In the Rough - The Blog of Joel McDonald Jr.

It’s been in the upper sixties here for two weeks, including yesterday. It is snowing today. That is just strange.

This past week has been one of shifting focuses. Elder Adams and I have tried to find new English speaking people to teach via tracting (door knocking) with no success. The Spanish missionaries here in Dodge are having amazing success with tracting, and as much as I desire to have the same type of success, the general consensus is that we don’t get much bang for our buck in tracting for English. So, we are now going to focus on English members of the church who haven’t been to church in a while. We have a 64% Less-Active rate here in Dodge City, so the field is ripe reactivate here.

Yesterday afternoon, we had a sister call us to say she was inactive and that she really wanted to be visited by us. We immediately went over and shared a message with her that was put together by our Mission President. She said that she was watching a Christian TV program and really felt like she needed to call us. She has committed to coming to church next week, we are going to visit with a member of the ward this week, and she introduced us to her neighbor who will be joining us when we visit. The Lord truly has his hand in this work.

I love the following passage out of the Doctrine & Covenants. We share this scripture with the Less-Active people we meet as it has great significance:

“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; For behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him” (Doctrine & Covenants 18:10-11)

There is not one person living, who has ever lived, or ever will live, who is worthless to God. Not only does he truly care about us, but the worth of our souls “is great in the sight of God”. Think about it! The all powerful, all knowing, creator of all things considers the worth of every one of us to be great! Not only that, but in addition, Jesus Christ suffered the pain of all men, even death, so that we, as imperfect sinners, can repent and come unto him!

“For God so loved the world [because the "worth of souls in great in the sight of God"], that he gave his only begotten Son [who "suffered death in the flesh" and "the pain of all men"], what whosoever believeth in him [which belief should cause that "all men might repent"] should not perish, but have everlasting life [to truly "come unto him"]. (John 3:16)

I am amazed at the Love of God. This past week I have truly witnessed minor miracles which at times have been caused by my steps of faith. I am grateful that our Father in Heaven does answer our prayers. The hymn “I Stand All Amazed” truly sums up my feelings…

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me a sinner he suffered, he bled and died.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful,
Wonderful to me!

God Bless,
- Elder Joel A. McDonald Jr.
Colorado Colorado Springs Mission