Dzien dobry!

This week was a great one! I hope you are all doing well! 

Siostra McAdams was out of town for that majority of this past week so we had Brat Tribe as a teacher for the majority of the time. He is awesome. On Monday we had class outside on the grass in the sun (pretty angelic) and we did our lesson learning and then Brat Tribe talked about some of his experiences from the mission field. I am pretty content being here in the MTC, in some ways it's torturous but overall I feel so unprepared and nervous to head out to Poland. His stories got me excited to be there and I think part of it was making it more real and less mysterious - the unknown is always the worst. I also had a meeting with Brat Tribe one on one ( we all have them with our teachers every other week or so.) He told me that my Polish was coming along really well. I loved hearing good feedback but it also sort of messes me up. It reminds me of track when we were all doing exercises and my coaches Frida or Lena would tell me good job and then I would often immediately mess up. I think I need positive reinforcement but it also adds to the pressure. Overall It was nice to hear and motivated me to work harder and progress more. Brat Tribe also told me that he sensed that I would have opportunities to help others in the district and that I needed to be aware of those times and act upon them. I am still trying to figure out how I can help others and be the best example I can be. When I was talking with Brat Tribe it sort of struck a chord in me. I feel like throughout high school I always knew I could be doing so much better. I think we all know that but he reminded me to try my best and to be the person that Heavenly Father sees me as and knows I can become. I feel like I always know I will be better or do amazing things later but I need to start being who I want to be today. So that is one of my major goals at the moment: figuring out who and what I want to be and then to be happy with my choice and live in a way to be my best self. 

Sunday was a spiritual and therefore happy day. I have come to love the Branch Presidency. I don't know what it was before but I just didn't like them. They always had good insights and were sincerely caring towards all of us but I guess Satan was just working on my a little bit. They are really great men with equally loving wives. I just had the Holy Ghost with me on Sunday and it was so nice to have that presence so strong and for so long. That night the devotional was what I needed. My dad always said he loved the devotional because the general authorities treated you like one of them, having the same mission to testify of Christ. I hadn't really sensed that before but this past week it was evident. There is also an incredible address by Elder Holland "The miracle of a Mission", which talks about how we are the most prayed for group of people on earth. It was so empowering. This week I had the best days and worst since being out on my mission. On the "bad" days, even though things weren't going well, I felt like I had this hope and attitude that couldn't turn to negative. It was Wednesday night where I realized the impacts of all the prayers and support from home. Know that I am being blessed because of your prayers and thoughts. Even when things here are lame, because of the love I feel, I have this immovable viewpoint of better times to come. Thank you for that, I love you all so much.

On Sunday I also went to choir practice and sat next to this elder going to Mexico and thanks to him I have the greatest Swiss-Swedish story yet! So we were talking about where we were from. I said Switzerland and of course he asked if I spoke Swedish. I sidestepped the question by explaining how I lived near the French border so spoke French. We went on talking and he asked what it was like to live in Sweden. I don't like correcting people so I just went with it talking about going to international schools and wards etc. He however was persistent. He went on and on about what currency they had in Sweden and asking about the Swedish girls, at this point I felt like i was at a point of no return. I couldn't now say actaully it was SWITZERLAND. Therefore, I have to start trying to remember back to my track meet in Stolkholm to think of how many kroners there are to the dollar (if that's even the right currency!) Basically I had to tell an elaborate lie and dodge a few questions because I didn't want to correct him. Moral of the story - don't dig yourself into a whole and it's a lot easier to correct people at the beginning of the story rather than trying to explain that "no my parents don't speak swedish either because..."

As I mentioned, Siostra McAdams was out of town so on Monday we had a substitute, a teacher for the Netherlands/Belgium bound missionaries. Brat Robinson was even half Dutch so he has the accent and everything. It made me feel at home. It was also cool to have a different teacher for a morning because it gives you a new perspective. Also since he only taught us once he wanted to get everything across that he thought was most important since it was his one shot with us. He said a lot of good stuff. Something that I really related to was his interest in other people's beliefs. He said he learned so much from investigators because of their relationship with Heavenly Father. We don't have to be "mormon" to be good people, doing good things, or even having strong relationship with God. I remember the first time I realized that God receives and answers prayers from every faithful person. Whether you are Muslim praying to Allah, Jewish praying to Jehovah (is that who they pray to?), or any Christian praying to God it doesn't matter. As long as you have faith and are trying to do what's right you will be blessed. I love that principle. 

One of the exercises we did with Brat Robinson was get into groups and teach a short lesson in English. I was paired with Starszy Hubbard and we were teaching Siostra Petersen who took on the role of her non-member aunt. S. Hubbard. I talked about prayer and the Atonement and the love Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father had for her. The Spirit was present. This was a huge contrast to what I felt when Starszy Whiting and I were teaching Olek and Grzegorz (our two current investigators.) I feel somewhat guided in what to say to them but I don't feel that burning in my bosom that the scriptures describes. This week I've thought a lot about the difference between the lessons. Obviously one was in English and the other in Polish but what about that caused the disparity. I am still trying to figure it our but here are some of my ideas. With S. Petersen I know we were led what to say, our words came from our hearts, and we were bold, we basically just jumped into our testimonies and strenghtening experiences. I felt so much interwoven love between the three of us and with Heavenly Father. I think I have trouble really caring about Olek because all I see is my teacher. I realized I'm not loving him the way I need to be. I got the advice to love the people I serve a lot before I left but I didn't realize what that would mean. I know now that I need to be really trying to figure out what Olek and Grzegorz need personally. I need to not only share me testimony , but why I feel blessed because of it and why it matters to me. I need to be more bold in my speech. I need to show love to them. This week I am going to try and love. I need to love my companion and not get annoyed at the little things he does that bug me. I need to love my investigators and think of their needs not what I want them to hear. I am still learning not to think all about me. It's hard but I am trying. I'm learning, growing, and receiving so much help. 

Truth is truth. Love is love. Seek after good things in life. Your mood depends on you. Be who you want to be now, not tomorrow. I love you all. Christ loves you all and is always there if you ever want to reach out. Prayer is a blessing, try to pray always.

I love you all!

Starszy Kimball

Spencer's District

Spencer's Zone, most just left as mentioned 

Spencer's companion Starszy Whiting, Hermana Dautel, Starszy Kimball

Hello Everyone, 

I hope you have all had a good week! Mine has been pretty good but a total blur!

It's crazy how each day runs into the next - there is just a continual cycle of language study, gym, gospel study, meals, devotionals. I am learning so much but everything melds into each other, which is sort of good and sort of weird. 

Let me say now that I have just completed printing everyone's emails so I can respond this week via letters. Everybody's letters this week have really strengthened me. I try not to focus too much time thinking about all of you because I know that I will become homesick and lose focus but it has been such a blessing to hear from so many of you. Your love and strength keep me going. 

Sestra Merrill (going to Bulgaria and my fellow descendant of Wee Granny aka Mary Murray) told me something this week that was really cool. She said that around 1977 (I can't remember exactly when) but she said that Spencer W. Kimball set Poland apart for missionary work. The blessings I receive due to the diligence of my ancestors is never ending. They are such a part of my life and I encourage you to look into your family history and discover the incredible feats that your predecessors have done for you, that have led you to the place you now are. Cool connections are everywhere!

Basically, our district is super tight now. We don't all have the same humor or tastes but we have all started to grow together. This week we really made it a goal to be more unified. We are trying to study and help each more with the language. Before we were all sort of doing our own thing and advancing at different levels and learning different vocabulary. We then realized what we were losing if we couldn't communicate and practice together. Now we are all learning the same 5 new verbs each day (our teachers have challenged us to learn all the verbs in a book we have called 301 verbs - however in Polish each verb has two forms to use in different scenarios so really that is 602 verbs and 10 a day... WOW) Each day during language study we devote time to work together on a different principle (i.e. conjugation or case change - the awesome thing about Polish is that they conjugate nouns too - woohoo even more to learn.) Honestly, I really am loving Polish. I am trying to learn different sets of vocab or rules everyday and it's coming. Last night our district (again our district is all of the missionaries in the MTC going to Poland) started "Tender Mercy Thursdays" where we all go around and say how we have been helped that day. It helps us to realize our blessings and God's hand in our lives. It helped me to look to be grateful and happy, which is such a superior way of living. As a district we are still trying to "find ourself" but are doing really well and progressing together.

Our zone is also really tight knit. (again our zone is made of multiple districts ex. we have the Bulgarian district, Adriatic North district, Slovak/ Czech district and a few others all in our zone) We do laundry together, play volleyball and kickball together, eat together and most importunity learn a lot from each other. We all have the goal of SYL (speak your language) meaning if I know a word in Polish, even if it's only one in a sentence I use it. It is so inspiring as we all speak together in our respective languages and self-interpret/ translate on the spot. A lot of our languages are really similar, it is neat to be able to understand other elders and sisters going to other places too. Most of our zone got their flight plans today. They leave a week fromMonday, which is so soon and sad. In just over a week our district will become the eldest district in our zone (our zone receiving two last week) which is crazy to think about since it feels like we just got here. It is also different because our Polish district arrived alone on September 4th but most of the others all came together, which means in a week and a half we will have about 3-5 new districts to train and help. It is both exciting and daunting! Our entire zone and the teachers we have are really great examples, most of us are all so different so it's a good mix and it gives a lot of perspectives, which is nice.

This week we have a new mock investigator, Olek. He is 18 and agnostic. We have only taught one lesson but we teach the next one today. Teaching is a little less daunting now and my ability in expressing myself is coming. Starszy Whiting and I have different styles of preparing, planning, and teaching. Last night we finally talked about how we need to come together to teach with more unification and hopefully with the Spirit. It's a little tough because we don't want to step on each other's toes but that is something we are going to try and work on. Yesterday we started TRC (I forget what it stands for) but we teach volunteers in the area who speak Polish, mainly returned missionaries at BYU. This isn't an acting exercise but more like a lesson with church members. yesterday, S. Whiting and I were able to teach a woman actually from Poland. It was very humbling but also gave a good sense of what to expect. I am told TRC becomes missionaries favorite part of the week... I'm look forward to when that is true.

Really quickly I just wanted to share something I've learned this week. I have never wanted to be too pushy about my beliefs but at the same time I often don't think people want to hear. I realized that as a representative of Jesus Christ I need to boldly bear my testimony to whomever I feel prompted. I think I underestimate other's desire to come unto and follow Christ. I am trying to find the balance and look at others the way their Father in Heaven does. 

I am very grateful to be serving at a time like this. Being here I feel more than ever as a soldier in an army. Serving alongside my Sister, Kristin, my friends Zach and others is a blessing. I know that through the strength of Christ we can overcome all challenges and hardships. Heavenly Father and Christ live and they love us. The only way we can know if this is if we pray with real intent, with real faith. If we do our part to investigate truth and learn for ourselves what is right and wrong we will be blessed with truth and happiness.

I can feel all you your prayers and support. Live up to the great potential you have and be a positive force and influence to those around you. Be an example. Also, look to the examples around you because you are blessed with them for a reason. I love and pray for you.

Love, 

Starszy Kimball

Czesc!

After being here all of the descriptions I have heard before are making so much sense. The main one being that days feel likes weeks and weeks feel like days. Days go by quickly too but because we are always doing something it is hard to believe that it all happened in one day. It's strange to think that my district has already been here for over a week - crazy!

My district has grown much closer together - it's strange because in some ways we feel like family because we spend all of our time together and are going through the same things. However, we have only known each other for a week so we are still trying to get to know each other. At first I thought it would be difficult to grow close to them because I felt like my views, tastes, and perspective of the world was so different from theirs. Although we don't see eye to eye we still enjoy each other and can laugh a lot together, which is success in my book. Our teachers Brat (Brother) Tribe, Brat Hillyard, and Siostra (Sister) McAdams really are great. The excitement of the MTC and where everything is "the best" has sort of worn off but my district and teachers really are strong, talented people who I am grateful to be with. We think that we haven't learned any Polish but when we think that it's only been a week it's pretty amazing. Like in French at school most people in my district find it easier to understand than speak but I am the opposite (not that it's easy to speak!) My whole district seems to be enjoying our time here but finding it a challenge - and we are all tired with built up exhaustion. 

So at the MTC we have mock investigators that we teach (they are usually our teachers that pretend to be someone learning about our church and gospel.) This week we taught Jola (Siostra McAdams) for three lessons - Saturday, Monday, Wednesday- ALL in Polish! We teach in companionships so I am with Starszy Whiting. Our first lesson went horrible and I mean HORRIBLE. We both came out of it confused, frustrated, and downhearted. After the lesson we were both talking about how we wish we could just do it all in English so we could actually express ourselves and understand what she was saying. We then kind of sat, pondered and had a really good conversation. What we realized is that we were only thinking about ourselves: it was hard for us, we couldn't understand, and we wanted to be able to speak. We realized missionary work has basically nothing to do with us. Our success doesn't depend on our language skills or exactly what we say it all depends on the Spirit being present. Our purpose as missionaries is to invite others to come unto Christ - to strengthen the investigators relationship with Heavenly Father and Christ. The most important tool is the Spirit - If we have the Spirit: we as missionaries will be guided what to say according to what the investigator needs to hear, we will all feel peace and love from our Father in Heaven, and the Holy Ghost will testify truth to the hearts of our investigators. For our first lesson we planned out exactly what we were going to say, who was going to say it, and when. The second and third times we studied with topics we felt prompted to teach but planned a lot less and so we were able to be guided by the Spirit. In the second lesson I didn't feel any strong waves of emotion but I did feel gently guided. In the third I felt the same but I also had a stronger witness and feeling of the Spirit. We had her read, pray and finally invited her to be baptized on October 7th and she accepted. We learned so much from Jola and felt the ups and downs of missionary work. I think now Starszy Whiting and I are both more confident and comfortable in studying together, teaching, and speaking Polish. Our differing strengths I think are a great asset. We both know the doctrine of Christ but S. Whiting can, in an instant, find a scripture to use in that moment and his Polish is a little better so he is more articulate, whereas I feel like I can connect with the investigator a little better and testify of what I believe in with more heart. (not to say either of us can't do the other but I think the balance is good) This week we will teach Olek (Brat Tribe) to pray for us and I will let you know how it goes. We watched the "Character of Christ" by Elder Bednar on Sunday and it emphasized our need, as missionaries, to forget about ourselves and focus on our purpose of inviting others to Christ. It was AMAZING - our whole district came out with a new sense of direction after it.

I get to see Hermana Dautel everyday and every once in a while we will talk so that's nice. I can now give pretty substantial prayers and testimonies (things I would say in English), teach simple lessons, conjugate three types of verbs, and spit out some vocab in Polish. It is a very different language! They conjugate verbs and adjectives, sentence structure doesn't matter, and their ratio of consonants to vowels in words is unforgiving. 

S. Whiting and I got to leave the MTC this week (for those of you who don't know, that's not really done.) The travel office needed a birth certificate from Tennessee to get my residency card (since we don't need visas to go to Poland - who knew?) but I had to go to Smiths (a grocery store) to get a money order. So S. Whiting and I took a shuttle there and went into the store - it was strange because we were with normal civilians and this time we were the ones with the name tags. Being in Provo we were treated well but even after just a few days it was strange to be back in the real world. While we were waiting outside for another shuttle to come pick us up a man came and started talking to us. He was Hispanic with good English and didn't seem to be a member. He said his mother and sister were baptized and he had some questions. He wanted to know more about promptings and how we can decide whether they are from the Spirit or the Devil. (In English - woohoo) We taught that good feelings that prompt us to do good came from the Spirit and vice versa. It was a short discussion before the shuttle came but it was really fun to be out of the MTC and have a taste of being in "the field." 

I wore my Murcdoch tartan tie and one of our sister training leaders (going to Bulgaria) asked about it and we talked and figured out that we are both related to Mary Murray Murdoch (aka Wee Granny -  a Mormon Trail pioneer) Then another sister (a previous sister training leader going to Slovenia) overheard and she is a descendant of John Wee Granny's son so we are all direct descendants and therefore cousins! We were pretty excited about it, which caused the rest of my district to tease me for the rest of the day. As I said before, in some ways we tease and act like best friends but at times it's weird because we don't actually know each other that well. I feel like I in particular just kind of treat everybody like old friends, which in some cases leads to awkwardness or misunderstanding... but what else is new. 

Our zone (which is made up of districts, for example we are the Polish district) received more missionaries this week with two new districts another Bulgaria and another Croatia. I haven't really had the chance to speak to most of them because they have classes and their residence in another building. 

Please write dear elder so then I can receive and respond via letters during the week rather than just on Fridays.

I love you all! This is the gospel of Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Father loves us, and the Spirit is a divine gift. This is the way! I feel so blessed and prompted during my time hear and am excited for more to come. God bless you. 

Love,

Starszy Kimball

Spencer's Farewell Talk

(Spencer's Farewell Talk)

The Gospel to All the World

- Elder John B. Dickson of the Seventy: April 2013 General Conference

 I recently re-watched the “5,000 Days Project: Two Brothers,” a documentary following two LDS brothers from childhood to their early adult years.  In it we watch elder brother, Sam, as he serves a mission in Chile.  There, he experiences struggle and we see candid clips showing his emotions.  Sam references John 11:35, “Jesus wept,” and shares his realization that the perfect example of manhood and self-mastery, Jesus Christ, wept so we should not be afraid to cry. I would like to ask you to remember this as I continue my talk as I have difficulty controlling my own emotions when speaking of the things closest to my heart.

I feel blessed for the many examples surrounding me.  I have a strong testimony that specific people are placed in our lives with a purpose.  I am grateful for our need of others.  Mosiah 18:21, instructs us to have “hearts knit together in unity and love one towards another.”    The plan of salvation is based upon our interdependence of one another: family, friends, and church members along with our dependency on the Godhead, especially the loving, Atoning sacrifice of our Savior.  2 Nephi 1:21 reminds, “be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity.”  We need unity as support throughout life.  I will reference Elder Dickson’s talk “The Gospel to All the World” from the April 2013 General Conference and share the unity I have felt in my life and the unifying role in missionary work.

Growing up in Belgium and Switzerland gave me many incredible opportunities, but for most of my years I was the only “Mormon” at school.  However, I was able to find friends who supported me in my beliefs and respected my standards despite their differing faiths or opinions. I learned to share my testimony and my friends have given me new perspectives, teaching me truths found in their cultures and belief systems.  They are rooted in their own views but never failed to encourage me to pursue my own path.  I found this especially true in their support of my mission; from joining me to open my mission call to attending my farewell back in Geneva they were a constant source of support.  I love the differences we have and the similarities we share and I admire their examples of acceptance and respect.

Although members were few at school I was always blessed with a devoted youth group.  Their testimonies strengthened my own and our shared circumstance, particularly being the minority at various schools, allowed us to seek guidance and learn from each other.  I have the privilege to join the missionary force alongside many friends from past places I have lived. These member friends have been great examples of diligence and faith.

Recently, the blessings of my heritage are becoming apparent to me.  Firstly, my ancestors’ devotion to God led to the blessings of being born into the family with love of Christ’s gospel. Such love and understanding was shown by Mary Murray Murdoch, or ‘Wee Granny’ as she was called reaching the height of 4-foot-7.  Wee Granny died travelling along the Mormon Trail with her last words a wish for her son to know that she died with her “face towards Zion.”  From early on my predecessors have been teaching their family the importance of following Christ.  My ancestors’ righteous lives act as guideposts that I try to follow.  My great-grandfather Spencer W. Kimball, for whom I was named, was a man of humility, courage, and boldness.  His well-known phrases: “do it” and “lengthen your stride” are reminders I need everyday.  These sayings make me think of Mosiah 21:16, “they began to prosper by degrees in the land.”  This gospel is a gospel of change.  It is not always immediate but as we work we will be consistently blessed with the ability to better ourselves, one flaw at a time.  I am thankful to feel the love, presence, and unity of my ancestors still today.

President Kimball also reiterated the goal to spread the gospel “to all the world.”  In Matthew 28:19 the Lord conveys his desire to “teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”  Elder Dickson mentions how the revelation received, while Spencer W. Kimball was prophet, “extending priesthood and temple blessing to all worthy male members of the Church” (Official Declaration 2) impacted the growth of the church in the African continent, strengthening local members and church leaders.  As Elder and Sister Dickson lived and worked for many years with the Saints of Africa he is a witness of their growth and the truth of the revelation mentioned before.  Elder Dickson connects that “the revelations” of today mirror that of old and “follow the Lord’s established patterns.”

The reason for these revelations and the role of missionary work is to spread the message of and therefore fulfill God’s purpose found in Moses 1:39, “For behold, this is my work and my glory – to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”  Our Heavenly Father loves all of His children and wants each of us to know it.  In “My Missionary Commission” Elder Bruce R. McConkie, speaking as a missionary, states, “by revelation I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord, Jesus Christ.  He is my Master and He has chosen me to represent Him.  To stand in His place.”  As, neither Heavenly Father nor Christ are on earth, missionaries must act to accomplish God’s work to “preach the gospel to every creature,” (Mark 16:15) unifying all as children of God.

I have four devoted grandparents whom I look up to.  They show love and care for their now larger families.  They encourage and support me in my mission call and remind me of its importance through their actions and words.  Due to the lives they have lived and the children they have raised to be my parents I am blessed.  Their choices have led me to find the testimony I have today, and all of the blessings that I receive from this knowledge.

I have three irreplaceable sisters who have helped me prepare for my mission throughout my whole life, and more specifically as my mission approaches.  Kathryn is my eldest sister who, as a returned missionary, gives me advice such as the importance of being bold and how sometimes as a missionary that means having to be awkward but she also assures me that when I hearken to the Spirit I will be guided.  Kristin is currently serving her mission in California and our service will overlap for about a year.  Her current example of teaching the gospel and excitement for me to join her in the Lord’s work motivates me greatly.  Sydney, my one younger sister, and I can sympathize over the scariness of a new start and she is helping me prepare at home by spending time with me before I go.  Their friendship, love and examples in faith are things I would not easily be able to live without.

My Parents are two loving examples that have built a family with a strong foundation in this gospel. 

In high school I had the opportunity to travel to India for a humanitarian trip.  I witnessed a lot of poverty and got a glimpse of the struggle so many people in the world suffer through daily.  When I returned home I discussed with my mother the question ‘how can we fix the terrible problems of the world?’  My mom then told me that through missionary work we would bring the greatest happiness to the lives of those we teach.  Naively I thought she was right to a degree but when people are hungry and homeless the gospel isn’t the first thing they need.  In Mosiah 18:29 we can find the answer, “they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants.”  Jesus Christ was the perfect example of finding balance between the spiritual and the temporal needs of the people during his earthly ministry.  Elder Dickson in his talk went on to say, “It has been said of Africans that they have very little of what matters least and a great deal of that which matters most.”  I wanted the answer to solving the world’s problems to be grand and spectacular, and in a way it is, but I now believe that the simpler acts of spreading gospel truths is what the world is most in need of.  My mother has been a great example of faith to me and has taught me what in life really matters.  This has led to a greater desire, within me, to serve a mission because of the greater understanding of the effect it can have on others’ lives.

Another man that I am honored and humbled to share a name with is my father.  I will share one experience that struck me and illustrates the man he is.  One night after attending church meetings and seeing to his responsibilities as Bishop my dad was driving me home when he remembered to call a recent convert.  She was a single mother of three in a foreign country with very little means; she hadn’t been to church because of back aches she had endured from her labor intensive work and caring for her youngest daughter who was still a toddler.  In the call my father offered her a priesthood blessing and she accepted.  In my head I was tired, hungry, and thought she was kind faking or at least exaggerating the pain as an excuse; I wanted to go home.  However, we proceeded to stop by their apartment where we visited with them and my father gave the mother a blessing.  Throughout our stay in their home I felt the Spirit testify to me that it was the precise place we were meant to be.  My heart was softened as I saw my father worthily exercise his priesthood power in service.  As I discuss my mission with my dad he repeatedly advises, “Love the people you serve.”  My father’s example of compassionate service as a priesthood holder has taught me the kind of man and missionary I need to be.  With this, I am reminded of a favorite scripture found in Mosiah 2:17, “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when you are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”  Service, including missionary service, is the ultimate way to express love for others as well as to our Father in Heaven and Christ.  That night my father showed unity among “fellow beings” and “God.”

I would like to end with declaring my testimony of the Godhead.  I have noticed that with time the words of my testimony have not changed, but it is the depth of meaning and understanding that have developed within me.

The gift of the Holy Ghost truly is a divine gift.  The companionship, comfort and love expressed by the Spirit let’s me know of Christ and my Heavenly Father’s love and will for me.  The Holy Ghost testifies the truth of the gospel.  I am grateful for the logic of the gospel but am more thankful for the spiritual testimony of the truth.  The Holy Ghost is a real being whom I have physically felt in my heart and brings us closer to God.

My loving Heavenly Father answers my prayers and I know He will answer the prayers of any humble, faithful believer.  His will and plan for us will bring us more joy than we now can comprehend.  His power is matchless and his efforts to reach us personally allow us to know of his love specifically for us.  Our Heavenly Father is looking to bless us.  As soon as we make choices and act to follow Him I have instantaneous blessings.  Whether it is praying or reading my scriptures more diligently I instantly feel the Spirit enter my heart and communicate the love of God and the correctness of my actions. 

Christ in my Savior.  Matthew 11:28-30 shows the nature of Jesus, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden in light.”  Christ invites us all to come unto Him and he promises a partnership in working together to strengthen ourselves.  The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the greatest blessing we have.  Our Redeemer saved us from both physical and spiritual death so we can be resurrected and repent of our sins.  Alma 7:13 supports this, “the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power and his deliverance.”  Christ knows of our pains, struggles, and most intimate hardships.  He is here to help perfect us as we choose to follow Him.

By the power of God, Joseph Smith restored Christ’s true church to the earth and translated the Book of Mormon.  The scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, include God’s teachings that apply directly to His children and will guide us.  Joseph Smith was a prophet as are all Latter-day presidents of the church.  Thomas S. Monson is the current prophet of God and receives revelation for the world.  We can receive personal revelation when we seek for it and pray in humility.  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live today and love all of us.  I know I have been called of God to serve the people of Poland at this time to share this testimony with them.