September 4, 1990
Today’s Reading: Mosiah 5:6-
Verse 6: King Benjamin had desired that the people fell the Spirit and be converted, just as they were. This is the ultimate desire of anyone who teaches the gospel. Whether in Sunday School, Sacrament Meeting, a missionary discussion, or family home evening, the goal should always be for the listener to experience a change of heart, through the Spirit. It is the duty of the person presiding at a meeting to see that this happens.
Verse 7: When a person experiences this kind of change of heart, or change of desires, he has been Spiritually reborn of Christ. Again, Benjamin says it is through faith on Christ’s name that this change comes. It is not the other way around. Change does not bring faith. It is this way with all manifestations of the Spirit. First, someone exercises faith, then the Spirit manifests itself to someone. This is why it is so important for any person who is teaching to have faith that the listeners will feel the Spirit. Again, this is the case with all teachers. If the teachers have faith and do all they can to prepare the people to feel the Spirit, the people will truly feel the Spirit if they have faith as well. Faith brings the Spirit and the desired change of heart.
Verse 8: Christ is the only name given whereby men can be saved (John 14:6) After we experience a change of heart, we must covenant to be obedient (i.e. Baptismal Covenant) Making this covenant is the final step of conversion, If we fail to act on our change of hearts, the change will not be permanent. When the Spirit prompts, we must act, for it will not prompt us if we ignore it.
Verse 1: God will also send to see who believed. He will do this on judgement day. He will see who has made and kept the necessary covenants. This is how we will be judged.
Today was a really slow day. This morning we had district meeting, which was really good. We came home afterwards and had lunch, but it took a while. About two o’clock Elder Jasperson said he wanted to go and help a woman who was divorced get her welfare figured out. I told him I thought we should be doing other things. He told me that President Bott just doesn’t understand what we do here. I told Elder Jasperson that my duty as Junior companion was only to tell him my opinion, and he should make the decisions. He wanted to go and do it anyway, so we went. When we got there, he just told her how to get to the District Attorney’s office.
Later, we went to a members house to teach a new member discussion. It was so funny that I couldn’t stand it! These people have a bunch of little kids, none of which were bathed last week. Anyway, Pob Tsuas, a little boy about 4, walked up to E. Jasperson and rubbed a half eaten apple on his leg. Then he started eating a pastry, and wiped that on his other leg. He then proceedes to crumble up the rest of the pastry in Elder Jasperson’s shoe! When Elder Jasperson and I walked over to give the baby a blessing, Pod Tsuas wrapped both of his arms around Elder Jasperson’s leg and wiped his nose on his pants! Then their little girl comes waddling over with Elder Jasperson’s sunglasses in her mouth. She thought it would be nice to clean the lenses by slobbering all over them!
Tonight we went on splits again. It did’t go as well as I had hoped, but it went okay.
Sept 5, 1990
Today’s Reading: Mosiah 5:9-
Verse 9: Whoever is truly reborn of the Spirit, and acts on that Spirit by taking upon them the name of Christ through the ordinances of baptism, and endures to the end, shall be saved at the last day. He shall know the name of Christ and that he took away his sins. Part of enduring to the end is partaking of the sacrament to renew the covenants made at baptism (3 Nephi 18:11, moroni 4:3, Moroni 5:2)
Verse 10: If we do no take upon us the name of Christ, we will not be found in favor with God, for we will not be forgiven of our sins. Christ is the only way back to God (John 14:6) If we take upon us the name of Christ, we will be forgiven our sins and able to progress spiritually. As we progress, we become more like God and less likely to sin. If we do not take upon us the name of Christ, we will not be forgiven, and we cannot progress spiritually. If we don’t progress, we can not become like God and live with Him. Baptism and Confirmation are important for this reason. Without them, we cannot be forgiven, we cannot progress and thus cannot return to live with God.
Verse 11: WE will be able to keep the name of Christ forever, unless we sin and it is taken from us. If we do not endure to the end, we will not know Christ at judgement day. We will not be able to be found spotless. We must repent constantly. If we do, then we will be found spotless at judgement day and we will receive everlasting glory.
Verse 12: In order to retain the light of Christ in our hearts, we must strive to follow it. We must strive to keep the commandments. If we do this, we will progress and have the Spirit of God with us at all times.
Today was kind of a slow day. This morning, Tong, a deaf boy, came over to talk to us. He’s the one that is good friends with Elder Jasperson. Anyway, Elder Jasperson had to for on splits for an early appointment. I spent a lot of time talking to Tong. He is really a neat kid. I showed him some of the sign language that Kristin taught me. He was really impressed. I wish I had paid more attention when I went to Kristin’s sign language class with her. Instead, I usually just fell asleep.
We went to take tong to school and help him get enrolled. The special education teacher was really impressed with him. He knows how to read and write four languages! Not too bad! He can also lipread and speak those languages.
The zone leaders told me that if I ever need a personal interview with President Bott to just let him know. We have really been teaching a lot of discussions lately, but our investigators have not been progressing very well. They just don’t seem to be keeping their commitments. Hopefully tomorrow they will catch on a little.
Sept 6, 1990
Eric’s Birthday
Verse 13: This verse explains the importance of keeping our hearts and minds pure. IF we speak and act as though we are following christ, yet our hearts and minds are not in line with our actions, we will not know Christ at the last day. Our hearts and minds must be centered on Christ in order to be found on the right hand of God at the last day. I believe this is what is meant by praying always in our hearts (3 Nephi 20:1) If we spend our time doing evil, how can we do good?
Verse 14L If we do not have pure hearts, minds, and works, God will not claim us. He will drive us out from His presence. I sure have a long way to go in controlling the thoughts and desires of my heart and mind. Satan would like us to believe that our thoughts don’t mater, but they do matter. Our thoughts must be clean and pure at all times.
Verse 15: If we are converted according to the process outlined in verses 1-5, if we accept Christ through the ordinances of baptism by immersion, confirmation by the laying on of hands by those in authority for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the temple ordinances of washing, annointing, endowment, and Celestial marriage, if we keep the commandments, if we keep our minds and thought pure, thus praying always in our hearts, and if we strive always to progress in the faith, knowledge, and works of God, all of these blessings are ours and we shall know Christ at the last day, being saved from our sins through his atonement. These are the steps to attaining everlasting joy and happiness. Who would have thought they could all be written in 15 verse?
Today was the one hundreth day of my mission, that means my mission is 12.3% over. It was also one of the hardest days of my mission. My comp had been really down and negative all day long. I can’t stand it! I just wish he would figure our what he’s here for and do it.
Today we were at an investigators house, looking at a doctor’s bill we had to explain to them what it was. It said the that the doctor was a pathologist and that it was for examination of frozen sections of tissue during surgery. This is the family whose baby had a brain tumor removed and that I blessed would be okay. Anyway, Elder Jssperson couldn’t figure our what it was, so I told him. He told me he never met this doctor and he shouldn’t be sending a bill. I kept my mouth shut and didn’t tell him he wouldn’t ever meet the pathologist. So he called the doctor to see what it was for. Instead of telling me I was right, he just told me it was for some “stuff’ the I probably wouldn’t understand even if he explained it to me. AHHHH! I’m going to go crazy.
Tomorrow will be better.
Sept 7, 1990
Today’s reading 3 Nephi 27:1-
Verse 1: Christ disciples were preaching the gospel throughout the land, just like missionaries do. They were gathered together in prayer and fasting. It is key here that they were united. I wish my companion and I were more united. I just don’t know how to go about it.
I spent the rest of my time this morning studying various scriptures. I just couldn’t get into it very much. Tomorrow, I have an interview with President Bott. I hope has has some good advice.
Lat night I taught a fourth discussion by myself. It went really well. I just hope that the father will act on the Spirit he felt. Last night he told me he wanted his wife and kids to be baptized as soon as possible, but he couldn’t be baptized until his parents come from Thailand. I told him if he didn’t get baptized, I wouldn’t baptize his family. I really believe he will eventually come around. I sure hope so.
Anyway, today was better than yesterday, tomorrow should be better.
Sept 8, 1990
Today’s reading: 3 Nephi 27:1-
Verse 1: As members of the church, we must meet together often in mighty prayer and fasting. I believe this is the goal of fast and testimony meeting. I never realized this before, but at fast and testimony meeting, we must be united in purpose. Just think, I’ve been to nearly 240 fast and testimony meetings and I never got the point! The disciples were preaching things they had both heard and seen. If we have read the scriptures, we have heard Christ’s voice (D&C 18:36)
I’ll try again tomorrow, time for zone study with President Bott.
D&C 45: 28-29 The missionary work!
VS 29- Many will not receive us, but we will be their judge at the last day. Perhaps my job is to teach 1000 people, not necessarily to baptize them. Christ said that not everyone would accept me.
Because we will have very little to no time in the Spirit World (we are near the end), We must prepare in THIS life. If we don’t teach the gospel, we rob others of the time to prepare. Live well enough to keep the Spirit, this means you will be protected. The Lord will protect us. This generation will probably see all of these things come to pass (Signs of the times) We need not fear. Prepare.
(Notes for second coming on pages 330-335 of his journal. I did not type.)
These things and many, many more will come to pass whether we know about it or not. “Stand ye therefore in Holy Places.” The Holy place must be our body. We must keep our bodies clean. If we are living righteously, we need not fear. These things will happen and we will be protected.
Today was a pretty good day. As can be seen above, zone study with President Bott was awesome. I had the Spirit witness the truthfulness of so many things to me. One of the neatest things was that because I have been a priesthood leader, I will have to be at Adam-Ondi-Ahman in order to turn in the keys of my priesthood callings. I can’t wait!
In my interview with President Bott, he asked me if Elder Jasperson was necessary to the Hmong program in Fresno! I didn’t know what to tell him. He just asked more questions and I answered as best I could. Later on, Elder Jasperson told him he wanted a transfer. That really disappointed me because he’s giving up.
Anyway, we taught a few discussions and met a lot of neat people later on today. We taught Lang Vang a discussion today. It went pretty well.
Sept 9, 1990
Today’s Reading 3 Nephi 27:2- (I’ll try this one more time)
Verse 2: Christ appeared to them because they were gathered together in mighty prayer. Where ever there are two or three gathered in prayer, Christ will be there also. (D&C 6:32) This includes a husband and wife. It is so important for us to pray as husband and wife in addition to praying as a family. If we, husband and wife, desire Christ’s guidance in raising our family, we must gather together and pray unitedly (w/ one heart and one mind) in prayer. IF we as a family want guidance we must pray unitedly for guidance as a family. This applies equally to all groups, quorums, presidencies, wards, and stakes in the church and missionaries. If we desire guidance, we must pray for it, unitedly. (I knew there was something important in this verse. The Lord has really guided me today. I’m so thankful for the insights He has given me)
Verse 3: the disciples, had not been told what the name of the church should be. When they needed a name for the church, they prayed for guidance. This is why revelation and prophets are so important. The Lord won’t tell us everything at once (line upon line) D&C 98:12. When questions arise concerning the church the prophet can pray and receive guidance. Likewise, when questions arise concerning a ward, the bishop can receive guidance. When questions arise concerning families, the father has the right to receive revelations to guide his family. He should also seek the counsel of his wife. It is very important that we do not seek revelation concerning things that are not part of our stewardship. If we do, we will be unsuccessful in getting an answer from God, but we may be deceived by Satan. We must be careful to avoid this for instance, a member of a ward cannot receive revelation concerning the guidance of a ward. The bishop can receive that revelation as can the Stake President, and on up. Anyone who holds that ward as part of their stewardship can receive revelation concerning it.
If this “chain of revelation” is followed, disputations will not occur. Obviously, if someone seeks revelation improperly and Satan answers them, it will not be in line with the answer the Lord gives to the leaders entitled to that revelation.
This is why the Wife covenants with God to heed the counsel of her husband. He is responsible AND ACCOUNTABLE for receiving revelation and guiding the family. As long as the wife righteously seeks to follow her husband’s RIGHTEOUS guidance, she will be blameless before God. If she feels his guidance is unrighteous, she had every right to seek the counsel of the bishop. (Mom- The wife should also seek confirmation of the spirit herself. She counsels and makes decisions with her husband based on her personal revelation. She does not just blindly follow him or depend on him to do all of the spiritual seeking. She should act on prompting she receives. She has joint stewardship over her family and has a responsibility to seek guidance as well) There is always someone responsible to receive revelation for every organization in the church. This also means that we can all receive revelation for ourselves. If it is not in line with the leaders’ of the church guidance, we should check our personal lifestyle and worthiness. The lord will not allow the prophet to lead us astray nor will he tell us to do anything contrary to the prophet or the scriptures.
Well, today has been both really good and really bad. the spirit was really strong throughout the day. IF we constantly strive for the Spirit, it will be with us constantly. I think I felt the Spirit stronger today than I ever have before. It is so wonderful. I got to help make someone an Elder for his mission to Thailand. His name is Josh Maskovich. He has worked as a Stake Missionary in the Hmong Branch for two years. He is fluent in Thai, so he should be one heck of a missionary. I even sang 2 songs in Hmong at his farewell! There were about 10 of us who sang, though.
Tonight I went to a family (Txia YiLAng) and taught part of the fifth discussion. we were planning on baptizing him this weekend, but things didn’t go too well. He still wanted to wait for his parents to come over from Thailand. Anyway, I went over to another house where two women live who were baptized about two years ago. Anyway, they just have a ton of little kids running around all over the place. It turns out that the two women who are new members are numbers 2 & 3. Txia Yi has three wives. I guess that takes care of their baptism this weekend.
Sept 10, 1990
Today’s reading:3 Nephi 27:4-
Verse 4: There is never any reason for people of the church to dispute. If a clear answer can not be found in the scriptures, we simply ask our leaders. We should never seek individual revelation as a means of proving or justifying our opinions. It is okay to have different opinions, but when we are told the correct one, we should both adopt it as our own. We also should not dispute one with another, we can discuss things, but we should never let it lead to who is right or who is wrong, only to which answer is right or wrong. If we can discuss things in this way, we can learn much from one another. If we can’t we will lose the Spirit immediately. This is important in all decisions, but especially in those made between husband and wife. When we discuss what is right instead of whose right, no feelings are hurt and both people can back the decision that is reached. (Your Dad learned a lot from the spirit about how to deal with relationships in a marriage while he was on his mission. I think this was one reason the Kristin was important for him. It made him think of those things so that he would get the revelation to help in our marriage later. I can say honestly, that your dad really tried to implement all of these things in our marriage. Good advice for you to take as well)
***Verse 5: In this verse Christ chastises his disciples because the answer to their question is found in the scriptures. this is why we should search the scriptures first. Then if we are unable to find guidance, we should pray and seek counsel of our leaders. God expects us to search for our own answers and to exercise our thought capabilities. The reason Christ’s church is called by His name is obvious. We will be saved by His name.
Verse 6: Whoever taketh upon them the name of Christ, through the ordinances of the gospel, and endures to the end in striving to keep the commandments and repentance, will be saved at the last day. Christ is the only person who can provide a path to salvation for us. John 14:6.
Today was really a lousy day. Elder Jasperson was just a jerk. He got up this morning, did his wash, and went to the store with Elder Watson. I ended up on splits all day with Elder Le. I don’t know. I guess that’s all right, it’s just that he has made an effort all day long to be a jerk.
We had a dinner appointment tonight at some Americans’ house. It was really good. We had lasagna just like my mom makes. It made me realize what a lousy cook I am.
I had a chance to write quite a few letters today. I got a letter from Kristin. I am going to work so hard on my mission so I can show Heavenly Father that I am worthy of her. I also got a letter from Spencer Oliver today. He gave me some really good advice about how to keep my spirits up. Between the two of them, they gave me a lot of help just when I needed it.
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