Never Lose Hope

Last Saturday Elder Thompson and I were visiting people in the city of Davis where we are now serving.  Davis is a small town with a UC not to far from where we work. 
It was growing late in the evening, close to our time to head in, and were visiting some people who were potentially interested in learning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  As we were walking to the door I noticed a man with a large Jack Daniels liquor bottle in His hand, pouring himself a cup.  We knew this apartment was the correct location of the specific individual who had requested missionaries.  Our confidence quickly shot down, pondering and judging the men who were behind the door to be unstable, and undoubtedly uninterested.
So with willingness and determination, we knocked and without 5 seconds a man answers the door with his cup in his hand and a big smile on his face.  His name was Ron and was the one who we were looking for .  He asked some questions with a slur, and found himself getting carried away in his laughter.  As we carried our conversation, His roommate, John, came running in from behind him.  He was a taller Asian man with a smile from ear to ear, curious, and hand signaled us into his small apartment.  It was coming close to our hour and we thankfully offered another appointment.

This man and his friend surfaced many deep concerns regarding questions of their souls.  John mentioned he had a wife and two beautiful children who lived far away east.  A place where work was difficult to find and a decent education was in drought.  He said, "I have a drinking problem, and other bad habits I need help with."  With his hands spread towards us, wanting relief from his addictions, we could feel his sincerity penetrate our spirits. We could feel his heart towards his children.  We could feel his concern for their welfare.

Although he was passionate about His family, we had fear in our hearts, not knowing if the situation was right and we offered to set up an appointment of a more convenient time.  We suggested a time early the next day to watch a modern day prophet speak to the whole world.  He agreed, and promised to be there.

We headed home and both looked at each other and complained there was no way he would remember.

The following day early in the morning, we returned to our appointment at nine A.M. and we felt as if we were waisting our time.  I mumbled to myself, "I know he won't be there".  We didn't have hope for this unsober, hungover man. 

With surety he would not answer, we gave it a knock, and nothing happened.  We gave it a second knock having some faith he might answer the door, but nothing came.  After about 3 minutes I gave it a good pound.  Miraculously he opened on the last attempt, dressed to watch the general conference and talk about how he could find the hope for his life and his family!  We watched all of General Conference with Him and bore our testimonies as the modern prophets did that very morning. 
I learned a great life lesson.  Don't ever lose hope on someone, because God wouldn't give up on me.  It is because of the gospel of Jesus Christ that we all have the opportunity to find our faith, realign our life in harmony with Heavenly Fathers teachings.  I know with out a doubt, God lives and loves each one of us, and wants with all of His heart, might, mind and strength everyone to return! 
 
Never Lose hope!  Never!  God will never lose hope on you or on me.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Secrets to His Servants the Prophets

What is a prophet?

  I believe many people are turned away when told about "prophets" because of the doubt and trouble in times past with so called "prophets".  Jesus teaches us about prophets, he said;

"By their fruits ye may know them."  Which simply is to say, look at the good works or "fruit" that comes from a living prophet. 

Amos (a prophet in the Old Testament) teaches us that God gives us "His secrets."

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the prophets."
Has God always called prophets?  The answer is yes.   From the creation of Adam, up to the time of our very own day.  What! we have Latter-day prophets?   Yes. Just as in times of old God calls prophets.

 For example Moses (being a prophet) brought the children of Israel out of bondage or slavery from a very wicked nation.  In a real sense, our day many people are in bondage and have many challenges which take them away from life's most precious moments.  How many families are broken because of drug abuse, violence, harassment or ignorance?  How many thousands of Heavenly Fathers children are hurt because of wickedness and "slavery"?
Our latter-day prophets receive guidance from Heavenly Father to help us come out of slavery and bondage.

The world changes and we can't do this on our own.  We need help and direction. "When there is to be anything different from that which the Lord has told us already, He will reveal it to His prophet and no one else."  Harold B. Lee

Prophets also Testify of the Savior and His ministry, just as John the baptist taught his people.  Watch this video of modern witnesses of latter-day prophets.

I know prophets are real, they do communicate with Heavenly Father through his Holy Spirit.  I know you can know this is true, because there is evidence that Heavenly Father has given us.

If you would like to know more about this evidence, check out my post "Safety for my soul", and I know without a doubt you can come to know this truth as well.

Additional Study:

 (Eph. 2:19-20)

(Mosiah 13:33)
(2 Chron. 20:20)