The gospel changes people.

Dear Family,

What can I say today? It has been a really interesting week with many special spiritual moments. First of all, President Gibbons came to the branch, with Sister Sanford, who will be training a new missionary here. This will be the first time that Sisters will be serving here since the city opened 6 years ago. All of the members were so excited to hear this news, and Sister Sanford with her short-term companion were just loved by all. Sister missionaries have a strength and power that no Elder can show. I really respect Sisters who serve on missions, even though it is not their responsibility. Every single missionary has a special work that God calls them to do, that no other missionary can do. There is another elder, Elder Harrison. He was in the Moscow West mission, but then joined our mission when Kazakhstan became a part of us. We were actually in the same branch in the MTC. I had no idea that we would be serving in the same city. He is an amazing singer, and opera singer, and the members were amazed at his talent. He is serving with Elder Turley who is also a great elder, and it is great to see him again.

When President Gibbons came to the city, he shared his thoughts about angels. He told the stories about Moroni, when he visited Joseph Smith, and how we should follow his example as missionaries. When you read the scriptures, there are many references to angels, and it is not necessarily about Heavenly beings. Even missionaries are angels. People notice a light in us. Sometimes people are afraid of us, until they know what we have. We are messengers of truth, and we are also guardians and protectors of light. What I thought about that, is what people think about me. Am I an angel to others? How can I become an angel for people? I guess it is interesting to think how to become an angel, but angels are servants of Heavenly Father, and right now I am a servant. So this last few months I am on a mission, I want to fully strive to be the angel I am supposed to be. Anyone can be an angel, a messenger of truth and light. What that calls for is complete obedience to Heavenly Father's commandments. Study, prayer, and obedience to the commandments are the tools in order to have the Spirit in our lives, and to radiate the light of Christ.


Novokuznetsk Saints

I am not perfect, and I have weaknesses. God understands that, and he trusts me to overcome my weaknesses and strive to be faithful. He blesses us based on our desires and actions. If we are not completely successful the first time, God will help us try again. God always give us second chances. That is definitely the case with my friend Pavel. If you remember a long time ago, when I was serving here my first transfer, we had an investigator named Pavel. He was very religious, and he really liked to argue with us all the time. I wondered if he would ever accept the gospel. Last Sunday, he gave the lesson in Sunday School, and received the Melchizedek Priesthood. His lesson was about the scriptures, and he shared his conversion story, about how he was reading the Book of Mormon, and he eventually understood that God will always speak with His children. It was a wonderful lesson, and I was very impressed. Heavenly Father understands the hearts of His children, and He knows when His children are ready. This man, who I thought wouldn't accept the gospel, is now an active priesthood holder. What a change! The Gospel changes people. I am a witness of the changing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I just have to say, I love this Gospel, and how it changes people. I have many struggles and weaknesses, but  Heavenly Father waited until I was ready to listen, and he showed me the way to try to overcome them. I am still not perfect, and I still have to be reminded time and again what I need to do. I am learning, and my life is so wonderful. 

I love my family, and their examples to me. I exhort all of you to strive to be faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If there is something in your life that you want to change, it is possible. I am a witness of it.

Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)