Open Our Hearts

Something so special about being a missionary is to see the sweet little miracles that come as people progress. Our dear friends Valeria & Micaela are two of those miracles. They are acting in faith & as they do so, they are feeling the spirit. They began reading the Book of Mormon & although they don't understand everything, they feel that what they are doing is good & that they are getting closer to Jesus. It was sweet this week as my companion related this feeling to Nephi. He didn't exactly know at first if what his father, Lehi, had experienced but he went forth believing in prayer & eventually that faith became testimony. As Valeria said the closing prayer, the spirit made its way in. She was able to recognize that & so we hope & pray that they can keep going forward, acting in faith until what they believe becomes testimony.

As we go around getting to know people, we find ourselves always talking to the ones who don't believe in God. It blows our minds & we just ask them questions that get them thinking. Although their minds are always made up, we just leave feeling so blessed. Sad, but blessed knowing that we do have this testimony. That there is a God in Heaven who is our Heavenly Father. That he created all things on the earth. That he created us & we are His Children. That he knows us & he loves us so perfectly. That he has made a plan & it is a plan that is centered on Jesus Christ, His Only Begotten Son. That Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. & these are only the basics of what we know. Basics, but profound & pure. Doctrine that gives us hope & purpose.

Had another experience while talking to someone where you could just tell that their heart was closed. He is a big studier, has a museum in his house & knows all the facts. As we spoke to him, my heart hurt. He looked beyond the mark & has made himself confused. We could barely get a word in, but when we did it was just baring testimony because in those moments, it's all you can do. He has read the Book of Mormon through & through & has received many lessons from missionaries. We asked him if he had prayed about it & he said yes. He said that he didn't receive an answer, that he never received an answer. We asked him if he had faith. He said no. & we told him that's his answer. He needs to find the faith first. He continued to make excuses & so we had to decide that his time is not now. But this taught me something really important. That we must focus on the pure doctrine & when we do that we will not get lost. Not only that, when we pray, we must ask in faith. We must have the desire to receive answers. We must trust in the timing of the Lord. We must open our hearts. & when we do, we will feel the answers flowing in. God answers prayers. I know it. The heavens are open.

This week the new preach my gospel was released. It is beautiful. I hope you all will have the opportunity to read it. It has such a special focus on the members of the church as we are all missionaries & instruments in the hands of the Lord. It is a promise we make as we are baptized. So, I invite you to remember your baptism. The feelings that you felt & the importance of the covenant. Read the scriptures, every single day. It will open your mind & heart & you will find answers to prayers. Pray every single day. Our Father in Heaven waits so patiently. Let's not keep him waiting. Go to church every single Sunday. Take the sacrament & remember. Remember Jesus. & read preach my gospel & figure out the ways you can help in this special work. Find your testimony of these things & keep on building it.

Oh how much I love you all. I pray for you.

With all my heart,

Hermana Morley <3