Hey
everybody! So glad that school's over right?? So crazy...
This week was way interesting to say
the least... To start the week, I got to eat dog. Weird to say, but it was
pretty good. A little tough, but hey... gotta try it (; Also this week we had
some really neat experiences with our investigators. We had investigators who
said they didn't want to be taught, which is always hard, but potentials that
we invited to baptism on the street and wanted to know more. That was so neat.
And lastly, we met a man who finally asked, "How many wives he could have
if he joined our church." It was a crazy week filled with so many
miracles. Although we're not reaping anything from these miracles, I know good
things will come from them. So grateful to be teaching these wonderful people.
This past week I've been thinking a
lot about "bondage." I've been reading about all the prophets, and
people being in bondage and recognized that in our lives, we've all been in
bondage. As a missionary, I see investigators trapped in addictions,
missionaries trapped in struggle, and in the lives of members, I've seen heartaches
that leave them hopeless and trapped with no faith. I've had people experience
death, hopelessness, guilt, and shame. Reading this week in Mosiah chapter
16:8-9, I was comforted by these scriptures.
"But there is a resurrection,
therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in
Christ. He is the light of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can
never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no
more death."
Life takes a toll on each of us, and
we feel as though we are in bondage. We experience sicknesses, trials, heartaches,
and things that leave us in bondage, in which we feel there is no way to
escape. In the words of my investigator who said, "I can't take life right
now because I'm going through death," or the other man I met who said,
"I've lost all faith in the churches," there is hope in the fact that
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
The word death can be replaced with
any single affliction or trial that we face. Everything is swallowed up in
Christ. Despite the darkness that has been in our lives, and will be, Christ is
the light that is common to all if we will all just seek it. As I told my
companion this week. "I have no idea how people can even go day to day in
this life without the hope that all can be swallowed up in Jesus Christ."
I testify that with Christ, all will be swallowed up in the eternal hope and
comfort that we are seeking. This is why I am a missionary. This is why I go
out each day to talk to people. Because I know how badly every single person
needs this gospel. It is the thing that motivates me, drives me, and propels me
to push forward, knowing that one small thing I can do for someone can create
an eternal and lasting change for someone else.
I've learned in this gospel that it
seems like there's a lot of goodbyes. Goodbyes to "who we used to
be", to people who have departed this life, to the trials that we face, to
everything we hope to leave behind. However, I've learned that every goodbye opens
a new hello to who we're wanting to be. Even in the hardest times, we can look
up at a loving Heavenly Father and surely say. "I know how this story ends
already. There is brighter day ahead of us tomorrow." There is no bondage
that we won't be delivered from. And I know that as I walk the streets each
day, I hope to deliver all those around me who are seeking the eternal.
I love this gospel and I have a love
for my Savior. He lives, and He answers prayers. He is aware of us in every
way. I know that He will guide and direct every part of our lives as we allow
Him to. I'm so grateful for the perfect example that He has set.
I love you all and miss you all
dearly. Thanks for everything I'm so grateful for the support it truly means
the world. I'm eternally grateful.
Elder
Roper
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