"But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Had dinner and a lesson with a recent convert and investigator and trained new ordinance workers at the temple. One investigator wasn't home for a lesson, so we taped baked bread onto the handle of their door, haha. Then we did service at a member's, climbing trees to prune and spreading mulch. Knocked doors at a trailer park, found 2 new investigators, and ate homemade Chilaquiles for dinner with members from Mexico. 

Many people we talk with think that Mormons believe that only by our service and actions can we be saved. On the contrary, nor are we saved by belief or grace alone. "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:24). It is not our works that will save us – only Christ can; but it is by our works and trying to live His gospel that we access that saving grace "after all we can do" (2 Nephi 25:23). "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?.. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you" (Matt. 7:20-23).

The Relief Society General Presidency reminds us, though, that our "list will never be finished. It isn't possible... Do what you can each day, ask the Lord to fill in the gaps, and then a new day starts and you begin again. That is part of the beauty of being disciples of Jesus Christ – that we are never done, that there is always something else to do, and that there is always room for improvement... Doing better doesn't always mean doing more. And if you [pray to ask for] and do just 1 inspired thing each day, you are nevertheless the Lord's agent... Try. Pray. Trust. You don't have to do it all." 

Don't forget that God really does love us! The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that "the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice, they will suffer for their sins [as though there had been no Redeemer]; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving Father's heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain." 

Elder Orson F. Whitney 

A time or two or more in our lives, we might be those who wander from the path. While teaching the Restoration as a retention lesson for Williams, we looked at the image on the pamphlet cover of Christ holding a lost sheep. In the background, there is a mountain range, hardly the place for a lamb. I thought about the rocks and hills and rivers that cross our way, and sometimes that is what it takes to ready us to look for our Savior. Some may need to cross more mountains than others. Maybe, like those who continually clung to the iron rod until they fell down at the tree of life, we'll arrive in heaven dirty and bruised with broken pieces where our Shepherd will pick us up and dust us off with care and say, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant" (Matt. 25:21).

Love, Hermana Jerman