The Christ within us
I Quayd Corbridge do make another abridgment of my days in the mission and I look back on them with gladness.
Therefore I remember somewhat of my crazy adventure, as well as my hard labors to teach this people about my god and his son Jesus Christ.
yea even the same, Jesus that has taken upon himself our sins and has died for our suffering challenges and trials. like my brother Alma said and I make some of his words known unto you.
for he said behold I have labored even from the commencement of the reign of the judges until now, with mine own hands for my support, notwithstanding my many travels round about the land to declare the word of God unto my people.
And notwithstanding the many labors which I have performed in the church, I have never received so much as even one senine for my labor; neither has any of my brethren, save it were in the judgment-seat; and then we have received only according to law for our time.
And now, if we do not receive anything for our labors in the church, what doth it profit us to labor in the church save it were to declare the truth, that we may have rejoicings in the joy of our brethren?
Therefore like alma I am a servant of my god, who has labored and sacrificed my life for the good of this people. And it profiteth me nothing. But I am grateful for the experience and the understanding of my fathers eternal love and mercy upon my fellow men in this wicked city of Redlands California.
Therefore I want to take a moment to reflect, And I do write these things that have made my heart soften and doth cause me to testify and boast in my god and his goodness and his mercy for all who will come and follow him and his son Jesus Christ.
And I Elder Corbridge do remember the days I left my mother and my father and my two sisters their names being Gracie and Zj and so many others, including my older sister Liza.
therefore I remember somewhat of the agony and fear, leaving them behind for two years and traveling far to some distant land. And after this I remember hugging them and saying goodbye.
And it came to pass that I found myself amongst others who like me were dressed in white shirts and black pants. And they did carry scriptures with them. And did speak many things. but only the things concerning this Christ and his Restored gospel. And This same message was taught to me as a young boy.
for I was born of parents, yea even goodly parents and there names were Doug and Sophia and I was there fourth child. and they did teach me the ways of the lord. That I might have a clear understanding of this truth and knowledge and that I might wax strong in confidence And be proud and bold in sharing it's goodness with others.
And it came to pass that I had many others who taught me the same.
And behold after these many things that I did learn as young man. I had found myself in the gated walls of a unknown great and spacious building called the MTC.
yea I was surrounded by these young men and also women. who in reality ,like me had no idea what they were doing, or what there full purpose was or what they were called to do. But I learned quickly. And I and this young but willing people where lead by the spirit of the lord.
And the building thereof was like a fortress against all the temptation and destruction of the outside world. And next to these gated walls, was a temple. Yea A place of refuge safety and a renuel of spirit, where we could learn and grow and become mighty instruments in the lords hands.
And thus being lead by the spirit, we did learn the teachings of this restored gospel, yea even the teachings of Jesus Christ, that in some time I would have to teach and testify for the welfare of gods children and there souls.
Now let me tell you somewhat concerning this Christ and what I knew of him.
I knew that he was the beloved son of god. And I also knew that he would come to earth and teach this gospel or this goodness, that would bring good tidings to my people, including myself. And I also knew concerning what the prophets of old had spake unto us, of this man and they spoke highly of him, including the prophets in mine days. I also knew that he did in reality atone for the sins of the world. And I knew somewhat that the only way we could be saved was by following him and his gospel and useing his atonement in our lives. But I had little knowledge of his atonement. Save it be Until Now.
And it came to pass as I learned these things in 3 weeks. I was sent into this large metal bird in which it was called a plane and it roared like the sound of thunder. and in this large metal bird there were people young and old and there were some that were called missionaries and thus we did enter this large bird and were lifted into the sky that yea even my beloved land Utah was gone.
And it came to pass as we did travel I did look out the window. and I did not see popcorn popping off the apricots trees. Instead I saw thick clouds covering what I once knew to be my home. nevertheless it was gone and as far as I knew, I would soon be somewhere else.
And after this manner of traveling. I found a large city filled with many inhabitants and this plane landed on the wicked land called Redlands California and did kick us out. That even it did soar into the sky and I and this young people where left there and wondered what do we do now.
Therefore let me tell you what I have done for 365 days.
And it came to pass that I did teach this people the gospel yea even the gospel of Jesus Christ.
And I did labored with this people, and did cry, and did rejoice with this people. And I did meet many who did indeed soften my heart and did help me to understand or gain a testimony, yea even a strong testimony of the exact thing that I had been teaching them, concerning this Christ.
And in the coarse of my 365 days. I had never seen so much faith in the land of this my people and I have never seen so much pain and strife and Never did I see so much destruction wrought upon the souls of them that I had or will labor with because of th sin and regret. therefore I am not done teaching and serving this people, I have not yet finished the work I was called to do and I am grateful that I will have more opportunities, thus more time to share this restored gospel, yea even the teaching s of Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice, that causeth us to have great joy in our lives especially in these... our last days.
And I do end this abridgment for now. But I must ask how could this work stop? how could there be an everlasting apostasy? It sturreth my mind and grieveth my soul to see such a wonderful people struggle with the explanation of the only given truth. The truth being this Christ. who in reality atoned for the sins and weaknesses of the world. As well as myself and my weaknesses and sins that do bring me down with chains even unto my destruction.
And it sorroweth my heart to see and ponder How this people can reject the truth and the truths of the prophets and there words yea even there dieing words, written in the scriptures for our day. including that book which is called the Book of Mormon testifying to the four corners of the earth, that Christ lives. that his church is once again established on the earth and that there is indeed a prophet called of him to testify and lead this people unto righteousness.
And how does a people like us leave the lamb of god to suffer, bleed and die and then leave him on a tree or an alter. Where his blood spilleth on the ground in vanity. it was meant for us to have life, yea even eternal life. to be fruitful and not dead in spirit or progression to make it back to our father in heaven. and yet so many have either forgotten him and have forsaken him. Leaving the son of god and his atoning sacrifice lifeless and in vain.
When he is the ONE, who can LIFT us HIGHER, MAKE us STRONGER, LOVE us BETTER than anyone else. When he can LIFT our BURDENS. When HE GIVES US ANOTHER DAY to BECOME and PROGRESS in spirit. when he CHANGES REGRETS and MISTAKES into HOPE and FAITH and another day to LIVE and follow him. Where he makes WEAKNESS turn into STRENGTH. it's BECAUSE OF HIM, we LIVE and PROGRESS and CHANGE into the children we were meant and PREORDAINED to BECOME from the very begin.
I am fortunate to have the gospel in my life and a loving savior who only yearns for our happiness and who went through it all so we could COWBOY UP!!!!!!! and KEEP GOING!!!!!! and I am grateful for parents. who willingly like the savior sacrificed there life for me and my sisters, where we could learn of the gospel and see the richness of his blessing brought upon the face of this earth. And I'm grateful I get to share it with others. And I'm so grateful for the friends and family and leaders who have taught me the same and have helped me to become as a stripping warrior, who will not go down without a fight. Like rocky says It's not about how hard you hit, it's about how hard you get hit and keep going, that's how winners are made.
And because of my savior Jesus Christ we are all Winners and we are all warriors and Kings and queens in the eternal kingdom of our loving father.
But it makes me ponder. what more can I do. What more can I share about this beloved son of our eternal heavenly father. what more can I do to share his love and peace, that I myself have expireicened in the days of my life. So really how can I bring Christ to life for this blind and stiff-necked people. For my spirit is willing but mine flesh is weak. but what can i do. What can we do. for the word called Christ and planting that word in us and in this lost people.
which leads me to this question is Christ within us are we doing everything to plant the Christ in us plant the seed where Christ can grow in our heart. are we doing everything we can to grow into him. and give place for him to grow into us.
Listen maybe this is what I have needed to learn and have learned this year and it's taken me this long to realize it. but we can't do anything save it to be truly happy we can't truly be happy or even live without Christ, his gospel and his atonement. It's impossible!!!!!! I have looked into the lives of so many I have seen people terrified of repentence I have seen people holding on to the past including myself and it destroys lives it destroys self worth progression and beauty in each individual which is what Satan wants I have seen people with regrets with losses and I have seen the suffering of many people scared terrified lost but I have also seen the joy of Christ and his atonement he suffered everything and because this message has been shared. I have seen lives fixed. I have seen the miracles of repentance. I have seen the joy of following the savior. And in myself I have seen a powerful growth, a stronger love for the children of men and a relationship with my god and his eternal son Jesus Christ. And I know that he is the Christ the savior and redeemer of the world.
this may be the hardest year I have ever faced in my life time. but I know this. This has been one year I will never forget and wouldn't trade for anything. All the pain and fear and inadequacies I faced and continue to face and we face in our life time. it can be transformed by hope by faith by love and patience and so far what I have experienced I have grained most of. I have gained a better understanding of the gospel of my savior Jesus Christ and his atonement and I will continue to learn his gospel I could go on about the blessings but I will share a couple of my experiences from this year.
I Remember my first days in Fontana and I remember a family that helped me in so many ways this being krista and joe and Joseph I remember the many struggles they faced but what I couldn't understand was the basic principle the doctrine of Christ and having faith in him leading them to repentance. but I remember that one experience that changed the outlook of my mission. the tears from this woman called krista was remarkable and I am greatful for her faith. because she strengthened my testimony when I was struggling when I was attacked when I thought I was a worthless missionary waiting my time. She changed me when she wanted to repent. the tears of this woman is undescrible and it was fulfilling. they were sincere and they were of truth this woman wanted the gospel. she still does. she wanted to be forgiven. she still is. my faith in Christ grew and I would not have had that experience. that moment of truth if I was not here on a mission with that person who in that day strengthened my testimony.
despite everything I've gone through all the trials and struggles of living to a name on a tag. that name becomes something of value something you would not want ripped from you and it grows continually. Christ has grown in me and it has grown in this people of Redlands California. not all but those who have accepted it and acted upon him. his word. For he is the word. he is the word to our salvation, he is the word to bringing peace and life. his word has grown in me and overtime it will be firm. that even the storms and winds of Satan can not overtake it and throw it down into the dust of the earth. But it will stand tall and be unmovable. And one day i pray and I know it will be for those that I have met in these 12 months and they will be firm in it. because I know there were many who needed the help of the savior, through the young men and woman called missionaries and I know that there were families struggling being torn apart, but the blessings of the gospel the peace and hope it brings has left them in a better place. And I feel that his work was accomplished in the hands of those called prophets missionaries members of this church we all are doing the work of the lord both elders and sisters and everyone else. And I know that he is the Christ the savior and redeemer of the world I have seen his light and his life touch the lives of others. his atonement is not dead or in vain, his gospel is not blotted out of existence. it still lives and it lives through the prophets and the scriptures that testify of him and his goodness. he still lives. he is not dead. and neither is the father. They both know who we are and they both love us
And I am greatful for that young man who took the time to kneel down and offer a prayer of faith. Jospeh smith was a prophet he was called to bring the work once again on the table to living a better life gaining a stronger relationship with those who fought and planned for our happiness because my god makes no mistakes and he knows who wins and we can know who wins because Christ did it. he accomplished it. he has already won and as a representative of him. I will also win. I will conquer the army of Satan and if I fall. I know Christ will be with me to pick me up so I can keep going. So I can cowboy up and continue riding for his name.
I'm greatful for the gospel and I'm greatful I have a chance to give it my all one last time. I'm greatful for all those who have been with me so far in this experience. I'm greatful for all of you who have given me strength and encouragement. I know that your prayers and fasting have helped me so much and i know that you are with me, behind me, supporting me, praying for my suscees, fasting for me and the success for this mission and all of gods army. I love you!!!
Id like to close with this.
I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed.
The die has been cast out. I have steeped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of his and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap loving and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised ,or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on his presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by priesthood power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road may be narrow. my way rough. my companions few, but my guide is reliable, and my mission is clear.
I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, dulled or delayed
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I am a disciple of Christ. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until he comes. And when he does come for his own, he'll have no problems recognizing me. Because My colors will be clear.
It's been one incredible year. And I'm grateful I get to ride for the brand.
For the brand of Christ.
-Elder Corbridge
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