If I could sum up all of what I have had and what I have experienced it would have to be more than anything: The Spirit of God.
I feel weird that this is my last letter that all of you readers will recieve as a representative of Jesus Christ for His church of these latter days, but I hope that just as I have written before the Holy Ghost may aid me in experessing myself and the wonderful things I need to tell you this day. The Holy Ghost it the key to all success as a missionary and to be a true disciple of Christ, therefore it is he who teaches, it is he who inspires. The mission above all things has taught me to come more intune with the spirit, and how to be more sensitive to the divine guidance of our Heavenly Father. I have been led to so many people and have learned so much more of my purpose to life soaly by living in a way that invites the spirit to iluminate my mind and fuel my passion to teaching the sons of men of He who has sent me. I am so grateful to have served and still be serving for one more week as a missionary. It has brought my eyes to be more opened and to be more joyful. I couldnt imagine a life without feeling the Holy Ghost constantly and now i know that it will surely be a struggle to do such, as a normal person who isnt dedicating 24/7 to the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But the memories and lessons learned have made me stronger, have made me sharper, have made me more grateful, and have made me more humble. I have had hard times too, but there must always be an opposition in all things, and so when the bad comes, I welcome it now. When all goes away and I am left alone, I still will stand. I cant ever promise that I alone can do it, but in my Savior Jesus Christ all is possible. I love Him.
Let my words bear record and be added to the millions of witnesses and testimonies that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Almighty God. He is my capture, my rescuer, my lord and king. I look back on my life and realized that the amount of time wasnt spent really listening to Him, nor following Him. The mission changed all of that. I cant really explain exactly how this change of heart came to be, but I know what started it: I left to serve a mission. To all that are called I invite you to confide in He who is mighty to save. Let his Holy Spirit be your guide as you are constantly striving to obey God´s commandments. Confide in His everlasting love that will change your heart for good. But let it be heretofor told that you cannot change unless you leave yourself behind. All your pride, all your doubts, all your habits, addictions, and routines will not let you feel the spirit, so lay it all down, and place your faith in Him. As Alma has explained the gospel firstly by faith, he said "Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to sweel within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves--- It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. (Alma 32:28) Brothers and sisters that is what I have felt. Its the growing of the word within my soul which has brought me a new happiness, a new hope, and a completely new outlook on life. The Apostle John even explained it more in depth of what exactly is the "word": "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John1:1) Therefore I testify that the Holy Spirit is only felt when we have a broken heart, a contrite spirit, and the proof of our obedience in our lives by our actions and decisions, and if it may be that we lack in good decsions, let us make better ones starting now, so that we may be freed from our misery and that we come closer to God.
I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His son Jesus Christ in the flesh. I know that the Holy Ghost will testify to me all things that are from God. I know that my actions and decsions that I have made will affect future generations. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true, and only church of God. I love each and everyone of you eternally. And like Nephi of Old I feel the same when he said "I have spoken these few words unto you all,... And I have none other object save it be the everlasting welfare of your souls." (2 Nephi 2:30) I give my testimony, and seal it forever in the name of he who is called "Wonderful","Counselor", "The Mighty God", "The Prince of Peace", even Jesus the Christ, Amen.
ELDER TAYLOR J. BURKE
ARGENTINA, RESISTENCIA MISSION
JUNE 13TH, 2016
