Aloha!

Yesterday evening, we had the privilege to listen to Sheri Dew, who is the CEO of Deseret Book Company. Some key points that I learned:

• even a little improvement means a lot to the Lord 
• questions are good, having questions does not directly correlate with your testimony, questions are a way for us to gain knowledge, revelation, and faith; as long as you are asking with faith, and seeking correct sources, you can find answers or peace, not knowing all the answers
• if you want to have a testimony, or strengthen it, you can, but it requires a lot of effort and desire, she talked about two young women, one who was scared she lost her testimony because she had so many questions, and one who had sinned and had no desire to find her testimony
• the young woman who was willing to learn from the scriptures, words of the prophets, and revelation, strengthened her testimony (process of a few months), but the other young woman talked herself into disbelieving the gospel
• testimony includes: knowing God is our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ lives, Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God, the Book of Mormon is truly God's word, and President Monson is the living prophet today
• "am I willing to engage in a spiritual wrestle?"

When we struggle, or have concerns, our first source of help should be upwards, to our Heavenly Father. When we realize we do indeed have a testimony, it is other things which hold us back from experiencing the blessings of the gospel. e.g. not repenting of sin or unwilling to forgive others. That being said, we will have many questions, and may be offended sometimes in the church, but we must remember how much Heavenly Father loves us. And we are here to learn how to overcome our weaknesses and seek learning from the Spirit and His appointed servants.

It was so fun to meet Sheri Dew, because she has such a strong testimony and her experiences probably prepared her to influence and help so many lives. A few of us were able to perform a music number, with me on the piano, and Sister Evans, Sister Walker, and Sister Lundgren singing.

VC:
1) Last Sunday,  Matt (a student) brought his friend Linling to church. Sister Ting previously met Linling at the VC a few months ago, and she's actually from Hubei (where I'm from in China). At the time she said she wanted to come to church and learn more, but no activity really since then. But after going to church last Sunday, she said she loved it and wants to go every week! It would be super fun to teach her more about the gospel, so we're waiting to meet her.

2) Went on exchanges with Sister Lee on Wednesday! It's nice to see the growth in one another as missionaries since we've grown up so closely with one another. I'm grateful we can serve together in this mission, and support one another. I'm grateful for her strong testimony of this restored gospel, and always doing her best to grow.

3) As I keep in touch with investigators online, I'm so grateful for the technology that allows us to contact them. We met Mikayla and her sister, who are both from Idaho, and want to keep in touch so we can share more about the Book of Mormon. I was able to call a guy who lives in Taiwan who is starting to meeting the missionaries. What a wonderful work this is :)

As I've studied in personal study this week, I've learned exactly how much the prophets of old have always been blessed for their faith and obedience, despite the consequences they would face. Amulek, when he was prompted by the Spirit to help Alma, gave up his position with his friends and his family. He literally sacrificed everything, his position, and his possessions, to follow God. But he was blessed and strengthened for that decision. It wasn't easy, but the Lord always keeps his promise when we keep our covenants, and have the faith to obey the promptings of the Spirit. Same with King Lamoni (you can tell I'm reading in Alma haha)! His conversion process was greatly due to Ammon's example of a humble servant. He bore testimony to his own father for the goodness of Ammon, although it wasn't an easy task, but he was blessed for that as well!

Alma 15:16, 18 reads:
"16 And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek, Amulek having forsaken all his gold, and silver, and his precious things, which were in the land of Ammonihah, for the word of God, he being rejected by those who were once his friends and also by his father and his kindred...
 18 Now as I said, Alma having seen all these things, therefore he took Amulek and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord."

I know that God truly is our Heavenly Father, a Father who will only lead us to do good, and to experience the joy amidst of the troubled times we may have, all for our growth. He knows us personally, more than we can imagine. The gospel is simple but life changing.

Scripture of the week: Alma 18:7
"I say unto you, what is it, that thy marvelings are so great? Behold, I am a man, and am thy servant; therefore, whatsoever thou desirest which is right, that will I do."

Pictures:




Love,
Sister Wu