Elder Low's
report:
This week
I've been reading in the book of second Nephi in the Book of Mormon,
particularly in the 4th chapter. Near the end of this chapter, after his father
has passed away, Nephi begins to speak of the great things the Lord has done
for him. He talks about many of the experiences he had as recorded in the first
book of Nephi in which miracles occurred as he put faith in the Lord and
trusted in his promises. He talks about how the Lord sustained him in the
wilderness, protected them in crossing the sea, gave him visions, and power
even unto the trembling of his enemies before him, all of which resulted from
his obedience. However when I read this part of the chapter this time around I
noticed something else as well. Though Nephi talks about the incredible
joy that he has received from the goodness of the Lord, he also talks about how
this joy is restrained as he thinks about how unworthy a servant he is.
16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of
the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen
and heard.
17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great
goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart
exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my
flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
When reading
the accounts of Nephi, it is hard to imagine that a man of such great spiritual
power could have ever experienced such sorrow. When reading the accounts of the
people of the Book of Mormon, sometimes we see the example they have set and forget
that though good, they were not perfect and that such miracles are available to
all as a result of the atonement of Jesus Christ who will repent and who will
change and who will become better, trusting in God, and being more obedient day
by day.
28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin.
Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.
This week we
were honestly having a really hard time. Another companionship had gotten
sick, and needed a lot of attention. This resulted in us having to take a lot
of time out of our labours in the area. When we were working in the area, I
felt myself being rushed and often frustrated in the circumstances we had been
put in. The week trekked on and I felt like I had not done everything I could.
Finally Sunday morning, seeing our weaknesses, we kneeled down in our
apartment, thanked the Lord for what he had given us, and asked him if, despite
our weakness, he would help us to finish the week, to somehow, in his
mercy, give help from heaven and send a miracle. That Sunday the
person we were hoping to baptize did not show up to the meetings but instead,
two people, who we had not even spoken to, did show up and one of them accepted
a baptismal date for the following Sunday.
I know the
Lord heard our prayer. I know he will send help if we will but follow him and
if we offer all we have; he will make up the difference.
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