Written Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Dear Sons of Mosiah, my fellow brethren,

This week has been an interesting one here in Columbus. Transfers just took place, and I am going to Broken Bow, Nebraska. It is in the western part of our mission, so it should be interesting for me. I am definitely not a cowboy, and it got described to me as a "cowboy town", so we'll see how that goes. It has been interesting being here in Columbus for just shy of six months, and I have really grown to love the people here. I am really going to miss them, however (at least for some of them), this is not goodbye. I am convinced I have made some life-long friends, and I believe that the Lord has a work for them to do too. You already know that Jake Williams who we just baptized recently, is now in Utah, and will be attending school at UVU. As well, I have other great friends--especially Josh Johnson, Jana Hager, and Scottie Leifert. Though they are not yet baptized, I strongly believe they will be. They told us last night when we went to say "see you later" to them, that they could not go away from this religion, because it would always be in their minds what they know they need to do. I plan on coming back to Columbus, but they also plan on coming out to visit in Utah. Josh even wants to be in the next movie we make from "The Series" (Divisions being the only one we have made so far). It's way awesome. I know we have found more brothers and sisters in the Lord, and for those of you that are, or will be serving missions, I am sure you will find us some as well. Bring them all home into our family.
I have learned a lot from being here and serving a mission. I have gained a great love for people in my life, both past and present. I appreciate all of you, and am extremely happy for the things you have done for me in my life, and also what you have done for each other. Keep being an example of the believers, and being my brothers and sisters in the Lord. We have such a tight bond, and I hope that bond will always remain. On missions, people often try to measure success on how many people we have enter into the waters of baptism. Though that is a goal that is worthy, and though we are called to baptize, I had an interesting realization last night. We are called to bring people closer to Christ. If we do this, we are succeeding as missionaries and as people. The impact we make cannot be measured in a mere two years. Two years makes up only a tenth of my life so far, and far far less for a whole life time--and even less in the eternal perspective. Brethren, we carry the world. Never in the history of man has a group made more impact for the good and well-being of mankind than Christ's true church. Jesus Christ leads this church, and He truly leads us where we need to be to do the most good. I have a testimony of that now. I wondered for a while, as I watched all of these investigators struggle, if I was really helping them. So few of them have been baptized--but many of them have been brought to believe. Josh, Jana, Scottie, Shannan, Katie--all of these individuals have not yet been baptized, but they believe, and I believe in Christ who knows His sheep, and will call for them. He knows their lives, and He has prepared them. They will come and be part of our family.
For the longest time I feel I always paid too much attention to the justice of God, and not on His mercy. I have known He is merciful--and that the atonement is real--but I guess it just never clicked. I was pondering this, when I realized something wonderful. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us so much, and they will do EVERYTHING in their power to let us into the Kingdom of God. Heavenly Father wants us to return to Him. I knew that, and I was teaching that, but I hadn't really thought about it. He loves us, and will do everything He can to bring us back. Jesus Christ has done, and will do, everything He can to bring us back to Him. I forgot to bring my scriptures into the Library, but there is one time I recall where Jesus sat looking over Jerusalem and with sadness he proclaimed how oft He had tried to bring the Jews in, like a hen gathers her chicks, and the would not come. He mourns when we will not come. Many of you are probably thinking, "yeah, I knew that". So did I, I thought, but somehow it seems I understand even more--and I believe I will continue to learn even more. It is such a miracle how it is the simple principles of the gospel that are so profound, if we will just take the time to think about them, and try to really understand them. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want all of you--each individual. They know your pains, and cry with you when you cry. They hurt with you, and want you to be free from the heavy burden of sin. Oh how touching is the mercy and love of a Father, and our perfect Brother. Understand, for all of you who have ever felt a grief or anger toward God, thinking that He doesn't want you because of the way you have lived your lives, that He does love you, and want you.
I love you all brethren. God speed the right!

Love, Elder Chris Petersen