Chapter 37: No Doubt

"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." Doctrine and Covenants 123:17 What another incredible week it was! So many great experiences, and I want to share a few to highlight the principle I feel like I grew in my understanding of this week. On Thursday evening we had the opportunity to go down to Edinburgh to have exchanges with the assistants, Elder Cooper and Elder Klintworth. It was such an incredible time; both of them are just such powerful and inspirational missionaries who are not only fully, but also beautifully committed to the work. As Elder Cooper and I worked together on Friday, I learned from observation the power of real intent and the difference that it can make in our lives and especially our relationship with God. Real intent—full commitment—makes all the difference in discipleship. It is the condition of our hearts in the actions we take towards following Jesus Christ and allowing God to prevail. It is something that, really, only ourselves and God can ever know. No one can look at another and be able to determine the degree of his/her intent. That is why, in the scriptures, Heavenly Father and Christ plead with us to give them our hearts. To give them the core of who we are. To really and truly feel deep within ourselves the power of God's love, and to allow that to drive us forward in life. Elder Cooper simply has that. It's so clear, and as I worked with him I began to see it in myself too. Little by little, I was overcome with a realization that, yes I really believe all of this that I teach people about. Yes, I am committed to this. Yes, I am trying to do all I can to follow God right now. As I did this something miraculous happened, but I didn't realize it until later in the week. Later, after returning to Aberdeen, we met up with this man who I had set up an appointment with about a week ago. He was really keen on meeting with us, and as we got to talking he had a lot of questions. He asked us how we could know and prove to him God existed. He asked us about the reality of faith, the theory of relativism, the existence of absolute truth, and so many other things in what turned out to be an effort to get Elder Walker and myself to question our testimonies and destroy our faith. But, time and time again, I was given the opportunity to testify to him that I simply knew God was real. And, time and time again, he refuted simple testimony with doubts and arguments. In the end, he asked me a question which I could tell he had used so often to get people to question their faith: he looked me straight in the eye and said, "so you can tell me that you have no doubts about the existence of God?" I paused, and thought for a second, then looked back at him and said, "I may still have questions for God, and I hope to always have questions, but no, I have no doubt that God is real. I know he is, and I cannot deny it." God is real. He makes himself manifest to those who believe, to those who have the intent in their hearts and the humility in their souls to try and give their all. I know, that as we do all that is in our power, then we may truly stand still, with the utmost assurance, with no doubt, to see the salvation of God. To know he is there. Life is good. God is wise. Don't give up. Elder Childers

Me and Elder Wolf on exchanges

Me and Hristiqna! She went back to Bulgaria this week but she'll be coming back at the end of the summer.

Me and Elder Cooper (AP). What a legend.

Dinner with Andrew!

Dinner with President Macdonald and some great friends.

Selfie with Andrew

Video Call ZL accountability with Elder Wolf and Cooper

Nandos Chicken with Elders Walker, Wolf, and Cooper. SUPER GOOD.