January 18, 2014

Today marks exactly 10 months since we entered the Missionary Training Center and our mission became a reality. Time has flown by so quickly, almost as if there is no measurement of time at all. What a wonderful opportunity we have been afforded to serve the Lord and we will be forever grateful!

Let it snow!

Our testimonies of the restored gospel continue to grow and we feel as though we have been blessed beyond all that we deserve. We cannot thank the Lord enough for His love and for His patience. Each time we seemingly run into a wall, the Lord has been there to guide us around, through or over that wall of discouragement and has given us the ability to reach beyond ourselves. When we are exactly obedient, the spirit whispers and gives us clear and concise direction. When we are not as obedient as we should be, the whisperings of the spirit are faint and the duration becomes less frequent. Seems logically then to always be exactly obedient, right? Well, we all know that obedience is much easier said than done. Some days the spirit simply tells us; "When you are closer, I will be on your right hand and on your left. But, until you obey you have no promise." We are striving to improve and become closer to deity. Our investigators deserve missionaries that can readily access the spirit and help guide and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. After all, the Lord has prepared these wonderful people to hear the gospel and He has a great desire for the spirit to touch their hearts and convert their souls. Father has literally placed them in our path and has asked us to teach them. When we teach without the spirit we teach lessons, as we teach with the spirit we teach people. The difference between these two teaching experiences are almost unexplainable.

The gospel of Jesus Christ brings us hope and peace in this life and in the life to come. The Savior is the only way to salvation and it is through His infinite Atonement that all mankind will be saved. In Nauvoo, we still hear the foolish traditions of men mistakenly portrayed as the doctrine of salvation. It is still heart-breaking as to how much people seemingly know about  the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, yet know so little of their own doctrine. The Lord is softening hearts and mending souls and one day; all mankind will come unto Christ. Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End is the true Doctrine of Christ. There is no other way back to our heavenly home without the sure knowledge and obedience to the commandments of the Father. 

Joseph and Hyrum riding to Carthage!

May the Lord bless you as you strive to become more like Him and may you continue to know the joy of basking in His life giving light. He has an infinite love for each of us and has a great desire for us to "come home" and dwell with Him forever! 

Sister Warner playing in the snow on P Day!

  

Stand Strong and Be Bold!

We love you,

Elder and Sister Warner