June 29: The Book of Mormon

We were in our first lesson with Benarda and Jesus; first lessons are always hard because you don’t know the person, but have to help them understand the importance of baptism in their lives, and how they can receive answers from God to specific questions they have. You have to listen so hard to the Spirit! Everything felt warm, nice, but I didn’t expect what happened when I pulled a Book of Mormon out of my backpack as my companion was teaching. Before I even had it fully out of my backpack, before we could start to explain what it was, the husbands eyes got huge. I had no idea what that meant, if it was a good thing or a bad thing. So I just asked what he felt upon seeing the book. And he said, “Right away it calls your attention and it makes you feel like reading it.” Whooooooooa. The Lord prepares people!!!

I gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon my freshman year of high school. It was the year I was sickest. Almost every week I went to the hospital, missed school, and had make-up work; I was getting blood transfusions constantly, trying all kinds of medicines that never worked, and simply talking and smiling was a tiring effort for me. But I hardly EVER missed 6:30 am seminary before school. I felt like I could not make it through the day if I did not go. It gave me a strength and a peace that helped me survive. We were studying the Book of Mormon. Ever since then, I have known of the power of this sacred book. It’s so much more than just a book. It’s God’s words. It’s the instructions and advice he wants us to have. I love the Book of Mormon and invite every one of you to take advantage of it by reading it every day and applying its holy instructions.

(caption) This week we said goodbye to Presidente and Hermana Camarillo, two of the most dedicated servants of the Lord I have ever met. I am so grateful for them!

June 22: You are a masterpiece

Yesterday we were teaching a lady named Marta for the first time. I was speaking, but I paused so that I could think of the right word to explain what I wanted to say without being disrespectful. And while I was trying to think of the right word, she said, “You don’t even know what you’re talking about. You’re losing your marbles. How can you preach to me when you don’t even know what you believe?”

It was one of those moments in life where you felt fine 2 seconds ago, but now you really don’t. I know exactly what I’m talking, and I know exactly what I believe. (I may be losing my marbles, but that’s beside the point haha.) But simply because I wanted to be loving and respectful, she saw me pause and said those things to me with a face full of disgust. A few months ago, I might have gotten mad. But I can honestly say that when you let yourself be moldable in the Master’s hands, He will change you. It is not easy or fast. It is so painful because you are being broken apart so that you can be put back together—a better person. I have not yet become the person I want to be, but I have gained a testimony that through sacrifice and the sacred steps and covenants the Lord has offered us—repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the temple—the impossible becomes reality.

Last night I took out some pictures I have of Christ and looked through them. I lingered on the one where He was washing His disciples’ feet. I felt like yesterday I got a very small chance to wash Marta’s feet. I invite you all to persevere and become the person the Lord created you to be. When they asked Michelangelo how he achieved his masterpiece David, he said, "I saw the face in the marble, and I carved until I set it free." I know the Lord sees the masterpiece in every one of you, and is trying to set it free. As much as the carving and chipping away at the marble hurts, we must let Him work if we want to be set free. D&C 122:7.