This week was full
of Miracles. I am really grateful to our members for coming with us to lessons
so often because it makes a big difference. People need to have support. We
have a couple people planning on being baptized in the coming weeks – both
young adults with very little family support. It's stressful for them because
they want to serve God and can't deny their testimonies, but their families
don't seem to understand. Admittedly, I've heard the things people say about us
and if they were true I'd be worried too. I understand how these families feel.
I just feel bad for these poor young pioneers trying their best to follow
Christ.
I told one young man
this week "You know, your family really can't say anything until they have
read the Book of Mormon and prayed to know if it's true. They can have
an opinion – just not a very educated opinion until they have asked God for
themselves." He agreed that that was how he got his answer, and it was the
only way they would ever know for sure.
Sometimes people ask
me if I've prayed to know if their faith is right – the answer is probably yes.
I've prayed to know about a lot of truths. I was taught from a young age that
if you want to know the truth it's best to ask a question, and that the best
person to ask questions about faith and lost toys is always God. He is the only
one who knows the answers to those questions for sure. So I've asked a lot of
questions about a lot of doctrines and a lot of books.
I've learned
something recently. It really matters very little what we say or do. People
feel the Spirit when they read the scriptures and pray. When people read the Book
of Mormon with an open heart and mind and humbly pray to know the truth, they
will eventually get an answer. I've seen it again and again. I have watched
countenances change. Sometimes it is slow and subtle, other times it is quick.
I know it will always come. That's the miracle. The Book of Mormon a
book of scripture written for our day. It was prepared by God to help people
know that His church is restored in its fullness. The Heavens are open! God
speaks! It's pretty exciting, and it makes sense to me that the Lord would deal
with us in the same way that He dealt with His children so long ago (as
recorded in the scriptures) with prophets, apostles, and priesthood authority
like Moses gave to Aaron and Christ gave to Peter, James, and John. As we learn
that the Book of Mormon is true we also learn that all of these things
have been brought back to the Earth today, because the Book of Mormon
was translated by one of these living prophets – Joseph Smith.
I all this is true,
it's pretty important to know about. I really recommend this book.
But even with all of
this, it can still be hard for new people if they do not have emotional
support. Sometimes I wish that I could buy a house down the street from the
people I've taught so I could be there for them for the rest of their lives,
but I can't. I am eternally grateful to members and nonmembers who support
people as they make this change in their lives. It's hard to do – like
everything the Lord asks us to do. And it's not fun to have to do it without a
good friend by your side. Luckily for those who find themselves alone. Our
Father in Heaven plus one other person can make up a family (I got that from
John Bytheway). I know that our Father in Heaven is also eternally
grateful when we support His children as they take steps in faith. Because the
nature of our life on Earth requires that He cannot always stand physically in
our presence and hold our hand, Our Father in Heaven inspires others to stand
in His place and show some of His love to those who feel that hope is beyond
them.
I am so grateful for
the work. I love it. I love Richland. I am glad to be so near the temple.
The sun came out
yesterday and it filled our souls with joy. That's a big change for me – coming
from Arizona. I used to be so bored with sunshine. You never know what you have
until it's gone.
Make every day
count!
Love,
Sister Caroline
Faulkner
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