Friday, October 25, 2013
WE SHARE THE GOOD NEWS
EVERY MEMBER A MISSIONARY
Age: 24
Member for 24 years
Bio: I love to learn new things. Be it rock climbing, ballroom dancing, or ceramics, I'm up for learning just about anything.
Why I do Missionary Work: I've been blessed to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ my entire life. And while I've always known it's true, I've also had a really hard time sharing it with people, for many reasons. I've never really had a problem with other people sharing it, that's fine. (Go missionaries!) But doing it myself? No thanks. At this time in my life though, I feel like it's really important to have a testimony of missionary work, to understand why it's so important, and to have the courage to do it. I have faith that if I ask for a testimony of something, God will give me an opportunity to learn it. But I also have to put in the work and effort to gain it. I do missionary work, with the hope that I'll gain a testimony of the work, and the desire to freely share this Gospel, that has given me so much happiness, with the rest of God's children.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
SOMETIMES YOU JUST WANT A MIRACLE
"Hey guys, this is me. Just wanted to let you know that I am not going to make it to church today. I've really been working my butt of for this and I thought going to that baptism last night was going to give me some sort of confirmation, but it didn't. I'm really sorry, but I'm done with this." (29 September 2013)
Ashley is the epitome of a California girl: tall, skinny, blonde-haired, and easy going. How she ended up is the land-locked desert of Arizona is still a mystery to her. Sometimes we call her Ash-Bash. She loves it. Mostly, we just love being around her.
She has a little brother who is three. His name is Wyatt. Wyatt likes cars, cookies, and changing his pants. He is half Mexican but is as white and blonde as they come. He calls us "new guys." So does Ashley. We have been teaching her for four months. We are not new.
In June, three weeks after moving in to their new home, two Mormon missionaries knocked on her family's door. She answered and talked with them briefly because she is nice and open-minded. They shared with her a message about Jesus Christ and His church that has been restored to the Earth.
Ashley has not had a positive experience with organized religion in the past. It has been a hard transition to learn about and act on what we have been teaching her. She has not attended church regularly in years, she rarely read her scriptures, and only prayed when things were really bad. Now she is doing all of those things regularly. She never misses an appointment, she keeps her commitments, and she really has a desire to know truth and to believe what we are teaching her about God's plan for us. She is incredible.
However, even with prayer and study, she feels as though God is not directing her. At times she is still unsure if he is involved in her life or even exists.
Last week, after much thought and prayer, we presented her with this plan: For two more weeks, give it everything you have got. Pray and read from the Book of Mormon daily and with real intent to act on promptings you receive. Attend church, institute (a weekly scripture study class), and other church activities. Show faith by working towards a baptismal date on October 26th.
So far nothing has changed drastically. We meet with her everyday and share what we believe and why. She has not had any confirmation that she is on the right path. However, she know that what she is doing is not bad and that she has grown to understand Christ and his Atonement more, and so she is faithfully working towards her baptismal date.
I don't know what will happen. But I do know that God has a plan for Ashley and everyone else in the world. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Christ's true church on the earth. With faith, fasting, and prayer Ashley will receive answers to her prayers--when it is the best for her.
She has a little brother who is three. His name is Wyatt. Wyatt likes cars, cookies, and changing his pants. He is half Mexican but is as white and blonde as they come. He calls us "new guys." So does Ashley. We have been teaching her for four months. We are not new.
In June, three weeks after moving in to their new home, two Mormon missionaries knocked on her family's door. She answered and talked with them briefly because she is nice and open-minded. They shared with her a message about Jesus Christ and His church that has been restored to the Earth.
Ashley has not had a positive experience with organized religion in the past. It has been a hard transition to learn about and act on what we have been teaching her. She has not attended church regularly in years, she rarely read her scriptures, and only prayed when things were really bad. Now she is doing all of those things regularly. She never misses an appointment, she keeps her commitments, and she really has a desire to know truth and to believe what we are teaching her about God's plan for us. She is incredible.
However, even with prayer and study, she feels as though God is not directing her. At times she is still unsure if he is involved in her life or even exists.
Last week, after much thought and prayer, we presented her with this plan: For two more weeks, give it everything you have got. Pray and read from the Book of Mormon daily and with real intent to act on promptings you receive. Attend church, institute (a weekly scripture study class), and other church activities. Show faith by working towards a baptismal date on October 26th.
So far nothing has changed drastically. We meet with her everyday and share what we believe and why. She has not had any confirmation that she is on the right path. However, she know that what she is doing is not bad and that she has grown to understand Christ and his Atonement more, and so she is faithfully working towards her baptismal date.
I don't know what will happen. But I do know that God has a plan for Ashley and everyone else in the world. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Christ's true church on the earth. With faith, fasting, and prayer Ashley will receive answers to her prayers--when it is the best for her.
Friday, October 11, 2013
THE HOLY TEMPLE
If we hadn't fully awoken, the brisk, 3am desert air did the trick. We do the usual: 20 minute run, 10 minute strength training, shower, pray, work. Today we are working at the Temple.
The Mesa, Arizona Temple is outside of our mission's geographic boundaries. Because of this, we have to get special permission to attend. We also scheduled a time to go that would not interfere with our proselyting--we figured 5am wouldn't be a very popular hour to teach. Or to be awake for that matter.
Erin, our good friend, drives us the hour stretch from Phoenix to Mesa. The sleepy city seems to mimic the car ride. We each prepare to enter the Lord's House.
It is a small sacrifice to make compared to those who have sacrificed their jobs, homes, and lives to receive the blessings of the temple. Read More
"In the temple we are taught, we make covenants, and we are promised blessings. We receive ordinances that enable us to live in the presence of God." -What Happens in Mormon Temples
"No work is more of a protection to this church than temple work and the genealogical research that supports it. No work is more spiritually refining. No work we do gives us more power. No work requires a higher standard of righteousness. Our labors in the temple cover us with a shield and a protection, both individually and as a people. So come to the temple—come and claim your blessings. It is a sacred work." Elder Boyd K. Packer: The Holy Temple
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| My amazing companion Sister Carrigan |
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| Erin: She is adorable |
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
MEXICAN FOOD AND MISSIONS
YOMO.
On Saturday we went to a birthday party for Sunny who is of Mexican decent. We were told it was "just a small party with some cake. Nothing fancy or big."
So, having already eaten dinner, we of course walk into a giant family party with this delicious pot of Posole Rojo. At first I served myself a small portion and sat down. Upon looking at my bowl, Sunny's mother grabbed my dish, shook her head and showed it to the family. They all readily agreed I did not know how to serve my own food. She then preceded to re-serve my dish with a heaping serving
and about 87 different toppings. It was worth it.
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Another thing that comes with working in this largely Hispanic culture is much kindness. They are such a fun-loving and caring people. They are not judgmental and will talk to anyone. We really appreciate that when many people ignore us, or rudely decline our message.
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you." -Ephesians 4:32
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Thursday, October 3, 2013
"JOY OF LIFE"
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"Still so much in our reach...
"Every time we open our eyes,
we can see the goodness that surrounds us...
"Moving forward,
strong and hopeful.
Loving what we find."
-Savannah Liechty and Hayden Gillies
TRIAL OF YOUR FAITH
Today a close friend and member of my faith wrote to me that she is "no longer religious." It devastated me. My initial reaction was a desire to jump on a plane and fly home and tell her that it's ok. That God lives and loves us. That the gospel she has embraced her whole life is true. I love her so much, and know the happiness that she is leaving behind.
But I can't go home. And it is certainly not my place to tell her what she should believe or how she feels. I did, however, write her my testimony. In response, I received a very hurt plea for me to be as understanding to her beliefs as she is to mine. I completely respected her response and knew that I had not treated the situation with as much sensitivity as it deserved.
In the October 2013 General Conference, Elder Uchtdorf spoke of situations like these:
"The search for truth has led millions of people to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, there are some who leave the Church they once loved. One might ask, “If the gospel is so wonderful, why would anyone leave?”
"Sometimes we assume it is because they have been offended or lazy or sinful. Actually, it is not that simple. In fact, there is not just one reason that applies to the variety of situations. Some of our dear members struggle for years with the question whether they should separate themselves from the Church.
"In this Church that honors personal agency so strongly, that was restored by a young man who asked questions and sought answers, we respect those who honestly search for truth. It may break our hearts when their journey takes them away from the Church we love and the truth we have found, but we honor their right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience, just as we claim that privilege for ourselves...
"The search for truth has led millions of people to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, there are some who leave the Church they once loved. One might ask, “If the gospel is so wonderful, why would anyone leave?”
But I can't go home. And it is certainly not my place to tell her what she should believe or how she feels. I did, however, write her my testimony. In response, I received a very hurt plea for me to be as understanding to her beliefs as she is to mine. I completely respected her response and knew that I had not treated the situation with as much sensitivity as it deserved.
In the October 2013 General Conference, Elder Uchtdorf spoke of situations like these:
"The search for truth has led millions of people to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, there are some who leave the Church they once loved. One might ask, “If the gospel is so wonderful, why would anyone leave?”
"Sometimes we assume it is because they have been offended or lazy or sinful. Actually, it is not that simple. In fact, there is not just one reason that applies to the variety of situations. Some of our dear members struggle for years with the question whether they should separate themselves from the Church.
"In this Church that honors personal agency so strongly, that was restored by a young man who asked questions and sought answers, we respect those who honestly search for truth. It may break our hearts when their journey takes them away from the Church we love and the truth we have found, but we honor their right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience, just as we claim that privilege for ourselves...
"The search for truth has led millions of people to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, there are some who leave the Church they once loved. One might ask, “If the gospel is so wonderful, why would anyone leave?”
"Sometimes we assume it is because they have been offended or lazy or sinful. Actually, it is not that simple. In fact, there is not just one reason that applies to the variety of situations. Some of our dear members struggle for years with the question whether they should separate themselves from the Church.
"In this Church that honors personal agency so strongly, that was restored by a young man who asked questions and sought answers, we respect those who honestly search for truth. It may break our hearts when their journey takes them away from the Church we love and the truth we have found, but we honor their right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience, just as we claim that privilege for ourselves...
"To those who have separated themselves from the Church, I say, my dear friends, there is yet a place for you here. Come and add your talents, gifts, and energies to ours. We will all become better as a result. "Some might ask, “But what about my doubts?” It’s natural to have questions—the acorn of honest inquiry has often sprouted and matured into a great oak of understanding. There are few members of the Church who, at one time or another, have not wrestled with serious or sensitive questions. One of the purposes of the Church is to nurture and cultivate the seed of faith—even in the sometimes sandy soil of doubt and uncertainty. Faith is to hope for things which are not seen but which are true.
"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters—my dear friends—please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. We must never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Some might say, “I just don’t fit in with you people in the Church.” If you could see into our hearts, you would probably find that you fit in better than you suppose. You might be surprised to find that we have yearnings and struggles and hopes similar to yours. Your background or upbringing might seem different from what you perceive in many Latter-day Saints, but that could be a blessing. Brothers and sisters, dear friends, we need your unique talents and perspectives. The diversity of persons and peoples all around the globe is a strength of this Church."
-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Come, Join with Us
"In this Church that honors personal agency so strongly, that was restored by a young man who asked questions and sought answers, we respect those who honestly search for truth. It may break our hearts when their journey takes them away from the Church we love and the truth we have found, but we honor their right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience, just as we claim that privilege for ourselves...
"To those who have separated themselves from the Church, I say, my dear friends, there is yet a place for you here. Come and add your talents, gifts, and energies to ours. We will all become better as a result. "Some might ask, “But what about my doubts?” It’s natural to have questions—the acorn of honest inquiry has often sprouted and matured into a great oak of understanding. There are few members of the Church who, at one time or another, have not wrestled with serious or sensitive questions. One of the purposes of the Church is to nurture and cultivate the seed of faith—even in the sometimes sandy soil of doubt and uncertainty. Faith is to hope for things which are not seen but which are true.
"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters—my dear friends—please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. We must never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Some might say, “I just don’t fit in with you people in the Church.” If you could see into our hearts, you would probably find that you fit in better than you suppose. You might be surprised to find that we have yearnings and struggles and hopes similar to yours. Your background or upbringing might seem different from what you perceive in many Latter-day Saints, but that could be a blessing. Brothers and sisters, dear friends, we need your unique talents and perspectives. The diversity of persons and peoples all around the globe is a strength of this Church."
-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Come, Join with Us
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