Behold the Wounds in Jesus' Hands
Good Morning!
It has been a fantastic end to this transfer! I have loved every second of working in Richfield and striving to find new friends and help them make covenants with their Savior. I wouldn't want to have spent this past transfer anywhere else.
God must think one transfer in Richfield is enough (it's not) so now I'm moving again! And to top it all off, I'm going back to an old area of mine, working on-campus at Utah Tech, plus I'll also cover a Stake for the families rather than just the students. My new companion will be Elder Shipp, he sounds like an excellent missionary so I know we will do great things. I'm also excited because I'll get to see all my friends again, despite already leaving the many friends I've made in Richfield. Elder Mason is also leaving, headed to Apple Valley. So that means two new missionaries in Richfield again!
We found two friends this week: CJ Nelson and Jhett Van. These are fantastic kids, they'll both probably be baptized in 6 weeks or less. We will see. Jhett and CJ are the evidence of persistence paying off. Jhett and first didn't want us to teach him. Now he does. We had to drop by CJ's place 3 times in 5 hours to catch their mom home. But we told CJ to tell his mom he wants to be baptized (he does, don't worry) and he did so now we're coming back!
8 of our friends came on Easter Sunday. More of our friends are preparing for baptism. It's always at the high they take me out but that's okay! If God needs me somewhere else then I'm going, 100%! It also snowed a TON at the beginning of the week. Photos are included.
We had a fantastic lesson with Jontay on the Plan of Salvation. I can't forget that lesson. He will be baptized this Saturday, but we took the opportunity to say goodbye and take a picture. I'm most sad to leave him, because we've had so many wonderful lessons together! But I know all will be well. We are going to reconnect after the mission.
I also participated in exchanges with Elder Robinson and Elder Dearing, respectively! Elder Robinson is doing well. I went to Gunnison and it was all worth it because I saw a flock of wild turkeys . . . And taught the gospel so that's cool too!
I absolutely loved being with Elder Dearing again. I trained him, and he's done fantastic. I have seen him grow miles since we were companions 4 1/2 months ago, it was a great opportunity to bond and teach. I am very proud of who he is and his desires for the work. Elder Dearing is actually inheriting my area (and all the upcoming baptisms too) and knows some of the people already. So at least the two new missionaries here won't be super unfamiliar with everyone!
I have had such a fantastic opportunity to ponder and reflect on the Savior. I have really pondered on chapters 2-4 in Mosiah, about the Atonement of Christ. These chapters are fantastic, some of my favorites in the Book of Mormon. They have caused me to reflect on what He means to me, and how His sacrifice changes my life.
I also found a wonderful Hymn sung in General Conference a couple years back, that has come to have deeper meaning each time I study it. I will share just one verse from this masterpiece. The Hymn is titled "Behold the Wounds in Jesus' Hands." It reminds me of the Atonement, and so much more!
1. Behold the wounds in Jesus’ Hands,
The marks upon His side.
Then ponder whom He meant to save
When on the cross He died.
We cannot see the love of God
Which saves us from the Fall,
Yet know that Christ from wood and nails
Built mansions for us all.
As I have pondered on my Savior, what He suffered for me, and all this means to the world, I cannot help but desire to spread the gospel further. I know precisely what the Savior has done for me. I know that this knowledge is critical for the world to gain, and that when they do, they will know not only does God love them, but that He sent His perfect Son to bring us back to Him.
These are truths you can know too.
Mosiah 3:17 And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.
These words are my words. They are mine because they speak the truth, and all I desire is to echo that truth in every portion of the Utah St. George Mission I possibly can. They are my words because of the meaning, and weight they carry in my soul. And they are mine because I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. And He is yours too.
It can be hard to recognize the love of God in your life. Remember this:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
You will be saved through Jesus Christ. Ponder on who He meant to save, and why. Let that sink in. And imagine the incomparable price already paid, that you may attain your mansion above. Let the Savior work with you, for "we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (2 Nephi 25:23).
I love you all. Trust in the Lord. He has a plan for you. I know he has a plan for me, and for my friends. It will be hard to leave Richfield. But it would be so much harder without a Savior. He lives. He redeems. He cares. And He did all this, for you.
- Elder Williams
Mailing Address:
881 South River Road
St. George, Utah 84790
1. Jontay!!!
2. Meet Talmage Carter.
3. Elder Mason wearing glasses he randomly found.
4. District lunch!
5. This is Elder Dearing. He's literally fantastic!
6. Snow part turkey!
7. Elder Robinson & myself, in snow.
8. You won't believe the adventure it took to get to this house. We had to jump a muddy ditch, open a might-as-well-be-locked gate, climb a gate that literally was locked, and knock on the door only to get no response. Then we had to do it all over again just to leave!
9. Snow part 1!
10. Snow part 2!
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