Jan 24, 1991
Alma 5:54- Persecution from without will not trouble the church, the family, or relationships of marriage. Although outward persecution is often difficult to take, it is not what causes any relationship to break up. It is the persecution from within that causes the most problems. WE must always take care not to judge one another or those with whom we come into contact.
Verse 55: No matter how little or how much WE have, there will always be someone with less, WE must always remember that God is the source of all we have and to give freely to others. IT is often very easy to say, “It’s his own fault,” but WE (especially I) need to be cautious of that at all times. No matter the reason for the need, we must always act to fill the need. We are not the judges or the accountants. We are simply asked to help.
Verse 56: The fate of those who persist in doing wickedness, ignoring the counsel of the prophets (including the living one), and not heeding the promptings of the Spirit is a simple one. They will not attain the glory of the Celestial Kingdom and will be in an eternal state of hell.
Verse 57: We must simply live in the world but not of the world. This is easier said than done, but is the only way to return to live with God. In the last day, there will be no confusion as to which of us is righteous and who is not. We must always strive to repent and be righteous that our names are not blotted out of the book of God’s children.
Well, today was pretty good. My comp had had the same cold that I had about 1 or 2 weeks ago. Anyway, he stayed home all day long, so I spent all day with different missionaries. All of their comps took turns staying with mine. Anyway, we did manage to get a lot done though.
We went to work with some Americans this morning. Those poor guys spend all day every day trying to just get into a house. That would just stink! I would rather eat rocks! Anyway, we spent the whole afternoon teaching Hmong people. I love Hmong people so much! They are the best.
They are so kind and loving that I can hardly believe it. Even the ones that don’t want to know about church are just so great to us. I really do love them.
Jan 25, 1991
It’s going to be a great day!
Alma 5:57- Notice how the names of the wicked will be blotted out. Not the other way around. We are all of divine origin. We are all born with the ability to return back to our Father. Only our own wickedness can ever cause us to not return. That blessing is granted to everyone through the atonement of Jesus Christ. No one can take that blessing from us, but through wickedness that blessing can be forfeited.
Verse 58: Only the names of the righteous shall remain in the book of life. Only the righteous shall gain an inheritance in the next life. It is important to realize that no matter what men will do or say, the gospel is till true. it does not matter what arguments are made against the church, it doesn’t matter who decides to be members, no matter what happens, the word of the Lord will be fulfilled to the uttermost.
Verse 59: the Lord watches over His flock. Those people who attempt to destroy the souls of member of the church will be driven our and destroyed by Christ. That is a pretty strong statement about those who persecute the church.
Verse 60: Those who listen to the voice of Christ (through prophets) and keep the commandments will be part of His fold. We must always be on guard that no one and no thing is ever allowed to cause confusion, strife, or bad feelings between us that WE will not be destroyed.
Well, this had definitely not been the mot exciting day of my mission. My companion was still sick, but I couldn’t find anyone to team up with. he has slept almost this entire day. I spent most of the day writing letters and cleaning the apartment. i must have really been bored because I cleaned the bathroom floor. It was really gross.
I boxed up a whole bunch of winter clothes and stuff to send home until next winter. It was actually quite nice to be able to spend as much time writing as I wanted. I got a letter from Shane today. I cannot believe that it had been almost 22 months since Shane Dunaway went on his mission. I really miss him. Up to that point in my life, Shane was my best friend ever, I hope that I can see him again when I am finally done with my mission. I hope that my comp feels better tomorrow because one day like this is fine, two days like this would drive me absolutely stark-raving mad!
Jan 26, 1992
Alma 5:60- Just what is a ravenous wolf? On the surface it seems that it would be a person come to lead away the hearts of the believing, but i think there is more to it. There is nothing more ravenous than sin. It can start out small and gradually become overpowering. Evil thoughts are also this way. WE must not let either of these three ever become a part of our lives or the lives of our family.
Alma 5:61- Alma had been teaching by the spirit. this is the key to teaching by the Spirit. When someone speaks words by the Spirit of God, His words are scripture (D&C 68:2-4) There is no better way to bring the Spirit into a discussion that to teach by the Spirit. In face, this is the only way that the gospel should ever be taught. (D&C 50:17-22)
Verse 62: Those of us who have all ready been baptized should accept the words of the prophets as commandments. We should all ready have testimonies, so we should merely do what we are told. We should also strive to receive continual witness of the divinity of those commands. Those who have not yet been baptized should be constantly nurtured and invited to obey. We cannot and should not force them into the church. We should only invite and continue to teach by the spirit. That definitely sounds easier than it is.
Today was a zone P-day. We all went up to Sequoia National Park. Those tress are absolutely huge! It was really fun. There is a great big place where there are just huge boulders by the river. We played tag for about two hours on all of those boulders. IT was so much fun! I absolutely loved it.
Well anyway, we really had a good time. The interesting thing was that Elder Jasperson was really nice to me. I was very pleasantly surprised. I talked with him for about an hour. it was really nice.
We went tonight and taught David and John Thao the fifth discussion. It will really be food to finally see them baptized.
I got a letter form Mom today. She sounds like things are going really well in Omaha. She said that Jane is really having a hard time. I wish I could do more for her, but I will just keep praying. I hope that Grandpa and Grandma Hansen make it through all of this okay too.
Jan 27, 1991
Title page of the Book of Mormon. This is an abridgment of the events that took place among the Nephites and Lamanites in the ancient Americas. This is written both to the natives of America, and to the gentiles- those who do not yet have an understanding of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This record was written because the prophets were commanded to write it. The spirit of prophecy is gaining spiritual confirmation of the things we have all ready been taught. The spirit of revelation is actually being taught and gaining new understanding through the Holy Ghost. In other words, the things that the prophets wrote herein were things that they knew were true through the work of the Holy Ghost. The plates were hidden up unto the Lord. The Lord protected this record.
—— Moroni knew that these things would have to be translated. he also knew that this record would only be translated through the power of God. Thus, this record was written by the Lord, through His prophets, it was protected by the Lord, and it was brought forth through the power of the Lord.
I KNOW that the Lord brought forth this record. I know that the Book of Mormon contains the word of God, I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I have had all of these things reconfirmed to my soul today by the same power that brought this book forth. I write these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Church was the best! I was so happy. Church in Hanford was good, but Visalia was awesome. There were ten adults at church! Chue Xiong was even there. He was the one that we gave a blessing to on Monday ( I think it was Monday?) That man has definitely got the potential to be a great leader in the church. I hope and pray that he will be able to overcome his frustrations and misunderstandings and be baptized. We had 31 people at church in Visalia today. i was so happy! Chue also gave us some good hints on how to help the Hmong people here join the church. He said that they are all afraid that if they come to church they will have to quit going to their friends’ parties. I really think that knowing that will help us out a lot here.
We wet tonight and practice the baptism interview with John and David Thao.
This has definitely been one of the very best days of my mission. I really hope that I am able to continue to be worthy to do the work of the Lord. I feel so inadequate as a missionary. There is so much work to do here, and there just plain aren’t enough hours in the day. I know that we are about the Lord’s work. I really need to have faith. i need to keep believing. I love this work.
Jan 28, 1991
Title Page of the Book of Mormon- Paragraph #2- The abridged book of Either tells us what happened to the group of people after the people were scattered fro trying to build the tower of Babel. (Genesis 11:1-9). The reason that the Book of Ether was included was to show that the Lord will keep His covenants with all of the descendants of the House of Israel- including the Lamanites. The descendants of Israel also need to know or be able to find out what those covenants are, so many of those promises from the Lord are included in the Book of Mormon and the Book of Ether. The House of Israel is not cast off forever. Israel will be restored, both physically and spiritually.
Missionaries have the same mission as the Book of Mormon as stated in the next sentence- To convince all men- whether of Israel or not, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, to make Christ known unto all of the nations. If the Book of Mormon and missionaries have the same purpose, I need to use the Book of Mormon more.
The Book of Mormon is the work of God. Whosoever condemns the Book of Mormon is also condemning God. That is a spot that I surely do not want to be in. one thing that I must always remember is that the church is of God, but men are still a part of the church. when mistakes are mad, they are the mistakes of men, and not the mistakes of God. if we criticize the works of God, we will be criticized of God. Judge not others that ye be not judged.
Things were kind of slow today, yet very hectic. We had to of shopping for food today even though it wasn't P-day. That’s what happens when we have zone P-days I guess.
My companion is really frustrating me. He had been really depressed lately, but every time I ask, he tells me nothing is wrong. how is the world am I supposed to help if I don’t know what’s wrong. I’m not sure what to do. He also refuses to have comp study with me. We have not had comp study for 2.5 weeks now. I guess he thinks he can learn Hmong on his own. I really want to help him, but I can’t if he won’t study with me. He also had a total disregard of the rules. I just wish he would tell me what’s wrong so that we could at least work on it. i guess that all I an do is to do my best to help.
Jan 29, 1991
The testimony of the 3 witnesses: This testimony was born to every person on the face of this earth who would ever see the Book of Mormon. It would have been wonderful to be able to bear testimony to all of those people. It is only through the grace and power of God and Jesus Christ that anyone is able to see this work. This book will work towards the salvation of some and the damnation of others. The Book of Mormon was translated by the power of God. Thus through God’s power we are able to read the Book of Mormon. The three witnesses were told of the truthfulness of this book in the same way that we can all know for ourselves- the voice of God will bear witness to our souls through the power of the Holy Ghost. The 3 witnesses were commanded by the voice of the Lord to bear witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. This is no different than the commandment which everyone on the earth had been given. Once one receives a spiritual confirmation of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, he must bear testimony. In fact, oftentimes the spiritual witness sought after is not received until one bears witness to others. This show of faith allows them to receive the spirit of prophecy which they asked for.
By remaining faithful and repentant, one rids himself of his own sins through jesus Christ, but only by bearing witness of the truth to others can one rid himself of the sins of others. Bearing testimony is not a call to only missionaries. It is the duty of all member of the church.
We baptized john and David Thao today. It was really fun. Brother Cox baptized them and I confirmed them. It was really fun. I feel really good about having baptized them. The Spirit there was so strong that it was just amazing. It has been a long time since our last Hmong baptism in fresno. It was food to finally accomplish my purpose as a missionary again. Last month was the first month of my mission without a baptism, and I hope that it is my last.
We also had a chance to teach a couple of discussions today. That was good too. Usually, a baptism takes up your whole day, but we managed to have district meeting and teach two discussions too. One of our families basically asked us not to come back. however, the other discussion went absolutely great. Their three boys had all read 3 Nephi 11 and the first 5 chapters of First Nephi. They are all so excited about the church that I couldn’t believe it. I have never had the opportunity to teach a family so well educated, and so interested in the gospel. They also seem to have not hangups about the church or relatives. That is a great relief.
It seems like everything here is going perfect. I love to be a missionary! The Lord has truly blessed me for my work here. I hope I can be more worthy of those blessings,so I can continue to be blessed.
Jan 30, 1991
The testimony of eight witnesses- This testimony is given to all people who will receive this book. This includes Hmong people. For this reason, I really need to use this testimony more when I distribute Books of Mormon.
These eight men were allowed to see and handle the plates of gold which were given to Joseph Smith by the angel Moroni. This testimony is given to refute those who will say that Joseph Smith, Jr. merely created the Book of Mormon from his imagination. This witness will stand against all of those people at the last day. The Lord always provides us with 2 witnesses. One witness is always temporal. That is the witness that I bear as a missionary. Also, there are always at least two temporal witnesses. (2 Cor 13:1) The other witness is a spiritual witness. God will always bear witness through the power of the Holy Ghost of the testimony given. However, just as men have free agency to refuse or to accept the temporal witness, they also have the free agency to refuse the spiritual witness they are given. It is not our job as members of the church to make someone accept our witness, it is only our job to bear that witness. At some point, they will know that witness we bore was true, but we can not force them to live the gospel.
Today was one of the busiest, most hectic days of my entire mission, yet one of the most unproductive also.
We spent a good portion of the day translating for Mee and Jar Xiong at the doctor. We also spent some time helping Chue Xiong an his wife. Right now I am feeling some frustration. The hmong church in town does absolutely nothing for these people. All they do is chew them out at church and make them pay money. Everytime they need anything the call me. The thing is, they are almost completely unwilling to do anything I ask of them. it tends to make me frustrated. They all want very much for the Lord to bless them, yet they don’t want to do the things that those blessings are contingent upon. How can i help them if they will not help themselves?
I know that I am doing what the Lord wants me to do for now. There is a time and a season for all things. I can’t believe I have been a missionary for 8 months!
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