The Call 6/4/12

Dear Family and Friends, Well, we got transfer calls this week. I´m staying in my tiny little area as a district leader, but I´m also going to train! My dad (trainer) and step dad (first companion after the trainer) are also training again this transfer. So we will have a huge family reunion tomorrow at the mission office. I will have a younger brother and a step brother. Also means that my trainer is a grandpa, and that my son will have an uncle. Try and wrap your head around that one. Well I was going to send a bunch of pictures but this computer is being difficult. We had an awesome district meeting last thursday. We all shared a few thoughts as well as our testimonies and the spirit was incredible. I spoke about the importance of working with diligence and being obedient so that the Lord trusts us enough to give us success. I don´t believe He will lead us to His precious children that are ready for us if we are not ready for them. We all said a lot more but I´m out of time. I just want to leave these last two spiritual thoughts. First, every choice we make is a different choice in disguise. If we open our eyes and listen to the spirit, every decision is really a choice to follow Christ, or follow satan. Lehi, a prophet in the Book of Mormon, tells us that all men are free to choose, but he does not say that we are free to choose whether to lie, cheat, steal, give service, love one another, or whatever else. No, he tells us that all men are free to choose liberty and eternal life according to the Savior, or captivity and spiritual death according to satan. Every choice has a consequence, if we can but open our eyes and see far enough ahead on the road we are traveling. My second thought is the following. The Savior was chosen from the foundation of the world. In the old testament he was Jehovah, spoke to His prophets, and led the children of Israel out of bondage. Then He was born, established His gospel and his Church, and completed the atonement and resurrection. After He ascended to the Father he continued to reveal His will to the apostles until they were persecuted and killed. So, my dearest friends, there remains a powerful question. Would He who led His covenant people for 4000 years in ancient times, the Man who loves so much that He was willing to suffer extreme agony and death to save our souls, suddenly leave us without direction and sit back as we destroy ourselves and fall into darkness? I don´t think so. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He leads us today. He has chosen a prophet and apostles again. He has restored his authority and given it to man. He teaches us how to execise it upon principles of love, sacrifice, faith, and personal worthiness. He lives. Not just because He rose again on the third day, but because He loves us, walks among us, and is directing His people personally. No other foundation or establishment can or does make such a claim. But the beauty of this bold declaration is that I am just the messenger, here to assure you that you can ask Him yourself. If you truly have the desire to follow Christ, to do His will and not your own, then He will answer you through the power of the Holy Ghost, and confirm that He indeed has personally established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I seal this solemn testimony with my honor and heart, in the Holy name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Elder Nichols