Dear family,
Today my companion Elder Guimarães went home. It was kind of sad
that he wasn't going to be an official missionary anymore, and it made me
grateful that I still have a year and a half left to devote myself to
the work of the Lord. I will be staying here in Timbu for at least
another transfer and will be recieving my new companion tomorrow.
This week was good, especially Sacrament Meeting. One of our
investigators got up to the pulpit to bear his testimony and told
everyone that he wants to be baptized, so we will be baptizing him as
soon as possible. After he bore his testimony several people bore very powerful testimonies. One man said that this ward is his family and
to forgive everyone their misdeeds, which was really significant
because there have been a lot of disagreements in the ward.
I wish I
could be there for Kent's wedding and be there with you guys for this
amazing time, but I knew that when I left on my mission I would have a
lot of sacrifices to make. Missionary work requires sacrifice to be
sanctified. I am learning that more and more every day. Be sure to take
tons of pictures to send to me. I love you all.
-Elder Merrill
Dear Seminary class of Bear River High School,
Please do not take for granted this wonderful opportunity you have
to learn the gospel in seminary. You have teachers who love you, and who
have strong testimonies of the Gospel. They are called to teach you,
but it is your responsibility to learn. I know that a lot of you are
struggling with your faith. Maybe you are waiting for some great
spiritual experience to show you that the church is true. For most of
you this won't happen; the spirit is a still small voice that doesn't
shout but whispers. Alma 32 compares faith to a seed that has to be
grown, and says that if you don't do your part to help it grow, your seed
will wither and die.
We are literally in a war with Satan. He is working his hardest to
lead you astray and to tempt you. I have often heard that Satan leads
people astray with flattering words, and then leaves them when they
fall, but this is not true. He stays and tells you that you are weak,
and that there is no escape of the things you have done.
The only way you can stand firm against the evil of the world is to
have your own personal testimony. You have church leaders, teachers, and family members that have strong testimonies, but
you cannot lean on them forever. To have a testimony that will withstand
all the forces that Satan has to fight against you, just attending
church and seminary is not enough. You must be active in the work of
growing your testimony. You must read your scriptures, you must pray
frequently and fervently for the help of God, you must apply what you
learn and constantly strive to do God's will, and you must do all of this
with all your heart, might, mind, and soul.
I testify that this is true, when you are honestly trying to obtain
and fortify your testimony, God will help you. Following Gods will is
not usually the easiest thing to do, but it is worth the suffering and sacrifice you will endure. A testimony is one of the greatest gifts of
God, and as with receiving all things of great value, great works must
be done in order to obtain. I testify that you will find great joy in
serving others, and in the process you will find true happiness that
only comes from following Gods plan. I testify that The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church of Christ on the earth. I
testify that Joseph smith was a prophet, and that Thomas S. Monson is a
prophet today. I testify that the Bible and Book of Mormon are the
words of God for us. I know that as we read and apply these words we
will find great happiness and help in our lives, and we will develop a
love for the scriptures. I bear testimony that God loves each and every
one of us. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
-Elder Merrill
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