Febr 21, 1991
Alma 13:3- Those who hold the Priesthood were foreordained to do so from the very foundation of the world. God already knew which of us would be worthy. God knew which of us would be able to have the Priesthood. As a result, He chose us long before the earth was made. It is interesting to me that Alma says that faith was exercised in the spirit world, I guess if we had all had a perfect knowledge, there would have been no one who fought against God. Priesthood callings could not be held by men without the atonement. Therefore, the callings were prepared for us according to that preparatory redemption.
Verse 4: Lack of faith is the resin that some men are not blessed with the priesthood. It is not that the Lord had cursed them. Men are ever free to change. The Lord all ready knew which of us would change and which wouldn’t. As a result, not one was foreordained for any office or calling that is our of their reach.
Verse 5: We all started in the same place. Due to lack of faith, we all separated as concerning the gospel of the Lord. We all have the same potential in the eyes of the Lord. We all have the same free agency to decide between good and evil.
The fact that the Lord knows what we will do does not affect our free agency. The perfect knowledge of God does not affect our free agency. If we harden not our heart, we will be redeemed through the atonement.
Well, today we finalized all of the plans for the baptism Saturday. we spent the whole day in Hanford, so we worked with Hmong people all day long. We are still working mostly with members that we are trying to activate. There are a large number of Hmong people who seem to think that the Bishop does not want them to fo to church because he is afraid that they will give the Americans diseases. I’m not too sure where that ideas started, but I will talk to the Bishop to see if he can’t straighten things our. I hope that here was some sort of misunderstanding. If not, I’m not real sure how I will deal with that. I just hope that the Bishop does not really feel that way.
I love to be a missionary. I’m not really sure what we will do to get things going here in Visalia. It is depressing at times, but I know that the Lord will cause His work to proceed at the rate which He wills. I hope and pray that the Lord will hurry things up in this area. Sometimes I get so tired that I can hardly move. That’s how I feel tonight.
Feb 22, 1991
Alma 13:6- The main reason that the Priesthood is on the earth is to five men authority to preach the gospel, to tach the commandments of God unto the children of men so that those who hear might also be able to be saved in the Kingdom of God. It is also important to note that by preaching the gospel we assure our own salvation.
Verse 7: After the order of the Son - God delegated all power to Jesus Christ. In this same way, Christ had delegated this power to men on the earth. Christ can not use His power in a meaner contrary to the will of God. In the same way, either can we. The keys of the Priesthood must all follow a line of authority. For this reason we must follow this line of authority on the earth just as it must be followed by Christ. Thus, the priesthood is truly after the order of Christ.
Verse 8: the calling to the priesthood and the ordinances there of is an eternal calling. Just as we have free agency concerning the fulfillment of other callings, we also have the free agency to decide whether or not we will fulfill the calling to the priesthood. This is a calling which had always existed and which always will exist.
Verse 9: Although the previous 8 verses are here applied to the office of high priest, they are equally true of all offices of the priesthood. Christ is the epitome of grace truth, love, mercy, justice, and wisdom.
One more day has passed. I think I probably wasted a lot of time today. I need to step back and take some time to reevaluate the people we are working with. We spent a lot of time today working with Lao people. In fact, we had one family commit for baptism! Elder Sorensen is really a good missionary. I am starting to understand some Lao, but I never speak any, so it is really hard to learn to speak. Tight now we have a hard enough time finding time to study our own languages, let along each other’s. Elder Sorensen and I both got flat tires today, so we spent about an hour fixing those too.
We are lunch today at 3:00 at one of Elder Sorenson’s friends restaurants. A Lao family owns it and fed us free. It was really good all except for the drink- soybean juice and seven-up. It gave me goose-bumps over my entire body! Yuck! Oh well, you can’t complain about free food I guess.
How Cow! I just realized why I am so hungry. I haven’t had dinner. We totally forgot about it. Oh well, there is always breakfast tomorrow.
Alma 13:10- The only way to gain the priesthood or any office there in is through humility, faith, repentance, and righteousness. With each succeeding office in the priesthood, it takes more of each of these to progress to the next office. It only follows that you must be exceedingly faithful, repentant and righteous to hold the highest office in the priesthood.
Verse 11: The reception of the priesthood is in fact a sanctifying ordinance. (D& C 84) When Someone receives that priesthood, he is sanctified (D&C 84:33) However, anyone who receives the priesthood unworthily drinketh damnation to his soul.
Verse 12: After being sanctified, sin is truly abhorrent to us. It is only gradually that Satan can wear down our abhorrence for sin. If we truly repent daily, we can in fact be sanctified daily, thus preventing Satan from breaking down our defenses. It is pride that prevents us from repenting and allows Satan to gain control over our lives.
Verse 13: Well, this is pretty clear. In order to enter into the rest of God, we must humble ourselves and bring forth works meet for repentance. If we fail to do this, we can not be sanctified If we are not sanctified, our abhorrence for sin will be broken down and we will continue to sin.
Feb 23, 1991
Today was the best! Mee Xiong decided to be baptized! I am so happy! She knew that that was the only way for her to be forgiven of her sins. She is really excited about it. I am too we will baptize her next Saturday! I can’t wait! I thought that she would never decide to be baptized. She told me about a dream that she had. She was standing in heaven wearing all white clothes, an angel came to her and gave her a book, but she couldn’t read it. The angel asked her to go with him, but she was scared and said no. the Angel said he would send someone else, Later another angel came. She went with that angel, expecting to go down the broad path. Instead they went the narrow way. mer says that because of this dream, she knows that the church is true. I only hope that she will remain strong.
The baptism in Hanford was awesome. Chou baptism in Handford was awesome. Chou baptized his 3 kids and one American 8- year old was baptized. The funniest part was when they got in the water, it was steaming hot. The bishop got a hose and put cold water in to cool it off. Then, Someone started putting bags of ice in the font. It was hilarious! I have always had a problem with water being too cold, but never too hot. So we had ice cites floating around the font. Chou did really well with the baptisms. He had to baptize the first one 3 times, but he did great. I got to confirm Mary. It was really are to do it in English, but that’s how she wanted it done. I love baptism!
I got a letter from home today. I miss those guys.
Feb 24, 1991
Alma 13: 14- We must humble ourselves before that Lord. Melchizedek has been given to us as an example of the manner in which we should humbly use and honor our priesthood. The priesthood the something which we must honor and be worthy of continuously and forever. The oath and covenant of the priesthood are eternal in nature and must be treated as such.
Verse 15: Abraham is a good example of respect for priesthood authority. Although Abraham was a chosen prophet, he still paid tithes to Melchizedek. Apparently Melchizedek held the proper keys to receive tithes. Just as the prophet today pays tithes to the bishop of his home ward.
Verse 16: All of the temple ordinances and other ordinances of the priesthood were given to the end that we might more fully understand Christ’s mission, that we might have more faith and hope of receiving a remission of our sins, that we might gain further light and knowledge through our righteous works. We must be righteous in order to receive further light and knowledge.
Verse 17: Melchizedek was king over the people of the land of Salem. His people were obviously very wicked. Melchizedek is a good example of being in a ‘bad area’ and what to do about it.
What a day! We taught 5 discussions and spent the whole day in church. Things are really starting to go awesome. It is my prayers that the Lord will continues to bless the Hmong and Lao people here in Visalia that they will continue to be receptive to the gospel.
Our turnouts for church were not anything special, but church went very well. The Primary kids sang in church. There were even some Hmong children singing. Of course, I had to choke back the tears the whole time. It’s kind of hard to translate well when you are crying. Anyway, it made me wonder how I with ever be able to raise kids if I cry every time they do anything. Little children are just so beautiful1 Especially when they sing about Jesus Christ and the gospel. I can hardly wait tip WE have kids. WE have a lot of growing to do before we are ready for that anyway.
Things in Iraq & Kuwait seem to be going very well for the United States. The Lord is truly going forward with those troops. There is absolutely no other way that the U.S. could be enjoying such overwhelming success in that war. I hope that it can all come to an end soon. I only pray that the Lord’s will will be done as expediently as possible.
Feb 25, 1991
Alma 13:18- Melchizedek was great example to all of us. He received the priesthood, as have all Elders. The key is that Melchizedek EXERCIZED his faith. He prayed earnestly to the Lord, and then he went out and worked. For the work which he did, Melchizedek received worldly recognition, but far more importantly, his efforts will be recognized by the Lord.
Verse 19: There have been many great Priesthood holders throughout the centuries. Although some receive calls that affect more people, to me there is no greater than the priesthood holder who leads, guides, teaches, ad blesses his loving companion and family. It doesn’t matter what out call is, as long as we fulfill that call., We will not be judged on our call, only on fulfillment of the call which we have.
Verse 20: We have been given the fulness of the gospel in the scriptures. To “wrest’ means to twist. Those who twist the scriptures for any reason will do so unto their own damnation. Also, those who twist the words of the Lord’s own servants also condemn their very should. Only the prophet is authorized to interpret scriptures for others.
We didn’t do a whole lot today, but man oh man m I ever tired. you know you’re in trouble when after a p-day you’re still dog tired. The funny thing is that as soon as I am with Hmong people, I have all of the energy that I need. Just like tonight- we went and taught a 5th discussion to Mee Xiong. She was really distracted about something, but I don’t know what. Anyway, I had all of the energy that I needed.
I’m not sure why, but I have really felt lonely today. I think that when I am not out working, I have more time to think, this time makes me really homesick. I also spent quite a bit of time talking to elder Miller about his plans for when he gets home. He is leaving on May 2. I guess that the whole thing made me homesick, especially for Kristin.
Feb 26,1991
Alma 13:21 now is the time to repent. The day of our salvation does draw nigh. For instance, when we die, it is too late. Since non of us knows which day he will die, we must repent now. Besides, even if we knew the day of our death, we would have to repent now. Planned repentance is simply not accepted by our Heavenly Father.
Verse 22: The Lord teaches His gospel unto all of the nations of the earth. The reason that He does this is so that the people can be happy and joyful. We can not be happy until we truly repent of our sins. It is truly wonderful to be part of teaching such a wonderful message to such a wonderful group of people. It is equally as wonderful to feel the joy of repentance as I repent of my own sins.
Verse 23: the truth of the gospel are very plain and very simple to understand. Those who try to make the gospel complex or difficult are really missing out. The truths of the gospel are so simple and beautiful, especially as contained here in the Book of Mormon. We are also hily favored to be able to preach the gospel in every corner of the United States. what a choice and marvelous time to live here on Earth.
I hate it when I don't get any mail. I am so tired that I can hardly believe it. We taught our tenth discussion for the week today. I really love to come home so tired that I can't move. I fell asleep today in two Lao houses. I really didn't want to but some things just can't be helped.
We went to see Sai Yang today. It completely amazed me. It turns out that she decided last week to rad the Book of Mormon in Hmong. she is all ready nearly done with 2nd Nephi. she said that when she finishes it she will pray about it to find out if it is true or not. I was so happy. I know that she will get an answer if she will only continue to search for the truth.
Elder Sorensen is the best! I am so grateful for this opportunity that I have to be his comp. I know that it won't last long, but while it does, we are going to work our butts off. I love being a missionary. Elder Sorensen tries hard to keep the rules and he works hard. What more could you possibly ask for? I'm going to bed.
Feb 27, 1991
Alma 13:24- the gospel was at that time being spread to many people inorder to prepare the way for the coming of the Savior. Right now, the gospel is also being spread by missionaries as well as heavenly messengers to prepare the earth for the second coming of our Savior. I hope that I can be here when Christ comes again.
Verse 25: I never realized how parallel the position of those in america before Christ's birth is to our position now. Know not how soon, we know not when, we only know that Christ will come. The wicked shall be destroyed and the righteous shall rejoice at His coming. I certainly have a lot of preparation to do.
Verse 26: The just shall know of the coming of Christ the second time just as they knew the first time. The angels from on high and the Holy Ghost will make known to the just of Christ's coming. I hope that I can be righteous enough to be receptive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit at that time and throughout my entire lifetime.
Verse 27: I believe that I am now understand the things that are written here. I have experienced the painful desire that loved ones should repent. I truely hope that I can be more effective I persuading people of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Today we teamed up with the zone leaders. It went really well. I like going on team- ups with Elder Miller a lot. One really neat thing happened. We went to see an inactive member. I asked him to pray before we left. When he did, he thanked Heavenly Father that he had sent "these two prophets" to visit him. That really humbled me to know of the level of respect that that man holds for us. The words of his prayer brought tears to my eyes. I hope and pray that I can be worthy of that respect.
We went to an area today that missionaries have been to before and tried to find some interest. We helped a guy fix his starter on the car. Afterwards, we basically said that he would prefer that we not try to teach him anything again. The rest of the complex was uninterested too. Oh well, all in a days work.
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