{Letter #37} Perfect Brightness of Hope

Hi everyone! I hope all of you are doing fantastically! This week wasn't too exciting, just a bunch of lessons and continuing to do the Lord's work in Portland!

I wanted to talk about 2 specific lessons that we had this past week with our friend Laura who is working towards a baptismal date in a couple weeks.  This picture is with a member who accompanied us to one of our lessons with Laura.

In the first lesson we had with her this week, we read a scripture that we've read a few times before. This scripture is the prophet Nephi {from the Book of Mormon} teaching about the gospel of Jesus Christ. He taught:

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."

Laura absolutely loved this scripture after reading it this time! She specifically loved the line "a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God". She found a lot of joy know that as we have a hope in Christ (like taught by Mormon in Moroni 7:41) and love God, that we can receive eternal life! "Which gift is the greatest of God's gifts".

It was such a testimony building experience for me to see the change that has occurred from when we first found her! She has truly learned to find joy in Christ, through a hope in Him and a love for God!

The next lesson was just yesterday. We were talking more about the promise that when will be making when she is baptized, and she started tearing up! She wanted so much to make these promises to God an to have the Spirit as a constant companion! She loved the teachings of Alma the Older in Mosiah 18:8-10. She is so in tune with the promptings of the Spirit, it is incredible the testimony that she has already developed.

I know that Christ lives! Because of His sacrifice for us, if we choose to have faith in Him and repent, He will heal us! He knows what we face! He has given his church to allow us to come unto Him!

I love all of you! I hope you all are doing well! Let me know if there's anything I can do for you!

Love,
Elder Goold

This picture is from the Nike World Headquarters.  A ward member works there and was able to get us in.