Week 48

Hey everyone!

Thank you for all the birthday wishes! It was a good birthday! The Elders made me a giant whoopie pie cake! It was pretty good but it was so huge! Then we had a yummy dinner with Sis. Austin! Okay but here's the funny/sad part. We got a voicemail from our investigator, Terry, and he dropped us. :( I was so sad because Terry seemed so solid! But yeah, I got dumped on my birthday on my mission haha! Oh well! He'll accept the gospel someday!

my whoopie pie cake from the Elders

We had zone conference on Tuesday and it was great! President Stoker taught about repentance and how it is a glorious positive! Here are some of my notes:

-Jude 1:22 "And some have compassion, making a difference."

-God loves us because He sees what we can become

-Joseph Smith learned and received revelations because of his desire to repent and change

-salvation is a personal matter, exaltation is a family matter

-Ezekiel 33:8-11 "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live."

-you can know how strong your faith is by how strong your desire to repent is

-Isaish 1:18 scarlet-bright, easily noticed sin; white as snow-clean, new, unexpected; crimson-dark, concealed, secret sin; wool-a process of shearing, sorting, cleansing, bleaching and combing, a process

-"There is nothing exempt from the promise of complete forgiveness. That is the promise of the Atonement." Pres. Boyd K. Packer

-the Lord does not punish us for our sins, He simply withholds His blessings and we punish ourselves

-failure is not a person, it's an incident

-"Repentance is rarely a voice of chastisement, but a loving appeal to return to God." Elder Neal L. Andersen 

I also got to see Sis. Craig at zone conference!

We saw a bunch of less actives this week! Janice is doing great! We committed her to write her conversion story and she started the other day! I can't wait to read it! Here's one of Janice's texts from this week, "The spirit has lead me closer to God and make me wants to do what is pleasing to my Heavenly Father. I love my Heavenly Father and am so glad an happy that He has given me this chance to grow closer to Him. Have a happy, safe, great day. I love you and am so grateful that the doors never got shut on me." Isn't she so awesome?! I love her so much and her strong testimony!

Well, we heard about the Supreme Court decision this week. The Church put out this statement about it, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acknowledges that following today's ruling by the Supreme Court, same-sex marriages are now legal in the United States. The Court's decision does not alter the Lord's doctrine that marriage is a union between a man and a woman ordained by God. While showing respect for those who think differently, the Church will continue to teach and promote marriage between a man and a woman as a central part of our doctrine and practice." When I heard about this, the first thing I thought of was this last General Conference and how it was all centered around the family. Sis. Bonnie L. Oscarson gave a talk called "Defenders of the Family Proclamation" and we all need to be defenders of the family proclamation! It's no coincidence that we received such important instruction about the family at last conference. The leaders of the church are truly inspired and they know what we need in our day. 

I found this scripture in my personal study yesterday. It gave me so much peace and comfort and helped me know of my Savior's love! D&C 29:1, " Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I Am, whose arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins." The Atonement is real and it is for you! I love the Lord and know that He lives! 

I hope you all have a wonderful week! Have a happy and safe 4th of July!

Love, Sister Harper