Yesterday we got to stay for all of church (normally we have to leave before Relief Society starts to make it to a shift at the sites). The lesson in Relief Society was on the Atonement. The teacher shared this really awesome quote by Elder Holland:
"The world around us is an increasingly hostile and sinful place. Occasionally that splashes onto us, and perhaps, in the case of a few of you, it may be nearly drowning you. To anyone struggling under the burden of sin, I say again with the Prophet Joseph that God has 'a forgiving disposition' (Lectures on Faith, 42) You can change. You can be helped. You can be made whole--whatever the problem. All he asks is that you walk away from the darkness and come into the light, his light, with meekness and lowliness of heart. That is at the heart of the gospel. That is the very center of our message. That is the beauty of redemption. Christ has 'borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows,' Isaiah declared, 'and with his stripes we are healed'--if we want to be (Isaiah 53:4-5).
"For anyone seeking the courage to repent and change, I remind you that the Church is not a monastery for the isolation of perfect people. It is more like a hospital provided for those who wish to get well. Do whatever you have to do to come into the fold and be blessed. For some of you that is simply to live with greater faith, the believe more. For some of you it dos mean to repent--right here. Today. For some of you it means to be baptized and come into the body and fellowship of Christ. For virtually all of us it means to live more by the promptings and promises of the Holy Ghost and to 'press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.'"
I love the part where it talks about the church being a hospital for those who wish to get well. So many people we meet here don't want to come to church because they feel like it's a bunch of perfect people there going to be perfect together. It's totally the opposite! EVERYONE at church needs help! What's so great about the church is that everyone's imperfections work together to help make everyone else a better person. What one person might be struggling with might be a strength for someone else, and vice versa. It's our job as members of the church to use our strengths to bless others and be humble enough to learn from the strengths of others.
We got to go to the First Presidency devotional last night. I loved it! I especially loved President Uchtdorf's talk about being a gracious receiver. It's totally something I know I need to work on. Giving is one way of being of service, and whenever someone serves, they are serving God (Mosiah 2:17), therefore, we need to allow others to serve us so that they can serve God. Great reminder!
Thanks for all the love and support! I love you all times a billion! We are going into Palmyra today to play some games with the other sisters, but I think I should have time to write a quick handwritten letter today. :)
Loves!
Sister Butters
No comments:
Post a Comment