WEEK 32: "To Appease The Demands Of Justice..."

Howdy howdy!

There isn't much to report from this week. We finally entered February and so far it's been glorious. This Week has warmed up, with yesterday reaching a whopping 65⁰ with not a singular cloud in the sky. It was the first time in months that I stepped outside and didn't immediately get chilled! I didn't even use my jacket all day, and even once the sun went down I didn't have my winter coat on! Spring comes early to Nevada and I'm looking forward to it before the 60⁰ weather doubles to 120⁰ in the next 4 months.

On Wednesday we had our friend Emily join us for the day! We got to live the trio life with her, and we adore her. She started her mission June 27th, the same day that Sister Welch and I started, but she came home before Thanksgiving due to some medical problems. She's been cleared to return to her original assignment in Paraguay and leaves next week, and we are so excited for her! She spent the day with us to get back into the habit of missionary life, and we loved spending time with her. We did a youth activity that night and it was SO much fun! We had all the youth do different roleplays of common missionary experiences, and they did a fantastic job.

We went on exchanges with Sister Wood and Sister Gariety again this week, and it was so much fun! It was Sister Wood's last exchange, as she completes her mission and returns home next week! I enjoyed my time with her and it was fun to see how much I've grown since my first transfer with her. We got roped into a terribly long and uncomfortable street contact (that one's on me, but #talktoeveryone). We all met up at the end of the day and ended the exchange at the local froyo bar. This place is literally my favorite place in Henderson. 

We've had great lessons with Amanda this week! We talked about the first part of the Plan of Salvation with them on Saturday, and it was really beautiful. The Spirit was really strong, especially as we made an effort to focus everything on Jesus Christ and emphasize His role as the Savior and Mediator in every step of the Plan. It was a sweet experience to testify of my Savior and His love and grace. We stopped by Amanda's on Sunday and read through Mosiah 14 and 15 with her and again talked about Jesus Christ and the Atonement he performed so that he can stand between us and the law of justice and mediate our case. I especially loved reading these verses with her from Mosiah 15:6-9:

"And after all this, after working many mighty miracles among the children of men, he shall be led, yea, even as Isaiah said, as a sheep before the shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.

Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father.

And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men—

Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice."

I am always awed and humbled by Amanda's humility and grace, and it is so special to work with her!

I truly have spent a lot of time pondering about Jesus Christ this week and what his life and sacrifice means to me. Basically it means everything. I've spent some time focused on how the law of justice and the grace of mercy can coexist, and I've discovered that through Jesus Christ, the justice of God is merciful, and His mercy is just. I have no idea how to explain it other than that. I've spent a lot of time studying and pondering those two concepts, and as I've studied the scriptures I have seen clearly how Jesus Christ fulfills both of those requirements, and it is possible because He is a divine, eternal, perfect, loving God. This verse helped me to understand that more:

"And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence.

And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also." Alma 42:14-15

It's been a beautiful experience to ponder these eternal truths, and there's still so much more that I can learn about God's justice and mercy, and how they both fulfill each other and allow God to fulfill His work and His glory, which is to "bring to pass the immmortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39) It's been neat to study this, and I am excited to keep learning more! Definitely send your thoughts and ideas about this to me, I love learning about justice and mercy!! Definitely go watch the classic 80s seminary video "The Mediator" on Gospel Library--it talks about this so well, and really explains why Christ is essential to God's plan, and how He exactly fulfills the demands of justice while still extending perfect mercy. It's incredible! I am truly so grateful for my Savior, and every day my knowledge of Him grows more, and I know without a doubt that He lives! I loved reading these verses with Amanda, and wanted to shared them today.

I hope you have a beautiful week, wherever you are! Know that you are a Divine child of a Divine God who loves you and is constantly working to guide you and turn all of your experiences into blessings.

You've got this.

Love,

Sister Malmstrom

231 W Horizon Ridge Pwky #2226 Henderson, NV 89012

Pictures!

- Trio life with Emily!

- Just picking up drinks from the vending machine in Bishop Cain's home.

- Froyo w/ Sister Wood #fungusfingis

- The sweetest puppies Sister Wood and I saw on our exchange!

- Walking around our area!

- Picture with President and Sister Rodarte from Zone Conference!