #3: The Book of Mormon: Another Testament Of Jesus Christ, is God's Word. His Fingerprints stain throughout. I have partially gained and strengthened my testimony of the first 2 truths because of the learning and applying I've received while studying that book. I havent seen the world the same since i finished it for 1st time. That 1st time, was on my mission in my 2nd transfer, when an overwhelming feeling of love, peace, and comfort flooded my body. An undeniable experience of God touching me and witnessing of the truthfulness of that book through His spirit. I've had too many spiritual experiences to count from that book, as I study, ponder, and apply its teachings. It's inspired me to sacrifice my will for the Lords. It's countless stories of missionaries like Alma, Ammon, Nephi son of Helaman, have motivated me to consecrate and dedicate myself more to the Lord. I am not the disciple of Christ I am today without the Book of Mormon. I'm fairly certain that I wouldn't have a knowledge of the first 2 truths if I didnt know the Book of Mormon was true. Like Joseph Smith promised, I have come closer to God in that book than any other book on Earth. I love it and cherish it, it has left a spiritual imprint on my heart that I can't deny. And I love and rejoice in the fact that daily I get to share my witness to others of the happiness and relief that I've found in my life from it. It's made my mission fun and enjoyable. I would be lost without it. Utterly lost and gone in this fallen world. I'd be the same person I was back home, unchanged, stained, and spiritually dead. I would not know more than I do now that the Book of Mormon is true, even if I saw the Gold plates myself. I cannot doubt, I cannot deny. I fortify my testimony in that book. DO NOT TAKE IT LIGHTLY. Its meant to bring us from condemnation
Because I know these 3 truths, everything else falls into place. These 3 truths witness to me that Joseph Smith was the chosen servant and prophet of the Restoration. God loves us, he's called someone so he can speak to us and guide us TODAY! Jesus Christ lives and because of that, He has special witnesses(Living Prophets) of Him on the Earth. The Book of Mormon is true and was translated by Joseph Smith using the gift and power of God. The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints is Christ's Church restored in the last days before He comes again. The humble and bold claim that is has as God's true and living church, is backed up by these 3 truths. It's lead by Christ himself, through His priesthood power on which he's bestowed upon His servants the prophets. This Church has helped me follow my purpose in life, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." I don't know everything and I won't know everything in this mortal life, but I do know that thise 3 truths are true. They are my sword and shield in defending my faith, and being able to use the offense in declaring my faith. The mission is hard, but more rewarding and fun than it is difficult. The blessings for myself and others, as I've grown a knowledge of and boldly declared these truths these past 2 years, are innumerable. Keep grinding yall. God bless and God bless America. Devil Horns Down-> Don't Heed temptation
Kia Kaha
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