The greatest message of joy

October 14, 2014

Martin Luther King Jr., Christopher Columbus, Laborers. 

These are the people that conspire against missionaries to make emailing day on Tuesday instead of Monday. What is with all of these random Monday holidays? They're good for burned out fourth graders who want an extra day of the weekend. NOT good for humble servants of the Lord who want to hear from their family and friends. 

I would like to tell you about arguably one of the best discussions I have ever participated in during the course of my mission. We found this 19 and 20 year-old couple holding hands (ew, cooties) on the street and started talking to them. We set a time to go back and see them and teach them a little bit about Jesus Christ. 

fast forward. 

We start having the lesson and realize quickly that although both of their parents are religious, these two didn't learn much about God or Jesus Christ. We started talking about what "The Gospel of Jesus Christ was" when the girl said "I don't know anything. I don't know who Adam and Eve are, or Mary and Joseph or anyone." She was a perfectly clean slate. And besides watching "The Passion of the Christ" so was her fiancee (we found out that they are engaged and expecting the pitter patter of little feet in February) 

We started at the beginning. God loves us so He created a plan for us to grow and become like him. He sent Adam and Eve to this earth as the first people. We recounted the story simply. We then talked about how God sent his son Jesus Christ to die for us and to suffer for our mistakes. She stopped us, and I will never forget her face as she made the connection, "So....God and Jesus Christ are two different people?" An incredible joy went throughout me as I was able to testify that I know that they are two separate beings, a Father and his Son. We then talked about the pain and agony that Jesus suffered, and it was like Him paying our debt for us. We talked about how He paid the debts for all of us individually, and that He knows exactly how we feel when we suffer. The spirit in the room was tangible. I said "Robert, how do you feel knowing that Jesus Christ came and paid the price for YOUR mistakes and that he loves you enough to die for you?" he responded "I've never had anyone willing to sacrifice for me. I've been in and out of foster homes, I did whatever I wanted because I knew that nobody cared about me and it didn't matter. To know that loves me and did that for me makes me want to just say thank you. praying isn't enough I want to see him and say thank you." "well, Robert something even better than that is making sure that we live in the way that he wanted us to. He wants us to be happy and when we follow His example, we are showing our thanks for His sacrifice. Will you prepare yourself to follow Jesus Christ and be baptized the 9th of October?" "yes, we will."  This is a former gang member. 

That's what it's all about. It's about helping people understand that God sent His son to show us the way to eternal happiness. It's about giving people hope and releif. These are glad tidings of GREAT joy.

I am eternally grateful to be able to share this message!

Love Hermana Hope Thomas