Background:
Christian asked me what I learned about the Gospel at the MTC and I wrote a response and I want to send it to you. (Note from Alysa's blogger: she sent it to me as pictures of the actual letter she wrote to Christian and I transcribed them for you guys. I'll post the pictures with her actual handwriting below.)
Transcribed Letter:
So what have I learned about the gospel at the MTC? Much. It's hard for me to pin down exactly just a few things. I can't say I've learned anything new. I have, however, deepened my understanding of many gospel principles. More than that though, I've started to feel these things deeper in my heart. Where to start?
Joy - gozo. It's the purpose of life, it's the purpose of everything. The Gospel is one of glad tidings of great joy! Sure life is hard. It has to be. But joy is not just for Los Cielos. It can be found right now through the Atonement. The end goal though, of the plan of Salvation, is joy. Eternal life. The thing is though, I don't think even that is unending, unchanging bliss. Think of God - He suffers so much sadness and pain for his children. He had to watch His Son suffer the Atonement. We have to know the bad to know the good.
I can't do it, but God can. The best thing that I can do is be in the right place, doing the right thing. The Lord knows what is needed and as long as I'm doing my best to be worthy and obedient, I am entitled to revelation. Where need is paired with willingness - miracles happen.
The Spirit. Trust in the Lord's promise that it will always be with you. Trust that He will answer your prayers for inspiration. Recognize how it functions in my mind and heart and attitudes. Then stop worrying about it! If an idea comes to you, and you feel pretty good about it, act on it! 99% of life happens when you get up and do something.
Christ is my advocate. Every time you feel the Spirit, the Atonement is working in your life. [Note from transcriber: this is my favorite thing she brings up. I'd never thought of it that way.] Christ pleads on our behalf every time we ask anything from God, and His Atonement makes us worthy to receive Heavenly help. The Atonement brings forgiveness, love, understanding, joy, healing, and peace. There are billions of people in this world and not a single one really understands what Christ did for them. But I'm going to try and learn. And I'm going to teach so that maybe someone can receive the joy the Atonement brings.
God speaks. He loves His children. Always has, always will. He didn't send us here utterly alone. Prayer is the channel we use to speak to Him and he replies. He speaks in our minds and hearts. He speaks through scriptures - an open canon of scriptures. He speaks through prophets. He speaks through leaders, teachers, the color of the sunset and the sound of a snowflake. He speaks to me.
The hastening of the work is the responsibility of every single person who has received the Gospel of Christ. That includes you!
Read the Book! If you want to know it's true, read the book. Everything relies on whether or not that book is true and everything it proclaims itself to be. It's true, Joseph Smith was a prophet. This knowledge has shaped every aspect of my life and brought me incredible joy and peace. You want to know why I'm doing this? Read the book, it will tell you all you need to know.
It's impossible to describe everything I've learned, but that's a nice start. The most important thing is though:
Me Dios me amo y le amo a mi Dios.
Joy - gozo. It's the purpose of life, it's the purpose of everything. The Gospel is one of glad tidings of great joy! Sure life is hard. It has to be. But joy is not just for Los Cielos. It can be found right now through the Atonement. The end goal though, of the plan of Salvation, is joy. Eternal life. The thing is though, I don't think even that is unending, unchanging bliss. Think of God - He suffers so much sadness and pain for his children. He had to watch His Son suffer the Atonement. We have to know the bad to know the good.
I can't do it, but God can. The best thing that I can do is be in the right place, doing the right thing. The Lord knows what is needed and as long as I'm doing my best to be worthy and obedient, I am entitled to revelation. Where need is paired with willingness - miracles happen.
The Spirit. Trust in the Lord's promise that it will always be with you. Trust that He will answer your prayers for inspiration. Recognize how it functions in my mind and heart and attitudes. Then stop worrying about it! If an idea comes to you, and you feel pretty good about it, act on it! 99% of life happens when you get up and do something.
Christ is my advocate. Every time you feel the Spirit, the Atonement is working in your life. [Note from transcriber: this is my favorite thing she brings up. I'd never thought of it that way.] Christ pleads on our behalf every time we ask anything from God, and His Atonement makes us worthy to receive Heavenly help. The Atonement brings forgiveness, love, understanding, joy, healing, and peace. There are billions of people in this world and not a single one really understands what Christ did for them. But I'm going to try and learn. And I'm going to teach so that maybe someone can receive the joy the Atonement brings.
God speaks. He loves His children. Always has, always will. He didn't send us here utterly alone. Prayer is the channel we use to speak to Him and he replies. He speaks in our minds and hearts. He speaks through scriptures - an open canon of scriptures. He speaks through prophets. He speaks through leaders, teachers, the color of the sunset and the sound of a snowflake. He speaks to me.
The hastening of the work is the responsibility of every single person who has received the Gospel of Christ. That includes you!
Read the Book! If you want to know it's true, read the book. Everything relies on whether or not that book is true and everything it proclaims itself to be. It's true, Joseph Smith was a prophet. This knowledge has shaped every aspect of my life and brought me incredible joy and peace. You want to know why I'm doing this? Read the book, it will tell you all you need to know.
It's impossible to describe everything I've learned, but that's a nice start. The most important thing is though:
Me Dios me amo y le amo a mi Dios.