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“We can always be happy through our own choices even though we are living far away from our native country and having difficulties in the local language,” Sister Rosana Soares emphasized the importance of putting ourselves in a way so we can receive blessings by keeping the Lord’s commandments however difficult our challenges may be. “A mother was reading the scriptures to her child. He did not appear to be paying attention. He said to his mother ‘Mom, I am sorry, but I was not really listening to you.’ The mother replied, ‘Oh, really. That’s too bad. But that’s alright as I am following the prophet.’” Sister Soares continued, “I read the scriptures. I do so not just because I want to become a good woman, but because I want to receive personal revelations. When I do the things the Lord asks, I can see how He responds to me according to my deeds. I would ask myself 'what would the Lord do in this circumstance?' I try to always keep His commandments so that I can receive personal revelations.”
Elder Soares said that God is bound to bless us when we live by obeying Him and keeping His commandments. “On one occasion, when my wife Rosana was pregnant with our second son, my family stopped off in Brazil during my Church assignment trip and stayed in an area we never visited before. We prayed and decided to attend a certain ward to participate in the worship service. When visiting the ward, we found there was an acquaintance of one of my associates who gave me his business card. On that evening, Rosana needed an urgent medical visit concerning her pregnancy. Having called the person who gave me his business card for help, we found that the bishop of the ward we attended on that day was a physician and more over his clinic was only two or three blocks away from the hotel we were staying at. Immediately, we were able to receive necessary treatment.”
Elder Soares encouraged all the Church members to always hold a valid temple recommend even if there is no temple nearby. “The temple is the most sacred place on earth. President Nelson has recently announced 27 new temples, including temples in Okinawa, Guam, and Brazil. Sometimes, we may not be able to go to the temple because of challenges such as work, health conditions, and so forth. However, please pray so that you may be able to go to the temple. Please study the words of prophets diligently, so that you can receive your personal revelations and better prepare for future challenges.”