youth Sunday School class that we got asked to teach yesterday. Yay for
deacons and teachers...
"Chupacabra...isn't that some kind of burrito?"
"No dude! It's a monster that kills goats and sucks their blood!"
"Oh! A chimichanga is a burrito..."
Silly, silly. Reminded me of my own little brothers!
Well, it finally happened. Karolin, the daughter of Lyli and Elvin got
baptized. It was a sweet experience. Simple but powerful. Her dad bore his
testimony to her and her mom said a powerful prayer at the end of the
baptism. She also invited extended family so they could come see what the
church was like. She received that Gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday and
she's on fire. Next battle to conquer: learning English!:)
We have enjoyed some fantastic weather here the past few days...out of the
ordinary, but nothing to complain about! Clear skies, snow-capped mountains
on the east and majestic waters on the west. Can't beat it. Gonna hit 85
degrees today. Hoping for another warm summer!!
Lastly, I had a cool realization (no doubt from the Spirit) this week.
While walking through a trailer park this week (it was a B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L,
beautiful day), I couldn't help but be a little more excited to talk to
everyone who was outside enjoying the sunshine. I began to talk to one
woman and introduce the idea of living prophets. I asked her what she would
ask a prophet of God if she had the chance. She responded, like so many
others do, "I would ask why there is so much bad, evil and ugly in the
world." Common responses would include:
"Well you see, there much needs be an opposition in all things..."
or
"Well, we do live in the last days..."
or
"Drugs..."
However, I didn't answer her question--after all, it wasn't directed toward
me. Instead, I continued my conversation with her, testified of the truths
that would bless her and her family, ended with an invite to learn more,
and continued on to the next person.
I didn't think too much about her question-it is a very common one-until my
personal study the following day. I found myself studying the Christlike
attribute of charity--something I definitely need more of. I found myself
reading in the Book of Mormon in the 12th chapter of Ether. In verse 34 it
says:
*And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men
is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit
that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father.*
I stopped to think. Charity is a requirement to enter the Celestial Kingdom
and live in the presence of God and Jesus Christ. I began to ponder on many
of the themes and topics discussed in General Conference a few weeks ago. I
noticed that there was an emphasis in loving others, serving others, and
especially reaching out to refugees. Evidently Heavenly Father feels that
there is a great need for charity in these days--after all, we are in the
last days. He is hastening the missionary efforts as well as hastening his
efforts to help us develop this vital characteristic.
Then I though again about that woman's question: why there is so much bad,
evil and ugly in the world? And it all clicked. Heavenly Father needs us to
develop this characteristic of christlike love-and quick! How can we do
this? By having more opportunities to be charitable. Why is there so much
bad, evil, and ugly in this world? Why is it increasing? So we have more
opportunities to develop charity.
Challenge: There are so many opportunities around us to love as Christ
would. Act!
We are promised great blessings as we do so:
*But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso
is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. *
* Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy
of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon
all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the
sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall
see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even
as he is pure. Amen. *
*Moroni 7:47-48*
As the prophet Jacob once said, "Brethren, adieu."
Hermana Clark
P.S. "When a community or nation grows careless in its Sabbath activities, its
religious life decays and all aspects of life are negatively affected." I
love the new initiative the church has recently put out about keeping the
Sabbath Day holy. Truly some of the greatest blessings come as we do this!
Watch the video and share!:)
https://www.lds.org/sabbath-day?cid=HP_FR_15-4-2016_dOCS_fMEME_xLIDyL1-A_&lang=eng