A Great Experience

My Friends and Family,

 

I have received many messages of encouragement and support, and I love hearing about your families so that I can pray for you.  What I'm about to write has been on my mind for several days.

 

I could tell you about the day we raged war on bed bugs by burning a bed frame, or that we attempted to save a baby dove by taking it in our back pack to a members house, or that I was given a personalized sketch from my favorite comic book artist Stan Sakai.

 

The experience I had on Saturday afternoon as three young women were baptized has left a permanent impact on my Heart and will stay with me through out my life.  I share part of the experience with a sincere desire that you might feel of the joy that I had and know where it comes from.

 

Leading up to this week end I was reading a text called "Our Heritage" .  In the book it describes the history of the church and that the first members of the Restored Church were baptized in Europe on the 30th of July.  My heart was so overwhelmed even before the baptisms took place.  The service started and proceeded to the actual baptism as they normally do with a song, a prayer and a short talk on baptism.  I could feel so warm and knew that the spirit was there.  We proceeded to the baptismal font and as I watched these wonderful women each be submersed and brought out of the water you could see the literal change come about them in their eyes.  We returned to the Chapel were we waited our small band of Twenty or so people sat on different rows fairly separated and many were not well acquainted with those getting baptized.  That being said, I have never felt such an overwhelming power of love.  We were privileged to hear a vocalist perform the piece "Our Saviors Love".  It is difficult for me to relate this.  As I sat and listened to that music the realization of what kind of an impact I helped make in their lives can not be described by words.  Weakness from pure happiness is the best I can do to describe it.  Then Elder Berardi and I performed the piece that we had prepared.  It is impossible for me to share this with dry eyes.  The words of the song "Amazing Grace" were understood at that moment.

 

"Amazing Grace how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now am found

Was blind but now I see.

 

Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear

and Grace my fear relieved

How precious did that Grace

appear the hour I first believed

 

Through many dangers, toils and snares

that I have already come

twas Grace that brought me safe those far

and Grace will lead me home

 

Amazing grace

and grace will lead me home"

 

The only thing more powerful than the love I felt was the strength I was given to keep singing.

 

There was no money given to those who where baptized, no great physical labor rendered.  All that brought them this joy was two young men who opened their mouths and shared the truth that Jesus Christ is our Savior.

 

I any of you read this and feel even the slightest feeling of hope, love, or a desire to know if what I said is true or if you can have a similar experience.  Let me tell you plainly and simply that it is through Jesus Christ and following him that we will have joy forever.

The Book of Mormon testifies of him and his work.  You are invited to read and find out for yourself.

 

That is why I am here in Arizona.  I love the people and want to serve them the best I can.  I have helped more people in the past several weeks by opening my mouth and sharing what I know then I have in my entire life. I have seen it in the way they change their lives and their families.  They become stronger and better people.  To be a part of this really does bring me to tears.  I can think of no greater thing I could be doing.

 

I may not know you, but I pray that this short message has made you a little bit more hopeful.

 

Love

Elder Davidson