The elders came over and visited us tonight. They read Doc. & Cov. 65 with us and we discussed it as it relates to our responsibility to do missionary work. They invited us to 1. pray that the hearts of those living in this area will be softened; 2. pray that the hearts of any we have thought we would like to share the gospel with would also be softened; 3. pray for opportunities to share the gospel; 4. re-read Doc. & Cov. 65 as a family. I believe I felt the spirit while they were here, which made me feel hopeful that I can be close to God again. I was a bit nervous letting the elders come and visit us. I felt that if they ask me to do something and I can�t do it so be it. I don�t want to turn their visit into another way to make myself feel guilty for not doing missionary work.
I visited our ward�s new bishop this last Sunday. My wife and daughter 1 got recommends for the Nauvoo temple open house. I would like to go but won�t since I do not have a current recommend. I went in to visit the Bishop at the same time to let him know that I have been struggling with the temple recommend questions in regards to testimony of God, Jesus Christ and the atonement. I told him I feel burned out on the church and can�t do it. My Bishop said I can�t do it without the atonement. God doesn�t want us to feel guilty all the time. He recommended I read the Book of Mormon because (as he realized this year as he taught seminary) the entire book is about the atonement.
I have started reading it again. I started in Moroni. Chapter 6 verse 4 I wonder about. The verse says that Christ is the author and finisher of our faith. I wonder what that means exactly. Verse 4 is a good one for hometeachers to remember since it talks about why our names are recorded when we join the church.
I found verse 3 of chapter 7 intriguing. Mormon is talking to members of the church or peaceable followers of Christ that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven. I don�t feel that I have obtained such a hope that has allowed me to enter into the rest of the Lord. How could I do this? �from this time henceforth� implies that this group had obtained a sufficient hope and entered into some form of rest (of the Lord) in this life. The scripture says this hope would extend into heaven. I often feel overwhelmed by the gospel.