Elder Cody Ridley: Jan 2, 2012

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Jan 2, 2012

Mom,

I appreciate all that you have shared with me today. I want to have time to express a lot more things that I have set and planned for this next year with some goals I have pondered and written down, but....when I have more time. I’m going to copy this e-mail so I can respond next week and respond faster and better. This last week I didn’t get to work a lot. After we talked on Skype, the next day in the night I got sick so. I didn’t work for three days because I was throwing up and went to the bathroom every hour. I went to the clinic and they gave me some IV and some medications to take. I must have eaten something bad the day before and my stomach got inflamed....it’s called gastroenteritis.

My week went by really slow, but I am healed and ready to get back working into my area, but first things first I am ready to go with Elder Martinez to Buena Vista right now to have a great p-day in almost one month! So I am going to go get some Burger King to eat. I never thought I would be excited about something like that. Sorry for so short of an e-mail. I love you and hope that Ryan and Brooke will improve and I will definitely have a fast for them. All the new news is great to hear about everyone, well some of them . Everyone has an impression that I have changed so much, but new things over there are changing in a second and it’s weird. Everyone’s doing their own thing. I wish I could be there for Maddie’s wedding :( It’s not just that there little changed, but big life changes that everyone is doing. I like where I am at right now, feeling the spirit, having time to talk with my companion, teach, learn and share the gospel. I will write more next week. Love you

Elder Ridley

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Testimony of Skyler-older brother

My Testimony,

All that I have come to know to be true about the purpose of our existence and the reality of God has been something I have had to personally experience. For much of my life I was taught correct principles by my parents and they with words and by their example invited me to abide by these principles. It is now that I have grown older that I know that the principles and values they taught me are principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These principles are not just things we do but who we become. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God. He is our Savior who loves and forgives. He gave his life for us. There truly is no greater testament of his love than the price he paid in behalf of all of us. I came to know him as I lived and served in England. He and our Father in Heaven are mindful of all that we experience. No matter our choices their arms of love and mercy are never closed. They are open and extended always towards us. To receive their help and answers we must and can act in faith. Prayer is real. Our heartfelt desires, concerns, and questions are heard by God and he answers. I know that God answers prayers. I read the Book of Mormon I felt its power and truth and then prayed to have God confirm its truth to me. It was peace in my mind and in my heart at this moment when I prayed that I knew the truth of the Book of Mormon is true. Joseph Smith was a righteous man and a prophet of God. He was visited by God and his son Jesus Christ. They appeared to him to usher in the time when all the truth that was once taught by Christ and his Apostles to be restored to the earth. I know this event took place. It makes sense. God is not a God of confusion. Division, anger, and contention are not of God. Christ has one true Church that Church is the Church which bears his name in these latter-days: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There is a living prophet. His name is Thomas Monson. He was called by God to receive revelation and direction from him. He like prophets of old has been chosen to bring unity to the body of believers. I love the Lord and know all of us can be happy if we walk in his steps. I know that we are never alone because He lives! All this I share in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Mom's Testimony

I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I know He lives and that He died for each of us that we may one day return to the presence of our Father in Heaven. He has provided us the way through the great plan of happiness-a plan that gives us guidance and direction for our lives here on earth that if we follow, will bring us peace and happiness here, and the greatest joy for eternity.
I know that the Heavens are still open today and the Lord does hear and answers our prayers and righteous desires. I know that he has given us living Prophets and Apostles for our day who receive revelation and direction for God's children on the earth right now. Guidance and direction that when we heed, helps us to find that greatest peace and happiness in our lives. I know that the revelations and directions from Prophets and Apostles of old were preserved so that we today would have the teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ to both the Jews of his days and Gentiles that his Apostles were commanded to take it to. I know that after his crucifixion, Christ had "other sheep not of this fold" to which he went and visited. Those "other sheep" lived here in America, brought out of Jerusalem by the power of God to preserve his people. Those people were called Nephites and Lamenites whom he visited after his crucifixion to call Apostles among them and to teach them his doctrines. Those doctrines are found in the Book of Mormon which witnesses that Jesus lived and left his gospel in it's purity to be preserved for these Latter-days. I know that the Book of Mormon was preserved thousands of years to be brought forth in God's time and to testify as a second witness of His son's life and teachings. I know the Book of Mormon holds God's gospel and that within it's pages are the answers to questions that many are searching for, but know not where to find it. I know that God restored His Prophets to these Latter-days beginning with the boy Joseph Smith and through him also restored His gospel and all the rights to exercise it through His priesthood. I know that today His Prophet on earth is Thomas S. Monson and he, like Jesus Christ, has 12 living Apostles to help in building God's kingdom here on earth.
How do I know all these things? Just like you can come to know such truths- by seeking to know them through humble prayer. I know that God answers prayers today just as He did Noah, Abraham, Issac or Lehi, Nephi and Alma for He is no respecter of persons. I have read the Bible, New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price each multiple times, and continue to study, ponder and pray about the doctrines and teachings in each of them. I have had the spirit, Christ's gift to each of us, bear witness to me that they are true. I have asked God and received answers to my questions, just as you might, if you do so with a sincere heart and with real intent to come to know these truths for yourself. If you don't know about God's gospel that has been restored in it's fullness in these Latter-days, ask Him to help you find it. I know He will, for he loves His children and it is His work and His glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of each of us so that we might one day return to live with Him again. I know I am child of God and will live with Him again as an eternal family.
In the name of Jesus Christ-Amen

Elder Cody Nathaniel Ridley

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Jan 2, 2012

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