There is no other subject towards which I would like to direct the words of my last email home from my mission than towards Christ: his divine mission, the reality of the fulfillment of said mission, and the implications thereof.
After living thirty-three years, Jesus returned to Jerusalem, the city where his persecutors were at their pinnacle in plotting to criminalize him through hierarchy and thus condemn him to death. Shortly thereafter he proceeded to Garden of Gethsemane to fulfill his predestined mission, to atone for the sins of the world and redeem mankind from the fall of Adam. It was a such a daunting task that he prayed to God the following words, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done." And the Father's will was done. Christ, bleeding from every pore, undertook the sufferings of all mankind and atoned for the penalty of disobedience which justice inevitably demands. He then willingly delivered himself unto his persecutors to be beaten, whipped, spit upon and ultimately, crucified. Three days later, he took up his body once again as the first of many who did likewise.
By virtue of Christ's infinite atonement which began with his suffering in Gethsemane and ended with his resurrection, we have endless opportunities and happiness in our reach. All men will receive the same resurrection. Furthermore, under the condition of repentance, this resurrection can be unto to a complete glory and a fullness of joy. Each day we can receive his grace to clean us, to capacitate us, and transform us unto greater happiness.
I know for myself, regardless of any other person, that these things are true. I know that he rose from the tomb and now, as a living and glorified being, guides his church as he did in biblical times through prophets and apostles. I've never seen him with my physical eyes, but someday I will. On this day, although I might come to know new things about him (his height, appearance, etc.), I won't come know of his existence any more than I do now. I know he lives. For I have seen him through ways just as rationally and scientifically valid as having seen him with my physical eyes.
I can't explain all of the questions that one might have with relation to my claims. Nor can I can explain the taste of salt (you can ask me all you want, I'll just keep saying that it's salty). But I know that if you give it a taste, your questions will be demystified and you will start to come to know it too. I performed the experiment and got the same result as millions of other church members whose lives are accurate replications of the necessary conditions of the experiment. Christ lives. Try it out.
Love,
Elder George
After living thirty-three years, Jesus returned to Jerusalem, the city where his persecutors were at their pinnacle in plotting to criminalize him through hierarchy and thus condemn him to death. Shortly thereafter he proceeded to Garden of Gethsemane to fulfill his predestined mission, to atone for the sins of the world and redeem mankind from the fall of Adam. It was a such a daunting task that he prayed to God the following words, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done." And the Father's will was done. Christ, bleeding from every pore, undertook the sufferings of all mankind and atoned for the penalty of disobedience which justice inevitably demands. He then willingly delivered himself unto his persecutors to be beaten, whipped, spit upon and ultimately, crucified. Three days later, he took up his body once again as the first of many who did likewise.
By virtue of Christ's infinite atonement which began with his suffering in Gethsemane and ended with his resurrection, we have endless opportunities and happiness in our reach. All men will receive the same resurrection. Furthermore, under the condition of repentance, this resurrection can be unto to a complete glory and a fullness of joy. Each day we can receive his grace to clean us, to capacitate us, and transform us unto greater happiness.
I know for myself, regardless of any other person, that these things are true. I know that he rose from the tomb and now, as a living and glorified being, guides his church as he did in biblical times through prophets and apostles. I've never seen him with my physical eyes, but someday I will. On this day, although I might come to know new things about him (his height, appearance, etc.), I won't come know of his existence any more than I do now. I know he lives. For I have seen him through ways just as rationally and scientifically valid as having seen him with my physical eyes.
I can't explain all of the questions that one might have with relation to my claims. Nor can I can explain the taste of salt (you can ask me all you want, I'll just keep saying that it's salty). But I know that if you give it a taste, your questions will be demystified and you will start to come to know it too. I performed the experiment and got the same result as millions of other church members whose lives are accurate replications of the necessary conditions of the experiment. Christ lives. Try it out.
Love,
Elder George