The Bowels of Mercy- February 11, 2019

Good morning everyone!

This week has been an absolute blur. I'm not totally sure what happened... 

I do remember that it was cold, usually close to 0 degrees, and often dropping below - 10. Usually that sort of weather calls for us to get inside and avoid exposure to the fierce winds. However, this week we had two exchanges, and both of them were in carshares. That means that I ended up on the streets for several hours, trying to show some younger missionaries how to be diligent despite the cold.

And boy, was it cold. 

We did find a lot of really cool people as a result, and probably the coolest ones we found while taking refuge in little shops and gas stations along our trek. 

This type of extreme cold has reminded me so much of the early saints. They were left exposed to the elements in one of the coldest winters on record, and in a smaller way I've also been exposed to the coldest winter on record. It's amazing to have such a parallel experience, and even more amazing to have a parallel motivation to get through the trial. Every time I was warmed by the Spirit this week, I couldn't help but think of those saints being warmed by that same Spirit. They were remarkable people, and we're indebted to them for so much. 

That all being said, and want to tie this back to something I've been pondering for quite a while due to a talk I heard back in Iowa City (s/o to Elder Buchanan-the one about intelligences). The idea is taught well in a section of Mosiah I read this week: 

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.
(Mosiah 15: 7-9)

I love these scriptures. I love to ponder on the infinite love of our Savior and how He is able to overcome justice by His grace. The only reason He can do that is because He has suffered infinitely, and thus obtained, "the Bowels of Mercy". 

Just as I gained love for the early saints through suffering in a similar way, and gained empathy for all those who suffer without shelter in the cold, so did Christ gain His infinite love and had His bowels filled with mercy because of His suffering all that we suffer, and more. I really do stand amazed at the love He has for me. I wish I could express even a part of what I feel. He truly is my Jesus. 

Anyway, sorry that this wasn't funny at all, hopefully I didn't bore you all. I'm sure Elder Harvath fell asleep before I finished the second paragraph, but I'll forgive him. 

I love you all! Godspeed! 

Elder Housholder


That's the Davenport District
Those are some examples of what the whole world has looked like this week.




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