Pillars And Rays

I remember my first interview with my stake president for my mission very clearly. He asked 3 different times why I desired to serve a mission. After 3 failed attempts of an explanation, he explained to me that I needed to serve a mission because I loved the Savior and His work. He further told me that I would be the most important convert on my mission would be myself.

I tell this story because this Wednesday I will hit 18 months in my mission. This past General Conference weekend was filled with talks of our covenants, temples, and prayer. But I LOVED the talk by Elder Dushku about our testimony. We usually will never see a pillar of light like The First Vision, but many combined rays of light can become just as powerful. I would like to show you my rays of light that I have seen on my mission that have converted me into a better missionary and disciple of Jesus Christ.

- I gained a testimony that God knows me personally when in my training I knelt down in prayer with tears in my eyes begging God to bless me with someone to teach. In that prayer, I heard a notification with a reference from email. This reference and their family was baptized a month later.

- I gained a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon when in the hardest trial in my life, the sweet promises found in Mosiah 4 healed me, offered me hope, and touched my soul so profoundly that I knew that the Saviors atoning power was real.

- I gained a testimony of the reality of my Priesthood power when my companion and I gave a blessing to a recent convert who had suffered appendicitis. The next day, she woke up completely fine and healthy.

- I personally knew for myself that Elder Soares (and the rest of the Quorum of the 12 apostles) is a Prophet, seer, and revelatory for our day. Upon his exit, I felt the same confirming power of the Holy Ghost when Jesus Christ left the Nephites, and they "Wanted him to tarry a little longer."

- I knew for a fact that Temple Work is real when a recent convert told us of a dream she had where her father (who had died without saying goodbye) came to her and said goodbye to her and how proud he was of her. After, he told her, "What you are doing in the church is true and I need you to go to the temple and baptize me so we can be an eternal family." That story shocked me. And then she said to us, "I need to go to the temple to free my father". Last week, I saw her working in the Puebla temple and we had a glorious reunion of Joy.

I have never seen the Lord Jesus Christ, but I know for myself that He suffered for my sins, afflictions, and weaknesses. I have never seen an angel, but I know they exist and protect me everyday. I have never seen the Holy Ghost, but I feel His presence every hour. Thanks to my little flashes of light that testify to me of the reality of God's plan, I have been able to become a more devoted disciple of the Redeemer. And you all have had experiences like these as well!! Treasure them, they are your personal spiritual anchors. And I am so grateful that God has blessed me with an increased testimony of His church while helping others to do the same.

God lives and loves us. Jesus is the Christ and has atoned for our sins to make us feel peace. He is the founder of peace. This church is true. I promise you. And it either takes one very difficult experience (Like Alma the younger) or a whole bunch of beautiful experiences (Like these rays of light) to gain a testimony of that.

I love you all. Have an amazing week! And I'll see you in 6 months!