So I really don't even know what happened this week. It has been so crazy. We had a training.  We went downtown for my companions doctors appointment and saw Elder Rasband the president of the seventy. We had exchanges with the Sister training leaders. We pick up two new investigators.  We tried to talk to every one and everything (haha) we see. We spoke in church on Sunday and our less actives came to church again! They are progressing so well! Its great to see that things are starting to pick up.

This week was kind of a hard week, with lots of trials, but I always remember the scripture, we receive no witness until after the trial of our faith. We had the trial and we continued in the faith and the Lord saw our efforts and amazing things happened. 

Core Belief #1 "I will learn, love, live and teach the Doctrine of Christ. I am called to the work of the harvest; bringing souls to Christ and to the blessings of the Atonement will be my passion."

How blessed are we to have the Atonement in our lives and to have a loving Savior who has taught us His principles on how we should live and how to access the Atonement. Gospel means "good news" and the good news we have to share with the world is that we help people access the Atonement because we have the priesthood and the principles to be forgiven and feel clean. The 4th article of faith is "We believe that the first ordinances and principles of the gospel is first Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Second Repentance, Third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, Fourth, Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands." 

Elder Bruce Porter of the Seventy said,

"The word first in “first principles and ordinances” should not be interpreted as primarily chronological in meaning, as though these four steps were intended only for our initial entry into the kingdom. Rather, the term first is better understood as “basic” or “fundamental,” for these principles and ordinances constitute the heart of the gospel of salvation, being the essential requirements for entry into the celestial kingdom.

Moreover, numerous scriptures make clear that these principles and ordinances apply throughout our lives, not just at age eight or at the time of conversion. They remain vital to our salvation even as we receive additional doctrinal truths, as well as the higher ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood found in the temple. There is never a time in our lives when we may cease to exercise faith in the Savior or cease to repent of our sins. Our baptismal covenant is a lifelong commitment, and the Holy Ghost is needed as a constant companion. We never outgrow or move beyond these basic principles and ordinances. The Lord emphasized their lifelong importance in the following revelation:

“And of tenets thou shalt not talk, but thou shalt declare repentance and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism, and by fire, yea, even the Holy Ghost.

“Behold, this is a great and the last commandment which I shall give unto you concerning this matter; for this shall suffice for thy daily walk, even unto the end of thy life” (D&C 19:31–32; emphasis added)."

I know that as we learn and live the doctrine of Christ we'll be able to strengthen our brothers and sisters around us. As we develop our faith in the Savior, we will increase in love for Him. As our love for Him increases the love for those around us increases. 

I am constantly strengthening my faith in the Savior and I am always working on my knowledge of the doctrine of Christ. One thing I know for sure is that I have been called here for a reason and a purpose and I have been called to the work of the harvest. This I know, that the Atonement is for every one.  We can access all the blessings of the Atonement as we keep God's commandments. 

I love you all! 

-Sister Swain