The time of preparation is over

Monday, September 2, 2013

     This past week I was really focused on the Zone Conference and pondering on the words that were said. And by far the most important thing that stood out to me was President Wilson's words from the brethren: "The time of preparation is over." It still sends shiver down my spine thinking about it. We are now at the last harvest spoken of in Jacob 5: "And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come. And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things."
     I'm trying to be optimistic about it; but nevertheless, I'm still concerned for those who won't be ready. I have a feeling that the Second Coming won't be for a while, but the fact that now is the time to work and now is when the Lord is turning His children's hearts has me so excited! What an amazing time to live in. It reminds me a a favorite book series that I read back home, in which the young hero asked "why me? And why now?" To which another character said, "I would hate to live in a boring century when nothing is going on. This is the time to be alive, when history is being made and we are a central part of it." And that is so true for me, I am so grateful to be a part of this marvelous work to see the Lord's work first hand.
     I have also changed my goal that I had set a while back to read the Book of Mormon once a month. In the course of doing so, I realized that I was getting nothing out of it and that speed-reading words from God is probably not the best practice of a missionary. So I have reverted to my previous mode of study, and just taking extra care to ponder the words throughout my day and making sure that they are sticking in my heart. Or as Alma describes it, "Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed...it will begin to swell within your breasts...And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son." (Alma 32 and 33)

Love you all and hope that you have a great week!

Elder Cox

From Erin's personal letter:  Here's a funny picture for this week. Story: we were at a member's house, and they have big dogs. My companion thought it would be a good idea to run around (in the dark) and have fun with said dogs. Needless to say, he ran over some fresh "dog dirt" and it splattered all over his slack leg. So we had him take off his slacks so they could be washed at the member's house and had him put on some of my jeans. The effect was very amusing. Enjoy the latest contestant on "The Biggest Loser".... Elder Eisele!