Good
morning family and friends,
It has
not been very long since I sent out my last message and update as we roll back
to our normal schedule here in the mission. One of the highlights of our busy
week was this last weekend’s General Conference. I felt the spirit and was able
to learn about many things that I’ve needed strengthening on. Moreover, with
many new and wonderful changes, we are blessed to be able to better prepare for
the second coming of the Savior like never before. For my brief spiritual
message this week, I would like to share a couple of highlights from this conference
that stood out to me. Here are just a few:
Larry Echo Hawk on forgiving ourselves:
“Please also remember that an essential element of forgiveness includes forgiving ourselves.
“He who has repented of his sins,” the Lord said, “the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember
them no more.”
Lynn
G. Robins on our Spiritual progress over time:
Only with time-lapse photography or growth charts
can we discern our physical growth. Likewise, our spiritual growth is usually
imperceptible except through the rearview lens of time. It would be wise to
regularly take an introspective look through that lens to recognize our
progress and inspire us to “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ,
having a perfect brightness of hope.”
President Boyd K. Packer on Good works without
saving ordinances:
“Good conduct without the ordinances of the
gospel will neither redeem nor exalt mankind.”
Bishop Gérald Caussé on how many priesthood
holders we need:
“I
remember a conversation I had with a friend who is not a member of our faith.
He was surprised to learn that any worthy man in our Church could receive the
priesthood. He asked, “But how many priesthood holders do you have in your
ward?”
I
answered, “Between 30 and 40.”
Perplexed,
he continued, “In my congregation, we have only one priest. Why do you need so
many priests on Sunday morning?”
Intrigued
by his question, I felt inspired to reply, “I agree with you. I don’t think we
need that many priesthood holders at church on Sunday. But we do need a
priesthood holder in every home. And when there is no priesthood holder in a
home, other priesthood holders are called upon to watch over and minister to
that family.”
President Russell M. Nelson on the Holy Ghost:
“In
coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the
guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”
I hope
that all of you had the opportunity to watch, to learn, and to apply in your
lives something from this last general conference. I know that we do have a
living prophet and apostles today, with their purpose to give us their counsel
and to help us receive their guiding words. It is my love and testimony that I
leave with you all today that these men do receive divine revelation from God
and that if we follow their counsels, becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ,
we may find peace in this turbulent world, and that our sorrows will become
nonexistent. I close with one final quote on the discipleship that every one of
us should strive more to strengthen and to seek more diligently. From Dieter F.
Uchtdorf:
“As you
accept His sacrifice, become His disciple,
and finally reach the end of your earthly journey, what will become of the
sorrows you have endured in this life?..
…They
will be gone.”
In the
name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
-Elder Matthew Arscott
Pulled out a sweater, as it is becoming winter there. 
A new Brazil Soccer jacket
Move over Alberto's....he's learning to make his OWN breakfast Burrito's. 
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