We Walk by Faith...

Sacred Grove Palmyra, New York

 In the process of conversion, the investigator of the Church hears a little. He may read a little. He does not, he cannot, comprehend the wonder of it all. But if he is earnest in his search, if he is willing to get on his knees and pray about it, the Spirit touches his heart, perhaps ever so lightly. It points him in the right direction. He sees a little of what he has never seen before. And with faith, whether it be recognized or not, he takes a few guarded steps. Then another, brighter vista opens before him.

                                                                                       President Gordon B. Hinckley 

Ahhh! The wonder of it all.  It is indeed a life changing event to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As converts ourselves, Elder & Sister Davis know a little what the newest members in Latvia are facing when they get baptized.  Most of them lose friends, some lose family members who will no longer accept them; every single one has trials placed in their way because of the decision they  have made. But new converts make that very important decision to be baptized because they feel something of the "wonder" President Hinckley was talking about. The Holy Ghost whispers to them that they are making the right choice and that they will find joy in their "new" life.  So they take the step of faith and join the Church of Jesus Christ here on the earth.

Today's post will be about how our new converts are "walking by faith"; taking that step into the unknown and seeing what new horizons lay before them.

The photo above is of two new converts, Agneta and Iveta. 

Iveta, on the right, is very excited to be giving her first Family Home Evening lesson and Agneta wanted to translate it into English. New converts often look forward to "teaching" others. We have no paid ministry in our church, new members are given "callings" or assignments to serve just like everyone else. Even the members of the world famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir give hours of their time and musical talents freely.  

New converts often bring enthusiasm and new energy to the wards and branches of our Church. As you can see, Agneta certainly brings enthusiasm to our FHE!

Elina K. (below) is also a new convert who loves to teach. She was "called" to be a Gospel 
Doctrine Sunday School teacher in the Riga 1st  Branch. She also taught a lesson to the FHE group. 

These new converts learn and grow as they serve others by teaching and serving.  The more they learn and grow in the gospel, the more "light of truth and knowledge they receive."

 “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day” (D&C 50:23–24).

Walking by faith, every member gains more and more knowledge of the teachings of Christ.  And gospel learning can be fun....after the lesson, the YSA's, gather around and learn about each other as they play UNO. 

 “Every convert needs three things: a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with ‘the good word of God’” (President Hinckley).  What better way to make friends than to come to FHE!

We are all on an eternal journey. We take one step at a time. In doing so we reach toward the unknown, but faith lights the way. If we will cultivate that faith, we shall never walk in darkness.

Elder & Sister Davis with our sweet translator Marta, attending church in Jelgava one Sunday...

(we both need haircuts!)

Near the end of February 2013, Elder and Sister Davis took a "faithful" walk over the Daugava River in Riga. It was chilly outside, but the sun was shining and the snow such a brilliant white that we couldn't help but take some pictures. This is the suspension bridge we walked over....

The view from the bridge....

A faithful river watcher. 

"The gospel cannot be written in your heart unless your heart is open". 

 President Hinckley on BBC Radio,  Aug. 1995: 

“We are not an American church. We are not an English church. We are not a Japanese church. We are a world church with a world message and a world program, and our whole course is designed to help people, to lift them, to strengthen them as has been said frequently, to make bad men good and good men better; to teach peace, the gospel of Christ; to try to exemplify the Golden Rule and a program of helpfulness to those in distress wherever they may be and whatever their circumstances” 

Faith is the very fiber that gives strength to this work. Wherever this Church is established across this broad world, it is evident. It is not limited to one country or one nation or one language or one people. It is found everywhere. We are a people of faith. We walk by faith. We move forward on our eternal journey, one step at a time.