Caro Famiglia,
Thank you for all of your letters and love! Marshal, Catalina, Marin and Capri- I loved loved your drawings! You are so talented and I felt so happy. I will be writing you your own letters and sending them today. Dad, mom and Weylin, and Grandparents Oakes and Grandparents Garner as well. Your letters are a strength and light to me!!! What wisdom. I'm so blessed to have an incredible family like you.
Recently, I've been "beholding" all of the blessings that the Lord has given me. Last night was our last tuesday devotional inthe MTC. Right before we entered the gym (conference area), I said a silent prayer to Heavenly Father to have one of the quorum of the twelve apostles speak to us, if it was His will. I felt like we would. And we did.
Elder Ballard came. I felt the Spirit as we spoke. I cannot describe how I felt/feel when I feel this Spirit in my heart. At this time, it is a deep impression of peace, reassurance, confidence, yet great humility. I am weak, but the Lord is with me. His Spirit will be my constant companion and will tell me all things that I should do if I remain close to Christ. I just feel good. Sometimes, when I feel the Spirit, it is exhilirating and awakening...:) many times literally! One of the greatest miracles I receive each day is how I can remain awake and do so much each day. I know that I could not possibly do even a portion of the work that without prayer- I'm praying every hour for the Spirit and to be able to remain alert.
Concerning Elder Ballard's talk, he spoke words that came straight from God, and many of them were just what I and all of the departing missionaries needed to hear. I'll send notes by mail, along with Elder Holland's notes. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to hear the witness of an apostle of Jesus Christ, and to be in his prescence. Even though he is merely a man, he has consecrated his life to the Lord's service and speak's in His Holy name. I know that President Monson is our living Prophet on the earth today, and that His words will guide us, protect us, and greatly bless us. Think of all of the centuries in the history of the earth when men and women did not have access to hearing the words of the Prophet, or ever seeing His face or hearing his words. Think of the times of apostasy, when the people were so wicked/disobbedient to God's commandments that He had to take away His Prophet from the earth. It was only a few years ago that the mass media has become available, that we have the capacity to watch general conference and to hear the voices and lovely words of the Prophets and apostles of our Savior Jesus Christ! I am so excited to watch general conference...we'll see what will happen in Italy. I might watch it the first time in Italian.
We have the Book of Mormon. I love the Book of Mormon. The fulness of the gospel and plan of salvation is contained in the Book of Mormon. I testify that it contains the testimony of ancient prophets who lived in America. Their bore their testimony with their lives and many of them died for this great cause. They were men of God, and they lived for the success of our day. Joseph Smith was a simple and humble young man who prayed near his home to know which church to join. He prayed in great faith, and he did not cease to pray until he received an answer from God. He had read James 1:5 which promises all that if you ask God in faith, believing ye shall receive, it shall be liberally given unto you.
I testify that he did receive an answer. God and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph in the sacred grove. Joseph saw their perfected and glorified bodies in the flesh, "brighther than the sun". They spoke to Joseph, and called him by name. Heavenly Father had a plan for Joseph Smith to be the next prophet for our dispensation, as prophets of old.
Joseph Smith eventually restored the fulness of Christ's gospel, priesthood and authority on the earth. Today, there are many faithful men and women who seek the truth of God in their lives. There are people in Italy who are ready to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our living Prophet, (who is the Prophet for all of us, even those who don't believe), has called apostles to go to all four corners of the earth to spread the word. That Christ atoned for our sins and earthly pains, and that He lives! He rose from the dead, and His work is not yet finished! There are still many who have never heard His truth, but are waiting to receive it.
The Prophet and apostles have called thousands of missionaries to assist in this work. What a priveledge and an opportunity it is to a part of it all. This is the Lord's work, and He is in charge of it all. I merely represent Him, and receive a portion of His Spirit, so that I may convice others of His glory and of His love. Next week, I'll be boarding a plane and heading to my assigned area where Heavenly Father/ Prophet Monson has called me to serve. I'll open my mouth and testify of Christ, I'll work night and day to serve others. Watch out Italy, here we come!
I love you all so very much,
Sorella Oakes
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