I Know Somebody

Dear Family and Friends,

The work progresses here in Great Bend and it's going very well. Maddie is going to be baptized this Saturday so that will be a wonderful day indeed. She's been attending church, youth, and seminary for almost 2 months now and has read almost every scripture in the personal progress book. The elders couldn't get her to accept baptism before, but after teaching her a few basic doctrine and inviting her to pray about what she's read, she's readily accepted it. She has already received permission from her parents, who support her in her decision. She also talked about her baptism in youth Sunday school, we were told. We showed her the baptismal font this week and she said she was cool with it even though she's terrified of water.

This week, after a few experiences we had, and reflecting on many more from earlier in my mission. I feel prompted to share a few stories with all of you (most of which are of members and investigators I've known and met in Great Bend, but a few are from other places). These are only going to be short simple statements more than stories, but they build my testimony of that our lives aren't perfect but the gospel is and if we endure to the end we will be rewarded. So here it starts:

I know somebody who prays every day for the second coming to come sooner. She isn't scared for it to come, quite on the contrary. She would be happier if it came to tomorrow. She recently lost her husband in a tragic accident and misses and wants to see him again.

I know somebody who is willing to sacrifice everything for the cause of Christ. They only want to come unto him and be baptized, but they are held back by their spouse who is less willing to give all. They are still diligently working to make a covenant with God.

I know somebody who despite readily accepting every aspect of the gospel still leads a very challenging life. Even though they made the choice to be baptized and have been actively involved, in body and spirit, since then, they still are faced with enormous trials. Trials if which many of us were faced with, we would tremble.

I know somebody who struggles with same-gender attraction. And despite feeling awkward, alone, and somewhat ostracized, they still attend all their church meetings faithfully and dutifully fulfill their calling because they know it's true.

I know somebody who suffers from mental illness and despite being racked with depression and anxiety they still press on. Even though they struggle to see purpose in day to day life and feel melancholy and meaningless in any accomplishment, they do their best.

"I do not know why we have the many trials that we have, but it is my personal feeling that the reward is so great, so eternal and everlasting, so joyful and beyond our understanding that in that day of reward, we may feel to say to our merciful, loving Father, “Was that all that was required?”...What will it matter, what we suffered here if, in the end, those trials are the very things which qualify us for eternal life and exaltation in the kingdom of God with our Father and Savior?"

-Linda S Reeves

"...and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

Revelation 21:3-4

I love you all, have a great week

Élder Connor Waldrón