Alma 5:13 and Peace

Dear Family-


Wow, this past week has been a roller coaster, lots of hard work and even more adventures. First of all, we had an incredible week with investigators. Gloria is still preparing for baptism and is really serious about making the commitment and doesn't want to do it half-way so she is still preparing. Please keep her in your prayers. Our wonderful family, Karina and Eduardo, are doing really good. We taught about the Book of Mormon this week and we were able to answer many of their questions using the Book of Mormon (Mosiah 4:9-12). Also, when going back for a lesson with an investigator, Delia, she wasn't home, but her best friend invited us to teach her daughter and herself. At first she didn't really seem the type to accept the message of the gospel, but we started to teach her and she really opened up. She told us that sometimes she just feels empty inside and isn't sure what she's doing in life other than living from day to day. It was humbling to recognize that the people the Lord is preparing are not always the most visible or the most obvious. We also had ward conference this week in which they focused on Alma 5 and while reading it, verse thirteen really stood out to me: Alma 5: 13 And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved." I am learning more and more every day about how to put my trust in God. Saturday night while tracting, I happened to look up and something fell into my eye. I was immediately in pain and despite all our efforts to wash and clean it, it is still red, irritated and painful. I got a blessing and I've been putting on oils, but I've spent much of the past 40 hours in partial or complete darkness. ( I was able to go to the doctor this morning and get some medical attention). There is something beautiful about comparing spiritual blindness to physical impediments and there was lots of meditation and prayer. I can only imagine that those who do not have the gospel are stumbling around with one eye open, seeking any light they find, unaware of exactly how much they cannot see. At the same time, it is very easy to feel alone. When you are in pain ( physical or spiritual) I think it is a natural reaction to pull inward and avoid others. Especially when the light either causes physical pain or serves as a painful reminder of what was or what could be. Just some musing of light analogies. Thankfully, Heavenly Father promises to never leave us alone and to comfort us with his peace.



Elder Cook in this most recent conference said, "We earnestly hope and pray for universal peace, but it is as individuals and families that we achieve the kind of peace that is the promised reward of righteousness. This peace is a promised gift of the Savior’s mission and atoning sacrifice. This principle is succinctly captured in the Doctrine and Covenants: “But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come... The peace which I am referring is not just a temporary tranquility. It is an abiding deep happiness and spiritual contentment."



All my love,

Hermana Kristi Koerner