Called To Serve

Monday, August 25, 2014

June 30, 2014

Family And Friends!
  Hope all is well in West Weber! Sister Olson and I love Creswel so much! The people are great here! There are people ready for the gospel and others not so much, but they will come around :) In the Creswel Ward there is a special part member family. The husband is the non-member and his name is James. His wife and kids are members and active. They all attend church together as a family. James has gotten so strong in the gospel that the past couple of times he has bore his testimony. He is golden and all he needs to do is to get wet. We are working with one of his fellow shippers and how we can help James make that step to be baptized. This fellow shipper family, and Sister Olson and I have been praying for James and for the right opportunity for this member to have a heart to heart with James. That day came last Sunday and it was a miracle! James didn't decide yet but he needed the words that this brother said to him. We are excited to see what is ahead with this family. We will keep you updated what happens next. But the point of this story is that the members are so important in the role of conversion of an investigator. James needed this member's testimony and love more than anything. In this area I have grown such a strong testimony of member missionary work! YOU members make a difference. YOU are the key and what these dear brothers and sisters need. At times the missionaries may be the missing piece but the members are that piece too. This is part of a talk from President Uchtdorf that I would like to share. This is how important each of YOU are in The Work of Salvation. 

"Now, take a moment right now and look at the people around you. Some may be your leaders, friends, or family members. Others you may have never met before. Nevertheless, everyone you see around you—in this meeting or at any other place, today or at any other time—was valiant in the premortal world. That unassuming and ordinary-looking person sitting next to you may have been one of the great figures you loved and admired in the sphere of spirits. You may have been such a role model yourself!

Of one thing you can be certain: every person you see—no matter the race, religion, political beliefs, body type, or appearance—is family. The young woman you look at has the same Heavenly Father as you, and she left His loving presence just as you did, eager to come to this earth and live so that she could one day return to Him.  However, she might feel alone, just as you sometimes do. She may even occasionally forget the purpose of her journey. Please remind her through your words and your actions that she is not alone. We are here to help each other.
Life can be difficult, and it can harden hearts to the point where certain people seem unreachable. Some may be filled with anger. Others may mock and ridicule those who believe in a loving God. But consider this: though they do not remember, they too at one time yearned to return to their Father in Heaven.
It is not your responsibility to convert anyone. That is the work of the Holy Ghost. Your task is to share your beliefs and to not be afraid. Be a friend to all, but never compromise your standards. Stand true to your convictions and faith. Stand tall, because you are a daughter of God, and He stands with you!"
We can all help Heavenly Father bring them home. Love you all!! 
Love,
Sister Hancock

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