DECEMBER 8, 2014
SALT LAKE CITY TEMPLE pumpkin carving!
Our ZONE!!
People in Erda, love their guns!
Hey!!
I am eternally grateful for this marvelous opportunity that
our loving Father in Heaven has given me to serve Him and His children full
time here in the field. My experiences
have shown me many things. I know what I
want in life. I know what can bring true
and everlasting happiness. I know what
can happen when we start to think that we know better than God. Being able to talk to so many different people
and see all of their different viewpoints, I now see things in a different
light than I ever have before! Some of
the things I've seen and learned hadn’t even crossed my mind before. I'm grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and all that comes with it.
So what does the Gospel of Jesus Christ have to offer us? Well just to name a few... Salvation, joy,
peace, comfort and knowledge, just to name a few! Are these things that we as individuals want? I don't know about you, but I crave them!! What is this life for if I can't find joy in
it? It is sad to come across individuals who don't believe or can’t see how the
Gospel can bless them. All we can do is invite, testify, promise
blessings, and live so they can see the fruits of it. The rest is up to them, if they truly wish to
have these blessings.
Recently, we have come in contact with a family who, just a
few months ago lost their 13 year old son to suicide :( They are great and wonderful people, but have
never taken the Gospel to heart or considered what it has to offer. The father mentioned to us that he was an
Atheist up until a few months ago, at the loss of his only son. They are now meeting with us regularly and
have so many questions such as… what will happen to their son since he never
was taught the Gospel or will they be together after this life? They are
turning to God in their time of need. Please forgive me if this might sound harsh,
but it's really sad that it took their own son passing away for them to believe
in God. If we only turn to God when we're in trouble,
then we're already in trouble. The Atonement is real and it is never too late
in this life to turn things around. But
it would be so much easier if we would only turn to him NOW rather than later
or after a horrible tragedy occurring in our lives.
Elder Bednar once said:
"Can the spiritual strength that results from
consistent obedience to the commandments be given to another person? Can the
knowledge obtained through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures be
conveyed to one who is in need? Can the peace the gospel brings to a faithful
Latter-day Saint be transferred to an individual experiencing adversity or
great challenge? The clear answer to each of these questions is no."
(Converted Unto the Lord - Oct. 2012 General Conference)
If you haven't seen or read this talk, I invite you to do
so. He outlines the vital importance of being converted for ourselves so that
in time a need or tragedy, we will have something worthy to fall back on.
WATCH THE VIDEO!
The Gospel has everything to offer us. If only people would test it out and see for
themselves, the blessings it has to offer. I know the Gospel has these things to offer
because I have seen it work firsthand. I
have witnessed the divinity of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith
saw what he said he saw and I have no
doubts of that!
Joseph Smith's First Vision of God & Jesus Christ
Hope all is well, stay close to the Lord.
Love,
Elder Carroll
My favorite scripture this week: Alma 36:24-25 (24) Yea, and from that time even until now, I have
labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might
bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might
also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
(25) Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give me
exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors;
My favorite quote this week:
"I need thee ev'ry hour;
Stay thou nearby.
Temptations lose their pow'r
When thou art nigh." (I Need Thee Every Hour - Hymn #98
v.2)
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