The Power of Fasting

I am grateful to write to you today on the power of fasting. I know that this power is real, and that as we fast we are brought closer to God as we put off the natural man and seek after the Spirit in greater quantity. It works because we are forcing ourselves into a state of necessity as we go without food for a couple meals and pray for strength and purpose. There are many stories of this working (click here for a good one), and I have seen it in my own life.

I am hearkened back to the last transfer on my mission, a time when I felt I could pull down the moon if God willed it so. As a zone leader I had a good amount of control over what went on with my missionaries, and my companion and I decided to institute two special days during the six-week transfer cycle where the zone would fast for what they needed the most relative to the work they were performing. My companion and I also decided to fast every Sunday that the work might move forward. I am happy to say that it did! For those who were faithful to our edict, success came. And in the least-populated zone in the entire mission, I got on the plane for California leaving the zone with the most baptismal commitments. And almost more importantly, I left the mission with a testimony of fasting, as I hope also my zone members did.

Fasting and praying shows the Lord that we are looking toward Him, asking that his will be executed as we try to align ours with his. A great scriptural example of this is found in Mosiah, as Alma the Elder and his people fast for the recovery of his son, Alma:

And he [Alma the Elder] caused that the priests should assemble themselves together; and they began to fast, and to pray to the Lord their God that he would open the mouth of Alma, that he might speak, and also that his limbs might receive their strength—that the eyes of the people might be opened to see and know of the goodness and glory of God.

And it came to pass after they had fasted and prayed for the space of two days and two nights, the limbs of Alma received their strength, and he stood up and began to speak unto them, bidding them to be of good comfort:

For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit.

And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters;

And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. (Mosiah 27: 22-26)

When we fast, we should also give an offering to the poor and needy, at least equal to what we would have spent on the two meals we skipped. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said:

When we fast, brethren and sisters, we feel hunger. And for a short time, we literally put ourselves in the position of the hungry and the needy. As we do so, we have greater understanding of the deprivations they might feel. When we give to the bishop an offering to relieve the suffering of others, we not only do something sublime for others, but we do something wonderful for ourselves as well. King Benjamin taught that as we give of our substance to the poor, we retain “a remission of [our] sins from day to day.” ( “The Law of the Fast,” Liahona, Jul 2001, 88–91)

Our fast and fast offerings have a powerful effect on those in need, as Elder Wirthlin went on to illustrate:

I remember visiting one family in particular: a sickly mother, an unemployed and discouraged father, and five children with pallid faces, all disheartened and hungry. I remember the gratitude that beamed in their faces when I walked up to their door with my wagon nearly spilling over with needed supplies. I remember how the children smiled. I remember how the mother wept. And I remember how the father stood, head bowed, unable to speak.

These impressions and many others forged within me a love for the poor, a love for my father who served as a shepherd to his flock, and a love for the faithful and generous members of the Church who sacrificed so much to help relieve the suffering of others.

Brothers and sisters, in a sense, you too can bring to a needy family a wagon brimming with hope. How? By paying a generous fast offering.

Parents, teach your children the joys of a proper fast. And how do you do that? The same as with any gospel principle—let them see you live it by your example. Then help them live the law of the fast themselves, little by little. They can fast and they can also pay a fast offering if they choose. As we teach our children to fast, it can give them the power to resist temptations along their life’s journey.

I have a strong testimony of the power of fasting, and the difference it can make in the lives of those who are in need, be it physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. I would encourage you this day to think of someone in need, and pray for them as you fast. Therein will blessings come to the needy soul, which includes your own. As the most needy in many ways, I can testify to that.

Have a great week!

Our True Identity

Our True Identity

Awesome stuff!

Knowing It's Real

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
Moroni 10:5

What a joy it is to know the simple statement that Moroni gave after telling us how we might gain a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. How do we know what's real? It's through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Many people in the world for ages have confused their concept of reality, attributing things veridical to only those things that lay within the measurable realm of the five senses; they have claimed that nature and its laws are the governing body, and that our physical bodies are the barometers of nature's phenomena. I personally believe that the natural laws are in force, and what we can see, feel, smell, taste and hear are real; however, this only a half-truth. Many of the philosophers, scientists, and other brains in their primes mistook the other half for farce, and a pity it is because it is the most powerful testator of truth in existence. This witness, of course, is the Holy Ghost, which pierces into the depths of our hearts, achieving an uncanny balance between "great force" (JS--H 1: 12) and "perfect mildness" (Hel. 5:30).

I personally know this witness is real because it leads me to do good, which I somehow know in my heart of hearts is what will make me happy. I know the Spirit is real because it reveals to me things I would otherwise not have the occasion to learn. I know the Spirit is real because through its promptings I am led to believe things that I cannot perceive physically; in other words, through the Spirit I am capable of so much more than I would be if I were not in tune.
The great theme of the Spirit is that Jesus is the Christ, and that His Church has been established again in these latter-days in preparation of His Second Coming. I gained a testimony that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living church on the face of the earth by first gaining a testimony that Joseph Smith was a true prophet, that through the power of God he restored Christ's Church, as personally directed by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. One "linchpin" experience that led me to this knowledge was personally asking God for this witness in a grove of pines in the Sierra Nevada, a peaceful place much like the grove where Joseph knelt to ask a similar question.
Some seven years later, I finally had the occasion to visit the Sacred Grove, where I know Joseph Smith received the First Vision, in which God and Jesus Christ appeared to him, telling him that none of the churches of the day had God's authority, and that Joseph was to be the means by which it would be restored. I walked through the peaceful canopy, and was truly happy to be there; but make no mistake, this was no pilgrimage. The greatest thing I learned from being in the Grove was that I did not have to be there to know that what happened there truly happened. At that very point, my natural senses were useless, but the Spirit gladly compensated, reaffirming to me that the things I had been taught since childhood were in fact real.

For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.

Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.
2 Nephi 32: 5-6

How grateful am I for the above truth expressed by the prophet Nephi in ancient times, ever so applicable today. I am grateful for the Spirit, which bears testimony to my Spirit, that I am a child of God (see Romans 8:16). I am grateful to know that I have a divine nature, and a divine potential (see the nature of man), for these things are real.

Have a great week!

Why We Forget

And now I, Nephi, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying, yea, even unto Laman and unto Lemuel: Behold ye are mine elder brethren, and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you?

How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the Lord?

How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord?

Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record?

Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.
--1 Nephi 7: 8-12--

The affliction that plagued Laman and Lemuel was an extreme version of something that plagues each and every one of us. It is a natural part of our existence, the result of the inability of an imperfect body to yield to its spirit. This affliction is the affliction of forgetting--forgetting from whence our blessings flow, forgetting why it is essential to strive, forgetting what blessings the Lord has in store for us.

I have always been curious about why this occurs. My thought is that those who willfully rebel (as in the case of Laman and Lemuel) at one point forgot why they should strive to keep the commandments, slowly turning toward the "past feeling" stage as described by Paul, Nephi, and Mormon (see Eph. 4: 19, 1 Ne. 17: 45, & Moro. 9: 20). They gradually lose track of the subtleties of the Spirit as manifest in their lives in divers manners. Like a vile ooze, pride seeps in, overtaking the efforts of the unnatural man. All of us reach this oozy stage in one form or another; I believe the goal should be to recognize when it happens, and more importantly, what factors played into its occurrence.

I could at this point divulge into hoards of behavioral theories that might help one to conquer this ailment, but I am constrained, as "the study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than talking about behavior will improve behavior" (see President Boyd K. Packer's April 1997 General Conference address). So, what doctrine sheds light on our inability to follow the Savior's example in all things?

'Forgetting' has been around since the beginning, as we read in Moses 4:23-25:

And unto Adam, I, the Lord God, said: Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the fruit of the tree of which I commanded thee, saying—Thou shalt not eat of it, cursed shall be the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. Thorns also, and thistles shall it bring forth to thee, and thou shalt eat the herb of the field. By the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, until thou shalt return unto the ground—for thou shalt surely die—for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou wast, and unto dust shalt thou return.

As our first parents partook of the forbidden fruit, we were permitted to come to earth, but on the condition that we would have opposition--we would have to sweat for our subsistence. Our bodies, made in this life to be imperfect, would in their season die, and we would return to the dust from whence we came. This includes our minds and the brains that house them, which through their imperfect (yet still very sophisticated) neural pathways only grasp things that are recorded and reinforced. Reason #1 why we forget: As humans we are by nature imperfect beings.

My second reason for forgetting is because it is part of Heavenly Father's plan. It was decided from eternity that we should have a veil of forgetfulness placed over our minds, that we might live out this life in faith. I know this to be true. This life is a time to prepare to meet God, which involves learning to create a harmony between our bodies and our spirits, as Heavenly Father has. The things of the spirit are spiritual, and the natural man is an enemy to God (see Mosiah 3:19). Therefore, to understand, record, and retain spiritual things, we must use the spirit, which will bring "all things" to our remembrance (John 14:26).

In sum, we should not beat ourselves up over our spiritual forgetfulness, but should strive to be better when we've realized we've forgotten. What we do at this hinge point will dictate future events in our lives; if we choose to apply the Atonement, we will move a little closer to God; if we decide that it is too difficult to be just a little better, appealing to any of a host of rationalizations, we will move a little further away from God.

Now, I do not mean to trivialize the true complexity that accompanies that hinge point. As imperfect beings, it also takes many tries to learn. I am comforted by the realization that Heavenly Father has given me my whole life to improve my station. However, that does not mean that I can let off the gas; such constitutes a lack of humility and faith, as well as an influx of pride.

May we all use our agency in righteous ways. May we all desire to be more sensitive to the Spirit that, when he leaves us, we can feel it, and have the courage to seek out the why, as well as the how to move forward. I know that this "moving forward" is grounded in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Every day I am grateful to my elder brother, and his willingness to suffer, bleed, and die for me. Let us all seek His gift early and often.

Have a great week!

The Reason to Go Back

Por tanto, quisiera que fueseis firmes e inmutables, siempre abundando en buenas obras para que Cristo, el Señor Dios Omnipotente, pueda ^asellaros como suyos, a fin de que seáis llevados al cielo, y tengáis salvación sin fin, y vida eterna mediante la sabiduría, y poder, y justicia, y misericordia de aquel que ^bcreó todas las cosas en el cielo y en la tierra, el cual es Dios sobre todo. Amén.

Mosíah 5: 15

I would like to take the time today to tell a story which I know will fortify your faith, because it did so to mine. This weekend I had the chance to return to my mission, to visit with converts and old friends from a time that in many ways seems a lifetime ago. I was joyed to see so many progress in the the Gospel, and for the Church to grow as it has in Brooklyn, Queens, and on Long Island since my last visit two years ago, and even more since I first stepped off the plane at LaGuardia Airport over five years ago. Peoples' lives were moving along just as mine was, but love based on the condition of service in the name of the Lord weighed out the awkward moments. This was all well and good, but not the story of the day.

The story that ruled the day was that of Wendy, a convert of four months in the Riverhead Second Branch. From Guatemala, Wendy speaks no English but was brought into the Church via efforts by Spanish-speaking missionaries and members alike. As I got to know her, the Brother Edwards (first counselor in the branch presidency whom I am proud to call an old friend) approached us, and asked if I would translate while he interviewed her, to which I obliged. It was clear that Wendy had a trusted Brother Edwards, but was still in desperate need of a translator.

As he spoke to her, it was clear that he was extending her a call to serve. It was her first calling, a small but important responsibility; she called to serve on the activities committee, to help plan activities, to act as a liaison for the Spanish speakers in the branch, and to invite her non-member friends to the activities as they came. With each word that Brother Edwards spoke, Wendy had her eyes intently fixed on his expression, trying to make out meaning to his foreign method of speech; with each word that I translated, her eyes became aglow with a confirmation of what she suspected he was saying. Yes, she was being called to serve in her very first calling, and she all but jumped for joy in acceptance of the new responsibility she would soon receive. To date I had never seen anyone accept a calling with such zeal, and I know that I never have become so excited. Truly, callings are something that I have often taken for granted, and I am glad to have learned a lesson from Wendy.

After the interview was over, Wendy told me how she was so happy to be a part of this Church, so grateful to have found it, and that she will never leave for as long as she lives. What great faith and excitement for a convert of only four months!

...

A week ago I spoke with a friend at one of the many social events in my single's ward, and mentioned that I would be visiting my mission. She asked me what I thought I would get out of it, to which I balked a little, because I did not really know why i was going, aside from the fact that I should take advantage of the close proximity while I still had the chance. The above story, which occurred a mere hour and a half before I was to leave, is the reason I found. It wasn't found in converts and old friends who knew me years ago, and who loved me now in spite of not really knowing who I've become; it was found in the person who never knew me, but who needed me in the same moment in time when I needed her. Wendy unknowingly testified to me that the work goes on, and that it is not mine, but has always belonged to the Savior of us all.

The above scripture is a quote of the great King Benjamin, exhorting his people and all of us in turn to be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works so that Christ might give us all that he has. How grateful am I for the tender mercies of the Lord, which help me remain like a rock. How grateful am I to be an instrument in the Lord's hands, or in the very least strive to be one. I invite us all to strive, and to look for those opportunities to feel the Lord's tender mercies on a daily basis. I know that as we do so, we will be blessed beyond measure, and I know this because I have felt it in my own life. That is the reason. That is what life is all about.

Have a great week!

On Being Willing

Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing

and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.
Doctrine and Covenants 64:34

I would like to focus my thoughts this week on a question that can be gleaned from the above passage. What does it mean to be "willing?" How do we know that our hearts are in tune with the Lord?
One answer to this is a simple response that I received from one of my home teachees less than two days ago; he said that we know we are on the right track when we receive a confirmation from the Spirit, a peace that is spoken to our mind and hearts (see D&C 6:23). So, perhaps a better question is, how do we get there?

This can be answered as we answer the original question on what it really means to be "willing." First off, we know that willingness precedes some sort of action, as is manifest in many different examples (see Mosiah 18:9, Moroni 4:3, D&C 97:8 for a few). In the scriptures, these actions almost always involve coming closer to God, most often through sacred covenants. Sacred covenants are made effective through our faith to follow them, and therefore willingness must needs be a product of faith; this is a faith that "everything will turn out okay," that Heavenly Father's richest blessings will become manifest in our lives if we serve him, and keep our covenants. In its purest form, this faith sees trials as chances for growth, as trials were always a part of the deal. As an example, take the baptismal covenant, as described by the prophet Alma:

And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you? (Mosiah 18:8-10)

Let it be known today that "mourn[ing] with those who mourn," "comfort[ing] those that stand in need of comfort," and "stand[ing] as a witness of God at all times and in all things" takes work, perhaps even more than we ever would have contemplated going into it. I think that this is part of the Plan, however, as our faith is only strengthened as we put it through the refiner's fire.

A tangible example and symbol of this is my CTR ring, pictured above and at left. If one looks closely, one sees gnarled metal and stripped paint. A look at the back side reveals scratches and a misshapen circle as the result of being worn every day for roughly the last seven years. Perhaps the wear and tear that would come upon it were numbered, but most likely not. However, if we look back upon its face, we can see that the ring still portrays the iconic Mormon message, fulfilling the measure of its creation. I still get many people in and outside of the Church who ask me about my ring, and for those not familiar with what it represents, it provides me an opportunity to speak on the beauty that the Gospel brings. There is a great type in this story, being that as we take upon ourselves the name of Christ and enter into covenants, we may not possibly understand what type of commitment that will really entail, but if we have faith the Lord will use us until our time in this mortal sphere has reached its conclusion. His image will still be on our countenances, even if we are stripped of beauty, worn down, and misshapen. I know this to be true, because I experience it every day in my life.

Let us be true to the faith that our parents have cherished, those truths for which martyrs have perished. I know that as we do so we will be blessed, and our willingness to serve and be sons and daughters of Christ will be "manifest by [our] works that [we] have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of[our] sins." (D&C 20:37)

Have a great week!

Learning from Those Who Remain

I am grateful for the opportunity to share today from Chapters 8-11 of 3 Nephi. In this passage, we begin with much destruction across the face of the land, as a sign of the death of the Savior, and in part as a sanctification of the land in preparation of His appearance on the American continent. Here is an excerpt from that great and terrible scene:

And it came to pass that when the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the storm, and the tempest, and the quakings of the earth did cease—for behold, they did last for about the space of three hours; and it was said by some that the time was greater; nevertheless, all these great and terrible things were done in about the space of three hours—and then behold, there was darkness upon the face of the land.

And it came to pass that there was thick darkness upon all the face of the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof who had not fallen could feel the vapor of darkness;

And there could be no light, because of the darkness, neither candles, neither torches; neither could there be fire kindled with their fine and exceedingly dry wood, so that there could not be any light at all;

And there was not any light seen, neither fire, nor glimmer, neither the sun, nor the moon, nor the stars, for so great were the mists of darkness which were upon the face of the land.

And it came to pass that it did last for the space of three days that there was no light seen; and there was great mourning and howling and weeping among all the people continually; yea, great were the groanings of the people, because of the darkness and the great destruction which had come upon them.

And in one place they were heard to cry, saying: O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and then would our brethren have been spared, and they would not have been burned in that great city Zarahemla.

And in another place they were heard to cry and mourn, saying: O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and had not killed and stoned the prophets, and cast them out; then would our mothers and our fair daughters, and our children have been spared, and not have been buried up in that great city Moronihah. And thus were the howlings of the people great and terrible. --3 Nephi 8 : 19-25

In this passage, we can observe a few things that happened to the Nephites, and then make a comparison to our own lives. First and foremost, no one was prepared for the destruction that would ensue; or better said, it is possible that no one fully comprehended the calamity that would stretch across the face of the land, even if they knew it was coming. In Chapter 9 of 3 Nephi, the voice of Christ is heard across the land, declaring the destruction that was caused to come upon them, and why:
And many great destructions have I caused to come upon this land, and upon this people, because of their wickedness and their abominations. 3 Nephi 9:12
But look further, to those who remained:

O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?

Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.

Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name.
...And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.

And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.

Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.

Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved. 3 Nephi 9: 13-15, 19-25


To those who remained, the Savior called to repentance, that they might be sanctified further through the Atonement which he wrought. In this moment, Christ was preparing the Nephites for something greater that would come to pass. This occurs in Chapter 11, when the Savior himself appeared and ministered unto the Nephites who remained in the Land Bountiful, near the temple that was built to worship Him. I know that this happened, as I can feel it in every fiber of my being as I write of it. Christ appeared to them in a pillar of light, and declared himself as the promised Savior.



And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.

And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying:

Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.

And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying:

Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him. 3 Nephi 11: 12-17

In this we see repentance and sanctification. The people were purified that they might behold the Savior of all mankind, resurrected and perfect in all ways. Note, however, that this is far from the end of the story:

And it came to pass that he spake unto Nephi (for Nephi was among the multitude) and he commanded him that he should come forth.

And Nephi arose and went forth, and bowed himself before the Lord and did ^bkiss his feet.

And the Lord commanded him that he should arise. And he arose and stood before him.

And the Lord said unto him: I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people when I am again ascended into heaven. --3 Nephi 11:19-21

Christ goes on to call upon Nephi to be the chief among a new quorum of apostles, men of God with the authority to act in his name, performing the duties that Christ would perform if he were on the earth. This is the final piece: a call to serve. Although we only receive an account of Christ calling apostles, I believe that there were many other assignments made for the members of the Church to better serve others, and thereby work toward exaltation.

I hope that in reading this story you have seen a pattern, for there surely is one. We can learn from those who remained, and how they went through a progression toward their call to act and serve on behalf of the Savior. It began even before the destruction took place, as God was mindful of those he would spare, having a great love for them, and desire that they not be lost in mortality like those who would not be spared. It then went to the more righteous part of the Nephites, who were still unprepared for the trial that would come upon them. Nevertheless, they were able to endure the storms, tempests, and earthquakes, as well as the great mists of darkness that overcame them. They passed through regret for their sins, and were reassured that there indeed was hope for something greater. They repented of their sins, and were sanctified, and the Savior appeared unto them, and called them to serve. So, in sum:

LACK of PREPARATION
STORMS, TEMPESTS, EARTHQUAKES
SURVIVAL
DARKNESS
REGRET/REASSURANCE
REPENTANCE
SANCTIFICATION
CALLING

May we all think on where we are in this progression, and how we can move forward, diligently serving in the end. Have a great week!