Doubt destroys hope and is a great tool of the devil

Summer is in full swing here in Utah, and in Poland.  According to what I've heard and read, Szczecin has milder temps, but the humidity there is much higher.  And they don't have air conditioning!  He says they all just sweat all over the place all day.  He says it's all good, though, and everyone just deals with it.

He starts out his recording with quoting a scripture from the book of Jarom in the Book of Mormon.  He shares verse 11, "Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence; teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was.  And after this manner did they teach them."
Lance says that he finds that to be very cool.  That it shows the pattern of this church and is a good example of how we teach each other.  We have "callings" that are volunteer leadership, service, and teaching positions through which we exhort people to live more fully the Gospel.  He says as missionaries, they extend commitments to people to come to church, read, whatever it may be.  This is comparable to the scripture reference.
He also makes an interesting point from this scriptural reference.  He says that these people were a great example of affirming things (affirmations)..."persuading them to look forward to the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was."...there is NO doubt in their hearts that the Messiah was coming.  Perfect hope = affirmations.  I love that correlation!

He goes on to say that doubt is the antithesis of hope.  Doubt destroys hope and is a great tool of the devil.  Doubt is another type of fear...fear that things won't happen the way you'd hoped.  It leaves a person in a sad and anxious pattern of living.  Instead, affirm!  Put it out there as though it has already happened.  Then with steadfastness and diligence, you will have manifested your desire.  Which desire must always be in harmony with God's desire...or that desire will waste away and perish with the things of the "world".  Our desires need to be 100% in harmony with God so we can manifest endless blessings.  This is a Christ-like attribute.

Another scripture story he focuses on is the one about "the Stripling Warriors" found in Alma, chapter 56.  He believes this is another great example of what can be done when one does not doubt.  They KNEW that God will always deliver them.  See http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/56?lang=eng to read the story yourself.  It's a great one!

This week has been excellent, he says.  He speaks a lot about his current investigators.  One is a man who is currently dealing with cancer.  He has chosen to be baptized and they have a date set for next month.  Another one is a young man that Lance says has been great to help them with the language.  His baptism is scheduled for this week.  The married couple, he says, are awesome and progressing so well.  He says they are funny and cheerful.  The wife gives them food, which is always appreciated by the missionaries.  They are very excited for their baptism this week!  Finally, Lance tells us a bit of a young woman who has been researching the Gospel for a while.  She is currently praying for an answer and Lance feels like he has been able to give her some clarity through a couple of great lessons on faith.

He closes by saying that he is grateful for this mission and keeps us all in his prayers.