January 14-STANCE HQ

Hello everyone, had another wonderful week serving in the chillest wards in America. I love it here! I often find myself breaking out into song because I love it here so much. It's not always easy, but I've come to love the hard parts as well. 

Nothing major happened this week. Elder Whitchurch was sick so we couldn't go out as much as I wanted. But I have had some amazing studies this week. My Christ like attribute is faith, and I have learned so much about faith by reading Ether. Holy cow, why didn't anyone tell me how amazing Ether is! I was blown away about what I descovered about faith just by reading about The Brother of Jared! Through out my mission I have felt that my faith has not been enough, that I have needed to have a greater knowledge of everything in order to be a great and powerful missionary, false. Faith is all that is needed. This is what Moroni said about the subject in Ether 12:

6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith. 

7 For it was by faith that Christ showed himself unto our fathers, after he had risen from the dead; and he showed not himself unto them until after they had faith in him; wherefore, it must needs be that some had faith in him, for he showed himself not unto the world.

8 But because of the faith of men he has shown himself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen.

9 Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith. 

10 Behold it was by faith that they of old were called after the holy order of God.

11 Wherefore, by faith was the law of Moses given. But in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way; and it is by faith that it hath been fulfilled.

12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.

13 Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth.

14 Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost.

15 Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites.

16 Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles wrought them by faith, even those who were before Christ and also those who were after.

17 And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise that they should not taste of death; and they obtained not the promise until after their faith.

18 And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God.

19 And there were many whose faith was so exceedingly strong, even before Christ came, who could not be kept from within the veil, but truly saw with their eyes the things which they had beheld with an eye of faith, and they were glad.

20 And behold, we have seen in this record that one of these was the brother of Jared; for so great was his faith in God, that when God put forth his finger he could not hide it from the sight of the brother of Jared, because of his word which he had spoken unto him, which word he had obtained by faith.

21 And after the brother of Jared had beheld the finger of the Lord, because of the promise which the brother of Jared had obtained by faith, the Lord could not withhold anything from his sight; wherefore he showed him all things, for he could no longer be kept without the veil.

These few verses in this chapter touched me. What really hit me was that I realized that I can possess that same faith. I can one day have the same amount of faith if I do what the lord wants me to do. I was able to have my faith tested this week which was amazing! The trials of faith lead to even greater faith in Christ! I was on a power hour with Elder Fackrell and in his prayer to begin, he asked humbly to be able to pass out 1 book of Mormon and get 1 phone number. I appreciated his humility but I knew that 1 was way too low and I told him that! We passed out 5 books of Mormon and got 5 numbers back. I boast of my God! We were able to teach a full restoration lesson to 3 of those people! Afterwords I told Elder Fackrell to never ask for only 1. I read him this scripture

3 Nephi 18:20 

And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.

When we ask God with unwavering faith in the power of Jesus Christ, he will answer. I told him to be more bold and believing that miracles can and will harken when we have faith. I have truly seen that in my mission.

Faith is the key. Faith is an action word, it requires work on our part. I know when we do what God asks us to do, our faith in him will grow. Scriptures, prayer, church, and hope lead to faith. It's simple yet vital.

That's about it this week. It Brazilian family came to church again! We got to go to the STANCE sock factory, it was pretty cool. Good week. I love you all. 

Stay cool

Love, 

Elder Judd