Okay, F-O-R-S its time for a special Hump Day Edition of Saunders of Columbia. The reason for the late report this week is that our faithful lieutenant of the desert had an interview with his Mission President, some service to do in his Zone, and other general things to do Monday. Today he got to go to The Temple and get his batteries charged. He said it was much needed. The weeks are progressing. He and his trusty companion are trying hard to contact 10 people everyday. Its not always easy and a lot of people they speak to are less than friendly. But they persevere. Theyre meeting with several people right now. One of them is having a tough time getting past some things theyve read and studied that are contrary to what The LDS Missionaries teach. After a meeting where it seemed a lot of questions couldnt be resolved on a number of issues and doubts their investigator had Elder Saunders finally chose to open up about his own doubts and curiosities. He explained that its okay to have questions and to be curious. Then he wrote this, as I shared those thoughts, something came to my mind that is too easy to forget as a missionary. The center of our message isnt even that The Book of Mormon is from God or that Joseph was who he said he was. Yes, those are essential truths, but theyre not the end all, be all. The center of our message is the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the purifying power of Gethsemane, as Elder McConkie called it. Its an infinite atonement thats beyond anyones comprehension. Its about so much more than just cleansing us of our sins. It makes up for anything and everything we may fall short of. What about people who do join the church that dont marry? Are they damned? NO! The Atonement of Jesus Christ, in this life or the next, will provide some way to make up for that. What we invite people to do isnt just to be baptized by the proper authority and join the church of Jesus Christ, its to take full advantage of His atonement. A powerful thought and a correct principle. F-O-R-S I believe Elder Saunders, like TE Lawrence before him, is beginning the metamorphism into a Man and a Leader of Men. As his Father and Historian I am humbled. Thats it for this week F-O-R-S! Until Monday, this has been Saunders of Columbia! This is Ryans Dad saying so long!
Posted on: Thu, 19 Jun 2014 03:09:11 +0000
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