We have had absolute miracles happen this week. We have had a bunch of self referrals that have actually answered! We've been able to start teaching some of them and they are elect. Then the other day we went over to our friend Carmen's for a lesson and her niece and nieces daughter were there! Carmen told us she had told her niece a bit about the Book of Mormon and wanted us to tell her more. So we told her, and she was so interested! She was about to go but decided to stay for our lesson and was sooooo interested. She even made sure she'd be available for the next lesson! We left that meeting with our hearts full, and we were on cloud 9.
As for this week things are going to be a bit wild. I don't leave until thursday but transfers are tomorrow. So I'm going to be spending a day in another area near Syracuse for a day in a four-some, then I'm going to be meeting with my mission president Wednesday night and spending that night in a hotel, then I'll be leaving the next morning! Crazy stuff.
Okay now for my final remarks.
My mission experience was nothing like I thought it would be. I went in as a site Sister in the New York Rochester Mission, and left as a quarantined proselytizing missionary in the New York Syracuse mission! But there isn't a millimeter long sliver of doubt in my mind that that is exactly the plan that God had in store for me. I know that I was prepared for this time to be serving here in New York during COVID-19. I never again want to doubt or question if God is aware of me or my situation and knows what is best for me.
I know that exact obedience is the key to happiness. It took me some time to appreciate that I was in a 'strict' mission, but I am so incredibly grateful now. I was able to learn to submit my will to God’s, and I never could have anticipated that it would bring so much joy. I know that the commandments we are given are directions from a loving Heavenly Father to help us stay safe, happy, and healthy. We need to stay out of the gray area and choose to be completely on the Lord's side. That is where true freedom and joy lies.
I don't know how I got so lucky to be able to serve in New York. I got to spend every day for 6 months of my life on sacred ground! I am in the mission that started every other mission, and where the very gospel was restored. I am so honored and grateful beyond description that I was trusted to serve here. It will forever have my heart.
I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. He was anything but perfect, but the Lord used Him in His imperfection and helped him become the man he needed to become. I know that it was through him that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God! There is no possible way that a young farm boy could have written it. It restored so many of the precious truths of the gospel back to the earth, and gives us answers to life's greatest questions. The spirit has touched my heart every time I read from it's pages and testifies to me that it is true. And I know that everything hinges on that Book. If it is true, then Joseph Smith was a prophet, this is Christ's true church, and most importantly Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World.
I know that our prophet Russell M Nelson has the priesthood keys that have been passed down through an unbroken chain of successors from the Prophet Joseph Smith and Jesus Christ himself. Every time I see him and hear him speak the spirit sings that truth to my heart! I know that he is God's spokesman on the earth, and that if we follow Him we are following God who will never lead us astray.
I am so grateful for my Savior. He truly was chosen from the foundation of the world to overcome sin and death, the two great things that will keep us from returning to the presence of God. More than that, I know that he is MY Savior. MY Redeemer. I know that He suffered for my pains and sicknesses and paid the price for my sins individually. He knows and loves each one of us personally, and suffered for us one by one. He is always waiting with outstretched arms to welcome us back to His fold, and replace our guilt and pain with peace and joy. He and His gospel are the only way to true freedom and happiness!
I will always strive to be one of His disciples.
This is His Church. This is His work. I'd like to leave that with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love, Sister Potts
Final Fun Facts- lessons learned from the sites part 2
1. The Book of Mormon publication site- I had no idea how much went into publishing the Book of Mormon! In 1830 a copy of the Book of Mormon required months of hard labor and cost the price of two days wages. Now all you need is to phone the missionaries and we've got 100 in the back of our car for free. We are blessed folks!
2. Also at the Book of Mormon publication site my testimony was strengthened of the Book of Mormon as I heard people from all over the world share how that Book has changed their lives.
3. Whitmer Farm- my favorite place! There is an undeniable spirit on that property. The first lesson I learned there is that God is aware of us and our needs. In the midst of the most important work on earth, God instructed Moroni to take the time and show Mary Whitmer the plates to thank her for the work she was doing. Big or small God wants to help us during our individual trials.
4. My favorite part of the Whitmer farm is showing a 4 minute video about the growth of the Church. I learned that there is no way that a church of 6 members—started in the middle of a farm in Western New York—could spread all over the world to nearly 17 million members unless it is the Work of the Lord. The truth of God is truly penetrating every continent, visiting every clime, sweeping through every country, and sounding in every ear.
5. Overall- the greatest thing I gained during the 6 months I served there is an undeniable witness that all of those things are true, and that no matter who they are or where they're from people's lives will be changed for the better as they accept those truths ❤ including all of us!
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