He Knows Part 2

Continuing on with last nights post.  Again, I am sharing a couple of experiences I had with the scriptures that helped me to realize that the Lord knows who I am and that he knows my needs.  In saying that I likewise submit that he knows you and he knows your needs.

We were driving from St. George to Cedar City on the I15 and I was sharing some experiences I had when I was younger relative to the scriptures and how the Lord speaks to us through the scriptures.  This next experience took place way back in 1993 in a little place called Northpine, a Colored suburb in the Kraaifontein area outside of Capetown, South Africa.  I was a new missionary and I was at the height of discouragement.  After a month in the mission field my companion and I had taught all of 1 discussion.  That was really hard.  There were some growing pains for me as I struggled to understand what I was doing.  I wasn't teaching the Gospel that was for sure.  We knocked on a lot of doors and outside of that I was the designated dishwasher in our flat.  There were four of us.  This is not what missionary work was supposed to be.  I was miserable.  I was on the other side of the world.  I missed my family.  I was not having joy.  I was at a point where if this is what missionary work really was, I would much rather just go home. 

Well the Lord didn't leave me to wallow in this state of misery for very long.  In my personal study I opened the Doctrine and Covenants up and randomly turned to Section 15.  Obviously this section was a revelation for someone else but on this day, it was a revelation intended just for me.  Here it is:

1 Hearken, my servant John, and listen to the words of Jesus Christ, your Lord and your Redeemer.

2 For behold, I speak unto you with sharpness and with power, for mine arm is over all the earth.

3 And I will tell you that which no man knoweth save me and thee alone—

4 For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you.

5 Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given you according to my commandments.

6 And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.

Hearken my servant John.  Can it get any clearer then that?  Mine arm is over all the earth and I know what you are going through.  The most important thing for you to do is to stay on your mission.  That was the basic message that I received through the Spirit.  It was powerful and it was exactly what I needed to hear. 

Interestingly, section 16 of the Doctrine and Covenants is the exact same message with only one difference, it says hearken my servant Peter.  I could just as easily opened to that section but I didn't, I opened to Section 15.  It was a very powerful experience in my life and I knew that the Lord knew who I was. It is my testimony that He Knows.  He knows each of us individually.