Whelp...Looks like this will be my last blog post about my adventures in North Carolina. At the beginning of my mission I had the opportunity to be with another missionary for a short time who was going home in a week. While she was with us we stopped by one of her favorite members house. Their the member and the missionary talked about how she felt going home, and the member related to us how at the end of our mission it is very much like the ending scene from the "Lord of the Rings." This member would relate everything to the Lord of the Rings. She said, "And soon one day when you are gathered around a table with your old companions and people who you have served with. You will have the same look on your face as Frodo and the hobbits. The look of, nobody will truly understand what we went through." I can honestly say that nobody who hasn't served a mission could possibly understand what it was like. It is the most hardest, painful, and joyous experience I have ever had, and it is all worth it. I encourage anyone who is even considering going on a mission to go. It is an experience like no other that nothing in the world can compare too. I leave you with my testimony that I know this is the Lords work. And that we have been sent to this day and age to labor in his vineyard to help our brothers and sisters come closer to him and help them remember the children of God that they are. I love my mission, and I am grateful it has taught me that.
THE MISSION Author Unknown
A mission is a strange experience, It is a trial and a test.
A mission throws at you the worst, Yet, teaches you the best.
I've never been so happy, I've never been so depressed.
I've never felt so forsaken, I've never felt so blessed.
I've never been so confused, Things have never been so clear.
I've never felt my Heavenly Father so distant, He's never been so near.
I've never been so discouraged, I've never been so full of hope.
I feel I could go on forever, I think I've come to the end of my rope.
I've never had it quite so easy, I've never had it quite so tough.
Things have never been so smooth, Things have never been so rough.
I've never traveled through more valleys, I've never ascended more peaks.
I've never met so many nice people. I've never met so many freaks!
I've never had so many ups, I've never had so many downs.
I've never work so many smiles, I've never had so many frowns.
I've never been so lonely, I've never had so many friends.
BOY, I hope this is over soon, GOSH, I hope this never ends.
The other day my companion and I had the opportunity to go and have lunch with one of my favorite members in the world. He was one of the first members that I met when I started this journey and came to North Carolina. Him and his family have played a huge role in my transformation as a missionary and also in my life. This member would always ask us about something he would call, "a special moment". To his definition, a special moment is a moment that a missionary has while they are on their mission. A moment when you know that God put you specifically in the right place at the right time to have an impact on someone or to be impacted upon. This member always loves to go around and ask the missionaries about their first special moment and hear the wonderful miracles that happen around the North Carolina Raleigh Mission. To his credit, although this is not my first "special moment" Sister Buhler and I thought it was way too good of a miracle to not share it with all y'all. Here's to you Ron and Javita.
My companion and I where over teaching an investigator that we recently got in contact with, who I had previously taught over a year ago in Raleigh. We will call his name Mr. T. Although Mr. T is married, his wife was not feeling too well so we decided to have the lesson outside behind his apartment. In the back of his apartment their is a beautiful lake that has a trail laid out for people who live in the complex to walk around it. We set up some camping chairs that he had hidden behind the apartment's patio. Mr. T's wife and him always sit outside enjoying the beautiful scenery while eating something that Mr. T would cook on the grill. Right in front of their patio area is a beautiful garden that Mr. T had put a year's worth of work into clearing out leaves and other weeds to keep snakes and dangerous animals at bay. This is where we started our discussion.
We challenged Mr. T to read Alma 32 from the Book of Mormon last time we had been over. Mr. T had read all of what we assigned him and a little bit more. We were both so surprised and excited! Mr. T continued to point out to us his favorite scriptures in that chapter that we had given him. Explaining to us about how a seed of faith can grow inside of you if you exercise that faith and give it room to grow. We were both so shocked by how much Mr. T had soaked in knowing full well how intoxicated he had been the previous day when we assigned him that section. As we were talking about that chapter, a friend of Mr. T's came walking along the path that led around the lake. He waved to Mr. T and proceeded to come toward us to say "Hello." We asked the stranger what his name was and he told us it was Leo (name has been changed for privacy purposes). We invited Leo to sit in on our conversation as we continued to talk to Mr. T about the power of Christ's Atonement, and how it can help us overcome anything we are struggling with. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we believe in an event called the Atonement. The Atonement is three main events in Christ's life that he did for us that allows us to feel forgiven of our sins, made clean, and come closer to him. Through following the Gospel of Jesus Christ that he has taught us from the scriptures we have the ability to access this Atonement. The Atonement includes Christ's suffering at the Garden of Gethsemane, his crucifixion on the cross, and when he rose from the dead on the third day as a resurrected being. We believe that because of this wonderful gift God has given us, it allows us to become more like our Heavenly Father and develop attributes of His Son. Although we are far from becoming anything like Jesus Christ, our purpose in this life is to master our natural urges, and try to become better and do better each day.
Mosiah 3:19 "For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." The Book of Mormon, anouther Testmanet of Jesus Christ.
As we were sharing these things Leo kept making comments like, "I really feel like I needed this today." He continued to share with us that he walked outside and had not seen his friend Mr. T for a while, but that something was telling him that he needed to go and see how Mr. T was doing. He continued to tell us, "And maybe this is why. I show up and their are two strangers here with a message." Needless to say, we did not consider it a coincidence either that Leo decided to follow that prompting and come over. As we continued the discussion we read through Alma 24 where the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's in the Book of Mormon became converted to the Lord and made a promise to God to never shed blood with their weapons again. Not even to defend themselves. Mr. T began to be troubled and was worried that the story was telling him to not protect his own home when it is under attack. But before we could even respond to his concern Leo was their to silence his fears. Leo understood with clarity everything that the chapter had been saying. He was able to support what the scriptures where saying and share his personal testimony of why it made sense. It felt like their was a member present during the discussion. The whole time my companion and I just kept thinking, "wow, this person is super elect!" Before we ended the discussion we went over to Leo and offered to give him the Book of Mormon to keep if he wanted it. Leo got a big grin on his face almost instantaneously. He replied with a "wow, this is amazing. I have been praying that I would be able to get a hold of a bible. And now here I am with a bible in my hands." He was so excited to have a book of scripture. He followed his promptings and new with ought a doubt that God had led him to us to be able to obtain the Book of Mormon in his own hands.
And that my friends was a special moment. Even if Mr. T does not continue to progress or if he is always drunk and intoxicated when we go over, it did not matter. Sister Buhler and I in that moment could not deny that God had put us their for a reason. That we had to go to his house that day so that everything would align for us to be able to meet Leo. God works in mysterious ways and often uses us, his children as a way to answer others prayers. I am grateful for my mission, and I am grateful for this special moment as well as the thousands of others I have had on my mission. Knowing that this will not be the last, not as long as I live.
Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't had a chance to update my blog for a while. But when you are a missionary time just kind of fly's by when you are busy dashing from place to place. This last week at a relief society activity we had a chance to talk about stress and how so many of us put stress on ourselves in our life. Whether it is from the simple things to the big things. We as Latter Day Saint's are expected to fulfill our callings, take care of our families, a job, social life, make sure we are friends to everyone because we are an example, and be sure to share the gospel while we are at it! Whoa... that is a lot to take on. Their are more than that, but I just don't have the brain capacity to name all of the responsibilities we do have physically as well as spiritually. I get a little stressed just from thinking about all the things I have to get done before the week is over, and quite frankly I feel like their just isn't ever enough time to get it all done.
I was really grateful for this class and the activity because I have been feeling a lot of stress lately. I felt like this message couldn't have come at a more perfect time for me. It is important to realize that although all of these things we have to do are very important, we need to prioritize and live in the moment. What has to be done right now? Tell yourself that "all I have to do right now is...", and then do it. When I start checking things off of my list, I know that that helps a ton too. We need to realize that we are not perfect human beings and that it is OK. That is what this journey in life is all about. We came to earth so that we could grow from trials and struggles, and so that we could gain experience in the process. Our Heavenly Father loves us very much, and wants us to be able to progress in His plan to become like Him.
Now let's break that down. Become like Him. That even seems like a big responsibility when you think about it. The important thing to remember is that our Heavenly Father does not expect us to become like Him over night. He does not expect us to be perfect like Him tomorrow, the next day, or even twenty years from now. All that He does ask is that we work on a little piece each day. I know I am so flawed as an individual and I felt great peace come to me as I received personal revelation at that class. It is so true! God does not expect me to be like His Son tomorrow. I have every day, I have eternity to work on myself. That is what this life and eternity are all about. We have the opportunity to progress forever as we take the time to work on ourselves each day and make the correct decisions that our Heavenly Father wants for us.
The Savior asked us in the Book of Mormon "What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you. even as I am.". He not only asked us this in the Book of Mormon, but he also asked this same question in the Bible. Our purpose is to know Him, and come closer to Him by becoming like Him. He is our Savior and He is our example. I am so grateful for my Savior, I am grateful that I have an example that I can look to every day to be able to help guide me in my decisions and how I should interact with people. Even Christ learned precept upon precept, and so must we also. What joyful news to know that we have such great potential to become as He is. Our Savior knew this and so did our Father in Heaven. If only we could see each of us the way Heavenly Father and Christ do.
Don't forget though, although this is a lot of responsibility. We have the opportunity to work on it each day by just making small decisions. I would like to work on letting go of my pride because that is something I have way too much of. No matter who has wronged you or what you think you are entitled too, it doesn't matter. We must turn the other cheek as the Savior did. He was entitled to the Kingdom of Heaven and yet He came and was a servant. I know that as we follow Christ's example we will be given that strength to be able to prioritize more clearly and to accomplish all that our Heavenly Father expects us to on this earth. I know that this is true.
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new Creature: old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new."
With all of this hype and hupla about the New Year falling upon us, I asked myself "What New Year's resolutions do I want to have for the coming year?" I have even investigated this idea a little by asking members in discussions and lessons what they plan on changing in this coming year. Many of them joke and say "To go on a diet" some of them say, "I don't like making resolutions at all because I always fail them." The most prophetic answer however, was "I don't make resolutions because the moment I decide something is wrong that I can fix I just do it."
Why can't we just do it? Why do we as individuals need to wait a whole year when we can start today? We can start in July, we can start it whenever. Then why do we as individuals wait for a whole year to pass before we have the slightest motivation to change our nature?
If their is one thing I have learned from being out on my mission it is that the Atonement is real. It is a real thing. It is not just some fictitious story made up to amuse the masses and make the sinners feel better. It is real! Jesus Christ came to the earth and paid for our sins not just by being lifted up on the cross but also by the blood he sweat from every pore on Calvary. And what was the purpose of this? It was so that we could make the decision to change now! He did it so that we would have the opportunity to correct our mistakes and become new creatures born of God. But why did he do this? He did it because he loved us and he knew that it was the only way. I can only imagine what might have been going through Jesus's head as he begged the Father, "If thou wilt, take this cup from me." But he knew that if the Father did take away the pain, then their would be no way that man could be redeemed and return to live back in the presence of Heavenly Father. Therefore he came to the America's after he passed and rose from the dead. He ministered to the people in the American content and said:
"And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons (and daughters) of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled." -3 Nephi 9:17 The Book of Mormon, another Testament of Jesus Christ.
And all this was done so that everyone would know of the infinite gift he gave to all of us. The first gift of Christmas was not something bought at the store or anything that someone could have found online. The first gift was Him, it was our Savior Jesus Christ. Many people think about the first gift now and again. But what we need to remember was the second gift. The gift our savior gave us by dyeing for us and freeing us from these bonds of mortality. Because of Him we have the opportunity to become those new creatures. We have the opportunity to make those changes now and become His Sons and Daughters. Can you imagine that? Children of a God. This coming New Year I challenge all to reflect on how they can come closer to our Savior Jesus Christ and then just do it. The point is that we shouldn't be waiting a whole year to embrace a gift he gave us to use all the time. The Atonement is real. Let us embrace this gift and feel our Saviors love pour out to us as we strive to become more like His Son. I say this in the sacred name of my beloved Savior Jesus Christ Amen.
This week I have discovered a whole new love for Family History. I have always loved hearing about my ancestors ever since I was a child. I remember when I was growing up, Dad would always share a story with us about our ancestors. Or whenever we traveled to Grandma and Grandpa Slade's, Dad would always share a story he remembered about Great Grandma and Grandpa. I have come to really appreciate the name "Slade" from learning so much about my ancestors. The more I learn about the leadership and courage that ran through my family blood, the more I wanted to find out about other ancestors I had not heard of. My passion for Family History started at a young age. Whether it was listening to Dad tell stories, or getting dirty on road trips from finding their graves I always loved the adventures that came from learning about my descendants. Whenever Dad would tell a particularly funny story about one of our descendants, my ear would zone in. Particularly that of one of my Great Grandfathers William Rufus Slade. I always enjoyed his story so much because it involved a young 16 year old boy being bored to death in his school class, throwing a book at his teacher, and jumping out of the window to run away from home. Once he was away from home long enough, he changed his last name to his mothers maiden name. This name happened to be Slade. Our records never indicated why he ran away from home which is why I thought it was a random funny story. What crazy kid throws a book at his teacher for no reason and runs away?
Ok, by now you should be asking yourself "Why is she rambling on about a bunch of dusty old books?" First I had to express my appreciation for the work. And now, I will explain why it is so incredible. This last week my new companion and I had the opportunity to visit a family from our branch. I love this family to pieces! They are absolutely hysterical and I always feel so at home when I am around them. We don't usually have the opportunity to go over much because their daughter is a pro golfer (practically) and has golfing tournaments on the weekends. Anways, in a previous visit prior to this one I was talking to Mrs. F. when she points out that she has some "Slade's" in her family. I told her that it would be really neat if we were related but that in reality crazy grandpa Rufus went insane and changed his name to "Slade." A little disappointed from our visit Mrs. F. went to tell her mother (who loves family history) that they had a Sister Slade in their branch. Her mother was surprised and said, "Well we are probably related!" In a saddened voice Mrs. F. responded to her mother saying, "Probably not. She is actually a Slocum." Her mother, having done some Family History lately, informed her that they were related to Slocum's as well and began to give the account of my Great Grandfather. When we returned in three weeks to see Mrs. F. and her family she was overjoyed to tell me that we were distant cousins. I was overjoyed to learn that the family connection was that strong. No wonder I felt so comfortable in that house! Looking at how all of these events unfolded made me really gain an appreciation for Family History. If I hadn't paid attention to those stories as a kid then I never would have brought it up in the lesson with our member. I am thankful to my Dad for sharing these stories with me that helped me prepare for this moment in time. Only God would know that out of all the missionaries in the world I would be called to North Carolina, where I would be called to the Pittsboro branch specifically to find my cousin. It is a miracle, and it is no coincidence! God put's us in places for a reason. Sometimes it is for the person we are serving, and sometimes it is to learn something from someone who is meant to touch our heart. God is good, and he is all knowing. I am grateful to my God for giving me the opportunity to meet such incredible people in North Carolina. And for reassuring me that this is where He needs me for His work. We all have a purpose. Alma 37:6 "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass..."
I add my testimony to that of Alma that by small things great things are brought to pass. The Lord is using us as instruments in His work if we will let Him. Whether it be good or bad descendants, we can always learn something from the past. Learning about my family name and the history behind it has made me want to be a better person. It has made me want to live up to those great names that have come before me. If it be bad, it has made me want to strive harder to follow my savior and to learn from the mistakes that they have made. I feel a part of something bigger, and it helps me to feel close to those who have passed on. I believe we do Family History mainly for those who have passed on to have the opportunity to accept the Gospel in the next life. But also, so that we can become close to who they were as a person. So that we can recognize them when they are around to comfort us.
Lovetta Linea Anderson (my Great Grandmother)
and
William Rufus Slocum aka "Slade" ( my 4th Great Grandfather)
At one quick look you see the word "Chastity" and everyone freaks out going "eww..." and, "gross!" then you get a bunch of immature snickers from the peanut gallery in the back row who are still acting like high school teenagers. Yes, in this segment I will be addressing the issue of being morally clean. I will admit, this is a very touchy and awkward subject for me. Not because I have ever had any morality issues with the law of Chastity. Rather, because it is a very sensitive subject for all. I am not the only one that get's super uncomfortable when someone teaches on this subject. Or even, when I have to teach on this subject as a missionary. I am constantly praying for Heavenly Father to help me in those lessons so that I do not end up saying something really dumb like, "Look! Their is a box that covers this entire sections of your body. (Motioning above shoulders and end of knees) Just don't touch anyone's box and keep your own box to yourself and you will be fine!" Ya... I don't believe that approach would ever fully help the investigator to understand the purpose of the commandment to be morally Chaste.
This last week as I was preparing for "said" lessons, so as to not use the "box" method of explaining things. I had the opportunity to get a lot of powerful insights on what the law of Chastity truly means. And more importantly, why it is so important to our Heavenly Father. The following is just a few thought's of inspiration that I had received while studying the topic. I pray that this will give new insight's to why the Law of Chastity is so important.
Being Morally Chaste does not just mean that I agree to not have sexual relationship's before marriage, it is much more than that. To fully be living the law of Chastity we must also keep our thoughts, actions, and words in line with the savior. Always acting how he would have us act. Yes, dressing appropriately is part of this commandment, but that is common sense. To keep our thoughts in line, this means when we see something inappropriate or someone dressed immodestly do we choose to continue to look upon that image? Or do we turn away? Like King David in the Bible "And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his
bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon." 2 Samuel 11:2 How King David reacted to the situation at hand paved the road for his future. He did not turn away, but he continued to look upon her and fed into that temptation.The most important part is how we choose to react to the situation given to us. This situation will come to all, now is the time to make a choice on how we will react to pornography and other forms of inappropriate images. We live in a day and age where everyone teenager before they turn the age of 18 will come in contact with pornography as quoted in the September 2014 Ensign. Most importantly though, are we putting ourselves in those situation's? Are we trying to limit our risk's of coming across a situation similar to David's? Picking on King David one more time, if you go back to verse one in that same chapter you will notice that it say's, "But David tarried still at Jerusalem." David was not suppose to be their at that time. As King, he was suppose to be on the front lines of the war with his soldiers. David made a decision to stay behind, and as a consequence of such decision put himself in the way of being exposed to Satan's temptations. Now do you see how important it is that we make sure we are being obedient to all of the Lord's commandments? If David just stayed with his troops he never would have been subject to temptation and the unraveling of events to follow.
Lastly I wanted to conclude with a story that depicts why it is important to be Chaste in our words. First of all I wish to express my gratitude for my father. He is such a wonderful example to me of how someone who understands the law of Chastity in their heart and applies it in their daily life. I remember when I was about 17 and in high school. Mom was in the process of building a salon. My father offered to put most of the labor into the salon to help save money. It was the summer time and I didn't have a job so my dad had me tag along with him to help with some of the building and painting. When we got their my dad also had a few friends from his work that he asked to come help with the build out. While we where their my dad asked me to go into the back room to grab something. I remember hearing one of his friends make a joke to a few others including my dad talking about how with all of those rooms in the back it looked like "an underground Geisha house." My dad hollered back at them and said, "Come on guy's my daughters here." All I could remember after that was being so embarrassed from my dad telling him, "Why did you do that? I am seventeen, it's not like I don't know what those things are!" I was so frustrated because I just wanted to look like "one of the guy's" and by having my father say those things it made me feel like a delicate princess. I may not have been grateful then, but I certainly am now. It was my father's example that popped into my head while studying actions and words that apply to being morally chaste. My dad said those things because he was following one of the promises that we make at baptism. To live by the Law of Chastity, which includes thinking about our word's before we use them. I am grateful for my dad's example now. I am grateful that he gave me an example and a memory that I can look back on. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we made a promise to be morally Chaste at baptism. This promise includes keeping our thoughts and word's inline. Think about what you say before you speak it. Pay attention to what others are saying around you. All of these things are a part of living the law of Chastity. That is something I do not think a lot of us today think about. To conclude I just want to say that I know these things are true, and that I know that their is a spirit that follows when we strive to be EXACTLY obedient to all of the Lord's commandments.
For the last few day's my companion and I have been praying for God to give us a specific place to go to find someone that He knows, needs to hear our message. The other week that prayer was answered. The previous night in planning we had a whole hour left in the day that we had no idea what activity to fill the time with. I asked Sister Wilde if it would be alright if we said a prayer and asked God where he wanted us to be at that time. She agreed and we said a quick prayer and pondered a minute after it was over. Shortly after Sister Wilde named a street that we had only driven on once since we had been in the area. I agreed and we wrote down on our 8:00 slot "Nooe" St. The next morning passes and we rush to finish up our dinner appointment with some members because we know just how important that time was to God. We didn't want to miss a miracle if that is truly where He wanted us to be at that time. So we started walking from our house to "Nooe". When we neared the corner we saw Nooe St. about 10 ft in front of us. To the right of us was a big yellow house. We didn't know why but we both turned to each other and agreed that we needed to knock on the yellow house. We got to the porch and knocked on the door. To our surprise, a man in short's with a bare chest opened the door to us. He was very welcoming. We didn't even say two words before he said, "Ladies have a seat on the deck." He proceeded to tell us that he was very open minded and would listen to whoever would come and knock on his door. But that he was also brutally honest with his opinion. Soon, we found out that his name was Pete. He has a had a really rough life story and could really benefit from the atonement. He "knows" people if you get my meaning. We talked to him a little bit about the Restoration of the gospel and Joseph Smith's first vision. I had the opportunity to bare my testimony to him of what Joseph Smith saw, of how I know it to be true. And that I knew that the gospel had blessed my family and me so much that we wanted to share it with him because we cared. He appreciated the offer and willingly took a Book of Mormon telling us that we could come by in a week.
A few day's go by and we discovered that Pete read 103 pg. of the Book of Mormon in between our visit. Still he had nothing good to say about the world. Pete is very focused on all the terrible things going on in the world that he can not and does not believe in a loving God. "How could a loving God abandon us?" to quote him. Our second lesson did not go as well as we had hoped for. We spent most of the time trying to convice him of what we knew in the Book of Mormon to be true.
When we got home we both decided that the next time we went over to visit we would do less convincing and more testifying. The next time we went over, Pete thanked us for trying to "crack him" as he would put it. He told us about how a lot of people have tried but no one has ever come as close as we have before. He also made a brief comment about how we did a better job than "those two scraggly boys with the Elder tags on their chest." It made me laugh. It was a make it or brake it moment and I told Pete "Pete I just want you to know how much we do love you and do care about you, and we just really want you to have the same blessings that we know to be true." Pete appreciated it very much and told Sister Wilde and I that he really does genuinely love us too. My heart brakes for Pete because I truly do want him to receive the joy that comes with the gospel that I know to be true. But he has told us he just doesn't want it. I know that Pete care's about us, he walks us to our car and makes sure that no one is in the back seat every time we finish a discussion. He is constantly telling us that if anyone messes with us, to give him a call. I know that it was not a coincidence that we knocked on the yellow house that day. I know God wanted us to meet Pete. And although he is not jumping into the baptismal font right now, I know that we made an impact on him. I know that I helped him come closer to Jesus Christ in some small way and helped him feel the spirit. That was my part in the plan that God has in store for Pete. I love him so much and I can not wait for the day that I can go and shoot guns and use my compound bow with him. If you want to change the world, change someone's life. If you want to do that, then you need to be their friend. I thank God for that opportunity to meet Pete and pray that one day we will meet again.
I promised I would share a miracle so here it goes:
The other day my companion and I had all of our plans fall through, typical mission story right? The worst part was even our back up plans fell through. My companions favorite thing to do in the world is go tracting, naturally she thought this was a perfect opportunity. We tracted a street for about an hour but still had plenty of time. We both got so tired from being in the hot humid North Carolina weather that we started to walk towards our house with ought even telling each other where we were headed. We came to a point where we both turned to each other and said, "Where are you going?" We were both following the other person. My companion turns to me and tells me, "I thought we were going to tract the neighboring streets down their?" Which was in a completely opposite direction from where we were heading. I just laughed and thought to myself, might as well keep going if this is where the Lord wanted us to go. As we neared the end of the street I noticed an older lady out working in her garden. She had an unusual pair of short shorts on for a women her age. I turned my head only to see a very shocked expression on my companions face. I laughed and told her, "Well, are you going to contact her?" My companion let out a breath and said, "well now I have too!"
We got talking to the woman about her garden and it very quickly turned into a gospel conversation with ought us even trying. She is extraordinary, she is the most child like (submissive, thirst for knowledge) person I have ever met. Her name was June and she is from England with a very rich accent. She told us about how she was a Jehovah's witness but no longer practices that religion because "they were pharisees". She was very open to having us come over and teach her more about the gospel and what we believed. I am amazed at how prepared she is, and it just shows me once again how much God loves his children. He put June in our path for us to find. We were not meant to walk down that street that day. But God knew that we would, and he put June in our path knowing that she would be open to hearing our message. It has also taught me that you need to look past the "freaks!" You shouldn't judge a book by it's cover because you never know who is ready and willing to listen to the gospel.
I have now known June for a week and two day's. I have gone over to her house several times with my companion to teach her about Christ's gospel. She has accepted all that we have taught her with ought finding fault. Unfortunately she told us that she will be moving to New York in a couple of days. But June told us that she doesn't believe it was a coincidence that we met that day. She believes that God wanted us to meet, and wanted us to share our knowledge of the gospel with her. I know that God wanted us to meet June as well. I know that we came into her life at a specific moment so that we could help get her started in learning about Christ's church. I pray that she will continue to have that hunger for knowledge and seek out the church in New York. She was very ecstatic when we told her that she could visit Palmyra and Joseph Smith's childhood home.
oh... and apparently I am going to visit her one day when she moves back to England, or I will come see her in New York when I finish my mission. Ha ha ha, I love June she is the best and she will be missed. :)
So...this week Sister Wilde and I get a phone call telling us that they would like us to speak in our branch this Sunday. This is the result of said talk. Don't judge the grammar too much, realize that I do not have as much time as I would like to write it. I am still a missionary having to do missionary things. So it may be a little scatter brained. I suppose this is karma biting back at me since I threw Sister Dieter under the bus when we were asked to speak in Raleigh a few weeks back.
Forgiving Through the Atonement Pittsboro Branch 29 June, 2014
When I think
about trials I tend to reflect on what some of my biggest trials have been in
my life. One of my favorite stories in the Old Testament is that of Joseph who
was sold into Egypt by his brothers. His brothers betrayed him, plotted to kill
him, and he was stripped of his clothes. He later was falsely accused and
thrown into prison where he endured hunger and thirst deprivation. Joseph was a
man who endured much, however when the time came he willingly forgave. He
forgave his brothers the moment he revealed himself unto them, Joseph say’s “Now theirfore be not grieved, nor angry
with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to
preserve life.” Genesis 45:5. He not only forgave them but he comforted his
brothers telling them not to worry. Joseph knew his purpose and recognized the
plan that the Lord had in store for him. We do not always understand the
reasons or purposes behind our trials. But we can always center our mind on the
eternal perspective that all these things are for our spiritual growth and
experience. What I find so incredible about this story is that he had not just
one chance to take his fury out on his brothers but he had many more. In
Genesis chapter 50 Joseph and his brothers are sent to bury their father Jacob
who had passed away. In this chapter the brothers of Joseph start to worry that
since their father died Joseph would finally inflict his wrath upon them. In
the scriptures it tells us that Joseph recognizes their concerns and weeps. In
verses 20-21 of that same chapter Joseph say’s to them, “Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to
pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now thearfore fear ye not:
I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake
kindly unto them.” Joseph had a second chance to hurt his brothers, but
instead he chose to forgive them again. He was genuine and sincere, and offered
words of comfort towards the very people who once sought to do him wrong.
Joseph had power to bring the hammer down upon them. He didn’t have his father there
to judge and influence him. But still, even after his father’s death he still
chose forgiveness over anger, bitterness, and resentment.
I don’t think very many people
consider “forgiveness” to be a trial. At least I never thought of it as one
until I learned more about it from being out [on my mission]. I never realized
how poisonous and paralyzing it is to our spiritual growth and development.
President James E Faust said, “Forgiveness
is freeing up and putting to better use the energy once consumed by holding
grudges, harboring resentments, and nursing unhealed wounds. It is
rediscovering the strengths we always had and relocating our limitless capacity
to understand and accept other people and ourselves.” Forgiveness is hard.
In my opinion it is the center of all trials. When I was younger I use to think
it was easy to forgive, and I couldn’t understand why my parent’s had such a
hard time letting things go. I have learned that the older you get, the bigger
and harder your trials become. Life throws more at you as you get older. Things
that didn’t seem difficult at first become unbearable and impossible. But all
things are possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Benjamin F. Call
said, “As we look to God for the strength
to forgive and set aside our pride, fear, resentment and bitterness, we feel
hope and peace.” The Atonement covers it all.
Christ felt all of our pain, all of
our suffering and sorrows. He was betrayed by all, he was betrayed by people he
held dear to his heart. In St. John 15:13-14 Jesus say’s. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for
his friends. Ye are my friends…” He was betrayed by his closest friends.
Later in the scriptures Jesus goes
on to pray to our Father in Heaven by suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane
where he bled from every pore in his body. Imagine excruciating pain beyond
measure, covering your entire body from head to toe. But his torment didn’t end
there. When Jesus was taken captive to Pilate, Pilate knew he was an
innocent man and gave the Jews several chances to set him free by their own
choice. To which they replied “Crucify
him.” In St. Mathew 27:25, “Then
answered all the people and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.” They
didn’t care…When I think about my trials and then read from the Bible what
Jesus went through… I can’t help but feel like my trial is insignificantly
smaller. Of course our trials never go away and they never get easier. But
reflecting on the Savior and what he did for us in those times of great stress,
can create relief. Whenever I feel burdened I pay special attention to the end
of chapter 15 in St. Mark. In verses 17-20, “And they clothed him with purple, and plaited a crown of thorns, and
put it about his head, and began to salute him, Hail King of the Jews! And they
smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their
knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple
from him, and put his clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.”… They
drove nails through his precious hands. I can barely imagine how tired and weak
he felt. He felt it all, the worst thing that will happen to us in this earth
is small compared to everyone’s combined, which he felt. If you have
experienced betrayal… he felt that. If you have experienced loss, he felt that
too. His cousin John was beheaded but the savior still devoted his life to
serving others. He was an outcast, he was abused and rejected. He continues to
be abused and rejected today by all people. When Sister Wilde and I knock on doors
and different people tell us no. I don’t feel upset because they are rejecting
me. I feel godly sorrow because they are rejecting Jesus Christ. He is the
single person in the world who continues to be persecuted today. People are
still trying to hurt him.
If he didn’t endure that pain, the
trials, and afflictions, we wouldn’t have the light at the end of our tunnel. “He is the light and life of the world; yea,
a light that is endless that can never be darkened” Mosiah 16:9. He is our light, and I know that as we look
to him in our times of great stress, that he will help make our burden’s become
lighter. The scars from the past can never be completely erased or forgotten,
but they can heal. That is a promise I can make to you… If we let him in, he
will help heal us and make us stronger. This is already given to us as a
promise from Him in the Book of Ether. In chapter 12 of verse 27, “And if men come unto me I will show unto
them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my
grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they
humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things
become strong unto them.”
The power of the Atonement is
available to all, especially the healing power of the Atonement. The biggest
trial in my life right now in case you couldn’t guess already…is forgiveness.
It’s really hard to forgive someone that has hurt you so much. I know this, I’ve
been there, and I’m still there. But I am learning more about the healing power
of the Atonement. And the more I am focusing on it, the more I notice that
those scars start to heal inside of me. Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting what
has happened, it just means letting go from something that is paralyzing us,
and keeping us from moving forward. Lewis B. Smedes said, “Forgiving what we cannot forget creates a new way to remember. We
change the memory of our past into a hope for our future.”
I know that our Heavenly Father
loves us, and that everything we experience in this life is so that we can gain
knowledge and experience so we can return to live with Him again. I know that
the healing power of the Atonement can and will help all of us through our
trials if we choose to let it. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior, and
because I know that, I also know that he can comfort me in those times of trial
because he felt what I am going through.
In closing I would like to share one
last scripture found in the Doctrine and Covenants chapter 122 verse 7. The Lord
says, “And if thou shouldst be cast into
the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon
thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against
thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and
all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws
of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all
these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for they good.” I know that my savior lives, and that he loves me. I know that as we accept and pray for the strength to use the healing power of the Atonement in our lives, we will begin to truly feel our Saviors love for us. I leave this thought with you in the name of
Jesus Christ amen.
