Carry On My Wayward Son

From March 28,2014

This week we had Multi-zones. That is when a bunch of zones come together and they are instructed by President Cordón. They are really good. We learned about the Atonement and how we need it as well as the Doctrine of Christ. We also learned about extending commitments to people and improving our teaching. I learned a lot about how we need to relate everything we teach to the Doctrine of Christ, or Faith, Repentance, Baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost and Endure to the End. I have been learning a lot about repentance. Repentance is not only for when you do something bad but it's when you want to change. The Guide to the Scriptures describes repentance like this, "A change of mind and heart that brings a fresh attitude toward God, oneself, and life in general. Repentance implies that a person turns away from evil and turns his heart and will to God, submitting to God’s commandments and desires and forsaking sin. True repentance comes from a love for God and a sincere desire to obey his commandments. All accountable persons have sinned and must repent in order to progress toward salvation. Only through the atonement of Jesus Christ can our repentance become effective and accepted by God." I really like how it talks about the change of mind and heart that brings a fresh attitude toward God, oneself, and life in general. I have been thinking about this a lot lately and I have really been trying to repent. I am gaining that new attitude and that change in heart. I am not doing bad things out here on the mission but I have a great need to repent. I need to change everyday. I need to look at my day, everyday, and see what I did well, what I can improve, and what I shouldn't have done. I invite all of us to do this. In our nightly prayers lets give an account to our Heavenly Father about what we have done. After doing that we ask for forgiveness and ask for the strength to change. Then the next day lets change. How great would it be to have a "fresh attitude" everyday. We would not get sucked down into the mire and drudgery of life. How great is the opportunity to change! We all have weaknesses. We all fall short. Just as necessity is the mother of invention I believe that weakness is the mother of improvement. As the Lord tells Ether, "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." I know I have so many weaknesses but it's the best to be able to see a weak thing become strong. So weaklings lets go! Let's change! "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God." (Alma 34:32) So let's use Christ's Atonement, let's prepare to meet God by becoming more like him through repentance.

Anyways thanks for everything. 

-Elder Rowberry