Mississippi Jackson: Soldiers

Goooood morning, all! (Or afternoon, or evening. Whenever you're reading this.)

Here's a joke an Episcopal man told us on his doorstep (he told us many jokes, but this is the one I remember) after he'd said he wasn't interested:

"Where you find four Episcopalians, you'll find a fifth."

Do you get it? Because he had to explain that one to Sister Harrison and me.

This week I've developed a newfound love for pistachios and persimmons. A less active woman we see every Sunday has a persimmon tree outside of her house, and she plucked a few off for us sisters and gave them to us. She's so sweet! And so are persimmons. :)

It's kinda chilly here in Flo! My jacket is getting some good use, and so is my umbrella. It looks like we still haven't recovered from the hurricane yet. But that's okay! It makes for great door conversation. For instance, Sister Harrison and I were tracting this week and were trying very hard to ignore the impending doom that was the storm clouds rolling in overhead. I stuffed my umbrella into my bag and regretted not bringing my coat with me, especially since it began to pour while we talked to a man on his doorstep.

This man was clearly not interested. He was babysitting his grandson, and was very happy with his church. Every time I opened my mouth to say something that would allow us to move on to the next house, Sister Harrison would cut in and ask about his work, what he does in his spare time, if he does family history, etc. I finally began trying to give her the look that says,We need to go! But then it occurred to me that she was asking questions to keep us out of the rain!

I tried really hard not to laugh, and failed after the man closed the door and we were left with a wall of rain to walk through. We tried to share my little umbrella, but that offered little protection and we ended up getting soaked! It was the most fun ever! I loved it! I laughed the whole way back to the car. Sister Harrison was less amused, but what else are greenie companions for?

We ended up taking refuge at the Griffins' home nearby. They're a really sweet family in our ward who truly spoil us. We huddled under my umbrella on their doorstep, and Sister Griffin answered the door with a huge smile on her face. "Hi, y'all!" she said, and soon her smile faded into horror as she saw our soaking wet skirts and hair and she immediately began to wave us in with a, "Oh my gosh." She then gave us towels, and we happily spent the evening with them. They took us out to dinner to this tiny barbecue place that had the Ten Commandments on stone tablets on display just outside. It was awesome.

Don't worry, Mom. The members take care of us!

There is a lot out here trying to push the work back. I'm sure it's this way for all missionaries, and we know this is how things are when we choose to accept our calling as missionaries. Members of the Church are fighting a battle. We have been waging a war against Satan since before we even came here, and the battle is growing harder and tougher with every passing day. Satan knows what he's doing; he's done this for centuries. He knows how to twist and tempt God's children to turn away from Him, but it's up to us to realize the part we play in the battle against him.

If we refer to Alma 2 in the Book of Mormon, we read about the Nephites' struggle against the Amlicites and the Lamanites, who are of a greater number than the Nephites. Concerned for the welfare of their people and the goodness of their faith, the Nephites turn to God in this time of trial and tribulation as they march into battle at the river Sidon. In verse 28, we read, "Nevertheless, the Nephites being strengthened by the hand of the Lord, having prayed mightily to him that he would deliver them out of the hands of their enemies, therefore the Lord did hear their cries, and did strengthen them, and the Lamanites and the Amlicites did fall before them."

How cool is this! The Nephites were outnumbered -- and I mean crazy outnumbered! The scriptures describe the quantity of enemies as being as numerous as the sands in the sea! But no number is greater than the power of God. Heavenly Father gave the Nephites insurmountable strength and courage so that they could overcome their enemies and protect their home. The same can be applied to us fighting for righteousness in the latter-days. While we are not literally putting on armor and wielding weapons, we are still representatives of Jesus Christ. We are still God's children, appointed to fight for what is right and trust in the Lord.

The world is turning, brothers and sisters. The world is twisted and confused in so many ways. It's so easy to fall into doubt, but don't doubt what you know to be true! And if you do, doubt that! To quote President Uchtdorf, "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." Faith is the foundation of everything. If you are struggling with your faith, look to God. Pray. Look for answers. They're there, as long as you earnestly seek them and listen to the Spirit. It might be hard -- and more than likely it will be -- but that's what makes it worth finding.

Refer to Mosiah 7, when King Limhi is reassuring his people, he says, "O ye, my people, lift up your heads and be comforted; for behold, the time is at hand, or is not far distant, when we shall no longer be in subjection to our enemies, notwithstanding our many strugglings, which have been in vain; yet I trust there remaineth an effectual struggle to be made.

"Therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice, and put your trust in God, in that God who was the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob; and also, that God who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, and caused that they should walk through the Red Sea on dry ground, and fed them with manna that they might not perish in the wilderness; and many more things did he do for them."

Trust in God and what He's taught you. Trust in what you know, and be comforted in the fact that your Father in Heaven is aware of your fears, your questions, and your doubts. But in order to answer them, you must have faith and act.

I know that the Lord has prepared people for us missionaries to teach. I know that we have to find them through faith and the guidance of the Holy Ghost. We've already been led to a good handful of people whom Sister Harrison and I know the Lord has entrusted us with. They are our brothers and sisters, as you are to us, and we are going to fight to bring them closer to the Savior and help them discover their divine potential.

Don't stop believing in miracles; know that they still happen today, and I see the Lord's hand at work everyday in Mississippi. The people here are loving and kind and willing to listen, but I'm sure there are also people like that where you live.

Who can you touch with the gospel today? What truths are you struggling with? What more do you need to know and do to be a better disciple of Christ?

Ask your Heavenly Father. Be a light and an example. Be a beacon, and others will be drawn to your light.

Have a good week! Stay warm!

Godspeed!

- Sister Rose