Family and Friends,
First of all since I haven't written an email to everyone in a while I will let you know what´s going on. I am currently serving in a small town called Lerma in the State of Mexico, which is about 30 minutes outside of Mexico City. The town is great and I am really enjoying my time working with the members in helping others come unto Christ.
I have been thinking a lot lately about the importance that living the gospel plays in our lives. As a missionary you see it all. The rich, the poor, the happy the sad, the sick, the healthy, the point is that you see it all. It´s such an amazing blessing to be able to see life from the outside in, and you can genuinely see the difference that the gospel makes in the lives of those who live it.
I am not saying that you can't have a happy, successful life if you don't live the gospel. Everyone, whether they have the gospel or not, can live a happy, satisfying life, but what most don´t recognize is that it could be better. The gospel brings us a different kind of satisfaction. Eternal.
The gospel is simple. There are five simple steps that lead us to have eternal happiness. Faith, Repentance, Baptism (Covanents), The gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. It´s really simple but sometimes we make it difficult and choose to take other paths that lead to different rewards. I have genuinely seen the blessings that come to the people that live the gospel, and early in my mission I asked the question "Why does living the gosple change lives?" and I couldnt quite figure it out until I broke things down.
Faith- If we have faith in Christ and his atonement we can't feel down for too long. Sure we will feel saddness or guilt or failure, whatever it may be, but if we truely understand that Christ suffered for each of us and for each and every one of our sins, pains, and sicknesses, then we can't stay in a state of unhappiness. It's impossible!!!
Repentace- We make changes to become better people. We accept Christ in our Lives and we accept his atonement! Who wouldn't feel happy seeing changes in their lives that make them better people and help them feel closer to God!
Baptism and Other Covanents- They are litterally promised blessings! They are contracts that we make with God that if we do the right thing that he will give us blessings. If we do our part he has to do his. How great is that to be able to know that if we keep the commandments we are promised blessings that can never be taken from us!
The gift of the Holy Ghost- This one explains itself. I dont know anyone that doesn't want the third member of the Godhead as a constant companion to guide them throughout their lives. I know that the spirit guides us in every moment if we remain worthy of his guidance.
Endure to the End- As we continue doing these things every day. Having faith that things will be better. Repenting and making changes to become better people. Keeping our convanents that we have made, and following the guidance of the spirit I know that we will be happy, and not only for this life but for the eternities!
I love each and every one of you. I love this gospel and the blessings that it has brought me in my life. It´s not always easy but it is always worth it. If we put the gospel first in our life we will find happiness.
Have a great week.
Elder Hirsch
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