Transfers, Training and Discipleship

Another AMAZING week of finding with Elder Knapton.  As a companionship we have really excelled at that.  We found out that we are getting split up this transfer.  No tears were shed, he isn't really going far.  He is moving across the parking lot to Hmong West, the area where he spent the first six transfers of his mission.  He has been a missionary in the Pioneer Park Ward for almost a year and a half consecutive.

I will be staying in Hmong East and training.  This time I am not part of a trio.  It will be on me to lead the training.  This is going to be a change.  I am not worried.  God directs this work through personal revelation.  I don't need to do much, I just need to listen and obey.

This week I have been studying the words of the hymn "Come, Come, Ye Saints."  I have always loved the words of the hymns.  They are scripture.  You can draw so much inspiration from them.

"Come, Come, Ye Saints" is an invitation, an invitation to take up our cross daily and become perfected in Christ (Luke 9:23, Moroni 10:32).  There is nothing to fear in the path we are asked to walk.  We can press forward with joy, "relying wholly on the merits of him who is mighty to save" (2 Nephi 31:19).  Christ will give us the support to do His work day by day, hour by hour, according to our needs.  It is better this way.  By walking the path of discipleship we perfect ourselves, ridding ourselves of useless cares and worldly concerns.  There is no greater joy than this.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ enables all men to be obedient to the command the Master gave to the Nephites.  "I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect" (3 Nephi 12:48).  It is a commonly understood principle in Christendom that faith is essential to our salvation.  It is also taught in the scriptures that "we are saved by hope" (Romans 8:24), and that of faith, hope, and charity, charity is the greatest (1 Corinthians 13:13).  Charity must then be essential for our salvation.  The Book of Mormon prophet Moroni taught this truth as well, (Moroni 7:47-48).  We find all through the scriptures the need to develop Christlike attributes so that we can be exalted and become like our Father in Heaven.  It is a wonderful blessing that there is a way provided for us to live up to our potential as children of God.

I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to preach the gospel here in Fresno.  I would not trade this experience for anything.  Discipleship is so worth it.  Find that path and stay on it.  There will be no regrets as we become purified through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

With my love,

Elder A. Jared Cummings