First of all, I give my love and appreciation for Elder L. Tom Perry. What a great apostle and man.
Well, what can I say? The title says it all. These past two years have been the best for my life. My mission has taught me so many life skills and habits that will bless me all throughout my life. I truly feel that I have come to know the Lord on a deeper, more personal level.
I want to thank all of you for the love and support that you have each given me. Missions are tough, but thanks to the Lord and all of you, I have been able to endure through my trials and challenges. I have seen the Lord's hand working through many kind and wonderful people on my mission, and it is my hope that I have been able to reciprocate that love to those that I have contacted. I have learned how to love people of all sorts. I have learned how to appreciate and respect people and cultures that are different than mine. I feel that I have become a different person through the Atonement of Christ. I can't wait to "meet" all of you all over again.
To conclude, I just want to bear off of you my testimony that I KNOW that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation. That life-giving Gospel has been restored, and ANYONE can find peace, comfort and true, lasting joy when they apply the Gospel in their life. The Book of Mormon is God's word, and it was written for us in our day. Joseph Smith did in fact see God the Father and Jesus Christ in that grove of trees. I know that he was chosen before the foundations of this earth to be that prophet, seer, and revelator. President Thomas S. Monson is that same revelator right now, and he holds all of the keys, powers and rights to his office of senior Apostle.
I urge all of you to know the Lord more. To really get to KNOW the Lord. He wants to know you, and he wants your heart and whole self to be aligned to His will. May we all resist that urge to fight back, to resist, or as Paul would say, "to kick against the pricks". The Lord's way is the only way. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Now, I'll see you all in two days!
With Love,
Elder Corey David Harper
California Ventura Mission
