Hey all!
Got a little less time this week. Also, I totally forgot my journal at the church today and I don't remember a whole ton without it so I'll just write what's on my mind.
I've always heard that at this point in your mission it gets really easy to joke about wanting to go home. Y'all know me well enough that my sense of humor goes off the rails sometimes, so I kinda knew the "trunky" jokes were a long time coming.
What I didn't expect to happen, though, was to be faced with a situation where I could realistically be home within the transfer if I so chose. The weight of that choice kinda does a number on a guy.
The details aren't worth sharing right now, but this much is: I'm staying. I am going to serve all twenty-four months I promised the Lord and y'all better hold me to it. I love the Lord and I love my job, so I'm not going anywhere.
~
For a spiritual thought this time, I wanted to share the words of a man who I believe is the Lord's prophet on the earth today. His name is Russell M. Nelson.
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ gives us a clear warning: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matthew 7:15)
And His answer for how to discern true messengers? "Ye shall know them by their fruits." (16)
Not many sane people are bold enough to claim they're a prophet of God these days, so I'd invite you to ponder this man's fruits as you read this passage and to do it sincerely. What truths does he testify of to us? What actions does he invite us to take? What kind of people does he encourage us to become?
Please listen to this promise of Jesus Christ to you: “I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”
There is no limit to the Savior’s capacity to help you. His incomprehensible suffering in Gethsemane and on Calvary was for you! His infinite Atonement is for you!
I urge you to devote time each week—for the rest of your life—to increase your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. My heart aches for those who are mired in sin and don’t know how to get out. I weep for those who struggle spiritually or who carry heavy burdens alone because they do not understand what Jesus Christ did for them.
Jesus Christ took upon Himself your sins, your pains, your heartaches, and your infirmities. You do not have to bear them alone! He will forgive you as you repent. He will bless you with what you need. He will heal your wounded soul. As you yoke yourself to Him, your burdens will feel lighter. If you will make and keep covenants to follow Jesus Christ, you will find that the painful moments of your life are temporary. Your afflictions will be “swallowed up in the joy of Christ.”
It is neither too early nor too late for you to become a devout disciple of Jesus Christ. Then you will experience fully the blessings of His Atonement. You will also be more effective in helping to gather Israel.
My dear brothers and sisters, in a coming day, Jesus Christ will return to the earth as the millennial Messiah. So today I call upon you to rededicate your lives to Jesus Christ. I call upon you to help gather scattered Israel and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord. I call upon you to talk of Christ, testify of Christ, have faith in Christ, and rejoice in Christ!
Come unto Christ and “offer your whole [soul]” to Him. This is the secret to a life of joy!
The best is yet to come, my dear brothers and sisters, because the Savior is coming again! The best is yet to come because the Lord is hastening His work. The best is yet to come as we fully turn our hearts and our lives to Jesus Christ.
If you felt something different when you read those words and you want to feel it more, you can read the rest here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/10/57nelson?lang=eng
Five months to the finish. Let's get it done.
Love,
Elder Rigby
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