Saturday, December 26, 2015

Cody hasn't written in a few weeks because he's been busy doing other things in the mission.  However, he sent this letter to me to send to a friend who is trying to figure out what heavenly father wants him to be.  The message is pertinent to all.  

"I think a lot about what it is that God wants from us. About all the things that I still lack. I think one of the easiest things to do in life is look for all the negative. Everything that we don’t do well. About how much better everyone else is at one thing or another. As Paul says, “For now we see through a mirror darkly”. 1 Cor 13:12.  And many times, we look at ourselves through that very mirror. If we focus on how far away we are from the presence and Perfectness of God we can easily get discouraged. We can in many ways lose all hope. 

In the Book of Mormon, Moroni says, “thanks to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ we can have hope for a better world.” Moroni 7:40-41 The atoning sacrifice is the fruit of God's love for us… you know how they say actions speak louder than words? Well God didn’t just say he loves us. Neither did Christ. They showed us. It is so important that we know this. Let me use an example. 

The second prophet of the Book of Mormon was named Nephi. He was a young man who starting at a very young age was asked to do very hard things. He is famous for saying “I will go and do what the lord has commanded me.” 1 Nephi 3:7 Why do you think Nephi was so brave? So hopeful? I have an idea… An angel spoke with Nephi. Explaining a few questions that Nephi didn’t understand. He asked Nephi… “Do you understand the condescension of God?” Or in other words, are you aware of all the things God has done to save you? Do you know his Son Suffered so much pain because he means what he says? And Nephi says… “I know that God Loves His Children… nevertheless I know not the meaning of all things.” Nephi 11:16-17.

For Nephi, instead of focusing on everything he lacked he focused and drew strength from one simple fact. God loves all of his children. It is not necessary to know everything.  Nephi's testimony came from one small seed of perfect faith.

I promise God loves all of us. He will always love us. The point of this life is not to show God that he can love us but, that he can trust us. Live so that God can trust you. Be obedient. Be Happy. Don’t focus so much on what you not doing well. Think about your strengths and try to think of how you can improve them.

Elder Cody Glassett"