Week 46: I Shall Not Want

We had one cool miracle happen last night.  We were about to go home for the night and we thought about stopping by one more person.  We went to a lady who we met earlier in the week and said she didn't mind us coming back.  We knocked on the door and she told us to come in.  We ended up teaching the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and invited them to read the Book of Mormon.  We were able to teach 3 people and there are other people that live there too.  We don't often find families here, so it was a huge tender mercy when they let us in and listened to us.This week was really hard.  I've learned that sometimes we will do nothing wrong and still get harmed because of the agency of others .  I've been struggling with this idea for a few days.  Obviously the natural man wants to get mad and fight back.  I was reading in Alma 60 when Moroni wrote a letter and accused Pahoran of neglecting the army.  After receiving the letter, Pahoran reacted perfectly.  He didn't fight back or try to prove his innocence, rather he praised Moroni for his passion and love for God.  I've been trying to think more like Pahoran and allow others to accuse and treat me poorly.  It's easier said than done, but if we pray for charity, God will help us obtain it.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." (Psalm 23)

These scriptures really helped me this week.  Relying fully upon Jesus Christ.  I know that when I allow Him to help me, when I rely on Him to ease my burdens, I shall not want.

Elder Poulsen

Week 46: John 6:66-69

I wanted to share one of my favorite scriptures from the Book of Mormon:  "And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.  And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions." (Mosiah 24:13-14)

I know that the Lord truly does visit us in our afflictions.  I have seen it in so many people, both family, friends, and strangers.  I've seen it in my own life.  God is completely aware of us and will help us through the hard times.

Elder Poulsen