The Lazarus Principle

Do you have a favorite zone conference topic or talk?

I taught institute earlier this week (it was awesome to be with a group of returned and prospective missionaries!)

I told them a little about the Lazarus principle. That was one of my favorites. My epiphany after my temple visit and just prior to speaking was that we should never ask for something unless we are already doing everything we can to make it happen. And sometimes, that's the answer to our prayer. Not that the thing is wrong, but that we aren't doing all in our power yet to make it happen. One thing I learned on our mission, I hope you did, too, is that we are capable of so much more than we think especially when we are pursuing the right course.

Know. Feel. Do!

From Elder Gomez:

So you know the challenge you issued at zone conference?  We gave it a shot.  On Saturday we attempted to contact as many former investigators as we possibly could.  We got a couple that might be worth following up on.  So we were thinking... where is this person who is ready for the gospel that Sister Bassett promised us?  We had a baptism that night, which by the way was amazing, and the sister of the baptizee (is that a word?? :) ) really felt the spirit and decided that she wanted to learn the gospel as well.  So there you go, your faith was not in vain.  We did find somebody who is ready for the gospel... even though we didn't exactly find them the way we would have expected.

Sis Bassett

Well I have some amazing miracles, and one of them was the fulfilling of the promise that you made to us in ZLC, about the former investigators. We went through them and found a couple that we wanted to visit. The first one, Alma and Juan accepted us in their house, talked very highly of the missionaries prior, and we were able to teach the first lesson. It was amazing how much easier it was because they were already familiar with it, but also how willing they were to do things, such as read or pray. It looks like with the change in economy, they now don't work on Sunday and will be able to go to church. Also through other experiences they see more of a necessity to be baptised and come closer to God. It was amazing to see how just a few months later, so many changes can come into someone's life to make them more receptive to the gospel. Thanks so much for leaving that commitment with us, I know that we wouldn't have found them again if we weren't looking through the formers of our area book. It's been great to see the excitement in their eyes. 

 But, one of the biggest miracles and one of the best things that I have heard on my entire mission is that the family Parra, who Elder matsunaga and I were teaching back in July/August, now will soon be getting baptised. They were living on the streets, and the bishop found out and put them in a hotel, the relief society provided breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday for 2 weeks, and we passed by just about everyday, and at the end, the mom Margarita had a baptism date. But they had to leave, and lost contact, they got some other apt. and I never heard of them. I kind of felt that those 2 weeks were just wasted. But, then I heard that some sisters in Pioneer zone had found them and were teaching them, and now, the mom and son are getting baptized, and I get to baptize the son! When I heard that it was literally one of the most tender moments of my mission. It put to life the section of Preach My Gospel that says "No effort is wasted"  And I know that it was through the amazing help that they received through the ward relief society/bishop that their hearts were touched, and the spirit was able to enter their hearts, and now, they will be getting baptized. It's amazing. I just can't believe it. It's just really interesting how people get put in the right place at the right time. 

 

Elder Gleaves

An Encore Performance

Does this look familiar?
President did the focus training again and it was great. If I have more time tomorrow, I'll post a little more about it.

Stay Focused...no distractions!

Remember this one?

Clicking on the link should take you to the slide

show on Picasa where you can download individual pictures.

If it doesn't work, let me know.

Keep Your Eye on the Fencepost

"And Jesus said unto him,

No man, having put his hand to the plough,

and looking back, is fit for

the kingdom of God."