A Mighty Change of Heart

Witnessing a change of heart and helping others was my focus this week. I was reading in Alma 5. It is a super powerful chapter when Alma asks a series of questions. In verse 14 it plainly asks, "Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?" As I read, I was reminded of what I had heard in the MTC. "On the mission, you are your own first convert." I have been called to help others come unto Christ by helping them to receive the restored gospel. Principles of faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end make up the things we need to do to become heirs in the kingdom of God; THIS IS THE GOSPEL.

As I read the words of Alma, I had to ask myself, "Have I truly become converted to the Lord? Have I really had a change of heart? Do I put my full faith and trust in Him." I think the hardest of all the principles of the gospel is faith. It may seem easy to say, "Yes, I believe in God and Jesus Christ." But to have true faith, we must act. "Faith without works is dead." It isn't enough to say I believe. My first thought, was well yeah, I know that God is my loving Heavenly Father, and Jesus is the Christ; the living Son of God who came to Earth and will take upon himself our sins and our afflictions. And I am exercising my faith to be on this mission. But then I started thinking, is that enough? I had the realization that I was not putting enough faith and trust in Him.
At the end of everyday, I reflect on all that I have done and question, "Did I fully rely on Him today?" It is a hard concept to grasp, but I have realized that I really am nothing without Him.

I am happy to say that I am beginning to experience that "change of heart" as I work through Him. As a missionary, I am not responsible for the complete change of heart of my investigators or people I meet, but I rely on and allow Christ to do that for me. In helping others come unto Christ, I can only say what I know to be true. The Spirit has to do the rest to testify of truth, and hopefully their hearts will change. My mission president says after every email he sends, "The God of Israel leads this mission." It is so true. The God of Israel is Jesus Christ and He leads us in all that we do.

Love you all!
Have a great week!
-Sister K