March 11, 2013

Hey everyone,

I hope all of you are doing well. This past week i spent more time then usual on trains. We had zone conference up in Aix and then we had stake conference in Nice. Both were really good and i loved being able to see a whole bunch of the missionaries from the other villes. There was a big emphases on prayer at the 2. The mission has been having us try to pray alot more and also with members. Every morning at 8 the mission prays for all the the baptisimal engagees by specific names and needs and now on sunday evenings even the members are praying with us for specific things. I've gained a big testimony on the power of prayer and the effect it has on us. At zone conference, sister Roney talked about how the missionaries are probably the most prayed for people in the world. This was really eye opening and gave me the strength and confidence to keep working and doing all that i can to help out in this great work. When ever times get rough it's such a comforting thought to know that you have people praying for you. I want you to know that i pray for all of you and think about you every day.

So this week has been a little slower for us as far as the work goes, but i know that if we keep working hard good things will come. In studies this morning i was reading in Alma 58. This is during all of the wars and battles between the people. I really love Helamans attitude in this chapter. He is writing a letter to Moroni and talking about their struggles and how the cheif judge isn't sending them any help but how he isn't worried because of his faith in the Lord. He talks about how through prayer the people have recieved comfort and peace of mind and talks about how even though the people are going through all of these struggles they keep moving forward with faith and dilligence looking toward God throughout their trials. Through out the scriptures and church history we see many examples of this. Even though people are righteous and doing the Lords will they still suffer all kinds of pains and trials. We always have struggles in our lives even when we are doing things right, but if we keep on pushing forward and keep our faith in Christ we will eventually have our burdens lightened and we will have hope and comfort throughout hard times. That is what I love about the gospel. It gives us strength in hard times. It gives us the hope and the joy that is much needed in this world of pains and worries. There is a talk (and even a mormon message) by Elder Holland that i love called better things to come. He talks about how we all go through hard times but through the gospel we can have hope. I love the quote from it that says some blessings come soon, some come late, and some dont come till heaven, but for those who embrase the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. I know that because we have a loving Father in Heaven we will always be blessed and comforted, and even though things may look rough for the moment, they will get better if we do what we know is right. God is always there to comfort us if we just remember Him.

I love this gospel, I love this work, and I love all of you. Keep moving forward, have faith, and remember that you always have someone who loves and cares about you.

Elder Swenson