Messengers of Truth

As I studied Preach My Gospel this week a quote appeared from President Howard W. Hunter that made an impression on me about why we share Heavenly Father's message about his son Jesus Christ.

“What does the Atonement have to do with missionary work? Any time we experience the blessings of the Atonement in our lives, we cannot help but have a concern for the welfare of others. … A great indicator of one’s personal conversion is the desire to share the gospel with others.” 

The line that was distinctive for me was, "...A great indicator of one’s personal conversion is the desire to share the gospel with others.” 

I believe those who are or have been on a mission and members of the church can agree it is difficult to share the gospel when we aren't doing what Heavenly Father has asked of us to gain a testimony. 

This has helped me to gage the strength of my personal testimony. If there is a day when we are less eager to share the gospel it is easy then to identify that we need to come back to the basics of faith in Jesus Christ and repentance. 

After we have repented and let go of our mistakes and sins, it makes sense that feeling clean and delivered out of bondage turns us towards God. It also makes sense that we would be more eager to share the gospel as well. 

In closing, as it says in the Book of Helaman, 5:10-11,

"....the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins.

And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them 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."

We all have a calling to be messengers of truth to those around us.  In doing this we can be redeemed of our sins and mistakes, and feel clean at any given time. 

When we feel these feelings of redemption, sharing the gospel will instantly be viewed in an eternal, not a temporal, perspective.

I know that Heavenly Father lives and loves each one of us. I know that He lives. He really does live. I know that we all have the chance to know this for ourselves and become the best people we can, just as Heavenly Father wants us to be.

With a bundle of love,
Elder Tait

Jesus Healing the 10 Lepers

I apologize for not writing the past few weeks. I have been blessed to be able to serve in this area with a humble servant of the Lord. We have seen many miracles through the tender mercies of Heavenly Father. We’ve also had some unexpected events happen that have taught us a lot. We were privileged to have the opportunity to learn from a member a new insight into the story of Jesus healing the 10 lepers.

When Jesus was fulfilling his earthly ministry, he entered a small town and met 10 lepers. Their leprosy resulted in them having horribly painful sores all over their bodies. At that time people treated lepers poorly, for fear of contracting the disease. As soon as the 10 lepers saw Jesus, all 10 knew Jesus could heal their ailment and they asked him to do so. Jesus told them to go to the priest and they would be made clean. On their way to the priest all 10 lepers were healed.  They were all so joyful at being healed, but only 1 of the 10 turned around and thanked Jesus for healing him. I believe we all understand the moral of this story. One leper was grateful enough to turn back and thank Jesus for what he had done. But on a deeper level, what did that 1 leper receive that the other 9 didn't?  What was the blessing he received for being thankful?

In Luke 17:18, after the leper thanked Jesus, Jesus replied,

"...Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."

What this 1 leper received that the other 9 didn't was a whole understanding of faith. He was able to understand that miracles happen through faith in Jesus Christ. To the other 9 lepers, being healed was just a miracle that had somehow happened. Jesus told the thankful leper "thy faith hath made thee whole."  The former leper was whole in his understanding that miracles happen, not out of happenstance, but from our faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Redeemer.

Most of us have been like the 9 lepers, but this story can help us learn that our faith is strengthened as we exercise that faith and show gratitude to Jesus Christ, the one who makes miracles possible. I know that the same priesthood that healed those 10 lepers long ago is again on the Earth today and that miracles continue to happen daily. We have two options: 1. To just witness, or be part of a miracle. Or 2. To witness or be part of a miracle, AND seek an understanding of who made the miracle happen, and why the miracle happened. If we do the latter, I know we will be able to receive a confirmation through the Holy Ghost, as if Jesus Christ himself was here, "...Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."

Elder Tait
2 Years. Make it Count.

RED SOX NATION!

RED SOX NATION! So cool to be in the city that won the World Series! There was so much excitement in town. From what I have heard about some of the recent Celtics trades it will be tough to also get an NBA championship, but we can still do it! Your pumpkin was awesome Mom! Nice touch on the toothpicks. It was flawless. An 11 out of 10. Dynamite pumpkin carving. Did you and the family watch the game?
Quiet Halloween's are the best Halloweens. We had to be inside before 6:00PM on Halloween. I wish I had been there to taste your donuts! By the way, you guys are the best! Thank you so much for sending us that pumpkin candy set! It was most excellent. We only had one trick or treater. They knocked on the door, and Elder Anofils and I realized we had no candy. Then we grabbed some of the candy from the pumpkin you sent us, to make sure we didn’t ruin this little kid’s Halloween. You saved us!
I’m praying for Babushka to feel better! We need her feeling dynamite if she is going on a mission! I gave her some homework to do today while she is sick in bed. Ask her if she got my e-mail!
You always have great quotes my mother! I need to make sure I record these when I get home. I am currently working step by step to make my prayers the most important part of my day.
Mom I love you more than Elder Anofils loves "Chicken Nuggets." That is a quote directly from him. I pray for you all the time! You are my best friend and will always be my mom.

The inclusively exclusive,
Elder Tait.

Homage to  2013  WS champs!