The Atonement and Obedience

Dear Family,

I have come to know on my mission that I cannot change in one day.  I simply have weaknesses that I must live with and work on for years and years and years and years and maybe a lot more years.  So, I have learned--especially in the past two weeks--that what is required of me is to be obedient to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  And as I do so, the Atonement will have a part in my life.  Jesus Christ can heal me.  It will be slow in my eyes and get frustrated that I am not changing, but without a doubt, I am slowly being changed.

I have also learned that this means that I will be a stumbling block for others in the process.  I will be their trial that helps them change.  I hate this fact, but 'tis truth.  I may not necessarily be doing anything that is rude, low, or malicious, but I will still be a stumbling block.  I have weaknesses, and I make mistakes.  Others are going to have to live with choices that I have made and will make.  They may not like what I do.  So, they will have to make choices based on mine and learn lessons that are in store for them.  This is the uncomfortable and unpleasant truth of mortality: we are weak.

Luckily, God will let us be perfect in the end if we are obedient to His commandments and rely on the Atonement.

"In a world where sorrow

Ever will be known,

Where are found the needy

And the sad and lone,

How much joy and comfort

You can all bestow,

If you scatter sunshine

Ev'rywhere you go.

Scatter the smiles and sunshine all along your way.

Cheer and bless and brighten Ev'ry passing day."

(Scatter Sunshine, LDS Hymnal #230)

We may have weaknesses but we can still scatter sunshine.  Smile--it's good for the soul.

I love all of you.  I want to apologize for being a hurdle sometimes.  I want to thank you for loving me still.  I am thankful that I have a family that is so kind and generous and patient.  I know that the Lord loves you.  I am so thankful for the Atonement.  I am thankful that I can be more than what I currently am.  I am thankful for infinite chances.  I am thankful for commandments.  I love being a missionary.  I love the people of North Carolina.  And, I love my companion even if she doesn't think I do.  I pray for her and her family every night.  I know that God is watching over them.  He loves them and wants them to be happy.  Keep moving forward, for forward is the best and smartest way to go.  I love you (LOTS). 

Go with God,

Sister Turley

I was a missionary this week.

Dear Blog Readers (You really don't have to read if you don't want to.),

What do you want to know about?

I think I have said pretty much everything that I can think of.  I can officially stop writing letters.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

p.s.  We are trying to find people to teach. 

The Book That Changes My Life

Dear Family,

​I got to finish reading the Book of Mormon again this week.  It was a great experience.  My mission president, President Bernhisel, invites us to write our testimony before reading and after.  So, I wrote my testimony.  I just wanted to share that with you this week.

I want to reiterate the words of Joseph Smith from the Introduction: "a man [will] get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."  This is the the Book of Mormon.  And the statement doesn't take away from the fact that the Bible is the word of God.  The Bible and the Book of Mormon are both scripture.

I am happier than I have ever been in my life.  And that could be because I am a missionary and share the gospel every day.  But, I know that reading the Book of Mormon has helped immensely with that.  As I have read, I have come to understand my Savior, Jesus Christ, better.  I have learned more about His Atonement and what it means to me.  I love Alma 36 because it truly shows the affects of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in one man's life. "O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me. . . "  "And oh, what joy, and marvelous light I did behold"

I have learned from the book of Ether that I can see God.  I can have faith to see Him.  God wants us to know Him.  Jesus Christ showed Himself to the Brother of Jared "and all this, that this man might know that he was God."  Jesus Christ promised in Matthew 5, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."  Alma 30:44 says, "all things denote there is a God" and "do witness that there is a Supreme Creator."

My eyes have been opened as I have read the Book of Mormon.  I can see God in my life more.  And God is the source of happiness.  Because I see Him, I am happy.  The Book of Mormon has allowed that to happen.  The Book of Mormon is truly God's word.  It truly brings me closer to Him.

I look forward to reading the Book more and coming even closer to Christ.  Below is the invitation and promise from Moroni.  Ask God.  He will tell you the truth.

Go with God,

Sister Turley