Group Email

Hey everyone,

Hope everyone is doing great!! Things are going well here in L-I-B!! Missionary work is moving along smoothly and we've been exceedingly blessed.

Okay so I have some BIG NEWS!! A few weeks ago President Thomas informed the mission that on February 23rd Elder D. Todd Christofferson will be coming to visit Liberia!!! He will meet with our mission for 2 hours and then he will have a big meeting for all the members in Monrovia later that day!! What a blessing!! We've been preparing as a mission to be in-tune with the spirit so that when Christofferson comes we will be able to receive the Revelation that Heavenly Father wants to give us. I CANNOT WAIT to hear an Apostle of the Lord speak!!

We also had a mini zone Conference this past Friday and our whole zone traveled to the mission office for it. President Thomas gave the most amazing instruction on Repentance. For most of my life I've always struggled with the idea of repentance. The idea of being forgiven and having the guilt and shame i've carried from my past choices be taken away just didn't seem right. But throughout my mission and especially this past Friday I've come to understand the LOVE that God has for us and that he really will forgive and forget our sins IF we rely upon the Atonement of His Son Jesus Christ and truly repent. 

Heavenly Father loves us, and he doesn't want us to go through life carrying around the burden of Shame and guilt from our mistakes. Yes, we must suffer for our sins so we do not repeat them  but we don't have to suffer for months and months or even years. I promise that as we repent often and with real intent with faith in Jesus Christ WE WILL BE FORGIVEN!! 

I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lord's restored church on the earth today. And I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God and I've come to understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ more deeply on my mission because of the Book of Mormon. For those of you who are struggling, please read from the Book of Mormon. It will lift you up and give you hope,  it will turn your focus to the Savior Jesus Christ and the healing you need will come. 

I love you all very much. Have a great week

Elder Hiatt

Pics:

Red oil potato greens w/ rice.

Us with our member sis Bainda.

Liberian banana bread