Chapter 38: Holiness

"For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness."

1 Thessalonians 4:7

Welcome to June; the time simply continues to fly right on by. It's very surreal to think about the time that's passed, all the changes that have occurred both within myself and around me. But, life continue to go on as well as this great work.

This week we were able to have an All-Scotland follow-up conference in person which was absolutely amazing. All of the missionaries serving in Scotland met down in Edinburgh to meet with President and Sister Macdonald in a conference. It was an incredibly powerful meeting, seeing as it was the last time President and Sister Macdonald were able to address us Scotland missionaries in person before they leave at the end of the month.

I thought the topics were so pertinent, especially what President Macdonald chose to teach us about: the doctrine of Holiness.

To begin, he helped us understand that, foundationally, holiness is not perfection. When one is holy it does not mean they are sinless, but rather striving. As I touched on briefly the other night, holiness is found in the real intent of our discipleship, the direction our hearts are facing. Holiness is achieved through consistent commitment to God and His covenants.

At a certain point in the meeting, President asked us all how we thought we could be more holy? As missionaries listed off different, practical things one could do, I thought about the question, and was left impressed with a thought which I later raised my hand and shared, explained much more thoughtfully as follows than in the meeting:

If holiness is a commitment to God before anything, a commitment to our covenants with him and his eternal purposes, then what are his purposes? We know that both God's purpose, His work and glory, is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39).

God is committed to us, his children.

If we are to be committed to God, we must be committed to each other. Personal holiness, therefore, is developed as we look outside of ourselves and find ways to genuinely connect with, love, and serve others. In doing this, we share the love of God and Christ with their children, helping us to be more holy.

Holiness of self is grown when self is placed after others, for then, God can really use us.

Strive to look outside of yourself this week, I promise, power will come.

Life is good.

God is wise.

Don't give up.

Elder Childers

Me and President Macdonald

My homemade shredded beef. Mom would be proud

Me and Elder Cooper

Pics from the hike to Loch Muick with Andrew