October is Here! Oct 8th Letter

Mom and loved ones!

This week was spiritually enriching and very edifying throughout many of my experiences. I also came to truly know that there is power from applying the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are going to move in with the zone leaders for the rest of the transfer and a lot of events jumped out of nowhere! The Lord's hand is truly in all things. I know that for certain. As I listened to General Conference as a missionary out in the field of labor, I felt a special spirit that I had never felt before. I was touched in some way personally by each and every talk of the 183rd Semi-Annual General Conference. I particularly liked how over and over again the cleansing power of the Atonement was re-iterated and how the Lord does give us strength always, if we rely on Him. "Being meek and lowly in heart" is very important and demonstrates our Love for the Savior. I really loved how these inspired prophets, seers, and revelators focused on the basics. Missionary work is no different. We teach people to prepare them to make covenants and to become converted unto the Lord Jesus Christ.

It was a bit disheartening to not have been able to attend the Priesthood session of this Conference, because it is more important to seek out souls to bring unto "God's kingdom." I was touched by Elder Christofferson's talk on "womanhood, moral authority, and respect for women." This applies directly to our family, because of Maddie, Olivia, and Hayley. I had the opportunity to give several priesthood blessings to the Sisters in our district as well as my companion. There is incredible power in the Priesthood even the power of Jesus Christ to act in the name of God. I tenderly anticipated and prepared to receive revelation for my conference experience this year and what a blessing it was. I too loved Elder Bednar's talk on tithing, as well as President Uchtdorf's. As missionaries we have the wonderful opportunity to serve others and talk to as many people to bring them unto our Father in
Heaven. With this comes a need for boldness and faith! "Doubting the doubts" is a huge factor in this.

I talked to Olivia a little last week and expressed some thoughts and feelings and I know that she was touched during General Conference. I am happy to hear that she has such great leaders. I cannot thank my leaders enough for helping me to become the man and missionary I am today! Mom, tell all of my leaders this and that I love them! I am grateful to have such wonderful sisters and to you Mom for your wonderful example! I feel that the Lord has known what he wants me to accomplish here in my mission since the beginning and as I apply that which I know and rely on Him in all things I am seeing the miracles, not just the blessings. There are countless blessings here that I have seen. I hope that you all see the power of prayer and the miracle of forgiveness in your lives. As I have come to diligently seek for understanding, ponder, prepare, and help others to my best ability, I have come to know of the Savior's divine strength in my life and our Heavenly Father's divine will in my life.

I had the opportunity to help many people this week through acts of service. Whether it was lifting objects and furniture, or painting walls and struggling to keep rollers in-tact, I know that these simple, sometimes strenuous acts of service are part of "charity never faileth!" If we serve out of love, we will feel the love of the Lord even more immensely in our lives, and know that our Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness is a blessing and a way of eternal blessings, rewards, and happiness unlike any that we have ever received in our lives! 

As I was serving in the House of the Lord yesterday, I was overwhelmed with joy, emotion, love, and a heart full of humility and devotion. The blessing of the temple and temple ordinances, even saving ordinances, is indescribable for me. I cannot express how much happiness I could feel in the temple and of the power and strength and might of our Father in Heaven. It truly cannot be measured! I could talk about many things, but I think that will do for now. I cannot believe October is here. It flies, and I love every moment of it. It is hard at times and I know that the Lord will not entrust us with anything that we cannot achieve or reach to our capacity or our potential that is God-given. Gifts are God-given and they should be used daily to bless the lives of our Heavenly Father's children, even our spiritual Brothers and Sisters! 

A quick story about acting on impressions of the Holy Ghost immediately: This past week my companion told me you are going to be a leader and a senior companion and a trainer very soon. What are we going to do at 2 in the afternoon tomorrow? I sat there for a minute and he calmly said; ponder and pray that is the only way! I did just that and the next morning I woke up and a thought popped in my head directly from Heaven and we actually found someone else who knew the person I had thought of. Had we not been there, the ladies would have struggled to carry the furniture and bins up huge flights of stairs. They were interested in hearing the message of the Restored Gospel and we set a return appointment with them! Always act on the mysterious thoughts that come suddenly, because they can be of the utmost importance!

I love you all and I hope that you continue to deepen your conversion and enhance your study about and to the Savior and his teachings and our Father in Heaven's eternal plan, which is the same for all of us. "To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man!" 

I sincerely hope and pray that you all have a tremendous week! There is always hope with faith.

- Love Elder Sterling Grant Richards

 Show message history