One of the things i would like to share is the amazing ways the Heavenly Father works with His children. As many of you know my Nephew has CHD. There are many different forms of CHD but my Nephew has one of the most rare cases known as HLHS, Which means that he essentially only has half a heart when he is born. This resulted in 3 different open heart surgeries that occurred fairly quickly when he was born. Whats been so special about this experience within my family is the miracles that we have seen in this young boy as he has grown to me the best little 2 year old out there! You wouldn't even be able to tell he only has half a heart considering how big of a heart he has when it comes to being nice! What is so unique about this and its rarity is just this week I have come in contact with two other individuals in my area where im serving that have siblings or grand daughter that have that exact same form of CHD. Im so grateful that i have been able to help them understand how the Lord can bless them through the gospel even among these hard trials that make it really hard to believe that Heavenly Father loves us. Well I can tell you He does I love the scriptures in DC 98:1-3, DC 122:7-9, and Alma 7:11-12 as they testify the purpose of afflictions/trials/hardships so beautifully. Heavenly Father sent me to this area because he knew that i could be of use here that my experiences in my life can help others that have had the same, but have lacked one thing... and that's the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that his church has been restored on the earth again.
Secondly, I would like to share some thoughts from a zone confrence meeting that my mission was able to have with Seventy, Bradly D. Foster. He shared with us a vision that talked about three levels. The first level being the missionaries. We must work on ourselves to be the best teachers and learn to develop our skills to better convey the message. Once we develop our skills and spirituality we become ready to enter level 2 of this vision which is called members helping the missionaries. He encouraged us missionaries to help our members see that 1. They can do missionary work! Its possible! 2. Help the Members recognize the blessings IF they do missionary work! This is where i would like to encourage all of you to try this simple thing out. Elder Foster then talked about "Soft Touches" which means instead of trying to take a Book of Mormon and have them read it... We talk to members not of our faith and tie everyday things back to some simple truth of the gospel. For example instead of trying to explain what the Book of Mormon is about. Simply. Bare your testimony that through this book it has guided you in every day choices and brought you closer to Jesus Christ. Thats all a soft touch is. What this does is it plants a seed. And because im in Idaho I have learned that its common knowledge that it takes 2 weeks to plant seeds 3 months to water and 1 week to harvest. Tying this back together. Going out and trying to give out a Book of Mormon is harvesting a seed that hasn't even grown yet! What this vision entails is if we as members Soft touch individuals that will begin to change the missionary work and prepare people who arn't members of the church to accept a commitment down the road when there seed is grown and they can progress in learning more!
This then leads into level 3 and to show you what this looks like i will show you a video https://www.
I would encourage each and everyone of us to have a soft touch every single day and it will get to the point that members will come to missionaries with someone ready to teach just like this boy himself did!
Remember there is always someone the Lord is preparing to hear the Message of the Gospel!
The more specific you are in your prayers the more specific he answers and blesses us!
Keep Smiling!
Elder Gerrard
D&C 98:1-3
VERILY I say unto you my friends, fearnot, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks;
2 Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted.
3 Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord.
D&C 122:7-9
7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.
9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.
Alma 7:11-12
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptation
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
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