Elder Todd Cronin: May 19, 2011 Elder Cronin Shares His Testimony and is Loving 'Little Mexico'

Family,

I am loving being immersed in the Hispanic Culture. You may be questioning just as I did as to how immersed one can become in a state-side city. But let me assure you, it is an immersion. The language, the food, the families, the billboards, the children. Everything says 'Hispanic!'

Because I came to this area in the middle of the transfer the odds of me staying here next transfer are very high. As a result of this assumption I am doing my best to get to know the area and the people in case a new missionary comes in next transfer. My companion is doing great! His desires have been changing and the Lord is blessing him for his efforts. It's wonderful to see change. No matter in who it is. The best change to see, however, is the change that occurs in ourselves. The change that usually occurs is putting off the natural man. I was listening to a talk by Neal A. Maxwell the other day and he talked about putting off the natural man and what a challenge it is. I'm at the point in my life now that I understand that the natural man is not the only person to whom I can give an audience. When he starts talking, I look for a seat in the Holy Ghost's auditorium. And when I listen to the Holy Ghost I know that no matter what the topic of conversation or council, that if I listen and follow I can never go wrong. This is a never ending struggle though as, Elder Maxwell once said, "[The natural man] has a tendency to come back to remind us of our old selves."

The reason this church is here today, that Christ had need to propose a Plan to the Father, is because this opposition will always exist. The trial of this probationary state is for us to learn how to live with it. I love the council given to us to live in the world and not become of the world. I see both sides of this each day. Sadly the stark contrast is most evident between members and non-members, respectively. But the battle is beautiful. We win more often than not. The victories we have over the adversary come in all forms. The most tangible of which is helping others overcome their concerns. To see them put their concerns aside and move forward in the gospel is much like seeing a child take his first steps. And the great thing about those first steps is that the running comes shortly thereafter.

Family, I know this church is true. I know for myself. Yes, Mom and Dad, you got me going and my testimony was in majority part your testimony. But I now know for myself that this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the same Gospel he and his apostles taught in Biblical times. I know this not because it has been repeated to me since an early age but because I have fervently prayed to my Heavenly Father and asked whether it was true or not. And he has answered my prayer. Unfortunately the answer did not come as Joseph Smith's answer did but it came in my own way and it came. If you have not found for yourself that this gospel is true I invite you to ask the only person who can tell you, your Heavenly Father. And if you already know it is true we should continue to pray, letting our Father in Heaven know that we want to progress and learn more.

This is my testimony. I pray that it uplifts. I pray that it inspires you to share your testimony with others.

Love,

Elder Cronin