The Worth of Souls

This week has been a great experience. It´s really changed my perspective on a lot of things that before the mission I hadn´t even thought about. Before the mission, I had thought a lot about how everyone has their own divine destiny-mission, but I hadn´t really considered what that means. That everyone, EVERYONE, has a divine purpose here on the earth.  For that reason, we need to try and help every single person try and reach that divine potential.

This last week, Rosa fully committed to be baptized this Saturday. Her conversion story is really special to me because she is a completely new person through knowing the Gospel. When we would go over to teach her mother, she would sit in the back of the room, and didn´t interact. She is from Bulgaria, so we figured that she didn´t understand the questions.  One day we decided to start asking her more questions and seeing what she thought about what we were teaching.  When we did, she began to change. She began to respond when we asked questions.  She started to get more engaged. It turned out, she speaks Spanish very well, and only needed a little bit of help to get started.  Her confidence started to grow. When she started to read the Book of Mormon, she changed.  If I could see the before and after personality of Rosa, it would be hard to tell that she is the same person. She has completely changed, and all for the better. The Gospel changes people. She has gotten more confidence through it, and has really started to realize her potential. 

This experience that has really made me think about the worth of souls. In D&C 18:10, it says that the worth of souls is GREAT in the sight of God.  It doesn´t specify which souls are great, and which are not.  It just says that unconditionally, universally, and without anything held back,  God loves all his children and recognizes their divine worth and potential.  For us, that should be motivation enough to want to give them the good news of the gospel.  Maybe it doesn´t even have to be a huge act of kindness.  All it has to be is an act of sincere, loving desire to help someone.  Because once we truly recognize every soul as something precious and as someone unique, we start to see them as our Heavenly Father sees them. 

So go out and makes someone´s day.  Make somebody smile, and try and lift someone.  Small things can make a big difference in the lives of others. 

Anyway, I love you all. Thank you so much for all that you do, and thanks for all of the support that you have given me. 

IT´S A GREAT DAY TO BE A MISSIONARY!

Elder Weenig