Week 53, 10/3/16

Oh how lovely was this morning!

Greetings, O ye saints of Zion!  O How blessed this week of my mission hath been.  Behold I say unto you, my heart doth rejoice exceedingly all the day long because of the bounteous tender mercies of the Lord!   

It came to pass that on the Tuesday of 7 days previous, we took our journeyings with the leaders of the realm of the Riverbend zone and a member of their congregation to the glorious and beautiful land of Jasper.  As it hath been said previous, we did rejoice all the day long and sing praises to the Lord for His goodness.  Behold, we were the partakers of a richly uplifting day in the enjoyment of Gods creations.  We did view many great and marvellous vistas, and did see many wild animals of great size and stature.  It came to pass that the Lord did even bless us insomuch as to provide us with a showcase of the magnificent aurora borealis for much of the return journey.  It was as if the Lord was raining down His blessings of nature and beauty upon us all the day long.  I shall give a visual account of the proceedings of the day in the picture section hereafter.    

It came to pass that on the next night we did teach Anne Marie the doctrine of the kingdom.  Behold, we did inquire of her questions from her reading of the Book of Mormon, insomuch that she did expound unto us a number of her inquiries which were in regards to the deceiving and cunning arts of the adversary and his anti-Mormon minions.  She did make it known unto us that her friend did tell her these things, and was going about "seeking to destroy the church, and to lead astray the people of the Lord" like unto Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah before their mighty conversion.  But nevertheless, we did expound unto her the holy scriptures, and did contend with those foolish claims which her friend did fill her mind with, insomuch that she did accept and give place for a portion of our words.     

  
And behold, it came to pass that a multitude of the children of God did say unto us, "Nay, it seemeth me good that we reschedule our appointment." Nevertheless we did continue our sojourn to bring save it be but one soul unto Christ.  Wherefore, we did by some miracle receive sufficient time to go about the region of south-western Edmonton in the manner of tracting. And we did preach the gospel of Jesus Christ unto all who would hear, who were but a few, nevertheless they were mighty in the ways of showing sincerity and real intent.
    
But behold I say unto you, that the greatest tender mercy of all hath not as of yet been spoken of.  It came to pass that for the space of two days we did indulge our souls in the powerful and inspired sermons of the 186th Semiannual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Moreover we did pitch our metaphorical tents round about the television, every man having his metaphorical tent with the door thereof towards the television.  And beforehand I did ponder in my heart the great questions of my soul, of which I had an exceedingly great yearning to know the answers thereof.  Wherefore I did record them on a parchment of lined paper, and did pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that He might unfold unto me the knowledge of which I sought.  And it came to pass that I did listen with great steadfastness, and did hearken unto the counsels of the inspired sermons.  And I did hold out in faith until the end, and the answers to my inquiries of the Lord were poured out in much abundance and power and in exceedingly dramatic fashion in the Sunday Afternoon Session.  Yea, I felt encircled about by the Love of God, and did feel the Holy Ghost confirm unto me again and again that I was indeed surrounded by the very truth of God, and His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

Watching conference with members - a kid made me a Conference Crown!

Post priesthood session milkshakes (dad's tradition)

Wherefore my beloved brethren, I testify unto you that Heavenly Father loveth His children, and He will not suffer them to be engulfed in darkness and confusion if they earnestly seek after Him with a sincere heart, real intent, having faith in Christ. Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you.

And now my fellow kindred, I cannot write an hundredth part nor portion of my gratitude for the many blessings and tender mercies which the Lord hath given unto me.  I desire to humbly express my deep appreciation for a loving Father in Heaven and His marvelous Plan of Happiness.  Yea, and also my Savior, even Jesus Christ who is the Only Begotten Son of God, and His great and infinite atoning sacrifice, and all the doors which remain open for me thereby.  Yea, I am grateful for the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and living prophets and apostles, and their continual guidance.

And now behold, I doth grant unto each of you my best wishes in the course of your journeyings and endeavours in the coming week.  May we all remember the joy of living the gospel of Christ. Brethren (and sistren) adieu.

 Elder Bonny

Weekly scriptures: Alma 5:26/D & C 6:22-23

26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?
 22 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.
 23 Did I not speak apeace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?