Chapter 86: What Touches the Heart

"And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?"

Luke 24:32

Definitely a week to remember for a long time. Most of the beginning of the week was spent in preparation for our All-Scotland Conference on Wednesday, in meetings with President McCrudden, and starting to think about and pre-plan for moves this next week! The later end of the week we spent meeting with members and doing some harvesting which is always fulfilling. I've learned first hand time and time again just how much work, prayer, and preparation goes into large meetings and conferences. It feels like such a big responsibility and a humbling privilege to be responsible, at least in part, for an experience that has the potential to positively and spiritually influence a missionary's life. Being at the All-Scotland Conference and just looking out from the stand I realized just how surrounded I was by incredible friends and people with whom I have striven to serve diligently for the past year or so. I am grateful for their service and for the lessons each of them teach me through their powerful examples.

During the conferences we are always blessed to hear from Sister McCrudden when she teaches and instructs us. Something she said this time around really touched me and has caused me to change the way I think. Her and President McCrudden recently had the opportunity to travel to Germany for an Area Leadership meeting of sorts where they were able to hear from Elder Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Sister McCrudden quoted him at the conference, teaching us that "what touches the heart comes from the heart."

What an incredible truth. I have really enjoyed pondering that this week and learning from the Spirit how such a truth applies to me. I'd love to share some thoughts.

Jesus Christ was an incredible leader, teacher, and friend. He was called "Wonderful Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). What was it about the Saviour that accounted for such great influence? Why were others so readily captivated by his expressions of love and compassion? What can we learn from his example and how can each of us in turn better reach out to others and affect their lives for good? Each moment of the Saviour's life was spent in service of others; he truly changed all lives for the better. Why?

Well, if what Elder Uchtdorf says is true, then in order for Christ to have touched countless hearts to this day his teachings, exhortations, miraculous actions of compassion, and declarations of love must have come from the heart. Each of us have had experiences with feeling the love of God, causing us to reflect as the Apostles once did: "did not our hearts burn within us?" I know that in my life I have felt the direct influence of Jesus Christ's love and because of that I have a sure witness that his promises are sure. He must really mean what he says! He really does forgive me. He really does treasure my relationship with him. He really does want me to be the best I can and is willing to help me along the way. He is proud of my efforts and faith. He is grateful for my desires and service. Such truths give me peace and comfort. They help me as I continue to strive, pushing out shame and replacing it with love, healing my heart through my weaknesses and shortcomings. That is the effect of Christ's genuine and divine love.

Each of us, then, in turn have the opportunity to share that same, genuine love with others. We can express what comes from our heart, and that alone. There is no need for superficiality for the hopes of sounding superior. There is no place for doing what is thought to be best in order to seem good. Rather, we only need to do what comes from our hearts as we strive to reach out and help. When we do and say those things that only come from within, however meager, humble or seemingly insignificant they may be, we have the greatest opportunity to really touch and connect with someone else, lifting them higher than they were before. I hope I can continue to try and improve at this.

Life is good.

God is wise.

Don't give up.

Elder Childers

Pictures from conference! Me and my companions with the Edinburgh STLs and then all the Elders in Scotland!

Us with Daniel's family

Elder Kulmayer and Yorgason praying before doing some door harvesting