FYI: We recently received word from Elder Cozzens’ mission
president that all non-Australian missionaries will be sent home as soon as
travel arrangements can be made. Because Elder Cozzens has less than 180 days
left of his mission (he’s been out 19.5 months) he will be released not
reassigned. We were able to visit with Elder Cozzens on Tuesday. He is
disappointed that his mission is being cut short but confidant that God is in
charge and has a plan, so he is putting his trust in God.
March 24, 2020
Emergency Transfers last Wednesday night. Sunday night
effectively closing the Northern Territory, Alice Springs, Darwin, Broken Hill,
Mildura, Mount Gambier, and sending all missionaries to the Adelaide area.
Changing the size of my little district from 6 missionaries to 13. A new
companion. Another companionship in the flat. No proselyting as of
yesterday at 4:30pm. Waking up to an email from President Marquis telling us to
pack our bags and prepare for a flight sometime in a few hours or a few weeks.
All things truly are in commotion.
But! We had some great experiences this week! Elder Kennach
and I were knocking a few days ago and our good friend the Aussie
Atheist answered the door. He was such a nice guy and had a nice way of
comparing Christianity to Atheism: "So you fellas onlly believe in one God
right?" "yes that's right." "Hmm. We really aren't all that
different. That just means that I believe in one less God than you do."
He isn't wrong! The only difference between athiests and Christians is that we believe in one more God than they do!
Many other experiences to share, but perhaps it would be
better for me to share them to you in person after a two week quarantine!
Much more fun that way I think.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:
"91 And
all things shall be in acommotion;
and surely, men’s bhearts shall
fail them; for fear shall come upon all people."
While all things may be in commotion, my heart has not failed
me, nor will I let it. To be brief, I had a strong impression that this would
happen. It may not be the way I would have hoped that my mission would end, but
I know that the Lord has a plan in all things. With all of the storms, trials,
tears, diseases, troubles, distress, confusion and all else in the world, the
only thing we need to trouble ourselves with is the trouble in our own heart.
Our own relationship with the Lord. If our own relationship with the Lord is
firm and solid.
Alma 48:13
"13 Yea,
and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had asworn with
an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion,
even to the loss of his blood."
I may not stand up to the strength or stature of Captain
Moroni, but I have done my best to live up to the covenants I have made with my
Saviour. I know God is real. His Son, Jesus Christ, is the only way to true
lasting joy. We must follow Him in word, thought, deed, character, and intent
and if we do so, hopefullly, just as Moroni, it will be said and written of us
as it was said and written of Him: “if
all men [and women] had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto aMoroni,
behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the bdevil would
never have power over the hearts of the children of men."
(verse 17)
Firm in the Faith,
-Elder Cozzens
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