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| Catania's Missionary Apartment Flag |
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| Now featuring the signatures of Anziano Taranto and Anziano Taranto II Giovane. |
Anziano Toronto's Conference Invitation:
What an incredible blessing it is to hear the voice of our prophets and apostles every 6 months. How truly guided their remarks are, and how personal they seem... a testament to their calling and union with the spirit. Among my favorite discourses were those given by Anziano Sabin, Anziano Holland, Anziano Uchtdorf, and Anziano Oaks. Each answered questions and taught doctrine I came to conference seeking to understand. What a blessing personal revelation is, and how grateful I am for the spirit we feel every time these beloved leaders speak. This gospel is personal, in every way, and those talks that spoke to you, might not have struck me in the same way. I invite each of you that read this, to think on the messages you have heard, or go listen to them, if you have not. There is power in the spiritually guided lessons taught by the Apostles called by God, and despite their brevity, those taught by his living Prophet, Thomas S. Monson. Let us read or reread their words, and commit ourselves to more diligently accept their invitations. The blessings they have promised are real, therefore let us seek to attain them. In the following week as you study, email me your thoughts, and your favorite, or favorites, as you find them!
A few thoughts on the work and the Atoning Gift, given to each of us by Jesus Christ:
Alfio chose to stop smoking for the third time yesterday. He was convinced this was the time, he felt strong, and prepared, but he only made it 19 hours before his body overthrew his small amount of self-control. I was devastated, but I instantly was reminded of my own struggle to change, in many, many ways. I fell short wayyyyy more than 3 times, and in many ways, I still fall short, but the gospel isn't about being perfect, but rather becoming so. As Brad Wilcox so eloquently put it, "There are not only two options for a young piano player, Carnegie hall, and giving up..." The Atonement of Jesus Christ empowers us to make the necessary corrections, despite our falling short over and over again. Poignant and piercing, are his descriptions of those who give up, simply because they fall short. As he says it, "They say, I just can't do this Mormon thing. It's too hard, I've tried... these people do not understand the atonement of Jesus Christ." "Never fear", as Anziano Uchtdorf reminded us yesterday, because we have a superhero on our side even stronger than Superman, even more noble than Captain America, much less snarky than Tony Stark, and who didn't get his power from a radioactive spider, but rather the Divine Creator of all, even God. He is Jesus Christ, and he will not forsake us, rather it is us who often forsake him, for the alluring nature of our own personal Lexus Luthors, Lokis, Jokers, or Ultrons. They can seem more powerful, even impossible to overcome with our own limited strength, but we must understand our strength has no limit. As Ammon declared, in Alma 26, "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things." I testify with absolute confidence, there is no shortcoming too trivial, nor desperation too deep, that our Savior will not be there to help us through. There is no addiction you cannot overcome, and no sin from which you cannot repent. Repentance is change, but the desire must come from within. We must simply set aside our pride and reach out to him. He awaits our hand, stretched forth in humility, and will lift us up beyond where we believe we could be.
Other:
Zone P-Day was highlighted by an awesome game of Ultimate frisbee, despite intermittent rain. I am ever thankful for the gift of sports, because I don't know where I would be without them. I miss tennis pretty bad, (but more just beating my dad😉), it isn't even funny, but a few basketball and soccer games here and there are compensating.
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| Ultimate Frisbee on P-day |
Last note and challenge for each of you. If you have not already done so, watch the Church's Easter video, Prince of Peace. Watch it again because it's awesome, and then share it on whatever social media sites you participate in. It is incredible, and inspiring, and brings the Spirit. Each time I watch it I become even more grateful for his life, and for His Infinite Atonement!
With love and gratitude for each of you,
Anziano Toronto II
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| A creative way to meet people on the street. |
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