Let me first say that I am extremely sad about not being home for family reunions!! It's the little things that you come to appreciate like family gatherings, sports day with the cousins, or just a Sunday meal with with grandma and grandpa! ut families are forever and to put it in the words of an apostle.. "if the gospel didn't require a sacrifice of all things, then it wouldn't have the power to convert nations" I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak about my own testimony and experiences on mission. I wanna thank everybody for their support and love that they have given me throughout my mission!! But I guess I'll start with the scripture that the theme of this years family reunion is on..
"Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen."
It is an interesting scripture, it's a promise where King Benjamin explains what is required for that greater gift that awaits us. This scripture is cool! It reminded me of grandma and grandpa and how steadfast and immovable they are in the gospel! Always giving, and setting all the grandchildren strait, and even sometimes the aunts and uncles. It was by their faithfulness that they set the bar for the whole family! Always helping others and giving freely to the family, neighbors, and friends!
I have thought about their kindness and generosity towards others and every single time I have had to humble myself for sometimes being selfish with things that are temporal and even spiritual!
It's ironic how to truly find yourself, you MUST lose yourself in gospel of Jesus Christ! What is interesting though is the order King Benjamin speaks about the Atonement, in the last part of the verse! It's funny that he starts with defining salvation through "wisdom".. knowledge is power! But to be wise is the application of that knowledge that gives its deep impact on our lives!
The scripture...
"Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men."
This is the promise that is given to everybody, not just missionaries. Our family has always been strong together in the gospel because of our testimony that He is Risen!
It's all about the relationships we make in this life that will count in the eternities! Our relationship with our parents, sibling, friends, our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ!
We are the FONUA Family! We love the gospel and are changed because of it! We know by the sacrifice that our parents and grandparents have made was so that we (the latter generations) could receive the gospel in its fullness! I am am truly grateful to wear the name of Christ on my chest, but I am also grateful to carry the Fonua name! It has linked me forever to this family, that has shaped me into who I am today!
May we all be steadfast and immovable in our faith, always abounding in good works! I know that the gospel is true because of the faith of our family! Let us live up to that bar that our grandparents have set for us!! And we shall inherit the same promise that has been given them! "That Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life".
I love you all! in the sacred name of Jesus Christ amen.
"Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen."
It is an interesting scripture, it's a promise where King Benjamin explains what is required for that greater gift that awaits us. This scripture is cool! It reminded me of grandma and grandpa and how steadfast and immovable they are in the gospel! Always giving, and setting all the grandchildren strait, and even sometimes the aunts and uncles. It was by their faithfulness that they set the bar for the whole family! Always helping others and giving freely to the family, neighbors, and friends!
I have thought about their kindness and generosity towards others and every single time I have had to humble myself for sometimes being selfish with things that are temporal and even spiritual!
It's ironic how to truly find yourself, you MUST lose yourself in gospel of Jesus Christ! What is interesting though is the order King Benjamin speaks about the Atonement, in the last part of the verse! It's funny that he starts with defining salvation through "wisdom".. knowledge is power! But to be wise is the application of that knowledge that gives its deep impact on our lives!
The scripture...
"Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men."
This is the promise that is given to everybody, not just missionaries. Our family has always been strong together in the gospel because of our testimony that He is Risen!
It's all about the relationships we make in this life that will count in the eternities! Our relationship with our parents, sibling, friends, our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ!
We are the FONUA Family! We love the gospel and are changed because of it! We know by the sacrifice that our parents and grandparents have made was so that we (the latter generations) could receive the gospel in its fullness! I am am truly grateful to wear the name of Christ on my chest, but I am also grateful to carry the Fonua name! It has linked me forever to this family, that has shaped me into who I am today!
May we all be steadfast and immovable in our faith, always abounding in good works! I know that the gospel is true because of the faith of our family! Let us live up to that bar that our grandparents have set for us!! And we shall inherit the same promise that has been given them! "That Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life".
I love you all! in the sacred name of Jesus Christ amen.