Hello Everybody!
This week marks one year since I entered the MTC, and it was a pretty good one. In my personal studies one day, I read in Preach My Gospel that "you can feel certain that the Lord is pleased with you and your efforts when you can feel the Spirit testify to people through you." After reading that, I closed my personal studies by asking Heavenly Father to help me experience that feeling that day. Many miracles happened that day. We picked up a new pretty solid potential investigator named Doug, and a lady tried to bash with us that day. I tried to move the conversation to our similarities; that we all believe in Jesus Christ. She wouldn't take it. She continued to bash with us, and Elder Agle and I bore the strongest testimonies I've ever born on my mission. We bore our testimonies about the Book of Mormon, and how the Holy Ghost has spoken to us through its words, how God has restored the Priesthood upon the earth once more, and that there is a living prophet on the earth today.
I said, "The purest form a revelation is through the Holy Ghost. I have read the Book of Mormon many times, and prayed to know if it was true, and I have received that witness through the Holy Ghost that I know it's true. I know God has restored Priesthood authority and has called a prophet on the earth today, with apostles, seventies, deacons, teachers, priests, elders, and so forth. I am certain of this, and no power of earth, heaven or hell will convince me otherwise!" After we were finished bearing testimony, she was speechless. She basically told us she was done and she went inside. We walked away from that experience feeling like the Lord DID speak through us on that occasion. After getting back in the car, I remembered what I prayed for that morning, and immediately recognized that God answered my prayers, and I knew that He was pleased with me and what I was doing on my mission. It brought so much peace and joy into my heart, and I knew that as long as He was pleased with me, nothing else mattered.
I am so thankful that God answers prayers for His children. Some answers come quickly, others come gradually over time. To be worthy to "bear the vessels of the Lord" is a solemn privilege and blessing, and as I continue to consecrate my efforts to the Lord 100%, I am experiencing peace and growth and comfort beyond all description.
I have been learning so much about Faith lately. Faith is a true principle. As I have exercised faith this week, I have seen the Lord's hand work on people, and there's nothing more powerful than that.
I love you all! Thanks for your love, prayers, and letters!
Love,
Elder Harper
Tracy Monney:
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful experience! His humility and faith are huge. To have prayed for the experience and recognize when prayer was answered is so amazing. He is beyond his years. What a fantastic missionary. Made my day to read. Thanks for sharing.