If you think it is cold
in Hurricane, check the weather for here. Tonight it is supposed to get
down to 10, and it is currently 22 outside with 3 inches of snow on the
ground, not to mention the wind. Winter it appears is here, and it
doesn't look like it will get much warmer from here on out.
It
is good to know that you have a couple of awesome Elders in Hurricane. I
love it when missionaries are exactly obedient. I am sure they loved
the potato soup and chili!
This week we had
zone conference and it was awesome as usual. President stood up and
taught us about the plan of salvation and it was amazing. He broke down
the fall, and how the atonement redeems us from the fall, but because of
the fall our potential is infinitely more than it was. He drew up this
diagram, which is simple and easy to understand:
THE FALL THE ATONEMENT
Before: After:
live w/ God yes no yes+
Life yes no yes+
Progress no yes yes+
Family no yes yes+
The Fall and the Atonement were both necessary for us to become like our Heavenly Father.
A few more spiritual bites from President Daines:
"Don't let anyone convince you that you are less than what God wants you to be"
"The commandments are not restrictions, they are enablers for our freedom"
"The only way people draw closer to Christ is by doing something"
I love President Daines.
It
was a hard week here in Xenia. We lost just about everyone in our
teaching pool and Elder Patch and I made the decision that it is time to
find new people, who have potential to progress, rather than spending
time with people who will not keep commitments. In a talk in sacrament
meeting a sister in the ward said, "Curiosity does not promote change,
sincere desire does." (Sister Thomas). And it is so true, especially
with people we are teaching. This quote is very applicable to all of us.
How many times do we pray and ask for things, or for answers more out
of curiosity than out of a sincere desire, or in personal study for
example I feel like I often study topics more because I am curious about
them rather than truly searching for the truth. It seems to me that
Corban has some really sincere questions and a desire to know truth. I
learn a lot from him!
Above all, the truth
that I do know, because I have asked in sincerity for an answer is "Is
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints God's church restored on
the earth? Was Joseph Smith really a Prophet? Is the Book of Mormon
true? To these sincere questions God has answered numerous times in my
youth and continues to answer it today. Yes, it is true, and how blessed
we are to have that gospel with us today. And how more blessed we are
to have the opportunity to share it with others.
Also, there is this awesome quote from Elder Bednar I have been memorizing. . .
"You
and I, today and always, are to bless all people in all the nations of
the earth. You and I, today and always are to bear witness of Jesus
Christ and declare the message of the Restoration. You and I today and
always are to invite all to receive the ordinances of salvation.
Proclaiming the gospel is not a part time priesthood obligation. It is
not simply an activity in which we engage for a limited time or an
assignment we must complete, rather missionary work is a manifestation
of our spiritual identity and heritage. We were foreordained in the
premortal existence and born into mortality to fulfill the covenant and
promise that God made to Abraham. We are here upon the earth at this
time to magnify the priesthood and to preach the gospel. That is who we
are and that is why we are here-- today and always."
I love you, bundle up, and have a great week!
Love,
Elder Beutler
