Faith and Diligence

Hello all! 

This week was amazing! We had our Zone Conference, but it was a little different this time. First off they only held two, which means half the mission was at each, and secondly, we went on a church history tour! 

It was amazing to see all the special and holy sights that were made holy by the actions of early saints and missionaries here in England. We walked in the same footsteps as early missionaries, like Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, and Willard Richards. We saw the villages where hundreds were prepared to hear the message of the restored gospel, and be blessed by the priesthood authority, a living prophet, restored scripture and doctrine, and saving ordinances. 

In addition to saints in the beginning, we were able to see sights where President Gordon B. Hinckley lived and received the guidance to "forget yourself and go to work". We also saw where Elder Jeffrey R. Holland went to pray for revelation on where to build the now Preston Temple. This doesn't cover even a small amount of history throughout the world. I don't think it would be possible to cover every holy place, and place of gospel importance in a single lifetime, because single lifes are constantly making new ground holy. 

The fact it, ground isn't holy because of it's location, but it is made holy by what occurred in that place. The garden of Gethsemane was made holy by Jesus Christ performing the atonement. The Sacred Grove was made holy by the prayer of Joseph Smith and the subsequent visit from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Just as these events made those places holy, we too can make the places where we stand holy ground, because of what we do. 

"Stand ye in holy places and be not moved" and make holy the place ye stand. 

While in Preston centre, we recalled the early missionaries seeing the banner baring the motto "truth will prevail". These early missionaries said amen to that and adopted that as their personal slogan. As we recollected this, a new banner was unveiled for us, baring the words "Faith and Diligence". I say amen to this. I know that as we pursue a path of faith and act with diligence that miracles can and will happen!

Invitation of the Week

Who are your Pioneers? How have your ancestors affected who you are today? I invite you to search out an ancestor and learn their story. Even if you have no LDS pioneer ancestors, you still have pioneers in each family line. Enjoy the search! 

Elder Burns

England Manchester Mission
Springwood, Suite G5
Booths Park
Chelford Road
Knutsford
England WA16 8GS
United Kingdom

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