Email to Family and Friends
The weather outside is beautiful today I feel as if I am back in Arizona with a bunch of melting snow. I think it's like 50° outside. Two days ago it was in the negatives!
Cambria Stephenson was baptized on Saturday by her father Jacob Blair. It was such a privilege to see the both of them in the baptismal font, worthy to be doing what they were doing. I have loved seeing Jacob become the priesthood man that he now is.
"At Ease in Zion"
President Ucktdorf once warned us that, "in the Church of Jesus Christ, we have been given so much. We are surrounded by such an astonishing wealth of light and truth that I wonder if we truly appreciate what we have...."
"Considering all of this, how could it ever be possible that we of all people would not be excited about attending our Church worship services? Or get tired of reading the holy scriptures? I suppose this could be possible only if our hearts were past feeling to experience gratitude and awe for the sacred and sublime gifts God has granted us. Life-changing truths are before our eyes and at our fingertips, but sometimes we sleepwalk on the path of discipleship. Too often we let ourselves be distracted by the imperfections of our fellow members instead of following the example of our Master. We tread a path covered with diamonds, but we can scarcely distinguish them from ordinary pebbles." (1)
In the last week I have been noticing that I have been becoming a little complacent. Not disobedient, but just a little to comfortable. As I read this scripture in the Book of Mormon my soul weighed heavy with some guilt. "Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion! Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!" (2)
Brothers and sisters never be comfortable with were you are or with the "success" you think you are having! There is too much do, to much joy to bring to the lives of others, especially in our own families.
Never quit, never give up! Now is the time to prepare to meet God spotless at his judgment seat! This life is strenuous, it is difficult, it was never meant to be easy or restful. You knew this before the world was formed and you chose it. Because you knew that it was the only way for you to experience true JOY. "Men are that they might have joy." (3)
I love you. More importantly your Father in heaven loves you and he wants the best for you. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Elder Philip R. Bredsguard
917 Amoretti St Thermopolis, WY 82443
Notes
- "O How Great the Plan of Our God!" By Pres. Ucktdorf, Oct. 2016
- 2 Nephi 28:24-25
- 2 Nephi 2:25
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