I need to say something

Hello Friends and Family!

What an amazing week. There are almost no words that I can use to begin to describe the deep and abiding joy I find in the work of the Lord. I couldn't be more sublime to repeat the words of John, when he said, "...Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest..." (John 4:35, quoted). Because the field is white, and needs to be harvested, it is necessary that the Lord command servants of His Own flock to Preach Repentance and Baptize Converts in lands throughout the World. I can testify with my heart, and soul (Doctrine and Covenants 88:15) that Christ is preparing all individuals throughout the World to receive the message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. From General Conference, I especially loved the message of Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in Gather Together in One All Things in Christ, "Our desire is that faith in the Father’s plan and in the Savior’s redeeming mission might increase in the earth and that God’s everlasting covenant might be established. Our only objectives are to facilitate continuing conversion to the Lord and to love more completely and serve more effectively our brothers and sisters" (emphasis added). This, as I know to be true, is the ultimate goal of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are deep feelings of my heart which only wish to express my Love for my Savior Jesus Christ and His Eternal Atonement, which He suffered to pay the price of sin, death, and infirmities. Surely, the work of the Lord cannot be frustrated because the work has already been finished (John 19:30). 

I wanted to briefly share one miracle, or tender mercy, as you might say, from this past week. We received a telephone call from our Bishop, and he said, "Elders, I received a phone call from a sweet member in Oregon. She wants you to go and visit her mother who is at a rehabilitation center here in Macon. The Elder's visited with her before, but not for a while." Taking this incredible member referral, and with a heart of gratitude for this amazing miracle, we took the information and headed over towards our new friend. Along the way though, we pulled over the car and started talking to other individuals, and before we knew it the night was winding down. The Spirit kept pressing on my mind, "Elder Robb, you MUST get over to this rehabilitation center now!" With the sweet feeling(s) of the Spirit's rebuke, we quickly got in the car. As we did so, we saw a bus pull right in front of us. On the side of the bus was an advertisement for the rehabilitation center where we were headed. Laughing, my companion said, "Well, I think God really wants to make sure we understand where we need to be right now!"

We quickly drove over to the center and walked inside. We received some instructions on where this woman's room was and started walking there. As I looked on the sweet elderly individuals, many of them lonely and struggling, in this rehabilitation center, I felt the Spirit bring to remembrance a favorite scripture, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). I couldn't help but think that if Christ were to visit three places on Earth, it would be these: 1) His Temples 2) The Prison 3) The Sick. All of these places were His favorites during His Earthly Ministry, and I couldn't help but to feel my Savior near me as I walked down those hallowed halls.

We arrived at the room, and a smiling face greeted us. Within minutes, my companion and I could feel the sweet Charity radiating from this woman towards us. She started, "I've been a active Buddhist for 47 years, but feel nothing. Teach me what I must know to become a member of this Church. My daughter tells me each night of the joy she feels since she joined, and I want that feeling." I would have never thought I would come to the South, the Bible Belt of the World, and teach an activist Buddhist! What an incredible experience. We quickly learned how she knows nothing about Christ. We saw this when my companion began to tell a story about Christ walking on the water. She interrupted him and said, "This man walked on water? How?" As I could feel tears coming to my eyes, I wondered why I was feeling the Spirit so strongly. I felt the words of the Spirit whisper to me what I had heard, what seems to be forever ago, in Primary:

"Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear,

Things I would ask him to tell me if he were here.

Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,

Stories of Jesus, tell them to me."

I was humbled to find someone that had never turned one page of the Bible, nor had scarcely even understood who Jesus the Christ was. I struggled as I tried to simplify the truths of the Gospel to a Primary Level. As I stumbled over my words, and scriptures to share, she reached for my hand and said, "Elder Robb, just tell me what you feel from your heart." As I bore my testimony to her, the Spirit entered the room with such conviction and Power, it was truly amazing. It became palpable to each of us that this was the truthfulness of the Gospel. We asked her to pray at the end of the lesson, and we true fear in her eyes she said, "I told you, I've been a Buddhist for 47 years. But, I'll give it a shot." We explained to her how to pray, and she seemed that she understood (she's one of the smartest people I've ever met on my mission). Bowing our heads, the long moment of silence endured for minutes more. She began, with words still ringing in my ears, "Heavenly Father, I am so grateful for my family. I am so grateful for my grandson, and my daughter..." As the prayer continued, emotions running through all of us, she closed the prayer. What I expected to be a 10-second prayer, turned into a five minute conversation with our Father in Heaven. She opened her teary eyes and said loudly, "What am I feeling?" as she pointed towards her Chest. My companion responded, "That is the Spirit."

We found a member who had been Buddhist as well, many years ago (funny how the Lord will provide), and she agreed to bring our sweet friend to Church. She came rolling in on Sunday in her wheel chair, with her oxygen tank, just smiling ear to ear. As the members swarmed her with love, she said to us, "Wow, this is real isn't it?" It was testimony meeting, and as people began to stand up to bear testimony, she leaned over to me and whispered, "I need to say something." A member of the bishopric was able to get a microphone for her, and we rolled her to the front of the Chapel. Taking it, she began, "Good morning. This is my first time here, and I just wanted to introduce myself....I've been a Buddhist for 47 years, but I'm going to be baptized soon. I hope each of you can make it. Amen." It was the loudest Amen, as the smiles on the members faces seemed so evident. Throughout the rest of Church, she continued to ask questions, and became amazed at simple principles like the commandments and obedience. 

As she returned home, and as we drove home from Church, we let her daughter know about her testimony and experience at Church. Her daughter, on the phone, said to us, "Elders I've prayed, ever since I was baptized a year ago, that my mom would soften to hear the Gospel..." There was a long pause. "I have never been happier. My mom is finally happy." There is no doubt of the joy of the Gospel, and the Power it brings into our lives. As our sweet friend keeps reading the Book of Mormon, she tells us, "I understand nothing, but feel everything." 

I bear my firm and everlasting witness that Jesus is the Christ. He is the healer, the emancipator, and the King of all Kings. He is the Only God over all of the Earth and claims

His Children as His Own. His Father, who presides above our Savior, governs all things with Love, Gentleness, and Meekness. Because "against such, there is no law" (Galatians 5:23). I testify, humbly, that this is the Work of the Lord. It is not the work of Elder Robb, President Grayson, or Elder Holland. Instead, it is the work of Jesus Christ, and it is with His Name I have the "great opportunity" (PMG Introduction) to serve as His Minister, among His Children, each and every day as a representative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I add my testimony to Paul, when he said, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Until Next Week-

Elder Robb