Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Missionary Monday!
I'm going to try something new. I was interviewed a few weeks back by a sister who also had a blog dedicated to mission prep. I decided to be cool like her so I asked a few future sister missionaries who have been called to serve in the Pennsylvania Philadelphia mission to answer a few questions about how they've been preparing for their missions. "Missionary Monday" has a nice ring to it, so Mondays will be the day I post their interviews. I only got responses from two sisters which works out quite nicely since I only have 2 Mondays left anyway. I'm sort of too excited to do this. :)
Beauty
This might not directly relate to missionary work, but it is a beautiful message. It is definitely worth sharing.
This is a video that a group of young men for their young women after hearing President Monson say the the following: "A woman needs to be told she is beautiful, valued, worthwhile."
We love the young men of the Church. :)
Monday, April 15, 2013
Cool Picture? Yes.
The lad on the left left (hahaha - left left, that sounds funny) on his mission a year ago. The lad in the middle left on his mission almost 3 months ago. And that lass on the right, (me) she leaves on her mission in 2 weeks and a day. When this picture was taken I had no idea we'd all be out on missions at the same time. I've known both these boys for years and they're fantastic. This photo just got a bajillion times more awesome. :D
John Bytheway's "5 Scriptures That Will Help You Get Through Almost Anything"
As I was traveling down to St. George a couple weeks ago, I was listening to a CD by John Bytheway titled "5 Scriptures That Will Help You Get Through Almost Anything." I'd listened to it before but that was a long time ago so I decided to give it another go. I get car-sick when I read or write in the car, so I decided to listen to it again a couple days ago. I decided to write a blog post about it and put up a link to where you can buy or download the CD but I found this link to a condensed version of this talk instead, which I think is also great because you'll have this as well. There are things that were said on the CD that weren't included in this article in the New Era (obviously since it's a condensed version..) but there were some things in this condensed version that weren't said on the CD. If you don't have the CD, I highly recommend getting it. It is extremely applicable to missionaries. You will either have these questions yourself in your lifetime, or you will be approached by someone else who wants to know the answers. You should get this CD!!
Why do bad things happen to good people? Find the answers in the book where the answers will never change.
1. 1 Nephi 11:17 WE KNOW THAT GOD LOVES HIS CHILDREN
- We don't know everything. I'll be the first to admit that. We don't know how things will turn out, we don't have all the answers. But from this scripture, we KNOW that God loves His children.
- Sometimes challenges arise because of our disobedience. That is true. But it is also true that adversity is just part of life. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. If you know and learn nothing else, know that God loves you.
"God already knows what we’re made of, but perhaps He wants us to learn what we’re made of. I think we would all agree that we learn more from our tough times than from our easy times. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. We don’t know the meaning of all things, but we know God loves His children! And because He loves us, He will never desert us."
2. Moses 7:26-33 WE KNOW THAT GOD ALLOWS EVIL TO EXIST IN THIS WORLD
- God allows us to have our agency. If He didn't allow us our agency, His plan wouldn't be perfect. It would be corrupt, broken, and unjust. It would be pointless. The war in Heaven was fought over our agency. "Agency is essential to the Plan of Happiness" (Elder Quintin L. Cook, General Conference, April 2013).
- Enoch witnesses a vision of Satan looking upon the world and laughing. He also sees God looking down on the world, weeping. Enoch asks God: “How is it that thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, and from all eternity to all eternity?” God replies: “Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency;
“And unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood” (Moses 7:32-33). This scripture also shows us the God loves His children. He weeps when we make bad decisions and love not one another, as He commanded. When we serve each other, we are serving God. He is sad when we don't do as he commands. But He allows agency, which allows man to sin. Because man was given agency, we were also give the gift of Jesus Christ's Atonement, which saves us from sin. As Elder Hafen put it in his book titled "Eve Heard All These Things": Because of "the Atonement of Jesus Christ, [we may] learn from our experience without being condemned by that experience" (p. 32).
But how often has God saved you from tragedy? How many times has he stopped something in its tracks before it had a chance to become worse? We won't know in this life. There is a line between what God causes and what God permits.
"Many of the bad things that happen are contrary to God’s will. But remember that man’s will is temporary, and ultimately God’s will is what will be done."
"The plan of happiness allows for agency, and therefore it also allows for evil. There is no flaw in the plan."
3. Alma 14:13 OUR WORK IS NOT FINISHED
- Alma and Amulek taught the people of Ammonihah, and what occurred there was a horrible scene. Women and children were thrown into a bonfire by men who reacted badly to what Alma and Amulek were preaching. They forced these two missionaries to watch. Amulek wondered aloud how they could go on witnessing such an occurrance and Alma responded: "The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory.” Amulek then says: “Perhaps they will burn us also.” Alma replies with: "“Be it according to the will of the Lord. But, behold, our work is not finished; therefore they burn us not” (Alma 14:10-13). John Bytheway quotes another on the CD saying: "No righteous person is taken before his time."
"After making such a statement, the obvious question becomes, what about those who die in such tragedies? Does that mean their work is finished? Perhaps their work on earth is finished, but apparently there is more work to do in the spirit world."
(I love this next part he added and how it compares with missionary work here on the earth!!):
"Death is just another milepost in the plan of salvation. One mission president noted the sadness experienced by families who send a missionary out into the field. He also observed the great joy experienced by the mission president and his wife as they welcome a new missionary into their area. The very same event brings different feelings to different people depending on where they are. Similarly, those who are left behind feel sadness at the passing of their loved one, but there is great joy in the spirit world as the departed spirit enters into the next phase of his or her eternal existence."
- Many wonder about the death of children, and why they are taken to early in this life. The prophet Joseph Smith said: "The Lord takes many away even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again.... All children are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and the moment that children leave this world, they are taken to the bosom of Abraham. The only difference between the old and young dying is, one lives longer in heaven and eternal light and glory than the other, and is freed a little sooner from this miserable wicked world” (Joseph Smith, Teachings, p. 196-197).
"... don’t let this tragedy define your life! You still have your own mission. Like Alma and Amulek, perhaps you were spared because your work is not finished!"
4. Alma 7:11-12 THE ATONEMENT IS NOT JUST FOR SINNERS
- Sometimes, bad things that happen to us are because of someone else's actions, or they just happen. We have no control of it. If you read Alma 7:11-12, you'll notice that the word "sin" is nowhere to be found. Christ did not only suffer for our sins. He also suffered for things that happen to us that we may have no control over. (Pains, afflictions, temptations, sicknesses, and infirmities.)
- Tragedies like the women and children being thrown into the fire, shootings, bombings, September 11... they affect a lot of people that aren't directly involved. How do we move past that? How do we deal with it? These are usually times where many people question how God could allow something like this to happen. If we keep an eternal perspective and understand that God's will is what will happen, not necessarily that God caused such a thing, but that His will is what will happen, we can rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ to pull us through.
5. D&C 101:32-36 ONE DAY, THE LORD WILL REVEAL ALL THINGS
- We don't know all things in this life, and we don't need to. If we did, we would know the answers to everything. A good example of this is a patriarchal blessing. The promises made to you in your patriarchal blessing are conditional, of course- they depend on your faithfulness and righteousness. But some things stated in a patriarchal blessing occur in this life, some things don't. Sometimes it's a continuous journey and something that began here continues after you've left this life. We just don't know everything and why everything happens. I think the question "WHY?" is the most sought after question in the universe. Scientists, physicists, doctors, politicians, everyone wants to know "Why?" We have to face the fact that we may never know in this life. Some things are explained, some things aren't, and some things that you thought were fact are proven different. God will reveal all things in His own time.
“And all they who suffer persecution for my name, and endure in faith, though they are called to lay down their lives for my sake yet shall they partake of all this glory.
“Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full” (D&C 101:35-36).
The Ultimate Answer
- The scriptures lead to the Savior. They testify of Him. The Scriptures can't get us through everything, just almost everything. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can help us through absolutely everything. The scriptures can certainly help and point us in the right direction but they are not everything. The scriptures lead us to Him. The way to be happy is through Christ. Satan would have you believe there is another way to be happy but the truth is, there isn't. We find joy in the Lord. He was tempted by Satan, yet He remains without sin. He atoned for us, He knows us better than we know ourselves. He can help us through anything and everything.
"Because of Jesus Christ, we can remove the word “almost.” Jesus didn’t almost conquer death and hell; He conquered it. Jesus didn’t almost accomplish the infinite and eternal Atonement; He accomplished it."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These scriptures are critical to missionary work. Tragedies happen every day. We want to know the answers to all things. We mess up, we sin. We see evil all the time. But when we know that God loves us, that He allows evil in the world in order for us to grow and experience life, to decide for ourselves what path we will choose, that we have a purpose here on earth, that the work goes on, that we can become better people through the Atonement, that we can use it to overcome our personal trials and that one day all things will be made known, and remember that the Savior suffered all things on our behalf, that through Him we are saved, we can make it through EVERYTHING.
Why do bad things happen to good people? Find the answers in the book where the answers will never change.
1. 1 Nephi 11:17 WE KNOW THAT GOD LOVES HIS CHILDREN
- We don't know everything. I'll be the first to admit that. We don't know how things will turn out, we don't have all the answers. But from this scripture, we KNOW that God loves His children.
- Sometimes challenges arise because of our disobedience. That is true. But it is also true that adversity is just part of life. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. If you know and learn nothing else, know that God loves you.
"God already knows what we’re made of, but perhaps He wants us to learn what we’re made of. I think we would all agree that we learn more from our tough times than from our easy times. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. We don’t know the meaning of all things, but we know God loves His children! And because He loves us, He will never desert us."
2. Moses 7:26-33 WE KNOW THAT GOD ALLOWS EVIL TO EXIST IN THIS WORLD
- God allows us to have our agency. If He didn't allow us our agency, His plan wouldn't be perfect. It would be corrupt, broken, and unjust. It would be pointless. The war in Heaven was fought over our agency. "Agency is essential to the Plan of Happiness" (Elder Quintin L. Cook, General Conference, April 2013).
- Enoch witnesses a vision of Satan looking upon the world and laughing. He also sees God looking down on the world, weeping. Enoch asks God: “How is it that thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, and from all eternity to all eternity?” God replies: “Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency;
“And unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood” (Moses 7:32-33). This scripture also shows us the God loves His children. He weeps when we make bad decisions and love not one another, as He commanded. When we serve each other, we are serving God. He is sad when we don't do as he commands. But He allows agency, which allows man to sin. Because man was given agency, we were also give the gift of Jesus Christ's Atonement, which saves us from sin. As Elder Hafen put it in his book titled "Eve Heard All These Things": Because of "the Atonement of Jesus Christ, [we may] learn from our experience without being condemned by that experience" (p. 32).
But how often has God saved you from tragedy? How many times has he stopped something in its tracks before it had a chance to become worse? We won't know in this life. There is a line between what God causes and what God permits.
"Many of the bad things that happen are contrary to God’s will. But remember that man’s will is temporary, and ultimately God’s will is what will be done."
"The plan of happiness allows for agency, and therefore it also allows for evil. There is no flaw in the plan."
3. Alma 14:13 OUR WORK IS NOT FINISHED
- Alma and Amulek taught the people of Ammonihah, and what occurred there was a horrible scene. Women and children were thrown into a bonfire by men who reacted badly to what Alma and Amulek were preaching. They forced these two missionaries to watch. Amulek wondered aloud how they could go on witnessing such an occurrance and Alma responded: "The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory.” Amulek then says: “Perhaps they will burn us also.” Alma replies with: "“Be it according to the will of the Lord. But, behold, our work is not finished; therefore they burn us not” (Alma 14:10-13). John Bytheway quotes another on the CD saying: "No righteous person is taken before his time."
"After making such a statement, the obvious question becomes, what about those who die in such tragedies? Does that mean their work is finished? Perhaps their work on earth is finished, but apparently there is more work to do in the spirit world."
(I love this next part he added and how it compares with missionary work here on the earth!!):
"Death is just another milepost in the plan of salvation. One mission president noted the sadness experienced by families who send a missionary out into the field. He also observed the great joy experienced by the mission president and his wife as they welcome a new missionary into their area. The very same event brings different feelings to different people depending on where they are. Similarly, those who are left behind feel sadness at the passing of their loved one, but there is great joy in the spirit world as the departed spirit enters into the next phase of his or her eternal existence."
- Many wonder about the death of children, and why they are taken to early in this life. The prophet Joseph Smith said: "The Lord takes many away even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again.... All children are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and the moment that children leave this world, they are taken to the bosom of Abraham. The only difference between the old and young dying is, one lives longer in heaven and eternal light and glory than the other, and is freed a little sooner from this miserable wicked world” (Joseph Smith, Teachings, p. 196-197).
"... don’t let this tragedy define your life! You still have your own mission. Like Alma and Amulek, perhaps you were spared because your work is not finished!"
4. Alma 7:11-12 THE ATONEMENT IS NOT JUST FOR SINNERS
- Sometimes, bad things that happen to us are because of someone else's actions, or they just happen. We have no control of it. If you read Alma 7:11-12, you'll notice that the word "sin" is nowhere to be found. Christ did not only suffer for our sins. He also suffered for things that happen to us that we may have no control over. (Pains, afflictions, temptations, sicknesses, and infirmities.)
- Tragedies like the women and children being thrown into the fire, shootings, bombings, September 11... they affect a lot of people that aren't directly involved. How do we move past that? How do we deal with it? These are usually times where many people question how God could allow something like this to happen. If we keep an eternal perspective and understand that God's will is what will happen, not necessarily that God caused such a thing, but that His will is what will happen, we can rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ to pull us through.
5. D&C 101:32-36 ONE DAY, THE LORD WILL REVEAL ALL THINGS
- We don't know all things in this life, and we don't need to. If we did, we would know the answers to everything. A good example of this is a patriarchal blessing. The promises made to you in your patriarchal blessing are conditional, of course- they depend on your faithfulness and righteousness. But some things stated in a patriarchal blessing occur in this life, some things don't. Sometimes it's a continuous journey and something that began here continues after you've left this life. We just don't know everything and why everything happens. I think the question "WHY?" is the most sought after question in the universe. Scientists, physicists, doctors, politicians, everyone wants to know "Why?" We have to face the fact that we may never know in this life. Some things are explained, some things aren't, and some things that you thought were fact are proven different. God will reveal all things in His own time.
“And all they who suffer persecution for my name, and endure in faith, though they are called to lay down their lives for my sake yet shall they partake of all this glory.
“Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full” (D&C 101:35-36).
The Ultimate Answer
- The scriptures lead to the Savior. They testify of Him. The Scriptures can't get us through everything, just almost everything. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can help us through absolutely everything. The scriptures can certainly help and point us in the right direction but they are not everything. The scriptures lead us to Him. The way to be happy is through Christ. Satan would have you believe there is another way to be happy but the truth is, there isn't. We find joy in the Lord. He was tempted by Satan, yet He remains without sin. He atoned for us, He knows us better than we know ourselves. He can help us through anything and everything.
"Because of Jesus Christ, we can remove the word “almost.” Jesus didn’t almost conquer death and hell; He conquered it. Jesus didn’t almost accomplish the infinite and eternal Atonement; He accomplished it."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These scriptures are critical to missionary work. Tragedies happen every day. We want to know the answers to all things. We mess up, we sin. We see evil all the time. But when we know that God loves us, that He allows evil in the world in order for us to grow and experience life, to decide for ourselves what path we will choose, that we have a purpose here on earth, that the work goes on, that we can become better people through the Atonement, that we can use it to overcome our personal trials and that one day all things will be made known, and remember that the Savior suffered all things on our behalf, that through Him we are saved, we can make it through EVERYTHING.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Gratefulness To Spare
I teach CTR 7 in Primary and one of my kids was baptized yesterday. I had the opportunity to attend with some of the other kids from our class. It was one of the sweetest feelings I've felt in a really long time and it was an amazing thing to have the other kids there to witness it and be a part of his special day. He was positively shiny. I caught his eye and I couldn't help smiling at him and when he smiled back I could just see how happy he was. I am so proud of the decision he made to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Today in class we talked about the gift of the Holy Ghost. This was a perfect lesson for today and I was able to incorporate some of the things that were said at his baptism into the lesson. The kids are always so excited when we talk about baptism. They like to figure out who's birthday is next and they get really excited and happy for that person. It's awesome. :)
His is the only baptism I'll be here for, which makes me a little sad because I love those kiddos so much. But I'm so grateful for the opportunity and calling I've had to serve these precious angels and teach them all about being baptized. They're all so smart, they already know all the answers. But I love teaching them.
I know that baptism is a saving ordinance, that it is required of a person in order to enter the kingdom of God. Every person is born with the light of Christ and once someone is baptized, they are confirmed a member of the Church and given the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by worthy Melkizadek Priesthood holders. The Holy Ghost is our best friend. If we live worthily and make good choices, we can have him as our constant companion. When we make bad choices, he leaves us. But we can always have him back when we repent and strive to make good decisions and work to be the best person we can be. He can help us feel better when we're sad, scared, or at a loss of what to do in a situation. He is especially aware of our needs and he directs us to make righteous decisions. We feel Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's love for us through him. The Holy Ghost is part of the Godhead. Heavenly Father testifies of Christ, Christ testifies of the Father, and the Holy Ghost testifies of both. The Holy Ghost testifies of truth - he will never lie to you.
A couple things that were brought up during the baptism are that the Holy Ghost helps you make it back home to Heavenly Father, but he can't do it all alone - you have to do the rest. You are responsible for your own actions and you need to do all you can yourself. He will help strengthen you when you're weak and comfort you when you're in need of comfort. But he doesn't shout at you. His is a still small voice and we need to listen very carefully in order to hear him. When we are making righteous decisions, we can have him with us, to help us, always. When we're making good choices, Satan has less of an influence in our lives and we can hear the Holy Ghost more easily.
I'm terrified to begin my mission. This is a scary time in my life - leaving my home, not knowing what to expect. I know what I'm supposed to do and be as a missionary, but I can't predict what will happen. I'm afraid of the unknown - aren't we all? I told my Primary kids this during the lesson today and I asked what I should do. One sweet girl said, "Pack up all your stuff in a pink suitcase and take it with you." :) Another piped in and said "You should ask Heavenly Father for the Holy Ghost to help you feel better." I told her I'd already done that but I was still worried. She said "Keep praying!"
Isn't it awesome to know that we can always pray to our Heavenly Father, numberless times, and that He will answer? Every night when I go to bed, I pray and ask my Heavenly Father for strength and courage to face what I don't know. And every night I fall asleep feeling calm and like I can do anything. My courage is slowly building and I'm able to be more excited about serving a mission instead of being crippled by terrorizing fear. My Heavenly Father loves me and answers my prayers.
I'm grateful for the opportunity and the calling I've received to teach others about the Gospel. I'm not totally knowledgeable about the gospel or other things. I'm only 19. But I know that the Holy Ghost testifies of truth and that if I live worthily, I will have him with me always, especially as a missionary. I know this Church is true. I know that God loves me. I know that He loves you. I know that Jesus Christ died for me and atoned for my sins so that I wouldn't have to go through this life alone. He gave me a loving family and wonderful friends. I know I'm going to my specific mission for a specific reason. All mission calls are inspired. I'm grateful that I live in this dispensation, in a time where the Gospel of the Lord will never be taken again from the earth. I'm grateful to be one of his missionaries at this time, during this wonderful movement of new missionaries flooding the earth, to bring the world his truth. I know that while on my mission he will mold and build me into the person I was meant to become and will continue to do so after I am released as a missionary and as I carry on with my life. I love the people of my mission already. This is the best decision I've ever made and I hope that never changes.
Today in class we talked about the gift of the Holy Ghost. This was a perfect lesson for today and I was able to incorporate some of the things that were said at his baptism into the lesson. The kids are always so excited when we talk about baptism. They like to figure out who's birthday is next and they get really excited and happy for that person. It's awesome. :)
His is the only baptism I'll be here for, which makes me a little sad because I love those kiddos so much. But I'm so grateful for the opportunity and calling I've had to serve these precious angels and teach them all about being baptized. They're all so smart, they already know all the answers. But I love teaching them.
I know that baptism is a saving ordinance, that it is required of a person in order to enter the kingdom of God. Every person is born with the light of Christ and once someone is baptized, they are confirmed a member of the Church and given the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by worthy Melkizadek Priesthood holders. The Holy Ghost is our best friend. If we live worthily and make good choices, we can have him as our constant companion. When we make bad choices, he leaves us. But we can always have him back when we repent and strive to make good decisions and work to be the best person we can be. He can help us feel better when we're sad, scared, or at a loss of what to do in a situation. He is especially aware of our needs and he directs us to make righteous decisions. We feel Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's love for us through him. The Holy Ghost is part of the Godhead. Heavenly Father testifies of Christ, Christ testifies of the Father, and the Holy Ghost testifies of both. The Holy Ghost testifies of truth - he will never lie to you.
A couple things that were brought up during the baptism are that the Holy Ghost helps you make it back home to Heavenly Father, but he can't do it all alone - you have to do the rest. You are responsible for your own actions and you need to do all you can yourself. He will help strengthen you when you're weak and comfort you when you're in need of comfort. But he doesn't shout at you. His is a still small voice and we need to listen very carefully in order to hear him. When we are making righteous decisions, we can have him with us, to help us, always. When we're making good choices, Satan has less of an influence in our lives and we can hear the Holy Ghost more easily.
I'm terrified to begin my mission. This is a scary time in my life - leaving my home, not knowing what to expect. I know what I'm supposed to do and be as a missionary, but I can't predict what will happen. I'm afraid of the unknown - aren't we all? I told my Primary kids this during the lesson today and I asked what I should do. One sweet girl said, "Pack up all your stuff in a pink suitcase and take it with you." :) Another piped in and said "You should ask Heavenly Father for the Holy Ghost to help you feel better." I told her I'd already done that but I was still worried. She said "Keep praying!"
Isn't it awesome to know that we can always pray to our Heavenly Father, numberless times, and that He will answer? Every night when I go to bed, I pray and ask my Heavenly Father for strength and courage to face what I don't know. And every night I fall asleep feeling calm and like I can do anything. My courage is slowly building and I'm able to be more excited about serving a mission instead of being crippled by terrorizing fear. My Heavenly Father loves me and answers my prayers.
I'm grateful for the opportunity and the calling I've received to teach others about the Gospel. I'm not totally knowledgeable about the gospel or other things. I'm only 19. But I know that the Holy Ghost testifies of truth and that if I live worthily, I will have him with me always, especially as a missionary. I know this Church is true. I know that God loves me. I know that He loves you. I know that Jesus Christ died for me and atoned for my sins so that I wouldn't have to go through this life alone. He gave me a loving family and wonderful friends. I know I'm going to my specific mission for a specific reason. All mission calls are inspired. I'm grateful that I live in this dispensation, in a time where the Gospel of the Lord will never be taken again from the earth. I'm grateful to be one of his missionaries at this time, during this wonderful movement of new missionaries flooding the earth, to bring the world his truth. I know that while on my mission he will mold and build me into the person I was meant to become and will continue to do so after I am released as a missionary and as I carry on with my life. I love the people of my mission already. This is the best decision I've ever made and I hope that never changes.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Take A Look-See
Here's the map of my mission. Eastern Pennsylvania, eastern half of Maryland, all of Delaware, bottom half of New Jersey, and a teeny-tiny bit of New York. I can't point out where my mother group up (it's not on the map...) but it's about an inch to the left, outside the border of this picture, if that made any sense. That's how close my family is. Cool huh??
24 DAYS
We took a trip down south this past weekend.
St. George and Manti temples happened on Monday and Tuesday.
I absolutely love the Manti temple. They're all amazing but Manti is so cool. Loved it.
Bountiful temple happened on Wednesday.
Sad story for my little sister: both St. George and Manti baptistries were closed the days we went so she couldn't do baptisms. Bummer. :(
Temples are awesome, you guys. The fact that families are so important that there are places on this earth where special ordinances are performed for the family is AWESOME. Families are forever. There is life after death and our families are part of it. Our families will be there. I am so grateful that I can be with my family forever. I'm grateful for the sealing power that allows it. I'm grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and what He has done for me, individually, and for my family. I can't wait to teach people about forever families.
5 more temples.
St. George and Manti temples happened on Monday and Tuesday.
I absolutely love the Manti temple. They're all amazing but Manti is so cool. Loved it.
Bountiful temple happened on Wednesday.
Sad story for my little sister: both St. George and Manti baptistries were closed the days we went so she couldn't do baptisms. Bummer. :(
Temples are awesome, you guys. The fact that families are so important that there are places on this earth where special ordinances are performed for the family is AWESOME. Families are forever. There is life after death and our families are part of it. Our families will be there. I am so grateful that I can be with my family forever. I'm grateful for the sealing power that allows it. I'm grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and what He has done for me, individually, and for my family. I can't wait to teach people about forever families.
5 more temples.
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