"Go forward in life with A TWINKLE in your eyes and A SMILE on your face, but WITH GREAT PURPOSE in heart." -Gordon B. Hinckley

Monday, February 17, 2014

Red and Blue make Purple‏

I just wanted to give thanks to all of you for the love and support that you have given me these past months as I have been here in Chile. There is nothing that makes me happier than getting emails and letters from you guys in my week. My zones have always made fun of me for getting so much mail at our reunions. But it just goes to show all of the Love and Support that I have back at home. It motivates me to keep on keepin’ on during the good and bad. You guys are the best. Now let’s keep my reputation up and keep on sending me the love ;) haha.
We had a super spiritual lesson with Belen this week and I know that the spirit was there because there were truths that I shared with her that I didn’t really fully understand either until we talked. So one of Belen’s biggest doubts about joining the church is homosexuality- a pretty controversial topic for many people around the world. She has a lot of friends who believe in same sex relationships and she doesn’t find a problem with it because in her words, “Love is love and you can’t control who you fall in love with.” To be honest, I thought the same way for a while. Yeah, it’s different but we shouldn’t judge nor accuse. We should accept and support because we are all God’s children, Right? Well, the sprit taught me something different and it’s more than just the fact that a marriage should have both hubby and wifey.
                My explanation to Belen started out with that point up above. But in my head, I knew that it had to do with so much more that just that. As I tried to come to a reason of why I didn’t believe in same sex relationships the answer came to my mind- its against God’s laws (Leviticus 18:22). That should be enough reason for all of us to understand that we should not participate in homosexuality not think it is okay for others to do so. Why? Because we are commanded to Love God with all of our heart (Mark 12:30). If we love God then we will obey His commandments. Something that we can all find peace in knowing is that God never changes. For example, God’s love for us will never change even is we disobey Him. God’s plan for us will never change even if we don’t believe in Him. God’s laws will never change even if the world we live in is constantly changing. And so if God never changes, who are we to say that it is okay to change His laws? Who are we to say that God was just kidding or didn’t actually mean what he said when He made His laws for us. It’s crazy right? It doesn’t make sense, and that is the TRUTH.     
                I read a talk in the Liahonna (the church’s magazine) the other day, by Elder Scott, that said, “Truth is not determined by what men think, no matter how influential they may be. Truth was determined by an Almighty God before the creation of this Earth. Truth will exist unchanged forever.” God’s laws are for us and will not nor will never change based on changes in the world. We don’t need to know “WHY” God made this law, or any other law for that matter, but we can understand that if we follow God’s laws we will be happiest. The scriptures promise us time and time again that if we obey, we will be blessed. We also explained to Belen that God does not judge those who are gay. He loves all of His children the same. But if those people choose not to follow God’s laws and act on their feelings, then they are sinning. Just like anyone else breaking a law of the Lord. God doesn’t make exceptions for some of His children based on their personal circumstances. We don’t know why some people have desires to be with someone of the same sex, whether it be that they were born that way or their experiences led them to feel that way, but we do know that everyone will face struggles and trying challenges in this life. But that through God’s plan of happiness for us we have a Savior who can help us overcome our weaknesses when we fall. God knew that we would face trials here on Earth that would lead us to making errors. He doesn’t require perfection but he does require cleanliness and purity. And only though our Savior, Jesus Christ, can we accomplish that. We all must repent if we want to live with God again (3 Nephi 27:19) - another one of God’s laws that will never change. If we put God first in our lives then everything that seems unfair or doesn’t make sense will make sense. We won’t have to have a reason “WHY” behind the commandments for us to understand that we need to follow them in order to have true lasting joy. But like I said, this doesn’t only apply to homosexuality. It applies to every law and commandment that God has surely given us. It may not be easy, but it makes sense- Belen agreed.
                We also saw a lovely miracle this week with a loved inactive(ish) family of our ward- Joseline (recently active), her two kids and her ex-husband, Pablo. During the week we spent a lot of time with them helping them and giving them those motivational pep-talks that they need to get their booties back into (spiritual) shape.  I love this family so much! We always laugh a lot and talk about anything and everything together. Going over with them is like a breath of fresh air for me. And ever since I have known Joseline, she has always had a strong testimony of the gospel and optimistic view on life, aside from all of the trials she has faced in her life. This past year, she has gone through one of the craziest roller coaster rides of trials that I have ever seen/heard of but it just goes to show that 1.) The Atonement is real and works and 2.) When we face our trials with God then everything turns out okay. It makes me happy to see this family changing for the better. Especially Pablo! Through Joseline’s strong example, they are being a family again. And now Pablo is taking initiative like he should have before and is helping Joseline out a lot. They have been separated for the past 4 years and he has been inactive since basically the day he was baptised, more than 15 years ago, but on Sunday we got the tender mercy of seeing the entire family walk into church together. I was shocked to see that, and later Joseline told me that she was super surprised too. I am so proud of Joseline for the faith that she has kept through everything that she has passed though. We are now seeing the fruits of TRUSTING in the Lord no matter what. I know that one day her dreams of becoming an eternal family, married and sealed in the temple, will come true.
                Have a lovely week People.
Xoxox, Hermana Norte

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