We can all be Saviors

Dear Friends and Family,

I apologize that I don't have a ton of time to write this week, but I do want to share an experience I had that totally changed my perspective as a missionary.

On Thursday morning, I woke up in one of the worst moods of my life. I felt sick, sore, and extremely depressed; and I had no idea why! I didn't feel like eating, I didn't feel like praying, I just wanted to go back to bed and forget about everything. It was super scary!

As we started our morning, I started to read in the Book of Mormon, praying that I could find an answer to why I was feeling that way, and most importantly, how I could feel better and I came across Helaman 3:27 and 35 which say...

      27 Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity      of their hearts, call upon his holy name.

     35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger      in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their      souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the                 sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their      yielding their hearts unto God.

After I read these, I was hit super powerfully with the prompting that I needed to first, pray; and then to fast that day. I did, and fasted that I would be able to feel better and do the things that I needed to do that day. I also promised that I would do whatever the Lord asked me to do, if he could make me feel better.

So we went about our day and I tried my absolute hardest to follow all the promptings of the Spirit and I really did start to feel better. By the end of the night (about 7 o'clock), the depression and stress had almost completely gone just as we went into the house of a less active member for dinner.

As we started to talk to this woman, she broke down to us and told us some of the problems that she had been going through and as she continued to talk, she described exactly how I had felt that morning. The Spirit hit me super strong and started talking through me (I know, because I can't really remember what I said) and I told her about my experience that day. By the end of it, I said something like, "I didn't know why I felt that way this morning...but now I do." She responded and said very humbly, "it was so that you could tell me that I can do it."

My testimony of the mission field is something that I wish I could write in words. It truly does change you, 100%; and I am so greatful for that. I know that Christ suffered for us so that he could save us...but when we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ and as we try to become more like him, sometimes we have to suffer a little bit, so that we can help save others. I love this gospel--the ups and the downs--and I know that this church is true. Thank you so much for your prayers and for your support. You are helping to save a young man (that's me;)!

Elder Arkoudas