Hello Everyone~~
This week seemed to go by super fast. At the beginning of this adventure I didn`t like contacting people. I was nervous and felt uncomfortable. Now, that has developed into a normal part of my life. Sometimes we think that contacting is the worst part of missionary work...that it is the most unsuccessful, but I thought about something during my studies this week. Really, the message that contacting sends, is very powerful. Even if the person rejects us, spits at us, cusses at us, and talks to us like we aren`t even human beings....there is still a message being delivered to them. The message is this...... "Even though you may not want to accept it, the Savior is thinking about you and is reaching out his arms to receive you into his fold. The Savior has sent his servants to bring you back to him. Why? Because he loves you unconditionally." I thought about that....and I just said "Wow." It had never occurred to me the message that is sent with the smallest of things. I couldn`t help but to just sit there for a few minutes in wonder of how truly amazing our Heavenly Father is. :)
This week, we helped a family with some counciling because they are having some problems dealing with the personal afflictions. I thought about them a lot this week. I dedicated a good deal of my study time to searching for something in my reading that could help them cope with their problems better. Right then, I came upon this.
Mosiah 24:10-15
10 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God.
11 And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch them,that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.
12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him;and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.
13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, theLord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.
I feel that many times, especially when things get hard, we cry to Heavenly Father for help...and what happens? Nothing. Then we begin to have voices in our head or outward influences tell us that praying isn`t going to do anything, so we should stop. Verse 12 contains the key to that. "but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts." THAT`S THE KEY!!! When we pray to Heavenly Father for help, we aren`t merely asking him to relieve us of our burdens...if you do that, I promise that it will be ineffective. We must "POUR OUT OUR HEARTS!" Only then, will we see prayers answered. Only then, will we see miracles, healing, and love. Through these answered prayers, we are commanded to stand as witnesses of these things! Of the wonders of God. That he has the power to deliver his servants from heartache and pain. And when we complete these things, we will be delivered from our troubles.
I testify to each and every one of you of the healing power of the Father and of His son Jesus Christ. Through our faith in them, through our diligent service and keeping of the commandments, through sharing this incomprehensible love with the world, we will be healed. We will feel whole. We will feel an unconditional love for this gospel. Of this I testify to you, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Con Amor,
Elder Jackson
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