Sister Julia Jeppsen: 4-15-13 Satan may be fighting "Good" CONTINUALLY- But God can "encircle [us] ETERNALLY in the arms of His love"

DAD MOM RYAN RACHELLE LIZA EMMA and my beloved brethren

So, as I have promised - I shall tell you a story. Here's one of God's bounteous miracles. One day, we were out working - and positively every one of our plans fell through for the evening. Oh how divine it was! We prayed and felt impressed to go knock some doors on a particular street that we had prayerfully considered. It was gorgeous, the sun was setting and the bright colors of green, blue, purple and white filled the street. We prayed fervently to our Heavenly Father, asking that those we would speak with would open their doors to us and that they would open their hearts - expressing their concerns, their desires, and their fears. And oh how He answers! The very first door we knocked, out came Emily - a mother of two young adults. On her doorstep, she began to tell us of the experiences she has had with different churches, the sorrows she has experienced and the fears that have developed as a result. As we listened to sweet Emily with love, and then listened to the voice of the Lord, we were able to teach her of the truth she has been searching for, the fullness she has been thirsting for. As the Spirit directed, we asked if we could come into her home to teach her more. She welcomed us right in and we had an incredible lesson! Heavenly Father loves her. She's a wonderful woman and a wonderful mother. How grateful I am for this privilege to learn and grow with her and with my dear companion Sister Bell.

The Anchas and Biggs are doing wonderful! Sonia was out of town this week, but we continued to teach her family - bringing with us some friends from the ward to join us in loving them with us. It was so perfect. I love them dearly. The Holmes are hanging on. I cannot describe how much I adore their entire family. I truly do respect and love them with all my heart. The adversary is working hard.

In General Conference, the Apostles emphasized the reality of Satan. In Moroni 7:12-13 we learn "that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him CONTINUALLY..." How often is the adversary working against us? CONTINUALLY. Nonstop, without ceasing, Satan is working to deceive, blind, and confuse us. CONTINUALLY he is working against us and against the Lord Jesus Christ. Our faith will be attacked, and it will be attacked CONTINUALLY. But oh how marvelous is the great and infinite Atonement.

While Satan attacks without ceasing, our dear, loving Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son reach out to us CONTINUALLY. God "inviteth and enticeth [us] to do good CONTINUALLY... to love God, and to serve Him" (Moroni 7:13). "He stretches forth His hands unto [us] ALL the day long" (Jacob 6:4), CONTINUALLY beckoning us to "repent and come unto Him" that He might "encircle [us] about ETERNALLY in the arms of his love" (2 Nephi 1:15).

We are not alone. I have seen the darkness of the adversary overshadow these people whom I love so dearly. I have seen trials and doubt, stress and fear creep in. But oh how my heart takes faith and courage when I remember that the promise of the Lord, Almighty. He WILL NOT fail us, NOR forsake us.

In 2 Kings chapter 6, Elisha and his servant were encompassed about by the adversary. They were literally surrounded by chariots and horses of these wicked men who sought for their destruction. How overwhelmed and lost could they have felt. The servant - a young boy, cried out saying, "Alas, my master! how shall we do?" Elisha, with his steadfast hope and great faith turned to his friend and said: "Fear not; for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." Then, he prayed. Fervently he asked, "Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see." "And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." We are not alone. If we but open our eyes and see, we may behold the glory of our God and King. There are angels round about us. He has not left us alone.

LOVE SISTER JULIA JEPPSEN