Westlake living is a blessing. As I am sure you are aware from previous emails that where I am at right now is a very wealthy place. A lot of people set in their ways, content with where they are, comfortable with there bumper sticker Jesus. Through it all the Lord has given us a pearl amongst the swine...Jennifer Penrose, a single middle-age woman with 3 children of her own. I have received an even greater knowledge by knowing Jen and teaching her, that Heavenly Father knows his children. He loves, and is in the details of our lives.
Jen is commited to Baptism and she is aiming towards August or September. His sheep know the voice of the Shepherd. As I Listen to, Learn from, and Love the people I teach; the more I come to realize why I am doing what I am doing. And this is simply because of the fact that we have a loving Heavenly Father who loves ALL of his children. And he wants ALL of his children to return and live with him again. Through the teachings of the holy Scriptures, past and present Prophets and apostles, modern revelation we have learned that all of this is possible because of his Divine son Jesus Christ. The Savior and Reedeemer of the World.
In 2 Nephi 31: 21 we learn...
21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.
As I have even emphasizing my study of the Doctrine of Christ this transfer these first 2 weeks I have studied Faith & Repentance. We learn in Alma of the correlation between these 2 crucial principles...
15 And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.
16 And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.
So when our Faith + Love is Centered in Christ, we are then motivated to repent. Meaning we trust his divine sonship as the only begotten of the father. We then desire his holy "merits, mercy, and grace." When the Repentsnce process then begins to unfold, this becomes the Power that yield his Power to forgive.
We as missionaries some times get so set on making sure our Investigators are praying to know the truth, living the Word of Wisdom, coming to church etc...But some times we forget to asked them one of the first most basic fundamental questions we pose as we teach:
"Have you excersized Faith in Jesus Christ and Repented of your sins?"
I know that as we exercise Faith, and repent that we will receive an even greater abundance of his spirit in our lives. As we teach those who are elect. We then get to witness the Conversion process unfold. The Light of Christ fills their souls, and their heart and mind become invigorated.
Jesus Christ lives. I know it!
Love, Elder Judd
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