Yesterday (Sunday) we had a recently-returned sister missionary from a neighboring ward speak to our congregation. (I dont recall the name of the mission, but it included Siberia and Kazakhstan.) At one point, she mentioned how down in Kazakhstan, the predominant religion scowls on Christianity in general, and so the missionaries cant even wear their nametags without placing a bullseye on them. Handing out paper copies of the Book of Mormon can even lead to death threats, so they have to refer them to online copies. Yet she still told of young men and young women willing to risk all, even their own lives if necessary, and lose family, home, and connections to join the Church and cause of our Father and Savior. It was agonizing to hear the accounts, yet unavoidably inspiring and faith-promoting. I still find myself comparing them to King Lamoni in the book of Alma, whose faith (see Alma 27:27) led to waves of influence that swept across the Lamanites and the Nephites alike, and even with the passing of generations changed the whole futures of both people. To any who have gathered in this group, LDS Meet and Connect Around the World, and have offered much, sacrificed much, or sought the Lord with great struggle, effort, and emotion, thank you. As your friend and brother in Christ, I salute you, hand and heart. When my first ancestor, Abel Butterfield, joined the Church with his sons nearly 200 years ago, I cant imagine they had any idea just how many of their posterity would rise up and call their names blessed for laying a foundation of enduring faith. Well over 100,000 strong, Abels great-great-great-great-great-great grandchildren even now hear the story of how Abels faith confirmed his son Jacobs faith for the time when Jacob joined the Mormon Battalion during the trek west, and they traveled through lands so dry that when it rained, the men would place their handkerchiefs over the puddles formed by oxen hoofprints, and they would suck the water to survive. You are now making the faith-filled choices that will lead to similar legendary physical or spiritual triumphs that will bless the lives of your posterity. Just please, please, beware the slippery slope of sin, and self-confidence that leads to deviation from the Lords appointed servants and the body of His saints. Ive seen too many of my friends and relatives follow that miserable path, and it, too, has led to generations who have reaped a bitter rather than a sweet and enduring harvest.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 12:43:41 +0000