Duty of A Gatekeeper

Good Morning! 

It is a beautiful day out in Ephraim right now. There's clouds, and rain, and mountains, and a whole new transfer! Last night I received a call, giving me some indication on what's up. I have been transferred to the Cedar City area, and I'll cover half of SUU campus! I also will be training a new missionary. This assignment and relocation was somewhat unexpected, but I know that God is preparing me to be something that I couldn't be without His help. I'm excited for the coming transfer!

We ended the transfer strong, I suppose. We've found a couple new friends and I pray that they will continue to progress with the new Elders who are coming in! I am grateful for the opportunity to work hard over the Summer, in a college town, where everybody already knows about the church! We found 14 new friends to teach in 3 months. Not my best, but it definitely could have been worse. God has His hand in all of this. 

One thing I have learned more about is my role as a missionary. I believe that as a missionary, I have the sacred trust, and privilege, of enabling the Atonement to be in force within the lives of those we teach. Allow me to explain. 

Helaman 5:11 And (Christ) hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem (us) from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls.

As an authorized representative of Christ, I have been sent forth to declare the conditions of repentance. Every missionary set apart by God's priesthood authority has this sacred trust; to invite all mankind everywhere to repent, and come unto the Savior. This is done through the ordinances of baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost. 

The Savior has taught us;

3 Nephi 20:

16 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.

19 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end. 

20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day

Without these critical steps, we cannot live with God again. Here is the Lord's instructions towards His prophets, or His representatives and spokesmen on Earth today. 

Mosiah 3:13 And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them.

God chooses to declare these glad tidings to His people through authorized representatives. In these last days, with the call to declare the gospel to those across the world, I direct you to the following section in the Doctrine & Covenants. It describes how the Apostles and Prophets can send others under their authority to help fulfill this call from God to preach the gospel. 

Doctrine & Covenants 112:

21 And again, I say unto you, that whosoever ye shall send in my name, by the voice of your brethren, the Twelve, duly recommended and authorized by you, shall have power to open the door of my kingdom unto any nation whithersoever ye shall send them— 

22 Inasmuch as they shall humble themselves before me, and abide in my word, and hearken to the voice of my Spirit.

Ultimately, what this means is that I am a gatekeeper for an individual's access to the Atonement of Christ. Without the authority from God I bear, those we teach who know not God, couldn't be brought to a knowledge of the truth and partake of the ordinances that grant access to the cleansing of soul available through Jesus Christ. These are a few scriptural examples for this truth, there are others who have explained it better than me. But I know that the call I have received is from the Lord. I intend to go where He wants me to go, and fulfill the responsibilities He expects me to bear. 

Your Savior lives, loves you, and wants nothing more than for you to experience the power of the Atonement in your life. Repent daily. Earnestly seek and expect miracles. Strive for personal, moral purity and virtue. When all is said and done, you can stand before the judgement bar of God having done your best. 

I mess up all the time. I fall short, fall down, and at times my head even hangs low. But through fervent, kneeling prayer, the Holy Ghost, and my Savior, I know all can and will be well. "This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors." 

So don't give up. Choose hope, choose joy, and choose repentance. Align your life with the example Jesus Christ has provided. He is your Redeemer and will shape who you are now, and who you will become. Of this I testify as a witness of Him who descended below all, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

- Elder Williams

Mailing Address: 

881 South River Road

St. George, Utah 84790

Pictures:

1. Myself in Indianola.

2. A random door in hideaway valley.

3. The view driving to Fairview.

4. Post District Council, Pre-Chaos.

5. Post District Council Chaos!

6. The actual chaos.