Weekly Letter #93
This week was just another cool week as a viajero. We are now ending our stay in Esquipulas, Guatemala, which is basically the Catholic center of the whole country. It's very interesting. Probably the safest place I've ever been in. The people are obviously very religious and indeed put in a lot of effort to decorate their homes. The people are also particularly warm and friendly.
As I came to know this people, I found a common need among those I taught. A good number of these people, who have grown up in the Catholic faith, completely surrounded by paintings, pictures, accesories, decorations, traditions, and festivals, find themselves more is participants of activities, and not so much participants of the faith. They feel unsure and thus insecure in their faith in Christ, yet they desire more as they hear testimonies about him. They feel insecure thus in their decision to follow him, because perhaps their family would judge them.
But among these, there are those who want to change their lives and develop more faith in Christ. It's beautiful. And even in just this week who expressed that as they searched the Book of Mormon. Marisol, the daughter in law of a member, took ten minutes with us to make sure she understood every word she didn't understand in the introduction of the book. Jenny, a friend of another member, read a whole chapter and everything about a topic the same night we gave her the assignment. Veronica, the mother of an investigator, was interested in not just giving her daughter permission to be baptized, but also in her own salvation, and to learn about baptism for herself. All of these investigators were indeed Catholics, but willing to change.
And this is exactly what I have seen in the members here. The members in Esquipulas are amazing. They help the missionaries so much because they were so convinced of their errors and so happy because of the forgiveness that they could feel as they accepted the Gospel that they would do anything that they can to share the Gospel. They are such a happy and friendly people as a result. The recent converts and recently returned missionaries from here have the freshest, most powerful testimonies. It was such an experience.
It reminds me of the Scripture in Mosiah 27:25.
25 And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters;
Truly, if we want to follow Christ, we must be born again. This doesn't mean just being baptized, though it is important, but also desiring the companionship of the Holy Ghost. This means desiring to experience a spiritual confirmation of the knowledge of the truth, as well as a personal conversion to it, so that you cannot fall from the path set by Christ's example. This is something we can all do, if we just recognize our need for Him.
We are a people, separated from the presence of God in an apostate world. How, then, can we even have the hope to return to God's presence following the examples of those around us, and relying solely on their words? Even so, our thoughts become our words, which become our actions, which become our habits, which become our character, which become our destiny. Thus, if we do not strive to make our thoughts more like God's thoughts, how can we hope to reach God's presence? But if we seek to change not just our thoughts, but rather the way that we think, by studying the Scriptures, which are God's thoughts and words, then our minds will be filled with them and produce more, even that our lives might be abundant trees unto eternal life, and thus we might be able to return to His presence.
Let us remember these things, and ponder the example of the Savior. I testify that He lives. I testify that He still guides us through His called and inspired leaders of His Church, and that the Book of Mormon contains His words and His Gospel. I know that He died for me, and lives to comfort me in need, and guide me to help me follow Him more.
I will remember Mother's Day with reverence. It will take me a lifetime to fully obey all the words my Mom left me with. But I know that she is there and has comforted me and helped me to grow. She was a great lady, and a fantastic teacher, and a passionate, dedicated servant. She was a great friend. I loved her as my Mom, because that who she was for me.
My brothers and sisters, have a wonderful week. Love your mothers, and do something good for them this week. And let's be happy, and be glad because of the wonderful blessings that our Heavenly Father brings us everyday!
Your chapin friend,
Elder Dredge
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