New Face, New Bishop, New Era

Hello friends and family!

This week was crazy, and ended in a grand way! To begin, missionaries throughout the world have been asked to watch a series of safety videos entitled "The Safety Zone". (The name matches what you would imagine it to be like. If you haven't seen it, the link is on churchofjesuschrist.org ) So, we started watching the series after District Councils. Shout out to my parents: week 1 since the safety zone has passed, and I'm still alive!

Later on in the week, we had exchanges with the Zone Leaders! Honestly, we've had some sort of diversion from our usual schedule each week. And we have exchanges planned with Elders Carroll and Beere this week... and transfers next week! Busy.

Exchanges were really good, and I saw in action how missionary work flourishes when missionaries and members are united as one. It was wonderful to see! Several people say, "well, yeah, that's Chorley. It's like the SLC of the northern UK, obviously it will work there." But the thing is, I've also seen it work in a small branch. Missionary Work is one of the great miracles of the restoration, and a grand unifying force between our fellow brethren and sisters.

Now, the capstone of the week was Sunday. It was the Burnley Ward Conference, and it was glorious. We were taken by surprise when they announced a new bishop for the ward. As the previous bishop was released and the new bishop sustained, you could see and feel the unity of love, support and appreciation. It was an amazing feeling. 

On the same day, we were also pleasantly surprised to see Kym bring her friend! She was loaded with questions and eager to learn more about the gospel. It was evident that she and Kym had conversed about the gospel, and she wants that in her life. It was a very great blessing, and we will be meeting with her today!

The spirit was palpable on Sunday as we came in a unity of faith, partook of the sacrament, and sang the hymns of Zion. The sacrament hymn, While of These Emblems We Partake, really stood out to me:

2. For us the blood of Christ was shed;

For us on Calvary’s cross he bled,

And thus dispelled the awful gloom

That else were this creation’s doom.

3. The law was broken; Jesus died

That justice might be satisfied,

That man might not remain a slave

Of death, of hell, or of the grave,

4. But rise triumphant from the tomb,

And in eternal splendor bloom,

Freed from the pow’r of death and pain,

With Christ, the Lord, to rule and reign.

What stood out to me, wasn't that of the actual process of Christ's atonement, which is vitally important, but it spoke to me on a personal and relatable level, of which is difficult to communicate through words. I will never have to carry all the weight He bore, or suffer all the pain He suffered. Yet, I still carry weight, I still suffer, and I have many weaknesses to overcome. But that's the glory of it - we can overcome those things with Christ!

In a lesson, we asked the question, "What do you think is our purpose in life?" And, with a humour in his voice, the man replied, "to suffer!" That is not so. Christ dispelled that awful gloom. He paid the price so we might be freed from death, hell, grave, and even ourselves. Through Christ we can rise triumphant from the tomb. That tomb isn't just the one that holds our bodies at the end of life, but it is every weakness, flaw, pain, and fear (the list goes on). 

We don't have to wait for judgment and the resurrection to attain this gift. It's open to all of us. It's called repentance. Repentance isn't about, "ugh, I suck at life. I keep failing and I'm never going to be perfect", however, that is one of Satan's greatest lies. The great and eternal joy he's trying to hide is that we have the power now to receive the help from Jesus Christ. And we can have a sure knowledge, a perfect brightness of hope, that perfection is attainable, and that we will reach it through diligent effort and applying the beautiful gift of the atonement of Jesus Christ.

God's plan for us, which is centered around the atonement, is not about overcoming sin and death only, but it's about overcoming ourselves and becoming our best selves by using all of God's gifts to us. Through which, we can live in the eternities with a fullness of joy and accomplishment. He's there for all the small things too. I have been able to see this gift in effect through my life, and in the lives of others. There is nothing that quite matches the joy that comes through true, sincere repentance.

Well all, I either write nothing or a sermon, and today's was a sermon! Haha, but it's true. God loves us! This life is a wonderful gift! Let's give it all we've got.

I love you all,

Elder Burns