Well. We got transfer calls and I'M STAYING IN JACKSON! But my comp/trainer/'dad' is leaving. DANG MAN.

I guess that's ok. Transfers happen and they happen for a reason. I'm just stressing a bit about my new companion...

We had a SUPER unsuccessful week. We got dropped by somebody SUPER nice cause of her boyfriend, we had SO MANY appointments fall through, we had the worst week we've had in the 4 1/2 months I've been here. Last week was the 2nd most successful we've had. It's just been a bit hard. There will be weeks like this. I like to call them "pride checkers." It's only through God that we can have many lessons, and sometimes we let our pride take control. 

Now, I'd like to talk a little bit about the relationship between grace and the commandments. Matthew 7:21 says "Not every one that saith into me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." In this verse we learn that NOT EVERYONE who calls upon God will be saved. You have to do what God wants us to do. it takes ACTION. (James 2:17) Though it is true that we are not justified by the law, (Galatians 2:21) we still need to follow the law as we learn from Galatians 3:10-12. 

There's a saying that we've all heard "actions speak louder than words." This is true in God's eyes as well as ours. If somebody states that they have "faith in Christ" then goes and kills someone, does that person REALLY have faith in Christ? obviously not. Those who have faith are willing to "[leave] their nets, and [follow] him." (Matthew 4:20) as Peter and Andrew did. To "leave" and to "follow' are both actions. 

Accepting Christ takes repentance, which is that action of stopping what you were doing before and "follow him." Repentance takes faith, because if you have no faith, you will never accept the change that God wants you to do. Repentance in the relationship between "the law" and "faith." We have faith, we repent, we're doing God's will. It's pretty simple. We aren't saved by "I just happened to be following the commandments and not evening knowing it!" we are saved only by accepting Christ, and his father's will. 

-Good Book of Mormon scripture that applies! :D Mormon 9:28: "be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God."

Do not accept Christ in word and not in action.

Caroline: I hope that answered your question :)

Honoring God

Elder Decker