Nov 28, 1990
Transfer calls come out today. I am more than a little anxious to find out what is happening.
Today’s Reading- Numbers 5:7, Mormon 8:12-
Numbers 5:7: This verse also emphasizes the need of restitution. It is important not only that we restore that which we have taken, or damaged, or injured, but that we restore more than was taken, stolen, or damaged. In this way, the person whom we sin against is not punished for the time that they were suffering for the sins that we committed against them.
Mormon 8:12- If we will accept the Book of Mormon and honestly strive to learn the principles contained therein, the Lord will make far greater things known to us. The things written in this journal stand as a testimony of that.
Verse 13: The Lord NEVER has people testify anonymously. That is not how testimonies work. If we want to testify on behalf of the Lord, we must be willing to stand up and be counted as part of the Lord’s army. If we do not do this, the Lord will not count us His in the last days.
Verse 14: The record of the Book of Mormon is of infinite worth to those who will study it and abide by it’s teachings. The Lord will bless all those who help others to understand it. This includes parents, Sunday School teachers, missionaries, and all others who help others to understand the Book of Mormon.
Nov 29, 1990
Well, yesterday morning transfer calls came. Needless to say, I was VERY surprised. I got transferred to Visalia. Yesterday was probably the hardest day since Kristin left Omaha after my farewll. Chai Xiong and Ser Vang started crying when I told them.
Here is Visalia, there are only about 1500 Hmong people. My companion speaks no Hmong, so I’ll try to teach him, but it will be tough without very many Hmong people here.
As of right now, we have zero investigators, almost no church member, and we will be working in an American ward. Needless to say, I’m feeling a little lonely. This is not exactly the transfer that I needed right before Christmas and two weeks before my birthday.
Well about two hours have passed and I feel a lot better. My comp, Elder Warson is from Shelly, Idaho. I just got done teaching him all of the Hmong consonants. I decided that I don’t care if we have any investigators or not. I’ll just find some. The Lord would not have sent me here is there were not people to teach AND baptize. I have also decided to learn how to speak Mien. I’m not sure who I’ll find to teach me, but I’ll find someone. there are a bunch of Mien people here.
nov 30, 1990
Today’s Reading: Numbers 23:19, Mormon 8;15
Numbers 23:19- The Lord is not man. This verse probably refers to Jesus Christ, the God of this earth. The Lord never had a ‘change‘ of heart. In Hmong, the word for repent means “change heart.” This is because the Greek or Hebrew root also means the same. The Lord is constant in all things. All words spoken by his mouth shall surely be fulfilled. (D&C 1:38)
Mormon 8:15- Just as Joseph Smith could not bring the Book of Mormon to light without God’s power if we wish to be able to bring the minds of others to focus on the light of the Book of Mormon, we too must have the power of God. In order to have this power, we must do god’s work with an eye single to His glory and the welfare of those who we are teaching. If we have in mind our own glory or our own honor, we will not be able to do anything to truly help others understand the Book of Mormon.
Verse 16: those who bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to light through the Book of Mormon will truly be blessed. The book of Mormon will most assuredly be brought to light whether I am a part of it or not. however, if I live in a way that allows the Lord to let me be a part of this great work, I will be blessed. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve a mission. I just have to be certain to live worthy to be able to be part of this work, I will be blessed. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve a mission. I just have to be certain to live worthy to be able to be part of this work. I must always keep my eyes and goals single to the glory of God and the eternal welfare of the people whom I’m teaching.
Today has been on e of the least exciting days of my mission. We spent most of our day helping some Elders move out of their apartment. That place was a absolute hole! Anyway, besides that, we went to the store and spent a lot of time unpacking all of my stuff and just trying to get all of this stuff organized.
We only saw one Hmong person today. Her name is Me Xiong. Her husband wasn’t home, but we talked to her for a while anyway. She said that missionaries have been coming to see her for almost a year, but no one had ever taught her family. I get the feeling that the reason no one has been taught is because no one had been asked if they want to learn. Hopefully tomorrow, we will be able to get out and see some Hmong people.
My companion is a really good guy. He is really laid back and definitely doesn’t get stressed out too often. I’ve been trying to come up with a good way to light a fire under his pants, but I’m not too sure how to do it. It is kind of hard to be the senior companion when my comp had been out over 3 times as long as me.
The zone leaders in Fresno didn’t give my bike to the ZL’s down here, so I’ll have to wait until Sunday to have my bike. hopefully they’ll remember that.
Dec 1, 1990
Today’s reading : Judges 2:18, Mormon 8:17-
Judges 2:18- The Joseph Smith translation lends nearly the same insight as the Hebrew root of the word repent. However, the Joseph Smith translation take it one step farther. The Lord not only had compassion on the people, but because of this compassion, He hearkened unto their cries by raising up judges to lead them. If we will always follow those who the Lord had raised up as our leaders, we can always be sure in the knowledge that the Lord will hear our cries and relieve us from our oppressors.
Mormon 8:17- We must always be careful not to condemn the work of those whom the Lord had chosen. What then is our obligation to five input as far as the leadership of the church? we are to give our opinion when asked or when we fell there is some problem with the way things are going. After that, the leader must make the decision. After his decision is made, we then must put 100% of our effort into helping our leaders plans be as effective as possible. After his decision is made, we should never again discuss what our plans were or our suggestions were.
Verse 18: the gospel can not be learned by forcing the servants of the Lord to reveal the Lord’s secrets. Salvation can be gained only through humility, submissiveness, and love.
Verse 19: We must not judge others. we will be rewarded of our own works. If our works are judgements, we will receive judgements as our reward.
Today was kind of an up and down day. We went and just met some people and tried to see what they thought about learning about the church. We basically met a lot of very nice people, but it was hard to find anyone who wanted to study about church at all. We taught a first discussion to Mi yang, one of Yia vang;s friends. I think we’ll fo back there and teach her a little bit more, even though at the end of the discussion she told us she wouldn’t change churches.
President Bott will be here tomorrow. I absolutely can not wait to go to talk to him. I just wish I knew what he expected me to do.
I met a man named Her Thao. He apparently is a clan leader who does not want anyone in his whole clan to join the church. I got along with him very well. I think I will go back to talk to him one of these days.
It is about a thirty minute bike ride from the apartment to where the Hmong people live. I think I’ll try to get them to move us. On the way back tonight, I thought I would absolutely freezing to death. It was about 40 outside. i just came home and took a very hot shower. I feel much better now. I just feel so far away down here in Visalia. It’s just a long way from anything. besides, no on down here understand me yet.
Dec 2, 1990
Today’s Reading: D&C 19, 1 Samuel 15:11, Mormon 8:20, Patriarchal Blessing, mission call
1 Samuel 15:11: This verse says that the Lord felt sorrow that Saul had sinned, but he had not repented. However, after we reach exaltation, we will no longer feel sorrow, The Joseph Smith translation really helps us to understand what this scripture originally meant. the Joseph Smith translation indicates that repentance is possible. Not only is it possible but it is required in order for us to be saved.
Mormon 8:20- This is really something that I need to work on in my own life. I need to be able to teach my wife and children to not judge others. In order for me to do this, I must first learn the principle that I want to teach. It is the same with all of the principles of the gospel. Before I can teach my family anything I must first learn it. The things I am unable to learn before I am married, we will have to continue to learn together.
Verse 21: those who work against the Lord and His work (Moses 1:39) are going to get it in a big way. No one can stop the work of the Lord in anyone’s lives but their own. If they try to interfere with the progress of the Lord’s gospel in the lives of others. they may be allowed for a short time, but they are actually either testing or preparing the others to receive the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Well, church today was definitely on the depressing side. One Hmong lady showed up with her children. No one else came. they asked me to bear my testimony in the gospel Doctrine class. I stood up and told the Americans that I would do it in Hmong because I wanted to be sure that she understood. After that, I bore my testimony in hmong.
This afternoon, I met with the Hmong group leader here. his name is Brother cox. He basically told me that the Hmong missionaries in the past had not done much of anything. He is really excited. He had a list of about 20 people that he wants us to go and teach. He wants to go out with me two nights per week to introduce me to people and help me teach. I am really excited.
Tonight we had a meeting with Elder Goasling (GA) and President Bott. It was the most spiritual meeting I have ever been to yet. First, we watched the Christmas, devotional broadcast on television. It was really neat to know that Kristin was watching the same show as me. I miss her.
Since it was Enos Sunday, we didn’t go teach anyone. We were supposed to study all day, but instead we went to meetings all day. That’s all right, the trade was worth it. I’m tired.
Dec 3, 1990
Today’s Reading: Mormon 8:22-
Mormon 8:22- I have now got a new all time favorite scripture. The Lord’s work will roll, not crawl! The Lord’s work will roll onward, ever onward. I am so grateful to be a part of this wonderful work. The joy that being part of this work had brought to my life has been absolutely incredible.
Verse 23: After I finish this chapter, I will read the Isaiah chapters copied by Nephi. Those prophets who wrote this book will cry unto the Lord that this book might be brought forth to help their descendants to understand the gospel. It will help not only their descendants, but it will help all of those who read it to come to a knowledge of the truth. The Lord will remember the covenants which he made unto the children of men. The words of the Lord will be fulfilled in all things.
Verse 24: Those people had absolutely incredible faith. I have so for to go. I only hope that the Lord will bless me with strength, faith, and charity. I have so far to go- so much to overcome- before I will be worthy to stand in the presence of God. The Lord always protects His servants.
Verse 25: Those great saints also prayed for Joseph Smith ad for the missionaries- me. Wow! That makes me a little more confident to know that those saints actually prayed for me. The prophet today prays for me also.
I have felt really gross all day long. I think that I have the flu. That would be just my luck. My stomach aches, and all of my muscles and joints are just kind of sore. Yuck!
We went and met a bunch of Hmong people tonight. The only problem is that non of them seemed overly interested in learning about the church. I get a little bit frustrated occasionally. I wish that there was some way for me to impress on their minds the importance of our message. I guess I’ll just keep praying.
Dec 4, 1990
Today’s reading : 1 Samuel 15:29, Mormon 8:26-
1 Samuel 15:29- The Strength of Israel was, is and always will be Jehovah. The Lord has no need to repent, for he never sinned. Because He knows everything, He will never “change His mind.” He will never have a change of heart. As a result, the Lord has no need to repent. He had always been, and will always be perfect.
Mormon 8:26- Moroni is prophesying about the day that the Book of Mormon will come forth. There in absolutely no way for anyone or anything to stop the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
verse 27- The Book of Mormon also came forth and is coming forth in a day when many saints lost their lives to mobs of evil men. Although the persecution of the church today is far less severe than it was in the early days of the church, the persecution still exists. I would imagine that the translation of this verse brought Joseph Smith a great deal of concern.
Verse 28: If this verse is not a description of churches today, I don’t know what is. I believe that Moroni must brave seen our day and age. As a result, he was able to write things that would help us through these times.
Well, we had District meeting this morning. It is really weird to have a district meeting without any senior couples at the meeting to keep the Elders under control. It is also very different to talk to the English speaking missionaries. Being in Visalia has kind of given me some insight into how the English missionaries feel when they have to spend all day looking for someone to teach.
Tomorrow I am going to get a list of all of the Hmong people that live in this city. Then we will take that list and go to every single person on the list. We will just go to each house and ask them if they want to learn. If they want to learn, I will be extremely happy to teach them. If they don’t. that will be sad, but we’ll just have to go on and find those who are willing to listen.
I got rocked at the mailbox today. That definitely was not much fun. This morning my tape player ate my tape from Kristin. That was the last story she has told me on a tape. I almost cried! It also had 3 songs on it that she sent. That is the part I was listening to this morning.
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