November 14, 1990
Today’s Reading D7C 35:9, 3 Nephi 13:10-
D&C 35:90- We must have the kind of faith spoken of here. I have had the wonderful blessing to see all of these things happen during my life except one. The only one I’ve yet to see is to see someone receive their sight. I KNOW that these things happen, but we MUST have the faith. We must pray for faith.
3 Nephi 13:10- Whenever we pray, we must be willing to submit to the will of God. No matter how righteous our desires, if they are not the will of God, we must be able to accept God’s will. Sometimes when praying or giving a blessing, that is the very hardest thing to do. When I blessed Pao Lee’s wife and the Spirit told me she would lose that baby, it was really hard to accept the Lord’s will; however, if we do not accept His will, we are not HIS.
Verst 11: Christ taught many great lessons with this simple prayer. If we wish to be forgiven we absolutely must be willing to forgive others. I am reminded of the parable taught in Matthew 18:23-35. If we desire forgiveness, we MUST forgive other completely and not even expect them to repeat their trespasses against us. We must forgive everyone completely, no matter what they have done to us or whether or not they have apologized. Forgiveness must be complete and unconditional if we desire to be forgiven. This is sometimes very difficult, but it is also very necessary.
Well today, was one of those days that I wish I had never gotten out of bed. We went all over this city today. Out of all of the appointments that we had made, only ONE person was home all day long. What a day!
Tonight was choir practice and mutual. For mutual, they practiced their road- show performance. They are doing a traditional Hmong dance. I really felt the Spirit strongly to see those 8 girls, in full Hmong costumes, doing the dance that their ancestors have been doing for thousands of years.
Other than that, today was a very tiring, but very unproductive day. I imagine that the Lord gives us days like today to keep us humble- Tomorrow will be better.
November 15, 1990
Today’s Reading: D&C 42:48, 3 Nephi 13:12-
D& C 42:48- IF we are ever to be healed by the power of the Priesthood, we must truly be faithful. The only time that the Priesthood will not serve to heal someone is if their Spirit is needed in the spirit world. We must have the faith. We must constantly pray for the faith.
3 Nephi 13:12- we must pray always that the Lord will not suffer us to be led into temptation. We must pray always that the Lord will deliver us from both the evils we have committed and the evils of the world in which we live.
Verse 13: In all that we do, we must remember that all glory and power and authority belong to God the Father. We must recognize this before God and man at all times, and in all that we do.
Verse 14: If we forgive others, then we can be forgiven of our sins. If we refuse to forgive anyone for anything- no matter how big or small- we will never be forgiven of our sins. One thing that I have found very helpful is simply to remember that God will punish others for their sins. Mine is not to judge.
Verse 15: Ditto
Verse 16: When we fast- we must not fast before men- but before God. All works that are done before men will be rewarded of men. All works done before God will be rewarded of God. Guess which reward will be greater.
Well, I said it would be better today than yesterday, but somehow we got rocked all day long! I don’t know what the deal is. All of the hmong people are busy getting ready for their big New Year’s celebration.
One funny thing did happen today. We went to Yia Yang’s house to give her a blessing. She is the old woman that gave me my Hmong name. Anyway, We gave her a blessing and talked to her for a while, we even sang some hymns. While we were talking, she went into the kitchen and brought out four cans. She handed me a Dr. Pepper, handed Yia Vang a white can, but switched it for a Dr. Pepper right away, then she handed Elder Brown a Dr Pepper. I noticed what was in the white can- it was a can of “Milwaukee’s Best.” She went and pouted half of the can into each of two cups and gave one cup to her friend. Elder Brown started to laugh, and I lost it. I felt so sorry for her. She still had no ideas it was beer. Her friend gulped it down, but as soon as she tasted it she jumped up and took it in to the kitchen. Then, her fiend burped and asked us if she could sign up for the temple preparation class. I just feel so sorry for these poor people. They just don’t understand.
November 16, 1990
Today’s reading: D&C 63:10, 3 Nephi 13:17-
D&C 63:10 The Lord does not give us sign or witnesses so that we can have faith. Instead, we must have the faith and exercise that faith unto mighty works. After our mighty works, the Lord will give us witnesses, I really ned to exercise my faith unto works more. I have really had a hard tie progressing this past week. I’m not too sure what my problem has been.
3 Nephi 13:17- When we fast, we should look our very best. It all depends on one’s attitude. When fasting, is one’s body starving , or is his Spirit feasting? Do to the fact that it is a spiritual feast, the body should look and feel wonderful all day long.
Verse 18: When fasting, I feel that an effort should be made to prevent others from knowing that you are fasting. Of course, we should not lie or deceive in any way to prevent others form knowing, but the less people know of our good works the more our Father in Heaven will bless us.
Verse 19: Our hearts should not be set upon the riches of this world. If we allow that to happen, we will lose sight of what is important. how many people have set their hearts upon this world and have lost their families, church membership and eternal exaltation? I refuse to let that happen to me and my family. (As I write this, I am struck by your dad’s resolve to not let this happen. I think this is one of the reasons that we decided for your dad to die. If we would have had these riches for the next 50 years, it would have changed us, and not for the better.)
Well, this morning we all went to President Bott’s house for an Asian Conference. Every Asian- speaking missionary in the entire mission was there. It was kind of fun to get together with everyone. Elder Jasperson is still angry at me. I don’t know why, but he sat across the table from me and never even spoke one word to me. he did come and talk to me right before he left.
Today was much better than the last few days that I hardly believe it. We went and taught Thao Xiong and his family tonight. When we got there, Thao was starting to replace rear window of his Toyota minivan. His wife had backed into a post and busted it. He didn’t know how to do it, so we went to the auto parts store and bought what we needed and helped him do that. Afterwards, we taught the second discussion to his family. His wife started trying to argue with us. I told her that I had the truth and if she wanted to know that was fine, but I was’t going to argue with her. She really listened to us after that. It was really neat to have her listen. We asked them to pray about baptism, They said they would, I pray they will have the strength and faith to respond to the answer they will get.
I didn’t get any ail today. It’s been about two weeks since I head from my family. It would really help me a lot if they would write more, but I’m sure they’re busy too.
November 17, 1990
Today’s Reading: D&C 88:118, # Nephi 13:20-
D&C 88:118- Not everyone had the same amount or even has faith, whether they are church members or not. As a result, we must help one another to gain faith and increase in faith. We do this through prayer, discussion, study, and by exercising our faith. If we will but use or faith by doing (these things), we will be granted insight through the Spirit that will result in increase and strengthened faith. It is imperceptive that we seek wisdom BOTH through study and through faith.
3 Nephi 13:20- When we do good works here on earth, we “earn” blessings in heaven. Nothing can take those blessings from us except for our own wickedness. We must therefore avoid wickedness by constantly praying and striving to “earn” those rewards in Heaven.
Verse 21: My treasures: being a missionary, my family, my unborn children, my future wife,my testimony, my priesthood, my memories, my experiences that have taught me, my true friends, the love which I share with the people whom I have taught, the scriptures. These are not listed in order of importance. I think it is important for US to sit dow every now and then to list our treasures. After doing so, WE can tell if our heart is in the right place. IF it is not, we will have to take a step back to regroup.
I feel all alone inside. I have lots of people around me, but inside- no one understands. Another week has passed without a word from my family back home. I know that they love and support me, but it would sure be nice to hear that occationally. I think I can count my letters received from my mom during my entire mission on one hand. It’s just so cold in here all alone.
November 18, 1990
If every night was like last night, I would never go to bed.
Today’s reading: D&C 19, D&C 105:19, 3 Nephi 13:22-
D&C 105:19- The Lord will lead us along, and then he will allow us to be tried. Without the trials of our faith, we will not progress. The Lord is the master teacher. It is so obvious to me how the Lord so carefully selects experiences for me. He allows me to grow every bit as fast and far as I can stand, but He never pushes me faster than I can run. I know there is a reason for all of my experiences. I think the reason that He allowed me to be so lonely last night was to teach me not to take Kristin and my family for granted. I will make an effort to not take them for granted anymore.
3 Nephi 13:22- If WE concentrate on good things, our whole body will be filled with light. Our whole body will be filled with the Spirit. If we want to be filled with the light of the Spirit.
Verse 23- If even on portion of our concentration is on evil subjects, we will not have the spirit in proportion to the amount of good and evil that we try to do. If we want the Spirit, we must concentrate all of our efforts on doing good. We don’t have to be perfect to have the Spirit, but we do have to be progressing and striving.
Today was awesome! I can’t say that being at stake conference was much fun. The speakers all spoke about the founding of the United States. Bee Lee was translating. Talks are really hard to translate- but if you don’t know what they are talking about, it is about impossible. I found the translation very difficult to follow, but I’m sure that he did a better job than I could have.
Tonight we went and taught a discussion to Va Vang. It went awesome. he said that he would really try to start doing the things that we asked him. He also committed to baptism.
I really have felt the Lord tough me this day as I have gone about my activities. I have realized that there are going to be times that I don’t know for sure what my family or Kristin have been doing largely, but it is up to me how it makes me feel. I would really like to know what they are doing but whether or not I feel cold and alone is up to me. We all are unable to control what happens to us; however, each and every one of us is able to decide what we will do with what happens to us.
I hope that I can learn all of the lessons that the Lord has in store for me, I have so much to learn before I can be a good husband and father- always in that order.
Nov 19,1990
Today’s Reading D&C 138:33, 3 Nephi 13:24-
D&C 138:33- It is extremely interesting to me that the spirits in the spirit world must also develop faith. I’m not too sure how they can develop their faith, but I suppose that they must follow the same cycle of faith- works- witness. Faith is essential both in this life and in the next.
3 Nephi 13:24- This verse is commonly accepted to be true today because the logic of it is so obvious, but how many people today try to do exactly that? How many times have I done that myself? We must strive to insure that the treasures that we are laying up are eternal treasures and that they will never be taken from us. If that is not what we are doing, we better step back and regroup.
Verse 25: Christ’s disciples were commanded to minister to the people. They were to take no thought for themselves, but only for others. I have found that the times during my life that I have truly been happy are when I take no throught for myself, but only for others. those are also the times when I was cared for best. No wonder Saturday was a hard day. I only ever thought about one person- me. Stupid.
We went and taught Thao Xiong tonight. His wife wasn’t home. We taught him the third discussion and went through all of the ways that the different churches came about. He was really, really interested. It was really a good discussion and went through all of the ways that the different churches came about. He was really a good discussion. The Spirit was really strong. I know that Thao knows that the church is true. I hope and pray that he will have the strength to understand and to do the things that he knows are right. I also pray that the heart of his wife will be softened so that she too can gain a witness of the truth.
I know that the church is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I know that Ezra Taft Benson is also a prophet of God. I know that when I keep God’s commandments. He blesses me. I know that Christ atoned for my sins. I know that my family can be together forever. I write these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Nov 20, 1990
Today’s Reading: Moses 6:23, 3 Nephi 13:26-
Moses 6:23- From the very foundation of the earth, faith has been taught unto the children of men. It had been taught both by the prophets and by God. It was taught by the prophets both through words and through the scriptures, and through example. Faith was taught by God through the experiences and witnesses that were given to men on the earth. So- faith had been taught since the beginning and will be taught until the end.
3 Nephi 13:26- I think this scripture applies to people in general as much as it applies to missionaries. We all receive blessings far beyond those which we ‘earn.’ Without the atonement of Christ, we would ALL be intelligible for ANY blessings. On our own, we are bot worthy of any blessings, but through the atonement of Christ, we can become worthy for infinite blessings.
Verse 27: In this verse, Christ makes clear how truly powerless men are. However, through Christ’s atonement and the restoration, we have been blessed with the priesthood. We can learn to use this infinite power, but it takes time, patience, and righteousness. I know that will not learn all that there is to know about the Priesthood during this lifetime.
Today was definitely a busy day. We spent an hour at the doctor’s office with Ntsuab Vang. She is doing really well. The doctor said for her to cut her anti- seizure medicine in half for the next two days & then have her quit all together. Then we just have to wait, and see if see had any seizures. I really don’t think she’ll have any problems.
Tonight we went to go see Keng Lee. He is the minister that we have been working with. It has probably been about 2 or 3 weeks since we have met with him. I hope he will have the strength to do what he knows is right. While we were teaching tonight, I was amazed at how my understanding of the scriptures was opened at the very moment that I needed to explain. It was as if I had someone whispering in my ear as I was teaching am so grateful for the fact that despite all of my short comings and misperfections, the Lord is still willing to lead and guide me.
Today- no mail- ouch. Well- looking forward to tomorrow.
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