+24 power

Hello everyone,

A very eventful week this was, lots of good, lots of sad, but overall was good.

Saturday was the baptism of Angel and Brian. Though it was strange not being able to attend the service, we were all edified through the wonderful miracle of technology!

Yesterday night, we got the news that 24 reassigned missionaries will be joining the MBM. With that being said, Elder Gardner and I will have to part our ways (again). I will be staying here manning the wheel in Revere, while he heads off to Rhode Island. Fun fact, Rhode Island isn't even an island, I don't know what they were thinking. It's also the smallest state in the U.S of A.

I want to talk a little bit about forgiveness and repentence. To start, me must understand the two great commandments that Jesus taught.

1. Love God with all your strength and soul

2. Love your neighbor as you love yourself

So with this in mind, I want to talk about the apostle Peter. I really enjoy the many different dialogues throughout the Bible between Jesus and Peter. I want to dive into Matthew 26:33-35, & 70-75. This is right before Jesus is crucified, and when Peter tells Jesus that he won't leave him, and that he'd die right alongside him.

Sadly, in verses 70-75, Peter denies that he ever knew Christ three times, just as the Savior had said so. It says that "he left from that place and wept bitterly". Trust me, there's a bright side to all of this.

Later on, we read that Peter becomes the leader of the church, the prophet, the chief apostle. How can that be? He denied to even know the Son of God! I believe that answer lies in repentence and forgiveness.

Through the Atonement of Christ, Peter was able to repent of this betrayal, and with that repentence, Christ had mercy on Peter. Relating this to our own lives, we too can receive this forgiveness. Obviously (I hope) none of you have denied the Christ, but even then, we can still change and become better, just as Peter did.

Don't ever let your sins dictate whether you are worthy or not of the Saviors mercy, that is just another one of Satan's lies. As Nephi best said it: "Awake my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice!" (2 Nephi 4:28)

Friends and family, I wish you the best with your week! Love you all!

con mucho amor,
Elder Rasmussen

- last day with the car we drove to Winthrop beach