Aug 22, 1990
Today’s reading - Mosiah 3: 19-
Verse 19: Since the fall of Adam, man has been born with tendencies to do things that are not in accordance with God’s will. Things like- being unchaste, being selfish, wanting to steal, basically- sinning in any way. This causes God to say that this type of person is His enemy. Only by being converted by the Holy Spirit can we become God’s army. IT is worthy of note that Benjamin says ENTICINGS of the Spirit. At first, that’s all we get is an enticing or whisperings, but as we heed those enticings and whispering s they become stronger. Through Christ’s atonement, we can become clean and pure, and thus a friend to God. We are then as a child before god. The qualities listed here are those that we should try to develop.
Verse 20: This verse is a prophecy that the knowledge of a Savior will be spread to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. This is a prophecy of the spreading of the fulness of the gospel. This also includes the fact that everyone who doesn’t learn the gospel on the earth will hear it in the Spirit world. A knowledge includes an understanding. This understanding can come only through a knowledge of the whole gospel.
Verse 21: When the gospel is taught to someone, and they do not repent, then they will be damned (Their progress is haulted). It is only little children who never have need of repentance, because they have not had enough knowledge to sin, When we are told to become as a child it also includes never having need for repentance and not sinning. This is a very stiff challenge. “ Be ye therefore perfect.”
Today has been a pretty good day, we have been busy all day long, but I don’t feel like we accomplished a whole lot. We spent all day doing all kinds of things. We taught one new-member discussion and did quite a bit of welfare work. I am very sure not that Elder Jasperson read my letter to President Bott. He has really been a jerk all day long. I’m just trying to ignore it until tomorrow. He called President Bott last Monday and asked to see him. So tomorrow morning at 9:00 we will meet with President Bott. I’m not too sure what will happen, but I hope it will accomplish something. Quite frankly I;m sick and tired of his attitude that I’m not as good as him and he doesn’t ever need to tell me where we’re going , what we’re doing or ever let me do the teaching. I really hope something happens tomorrow morning.
It is really hard for me to have the Spirit when I’m this upset, but I’m really trying. It’s one thing if he wants to do things that are wrong, but it’s another if he wants to be a jerk about it too. Oh well, we’ll find out what happens tomorrow.
Aug 23, 1990
Today’s Reading- Mosiah 3:22-
Verse 22: After we have been taught the gospel, we become accountable for all of our sins: past, present, and future. We must repent of all of our sins if we wish to stand blameless before God.
Verse 23: Benjamin is simply stating that he has fulfilled his calling as prophet just as Ezra T. Benson does today. Just because President Benson or other prophets do not tell us they are speaking for God, they are. That is a prophets place in the world. President Benson always speaks for God. D& C 1:38
Verse 24: The words of King Benjamin will stand as a witness before God at the last day. They will witness against all those who did not repent yet were introduced to a Book of Mormon and did not investigate and live by the gospel.
Verse 25: If our works are evil, we will feel such guilt that in the presence of God that we would be miserable. Therefore, we will leave His presence and attain only a lesser glory. In this lesser glory, we will always know we could have done better, this knowledge will torment us for eternity. This is how a person is damned. After this life, it is too late for repentance if you know the gospel here on earth. (Mom- Later, Dad’s view on this was not nearly so harsh and cut and dry. He believed as do I that we are all judged individually based on our understanding at the time. Our lack of understanding will give us more opportunities to change and repent. Repentance is much harder after this life, but is possible. However, if we sin with greater light and knowledge there will be much less leniency. If we are in open rebellion against God, we will be accountable for sinning against what we know. I also believe that we will attain the kingdom in which we are most comfortable- my cruise ship food anaolgy (so people are content with burgers by the pool, others love the buffet, and then there are people who are willing to dress up for the dinning room. For those that want pizza in their swimsuit, the dining room is not their idea of heaven)
Verse 26: Mercy can no more affect these people because they had their chance, and after this life, justice must have it’s claim. God promised these punishments, and must give them to the unpenitent. ( mom-I would say that the law of justice requires them and God follows eternal laws. Mercy has no claim because we then have to suffer for our own sins if we neglect to apply the atonement) Just as he promised Adam would die if he ate the fruit. God always keeps His promises.
Verse 27: The torment of the unpenitent will be unending. (mom-It is eternal- not unending. It is eternal because it is from God. Punishment do have an end, just as the suffering Jesus did for the atonement had an end.)
Today has really been a very good day. I have been on splits with the zone leader Elder Le, all day long. I have really gotten a chance to tell him some of my concerns with Elder Jasperson. I also spent an hour and a half writing while Elder Jasperson talked to President Bott. He went in thinking he would tell President how things were, but he came our with his tail between his legs. I was really quite glad. Elder Le said that if by September 5 he didn’t have things figured out, he would be transferred. I hope we can learn to work as a team because we would really make a good team. I’ll just keep trying.
I got mail from Mom, Jane, Kristin’s sister, and Kristin today. What a score!
Aug 24, 1990
Today’s Reading Mosiah 4:1
Verse 1: Benjamin had spoken the words to the people which the angel of God had spoken to him by the power of the spirit. This is why D& C 1:38 is true. IT was just as if all of the people had heard the angel directly, for Benjamin spoke the same words. It was just as if all of the people had heard the angel directly, for Benjamin spoke the same words. It is also as if all of us heard the angel when we read the BOM or listen to the voice of our dear prophet, Ezra taft Benson. The people had fallen to the earth out of fear of the Lord. They had been brought to an understanding of their sins, but had not yet attained forgiveness. This is why we often feel more guilt while repenting than we did immediately following the sin. We fully realize our guilt during repentance.
Verse 2: the people knew that the dust of the earth always obeys God, we don’t. therefore, we are lower than dust. the people all prayed for the same thing. We should also pray for this everyday. We should pray for forgiveness, confess our belief in Christ, and that Christ is the creator Savior and judge of this world. We should also pray that our hearts might be purified. This will help us to have righteous desires, righteous thoughts, and help us to be a s little children. It is important that they pray for the atonement to apply to them. Christ’s atonement only applies to those people who follow Him. Not everyone I teach will have the atonement apply to him. Only those who accept Christ and honestly strive to follow Him. We must make a conscious effort every moment to apply the atonement to our lives.
I got along with Elder Jasperson fairly well today. He was being really cold an acting like a jerk, so whenever he said something smart, I slammed him HARD. When he realized that I could rip him every time, he quit. We’ve gotten along fine since then. We only proselyted about 4 hours today, but I learned quite a bit of Hmong.
We went to a Hmong wedding today. I was invited to sit at the bargainers table. that is a real honor for the Hmong people, let alone for an American. The only problem is that part of the process is drinking small amounts of beer to show you agree with each deal that is reached. Elder Jasperson was at the other end of the room. By the time I realized what was going to happen, I was seated and served two small cups of beer!
Now I had a problem. This is a real honor for them to give me. It means that they accepted me as part of their clan and wanted me to help discuss and plan the terms o the marriage and the rules the couple would live by throughout their lives, but I couldn’t accept this honor. I tried to explain that I couldn’t drink the beer, but they thought that to refuse a sacred honor like that over whether or not I drank alcohol was stupid and ridiculous. Anyway, I ended up just kind of letting them I didn’t know enough Hmong to do a good job. I don’t think I offended any of them, but it was sure a tight spot and I didn’t handle it very well, next time I’ll do better. Well time for bed.
Aug 25, 1990
Today’s reading - Mosiah 4:3-
Verse 3: The people, after praying for a remission of their sins, obtained a witness through the spirit of the Lord that they were forgiven. It is interesting that it was the Spirit of the Lord. Since Christ did not yet have a body, His spirit was able to touch the hearts of the people.(mom- The holy Ghost is the connecting point between our spirit and Christ’s spirit. I think that can occur whether Christ had a body or later after he was resurrected.) The people had received the baptism of fire that is spoken of in the scriptures. It is the baptism of the spirit that cleaners us and through which we obtain a remission of our sins. They were filled with peace because of their exceedingly great faith. They knew that the things Benjamin had said were true and that Christ would surely come to redeem their souls. This is the same faith which we must have today to experience that peace of conscience. We also must repent as they did.
Verse 4: Too often, after receiving a remission of our sins, we become very poor listeners. We feel that we have been forgiven and that is all we need to do. This is precisely the attitude that gets us in trouble again. Benjamin asked the people to please avoid this by listening again to the things he had been commanded to say.
Verse 5: Even after we obtain forgiveness from God, we are worthless as compared to Him. All of the greatest things that science can do today are worthless as compared to even the simplest acts of God.
Verse 6: If we do the things listed in this verse, we will be saved.
- Recognize the goodness of God- His power, wisdom, patience and long-suffering towards men.
- Acknowledge the atonement and it’s central role in the plan of salvation The atonement was planned in the council in Heaven before this earth was even formed.
- Trust in the Lord.
- Keep the commandments (perform proper ordinances)
- endure to the end
These are the things we must do to attain exaltation. It sure looks easy on paper. All that is left for us to do is to decide whether or not to do these things I will do them. I don’t thing we can ever come to a full understanding of the goodness of God in this lifetime. His wisdom, power, and patience aare all never ending. he loves us so much.
Today, Elder Jasperson was sick, so we didn’t do too much. We did however go and talk to TU Lu, the mechanical engineer. I felt impressed to teach him about family prayer, so I did. His wife just returned from Wisconsin with their kids where they were visiting family. Tu Lu just had surgery to repair a hole in his eardrum. Anyway, I told him about family prayer and asked him to do this with his family every night. He said that he would. The Sprit was so strong as I told him about the sweet spirit that always accompanied my family as we prayed. He kept talking about “our” church, just like he was already a member. He asked for a ward list so her could memorize the names on the list. he said that way if he ever met any of them on the street, he would be able to try to get them to come to church! He REALLY wants to get this branch back on its feet. We well start teaching he and his family the first discussion again, since his wife had been out of town for so long. They are really a neat family. I sure hope that we ca get him baptized soon. We need some leadership in the branch.
August 26, 1990
Today’s Reading: Mosiah 4:7-
Verse 7: The atonement was prepared fro in the pre- existence. It was made for all mankind. If all mankind would follow the 5 steps given in verse 6, then all mankind would attain Celestial glory. Christ suffered for everyone of our sins. all we have to do is repent and we will be washed clean in the blood of Christ.
Verse 8: Cross reference John 14:6. Christ is the only way. We must believe in God’s goodness, power, and mercy, and that God is just. We must believe in the atonement. We must trust in the Lord, keep the commandments, including repentance and performing necessary temple ordinances and baptism and confirmation, and we must endure to the end. There can be no variation. This is the only way we can be saved.
Verse 9 : This is a list of some the qualities of God. Man does not comprehend even one part in a million of what the Lord comprehends; however, it is possible to comprehend endless amounts through the Holy Ghost. God is simply the extreme of every good quality. He has developed all good qualities to their maximum. We must also develop our good qualities to their max in order to become like HIm. We should alway strive for this. Our goal in this life should be to develop our good qualities to their maximum potential. This can only be done through the help of the Spirit. If we do this, our bad qualities will be diminished and eventually we can completely end or stop any bad qualities that we have in this life. This will help us in the next life too. “ The same spirit which posses our body in this life, will possess us in the life to come.”
Today, after church, Elder Jasperson and I had it out. I decided that I was sick and tired of it and that something had to be done. Anyway, after about an hour of arguing, I told him we could either ask for transfers on Sept 5th or we could try to work it out. I told him I really wanted to work it out and get things going in Fresno. He said he did too. So we sat down and really talked about our gripes. Then we set some goals and decided to get out butts to work. We went out and taught 4 discussions tonight. Not too bad! I actually taught two of them!
The problem before was that neither of us were really committed to making this companionship work. It was actually quite a lot like when Kristin and I first met. We both knew that we could accomplish a lot together, but until I trusted her and she trusted me, we couldn’t seem to go anywhere together. After we got things taken care of, our relationship skyrocketed and had never slowed down. Hopefully things with Elder Jasperson and I will get moving now. We both have qualities that will make us a great team if we can just get the team to play together. Things are looking up.
Aug 27, 1990
Verse 9: Because the Lord is omnipotent, he is omniscient
Verse 10: This verse shows us that it is not enough to simply believe these things. We must act. This verse also gives us the steps of repentance.
- Believe you must repent ( recognize that you’ve sinned)
- Forsake your sins
- Ask God to forgive you
- If you have humbled yourself because of your sins, you feel sorrow for them.
Verse 11: This verse is VERY important. After we attain remission of our sins and we are filled with the Spirit, we must be very careful to remain humble. If we become prideful, it becomes very easy to fall into sin in other ways, but the pride is a sin in and of itself. When we become prideful, it is more difficult to do what is right because we cannot have the spirit with us, we can endure to the end, only by remaining humble.
Verse 12: Benjamin promises us that if we remain humble, we will always have a remission of our sins. we will always have the Spirit with us. Our gospel knowledge will constantly progress and we will grow in the knowledge of God, what a fantastic promise. All we have to do to have the spirit is to repent, pray to the Lord daily, and humble ourselves before God. The promise is continues in Verse 13: The things stated here are simply results of having the Sprit with us. I will always strive to be humble. That is one of the keys to the kingdom of God.
Aug 27, 1990
Today was P-Day, but we had a number of appointments this afternoon that kept me from getting much done. Tonight, I got a phone call from Yia Vaj, the relief society president, she said that Mai Ntxiv was sick and needed a blessing. Mai Ntxiv is about eight months pregnant. When we got there, we were told that Mai Nxiv’s doctor had told her she was going to lose the baby. We talked for a while, said a prayer, and I gave her a blessing. The Spirit was so strong. I wanted so badly to tell her the baby would make it, but the Spirit told me the baby was needed elsewhere. I also told her the baby would not make it. That was so hard to tell this woman. She has carried that baby for eight months, hoped and prayed it would be okay, and it just couldn’t be. It wasn’t the will of the Lord. I had tears streaming down my cheeks as I gave her that blessing; however, the Spirit did tell me to give her her hearing. I blessed her that her hearing would gradually improve until it was normal. I know that both of these things will come to pass.
Sunday, we went to see a little baby who had had three brain surgeries. I had blessed her before the third one that she would have a normal childhood. When I heard that she was in the hospital for surgery again, I was a little concerned. I knew the Spirit had told me to bless her that way. Anyway, in the hospital we found out that before the third surgery, they figured she was brain damaged and might not live. After surgery, the doctor said her chances of being normal were very good. The power of the priesthood is soooooo real! The Lord will let us do great things with it when it is not contrary to His will.
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