Brightly Beams our Father's Mercy

"Repent and turn yourselves from all your transgressions: so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves and live ye." Ezekiel 18:30-32

God wants us to succeed in life and to return to live with he. He doesn't find joy or pleasure in justice, but he does extend his arm or mercy towards us. but we must accept the terms: his laws, his will, his way- it's the only way to happiness.

It is a beautiful thing to see a child of god whether old or young depart from their old sinful ways and come unto Christ. There is a light in their eyes a hope in there heart that wasn’t there before. they exercise faith so boldly and beautifully. I feel privileged to be able to hear someone’s first prayer or teach them what happens after we die and show them the answers to the questions that always plagued their minds and hearts.

I know that as we turn from evil and iniquity we will live. we will find joy, we will feel the love that god has for us. and even those in the deepest darkest places, god tries to snatch up and guide them to the light. He does this weeks, months, years before we meet the individual who is ready to hear, accept and act on the restored gospel.

God prepares his children!

David Johnson walked into church last week. He wanted another book of mormon. He stood there in the foyer in shirt and tie, looking like a regular member. He looked at his watch and said, "ok, god it's 2 minutes to nine, I’ll wait until nine and then I’m out of here."

He used to be a rough army guy, he lived in Germany for 20 years. The bishop saw him standing there and said hello to him and introduced him to us, fast forward a week and he has had 3 lessons and is preparing to get baptized March 29th. he grew up knowing about god, but he says it wasn’t until reading the book of mormon that he feels like he's getting TO KNOW god. In our mission a person has to live the word of wisdom and the law of chastity for 3 weeks. He used to have some addictions in the past but for the past few weeks has already been living these commandments. they also need to come to church three times before their baptism date. so if all goes well, he should be able to the Saturday after his third Sunday. He has been inviting people he meets at church to his baptism. And he voluntarily paid his tithing on Sunday without us teaching him about it, he's not yet a member but exercising great faith that obedience to god brings peace happiness, and blessings.

Pray for David Johnson to have the strength to resist the temptations the adversary will put in his path and the strength to move forward relying on god.

We placed (meaning gave and people WILLINGLY accepted) TWELVE book of Mormons this week. It was a good week. We are finding lots of people, hopefully when we go back they will like what they've read and felt the spirit.

Tina didn’t come to church, but we have an appointment with her on Wednesday. We read the book of mormon with patty and she LOVED IT! she wasn’t reading on her own, so we thought that showing her how would be great. We stopped every 2 verses and she summarized what was going on and asking questions for clarification. She was on fire! we read two chapters together and she committed to read 5 chapters a week!

I gave a talk on missionary work at church. There were a few people who commented that they liked it. I focused on Christ’s invitation for us to come to him. I then showed how to truly come to Christ his purposes must be ours and we must participate in his work which is the work of salvation. I gave the example of the Samaritan woman at the well and abish in Alma who both ran into town and invited and told everyone to come. people did come and saw for themselves and many believed. I addressed the most widespread excuse members give, "we don't know anyone who’s interested" I shared experiences I’ve seen on my mission of members sharing the gospel at grocery stores or on walks, and libraries. Just like the women running into the city, they invited ALL in their path. I think it went well and I was able to read from preach my gospel about what a successful missionary is and changed the word missionary to "member" so a successful member is one who feels the spirit work for them, prays to know who to talk to, is successful when he invited others to repent and make commitments. Afterwards the former stake president came up to me, shook my hand and said, "great talk. I will refer ALL my friends to you. " :) so that was encouraging. I actually really like giving talks, and it was a great opportunity to be able to remind the members of the ward of their responsibility and CAPABILITY of sharing the gospel with others.

Pray for opportunities to do missionary work and they will come. if you don’t feel like it, pray for the DESIRE to share the gospel. You desire to share it will increase as your understanding of the atonement deepens. As we get to know him, we want others to as well. it's like trying amazing chocolate cake or seeing a way good movie, you want to recommend it to your friends, family and the strangers in your path, "have you TRIED this cake? it is SOOOOOOO good. the best cake I’ve ever had. it is moist and has a layer of chocolate in the middle and its fluffy...."

have you ever read and prayed about the book of mormon? it opens your eyes, it fills your soul, it brings you joy, you come to know your savior...you got to try it. it's free.

Brightly beams our Father's mercy

from his lighthouse evermore

but to us he gives the keeping

of the lights along the shore

let the lower lights be burning

send a gleam across the wave

some poor fainting struggling seaman

you may rescue you may save


love you all,
sister kait snow