The sisters and elders both gave Jackson and Tyson their own copy of The Book of Mormon to give away. Tyson tenderly shared with the missionaries how much he loves to read the testimonies Abe and I have written in the first pages of his scriptures. He said it strengthens him to read our testimonies.
After the sisters left, the elders shared their message. They talked about where we lived before we came to Earth and what happens after we die. They made the lesson into a diagram forming the word "Love."
Their message of love is the message of Christ's plan for all our lives. That message touched my boys' hearts deeply.
Tonight, I was reading about a Muslim prayer room at BYU (Brigham Young University). BYU is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, yet the church saw it important to not only allow but also provide a place for these Muslim students to worship God in their way. I pondered on how welcomed and loved those Muslim students must feel, in a predominantly Christian environment, to be given their own place to worship God in their way. I have a dear Muslim friend who lives in Utah. We share a great friendship full of love. When times are hard, we pray for each other. We don't dwell on our differences; rather, we embrace that love.
As I pondered the love it showed to create this Muslim prayer room on BYU campus, Tyson walked up to me with his Book of Mormon.
He had written his testimony in the front pages of it. The simplicity of his message was sweeter than I had imagined they would be. He planned on giving his book with his testimony to his favorite teacher... the one who had shown him the most love. I cried as I read it.
"Dear ______,
I love this book. I read it every morning. It helps me start the day off well. When I have trouble doing homework, I read this book. I hope you enjoy it!
Tyson."
A few minutes later, Jackson brought his Book of Mormon to me with his testimony written inside. He was giving his Book of Mormon and testimony to the crossing guard who he talked with every morning. This crossing guard had shown Jackson so much love each morning while they waited for school to start, that Jackson wanted him to have his most precious gift... his testimony and favorite book. I cried again to read my young boys' testimonies.
"Dear David,
This book is very special and is so dear to my heart. I read this book every morning and it shares a great message. It talks about how Jesus visited the Americas and prophets you've never heard about. It is very spiritual and I want to give it to you because I thought you might like this book. I know Jesus suffered for our sins. I know he suffered on the cross. I know this book is true. I hope you enjoy!
-Jackson."
These boys had been a part of the missionary discussions and also a part of many of the conversations Abe and I have had about our beliefs over the last several days. Among many other doctrinal points, our main message to our children is the importance for them to love everyone. Their testimonies have grown through this process, and they feel an even stronger resolve and urgency to do their part to share that love and to share the gospel that teaches them that love with those whom they love the most.
God loves EVERYONE- even those who do not yet know HIM. We are HIS tools to bring HIS love and HIS Plan of Love to their lives.
***Side note: Due to the influx of those not showing love in their comments, I was compelled to learn how to better manage my blog. Some comments I deleted completely. Others I left the existence of their comment once being there with the message "Deleted by blog administrator" because I felt it necessary and important to respond to those particular comments. The best news is that I have learned how to "moderate" comments. This means I no longer need to delete. I get to read the comments before I decide if they are published or not. (I am not very computer savvy, so I'm just learning this. :-)) Thank you so very much for the influx of LOVE and support I received via emails, phone calls, texts, and comments! What a beautiful surprise. I look forward to hearing from you who have love to share, insights to share, and again... I even look forward to hearing from you if you have honest questions about my beliefs. God bless you all. :-) My heart is full.
The closest thing Scripture says to there being different levels of heaven is found in 2 Corinthians 12:2, “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.” Some interpret this as indicating that there are three different levels of heaven, a level for “super-committed Christians” or Christians who have obtained a high level of spirituality, a level for “ordinary” Christians, and a level for Christians who did not serve God faithfully. This view has no basis in Scripture.
ReplyDeletePaul is not saying that there are three heavens or even three levels of heaven. In many ancient cultures, people used the term “heaven” to describe three different “realms”—the sky, outer space, and then a spiritual heaven. Although the terms are not specifically biblical, these are commonly known as the terrestrial, telestial, and celestial heavens. Paul was saying that God took him to the “celestial” heavens, as in the realm in which God dwells. The concept of different levels of heaven may have come in part from Dante’s Divine Comedy in which the poet describes both heaven and hell as having nine different levels. The Divine Comedy, however, is a fictional work. The idea of different levels of heaven is foreign to Scripture.
Scripture does speak of different rewards in heaven. Jesus said regarding rewards, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12). Jesus said that when He comes He will have with Him rewards to give to people on the basis of what they have done. This shows us that there will be a time of reward for believers. In 2 Timothy 4:7-8, we read the words of Paul as he closes out his ministry: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
Only those works that survive God’s refining fire have eternal value and will be worthy of reward. Those valuable works are referred to as “gold, silver, and costly stones” (1 Corinthians 3:12) and are those things that are built upon the foundation of faith in Christ. Those works that will not be rewarded are called “wood, hay, and stubble”; these are not evil deeds but shallow activities with no eternal value. Rewards will be distributed at the “judgment seat of Christ,” a place where believers’ lives will be evaluated for the purpose of rewards. “Judgment” of believers never refers to punishment for sin. Jesus Christ was punished for our sin when He died on the cross, and God said about us: “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12). What a glorious thought! The Christian need never fear punishment, but can look forward to crowns of reward that he can cast at the feet of the Savior. In conclusion, there are not different levels of heaven, but there are different levels of reward in heaven.
Thank you for sharing your beliefs and interpretations of the Bible. I fully agree with MUCH of what you said. I LOVE 2 Timothy 4:7-8. It has such a beautiful message; it makes me want to finish with that very same confidence…. Knowing I have done my very best. The message in Hebrews 8:12 IS a glorious thought because I have much I continue to repent for on a daily basis. I of course appreciate 2 Corinthians 12:2 speaking of the 3rd Heaven.
DeleteI love each and every word of the Bible. There are many different interpretations of the words contained…. thus the reason for so MANY religions in the world.
This is why I believe in the 3 degrees of glory:
**A very important principle to understand about my religion is that we believe in living prophets and apostles who have the priesthood keys to prophesy and clarify the words of the Bible. I believe they communicate with God and then pass on that communication to us as a church. I am free to interpret the scriptures for my own life how the Holy Ghost directs me; but when it comes to matters of doctrine for the entire church, we have a living prophet who continues to give us God’s word… just as Moses, Abraham, and Paul did in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. I have personally prayed to know if our living prophet and apostles are truly called of God. Because I believe them to be true, I trust the doctrine that they impart with a full understanding that they are human and imperfect. I then have the ability to receive personal revelation on any particular doctrine as well… and I have received that personal revelation on many principles of doctrine. I am grateful for the answers I have received.
**In 1 Corinthians 15:40-42 it tells us of the 3 degrees of glory:
“40) There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
41) There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
42) So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
John 14:2
“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
We believe we have received further light and knowledge- by way of prophetic revelation- pertaining to these degrees of Heaven. If you would like, I can expand further what those 3 degrees of glory mean to us… otherwise you can refer to www.lds.org.
How do you get to each of the separate heavens? Or, who goes to each of the separate heaven? I'm not asking you to judge who goes, I'm asking what the LDS doctrine teaches about who goes to what level.
DeleteSo if your prophets are "... human and imperfect…" How can you know that what they are professing is true if there is a possibility they are imperfect? What is you test for knowing they are speaking truth? How do you as well test if your own personal revelations true? I’m not asking to divulge private matters between you and God. I’m asking how you determine whether your revelation is true or not. An example is someone saying, “God told me to take a loaf of bread without paying for it.” Well, of course we know that goes against, “Though shall not steal.” I know that is a blatant example to testing revelation against God’s word, but I want to make sure you get what I’m saying. ☺
Thank you for your questions about my beliefs. (Sorry my answer is so long. ☺) They are very good questions. I know that many of our beliefs differ, and I respect those differences. I will direct you to the website that answers the questions about who goes to which kingdom of glory because I couldn’t say it better, and I will answer your other questions from my own life experiences.
DeletePlease refer to: http://www.lds.org/topics/kingdoms-of-glory
I would like to add that as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we are taught to never personally judge who is going to the Celestial Kingdom and who is not. We don’t know who has had the opportunity to receive HIS gospel in its fullness and who has not… It is ONLY our duty to live our lives as best as we know how by following the teachings of Jesus Christ.
You asked how I know that prophets speak the truth and how I test my own personal revelation…
Every time I have ever had a doubt in my life, the scriptures have either confirmed answers in my heart or guided me to better interpret the answers I had received by the power of the Holy Ghost.
D&C 9:8-9, Moroni 10:4-5 are beautiful scriptures which talk about how God answers our prayers. Both of these scriptures speak of studying God’s word in our hearts, praying for answers, and receiving the truth of it by the power of the Holy Ghost. That is the key. We have been given the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and we can recognize what comes from God by the fruits of the Spirit. (Galations 5:22-23),
There is no easy test of truth where faith is involved- that’s what the trial of our faith is all about.
I share with you an example that tested my ability to receive personal revelation greatly. I received personal revelation that one of our children would come to us by way of adoption. Because of the strong direction I received, we moved forward in the process. We mourned 5 failed adoptions. In that process, I received very strong, and some extremely sacred impressions about 4 of those children that they were supposed to be a part of our lives. Imagine, if you will, the heartache involved with feeling a sacred impression then to have it not go the way you thought… I doubted my original impressions to adopt. I doubted my sacred experiences about these other children. I doubted the answers I had received to other things as well because I looked at the failed adoptions as my failed ability to receive answers.
I soon learned that these failed adoptions and the difficulty of the way did not mean failed personal revelation. I’m eternally grateful we moved forward… trusting our personal revelation even though things got hard and seemed to be going in the opposite direction I had expected them to go.
Now, we have our baby Jayden whom we have adopted. I have received amazing miracles letting me know that he is the one we had been waiting for all along. And what about the other children??? I have to accept that my ways are not God’s ways. There may be many more reasons those children came into my life that will unfold to my view at some future time; however, I have seen many of those purposes already beginning to unfold. I have seen how they prepared my heart for dear, sweet baby Jayden whom we did adopt.
DeleteThe reason I share this is because the Holy Ghost testifies of truth. When we hear any bit of truth with sincerity of heart, those fruits of the Spirit will manifest themselves in our hearts and minds. When I received the inspiration to adopt, the Holy Ghost was present and the fruits of the Spirit were felt in an undeniable way… those feelings of love, joy, and peace… In the process of following that personal revelation, I faced devastation, loss, and great heartache, but I pushed forward anyway trusting the personal revelation I had received to adopt after studying it out in my mind, praying, and reading the scriptures. In the end, we received our baby we were waiting for, and I’m sure more blessings are to come from that experience. I put no limits on God.
How do I know a prophet is of God? If a man is called to be a prophet of God, God will not allow that man to do anything contrary to HIS will. In the same manner that I prayed for answers about our adoption, I have prayed and received answers to know if Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. I have received answers to that question too sacred to write.
“Such knowledge,” President Monson says, “such a personal testimony, is essential if we are to safely navigate the sometimes treacherous paths through life with the adversary attempting to deceive us at every turn. As you keep the flame of testimony burning brightly, you will become a beacon of righteousness—even a light—for all to see.”
My Savior, Jesus Christ, is my light… my Best Friend… my Redeemer… I know HE is orchestrating beautiful blessings in our lives and cares about the salvation of each of us.
Dear Anonymous:
DeleteI found your comment to be intriguing. Reading it brought a couple of thoughts and questions in my mind. My first thought is that every person who ever walked the earth was human and imperfect. That includes prophets like Moses, Adam, Noah, Abraham, and several others. So why would we require that any of His prophets, including modern day prophets, be perfect? I know that we agree that our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the only one to ever live a perfect life.
So my questions are as follows:
1.If Moses was imperfect, how do you know that what he said was true?
2.Understanding The Holy Bible is the Word of God and Moses' words are in The Holy Bible, how do you know that the Holy Bible is true?
3.If you and the men and women you listen to are human and imperfect, how can you be certain that His words are being interpreted as God would want?
I am only asking because I am sincerely interested to know. You asked the question of Rachel, so I felt is was appropriate to ask you.
My questions are not to challenge whether or not the Bible is true. I too believe that the Bible is the Word of God and believe that the prophets I have listed are true prophets of God. The questions are simply to find out your process in recognizing and understanding truth.
1. How do I know what Moses said was true?
DeleteI know that Moses and The Major Prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel and the Minor Prophets Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi were true prophets because they:
d.) didn’t speak against God
e.) didn’t speak in the name of another God
f.) didn’t make false prophecies.
I gain this understanding from Deuteronomy 18:15-22.
I feel like a broken record writing this again because it seems like I already explained how to determine if a prophet is a person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God. The prophets of the Bible meet the criteria.
2. How do I know the Bible is true?
Some have cited 2 Timothy 3:16 as proof that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. This text indicates that all Scripture is inspired by God (or “God-breathed”) and useful for teaching. That is, every writing in the Bible is a revelation from God that can be trusted as factually true. Clearly, if the Bible is given by revelation of the God of truth, then it can be trusted at every point as an accurate depiction. The problem with answering the question this way is that it presupposes that the verse itself is truthful—which is the very claim at issue.
In other words, how do we know that 2 Timothy 3:16 is true? “Well it’s in the Bible,” some might say. But how do we know the Bible is true? 2 Timothy 3:16 assures us that it is. This is a vicious circular argument. It must first arbitrarily assume the very thing it is trying to prove. Circular reasoning of this type (while technically valid) is not useful in a debate because it does not prove anything beyond what it merely assumes. After all, this type of argument would be equally valid for any other book that claims to be inspired by God. How do we know that book X is inspired by God? “Because it says it is.” But how do we know that what it’s saying is true? “Well, God wouldn’t lie!” But, ARUGING THAT THE BIBLE MUST BE TRUE SOLELY ON THE BASIS THAT IT SAYS SO IS NOT A POWERFUL ARGUMENT. Yes, it is a relevant claim. But we need some additional information if we are to escape a vicious circle.
The truth of the Bible is obvious to anyone willing to fairly investigate it. The Bible is uniquely self-consistent and extraordinarily authentic. It has changed the lives of millions of people who have placed their faith in Christ. It has been confirmed countless times by archaeology and other sciences. It possesses divine insight into the nature of the universe and has made correct predictions about distant future events with perfect accuracy. When Christians read the Bible, they cannot help but recognize the voice of their Creator. The Bible claims to be the Word of God, and it demonstrates this claim by making knowledge possible. It is the standard of standards. The proof of the Bible is that unless its truth is presupposed, we couldn’t prove anything at all.
Greek manuscripts, 10,000 Latin manuscripts and over 9,000 manuscripts in various other ancient languages. The dates of these manuscripts range from the 2nd century up to the invention of the printing press in the 15th century. Nearly ever year there are more New Testament manuscripts discovered that were handwritten in the original Greek format which continues to add to the enormous collection already on hand. In 2008, 47 new Greek manuscripts were discovered in Albania. Of these, 17 of them were unknown to Western scholars.
DeleteThe fact is that the amount of manuscript evidence is astounding. There are over 25,000 New Testament manuscripts of which 5,000 of these date from the first century. What that translates into for Historians is what is called a primary source. A primary source is a source that comes from eye witnesses. The nearly 6,000 Dead Sea Scrolls are so close in agreement, contextually, that there is only 0.01% in differences and the main differences are only in the differentiation of vowels. In no way do these miniscule differences affect the text or the context. The Bible is the Word of God, as men were moved by the Holy Spirit to write it. It is God speaking to us and it is without error and full of truth. (A good reference is When Critics Ask, A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties, by Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe.)
History and Archeology
The history and archeology confirm the biblical record. Over 25,000 sites have now been discovered that pertain to the Bible. As Nelson Glueck, renowned Jewish archaeologist said, "It may be stated categorically that no archeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference." Even though archeology does not prove spiritual truth, archeological confirmation is an amazing testimony to the accuracy of the Bible. There are over 2,000 accurately fulfilled predictions in the Bible including some 300 specific details and implications about the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. For example, Isaiah 53 beautifully describes the life of Christ 700 years before it took place! Even the town of Jesus' birth was foretold in the Old Testament (Micah 5:2). And there are no prophetic failures.
Moreover, part of the testimony of the Bible's power and truth is the evidence of changed human lives. We might add that people come to believe the Bible freely without compulsion. Compare this to the religion of Islam, which has been spread by the force of the sword and political might.
In conclusion there is another argument for the truthfulness of the Bible concerns its uniqueness and internal consistency. The Bible is remarkably self-consistent, despite having been written by more than 40 different writers over a timespan of about 2,000 years. God’s moral law, man’s rebellion against God’s law, and God’s plan of salvation are the continuing themes throughout the pages of Scripture. This internal consistency is what we would expect if the Bible really is what it claims to be—God’s revelation. I do
Dear Anonymous,
DeleteI allowed your last two posts because your testimony of the Bible shone through. It was beautiful... simply beautiful. I also learned a lot.
I will include PART of your 3rd post that I thought were beautiful. These are YOUR words:
"That truth is evident in my life because when I accepted Christ as my savior after realizing I was a hopeless sinner and knew I couldn’t do ANYTHING to be good enough to enter into His Kingdom. “ Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured, there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt. Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin! Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
threaten the soul with infinite loss; grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, points to the refuge, the mighty cross. Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can avail to wash it away? Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, brighter than snow you may be today. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
freely bestowed on all who believe! You that are longing to see his face, will you this moment his grace receive?” Grace Greater Than Our Sin (Hymn)
My heart was especially touched by your testimony of knowing truth by how it is evident in your life. I agree whole-heartedly that it is by God's grace that we are allowed to return and live with HIM. HE is the God of MERCY. I am not whole without HIM.
Your third post also contained some claims in there about my religion that were untrue; therefore, I could not post your entire comment.
In your third post, you asked my husband how he believes Joseph Smith to be a prophet of God and the Bible to be the word of God. He's out of town, so I can't fully answer for him. After 12 years of marriage and 6 children, I do have an idea of how he knows truth...
It is much the same as you… we know truth because we recognize we are sinners. We need God’s grace and mercy, and we have seen the evidence in our lives as we read the teachings of the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the words of our prophets called of God in this day as in times of old. God is unchanging, but we also put no limit on the inspiration HE gives us which is especially pertinent for our dispensation. Every prophet from every dispensation preached God’s words that were difficult for the people in their dispensation to believe. The proof was not evident until after the trial of their faith.
Thank you again for your testimony of the Bible. When you bear pure testimony, the Spirit testifies to my heart when I hear truth.
I'm wondering why you left out the portion titled Alleged Errors in Transcribing and a small portion of Manuscript Evidence? More important you left out my testimony of my conversion to Christ and one of my favorite hymns that speak to me about who I once was without Christ and my changed life and grace that I have received. If you are going to edit what a person writes it makes me doubt the sincerity of your questions about my faith when you chose to exclude the full answers I gave you about my reasonings for my belief. I would also still like Abdullah to answer
Delete1.) How he knows Joseph Smith to be a true prophet
2.) How he knows the Bible is correct.
I think I have explained myself by answering those questions. I think to better understand each other it would help to know what each believes.
Oh Anonymous... you did not even read my response under which you have just commented. I DID include your testimony, and I even wrote how beautiful it was... I cannot please you... I know that. I also explained why my husband cannot comment... he's busy trying to provide for our struggling family of 8... out of town. I just "published" the remaining of one of your comments that explained the rest of the evidences of the Bible. I had a LOT to sift through.
DeleteYour boys' testimonies are so beautiful! I love that they truly have a love of scripture, that they read and study daily and recognize the beauty and blessings that such study brings to their lives. I love that they know YOUR testimony and draw strength from it! And I love that, while you are human like the rest of us, you give your very best to making your home and your family full of love and light. I hope that MY children will remember the loving moments over the grumpy ones!!! I still have so much to learn--life is an uphill road!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks again for continuing to have the courage to share your light with the world. It needs you. :) You are doing marvelous things, my friend!!!
Thank you sooooo much for your message full of so much love. :-) Your encouraging words are powerful and bring overwhelming strength to my spirit. I read your comment to my boys and asked them to please forget all my grumpy moments. :-) They claimed I've never had grumpy moments... I laughed at their valiant efforts to forget already. :-) I'm grateful that God only requires our very best because that's all I have to give. Thank you for being my friend.
DeleteMicha 6:8
DeleteHe has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful scripture. I just marked it in my Bible. :-) I pray to God to know how to serve HIM better as I try my best to do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.
DeleteI had a question for clarification of 1 Corinthians 15:40-42 it tells us of the 3 degrees of glory. What are the "three degrees of glory"? Or how do you define the 3 degrees of glory, is that 3 levels of heaven?
ReplyDeleteIt is explained as kingdoms of glory in Heaven. You also asked me somewhere to explain faith and works.
DeleteAs the scripture states, all degrees of glory are represented by a glory of light... which is the brightest? Of course the sun is, and that is where we can live with our Heavenly Father. We believe that none of our works make us worthy to return to our Heavenly Father. However, when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we show that level of commitment to HIM by the works that we do. Thus... with Jesus I am whole enough to enter in. Without HIM... I could never return to my Heavenly Father because I sin too much. At the same time... the Lord expects me to do my very best that I can. "My very best" is different from somebody else's "very best," so I could never personally judge which kingdom of glory in Heaven they are worthy to go to. If I am not doing my best, then I am not doing my part.
Thus the scripture James 2:20 -22
20)But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21)Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22)Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
You quoted somewhere (I don't remember where) the scripture Ephesians 2:8-9 which is beautiful... however, verse 10 clarifies so much.
10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
*correction* None of our works ALONE make us worthy to return to our Heavenly Father... because we do need to be baptized by the correct authority, and we do need the temple ordinances to be able to return to live with HIM... and of course as I mentioned earlier... we need the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.
DeletePonder for a moment how much you love the Holy Bible and Jesus Christ. Ponder for a moment how you would feel if a group of people tried to tell you that you were not a follower of the Biblical Jesus. It hurts, doesn’t it? I am 100% OK with the fact that we do not agree with our understanding of what the Bible is teaching, and I am 100% OK with the fact that every Biblical Christian church understands the Bible in just a little bit different way. I am NOT OK with ANYBODY telling me I am not a Biblical Christian when my whole heart and life rests on my relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ.
Moroni 10:3-5
3) Behold I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in Gd that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4)And when ye shall receive these things, i would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the nam o fChrist, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5)And BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST YE MAY KNOW THE TRUTH OF ALL THINGS.
That new elder glowing with excitement was my son Elder Jacobsen. Thank you so much for listening to him and watching out for him. I know you can't give him a hug but next time you see him will you give him a fist bump for me? Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness!! It's so wonderful to hear from you. I can personally tell you how wonderful he is. He truly does glow. What a loving countenance he has!! We'll ALL give him a good fist bump on your behalf. :-) Thank you for raising such a great young man and wonderful missionary. God bless your family.
DeleteI am curious, why can't you give him a hug?
ReplyDeleteServing a mission is one of the hardest things I've done in my life. Missionaries live by a much stricter set of rules to keep them focused on the work they are doing. Thus... they cannot watch TV, secular movies, listen to secular music, or go on dates. They only call home twice a year- not because calling home is bad but because it keeps them focused on their service. On my mission, it was customary to give a kiss on each cheek. I always kissed the sisters; but sometimes without warning, the men would place a big, customary kiss on my cheek. :-) My mother sometimes hugged the elders when she thought they needed one because she was like a "grandmother or a mother" to them. So... although I am getting up there in the years as well, I give the elders a nice handshake to thank them for their service. :-)
Delete