**The following message has been edited to eliminate names and places, as an effort to protect privacy. Some pictures described below will not be posted for the same reason. We are just trying to conform to recommended privacy guidelines. **
Does that sound like a movie title? I thought it did. Sounds
good too. I would probably see it if it came out. Based on how good the trailer
was of course. But I'd for sure be interested. But that's all beside the point!
Hello everyone! This week was awesome! Elder W and I have
been slaying things over here and the work is looking up. We have been way busy
and we taught more lessons this week than I have since being back in M!
For having just split the area, that's great news!
We had another lesson this week with our actor, Brother
C. He is really nice and seems excited to have the gospel coming back into
his life. He made the observation that he has been neglecting the scriptures
and knows it will bring him a lot more happiness and guidance of the spirit
should he start reading again. When we stopped by, his family wasn't there, so
we haven't taught them yet, but we are working on it!
Elder W and I have been talking to EVERYONE! We talk to all
sorts of folks in the street. Knock doors. This week Elder W randomly walked
into this shop that is attached to someone's house. Chatted the lady up and
then she ended up inviting us in to talk to her family. Turns out her husband
was baptized back when he was 14. We taught them a lesson and they are willing
to let us continue teaching them!
We have also been trying to find all of our active members
and share the work of salvation videos with them and teach them how to get
involved in the work. So far it's going well. Now we will just have to see if
they get involved! I hope so.
That kind of brings up what I wanted to share with you all
this week from the scriptures. We are trying to get involved with our members
and with our leaders. I found a few helpful scriptures. In Matt. 12:25,
"And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided
against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided
against itself shall not stand". As members and missionaries, we have to
be one in the work. If we expect to do it alone as members or missionaries, we
are mistaken. As a missionary, I've seen that the work does not progress
without the help of the members. We have to become one in purpose and in focus
to help bring the gospel to our brothers and sisters. And then, this last week
in study, I came across Helaman 15:5-6 which reads, "And I would that ye
should behold that the more part of them are in the path of their duty, and
they do walk circumspectly before God, and they do observe to keep his commandments
and his statutes and his judgments according to the law of Moses.Yea, I say
unto you, that the more part of them are doing this, and they are striving with
unwearied diligence that they may bring the remainder of their brethren to the
knowledge of the truth; therefore there are many who do add to their numbers
daily". The Lamanites saw the need that their brethren had to hear the
gospel. They were not content with their own family hearing it. They wanted to
take it to all of their brethren. First, they were keeping the commandments
themselves and preparing spiritually to share the gospel. We cannot help
convert anyone past our own conversion. If we don't keep the commandments, we
can't help them to keep them either. And we must be prepared to have the Holy Ghost
with us. We will have a hard time finding opportunities to share the gospel if
we are not in tune with the Holy Ghost. So that is the first thing they did.
They prepared. And second, they strived with unwearied diligence to bring
others to the knowledge of the truth. They didn't seek sometimes to share. They
didn't seek until they grew tired. They didn't try a few times and then being
rejected became satisfied with the work. They constantly and diligently sought
to share the gospel with others. I think that is a good example for us of how
we ought to seek to share the gospel. All in all? We must become one as members
and missionaries. We must prepare ourselves to share. And we must strive with
unwearied diligence to bring the gospel to the remainder of our brethren. I
know that as we do these things, we will be guided to those who are being
prepared. The Lord will help us to share with them those things they need to
hear in order for the Holy Ghost to touch their hearts. And we will begin to
see the fruits of our labors as others "add to our numbers". We will
see the joy of the gospel enter into their lives and bless their families. I
know that is true and I pray that we will all seek to be instruments in the
Lord's hands.
Well, it's about that time that I wrap things up. I didn't
get many pics. But I see what I can give you. First up, we have a pic of the
zone. Yes, Elder H dwarfs me. 6' 7" is hard to compete with. You ought
to see us play basketball. That's a joke! Next is my cool little Filipino top
just spinning away. Those are big here. Then some pics of some of our christmas
lights. We are very festive. And then just some pics of the area. I love M! And then me and Elder W at the shop right now. Didn't really have
any other pictures of us. Oops! Haha, that is so many pictures, I don't even
know if it will send. Here goes!
Thanks for everything! Have a wonderful week!
Much love,
Elder Christensen
No comments:
Post a Comment