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The happiest day so far this week! (9/16/13)

So this last week has been a week of overcoming, and I'm not ashamed to say that it hasn't been easy. I love my Heavenly Father, I love Jesus Christ, and I love the Holy Ghost. Without them, I would literally be nothing. I am not a perfect missionary, nor am I a perfect person, but I know through Christ's Atonement for us, I have received strength.

Emails in the mission are always a plus. Letters are even better (but I don't expect people to waste money on postage). 

At this time, I'd like to make a declaration of my faith. I don't really care if you don't agree, but it helps me to put it out there.

I know that Jesus is the Christ; the anointed of God to come and cleanse us from our sins. I know that we have a loving Heavenly Father who knows us intimately, and we knew him before this life, and through a concerted effort, we can know him again. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know it, I know it, I know it! I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God to restore the church that Christ established. I know that through making and keeping sacred covenants that we can not only attain salvation, but that we can become something greater. We can be joint-heirs with Christ in our Heavenly Father's kingdom.

I've recently had people try to state that my religion is false, that Joseph Smith was a liar and cheat. I stand as a representative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and tell you know that I know that Joseph Smith was an inspired prophet. I am willing to stake my eternal salvation and soul on it. I know this because I have studied it, I have read about it, I have prayed about it, I have lived it. If you have doubts, get on your knees and pray. Ask God, the source of all truth. 

At this point, you have two decisions, you can either claim that I am stating the truth, or that I am lying. If I'm telling the truth (which I know and believe I am) then this Gospel is true. God is real, he has called Joseph Smith as a prophet and restored his true church. If I am lying, I am guilty of condemnation, I am a blasphemer and shall be consigned to the depths of misery and woe in the life to come. I'm willing to take those stakes. I'm willing to, because I have felt the love of my Savior, I have come to know God. I know that he loves me and that he reveals his will today through a modern prophet, President Thomas S. Monson.

I love you all,

Elder Ryan

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