Election Week

I have been thinking this week about how do we know when we are doing God's will ? 

The First Presidency said: “When you trust in the Father and the Son, you are confident that They love you perfectly-that They want you to be happy and that They will help you grow spiritually. You keep the commandments. You seek to know Their will, and you do what They require even when you desire something else. Your prayers for relief are accompanied by the understanding that Heavenly Father will not resolve all matters immediately-that He may allow you to wait so you can continue to learn and grow. Through it all, you find comfort in the assurance that the Savior understands your trials perfectly. As part of His infinite Atonement, He took upon Himself ‘the pains and the sicknesses of his people.’ He took upon Himself ‘their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.’ (Alma 7: 11-12). Because He has experienced your pain, He knows how to help you. If you look to Him in faith, He will strengthen you to withstand any trial you experience.” (‘Trusting in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’, True to the Faith, p. 10)

On our mission, we are able to see people that have made dramatic changes in their lives. Once the dramatic changes are made the rest of our and their lives are more of a daily repentance from sin.

President Ezra Taft Benson said: “If we wish to truly repent and come unto Him .., we must first and foremost come to realize this eternal truth——the gospel plan is the plan of happiness. Wickedness never did, never does, never will bring us happiness. Violation of the laws of God brings only misery, bondage, and darkness.

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which sincere and meaningful repentance must be built.... repentance involves not just a change of actions, but a change of heart.

When we have undergone this mighty change, which is brought about only through faith in Jesus Christ and through the operation of the Spirit upon us, it is as though we have become a new person. Thus, the change is likened to a new birth. Thousands of you have experienced this change.... and through applying the blood of Christ in your lives, have become clean. You have no more disposition to return to your old ways. You are in reality a new person. This is what is meant by a change of heart.

The Lord is pleased with every effort, even the tiny, daily ones in which we strive to be more like Him. ... God’s gifts are sufficient to help us overcome every sin and weakness if we will but turn to Him for help. Finally, we must remember that most repentance does not involve sensational or dramatic changes, but rather is a step-by-step, steady, and consistent movement toward godliness.”  (First Presidency Message, ‘A Mighty Change of Heart’. Pres. Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Oct. 1989, p 2)

The National Elections in Mozambique are on Wednesday (November 20th). We are not quite sure what group stands for what, but it appears there is a potential for some conflict. We have been asked to remain in our apartment all day on Wednesday and to buy some extra supplies in advance. I will report back next week on how things ended up.

Here is a notice we received:

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Mozambique that municipal elections will take place on Wednesday, November 20, 2013. Official campaigning began on November 5. Tensions between Government of Mozambique (GRM) security forces and elements of the armed opposition political party Renamo have escalated in the past few weeks with violence in Sofala and Nampula Provinces. Due to the possibility of additional attacks, as well as ongoing regional threats, the U.S. Embassy in Maputo urges U.S. citizens to exercise caution during the election period, review recent Security Messages on the Embassy’s website, and carefully consider whether travel is necessary during this period. This Travel Alert will expire after 60 days.

As we each strive to do Heavenly Father's will, we pray that you will continue to be blessed!

How blessed we are to be able to Preach The Gospel !!

I love you!