Week 82 Gratitude

March 3, 2020

Dear friends and family,

Another week has come and gone and with it has come and gone Elder Foisa, but it brought with it Elder Kennach! Elder Foisa was "called another way" (Alma 22:4). Elder Foisa will be missed, but in the few short days I had with him, he taught me so much! He was my first companion from the isles of the sea (if you don't count Australia), and He was so much fun. He was able to make anybody smile and feel comfortable with him no matter who they were but alas he will be benefiting others who truly need him.

Elder Kennach is fresh off the plane from Samoa! He is lots of fun and is a great help and resource to have at the door. Our first day knocking, he told me that he would only share one principle: the gospel blesses our lives. The next thing I knew he was sharing about the restoration, Ezekiel 37:16-17, what happens after we die, the Book of Mormon, and the Holy Ghost. He is able to bear a powerful and sincere testimony after only being a missionary for a week...I love him so much!

On Sunday, we stopped by some friends of ours, they are from Vietnam and they love the gospel! They apologized for not coming to church because they couldn't figure out the bus route, but we invited them to a fireside that night which they attended. It was such a powerful experience. The focus of the night was Joseph Smith's first vision and the influence that it had on him and the impact it has on each one of us today. They showed the video "The Restoration" (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/video/feature-films/2008-06-01-the-restoration?lang=eng), and at the moment when God spoke to Joseph, the Spirit was so powerful it was electrifying, tangible almost. Take a few seconds and just imagine what it would be like to hear the very voice that created you...after all, it was by the power of His voice that you exist at all (John 1:1; 1 Nephi 17:31; Helaman 12:8-26). 

After that fireside, our Vietnamese friends both said that they felt the Spirit strongly that night. They are both extremely busy, but we hope to continue working with them! 

Gratitude

As I was on my knees praying to open my personal study yesterday, I was filled with gratitude for my Father in Heaven and for everything that He has done for me. I said and felt the words "I have had my share of difficulties in my mission and my life, but despite all of that, my life and mission has been nothing but positive." That is one thing that I truly love about the restored gospel and the Nature of God. He and only He is able to turn difficulty into joy, water to wine, the seemingly worst experience into the best. How?

1 Nephi 17:
"31 ...according to his word he did do all things for them; and there was not any thing done save it were by his word."

Helaman 12:
"11 Yea, by the power of his voice doth the whole earth shake;
                12 Yea, by the power of his voice, do the foundations rock, even to the very center.
                13 Yea, and if he say unto the earth—Move—it is moved.
                14 Yea, if he say unto the earth—Thou shalt go back, that it lengthen out the day for many hours—it is done;"

If the Lord says something, it will be done. So if you want Him to say something to you, just ask. Just like Joseph asked, and when He asked, God spoke—and it was done. The restoration had begun, and it continues today. I have asked, and asked, and asked. In response he has spoken and spoken and spoken. I know that He is real, because He has spoken to me. I know that His Son Jesus Christ is the only way to find peace amidst trial because I have relied upon His Atonement which has turned my sorrows into joy. I know that Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration because I have read, studied, tested, prayed, pondered, and pored over the pages of the scripture that He produced, specifically the Book of Mormon, but also the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.

 For all of this knowledge I have received I am grateful, and because of that gratitude I along with the Sons of Mosiah am "desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for [I] could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment [causes me] to quake and tremble. (Mosiah 3:28).

I love these people with all of my heart, and I love you all as well. The greatest evidence of the truthfulness of the Restored Gospel is the good fruit that it brings into each of your individual lives and families (Matthew 7:16-20).

Firm In the Faith,

- Elder Cozzens 



Elder Cozzens with Elders Kennach and Foisa


Elder Kennach from Samoa


By their fruits ye shall know them
3 Nephi 14:16-20







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