Hey, It's Kinda Short This Time

Hey folks!

We had a bit of a crazy week. We've been pounding the pavement trying to share the Christmas initiative with as many people as we can. I actually have to make this pretty short because we have to get up super early tomorrow morning to drive to Knoxville, so we'll see how this goes.

We finally saw Fabian, our investigator, again! We had a good lesson with him about real intent. He opened up a little about how he has mostly been investigating for his wife's sake (she's an active member of the church), not really for himself. We helped him to see that that might be why he hasn't received much of an answer from the Lord about the truth of the gospel. He has to do it for himself, out of his own love for the Lord.

We also tracted into a Jehovah's Witness guy. We had a great lesson on his porch and yet he still wouldn't accept a Book of Mormon or even a pass-along card. That was kinda frustrating. But it was still good, because we had a member named Ammon with us who we have been trying to encourage to go on a mission, and it was really good to have him there. Even though the guy didn't accept, Ammon still got to bear his testimony and it was good.

Today at the store Elder Urry struck up a conversation with a legit lady named Alexandria! He's already turning out to be a great missionary.

Well I'm out of time. I'd like to encourage you to study the example of the Brother of Jared. He is mentioned as an example of one who had great faith. What made his faith so great? I think there are a number of instances where his incredible faith is really shown, especially in Ether 3 when he sees the Savior. Another instance is in Ether 2, when he comes to the Lord and says:

"18 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared cried unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, I have performed the work which thou hast commanded me, and I have made the barges according as thou hast directed me.

"19 And behold, O Lord, in them there is no light; whither shall we steer? And also we shall perish, for in them we cannot breathe, save it is the air which is in them; therefore we shall perish."

The Brother of Jared saw a problem and had some concerns. But he didn't stop building the boats because of that. He trusted that the Lord knew what He was doing and he kept working until he had done all he could, and THEN he turned to the Lord. I think in his shoes I might have stopped working as soon as I saw the problems, and gone to the Lord and said, "um, excuse me, but I found a possible problem with your plan..." But not him. He kept working.

D&C 123:17 says: "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

Let's all strive to increase and exercise our faith in the Lord by striving to do His work and trusting in Him. I love you all! The gospel is true!

Elder Alex Swindler
#LIGHTtheWORLD