"Condition of our Heart"

I believe that the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is the saving power for every person on the Earth. My mission and these last few weeks especially, have really solidified this fact. While Jesus Christ suffered for everyone’s sins and pains, he also won’t force anyone to do anything they don’t want to do, or to be somewhere they don’t want to be. In life, I really believe we eventually get exactly what we want.

We met a young man near a member’s home and chatted with him, then saw him the next day on UNC Campus and contacted, taught and set up a return appointment. We struggled to teach him over the next several months because he and his wife wouldn’t return calls. The real reason they failed to truly investigate the Gospel, however was the condition of their hearts.

This young family lacked just one example of an element of the Gospel that many don’t accept or don’t really believe in. This element is personal revelation, the fact that God can and does speak to man. There is a promise in the last pages of the Book of Mormon, assuring that any person can know of the book’s truthfulness by receiving a spiritual confirmation from the Holy Ghost. However, there are requirements. We must have a sincere heart, real intent, having faith in Christ.

I wonder how often I lack these requirements, limiting my opportunity to receive revelation from God. I love this Article of Faith, which is one of several short statements describing the basic beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

Another scripture came to mind.
1 Cor. 2: 14
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Long story short, we had to stop teaching this family because they were unreceptive, and it was a sad, frustrating moment. However, we are teaching an amazing young lady named Jessi.

Jessi went to church with a member family in her hometown in North Carolina to help take care of one of the family’s children who is disabled. She loved what she learned at church and felt that it was true. I was preparing for the Book of Mormon class so I missed the first lesson with her when Elder Milovich and Elder Farrell taught her the Restoration. She has accepted to be baptized on Valentine’s Day, February 14th! She hasn’t told her parents about it and is worried about how they will react. Please pray for her to be true to her witness and for her parents to be open and understanding!

Thank you for your love, prayers and support!

Elder Walters