I can't believe how quickly time has flown!!!
It just doesn't seem real that Christmas is on Wednesday! (Especially because it is not cold outside...)
This week was wonderful!
We contacted alot of less actives and really tried to bring the Christmas spirit to the area!
We have been treating our book of Mormons like our phones for the last week and we LOVE it!! I hope some of you have taken up that challenge as well and have started using your book of Mormon for everything!
As I have studied the scriptures over and over I have recognized a few verses that fit together perfectly in an analogy presented by the authors of the Book of Mormon.
The analogy relates us, God's children, to a sword:
"Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work..."(3 Nephi 22:16). A "smith", or blacksmith is someone who works with metal to make weapons such as swords.
In this analogy, the author is relating our heavenly father to a blacksmith.
To make a sword, a blacksmith has to refine the metal Or purity it. To do this, the blacksmith burns the metal. In our lives we may suffer from many challenges and struggles, this may be related to the fire that is used to refine us. Though it may be hard to comprehend in the heat of our trials, our heavenly father knows us perfectly. He will never give us a challenge that is too hard for us to overcome! We can be strengthened by out trials and become a more humble follower of our savior Jesus christ as we rely on his atonement. "For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction" (1 Nephi 20:10). Each of us are beloved sons and daughters of God. He knew us before we were born, and if we are willing to let him work with us, he can make us into something beautiful.
After the metal has been heated, it must be shaped into the sword. It Will be pounded, hammered, cut, bent, and so much more.
The trials won't stop, but If we trust God and rely on him to shape our lives, then he will bring forth "an instrument for his work"(3 Nephi 22:16).
"And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; And said unto me: Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified" (1 Nephi 21:2-3). As a servant of the Lord, as his instrument, we can either choose to hide in the quiver, or fight for what we believe. If we rely on God then we are promised that, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall revile against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord" (3 Nephi 22: 17).
So let us be instruments in his hand! Let us be strengthened by our challenges and shaped by our loving father in heaven. Fight for what you believe!
I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints is the Lord's church. Though the people may be imperfect, the gospel and the savior are perfect. I love my father in heaven and I love Jesus Christ. I will never stop fighting for what I know the be true!
I am willing to die for what I believe, because I KNOW this gospel is true, "nothing doubting!" (Ether 3:19)
I hope you all have the BEST Christmas ever!! Remember the savior in all you do!
Love you all!!
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| Missionaries are Kindness Hero's |
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| Ann's Favorite Picture of the Savior |
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| Ann Loving my Book of Mormon like a phone! BUT MORE! |
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| Photo Gallery on Ann's Book of Mormon phone! |
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| Sister Elgaaen & Wilde Tie it on! |
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| Sister Wilde and Elgaaen Hold on to your heart! |
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| Sister Elgaaen "It's Raining" |
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