家庭 Jiātíng Family
It's that family home evening time again. Monday night. One thing I started doing was singing the songs in the hymnbook in order and reading the scriptures that go with them. Tonight I sang hymn #6 "Redeemer of Israel." The lyrics are about how the House of Israel will be brought to a knowledge of their Redeemer, Jesus Christ. It reminds me of my friends the Levins and my friend Tal. They are Jewish by birth but have since become converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They, like many others, looked faithfully to the coming of their Redeemer and then learned that Jesus Christ is him, the Savior of the World. God is truly fulfilling his promises in the scriptures to gather his people spiritually as they come to this knowledge.
But God's people are not only the literal descendants of Israel, all human beings are children of God and can become his people. Jesus Christ is the Savior for everyone. We discussed this in church on Sunday and talked about how many people in Asia are hearing that call from Jesus Christ and are seeking him out.
One of those people is my new friend Amelia. Amelia is Chinese and she is married to a man from France, and they recently moved into our church family. I was assigned to be Amelia's visiting teacher and got to talk with her yesterday.
Her story is incredible. While studying at a university in Cyprus (cool right?) she felt the desire to go to different churches. She went to many but didn't feel right at them. Eventually, a friend at the university invited her to visit the LDS church with her. She said when she walked in, she felt like she was at home. She began meeting with missionaries and invited her sister and another friend to meet with them too. One of the missionaries who taught them and who baptized her sister is now her husband today. Her parents were not accepting at first, but are now okay with her decision to join the church.
The visiting teaching message was on how the family unit is ordained of God and is vital to His plan for our happiness. We also talked about how Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice makes it possible for us to be together forever as families. Amelia shared her thoughts about this. She said that when her grandparents passed away, she was devastated. In China they teach beautiful things about families and consider families your first priority. (This is something I LOVE about China). But, she said that they are taught that families end after this life, and that maybe you'll have another life through reincarnation, but it won't be with the same family. These teachings broke her heart and are what led her to search for something more. When she learned about God's plan for families, she was touched and knew she had found the truth.
I hope wherever you are, whoever you're with, that you have a wonderful family home evening this Halloween! Express extra love to your family members because they are a gift from Heavenly Father and can last forever.
♥ Ash
But God's people are not only the literal descendants of Israel, all human beings are children of God and can become his people. Jesus Christ is the Savior for everyone. We discussed this in church on Sunday and talked about how many people in Asia are hearing that call from Jesus Christ and are seeking him out.
One of those people is my new friend Amelia. Amelia is Chinese and she is married to a man from France, and they recently moved into our church family. I was assigned to be Amelia's visiting teacher and got to talk with her yesterday.
Her story is incredible. While studying at a university in Cyprus (cool right?) she felt the desire to go to different churches. She went to many but didn't feel right at them. Eventually, a friend at the university invited her to visit the LDS church with her. She said when she walked in, she felt like she was at home. She began meeting with missionaries and invited her sister and another friend to meet with them too. One of the missionaries who taught them and who baptized her sister is now her husband today. Her parents were not accepting at first, but are now okay with her decision to join the church.
The visiting teaching message was on how the family unit is ordained of God and is vital to His plan for our happiness. We also talked about how Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice makes it possible for us to be together forever as families. Amelia shared her thoughts about this. She said that when her grandparents passed away, she was devastated. In China they teach beautiful things about families and consider families your first priority. (This is something I LOVE about China). But, she said that they are taught that families end after this life, and that maybe you'll have another life through reincarnation, but it won't be with the same family. These teachings broke her heart and are what led her to search for something more. When she learned about God's plan for families, she was touched and knew she had found the truth.
I hope wherever you are, whoever you're with, that you have a wonderful family home evening this Halloween! Express extra love to your family members because they are a gift from Heavenly Father and can last forever.
♥ Ash
Comments