Week 62

Happy Birthday to Kid! (My little brother Gabe) One year older, wiser too, but still a kid.  ;)

We've gone through some trials this past week. I've started to loose some long distance vision, so we're setting up an appointment with an eye doctor, I've been waking up with an upset stomach, I've been sleep talking a lot (I think I do that when I'm stressed), We've been trying to find people to teach and been having to hand people over to the English Elders because some people aren't in our area. That's been sad. 

I want to talk a bit about how important the hope that Christ offers is so important. We talked to a young man in high school whose done some bad stuff. He has to go to boy scouts for community service (we don't know what he did), and apparently his girlfriend is currently in jail. He's got it super rough, and we don't know the half of it. We were talking to him about Jesus Christ and his power to heal and cleanse us. We asked him "How would you feel to get rid of all your guilt and wrong decisions and start afresh?" With the look in his eyes and he responded "Amazing." we could see his sincerity. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is really there to help us. He REALLY DOES love us. He's waiting for us to open the door that he knocks on constantly. we just need to open it. 

There are some steps that lead up to opening that door. The first step must be faith. We must believe enough to act on his invitation. We will never accept his healing power unless we believe that there will be results or blessings.

The second step is humility. Being willing to act on what he says. His way is ALWAYS higher than our way. He knows so much more than us. remember, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, he will call on you to sacrifice something to come closer to him.

The third step is prayer. Through prayer we can feel his love. That's how we open the door. The action of prayer, of talking to God and seeking his council, is very special and significant. It is how we receive his council, and his warm hugs. 

Then, last, he asks us to follow him. We need to do what he did. Follow his commandments, be baptized by someone with the authority to do so, receive the gift of the holy ghost, then we must endure to the end.

That's how we destroy our guilt, by receiving that forgiveness, then strive to never get that guilt again. 

2 Nephi 31: 19-20

  19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

 20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Don't let anything in the way of following Jesus Christ.

Honoring God

Elder Decker

Pictures: Pokemon District

Strangely grown pumpkin