Elder Pead called us tonight to report a miracle he saw today. At our last zone conference, President Bassett made the missionaries a promise that if they would be obedient and apply the principles they were learning that day, they would see a miracle. He told them they would find 4 people prepared and willing to be baptized in the next month. While that has happened all over the mission, it is more challenging in some areas than others.
For example, we have three elders assigned to the American Sign Language (ASL) branch. They serve the deaf community in an extremely large area that actually incorporates all of our mission and the two other adjoining missions. It's difficult to find deaf people at all, let alone travel from one end of the valley to the other to serve them all. Fortunately for us, and the deaf branch, tremendously faithful missionaries serve there. Elder Pead calls more than any other missionary to tell me about the miracles he sees. When he called to report today's miracle, I knew it would be great.
They've been working hard over the last 3 weeks to live and apply the principles they were taught. As a result, they have been blessed to find a little family to teach with 2 teenagers and 2 preteen children. As they strived to teach as Christ taught, they've focused on serving this family. Knowing they won't have much of a Christmas, and not wanting to bother his family for money, Elder Pead saved some of his money (missionaries don't have much) and spent it on some treats for the kids. He's been eating light as a result (a big deal for elder Pead-he's one of the largest, strongest, missionaries we have with hardly an ounce of fat on him. He eats an incredible amount of food....) But still, he wished more could be done for this family. He has such a soft spot for children. He's been praying to find a way to help them have a fun 'kid' Christmas. Tonight, while they were with the deaf branch visiting the Christmas lights at the temple, a family came to him. They said they were laying awake thinking of this family and decided to make sure they had a great Christmas with some toys and a visit from Santa. They wanted to know if Elder Pead could come with them and help. He felt it an answer to his prayers. He was thrilled with that part of the miracle, and I know he's looking forward to it since he's still (and will always be) a big kid at heart. But the big miracle of the day came when one of the children asked Elder Pead if they could be baptized.
Their baptism is scheduled for December 27th. There's nothing better than a white Christmas!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
I can read this!
Two of our elders were teaching a woman at a member's home. They passed their scriptures to her and asked her to read a passage. She looked down at the scriptures and then looked up at them and said, "I can read this!" The elders didn't quite understand the significance of her exclamation until she explained. Earlier that day she had broken her glasses. Her eyesight is very poor. She was unable to see anything clearly. When they handed her the scriptures to read, she was going to give them back and explain, but when she looked down the words were clear to her. She was very moved by this experience and felt it was confirmation that the things she was learning and feeling were of God.
I can relate to this experience on a different level. Though in English, the wording of the scriptures is different from the way we use English today. When I first began reading, I felt I wouldn't be able to understand what was being expressed in a way that would have meaning for my life. Experience has changed that assumption. I have found that every time I read, I can glean something from these prophets that applies to me and strengthens my faith in Jesus Christ.
Why is that? Moroni, the last Book of Mormon prophet to record his witness of Jesus Christ, explained the reason. He said that he and his father, Mormon, had 'seen our day'.
Mormon was chosen by God to compile and abridge all the records of their prophets into one record in order to persuade everyone who would read it to come unto Christ. The accounts that would best help us with the obstacles and challenges from their day that would apply to us in ours were selected and included in the record. After Mormon's death, Moroni finished the task his father began and hid that record until God prepared and chose another prophet for our day. That prophet was Joseph Smith, and his first task was to translate and publish this record now known as The Book of Mormon.
This book and its testimony of Christ seconds the magnificent witness of the Bible. Moroni tells us how we can know if the record we're reading is true. He said,
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
I can relate to this experience on a different level. Though in English, the wording of the scriptures is different from the way we use English today. When I first began reading, I felt I wouldn't be able to understand what was being expressed in a way that would have meaning for my life. Experience has changed that assumption. I have found that every time I read, I can glean something from these prophets that applies to me and strengthens my faith in Jesus Christ.
Why is that? Moroni, the last Book of Mormon prophet to record his witness of Jesus Christ, explained the reason. He said that he and his father, Mormon, had 'seen our day'.
Mormon was chosen by God to compile and abridge all the records of their prophets into one record in order to persuade everyone who would read it to come unto Christ. The accounts that would best help us with the obstacles and challenges from their day that would apply to us in ours were selected and included in the record. After Mormon's death, Moroni finished the task his father began and hid that record until God prepared and chose another prophet for our day. That prophet was Joseph Smith, and his first task was to translate and publish this record now known as The Book of Mormon.
This book and its testimony of Christ seconds the magnificent witness of the Bible. Moroni tells us how we can know if the record we're reading is true. He said,
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
That last line, "by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things," is so important to me. These words have clearly testified to me that Jesus Christ is real. That He is the Savior of the world. Not only is He able, but willing to be a part of my life. He wants to guide me and my family back to our Father in Heaven. When my reading is regular (daily) and prayerful, the Holy Ghost gives me insight and inspiration-helping me apply the doctrines of the prophets in my life; doctrines such as faith, obedience, integrity, repentance, prayer, prophets, baptism, salvation. This book helps me to see clearly, to see the hand of God working in my life and bringing me ever closer to Him.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
A missionary people
Have you ever wondered why members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints [Mormons] place such a heavy emphasis on missionary work? One reason is captured in a hymn frequently associated with missionary work titled, "Called to Serve". The second verse begins,
"Called to know the richness of His blessing-Sons and daughters, children of a King. Glad of heart, His holy name confessing Praises unto him we bring."
Missionary work is sharing the joy and happiness we have in our lives with others. A prophet named Heber J. Grant once said, "...it is our duty above all other to go forth and proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the restoration again to the earth of the plan of life and salvation...We have in very deed the pearl of great price. We have that which is of more value than all the wealth and the scientific information which the world possess. We have the plan of life and salvation... The best way in the world to show our love for our neighbor is to go forth and proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ,"
These revised Junior mint boxes were handed out to some of our missionaries during a preparedness fair [the major emphasis of the event focuses on emergency preparedness, 72 hour kits, first aid...]. Fun idea, but great sentiment. The atonement of Jesus Christ was never meant to bless only a select group of people, but is intended and offered to all of God's children.
Everyone that is blessed with gospel knowledge then has the wonderful privilege and responsibility to share it with others. One of my favorite scriptures is found in Doctrine and Covenants section 88 verse 81 which reads in part, "it becometh everyman who hath been warned to warn his neighbor." When I read this scripture, I often change the word 'warn' to 'bless' as that reflects my feelings about the knowledge I have about God's plan of salvation for His children.
If a member of our faith invites you to meet with the missionaries to learn more about Jesus Christ, what a compliment! That invitation is a reflection of their great esteem for you and the overcoming of their own fears of how you might receive it. If your friend hasn't asked you to learn more, be brave and ask them! They're probably wondering if you're interested. As much as the world sees our faith as aggressive about missionary work, many members of the church are shy about sharing what they know with others. They understand how important the message is and so are intimidated about saying the wrong thing or coming across as less than sincere and blowing your chance to hear about it! Slowly, surely, we're doing better. Another prophet named David O McKay said "True Christianity is love in action. There is no better way to manifest love for God than to show an unselfish love for your fellow men. This is the spirit of missionary work." As we individually do better at becoming more like the Savior Jesus Christ that we follow, more and more,...hopefully, you'll have an invitation to learn more.
"Called to know the richness of His blessing-Sons and daughters, children of a King. Glad of heart, His holy name confessing Praises unto him we bring."
Missionary work is sharing the joy and happiness we have in our lives with others. A prophet named Heber J. Grant once said, "...it is our duty above all other to go forth and proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the restoration again to the earth of the plan of life and salvation...We have in very deed the pearl of great price. We have that which is of more value than all the wealth and the scientific information which the world possess. We have the plan of life and salvation... The best way in the world to show our love for our neighbor is to go forth and proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ,"
These revised Junior mint boxes were handed out to some of our missionaries during a preparedness fair [the major emphasis of the event focuses on emergency preparedness, 72 hour kits, first aid...]. Fun idea, but great sentiment. The atonement of Jesus Christ was never meant to bless only a select group of people, but is intended and offered to all of God's children.
Everyone that is blessed with gospel knowledge then has the wonderful privilege and responsibility to share it with others. One of my favorite scriptures is found in Doctrine and Covenants section 88 verse 81 which reads in part, "it becometh everyman who hath been warned to warn his neighbor." When I read this scripture, I often change the word 'warn' to 'bless' as that reflects my feelings about the knowledge I have about God's plan of salvation for His children.
If a member of our faith invites you to meet with the missionaries to learn more about Jesus Christ, what a compliment! That invitation is a reflection of their great esteem for you and the overcoming of their own fears of how you might receive it. If your friend hasn't asked you to learn more, be brave and ask them! They're probably wondering if you're interested. As much as the world sees our faith as aggressive about missionary work, many members of the church are shy about sharing what they know with others. They understand how important the message is and so are intimidated about saying the wrong thing or coming across as less than sincere and blowing your chance to hear about it! Slowly, surely, we're doing better. Another prophet named David O McKay said "True Christianity is love in action. There is no better way to manifest love for God than to show an unselfish love for your fellow men. This is the spirit of missionary work." As we individually do better at becoming more like the Savior Jesus Christ that we follow, more and more,...hopefully, you'll have an invitation to learn more.
Monday, April 21, 2008
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