our Savior's love

Last night we went to the airport to welcome back my brother's best friend from his mission in Fiji. Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, (commonly known as "Mormons"), are called and set apart by men of God to go serve and share for two years the happy message of Christ's Gospel back on the earth today. Truly they are hearkening unto the Master's call and promise. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have command you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:19-20; KJV)

I can't wait until the day I get to serve, but for now I know that I can listen and obey to the Savior's words, right here, right now.
I read today in John when the disciples of Christ leave Him, for He has proclaimed that He is indeed the Savior of the World, the Son of God. When Jesus asks the twelve if they "will also go away" , I am humbled by Peter's sweet reply: "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life... And we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (John 6:67-69; KJV; bold added)

Have you ever really thought about the Savior and His purpose? I've been taught about Him since I can't remember when but He became real to me these last couple years. I absolutely love reading, studying, and pondering Him and His great ministry. Surely He was greater than a mere prophet, surely He was literally the greatest thing that has ever happened in all of existence. and what's cool, what's REALLY cool to me, is that He isn't some obscene, greater than thou, unreachable figure. He came down and suffered for us, died for us, and was raised again so that we might be too, but did He leave us there and drop us like flies? OF COURSE NOT! The Resurrected Lord and Savior of all the earth, of every nation, cares about YOU. Loves YOU. Wants to have you clasped in His arms. Will you come?

A great point was made by Brad Wilcox when he said, "There is no place for sin in heaven. There is a place for sinners who are willing to confess, learn from mistakes, sincerely progress through a repentance process, and welcome the power of the Atonement." The greatest Being who has ever walked the earth saved YOU from your sins. He saved us all out of pure love. Are we willing and wanting to use this miraculous gift of repentance He gives us?

Sometimes I feel super inadequate. Like, really. I get all down in the dumps and can't think of anything positive about myself or anybody else. I wonder why the Savior even bothered to make such a sacrifice for me, an imperfect teenage girl who continues to roll around in the mud pit of imperfection and sin. And then I realize that's precisely the point. That's exactly why He did it! So that when we realize, "hey, I don't like this mud pit! It stinks, and I'd do anything I can to get out of it" He reaches out to us, grabs us by the hand, washes us off, and sets us on the path back to Him again. But it won't work unless we put in some effort. We never have to feel inadequate or unworthy if we are striving to feel His love.

God is good. Great. Wonderful, Powerful, Smart, and Kind. I am so thankful He sent His Son for us, or else we would all be lost and fallen souls.
Some believe in the Trinity. If that is what you believe, please understand that I am not undermining you or criticizing your beliefs in any way. I have many friends who believe in this concept. But I have studied, listened to modern-day prophets, and KNOW... Absolutely know, that they are two Separate beings. Do they have the same purpose? Absolutely! They want us back with them... but better than we left them. And through their Genius Plan, Jesus Christ has given us a way back to return to the Father.

Thanks and glory be to God.

Please, if you have any comments or questions about our beliefs as Latter-Day Saints, comment(appropriately)below and I can answer/address them! Please also feel free to search mormon.org or lds.org for more answers. God will help answer them if you honestly seek.

My final scripture to share (after this extremely long post) is in 3rd Nephi 27: 14 (This is found in the Book of Mormon; a companion to the Holy Bible and another testament of Jesus Christ)

Jesus says: "And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me". He wants us to come home. He wants YOU home.
Let's make Him proud.