March 11, 2013

The topic of the month for the mission is the Atonement. What a great time of year to celebrate this crowning event in the history of our eternal lives as we approach the Easter season. This past week I have been reflecting upon this topic greatly as I have been preparing for my lessons and for the spiritual thought I gave on ZLC. I love ZLC so much. The Spirit presided as we discussed various topics relating to our missionaries and the cities in which we are a serving. I almost didn't make it to ZLC after we left last Monday to Tyumen on a marshrutka. On our arrival into Tyumen a horrible thought came to my remembrance, "Do I have my passport?!" I immediately began to pat myself down and checking my bag. I definitely had left my passport at home in Kurgan. What a terrible mistake!! The ticket ladies for the train always double check your documents before you get on a train. I called up President R to let him in on the situation and everyone else too that needed to be informed of the situation. After doing so i remember just being full of sorrow due to the thought that I could actually miss my last ZLC and giving my spiritual thought. I was super sad. I got up the next morning early to get ready for the train and while Elder S was in the shower, got on my knees and prayed earnestly to my Heavenly Father to allow me to get on the train. 

Upon entering the train station I made a few more calls to people in the office to try and get them to give me my passport number, but they couldn't give it to me and told me that it was very unlikely for me to get to Yekaterinburg. Elder S and I then just decided to hand off the printed coupons to the lady in the booth and have her print out the tickets. She printed out the tickets for me with out asking for my passport! This was of course the first of many miracles relating to this trip. Every time that I needed to get on the train, I had no problems and the Lord softened the hearts of everyone for a reason. My only explanation is that I needed to be on that ZLC and the Lord was going to guide me every step of the way. The Lord knows each and every one of us personally and knew that I can be forgetful. In so doing I met a tiny trial of my faith and acted according to the prompting to pray not only on my way to Yekat but on the return journey as well. 

We found two new investigators this week! Such a miracle to see people interested in the Gospel and the spiritual conversations that we can have concerning the truths of the Gospel which bring light into our lives to guide us to greater and better things from our Heavenly Father. We talked to one of our investigators about the word of wisdom this past weekend and the plan God has made for us. He was happy to learn about the Plan of Salvation, but when we had to confront green tea coffee and black tea, he about lost it. he really wants to be baptized and we were straight with him, meaning we explained the qualifications for baptism. At the end he agreed to quit all these substances. The two new investigators are ready to read the Book of Mormon and we will be excited to see how they progress in the future. They are both from English Conversation Group.

The Atonement is means being "at one." Reading in the Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-20, we learn of a detailed account of the Savior's suffering for each and everyone of us. He was definitely alone during those moments of pain and sorrow. I love my brother Jesus Christ so much for so generously giving his life for the sake of mine. I will be eternally grateful to him and the opportunities that his Atonement gives me to become a better person. The Atonement is something that not only should be used once but many times, because with each application we deepen our understanding of Jesus Christ and our purpose to become perfect just as our Father in Heaven is perfect. paying close attention to the verses in this scripture we also learn that if we don't use the Atonement then we must to stand alone and suffer just as he did which suffering caused even God himself to tremble. The Atonement was performed to rescue us from sorrow and unhappiness. We should not be afraid to admit our weaknesses and changed for the better. I know that Jesus Christ is always near to lift us up out of the the depths of misery and left the pain that burdens our hearts. I love you all and I pray that we all consider the joy that comes in using the Atonement in our lives.

Love,
Elder LeFevre