Repair

Thank you for the prayers! It was an awesome week!

During the cool of the night Nehemiah rode his beast to observe the full damage Jerusalem had undergone. He saw the walls destroyed and the gates burned with fire. The city was once a strategic stronghold built above the Valley of Kidron, a literal fortress set on a plateau to protect the nation's capital. But it was broken down and battered. However, Nehemiah knew it could be rebuilt. He knew the promises of the Lord would be fulfilled. When he rallied the people to bring this great work about their memorable cry rung loud to those that observed."I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down"!

While speaking of this great reformation we can't forget Ezra's part of the plan. He worked as a scribe to help his people understand the laws of God and tutor them in His statutes and judgments. In my opinion his greatest task involved bringing "the law" within reach of every Jew instead of it being mainly the privilege of the priests. With this knowledge the average person could find out for him or herself what was expected and how he or she should act.

Last week I omitted a huge part of the repentance process. Repentance starts with faith in Jesus Christ, and changing accordingly, but the fruits of repentance (or the resulting joy) are not realized until an ordinance of the priesthood is performed (Moroni 8:25). An ordinance such as baptism by proper authority. But if we turn back to what we gave up it is not true repentance. 

On a completely different note we had an awesome opportunity after the ward Christmas party. There was tons of left over food so we went around town and gave food to different people we've worked with. It was fun! This is a wonderful time of the year!

I love you!