Week #74 - Mahoney Ward Lincoln NE

Good Afternoon!

This week has been fantastic! We taught several different people and had exchanges with the Elders in the Lincoln University Young Single Adult Ward! We had a good time and learned a lot from each other! My mission president shared a profound story with us this week and I would like to share it with all of you!

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There once was a man who was asleep one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared to him. The Lord told him He had a work for him to do, and showed him a large rock explaining that he was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, and for many days he toiled from sunup to sundown; his shoulder set squarely against the cold massive surface of the rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling his whole day had been spent in vain. Seeing that the man showed signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture - placing thoughts in the man's mind, such as ``Why kill yourself over this?, you're never going to move it!'' or ``Boy, you've been at it a long time and you haven't even scratched the surface!'' etc. giving the man the impression the task was impossible and the man was an unworthy servant because he wasn't moving the massive stone. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man and he started to ease up in his efforts. ``Why kill myself?'' he thought. ``I'll just put in my time putting forth just the minimum of effort and that will be good enough.'' And this he did or at least planned on doing until, one day, he decided to take his troubles to the Lord. `Lord,'' he said, I have labored hard and long in your service, putting forth all my strength to do that which you have asked of me. Yet after all this time, I have not even budged that rock even half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?'' To this the Lord responded compassionately,`My friend, when long ago I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you to push against the rock with all your strength and that you have done. But never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. At least not by yourself. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me, your strength spent, thinking that you have failed, ready to quit. But is this really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled; your back sinewed and brown. Your hands are calloused from constant pressure and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your ability now far surpasses that which you used to have. Yet still, you haven't succeeded in moving the rock; and you come to Me now with a heavy heart and your strength spent. I, my friend will move the rock. Your calling was to be obedient and push, and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom, and this you have done.''

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There are always times in our lives where we feel like regardless of the effort we put in to reach our goals, they always seem to evade us and rest just beyond our reach. It may seem at times as if the things that God has asked us to do are without reason, but I have a testimony that God has all wisdom and that each and every thing he asks of us is intended to to strengthen us and shape us into the people he knows we can be! He sees the boundless potential in every one of us and even if we can't move the boulder by ourselves, must not consider life a lost cause! God is by our side and if he is with us who can be against us! Through him anything is possible! Keep following God and the words of his prophets and God will fulfill his promises! I love you all and I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year!

With firm conviction,

Elder Adair