He Spoke I Went

During a Preach My Gospel class, I was asked to share my testimony about the relationship between the Bible and the Book of Mormon. These were my thoughts:

The Bible and the Book of Mormon are sacred scriptures that together contain the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They complement and enrich each other, each reinforcing gospel principles in powerful and inspired ways. Both are compilations of the teachings and testimonies of ancient prophets. The Bible records God’s interactions with His children in the Eastern Hemisphere, while the Book of Mormon records His interactions with His children in the ancient Americas.

I have a testimony that these sacred books fulfill the divine law of witnesses, which teaches that “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (see Ezekiel 37:16–17; 2 Corinthians 13:1; 2 Nephi 11:2–3). In harmony with this law, both scriptures testify of Jesus Christ—His birth, ministry, Atonement, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and divine appearance in both the Old and New Worlds.

My life has been richly blessed as I have made the effort to prayerfully study both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Through them, I have come to know more fully the divinity of Jesus Christ and have drawn closer to our Lord and Savior.

I testify that if you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon—even if you have read it before—and do so with real intent and a sincere desire to know the truth, the Spirit of the Lord will enter your heart in greater measure. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. He willingly suffered for my heartaches in Gethsemane and gave His life on the cross so that I can repent and be forgiven of my shortcomings. I know He rose from the dead, and because of His Resurrection, I will live again with my family—and through His restored gospel and Church, I can find peace, purpose, and the path back to my Heavenly Father.

I invite you to read the Book of Mormon with an open heart and allow its words speak to your soul. As you read, ponder, and pray, I know the Holy Ghost will testify to you—as it has to me—that it is the word of God and another witness of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

After spending a few days in the Missionary Training Center (MTC), I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to all who have supported my family over the years—especially more recently—as I have sought to answer the call to become a fisher of men. (Matthew 4:18-20)

These past few days have been incredible. I have witnessed God’s hand in the intimate details of my life. Again and again, I have been reminded of Heavenly Father’s love for me—especially through the testimonies, tears and experiences shared by fellow missionaries. Together, we have felt the comfort, joy and peace that come from striving to live Christ-centered lives. Although we have shared stories of individual struggles, it’s these experiences which have instilled a deep desire to invite all of God’s children to ponder the profound question found in Matthew 22:42:

“What think ye of Christ?”

May we be able to answer, as Simon Peter did, both with our words and our lives: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

It is my sincere hope and desire to be a useful instrument in the Lord’s hands—to share the joy, healing, and blessings that come through developing a personal relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

One rite of passage for missionaries entering the MTC is pointing to our assigned area on the map. I am honored and excited to serve in Pretoria, South Africa.

As I sat quietly in the temple yesterday, I found myself thinking about the people of Pretoria, South Africa—the mission where I have been called to serve. I asked the Lord what message He wanted me share not only for this post but also the people of South Africa.

In the sacred stillness, these words from Elder Dale G. Renlund came to mind:

“The Savior loves to restore what you cannot restore; He loves to heal wounds you cannot heal; He loves to fix what has been irreparably broken; He compensates for any unfairness inflicted on you; and He loves to permanently mend even shattered hearts… As you embrace your divine identity as a child of God, stay in dialogue with Heavenly Father and the Savior…” Consider the Goodness and Greatness of God April 2020 General Conference

This is the message I want to share: Jesus Christ heals. He restores. He knows you. Because of Him, no wound is too deep, and no life is too broken to be made whole again. As we lean into His Atonement we can feel peace, comfort and hope in knowing He lives, knows our struggles and most importantly loves us beyond comprehension.

Happy Birthday Mom

I tried writing the perfect tribute to Tisa on the anniversary of her reunion with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ but figured I could spend a week trying to adequately capture her essence.

I didn’t choose South Africa, it was chosen for me by a loving Heavenly Father who knows His children and where their talents are needed the most. Every step toward this mission was built on promptings, some gentle, some unmistakable, and some from members of other faiths.

I go forward in faith: hoping to spread the good news of the restored Gospel, to bring souls unto Christ and proclaim He Lives.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” (Romans 1:16)

When we feel hesitant or worried about leaving behind comfort and predictability, we can remember Jonah and choose instead to trust that the Lord’s plan is better than any plan of our own.

I know that I have been called to be a witness in Pretoria to lift up my voice, to share a message of hope, faith and of Jesus Christs love for us. As I enter the mission field I will help others build faith in Him, find hope through Him, and strengthen their fight within themselves.

I believe Heavenly Father still calls ordinary people from the bench to leave home, to cross oceans, in order to share the good news of His gospel. I have answered that call…not because I am perfect, but because I believe Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of all Mankind, who suffered all so that all can be blessed through the Atonement..

In this blog, I plan to share moments of faith, hope, love, grace and inspiration during my mission to Pretoria, South Africa.

Like John the Baptist, I seek only to prepare hearts for the Savior’s return. May the words shared here reflect His love, not mine. “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord…” (John 1:23)