In Search of Understanding

These past few weeks have been astounding.

Elder Goodwin and I have been opening up a new area up in Portland Tennessee, a process that involves a lot of finding and working with the members of the local congregation. It’s been a blast talking with as many people as we possibly can about the gospel, and it’s absolutely refreshing to be somewhere missionaries haven't been in awhile.



Deserted Island, Anyone?

Often times when we talk with people, their previous encounters with missionaries come up. While they can (usually) never remember what they talked about, it most always is a positive experience. The only problem is that sometimes people feel like they have nothing new to learn from the missionaries or that they already gave it a chance and it’s not something they are interested in doing again. Really though, every missionary offers something new in the way that they present or teach, through their own personal experiences and understanding of the gospel, and even something as simple as the way they approach a prayer.

Though the gospel never changes and the principles and doctrines contained are eternal truths, I have never stopped learning and don't plan on that changing any time soon. It is so full and there is so much contained that it is only line upon line, one little brick on top of another, that we ever build up our knowledge and understanding. As with all things, the gospel cannot be learned all at once, and it sometimes takes even more time to actually understand it to the point where blessings are effective in our own lives.

Case in point... I knew Jesus Christ was my personal Savior and Redeemer long ago. I could tell you a textbook type definition and description of the event and a shallow understanding of what it meant to me, but it didn't really hit home until just a little while ago. I was struggling trying to change things in my life, but I always found a sneaky little voice in the back of my head that told me that, "These faults are just a part of who you are and you're never going to really change".

It made me lose hope for a long time, and with that I stopped putting effort into doing what I knew to be right and trying to change things around. I knew the atonement was real and mattered and was the reason any of us could become something better then what we have been, but I still didn't understand it. If I had, I never would have given up.

I was lucky and blessed enough to have someone help me understand not too long ago.

Though I've spent at least a solid fifteen out of twenty years of my life growing strong in the gospel, I still needed help to understand the Savior and what His atonement meant personally to me. It now means to me that I can change, and that also means that everyone else can change as well. It means to me that we don't have to be defined by those things we once were, and that despite our imperfections and shortcomings that there is a reason for hope. That hope gives me courage.

If I had been unwilling to listen to the person who taught me this, I wouldn't know how much more there was then what I understood. I am grateful that there are missionaries all over the world who are doing exactly what was done for me by helping others have a deeper faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel. It makes me think of how much more important it is for me personally to do everything I can to do the exact same for the people in this new area that I am serving in, even if they don't think we have anything new to teach them.

There is more, there is always more. The peace and happiness are real, and the blessings that come from the message we share is too good for me to keep a secret. I’m going to go out and try to share it now!

Building a Personal Relationship With Jesus Christ

Many people have taken years to develop a personally relationship with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As people often find themselves at odds with the world and the struggles it presents, it's such a blessing to have the knowledge that there is one concrete thing in this world that all people, regardless of who they may be, can draw strength and peace from. All of us are loved so much and cared for so deeply as to remove any doubt or concern so long as we keep Jesus’ message with us in our minds and in their hearts.

Some are led to ask, "What can a personal relationship with Jesus do to actually help me?" which once answered and understood inevitably leads to the next question, "What can I do to strengthen that relationship?"

A relationship with Jesus Christ brings about the blessings of his gospel. Knowing him brings about thoughts and ideas that are uplifting, a peace of mind, courage to face opposition and struggles, and an assurance that there is one who is always there who knows you as an individual of great worth. Indeed, through our earnest effort in coming unto him whose arms are always outstretched, we can be numbered as his sheep and through him find exaltation and ever lasting life.
In the short term, we can find answers to life’s greatest questions and find personal guidance for everyday living as we build ourselves up and give unto him our time and diligence in doing those things that show a humble willingness to be perfected in him.

As all of us are different, we may not all necessarily come by our personal relationship with the Master in the same way, but there are several things that be done to increase faith and the blessings that come from our relationship. The best way to truly know of his gospel is to first of all know it. Through scripture study of the Bible and The Book of Mormon, testimony of prophets of old concerning the Redeemer of the world can add a witness that so many today have of the divinity and truthfulness of Christ and his gospel. The individual passages in which we read the direct words from Christ himself allow us gain a direct knowledge of the principles or actions that he admonishes all of us to live and strive for. As we live these principles, we can gain a personal testimony of the light that enters into our lives and as we do so come to know of him through his teachings.
Another way we gain a personal relationship is through prayer. In your own earthly family, those we love and build relationships with need and adore those times where all you do is talk. God and Jesus both are the same way. There is no better way to come unto Christ then through prayer, just as talking with your family is an important and enjoyable activity that brings you closer together. We are commanded to pray and pray often for our welfare, but also because of the great love that our Father and his Son have for us. I would encourage anyone looking to build their relationship with the Savior to pray earnestly for half an hour each night for the next week. It is amazing how after the initial five minutes where you run out of personal thoughts, the influence of the Holy Spirit can lead and guide your prayer as you ponder and talk on a one on one level with your Savior. As you do this, allow yourself to think of him and his loving concern for you and know that he hears you.

Though it’s never easy, it’s always well worth it. I have seen and felt that in my own life as I know each and every one of us can.

Links: What It Means to Know Christ - Ensign, September 7th, 1974