Hej hej,
This week has been incredible. I feel like I say that every
time but I sincerely mean it.
Some fun things from the week:
While we were playing soccer out on the exercise field, an
old couple working at the MTC accidentally locked their keys in their car and a
couple missionaries from the other Swedish district got a wire hanger and
actually managed to reach in and unlock the car with the hanger. It was so
cool. Maybe not a good image--a couple of LDS missionaries breaking into a
car--but it was a service opportunity, I guess.
Also, this week after our Sunday devotional, the MTC
presidency asked all the missionaries to watch Elder Bednar's "The
Character of Christ" talk he gave in an MTC devotional a few years ago.
For those of you who may not know, Elder Bednar is a important leader in our
church and a member of our Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, we esteem him as we
would any of Christ's original apostles. I would highly recommend you all look
on lds.org for this particular talk, it was amazing. Anyway, after the video,
we were surprised when Elder Bednar himself stepped into the auditorium and
proceeded to do a massive question and answer session with everyone for the
next hour. It was so uplifting and I got so much out of it.
I've also begun reading James E. Talmage's "Jesus the
Christ." It has brought me so much closer to Him as I learn more about His
life and His divine mission. I would also highly recommend that you read that
book. There is a digital version on lds.org for free.
This week I studied a lot about Christ and specifically, His
charity which is described in Moroni 7:47 as His "pure love." As
Elder Bednar pointed out in his "The Character of Christ" address,
this attribute of Christ with which he continually turned outward in love
toward other's regardless of His own pain and affliction--which was very
great--is perhaps His most defining characteristic.
This brings me to the scripture of the week. When I am in
the service of God, none of my personal characteristics matter if I don't have
charity. I've been trying to develop this attribute so I can better serve Him
in love and kindness towards all and let me tell you, it's tough. But by
trying, we can grow closer to Him and better appreciate Him and all that He is.
I think this is what is meant in Moroni 7:48 when Moroni
teaches that those who have charity will "see [Christ] as he is" when
He comes again. Clearly, everyone will literally see Christ, but not everyone
will truly be able to understand or appreciate His love and His sacrifice. As a
missionary in my district pointed out, the people who can best appreciate how
difficult it is to run the world record mile time, are those who are trying to
beat it. We could never "beat" Christ in His perfect expression of
love and sacrifice, but as we try to come closer to His perfect example, we are
more able to appreciate His true character.
We always speak of Christ as the great sympathizer (See Alma
7:11-13), but as we try to develop charity and become as He is, we are more
able to sympathize with Him.
Sorry for the length, I just felt especially moved as I
learned of Him this week.
I know that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ. I know He lives
and I know He loves us and I know that through Him and only Him can we receive
comfort, peace, and eternal salvation.
Love,
Äldste Cummings
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