Aug 1, 1990
Today’s Scripture- 2 Nephi 31:11-
Verse 11: Again, the Father commanded repentance and baptism, not Christ. Christ relayed the message. Christ is god’s beloved Son.
Verse 12: The Son is the one that taught Nephi. The Son always teaches men. If you are baptized in the name of Christ, The FATHER will grant the Holy Ghost unto them. The Holy Ghost is a comforter, “like unto” Christ. Christ tells us to follow Him and do as he has done. Do as I Do. This is the best way to teach. Christ asks us to follow Him.
Verse 13: NEphi loved us. We must follow the Son with full purpose of heart. We must be completely honest in our dealings with God, we must also be baptized, then we will receive the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost, when received, causes a baptism of fire. This is when the person’s sins are forgiven. This is when they are able to have their minds filled with the Gospel. Thus they are able to speak with the tongues of angels because words will be given unto them, then can they truly praise God, for their minds are centered on Him.
Well, I’m finally here! It is great! I find that I can communicate fairly well, but I have my work cut out for me.
I placed a Book of Mormon on the plane. I would have gotten 2 placed, but the guy was reading it already. I don’t understand why they put the Elders all together. I had to go find other seats to talk to people.
One thing that I found out right away is that Hmong women don’t wear shirts in their homes. That was a real surprise. She had on a bra and it wasn’t that I looked, but Elder Jasperson- my comp- says that it is rare that they even wear a bra. Oh, well.
I’m not real sure what’s going on here. It’s hard to follow so far. I gotta get to bed.
Aug 2, 1990
Today’s Reading 2Nephi 31:14-
Verse 14: Being baptized is a witness to the Father that you are willing to keep His commandments, this enables Him to bless you. After being baptized by water and of fire, it is important to obey and keep your testimony. If you deny God after this, you will be worse off than if you didn’t know anything about God because of the condemnation you have brought upon yourself.
Verse 15: The Father confirmed the truthfulness of the words of His Son. He also adds that whoever endures to the end will be saved.
Verse 16: Nephi had witness born to him by the Holy Ghost that the only way to be saved is to follow Christ’s example in enduring to the end.
Verse 17: Nephi reiterates the importance of following Christ’s example. Christ is my Lord and my Redeemer. the reason that Christ’s example was given to us was so that I might know the way to return to the Father. The way is simple, although it can seem difficult at times. It is....
- Repentance
- Baptism
- Receipt of the Holy Ghost
Verse 18: After these three things remains is to endure to the end. The 3rd step is a result of the promise made by God and the obedience exemplified by the person completing steps one and two. The reason a person does these 2 things is a direct result of the first principle of the Gospel- Faith. Faith is what drives a person to act. ( Mom’s two bits- In order to recieve the Holy Ghost at all times we have to be doing everything the Lord wants us to do. Hence, having the Holy Ghost with us at ALL times is an indicator that we are in good standing with the Lord. All we really have to do is be capable of that. Doing our calling, reading scriptures, prayer, FHE, teaching others, missionary work, etc. really all of our ‘to do list’ in the gospel is to aid us in feeling the Holy Ghost. In this life the goal is to get to the point that we are willing to give up all of our sins to know Him and to constantly feel the Spirit. This is how we perfect ourselves. Constantly doing things to feel the spirit and repenting whenever we feel it withdraw.)
For when ye do what I say, I the Lord am bound, but when ye do not what I say, you have no promise.
What an incredible day!
We taught a first discussion. I taught a few of the principles. I found out that I have a lot to do before I will be able to teach full time by myself. I have set a goal to have it down in 2 weeks. I know that the Lord will help me.
We also taught a 4th discussion to a girl named Hua. Afterward, her mother fed us dinner. It was actually quite good.
I got up this morning @ 5:00 to study. My comp is the greatest! He speaks Hmong very well. The kids are awesome. Everywhere we go a crowds gathers to speak Hmong to the missionaries. Today, a little girl’s eye caught hold of the Mickey Mouse pencil that Nicky gave me. She was so cute and liked it so much. When I went to leave. she asked If wanted it back. I just couldn’t take it from her. Oh well, I guess that’s also how Nicky got my BYU hat. I’m a sucker for a girl’s sad look. That’s life.
I really love this work! It is so much fun. Can’t wait to learn the language better so that I can really teach them.
Time for bed- oh yeah- The Hmong people’s faith is so incredible. when the people have the faith, the priesthood can do all things. Some members asked us to five their boy a blessing and heal him. He had been very sick for a few days. I annointed and Elder Jasperson blessed him to be healed. The priesthood is so incredible. I love this work!
Aug 3, 1990
Today’s reading 2 Nephi 31:19-
Verse 19- Nephi is indicating that baptism by fire is not the last step. We must have UNSHAKEN faith. Endure to the end. The only way to maintain our faith is through constant effort. Nothing tays the same, so our faith had to get either stronger or weaker. If we do not work at it through constant prayer and study, it will diminish until we find ourselves struggling for a testimony. It is also more difficult to gain a testimony for the second time than it is for the first. We must depend completely upon Christ. Without Christ, we are nothing.
Verse 20- We must press forward. It is simply not enough to try to stand firm or maintain our current position. Even if we were able to not gain or lose ground, Satan would be gaining ground simply by virtue of the fact that time is passing and we are not gaining ground. We must constantly work to be closer to Christ (Mom- It’s like we are in a river swimming against the current. If you stop swimming the current takes you the wrong direction) If we will do this, we will learn to love all men simply because we are drawing nearer to Christ and he loves all men. If we do these things we will have eternal life.
Verse 21- (We’ll try again) This is the only way to return to God. No other Church can lead men back to God. This is why it is so important for us to do temple work and missionary work. This is THE only way. Unity of the Godhead is also reiterated. Since these things are the doctrines of Christ, they are also the doctrines of the Father.
Today was a pretty good day. We got to give a Hmong girl a blessing. I annointed her in Hmong! It didn’t sound perfect, but i got the job done. We also taught another first discussion today. It went pretty well, I taught part of it, but I still need to work on it.
The highlight of the day was going to a baptism. Elder Barney, the guy I;m replacing baptized the two people- husband and wife. I don’t know their names or anything, but it was so cool! I can’t wait to get to do it. I also got to help confirm them and five them the Holy Ghost. It was the coolest!
Aug 4, 1990
Today’s reading Mosiah 2
Verse 1; Benjamin’s son did as he was commanded and gathered together the people unto Benjamin, just as Christ did His Father’s will and gathered us unto the Father. The people went unto the temple to hear Benjamin’s words just like we go to hear God’s words. This verse can be very representative of life. The people were not force to gather. They till had their free agency, just like we do. Benjamin was their King, God is our King.
Verse 2: Many had gathered. Many will also gather unto God. Those who had done as Benjamin commanded had waxed great in the land. Those who follow God will also prosper. The people were with out number. God’s children are also without number.
Morning- we went to a Hmong Branch picnic. It was really fun, food was lousy, but it was edible. There was a big water fight. hmong kids like to do the same things as American kids- ie. soak me. All people are the same.
Afternoon- went on splits with American priests. It was scary knocking on the first door, but about 10 minutes into the conversation, I realized I had been speaking Hmong and so had they. Cool! I actually understood!
Evening- We taught 1st and 2nd discussions and challenged for baptism. It was awesome! Spirit was SO strong! They accepted.
I have lots to do, but I’m getting there. There is lots of work to do. I love being tired at night. Really tired. Haven’t received any mail yet except. Hope to hear more soon.
Aug 5, 1990
Today’s Scripture Reading: Mosiah 2:3-
Verse 3: The people were still living the law of Moses. This shows that Christ had not yet come. The firstlings of the flocks symbolized Christ being the first born and his sacrifice.
Verse 4: They also sacrificed to show thanks to God for all that He had done for them. They realized that God had given all things that they had that were good. It is important for us to remember that God is the source of all of our blessing and to give thanks unto Him for all of our blessings. God gives us commandments so that when we obey them, we will be able to be happy, be able to love God more and be able to love other men. This is because when we keep the commandments. We have God’s Spirit (Holy Ghost) with us. When we have the Spirit, feelings of happiness, joy and love fill our souls!
Verse 5: The people gathered together in their families, just like we will be gathered unto God according to our families. We will dwell in the celestial kingdom with our families, just as the people lived in tents with their families. What a wonderful thought! The biggest difference will be that in Benjamin’s kingdom, every family was separate from one another. In the Celestial Kingdom, we will all be of one heart and one mind, one big family, yet we will be most immediately with our earthly families.
Verse 6: The people had the door of their tents facing Benjamin so that they could hear his words. We should always keep our homes in tune with the Spirit. We should also always have our door open to the Lord, His servants, and all of His children.-------
Today was really a good day. Church is very interesting. The Hmong people all have about 10 kids and try to keep them quiet, but it’s about impossible. Today was testimony meeting and there were so many babies to be blessed that there was not time for testimonies. Kind of a neat problem to have. We had 10 investigators there, and We each sat by some of them to explain what was going on. I also translated while the Branch President talked to some people. There is certainly a lot of work to get done. I can’t wait to get a better hold on the language- Then I’ll have it licked!
At one place tonight, they fed us. In fact, it was at Hua’s house. She is a girl that we have been teaching and will baptize Friday. Anyway, there are 3 girls in the family and they always feed us. Tonight, we had raw pork and rice. Two times, I nearly threw up while I was trying to swallow. Anyway, I got it down okay.
we also talked to a Shauman tonight. He is in charge of the Spirit worship, kind of like a medicine man for Indians. Anyway, he told us that long, long ago, one of his ancestors had great power, but the Hmong no longer had that power. Elder Jasperson asked if we could come back and tell him where that power came from and where it went. I think the Hmong might be the tribe of Benjamin, but it’s hard to tell. They all have a sun, moon, and star on their ceremonial dress. I have also seen temple symbols on their dress and in their homes. They are no doubt from Israel, but I’m not too sure where from yet. We’ll just have to see.
Aug 6, 1990
Verse 7: So many people came that he could not teach them in the temple. He had a tower built so that the people could hear him. He had a strong desire that the people should hear him. Our Father in Heaven wants us to hear him too.
Verse 8: Since not everyone could hear him, he caused his speech to be written and copies to be sent to all of the people. This is much like the Ensign of today. Since we can’t hear the words of the prophet, he writes a monthly message to the people and sends it forth. That way, everyone has the opportunity to hear or read the message and is therefore accountable for his heeding or not heeding the prophet’s counsel. For out of the books which ye have shall ye be judged.
Verse 9: The people were his brethern since they all believed in God, also because they were all descendants of Nephi Benjamin did not call them there to argue with him or worry about technicalities in his manner of speech. He basically asks them to just be open minded and listen to him. This is a key to learning anything. One must always be open minded in order to learn, otherwise, one’s mind will never accept the new information. The same is true of people that we tach the gospel to. They must have open minds. If people will study the gospel this way, The spirit can enlighten their minds and open they mysteries of God to them. Whenever we study the gospel, we must do so in a spirit of humility so the spirit can teach us.
Verse 10: Benjamin wanted to be sure they understood that he was a man just like them. This helped them trust him “Build Relationships of Trust.”
Aug 7, 1990
Today’s reading- Mosiah 2:11-
Verse 9- All prophets do 2 things, teach and write. Benjamin did both.
Verse 11: All men are subject to sickness and temptation. Even Benjamin, a great prophet of God, was subject to these things. Benjamin was also consecrated by the hand of his father. This means that his father set him apart to be the king. The power of God is matchless. Benjamin had worked very hard for the benefit of his people. We should all try to serve our fellow men in the same way as Benjamin served his people. This includes teaching and correcting them.
Verse 12: Benjamin served selflessly. He served his people and never taxed them for his own support. Benjamin served out of love for his people.
verse 13: As their king, Benjamin taught them things that they should do. He instructed them in the will of God. He taught them how they should acr, but more importantly, he taught them by example. A father (or mother) can not expect his children to do what he tells them if he doesn’t do it himself. The supreme example of this is Christ. He taught perfect principles, but more importantly, He SHOWED the way. What a perfect example. Benjamin also did not lock people up or confine them with slavery. He taught his people to be people of God, just like we should teach our family to be a family of God. Another parallel is that God did not allow our free agency to be taken by Satan. Benjamin did not allow his people to have slaves.
I can’t believe that my mission is already 70 days old. Today was kind of a tough day. Most of our appointments fell through, so we didn’t teach any discussions.
We had a zone meeting this morning. It was kind of frustrating because everyone was full of complaints about all of the stake people not fulfilling their calls. I told them that instead of complaining, we needed to help those people to catch the vision of what they are doing. That is what matters. After they see the blessings that come from it, they will be more than happy to help us.
Today, it was 113 F- that’s hot, but I have pretty much adjusted to it. It doesn’t really bother me much. I just have to drink lots of liquids.
We did some welfare work today. A family that came over from Thailand 4 months ago had almost not food. We went through their house to find what they needed and filled out the forms to get them some food.
At some people’s house today, the lady brought us 2 big cucumbers and a knife to peel them with. IT was about a foot long. I HATE CUCUMBERS. They are all slimy in the middle.
We went on splits tonight. IT was tough because I contacted some referrals. Some of them just didn’t seem to care about my message. I think I need to bear testimony of the importance of my message. I also need to work on building on common beliefs more.
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