Parker's favorite scripture


PSALM 23
A Psalm of David
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; they rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Friday, April 15, 2016

'Signs of Spring'- 2.22.2016

Liebe Freunde, Liebe Familie.
Hello everybody. Things are finally getting warm here. The chill of winter had left and now it's only slightly chilly. It rains a lot but at least it's a lot warmer. Light Jackets, sometimes an umbrella but for now the heavy coats are away for another nine or ten months.
Elder Thomas and I had a pretty decent week. We met with a less active member Schwester Will and she is the sweetest old lady you will probably ever meet in your entire life. She is 89 years old and makes really good food. It is always nice to go over there and leave a nice spiritual thought. The spirit is always in her home and Elder Thomas and I take every chance we can get to feel it. Sometimes discouragement sets in and our spirits feel week so its nice to get that feeling back into our selves.
Thursday was a little rough for us. We went to visit Mario and we went in and immediately we knew something was wrong. He was laying in bed and we could tell he was in a lot of pain. The first thing he said to us when we walked in is he isn't going to get baptized anymore. Well in fact in didn't want to meet anymore as well. We talked to him a little bit more and there are a lot of things going on his life that make it difficult for him to know which direction to go. Our goal was to just listen and to help him through whatever his concerns were. A few weeks ago he received a blessing from Elder Illum and Elder Thomas. (I was on exchange in Greifswald) But I asked him what he had felt as they gave the blessing and what that meant. He said he knew that we work through the power of God. The power of God is real and it has been restored through Joseph Smith. Priesthood power is real. I have gained a stronger testimony of it especially here in Germany. The door is not all the way shut and we told him not to give up. He is still going to be reading in the book of Mormon. There is still a spark he just needs something to ignite it. We will meet with him in the next coming months.
So I was listening to one of my favorite speakers of mine Hank Smith and he gave a very powerful talk on the Book of Mormon. It has changed my entire perspective on the whole Book. Mosiah 18:30 says And now it came to pass that all this was done in Mormon, yea, by the waters of Mormon, in the forest that was near the waters of Mormon; yea, the place of Mormon, the waters of Mormon, the forest of Mormon. Now here is the important part. How beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer; yea, and how blessed are they, for they shall sing to his praise forever. Hank Smith says in his talk that he believes the Book of Mormon isn't named because of the Author. It is named after the place where people came to a knowledge of their Redeemer. It is through this Book that we come and receive a testimony of our Redeemer Jesus Christ. A single Book that has changed my very life and now I have the wonderful opportunity to share it with others and help them receive a knowledge of their Brother Jesus Christ, our savior.
Well that's all I have for now. But I want to leave you my Testimony that I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is the true chruch. I know Joseph Smith is and was a prophet and he translated the Book of Mormon the most true book on this earth today. Today this Church is led through a living Prophet Thomas S. Monson. It may seem in the worlds perspective out of style or not hip to follow the Prophet but I testify it has benefited me and my family so much in our lives. The words of the Prophets help those who are struggling finding the path readjust their course. This Gospel brings us so much joy and happiness in our lives. Now that doesn't mean our life will be peachy and perfect but it does mean that we can find a way through those hard times and it is through the power of the Atonement. This. Power. Is. Real. I have seen it as well as many others. I am thankful for my knowledge of the savior and my knowledge that we can live with our families forever. God be with you to we meet again!!!!!!!
The Lord Is my Shepherd.
Elder Riggs.



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