Hiii people! I hope are having a lovely day.
The sun is finally melting the snow - it's a wonderful thing!!
Our little branch is doing so well. On Sunday Jeremy, Walter and Connor were all confirmed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At the end of the sacrament meeting our branch president, President Brogan, invited all three of them to bear their testimonies. (Walter had told Melinda in the car on the way to church that if he were asked to speak, he would pass out..) They were all very nervous but they did such a good job. It was sweet to hear them bear their simple, sincere testimonies of how the Gospel has changed their lives. Walter didn't pass out luckily and Jeremy, with tears in his eyes, thanked us for knocking on his door that cold evening in March. It has been an amazing privilege to see how their natures have changed. Just like the words which King Benjamin spoke, they have no more desires to do evil but to do GOOD continually. <Mosiah 5:2 "And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.">
The missionary spirit has caught hold and inspired the members here to be anxiously engaged - it is so exciting to see. We found two new investigators this week through MEMBER REFERRALS! The first is Nikita, she is Connor's "friend that's a girl." She prayed to ask Heavenly Father which church she needed to join and right after that Connor invited her to his baptism. She came and ended up staying for both sessions of general conference. She loved it and felt the Spirit. Nitika is an incredible person, she has been through a lot in her life and has a strong desire to follow Christ. She is on date for baptism for April, 25!! And then last night as we were out knocking on doors, Melinda texted us and told us that her friend Bill is interested in taking the discussions and that she wanted us to come over at 7:45 pm to teach him. She is on fire!! We had a great lesson with Bill, he wants to know what happens after we die. I felt the Spirit testify to me and to Bill that the Plan that God has for our lives is perfect and complete. There is life after death. We will see our loved ones again and they are so much closer than we think. I know without a doubt that there are angels round about us - bearing us up.
This week we decided to start the "HOUR OF POWER". For one hour every day (5-6 pm), both companionships in Amherst (us and the elders) go knocking. The goal is to consecrate ourselves and boldly invite others to come unto Christ, by being baptized. We have a goal to extend 16 baptismal invitations by the end of this week. It is important to FEAR NO MAN. We love these people, we want them to be happy, we want them to receive a fullness of all that our Father has and in order for them to do so WE NEED TO INVITE THEM! The hour of power inspires us to do this, to work with a greater sense of urgency and conviction. How great is our calling!! I'll let you know how it goes :)
I have been reading about one of my Book of Mormon heroes NEPHI (the son of Heleman). Each time I read this I am amazed by his diligence. He was such a powerful instrument in the hands of God. We can learn much from his faithful example. Despite the wickedness and pride that engulfed the people around him, he never wavered. On his way home from what was probably a frustrating day of missionary work, and no one listening to a word he said. God comforts Nephi with these words, "Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments. And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will."
He continues in verse 12. "And behold, now it came to pass that when the Lord had spoken these words unto Nephi, he did stop and did not go unto his own house, but did return unto the multitudes who were scattered about upon the face of the land, and began to declare unto them the word of the Lord which had been spoken unto him, concerning their destruction if they did not repent."
Nephi had a great desire to serve God. He wanted to be obedient to the commandments of God and so, when asked to return to the group of wicked Nephites - he did not take a break and rest at his house for a little while to regain his strength and energy. He immediately turned around and with UNWEARYINGNESS declared repentance. President Ezra Taft Benson said, " When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power." I know that to be true. I would encourage each of you to examine your lives and the way that you serve God? How can you make absolute obedience YOUR QUEST?
I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that when we love God enough to obey Him - HE GIVES US POWER TO ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS. We can overcome the world and stand fast in the faith FOREVER!!
Know that I miss you and love you SOO much!!
Thank you for cheering me on!!!!
Love, Sister Gochnour
No comments:
Post a Comment