Por favor and gracias.
Look guys, I really do know some Spanish. Okay let’s be
honest I had to look most of that up, but still it is progress! I know a lot of
Spanish, but at the same time I know absolutely no Spanish. Mostly, if you want
to talk about the gospel I have your back, but if you want to talk about
anything else I become real lost. Anyways for those of us that don´t know
Spanish, the title of this post translates to The Iron Rod is the Word of God,
which is so true.
Now why would I choose this title for my post? Great
question! On Tuesday we had one of the most amazing devotionals ever! The area
President I believe Hermano Johnson and his wife Hermana Johnson came and spoke
to us. He basically based his whole talk off of the first vision, and spoke
about the four groups in Lehi´s dream. Mostly he really focus on the need that
we all have to hold strong to the Iron Rod in our lives. The Iron Rod consists
of things like the bible, the Book of Mormon, general conference talks, the
Ensign, New Era, Friend, and other similar items. In Lehi´s dream it is only
those who continually hold fast to the rod that get to the tree of life and recognize
their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The doctrine of Jesus Christ is made up of
five parts, faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, baptism, repentance,
receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. I think we often overlook
the part about enduring to the end. Baptism does not save us, repentance does
not save us, receiving the Holy Ghost does not save us, it is when we endure to
the end that we are saved.
This devotional really emphasized to me the importance of
continually reading the scriptures. Herman Johnson promised that if we read
from the Book of Mormon every day we will not fall away from the church. I
truly believe and testify in the truth of this. Some of the hardest times in my
life have been when I turn away from God and stop reading His words. The comfort
and peace that reading from the scriptures brings is truly amazing. I hope that
we can all try a little harder to make daily scripture study a daily part of
our lives. Now I was no expert at this before I left on my mission, but an hour
of personal study everyday gives you a lot of time to read from the scriptures.
I am trying to make studying habits now that will stay with me in the future.
Also if anyone has not read Our Search for Happiness, by Elder Ballard I highly
recommend it.
Things here at the MTC are going really well. I know that
as I put the work in I will be blessed. Also let me just say that the mail in
Mexico may just be the slowest thing ever!! People just barely started getting
letters that were sent back on like the Seventh of August. I still haven´t
received any mail, which is super sad but I have faith that some will come. I
probably wouldn´t mail anything to me here at the Mexico MTC after the
beginning of September, because it would probably never make it to me. I am
sure the mail will be much faster when I am in Chicago though.
If there is one thing I wish I would have brought with
me, it is pictures. I am definitely craving pictures of my friends and family
at this point. So if you do write me please send pictures with it!! I would seriously
be the happiest missionary in the whole MTC! Nope make that the whole world!!
These pictures can be of anything your pet cat, you, you and me, the mountains,
the ducks at first dam, taco bell, I mean seriously I would be happy with
anything. Maybe pictures of your favorite memory of us doing something, I think
you get the idea.
I think the second week was a little harder than the
first week, but I am staying strong. I know this church is truly and that we
are all children of a heavenly father who loves and cares for us. Our brother
Jesus Christ suffered for each and everyone one of us separately so that we can
return and live with him again.
Hermana Ashley P!!
