"Salvation is not a cheap experience" (Jeffrey R. Holland) - October 11, 2021
Spiritual Thought
As you and I fully engage in serving our Savior we realize very quickly that such an endeavor requires all of our mental, physical, and emotional faculties. The nature of this work is that it requires all who wish to participate to invest all that they have and are in the building up of Zion. Why is it that often those times when we feel the most exhausted, the most dispised, and the most disdained are when we are fully engaged in our Savior's work? Why is it that the path to true discipleship is marked with rejection, struggle, and trial? How is it that all the forces of the adversary can seemingly converge on one individual the moment they begin to serve our Savior in any capacity? The answer to these questions is that such experiences are precisely what the Savior himself experienced. The Savior Jesus Christ beckons to all people inviting them to come unto him and be saved. Yet such a joyful invitation is largely ignored by all who hear it. The Savior faced the ultimate rejection when he was betrayed by one of his special witnesses, publicly humiliated, and condemned to die by those who were supposed to view him as the long awaited Messiah that he was. Why is the path of discipleship often so difficult? To quote Elder Jeffrey R. Holland it is because "salvation is not a cheap experience". None of us may hope to return to our heavenly home and receive the triumphant welcome we desire if the path of our life did not demonstrate some small token of what our Savior experienced. When we face such challenging and difficult circumstances let us remember the company we keep along our difficult road. As we are rejected, as we are spit upon, as we are despised and cast out we are standing with the Savior of the world himself and are tasting some small portion of what he has already experienced.
"Be not weary in well doing for ye are laying the foundation of a great work" (D&C 64:32)
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Weekly Update
This past week has been an physically and mentally draining one as I adjust to new circumstances and learn how best to help the work progress in my new area. Elder Holdaway and I have spent the week trying to contact as many investigators and ward leaders as possible.
It is encouraging because there are several people who are progressing towards baptism in this area. One of them, Marshall, is a hunting guide in Wyoming so he is out of town for weeks at a time. It complicates the situation further when this transfer could be called "the hunting season transfer". He is on an elk hunt until the 20th of this month but we will meet with him after he gets back. Marshall was going to be baptized on August 28th. However, the last transfer began just a few days before that day and sister missionaries were brought into this area. I don't know why but he did not feel comfortable with sister missionaries and ended up not being baptized. He would still like to be baptized so we are hoping that we will have better luck this time.
There has also been a very welcome change in the weather this week. It has rained and I have worn a jacket or sweater almost every day. I may be saying something different in a few weeks but it is very nice to have some cool weather.
Aside from that this week has consisted of trying to get settled into a new area and assess the situation. It has been challenging but very rewarding to have this new experience.
I hope you all have a great week,
Elder Payne
The first day with Elder Holdaway. This is also the first day I wore a sweater which is pretty exciting.
I had to get some pictures with the cream of the crop from the Bountiful Stone Creek Stake before I left. Hopefully these stay in order. This is with Brother and Sister Een.
It has been overcast and storming this whole week. That combined with the fall colors has made all the streets look really pretty.
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