Grace and the Atonement

April 30, 2012

What a fantastic week here in the Promised Land! We had a lot of amazing and memorable experiences. I've learned a lot about grace and the Atonement.

Yesterday was a great day-we had 2 baptisms! Nadia and Priya were both baptized yesterday one after another. It was a very spiritually charged and powerful program. One of the best I've been to on my mission. It is so fascinating to see the distinct changes that happen in a person's countenance as they learn, accept, and live according to gospel laws and principles. Priya has always been a kind, humble, caring person. But showing faith to live the Word of Wisdom and showing love to her Savior by making scripture reading a habit as the only Christian in her family has changed her into someone more than a good person. She is being shaped and cleansed by the Holy Ghost and she is becoming a Saint through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Nadia being able to change her life from her very rough background was a miracle within itself as well. They were both confirmed directly after their baptisms. After receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost they were both beaming. There was a light and life in their eyes that wasn't there before. The spirit was strong and bore witness to everyone there that what was being done was according to the Lords mind and will.

One of them struggled with the Word of Wisdom. Cigarettes have been a temptation since she was 14. She was in the habit of smoking over 2 packs before she met the missionaries about 2 months ago. Since then she has accepted the gospel, been healed from scars and experiences of her past, and made a covenant with Heavenly Father to follow Jesus Christ.

Early on in the teaching process she cut down from 2 packs a day to between 2 and 5 cigarettes a day. She has made such remarkable progress and had worked as hard as she could to overcome her addiction. Everyone in her house smokes, so completely cutting the habit we thought may be impossible. She has such a STRONG desire to join the church and come closer to God. However, before baptism one needs to live the Word of Wisdom. We gave her a Priesthood blessing right before her baptismal interview. In the blessing, a specific promise from the Lord was given to her..."your body will no longer desire cigarettes". She went on to pass through her baptismal interview, and since that time last week cigarette smoke from her family members and friends has made her nauseous and sick to her stomach. Her cravings are gone and she is fully enjoying the gift and constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. The power of the Priesthood is real. The full gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored. This is His work and what He wants for all of His children who are willing to accept it.

As a person does all they can, grace can carry them the rest of the way. It could be a Priesthood blessing that provides a person with divine help stronger than they have themselves. It may be the power of heaven that can only be unlocked by fasting. It may be loving guidance from Heavenly Father that only comes through long, painful sincere prayer. Whatever it is, God will provide a way for us to accomplish the things which He has commanded. I know that this promise is true. I testify of it. I know that God lives, that the Gospel is His perfect plan for our happiness and progression. I love this work and do not want to leave. The Lord loves me and has blessed me with a custom-fit mission. It has been a perfect mix of struggles, questions, doubts, and incomprehensible joy at times. As we serve Him with all we have we will never be led astray.

Elder Porter