So ya know that type of "Game Time" feeling before the opening kickoff to your favorite team in a football game and you know that it is about to get lit..? Well if you don't... I am sorry! But if you do.. I totes had that as I sat and waited the countdown to General Conference. Yep... Elder Abel is super duper nerdy... but I am PROUD of it!! I would also like to say that I knew that a Brazilian was going to be called as an Apostle as I told quite a few members. They didn't believe me... but now they are mind blown and shocked that I could tell the future haha. (Side note: Can't tell the future... just a good guess..) I also knew that President Nelson had big news, and I knew that he had something else for us after toasting and roasting the Men in Priesthood session. Because it just isn't fair to burn one gender and not the other as well.. Our church is just and equal... you all know that. But it was just so powerful wasn't it?! I LOVED General Conference... especially because we watched it in ENGLISH!!! We watched the first session in English and I told my Brazilian friend, "We have English, a TV, and almost everything... all we need is AC and my life is set." He said... "Elder Abel.. Wait here... I can arrange that." You best be believing it... we watched Gen Conference in English with a TV AND had AC. It was like I was in the U.S again!! I love ´Merica!! It really was such a powerful few days!! I learned so much and the Spirit was so strong and just testified of the truthfulness!! As far as the news goes... it totally makes sense to me!! After Priesthood Session... I went back to the house and studied to see the answers they got from the scriptures and it makes total sense!! I stayed up until 2:00 in the morning studying my notes and the scriptures... haha! Like I said before... NERD ALERT!! But, the other news was amazing too! I don't know if you remember me talking about ONE (Oaks, Nelson, and Eyring).. but I really thought about that as they announced these things. Our church is really beginning a new thing that will reunite us more as ONE as we are preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. A scripture that a lot of people used was Doctrine and Covenants 38:27.. that says... "I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine." It is so neat to see that in action. I know that these changes will help us all more work together and make us strive to do and be the people that the Lord wants us to be. President Nelson said... "Our Unity helps us discern the Lord's will in helping his children" (talking about the unity of the 12 Apostles and first presidency). Could not be more perfectly said. Our Prophet knows that unity in the church is what we need and without unity we are slowly moving away from the will of the Lord, and His plan for us. I also noticed a lot about the Second Coming of the Savior. I liked what Elder Cook said... "This conference has been perfecting the Saints and preparing us for the Second Coming of the Savior, and to live in the presence of God." Everyone seemed to tie that in to their talks in one way or another. I don't know if it is just because I am on my mission in Brazil... way far away from my comfort zone and my cute family.. and the Second Coming is one of my biggest fears (haha).... Or if it really is just that close and we are really being more prepared and warned of His coming. But in my opinion... I really do feel like it is closer than we all may think, want, or hope. And that is how I would like to end this email.. with a question that I asked myself during General Conference.. "Am I ready for the Second Coming of our Savior and how can I become more ready?" My answer came as the Prophet stood and spoke to us about Personal Revelation. He said.. "How can we become the Christ-like Servants that the Lord needs us to be?"
I just want to bear my testimony to you all that I know that we have a true Prophet of God here on the Earth today. He loves us, he prays for us, he sustains us, he cares about us, and he is here to help us. There is not a doubt in my mind that he is a mouthpiece of the Lord as he guides, leads, and directs the church on the Earth today through proper revelation and priesthood keys. I know that personal revelation is something that we really need here on the earth today and in our lives. We really are a part of a world that is corrupt and we are at times found lost... not knowing where to go, what to do, or who to seek for help. But through our own person prayer, we can receive our own Personal Revelation.. and we can have our own witness and testimonies of the truthfulness of the Gospel strengthened. I can't express it enough of how grateful I am for the opportunity that I have to be here on a mission.. not only helping others with their own personal answers and revelation... but as well with mine. As the Prophet stood and talked about Revelation and the importance of it in our lives.. it just gave me the chills. Everyone has a question, everyone has a doubt, everyone needs guidance, peace, love, comfort and help. How can we obtain that help you may ask..? Doing exactly what our Prophet asked of us... through Personal Revelation. We have the opportunity (and privilege really) to talk to our loving Heavenly Father. How cool is that?! We get to talk to God. We get to humble ourselves to Him and let Him strengthen our weaknesses, clear our doubt, and give His love and comfort. I know that God really is our loving Heavenly Father. I know that He lives and I know that He has a perfect plan for us. I also know that He gave His Son Jesus Christ, our Savior.. and is THE most selfless act of all time. I know that we have a Savior, we have a redeemer, and that He is perfect and established His perfect Church on the earth many many years ago. I also know that almost 200 years ago a 14 year old boy.. with doubts and a desire to receive his own personal revelation.. restored the Church of Christ again to its complete fullness here on the earth. I know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We truly are in the `latter days` and need to be aware of that as we live as examples of Christ in all ways and as we help others come unto Him. I know that President Nelson is a living prophet here on the earth today.. who guides the Church of Jesus Christ through revelation and the perfection of God. I know that person revelation is crucial and important as we are preparing for the Second Coming. Of course we don't know when He will come.. but the thing is... we know that He will come. We have faith that He will come and the only way that we can prepare for His coming is by listening to the Prophet and other leadership of the Church.. and living in the ways that are taught to us in the Book of Mormon. And as we do that, and take on the challenges that the Prophet gives to us, and have faith in God and His perfect Plan... all will work out. I am so grateful for this knowledge and I am so grateful for you all. You all strengthen me and make me better each day. Thank you for your love and support in all things and the pure joy you bring into my life. I hope you all had a Happy Easter, enjoyed Conference, and enjoyed time together. I miss you all so much and can't wait to chat with you next week!! I miss you all more than I miss the fun Easter egg hunts with the family and the hanging out at conference... and that is A LOT of miss!!! You guys are the best!! Keep on being you and let me know if there is anything that I can do for you guys... I love you so much!! Have a happy and successful week.
Love, your happy and healthy but quite nerdy Sky... Elder Abel Ü
Love, your happy and healthy but quite nerdy Sky... Elder Abel Ü
General Conference with the English Crew
Member Friends: Amanda and Atila
No Monkeying Around
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