The Blessing- Week 83

I, Nephi (Elder Ricks), having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.

But behold, I, Nephi(Elder Ricks), will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance. (1 Nephi 1:1,20)

We met again with Lynx a couple times this week and the doctrine is all making sense to him. He is anxious to pray for truth and guidance and to read the Book of Mormon and come to church with us tomorrow. We didn't even have to ask him, as we talked with him about the Plan of Salvation, he opened up and said "Well, this all makes sense and it is obvious that I, and everyone, would want to go here (pointing at the Celestial Kingdom) and the most exciting part is here (pointing at the veil/earth life) because this is where you get to really learn and practice and do and this (pointing at the gospel of Jesus Christ-having faith, repenting, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end) is how I can accomplish all of it so if I come to know that this is the truth then I would do all of that." [Elder Hays and I look at each other in astonishment, mike drop and walk away] The Spirit really and truly is the teacher and inpsires the Children of God to what we need to do and what to say and the Spirit was felt so strongly as He worked through Lynx in saying all of those things and committing himself to really learn of the truth himself and to act on it. 

Richard is absolutely incredible and so excited for his baptism next Saturday at noon! Before then, a member of the ward is taking him to the temple grounds to talk and meet with a member of the temple presidency and to ultimately have a spiritual experience together. We started this last week working on family history with him and he is so excited to be on this path of eternal progression and to have the opportunity to be with all of his family for time and all eternity. For him, it isn't just a matter of being baptized but a matter of working towards being a covenant making son of God and going to the temple.

We received a phone call this last week from a lady who joined the church about two years ago. She has a daughter who goes to school at OU and has seen us as we interact with people all over campus. This last week she saw us at our booth talking about Love-->the essence of the gospel, the very core of Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven, and then the next day we were talking with a girl on campus and she was looking into the sun so we tried to shield her eyes from the sun by holding up a Book of Mormon. The daughter of the Sister who called us, Sister Crawford, saw this and was really touched by it and told her mother what had happened and how impressed she was. Sister Crawford called simply to thank us and to encourage us and let us know that we are having a much more profound impact than we ever realize or know. She let us know how much she has worked at sharing the gospel with her daughter and has been praying for her endlessly and felt that this was apart of the process of God hearing and answering her prayers on her daughter's behalf. It was such a touching and heart felt call and assured to me, once again, by the power and confirmation of the Holy Ghost that this is the truth, and that the small and simple things matter and it is how God teaches and inspires His children and helps them to learn of Him and feel His love.

There were soo many more miracles but my fingers are tired, your eyes are exhausted, and we are both out of time:) I love each of you and hope you have a wonderful week! May we all look for the hand of the Lord in the small and simple things this week is my prayer and I stand with Nephi and know that the tender mercies will happen and you and I will indeed feel of the love of our Father in Heaven and come to deepen our faith, conversion, and knowledge of His reality. 

Keep the faith,

Elder Ricks