Not a very fancy title, but it's quite accurate and sums everything up very nicely. Isn't there something we learned in English back in the day about how titles were suppose to be a summary of what the article talked about? I dunno; I never liked English. Few teachers appreciated my style; haha.
Anyway, we had a baptism this week! Sis. Janet was baptized and confirmed! It was great. We've been teaching her since 15 July, back when I was with Elder Berry. It's been a long road, but she made it! Now she gets to start on the path that leads to true happiness. I'm so excited for her! I pray that all goes well for her. What's more is that Elder Beaufeaux got to baptize her. His first ever baptism! It was really awesome to see my 'second born in the wilderness' baptize her, and see that wonderful opportunity of helping someone come unto Christ. It was great all-around.
We also had Zone Interviews (probably should've thrown that in the title; oh well. Would've been too big) this week. It was really nice. Pres. discussed with me how the District was going, how Elder Beaufeaux was doing, and how the Ward was going. He then did something a wee bit odd; he thought for a sec, and then asked me "How long have you been in Teshie?" I had to think for a second, counted my companions and the transfers, and found that I'll have been here 7 1/2 months at the end of this transfer. He then nodded his head and said "Yea... That's a long time!" In all honesty, it feels like I've been here as long as all my other areas, so it's not all that weird for me. But, when looking at it, I've spent almost as much time in Teshie, on my mission, as I have spent anywhere else. Weird; like I said, it doesn't feel that long to me. Oh well; we'll see what Heavenly Father has in store next transfer. It'll be on the 7th of December, so I'll let you all know then.
Finally, we had General Conference! For those who are now looking at their screen with a funny face, remember that we don't get to watch General Conference when it airs. We have to wait about a month or two before we get to watch it on DVD. It was really nice; we got to watch the Saturday Afternoon session, to sustain the Church leaders, and then the Sunday Morning session. I didn't watch much of it though, as I was doing baptismal interviews for this week for Teshie II, the Sisters. That's always a wonderful thing, so I wasn't too bummed to miss it. I'll just have to watch it when I get home. 'Till then, maybe I'll be able to somehow get a hold of the Liahona issue and read them. I dunno; it's always hard to get those. We have yet to get the October one, which apparently was some kinda super special awesome Book of Mormon issue. Oh well; all in due time.
Final note, Sis. Peniel was interviewed this Sunday. She passed! So, she should be baptized this Saturday with the others from Teshie II. I'm excited. She's from Togo, as I've mentioned before, so she had a fun time dealing with the language, but she's doing great and has a very strong testimony.
That's about it for the week. I sent out some letters last week, but I still have more to send. Problem is, I need stamps. Hopefully I can get some soon. Mom, Dad, that'd be you! Haha.
Last thing I'd like to share with you is concerning the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We studied that at Zone Interviews; in fact, we went over the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement - the 3 pillars of Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation. We discussed how the Creation was important, because it provided a perfect state for man and all things to start from. The Fall was important, because it allowed for a descent, which was necessary for the growth of His children. The Atonement, however, seems to be the most pertinent and relevant part in our lives right now, as it provides the only means by which we may regain our standing before God and be received into His presence, and thus know complete joy.
As we know, "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Because of this, "all mankind were fallen," and are "forever to be cut off from [God's] presence" (Alma 42:14). This was necessary. Because Adam and Eve partook of the fruit, they "had become as God, knowing good and evil." Lehi taught, "if Adam [and Eve] had not transgressed [they] would not have fallen, but [they] would have remained in the garden of Eden... And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin" (2 Nephi 2:22-23). Had they not fallen, they would have known nothing. Life would have been pointless; or, as Lehi puts it, "there would have been no purpose in the end of [man's] creation" (2 Nephi 2:12).
Thus we see that the Fall - required in order for us to be given a chance to come to earth - left us in a state susceptible to misery, sickness, pain, and disappointment. This meant we were capable of growth, faith, mercy, love, and compassion. In order for us to grow, we are "instructed sufficiently that [we] know good from evil." To do this, "the law is given unto men." Lehi then explain that "by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever" (2 Nephi 2:5). Thus we see that, while the Fall allowed us to grow and increase, it also made it impossible for us to return to Heavenly Father on our own. We cannot save ourselves, through our own works alone. We need a Mediator; or, as Alma put it, "it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made" (Alma 34:9).
Jesus Christ is that Mediator; He is the means by which the Atonement was made. As Nephi said, "according to the words of the prophets, and also the word of the angel of God, his name shall be Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (2 Nephi 25:19). This is the only means by which man might be saved; yea, "behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved" (2 Nephi 25:20). Christ is the means by which we are saved from our sins (see Alma 11:34; Hel. 5:10). His Gospel is the strait and narrow path that leads back to the Father and eternal life (see 2 Nephi 31:17-21). His Atonement is the means by which we may be saved from whatever dark path we have taken in life. Elder Robert D. Hales taught,
"My brothers and sisters, there is no canyon deep enough, no cavern dark enough, President Kimball has told us, to hide from ourselves if we take the long dark journey. The gospel can protect us from taking the long, dark journey and through the gospel principle of repentance can restore us even if we are now at the dark journey’s bitter end" ("The Lord Offers Everyone a Way Back from Sin," Ensign, Nov. 1976).
Christ is "the light of the world," (John 9:5); "I am come a light into the world," said Christ, "that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness" (John 12:46; see also Mosiah 16:9; Alma 38:9; 3 Nephi 9:18; 11:11). He is the means by which we may find rest to our souls, relief from the grasp of our guilt and weight of our sins. But Christ does so much more than just relieve us from our sins.
Alma teaches us that Christ suffered "pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind" (Alma 7:11, emphasis added). Christ knows how to "succor his people" (v. 12) because He has suffered everything we have suffered - and He suffered it first. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught,
"Alma revealed that Jesus knows how to succor us in the midst of our griefs and sicknesses precisely because Jesus has already borne our griefs and sicknesses (see Alma 7:11–12). He knows them firsthand; thus His empathy is earned. Of course, we do not comprehend it fully any more than we understand how He bore all mortal sins, but His Atonement remains the rescuing and reassuring reality" ("From Whom All Blessings Flow," Ensign, May 1997).
The Atonement is the means by which we find relief. Jesus Himself taught this, wherein He said "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30).
Whether we are swimming in darkness, desperately trying to find our way out, or striving down the strait and narrow, diligently pressing forward over the hardships and injustices life brings, the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the means by which we find peace and joy. This is what Christ meant when He said "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).
I testify that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is the only True source of joy, the only means by which we can find lasting happiness and peace. I know that by obedience to His commandments, and through sufficient repentance, we can find peace, joy, and happiness, and will receive eternal life, should we remain faithful to the end; for, as Nephi said, "it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do" (2 Nephi 25:23). I extend the same invitation that Alma extended to those he loved, to those he taught the Atonement to:
"Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.
And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God from thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto him, yea, he will remember that I have said unto him, he shall have eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which testifieth in me" (Alma 7:15-16).
I know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God. I know that the Bible is the Word of God. I know that we have a living prophet on this earth today, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lord's Kingdom, once again established upon the earth. I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is given unto all men; for, as Nephi taught,
"[God] doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.
Anyway, we had a baptism this week! Sis. Janet was baptized and confirmed! It was great. We've been teaching her since 15 July, back when I was with Elder Berry. It's been a long road, but she made it! Now she gets to start on the path that leads to true happiness. I'm so excited for her! I pray that all goes well for her. What's more is that Elder Beaufeaux got to baptize her. His first ever baptism! It was really awesome to see my 'second born in the wilderness' baptize her, and see that wonderful opportunity of helping someone come unto Christ. It was great all-around.
We also had Zone Interviews (probably should've thrown that in the title; oh well. Would've been too big) this week. It was really nice. Pres. discussed with me how the District was going, how Elder Beaufeaux was doing, and how the Ward was going. He then did something a wee bit odd; he thought for a sec, and then asked me "How long have you been in Teshie?" I had to think for a second, counted my companions and the transfers, and found that I'll have been here 7 1/2 months at the end of this transfer. He then nodded his head and said "Yea... That's a long time!" In all honesty, it feels like I've been here as long as all my other areas, so it's not all that weird for me. But, when looking at it, I've spent almost as much time in Teshie, on my mission, as I have spent anywhere else. Weird; like I said, it doesn't feel that long to me. Oh well; we'll see what Heavenly Father has in store next transfer. It'll be on the 7th of December, so I'll let you all know then.
Finally, we had General Conference! For those who are now looking at their screen with a funny face, remember that we don't get to watch General Conference when it airs. We have to wait about a month or two before we get to watch it on DVD. It was really nice; we got to watch the Saturday Afternoon session, to sustain the Church leaders, and then the Sunday Morning session. I didn't watch much of it though, as I was doing baptismal interviews for this week for Teshie II, the Sisters. That's always a wonderful thing, so I wasn't too bummed to miss it. I'll just have to watch it when I get home. 'Till then, maybe I'll be able to somehow get a hold of the Liahona issue and read them. I dunno; it's always hard to get those. We have yet to get the October one, which apparently was some kinda super special awesome Book of Mormon issue. Oh well; all in due time.
Final note, Sis. Peniel was interviewed this Sunday. She passed! So, she should be baptized this Saturday with the others from Teshie II. I'm excited. She's from Togo, as I've mentioned before, so she had a fun time dealing with the language, but she's doing great and has a very strong testimony.
That's about it for the week. I sent out some letters last week, but I still have more to send. Problem is, I need stamps. Hopefully I can get some soon. Mom, Dad, that'd be you! Haha.
Last thing I'd like to share with you is concerning the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We studied that at Zone Interviews; in fact, we went over the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement - the 3 pillars of Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation. We discussed how the Creation was important, because it provided a perfect state for man and all things to start from. The Fall was important, because it allowed for a descent, which was necessary for the growth of His children. The Atonement, however, seems to be the most pertinent and relevant part in our lives right now, as it provides the only means by which we may regain our standing before God and be received into His presence, and thus know complete joy.
As we know, "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Because of this, "all mankind were fallen," and are "forever to be cut off from [God's] presence" (Alma 42:14). This was necessary. Because Adam and Eve partook of the fruit, they "had become as God, knowing good and evil." Lehi taught, "if Adam [and Eve] had not transgressed [they] would not have fallen, but [they] would have remained in the garden of Eden... And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin" (2 Nephi 2:22-23). Had they not fallen, they would have known nothing. Life would have been pointless; or, as Lehi puts it, "there would have been no purpose in the end of [man's] creation" (2 Nephi 2:12).
Thus we see that the Fall - required in order for us to be given a chance to come to earth - left us in a state susceptible to misery, sickness, pain, and disappointment. This meant we were capable of growth, faith, mercy, love, and compassion. In order for us to grow, we are "instructed sufficiently that [we] know good from evil." To do this, "the law is given unto men." Lehi then explain that "by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever" (2 Nephi 2:5). Thus we see that, while the Fall allowed us to grow and increase, it also made it impossible for us to return to Heavenly Father on our own. We cannot save ourselves, through our own works alone. We need a Mediator; or, as Alma put it, "it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made" (Alma 34:9).
Jesus Christ is that Mediator; He is the means by which the Atonement was made. As Nephi said, "according to the words of the prophets, and also the word of the angel of God, his name shall be Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (2 Nephi 25:19). This is the only means by which man might be saved; yea, "behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved" (2 Nephi 25:20). Christ is the means by which we are saved from our sins (see Alma 11:34; Hel. 5:10). His Gospel is the strait and narrow path that leads back to the Father and eternal life (see 2 Nephi 31:17-21). His Atonement is the means by which we may be saved from whatever dark path we have taken in life. Elder Robert D. Hales taught,
"My brothers and sisters, there is no canyon deep enough, no cavern dark enough, President Kimball has told us, to hide from ourselves if we take the long dark journey. The gospel can protect us from taking the long, dark journey and through the gospel principle of repentance can restore us even if we are now at the dark journey’s bitter end" ("The Lord Offers Everyone a Way Back from Sin," Ensign, Nov. 1976).
Christ is "the light of the world," (John 9:5); "I am come a light into the world," said Christ, "that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness" (John 12:46; see also Mosiah 16:9; Alma 38:9; 3 Nephi 9:18; 11:11). He is the means by which we may find rest to our souls, relief from the grasp of our guilt and weight of our sins. But Christ does so much more than just relieve us from our sins.
Alma teaches us that Christ suffered "pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind" (Alma 7:11, emphasis added). Christ knows how to "succor his people" (v. 12) because He has suffered everything we have suffered - and He suffered it first. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught,
"Alma revealed that Jesus knows how to succor us in the midst of our griefs and sicknesses precisely because Jesus has already borne our griefs and sicknesses (see Alma 7:11–12). He knows them firsthand; thus His empathy is earned. Of course, we do not comprehend it fully any more than we understand how He bore all mortal sins, but His Atonement remains the rescuing and reassuring reality" ("From Whom All Blessings Flow," Ensign, May 1997).
The Atonement is the means by which we find relief. Jesus Himself taught this, wherein He said "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30).
Whether we are swimming in darkness, desperately trying to find our way out, or striving down the strait and narrow, diligently pressing forward over the hardships and injustices life brings, the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the means by which we find peace and joy. This is what Christ meant when He said "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).
I testify that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is the only True source of joy, the only means by which we can find lasting happiness and peace. I know that by obedience to His commandments, and through sufficient repentance, we can find peace, joy, and happiness, and will receive eternal life, should we remain faithful to the end; for, as Nephi said, "it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do" (2 Nephi 25:23). I extend the same invitation that Alma extended to those he loved, to those he taught the Atonement to:
"Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.
And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God from thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto him, yea, he will remember that I have said unto him, he shall have eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which testifieth in me" (Alma 7:15-16).
I know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God. I know that the Bible is the Word of God. I know that we have a living prophet on this earth today, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lord's Kingdom, once again established upon the earth. I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is given unto all men; for, as Nephi taught,
"[God] doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.
Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.
Behold, hath he commanded any that they should depart out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.
Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.
Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden" (2 Nephi 26:24-28).
Are any of you in pain? Are any of you regretting your decisions, wanting to change your life? Are any of you suffering from the cruelties and wickedness of others? Come unto Christ, and He will heal you. He will give you peace. He will give you rest. He will give you true and everlasting joy.
I know these things are true. I love you all! I exhort you to read the Book of Mormon, and to meet with the missionaries, and to pray and ask God concerning the truthfulness of these things, that ye may know of it for yourself. I promise you, there is no greater joy nor happiness than that which is found by following the principles of Christ's Restored Gospel.
--Elder Collings
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