Elder CJones: Looking at Blessings with Humble Eyes

"Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men."

-Doctrine & Covenants 138:56 (Hyrum's Mission Scripture)

Elder Hernandez and Me

This week was a great one for looking for people and working hard. We have been working with different people and the ward to try and strengthen the ties there.

I want to share something quick this week that I have been studying. I have been reading a lot in the Book of Mormon. As a ward, we are working to strengthen our testimonies of the Book of Mormon. We discussed the importance of it and how, when we read it and apply it to our lives, we will be blessed as we apply the teachings to our lives.

I have been reading my favorite part: the war chapters. I noticed that when the people were rebellous they failed as a nation and when they succeeded it's because they were faithful.

But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility (Alma 62:41).

Here we understand the difference between the two types of Nephites.

And the people of Nephi began to prosper again in the land, and began to multiply and to wax exceedingly strong again in the land. And they began to grow exceedingly rich.

But notwithstanding their riches, or their strength, or their prosperity, they were not lifted up in the pride of their eyes; neither were they slow to remember the Lord their God; but they did humble themselves exceedingly before him.

Yea, they did remember how great things the Lord had done for them, that he had delivered them from death, and from bonds, and from prisons, and from all manner of afflictions, and he had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies.

And they did pray unto the Lord their God continually, insomuch that the Lord did bless them, according to his word, so that they did wax strong and prosper in the land (Alma 62:48-51).

I thought of the leaders that they had during these years of war: Moroni, Helaman, Teancum, Pahoran, Antipus. These men were powerful unto the convincing of the people to be righteous. They were leaders and faithful!

And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;

Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.

Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood (Alma 48:11-13).

Thus we see a promise that if we follow them, we will be protected:

Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been,and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold,the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever;yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men (Alma 48:17).

I think that the people followed the example of there leaders as they were blessed for being humble enough to listen.

"For two years God had been nurturing a questioning soul, little by little he had given me as much as I could handle until the day I was humble enough to hear fully what he wanted to tell me." These are the words of Todd Sylvester!

Our AWESOME ward mission leader, Edgar Herrera, and his girlfriend, Beranice!

I know this church is true, I know that we are not all perfect and we falter just as the Nephites did, there are times when we doubt and times when we forget why we are really here. I know that as we look at our lives and we use guides in our lives, we will be blessed and the Lord will help us in every step of the way.

Let us all move forward with a perfect brightness of hope and a firm faith in Christ! I love this work, I know it's hard and I know it's worth it!!

No sean chaes!! ;)
--
Elder Corom Jones

"And now, O my son, ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them. And may God grant unto you
even according to my words."

-Alma 42:31 (Zeram's Mission Scripture)

My new backpack!