Message Of Joy

This week was one where I really felt that my joy was full looking back on it. We worked hard every day, experienced miracles, and saw the hand of the Lord in everything we were doing.



The pinnacle of it all was Sunday, when we celebrated Easter. We had made a special program, arranged some music numbers, and invited everyone we could to come and worship with us. It had been thunderstorms and lightning (even an earthquake) on good Friday and Saturday, but we woke up Sunday morning to a beautiful Easter morning. The chapel was full of members, our friends from Ukraine, and others coming for the first time. The talks were powerful, bearing testimony of the Savior's Resurrection and brought the Spirit to all of us present. The music was beautiful and the Sunday school lesson combined the doctrine of the Resurrection taught in the Bible and Book of Mormon and showed how both witness of Jesus Christ. 


After the meeting, we had the opportunity to give a priesthood blessing to one of our friends and then we gathered downstairs to share traditions and I saw more miracles take place. I watched years-old grudges melt away to laughter and peace, I saw members bear their heart-felt testimony of the Savior to our new friends, and I saw how a common belief and hope in our Savior can unite so many different people. I've never been happier :)


For a quick spiritual thought, I wanted to share a verse that stuck out to me this week. "Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation." (D&C 31:3) 
Yesterday I really realized what a joyful and hope-filled message it is that we share. We speak of Jesus Christ, from whom comes all good, all hope, and all lasting joy. He is the light and life of the world, and His gospel is the solution to all that is taking place in the world today as well as to our personal struggles. Rather than dwell on the darkness or pain abundant in the world, focus on this hope and joy and give thanks for our Savior, Jesus Christ! 


Elder Neil


Pictures:
-Elder Sandersons engraved Easter egg
-Žabljak trip for pday today
-Our Ukrainian friends at church this Sunday!






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