22 Apr 2019 - Easter Week

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Braydon Carter <braydon.carter@missionary.org>
Date: Sun, Apr 21, 2019 at 8:33 PM
Subject: Easter Week

Happy Easter Everyone!!

I hope that everyone was able to enjoy their Easter and be able to spend some good time with their family and friends! 

This week has been a really cool week for me and my companion in the mission field. We have been filled with so much fire for the work, and to go out and love the people. It has been so cool as we have been able to meet so many awesome individuals.

This week, my email is a little bit different. I would just like to bear my testimony on Jesus Christ for the Easter Season. Next week we will get back to the stories and thought provoking stories.

I have a really strong Testimony of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and especially in His Atonement. I have to be honest in saying I didn't really know what that meant growing up. Well I did, but I don't think I caught the fullness of it. I always knew that Christ had suffered for our sins. That He was able to come down to earth and establish His church and make it possible to conquer some of life's greatest trials. I had always heard that, and if someone asked me what the importance of Jesus Christ is I would probably respond in a similar way. That He made all things possible. But I didn't realize what that actually meant for me. How could I be affected by the Atoning power of Jesus Christ? 

Well right before I entered the mission, I started a search for that answer. I didn't even know that I was on the search, but the answer slowly started to become evident to me. I quickly learned that the Atonement is not just for those people who fail miserably and really need to check themselves. It's for everyone. And not because everyone is a bad, sinful person, but because God loved us so  much that He provided a way for us to not only be happy, but honestly some of the most successful people in the world.   Let me explain.

I learned that the Atonement has two very powerful parts to it. The Atoning power, and the Enabling power. 

The Atoning power is something that I think we are all very aware of. It's really really powerful and is meant to be used for all of us. I think a lot of the time when we talk about the Atonement we think that if we need to repent we must be in a bad spot and need the Atonement to help pick us back up. Which it totally can and I have a strong testimony of that. But the Atoning power is just as much needed for the everyday person. Not because we are all sinners but because all of us can do a little bit better. We all fail in personal goals, or treat someone wrongly, or sometimes we just have bad days. With the Atoning power, we can conquer any pain, or trial, or sorrow. It has done me so much good to know that when I am stressed or depressed I can fall on my knees in tears, and plead with Heavenly Father to help me through that time. To help me face discouragement and to push through and be the happiest and strongest that I can be. I know for a fact through Jesus Christ that that is possible. The video that the church put out was beautiful and told it beautifully. Pain, suffering, and even death will die. I know that that is true. 

Then there is the Enabling power of the Atonement, and I have such a strong testimony of this. The Enabling power makes everything possible really. As a motivation person, I have often wondered about these questions. What is the secret to success? Can we be happy and successful? How can I and other people become successful? I quickly found out that the secret to the perfect success is through Jesus Christ and His Enabling Power. The Enabling power is meant to make the strong, stronger. To make the fast, faster. It is the key principle that small and simple things have great things come to pass. I learned quickly that if we prayerfully set goals with our Heavenly Father, about ANYTHING, that through Jesus Christ it's possible. When it is said that Jesus Christ knows and has felt everything we have felt and everything we will feel, I strongly believe and testify that He know's what we can do in order to become greater than we have ever thought possible. Through Him we can become not only so happy but successful in however way we describe success. He is the perfect personal trainer and life coach for all of us. He is our Lord and Savior. Through Him and His Atonement not only can we push through life's hardest moments, but we can also rise and climb to heights that have never been reached before.

Brothers, Sisters, Family and Friends. I know that this is true, and I know no matter who you are, or what situation that you are in, that the Atonement will change your life for the better. I know that we have a loving Heavenly Father  Just like our earthly fathers would cheer us on in a sports game or concert, Heavenly Father is cheering us on too. He wants the absolute best for us and is cheering us along the way. I know that these things are true, and I promise that you can too. All it takes is praying and finding out. I was told that in life when we faced something that we weren't comfortable with, that we just had to use 10 seconds of insane courage, and amazing things will happen. Well, friends I know that if we want to have the best life, all it takes is 10 seconds of faithful prayer, and from there miracles appear.

I love this gospel and I know it's so true. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and His Atonement I know through Him everything is possible.

I write and share these things in His sacred name.

Even Jesus Christ.

Amen

Love,

Elder Carter