What a week, it was quick and slow but at this point everything is quick. We were limited on how far we could drive. So we walked and walked and walked. We ate a lot of Pizza and Spaghetti this week. We had numerous people come up to us this week and request a visit or gave us a phone number to return and speak with them. Yesterday was Memorial day, we had a picnic with our congregation. We started Softball at 9 am and we didn't leave until 2:30 pm during those hours we had lunch and all the kids targeted Elder Washburn as the sacrifice of the day, death by water. The cause of the punishing, simply having a black name tag. I was drenched and sun burnt slightly but I was most of all exhausted. Still am but the work must go on.
In my studies I often will read a General Conference talk, read from the book of Mormon and study from Preach My Gospel. As a missionary I have learned a lot of things, most I can't put into words, others are simple truths but they all rest on Our Savior Jesus Christ. The miracles and blessings I have seen from the short time I have served have come directly from Jesus Christ and acting according to the correct principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father loves us, we can find his love in a few things that we have and enjoy.
We have the gift of his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ who came to the earth to do the will oh His Father by establishing the Gospel and by Suffering the Atonement. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is so powerful and personal. In Alma 7, Alma testifies of this great and last sacrifice. Alma 7:11-13
11 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.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
13 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.
I love the way Alma testifies of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. What I also love is what immediately follows this testimony of the Savior. After bearing his testimony of the personal reaches of the Atonement he declares what we can do to receive this Atonement into our lives.
14 Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.
15 Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.
16 And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God from thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto him, yea, he will remember that I have said unto him, he shall have eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which testifieth in me.
We have the choice to live the Gospel. Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End. It is this Gospel that Christ taught but he also taught to love one another and to follow the commandments. We have the gift of Agency or the freedom to choose. We have Agency to choose right from the wrong. We should always strive to follow Christ and his Gospel. We have the Gospel of Jesus Christ not to just bless us but bless our family and friends. It is these close relationships that grow only closer because of Christ.
I know Jesus Christ in my Savior and Redeemer. I know as we follow him and his example we will not be lead astray. I know that the book of Mormon is the word of God because it testifies of Christ consistently and constantly. It is only in Him and through Him, we can return to Our Loving Heavenly Father again. I know this to be true.
Have a great week, enjoy the summer!
Love,
Elder Washburn
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