So do you want to hear a secret? I really hate writing emails. You know why? Because words don't work very well. Especially words that aren't spoken. But do you know why I write emails? Because if you could even get a glimpse of a portion of my life, of the miracles that I see on a daily basis, each and every single one of you could not doubt that God lives, and that He loves His children.
This week I've been overcome with God's mercy. A year ago this Thursday, an arrogant, ignorant, emotionally unstable 18 year old kid said bye to his family,
grabbed his suitcase, and walked away from everything he has ever known. Somehow, through a series of most miraculous events, that 18 year old kid changed. He turned 19 of course, he put on some weight, destroyed a couple pairs of shoes, but this change goes much deeper than that. Over time, that kid learned about Jesus Christ, not just who He was, and what He did, but who He IS, and what He DOES. Our friend grew, and understood. He taught, and testified. He laughed, he
cried, he even screamed once or twice. But somehow, he kept changing. God's mercy and love reached out to our friend when he was weak. God reached out when he was strong. When everything was going right, God's hands guided him. When everything was going wrong, soothing words and feelings were always available. Cody began to understand that to trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding, was indeed divine guidance. He saw that as he acknowledged God in all his doings, his path was guided. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Cody began to love in a way he never could have before understood. He learned to pray with real intent. He knew that he needed to devote everything to serve our Heavenly Father. Elder Jorgensen still has a very long way to go, but he thanks God every day for bringing him where he is now, and has faith that he will be shown where he needs to go next.
As the star of our story went from being some kid, to our friend, to Cody, and finally becoming Elder Jorgensen, we have often wondered how such a drastic change could have occurred. This is because Jesus Christ lives. He has redeemed me. Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath
preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh. He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me. Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time. And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me. And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them. O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions? And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy? Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul. Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions. Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will
praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation. O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin? May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road! O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way--but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy. O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm. Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mineeverlasting God. Amen (2 Nephi 4)
I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know we can change. I know that the Gospel is true. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, because I have had the same experience as so many of the prophets who write these words. Here's to another great year!
Love to you all...
~Elder Jorgensen
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| Elder Jorgensen and a chicken???? |
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