May 31, 1991
3 Nephi 18:19- Because of Satan’s desire to overcome us and drag us down, we must pray always. Not only must we pray as individuals, but we must pray as a family. It is when we do not pray as a family that Satan is able to get between us. We pray to the Father in Christ’s name because Christ was the only person on the earth to be worthy of Himself of praying to and conversing with the Father. The ability to pray in Christ’s name is a privilege extend to every man on the earth. Some churches pray in their own name. that is blasphemy! Who would ever consider themselves to be independently worthy of approaching God the Father in prayer? The only way that out prayers will be heard (because of our unworthiness) is if we take upon us Christ’s name and humbly approach god’s throne. Then will out prayers be heard and answered.
20- If we ask for things in prayer which are tightwads desires and are proper in the sight of God, and we do so with faith in Christ, and we do so in the name of Christ, it shall be given to us.
21- This is a direct commandment from Jesus Christ to all of the patriarchs of families all over to world. Family prayer is commanded and has been commanded for all eternity. we must pray as a family. I have gained a strong testimony of family prayer over the past few weeks. with it we will make it. Without it, at some point we will be unable to stand. We must always pray together!
We road our bikes through downtown Stockton today. That was really sad. Alcohol and drugs are the two most wicked things in the whole world. There were so may people just sitting on the sidewalk either drunk or high. What a waste of life. It was such a terrible wicked thing to see what those people’s lives are like. All for a drunken stupor they have thrown their entire lives away. I sure do think that is sad!
We had kind of a hard time today. We sure met with a whole lot of people today, but we had a hard time getting many discussions. we rode our bikes for 40 min to get to an appointment, and the guy wasn’t even home! I also found out today that Elder Barton is not into riding his bike very fast at all. I felt like I was going to go nuts.
We got to go teach a new member discussion to Nopparat today. It was so neat. Every time I heart her pray, it brings tears to my eyes. That’s how prayers are supposed to be: humble, simple, calm, sincere, and honest. I wish that I could pray like that. Why do Americans always have to use such great big phrases and all the complicated words? I remember that Kristin doesn’t pray like that either. Maybe when I get home she will teach me how to pray like that too.
I got a package from home today. mom sent me 96 razors, a shower mirror, and some Motrin for my legs. It was sure good to hear from her. She didn’t say much, but apparently she is doing fine. Hopefully tomorrow will be a more productive day.
June 1, 1991
3 Nephi 18:22- How terrible it would be if someone was to feel unwelcome in the Lor’s church. Yet, how often do members and nonmembers fell unwelcome because of the ‘strong members’ reaction to them. All are equal in the sight of the Lord, and it is imperative that we as LDS go out of our way to see that others feel welcome in the sight of the Lord.
23- Those that come to church must be accepted and prayed for. Again the manner of prayer is made very clear. We are to pray to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ. We should pray for all those who are in some way seeking to return. It is amazing how praying for someone helps you to love him.
———24- Christ is out light. We must hold up our light to the world. Christ even explains in this verse how we go about holding up the light. It is os simple. We simply do those things which we have seen Christ do. Christ prayed unto the Father. We should pray unto the Father in Christ’s name. If at the end of the day, we are able to truly say that all of our actions that day were done in Christ’s name, then we can be sure that we are doing our job of holding our light up to the world. I sure have a long way to go.
25- We should never tell anyone to stay away from our church. we should suffer all to come to our meetings that they can see and feel Christ.
Those who do not all things in Christ’s name (especially son stand prayer and fellowshipping) suffer themselves to be led into temptation.
I am really confused! I don’t know what the deal is. We went and taught Cheng Moua today. He committed for baptism, but something just didn’t seem right. Anyway, tonight his wife tells us that she had a vacation planned for that day, but her husband didn’t even know that she was leaving! I don’t know what in the world is going on with that family, but it is a long way from normal. Anyway, I don’t know for sure what is going on there so I will have to wait and see what happens. She has said for a long time that she wants to be baptized, but she didn’t seem very happy about his decision. I don’t get it, but I’m sure that the Lord’s will will be done.
Otherwise we got rocked hard toady. Nobody was home! Every time we went to a house, they had just left. besides that, today was the day that the welfare checks came, plus it was Saturday. Naturally, all of the Hmong people went to spend their money.
June 2, 1991
3 Nephi 18:26- The preceding, verse 18-25, was spoken to and taught to not only the disciples but also to the multitude. At this point in His teaching, Christ again turns to the disciples He had chosen so that He may give His leaders some more counsel.
27- Christ still had much work to do. This is a good indication that when we are in the Celestial Kingdom, we will still have much world to do. Those who obtain a position in the Celestial Kingdom are those who shall progress eternally. In order to progress, we must be working. The work of christ is stated in Moses 1:39. If an exalted being must fulfill God’s commandments, how much greater need have we to fulfill the commandments of God!
28- The sacrament is no different than any other ordinance of the gospel. No one can receive sacred ordinances unless he or she is worthy of that ordinance. Although the sacrament is an ordinance performed often, it is one that should never be taken lightly. I need to do better at checking my own personal worthiness before partaking of the holy emblems of the sacrament.
29- It is of utmost importance to keep in mind that Christ is speaking to those who will preside over these ordinances. In today’s church, it is only the Bishop who has the right and authority to forbid someone from partaking of the sacrament. LDS must always be cautious not to overstep their own bounds of authority.
Today was a pretty good day. Church went well, but it wasn’t as food as last week. Out attendance was down a little, but otherwise it was very good. I was really impressed with the discussion in the Priesthood quorum. Those men have a far deeper understanding of the gospel than I ever dreamed.
Tonight we went to see a guy named Chia Yang. He is a guy that Elder Davis and Elder Nielson taught a first discussion to, but never got back to see him again. We went with Xiong Yang, the R.M. in out ward. It was really a good opportunity to see a Hmong guy teach a discussion. I really learned a lot. Besides that Chia really has a strong testimony of the gospel. hopefully we can get bak and see him again quite soon.
I was thinking today about some of the things I miss about home. One of the things I miss most is having someone around who understands me all the way through. Guess who that is. Anyway, I realized that most of the things that I mess about home are not as important to me as what I am doing now. The things that are this important to me (namely my family and Kristin) will still be there when I get home. The only difference is that I will be able to enjoy them more because of the knowledge and wisdom that I have gained as a missionary.
Today I am just happy to serve the Lord!
June 3, 1991
3 Nephi 18:30- No Matter what a person’s history, when they come to church they must be welcomed. Not only that, it is the duty of every member of the church to pray constantly for everyone who is not a member of the church. After one repents and is baptized, then he shall have the privilege of participating in the ordinances of the sacrament.
31- If one does not repent and be baptized, he cannot be counted among the church members. Christ will not allow unbelievers to drag down the members of the church. Christ does know His sheep. I can testify that He know me better than I know myself, and He loves me.
32- Those who have not yet repented and been baptized can not be ignored. We as church members must continues to serve them and teach them. Those who do repent shall truly be healed by Christ’s love and atoning sacrifice. What a wonderful opportunity to be the instrument which the Lord uses to bring someone unto Himself. i will strive to never turn down an opportunity to fellowship or minister to anyone.
33- We must keep these sayings always. I would hare to come user condemnation for failing to act in a manner that would have brought a soul to Christ. The gospel brings great blessings, but failure to live it also brings equal condemnation.
We finally got to sit down and talk with both Cheng Moua and his wife today. It turns out that she really does want to be baptized, but she is somewhat scared now that it is actually going to happen. I think she is just nervous because her wish is finally going to come true. Anyway, tonight we had a really good talk and they are going to get baptized as a family on the 15th of the onto. It was also the first time that we actually got the kids to sit down and be quiet so we could talk to them too. I’m really glad that they are waiting until the 15th so that they can all have a chance to be taught better. hopefully, we will have some others ready by them too.
June 4, 1991
3 Nephi 18:34- The reason that Christ had to give commandments concerning the attendance of meetings by unbaptized people was that the members had argued with one another about it. In the church, there is a set system for voicing one’s opinion. However, after a decision has been reached, it is crucial that we back it with all of our hearts. Then we will be blessed for our lack of disputations. Families also must work the same way. there should never be anyone in the church or family who says, “I knew that would happen, “or” I knew that wouldn’t work because once a decision is reached, it should be the decision of all those involved. It is interesting to note that He spoke to His disciples this way. There should be no disputations among the church leaders or family leaders either.
35- It is expedient to all of us that the will of the Father is fulfilled in all things. The reason that Christ did all things was to fulfill the will of the Father. He did so for our sakes. He did so that we might return to live with our Heavenly Father.
36- Christ laid His hands upon each of the disciples and spoke to them. I would imagine that he gave them power or authority of some sort.
37- He gave them the power to bestow the Holy Ghost upon others. They all ready had the Melchizedek priesthood, what they yet lacked were the keys for performing the ordinance of giving the Holy Ghost. By doing this, christ gave them the keys to bestow the Holy Ghost. Basically, He set them apart for this work.
Today was the very best day of my whole entire mission, and I’ve had some pretty good days. We taught 7, yes, 7 discussions today. They all went very well. I absolutely love to teach people. Chia Yang committed for baptism too! I am so psyched. The next thing that we need to do is to try to get his family involved. I mean, his wife is committed all ready, but his extended family has not been very interested as of yet.
Elder Bacton really made me proud of him today. We had to ride our bikes all over this city today, and this city is a big place. Anyway, it is not easy for a guy his size to ride a bike that hard, but he did it. He also did a really good job in his teaching. It is really easy to love a companion who is giving it his all. He is. maybe that’s why it was so easy for me to fall in love with Kristin. She always gave it her all. The times we are far apart are the times that we are not giving it our all.
Speaking of Kristin, I got a letter from her today. She wrote it on the 29th. For some reason, it took that letter an awful long time to get here. Anyway, she had just arrived in Arizona and she seemed to be doing fine. I miss that girl. I wish I could share with her how good a day like today feels. Sharing the gospel is the greatest! I wouldn’t trade today for anything.
June 5, 1991
3 Nephi 18:38- When Jesus had touched every single one of His disciples, there came a cloud which overshadowed the multitude I wonder why He chose to ascend in a cloud?
39- The cloud apparently did not overshadow the disciples. They were able to see Jesus ascend into the heaven and they bore witness of it. In this chapter, it is very interesting to me that only the disciples heard and saw some of the things that happened. I would imagine that the reason or this was to allow the people to learn and exercise faith by believing in the witness of the disciples.
Moroni 10:1- Moroni wrote this chapter to the Lamanites who would receive this record in the Latter- days. However, the things contained in Holy Scripture apply to all people. Therefore, it is for our benefit also that Moroni wrote these things. He gave us a time reference so that we might know how long it took for the once wonderful society to decay and be destroyed.
2: After writing a few more things to exhort us in the ways of righteousness, Moroni would seal the precious record up unto the Lord, not to be seen again by man until Joseph Smith was given them by the angel Moroni.
Today was a fairly productive day, but not quite the caliber of yesterday. I was really tired today. I guess yesterday was probably pretty draining. Anyway, we were able to teach three discussions today. That makes for a pretty good day in and of itself. We spent some time preparing Cheng Moua to receive the Aaronic Priesthood so that after we baptize him, he can be the one to baptize his family.
I am finding that as soon as I allow myself to be scarified with a certain level of effort or success, that level is all that I will ever achieve. For instance, usually 3 discussions in a day means that you did pretty well, Yesterday, I decided to try to do better than that, & look what happened. Today I was so tired that I could hardly stand up and we were still able to teach 3 discussions. As soon as I reach a goal, I need to immediately set a higher one so that I can continue to progress. I’m not talking about just the number of discussions taught, but I’m talking about every single area of my life. I need to try to make the times that I reach goal mile markers and not plateaus. If I can do this, I will be able to accomplish much on my mission and in my life. We need to strive to do this so that we will also be able to accomplish much.
June 6, 1991
Moroni 10:3- the only way that anyone ever has the opportunity to read the things contained in this book of scripture is if it be wisdom in God. The Lord has truly been merciful unto all men from the fall of Adam down through the ages. This mercy is the only hope that any of us have of redemption. How can one do anything but love a God who had been so merciful to all mankind.
4: There are a few things that I have found to be key in relaying this promise.
1. The pray must be offered to the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. One must specifically ask if there things are true or not.
3. One must truly want to know.
4. One must have a basic understanding of the Holy Ghost.
5: I can truly testify from personal experience that the things here arrested to are true. I have put this promise to the testimony times. From these experiences, I can testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. I can testify that Joseph Smith, Jr. was a true prophet of God. I can testify that the church of Jesus Christ of latter- day Saints is the only true and living church on the face of the earth. By following the pattern outlined in verse 4, one can truly know the truthfulness of all things. I bear this solemn witness in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
I am so tired tonight that I can hardly believe it! I feel like I have been running around all day like a chicken with its head cut off. we were able to teach only 3 discussions today, but those three went very well. Chia Yang asked us if we wanted to teach his Aunt, Uncle,and cousins about our church too. Of course we said yes and we will start tomorrow. We also had to make an emergency trip to the hospital for one of our investigators’ uncle. He is really sick. His kidneys have been deteriorating for quite some time, but he has been afraid to of to the doctor. Well, he experienced kidney failure and the whole thing was quite frightening for himself and his whole family. He is going to be okay, but will need a kidney transplant soon.
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