Hey Fam!
The whole Conference was centered on Christ and outlined the
principles of Joy, Faith in Jesus Christ, and putting on the armor of
God. I thought this was really cool because I have been studying these
topics like crazy over the past few months. I would really encourage you
all to study the words Joy and Happiness in the scriptures. The word
Happiness appears 28 times in the standard works. once in the Doctrine
and Covenants. Once in the Pearl of Great Price and 26 times in the Book Of
Mormon. There are really amazing formulas attached to it everywhere it is
mentioned too :)
But what I have been really thinking about is the spiritual
"Armor" that we all wear daily. Last week I was reading in in
Alma chapter 60 and noticed something really interesting. This is where
Moroni is writing his letter to Pahoran because Pahoran has not sent him any
supplies or troops to aid him in his war efforts. Verse 21 says, "
Or do ye suppose that the Lord will still deliver us, while we sit upon our
thrones and do not make use of the means which the Lord has provided for
us?" I have been thinking so much about the armor that I put on each
day. This scripture, to me at least, helps me understand that most of the
time God gives us opportunities to do things rather than just give us
things. We are not here on earth to be led by the hand but we do have a
Father in Heaven who is a God and has given us all we need to succeed here in
this life. Over the past 2 years I have slowly been learning that in
order for me to be happy throughout an entire day there are some things I need
to do. Specifically in the morning I have learned that I need to pray,
exercise, read the scriptures, and review and pray about my plans for that
day. If I don't do one of these things my day never seems to go as well
as it could have. I have also committed to listen to a General Conference
talk every single time I take a shower. I have been doing this for over a
year now and have found incredible strength from this alone. I have made
a list that is ever growing of things that are part of my armor. I feel
that these things are the vehicle for me to live in a way that I honor the
covenants I have made with God. I take very seriously Paul's commission
to, "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against
the wiles of the devil." My invitation to you all this week is to
counsel with God in prayer and make a list of things that are a part of your
armor. I know that He will help you know the things you can do on a daily
basis that will protect you and allow you to have the most Happiness and Joy in
your life. The purpose of this life is to have Joy and there is no other
way to find it except through Jesus Christ. I know that Elder Bednar was
speaking truth when he said, "Making and keeping sacred covenants yokes us
to and with the Lord Jesus Christ." I believe many of you do certain
things daily that you may not even realize are a part of your armor but I
promise you that if you will take the time to write them down that God will
show you even greater ways to become one with Him. I know that Jesus is
the Savior of the world. By choosing to put on my armor daily I have been
enabled to do things I know I could never do on my own. I know we can do
all things through Christ because He truly is the one that strengthens
us.
My companion, Elder Mckeachnie, will be finishing his
mission this transfer and will head home this weekend! Crazy how fast
time flies but I am happy for him because he has chosen to work hard all the
way to the end.
Thank
you all sooooo much for all the Christmas letters! I had 21 pages of
letters in my package at the Christmas conference! I am so blessed to
have you all. Thanks so much for all you do for me!
Love,
Elder Holland
Elder Holland
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