December 3rd
Hi! Merry Christmas!! Glad to hear things are going well. :) Also, I can't believe I have spent that much. Yikes. I guess I'm glad to be building up my credit, but I don't think I'll spend too much more. I have to live off something when I come home, and 800 won't last very long. lol. Hope things are going well with Kristina. Glad all is still okay and all the scares end up being minor things.
Things here are great! This winter is so warm. The last 3-4 days have been in the 70's. It's great for us... maybe not so great for the crops and economy. People are talking about it being a dust bowl out here next year if things keep going the way they are. The work is going well. We're teaching 3 families right now. One of them showed up to church last Sunday and introduced themselves as "investigators" Haha. We're teaching so many beautiful people, the Lord is blessing this area so much. Last week we had 13 non-members at church. We have more lessons to teach and people to help than we have time for- we end up planning a lot of splits. We should have a baptism this week as well. Arnold is his name. He is such a good man! He bore his testimony this Sunday and it was beautiful. Our wards are being so helpful. I love them and I am so grateful for their example. I am surrounded by wonderful people, who teach me everyday. I am grateful for their example, and the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. These souls are so precious and I am so grateful to see them grasp and embrace the truth. The truth changes our lives. It opens us up to feel how much God loves us, to understand our worth and potential, and that we don't need to keep making the same mistakes. We can change.
Well this is a short letter, but I'm sending home pictures.
I want you to know I know that Jesus is the Christ. He is our Savior. This is His restored church. He is at the head of it. His plan for us is beautiful and possible if we are faithful. I love Him. I have learned so much from trying to represent Him. It's quite the challenge, acting as a representative of a perfect person- especially when I am so imperfect, but it has taught me more of Him, and His character. As the primary song goes, "I'm trying to be like Jesus" it's humbling. I'm grateful for friends and associates, and family members who teach me more everyday about what this really means. I am grateful to see the people we teach grow and change. I love them. I wish I could tell you every detail about their lives and what we talk about- but their lives are private, their experiences sacred, and I want to be careful with what I share. But know that they are beautiful children of God, who the Lord loves. They set an example for me as they act in faith and embrace truth that is new to them. I love seeing their faith as they make changes, they stop doing things that they've been told their whole lives was okay. They act in faith, they trust what they feel and do things that are sometimes hard, and by doing that the Lord blesses them abundantly. I hope I can introduce you all to most of them. I want you to meet them so badly, I want them to meet you. Their stories of faith are inspiring. Maybe I can do better about writing those stories.
Well I love you so much!
Love Sister Lewis.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
November 26th
Okay so, back to the week. Wow. I'm so glad Kristina is okay. Give her all of my love. I carry a picture of her and James in my scriptures everywhere I go. I think of her often. I love her so much. She is such an example to me. I'm SO glad she's okay, and sorry she had to go through such a scare. Thank goodness we have the gospel to give us strength and guidance. Those blessings and experiences I'm sure is what carried her through. It shows how mindful the Lord is of us, and that he knows all things- he warned, comforted, and prepared a way for her to come through it okay- before it even really happened.
There's a trick missionaries do called the 'faith' rocket. You take a tea bag, empty the contents and then stretch the bag out so it's a long tube. It stands about 6 inches tall. If the surface is still you can stand the tea bag turned tubular straight up. The trick is to light the tea bag on fire at the very top and slowly the fire creeps down the tube. Eventually the whole thing is englufed in flame. In the same moment the tea bag is engulfed, the flame goes out and it rockets up to the ceiling as a clump of ashes. Kind of cool, and very symbolic. I had never seen the experiment but I had heard about it. A few weeks ago we were at dinner with the Elders, and they decided to do a 'faith rocket.' I was sitting next to Elder McCally at the time and so he used me as the tool to do the experiment. He had me put my hand out and hold it very still. Then he placed the tea bag, standing upright, on my hand. Next he lit the top of the tea bag on fire. I can only imagine what my face must've looked like as I realized there was a large ball of flame suddenly 6 inches from my hand and slowly descending closer. He smiled and calmly said, "don't worry it won't burn you." I looked back at him like he was crazy. The flames grew hotter, larger, and closer to my hand. I eventually had to look away! I didn't want to get burned lol. I'll be honest, I was a little bit panicked! I feel nice and comfortable not taking risks, I accept my cautious nature lol. When I could feel the flames just about to touch my hand I peeked back anxiously at it. I looked just in time to see the tea bag lift off my hand, be engulfed in the flame, burn out and shoot up to the sky. Phew.
I learned a lot from this little experiment, probably more than anyone else because I felt the panic of being burned! haha. I know the Lord wants to teach us to fly. No one believed that little tea bag could fly to the ceiling. Those who had done the experiement before knew it could. Sometimes it's hard to believe we can be all the Lord tells us we can. It's hard to imagine we can really 'fly'. In order to do this, however, we need a little help. The tea bag can't fly on its own, it needs the help of a higher power (in this case Elder McCally). The tea bag also needed the help of fire. If we are to change, reach our full potential, fly, we need the help of the Lord, and the Lord uses fire. He refines us through trials and challenges. He gives us experiences that test our faith. And in the very moment we feel engulfed, we are delivered- the fire goes out, and we find ourselves flying. I know the Lord also will give us tools to act in faith. He will offer hope and testimony's to rely on and trust in. I had heard about this experiment, others who had experienced it for themselves told me it would be okay, so I trusted them (even though I was scared- I never ripped my hand away, I patiently waited for their words to be fulfilled). The Lord Jesus Christ has been there. He knows the way, he knows the experiment. He will give us comfort, assurance and hope to help build our faith. If we trust in these things the tools he's given us- scriptures, prayer, the testimony of prophets, the guidance of the spirit etc. we will be strong enough to endure the trial of our faith. And after the trial of our faith, we will receive the witness we need, and find ourselves flying.
I know this is an ongoing process until we become who the Lord intends for us to be- as he is.
Well I love you all! I had a wonderful thanksgiving. :) Many beautiful things have happened this week. The white handbook tells us to spend as much time possible proselyting on Thanksgiving. When you read that it seems ridiculous, because no one wants to have a lesson on thanksgiving day. But we acted in faith. We chose not to 'hang-out' with members, but do all we could to fulfill the will of the Lord. He's blessed us greatly this week. This has been one of the most succesfull weeks of my mission. I love him. I love these people so much. They deserve all I have to give. Thank you for all you do!!
Love, Sister Lewis
November 18th
Hey! Wow That story is HILARIOUS. I feel bad for ANY man, that falls in love with ANY of the Lewis girls. Hahaha. (Except maybe Amanda)
Also I'm so excited for Barnes. That's so great that he has the priesthood. :) I love the pictures. Especially the one of him and Dad. I'm printing that off and hanging it up. :) I agree, I'm reading the end of the Book of Mormon and I can feel Mormon's prophecies as a warning for today. I wish I could show them to the leaders of our nation. Thank you for the update on all my friends. I'll write them soon. I'm sending Amanda a wedding gift I'm excited to make. I found an old wood box that I'm going to decorate and put a poem, with a picture of them on it. I'll send pics when I'm done.
This week was beautiful, as always. It's amazing to see how the Lord provides for all of his children when they choose to follow him. The Israelites were fed manna from Heaven. They didn't always see it as a blessing, but it was. Often we become distracted from our own 'manna' but when we follow the Lord he will always bless us with the things that we need. It does not mean we will not experience trials, but we will see his tender mercies evident in every aspect of our life. I've witnessed personally him bless and prosper his children the minute they turn to him. They still experience trials, but the tender mercies he pours out upon them are many.
Just the other night we were out tracting and we hadn't had dinner yet, we didn't want to stop working so we decided to just eat when we went back to the house at 9. We went to a house and talked to a man who told us to try his neighbor. After we finished talking with him we had another appointment to go to, so we had to rush off. We knew, however, that he was inspired to tell us about his neighbor- and we needed to go back. When we got to our appointment the family was making dinner and they invited us to eat with them. The Lord provided for us that night as we sacrificed for others. So fast forward a few more nights, and we were once again in the same place the same situation. We could try the man's neighbor, or go eat dinner. We chose to try the neighbor. She instantly invited us in and wanted to learn more. She told us she had a niece who married a mormon boy and she eventually was baptized into the church as well. We taught her about the restoration. It was a beautiful lesson where the spirit was very strong. At the end she said, "well if this is true I need to be a part of it." After we left her house we went to our next appointment, who was in the process of making dinner and invited us to eat with them. Again, the Lord provided.
Even though I don't know much about what's going on in the world right now, I've heard many people express fear at the coming day. People feel that our world is ripening with iniquity. They are seeing the consequences of a nation and even world that is choosing to deny the commandments of the Lord. I know, however, that we have no need to fear. Yes times will be hard, we will be called upon to make sacrifices, our faith will be tested, but the Lord will always provide for our needs if we are faithful to Him. I have a personal testimony of this.
It often seems like missionaries are provided for in miraculous ways, this is true. But it can be like this for everyone. The reason missionaries receive so many blessings is because they are consecrated to the Lord. Their work is His work, and so they are blessed that His work might progress. When we keep our covenants and consecrate ourselves to the Lord, holding nothing back- the Lord will provide. This is the law of consecration. He gives us what we need to abide in our stewardships. When we learn to live the law of consecration, having an eye single to the glory of God, we have no need to fear what will happen- the Lord will provide because our needs will be the needs of His Kingdom. His Kingdom does not fail. (D&C 104, D&C 59)
I love you all!!
Sister Lewis
Hey! Wow That story is HILARIOUS. I feel bad for ANY man, that falls in love with ANY of the Lewis girls. Hahaha. (Except maybe Amanda)
Also I'm so excited for Barnes. That's so great that he has the priesthood. :) I love the pictures. Especially the one of him and Dad. I'm printing that off and hanging it up. :) I agree, I'm reading the end of the Book of Mormon and I can feel Mormon's prophecies as a warning for today. I wish I could show them to the leaders of our nation. Thank you for the update on all my friends. I'll write them soon. I'm sending Amanda a wedding gift I'm excited to make. I found an old wood box that I'm going to decorate and put a poem, with a picture of them on it. I'll send pics when I'm done.
This week was beautiful, as always. It's amazing to see how the Lord provides for all of his children when they choose to follow him. The Israelites were fed manna from Heaven. They didn't always see it as a blessing, but it was. Often we become distracted from our own 'manna' but when we follow the Lord he will always bless us with the things that we need. It does not mean we will not experience trials, but we will see his tender mercies evident in every aspect of our life. I've witnessed personally him bless and prosper his children the minute they turn to him. They still experience trials, but the tender mercies he pours out upon them are many.
Just the other night we were out tracting and we hadn't had dinner yet, we didn't want to stop working so we decided to just eat when we went back to the house at 9. We went to a house and talked to a man who told us to try his neighbor. After we finished talking with him we had another appointment to go to, so we had to rush off. We knew, however, that he was inspired to tell us about his neighbor- and we needed to go back. When we got to our appointment the family was making dinner and they invited us to eat with them. The Lord provided for us that night as we sacrificed for others. So fast forward a few more nights, and we were once again in the same place the same situation. We could try the man's neighbor, or go eat dinner. We chose to try the neighbor. She instantly invited us in and wanted to learn more. She told us she had a niece who married a mormon boy and she eventually was baptized into the church as well. We taught her about the restoration. It was a beautiful lesson where the spirit was very strong. At the end she said, "well if this is true I need to be a part of it." After we left her house we went to our next appointment, who was in the process of making dinner and invited us to eat with them. Again, the Lord provided.
Even though I don't know much about what's going on in the world right now, I've heard many people express fear at the coming day. People feel that our world is ripening with iniquity. They are seeing the consequences of a nation and even world that is choosing to deny the commandments of the Lord. I know, however, that we have no need to fear. Yes times will be hard, we will be called upon to make sacrifices, our faith will be tested, but the Lord will always provide for our needs if we are faithful to Him. I have a personal testimony of this.
It often seems like missionaries are provided for in miraculous ways, this is true. But it can be like this for everyone. The reason missionaries receive so many blessings is because they are consecrated to the Lord. Their work is His work, and so they are blessed that His work might progress. When we keep our covenants and consecrate ourselves to the Lord, holding nothing back- the Lord will provide. This is the law of consecration. He gives us what we need to abide in our stewardships. When we learn to live the law of consecration, having an eye single to the glory of God, we have no need to fear what will happen- the Lord will provide because our needs will be the needs of His Kingdom. His Kingdom does not fail. (D&C 104, D&C 59)
I love you all!!
Sister Lewis
November 5th
Things here are going well. For Halloween we weren't allowed to tract, they said to make sure we had appointments, and if we didn't to go visit members and LA, or part member families. We luckily had appointments all night so we just taught the gospel, it was great. Yes I might get transferred, I'll find out tomorrow. Most likely I'll be going back to the V.C. or the Jail if I leave. I think the Lee's will be okay. They have so many challenges and road blocks to overcome, but they always seem to make it through. There have been a few moments where I worried, but they always pull through. I pray that will continue. Sister Lee is ready to be baptized. She's amazing, she's so obedient and willing to do everything the Lord asks of her. She loves the Book of Mormon. She loves the truth. She bore her testimony yesterday and said, "I just want to give glory to the Lord, for teaching us the truth, for changing us. I give him the glory for sending us all of you, and for sending us the Sisters." The ward has been so amazing in fellow shipping them. Sister Lee has cancer and so she's having surgery on Wed. and the Sisters are taking her to the hospital, staying with her and taking her home. It's beautiful to see people find a safe haven in a world of chaos. It's more beautiful to see them progress and change through the atonement of our Savior. I've been privileged to see both happening here. I know that we are all alike unto the Lord. We all have the same need of our Savior Jesus Christ and his atonement. It's in the details of our lives. It's humbling to see the atonement work in my life and the life of those around me.
Also great news! Tonya said she'd meet with us again. This was one of the best moments of my week. It was such a good day, earlier that day Sister Crick had felt impressed to go visit someone in our potential records. I told her that person was in jail and not there anymore (Sister VanCamp and I had tried a few months back) She said, "I know but I just feel like we should go there." So we went... and when the door opened there she stood, out of jail and ready to have us start teaching her again! It was a miracle.
I'm learning that the more we push ourselves in the service of the Lord and do many good things of our own free will- being wise and faithful servants, the more the Lord will prompt and guide us throughout the day, because he will trust us to obey.
I also know that the Book of Mormon is the tool the Lord has given us to gather Israel. If we prepare ourselves to wield the tools he's given us, he will give us tasks to accomplish. The more we study it, learn it, and are prepared to use The Book of Mormon for the purpose of the gathering, the more the Lord can and will use us. My challenge to all of you is to become masters of the Book of Mormon. Study it, search it, ponder it pray about it, immerse yourselves in the words of the Lord. Become prepared to use it in you conversations throughout the day. Be prepared to teach from it, to share it with anyone and everyone. If we are prepared, the Lord will bring people to us. We will become messengers of the covenant. The Lord will use us to fulfill His covenants, and in turn we will fulfill our Covenants to Him. After all, we are a Covenant people. As Covenant people we can let the new and everlasting Covenant, the Book of Mormon, do the work of the gathering, but we must first be prepared to use it. This work is real, of this I testify.
I know the Lord loves His children. I know he will lead us along if we exercise patience, faith and trust in Him. I know we can develop His love, if we follow all the subtle promptings of the spirit, and sacrifice our selfish nature for the benefit of others. He will gift us charity if we do these things.
Thank you for all you do. I love you all!!
Love Sister Lewis
Things here are going well. For Halloween we weren't allowed to tract, they said to make sure we had appointments, and if we didn't to go visit members and LA, or part member families. We luckily had appointments all night so we just taught the gospel, it was great. Yes I might get transferred, I'll find out tomorrow. Most likely I'll be going back to the V.C. or the Jail if I leave. I think the Lee's will be okay. They have so many challenges and road blocks to overcome, but they always seem to make it through. There have been a few moments where I worried, but they always pull through. I pray that will continue. Sister Lee is ready to be baptized. She's amazing, she's so obedient and willing to do everything the Lord asks of her. She loves the Book of Mormon. She loves the truth. She bore her testimony yesterday and said, "I just want to give glory to the Lord, for teaching us the truth, for changing us. I give him the glory for sending us all of you, and for sending us the Sisters." The ward has been so amazing in fellow shipping them. Sister Lee has cancer and so she's having surgery on Wed. and the Sisters are taking her to the hospital, staying with her and taking her home. It's beautiful to see people find a safe haven in a world of chaos. It's more beautiful to see them progress and change through the atonement of our Savior. I've been privileged to see both happening here. I know that we are all alike unto the Lord. We all have the same need of our Savior Jesus Christ and his atonement. It's in the details of our lives. It's humbling to see the atonement work in my life and the life of those around me.
Also great news! Tonya said she'd meet with us again. This was one of the best moments of my week. It was such a good day, earlier that day Sister Crick had felt impressed to go visit someone in our potential records. I told her that person was in jail and not there anymore (Sister VanCamp and I had tried a few months back) She said, "I know but I just feel like we should go there." So we went... and when the door opened there she stood, out of jail and ready to have us start teaching her again! It was a miracle.
I'm learning that the more we push ourselves in the service of the Lord and do many good things of our own free will- being wise and faithful servants, the more the Lord will prompt and guide us throughout the day, because he will trust us to obey.
I also know that the Book of Mormon is the tool the Lord has given us to gather Israel. If we prepare ourselves to wield the tools he's given us, he will give us tasks to accomplish. The more we study it, learn it, and are prepared to use The Book of Mormon for the purpose of the gathering, the more the Lord can and will use us. My challenge to all of you is to become masters of the Book of Mormon. Study it, search it, ponder it pray about it, immerse yourselves in the words of the Lord. Become prepared to use it in you conversations throughout the day. Be prepared to teach from it, to share it with anyone and everyone. If we are prepared, the Lord will bring people to us. We will become messengers of the covenant. The Lord will use us to fulfill His covenants, and in turn we will fulfill our Covenants to Him. After all, we are a Covenant people. As Covenant people we can let the new and everlasting Covenant, the Book of Mormon, do the work of the gathering, but we must first be prepared to use it. This work is real, of this I testify.
I know the Lord loves His children. I know he will lead us along if we exercise patience, faith and trust in Him. I know we can develop His love, if we follow all the subtle promptings of the spirit, and sacrifice our selfish nature for the benefit of others. He will gift us charity if we do these things.
Thank you for all you do. I love you all!!
Love Sister Lewis
Monday, January 7, 2013
October 28th
Hi!!
How are you all doing? That's so great that the girls met Sister Dalton! :) I bet it was such a wonderful experience. Sounds like all is well on the home front.
Things here are going great, as well. Zak's baptism was great- my favorite part is always the confirmation on Sunday. It was just an all around beautiful day. I am so happy for Zak, he's such a good kid and I can't wait for his relationship with Christ to open up even more now that he has the gift of the Holy Ghost. It will allow his understanding of the scriptures to increase, his knowledge of how and when to serve the Lord to increase, it will bring him comfort, guidance, it will help purify and change him. It's such a beautiful gift, I am so grateful the Lord has given us such a privilege.
This Sunday was wonderful we had a lot of people at church. As I sat in our gospel principles class I could smell heavy smoke and beer. It made me smile because I knew that people were on the road to repentance and change. We had a really good discussion in class about why we are obedient to the Lord, and how our willingness to obey him in all things is a reflection of our love for Him. I love the gospel principles class. Its funny because we always talk about the most simple and basic parts of the gospel, and it's usually the class I gain the most from. I want to attend gospel principles all my life... haha (think they'll let me?) On Sunday as I watched people come into Sacrament meeting I was filled with so much joy and reverence for the Lord. There were individuals there who have walked a very dark path, they've been places that few ever choose to come back from- and here they were sitting in the Lords only true and living church, partaking of his spirit, and patiently awaiting the day they can be baptized. I wish I could describe how it made me feel to see such a beautiful scene, but it would be like me trying to describe the color yellow. It can't be done, it has to be personally experienced.
Well I don't have much time today but I'm sending a few pictures, and I want you to know that I love you all very much!! :)
Sister Lewis
Hi!!
How are you all doing? That's so great that the girls met Sister Dalton! :) I bet it was such a wonderful experience. Sounds like all is well on the home front.
Things here are going great, as well. Zak's baptism was great- my favorite part is always the confirmation on Sunday. It was just an all around beautiful day. I am so happy for Zak, he's such a good kid and I can't wait for his relationship with Christ to open up even more now that he has the gift of the Holy Ghost. It will allow his understanding of the scriptures to increase, his knowledge of how and when to serve the Lord to increase, it will bring him comfort, guidance, it will help purify and change him. It's such a beautiful gift, I am so grateful the Lord has given us such a privilege.
This Sunday was wonderful we had a lot of people at church. As I sat in our gospel principles class I could smell heavy smoke and beer. It made me smile because I knew that people were on the road to repentance and change. We had a really good discussion in class about why we are obedient to the Lord, and how our willingness to obey him in all things is a reflection of our love for Him. I love the gospel principles class. Its funny because we always talk about the most simple and basic parts of the gospel, and it's usually the class I gain the most from. I want to attend gospel principles all my life... haha (think they'll let me?) On Sunday as I watched people come into Sacrament meeting I was filled with so much joy and reverence for the Lord. There were individuals there who have walked a very dark path, they've been places that few ever choose to come back from- and here they were sitting in the Lords only true and living church, partaking of his spirit, and patiently awaiting the day they can be baptized. I wish I could describe how it made me feel to see such a beautiful scene, but it would be like me trying to describe the color yellow. It can't be done, it has to be personally experienced.
Well I don't have much time today but I'm sending a few pictures, and I want you to know that I love you all very much!! :)
Sister Lewis
October 19th
Hello!
Things here are going well. We have a baptism this Saturday with Zak. I'm very excited for him. He's very humble and willing to believe. Every commandment we taught him he has been willing to live without question. Zak is such a good kid, and I know the Lord has and will continue to bless many people's lives through Zak and his example.
Dad I appreciated your letter a lot, that's something I'm really being taught about by the Lord, the need for and the totality of charity. I'm so grateful that we have the chance to repent, overcome our weaknesses, and develop charity. Charity is was produces pure desires, and pure desires produces greater Charity. From what it seems to me, it encompasses all other attributes, and, I feel, is the only acceptable motivation for following Christ- pure love for Him, and His children.
The Lord has been teaching me a lot lately about working with those who have fallen away from the gospel. I've learned that helping someone keep their baptismal covenant is just as important as helping someone make that covenant. The reason people fall away from the gospel is rooted in a lack of faith and love for Jesus Christ. If we love Him, we keep His commandments. I'm learning that to help these people return to the gospel of Christ, they must have greater faith in and love for Jesus Christ. I know that above all things I am supposed to promote within those around me that Jesus is the Christ, the very Son of God. He was made in the image and likeness of His father, and He is our loving Savior. His life was given for us. How could we not love him back? I desire to help people develop greater love for Him, I desire to love Him more. I know by developing this faith in and love for Him, we become converted, and never fall away. I really appreciated Elder Holland and Hales talks in Conference on John 21, I'm learning a lot from studying this chapter and their talks.
Sister Crick and I are also learning more about the converting power of the Book of Mormon. We've been reading it more often with our investigators, and I can see the spirit teaching them, and changing their hearts as we do so. It has the power to change us, it's one of the first steps in the gospel path. We first must believe in the words of the prophets, which are the words of Christ. We must feel the Holy Ghost prick our hearts as we read and hear these words, and we must desire to act, and choose to act on what we've felt. The Book of Mormon is the words of Jesus Christ. This I know. It will prick our hearts if they are soft and humble. If it does not, we must soften and humble our hearts, and try again. We must act on what we've felt. It is only by doing this that we can develop faith strong enough to produce Salvation. We must have a correct knowledge of Christ and His attributes to develop the faith in Christ that is necessary for us to live with Him again. The Book of Mormon is not just helpful, but essential, in doing this. I love this Book with all my heart, because it is the words of my Savior, and it was given so that I might be saved, as well as all of God's children.
Well that's all for now. I love you all so much!!!
Sister Lewis
Hello!
Things here are going well. We have a baptism this Saturday with Zak. I'm very excited for him. He's very humble and willing to believe. Every commandment we taught him he has been willing to live without question. Zak is such a good kid, and I know the Lord has and will continue to bless many people's lives through Zak and his example.
Dad I appreciated your letter a lot, that's something I'm really being taught about by the Lord, the need for and the totality of charity. I'm so grateful that we have the chance to repent, overcome our weaknesses, and develop charity. Charity is was produces pure desires, and pure desires produces greater Charity. From what it seems to me, it encompasses all other attributes, and, I feel, is the only acceptable motivation for following Christ- pure love for Him, and His children.
The Lord has been teaching me a lot lately about working with those who have fallen away from the gospel. I've learned that helping someone keep their baptismal covenant is just as important as helping someone make that covenant. The reason people fall away from the gospel is rooted in a lack of faith and love for Jesus Christ. If we love Him, we keep His commandments. I'm learning that to help these people return to the gospel of Christ, they must have greater faith in and love for Jesus Christ. I know that above all things I am supposed to promote within those around me that Jesus is the Christ, the very Son of God. He was made in the image and likeness of His father, and He is our loving Savior. His life was given for us. How could we not love him back? I desire to help people develop greater love for Him, I desire to love Him more. I know by developing this faith in and love for Him, we become converted, and never fall away. I really appreciated Elder Holland and Hales talks in Conference on John 21, I'm learning a lot from studying this chapter and their talks.
Sister Crick and I are also learning more about the converting power of the Book of Mormon. We've been reading it more often with our investigators, and I can see the spirit teaching them, and changing their hearts as we do so. It has the power to change us, it's one of the first steps in the gospel path. We first must believe in the words of the prophets, which are the words of Christ. We must feel the Holy Ghost prick our hearts as we read and hear these words, and we must desire to act, and choose to act on what we've felt. The Book of Mormon is the words of Jesus Christ. This I know. It will prick our hearts if they are soft and humble. If it does not, we must soften and humble our hearts, and try again. We must act on what we've felt. It is only by doing this that we can develop faith strong enough to produce Salvation. We must have a correct knowledge of Christ and His attributes to develop the faith in Christ that is necessary for us to live with Him again. The Book of Mormon is not just helpful, but essential, in doing this. I love this Book with all my heart, because it is the words of my Savior, and it was given so that I might be saved, as well as all of God's children.
Well that's all for now. I love you all so much!!!
Sister Lewis
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