Through the Forest in a Thunderstorm

This past week has been an interesting one! In my last blog post I mentioned how we had to take our car to the shop for needed repairs. The car was in the shop for almost a week which put Elder Lang and I on foot for a few days. Normally we would be riding bikes, but we only had one bike. On Friday Elder Grant, a missionary serving in Lake City, came down to Branford to see a few people with me. Friday went good, no problems really. But Saturday was where we learned a simple, but lasting lesson. Saturday morning started out like any other morning as a missionary. As we were about to head out to walk around trying to talk to people we received a warning text from Sister Barry informing us that we had thunderstorm warnings. Sister Barry is a wonderful lady who has been called to help protect us missionaries. Well we didn't want to just sit in the apartment, so we decided to go out and work, besides if it got bad we would just hurry back to the apartment. As we walked out of the apartment we could see dark clouds but they were a little ways off and we thought we would have at least 30 minutes to proselyte. So we started walking. As we got a some distance away from the apartment guess what happened? Yep it started to pour rain. We stood under some persons porch for a little bit hoping that the rain would just go away. After a minute or two it calmed down a little but it didn't go away. The logical idea at this point would be to start heading back, right? Right, that would be the logical decision, but did we choose that decision? Nope. We thought "hey it calmed down!" and moved on with what we were doing. As we walked some more we saw a lady and went to talk to her. As soon as we started talking to her it started pouring again and she told us goodbye then ran inside. We decided at this point that the weather is getting pretty bad so we should head back. We ran under a little roof extending off from a shed and sat there again hoping that maybe it would calm down again. But this time it didn't. Really the best way back to our apartment was to run through a small forest. And thats just what we did. We ran through the forest the best we could, but as we ran through vines and brush blocked our way, along with spiders and other bugs. About half way through we got a little lost and wondered if we were heading the right way. Rain was pouring. Lighting filled the sky and thunder followed behind. The thought came to my mind "if we would've just heeded the warning by Sister Barry we wouldn't be here right now." Eventually, after some trial, we made it back safely. 

This experience reminded me of times in every ones life. At times everyone is faced with a decision and must act upon that decision. Sometimes we choose wrong, other times we choose right, or other times we dont know what to choose. Today we have special people, called prophets, who are called by Jesus Christ himself, to warn us and keep us out of danger. Prophets are righteous men called by God to be His mouthpiece. They speak Gods will, and we have the choice to obey their council and be blessed or take our own path and accept the consequences. Elder Grant and I didn't heed Sister Barrys warnings and because of that we were caught in a storm. We justified our actions, took our own course, and thought that it would be easy to return back Then when we got caught in the storm we hoped that it would just "go away". Everyone may experience the same feelings when they disregard Gods commandments and commit sin. After Elder Grant and I continued down our own course we realized that it would've been best to just follow the warning. We then had to take the long hard course back (repentance). But we did make it back! I know from experience that its best to listen to and follow the living prophets. They point us to Jesus Christ, who is the source of true happiness! The Prophets know what lies ahead and tell us exactly what we need to do to prevent unnecessary trials. When we heed their council we are blessed with those things we stand in need of. Our lead prophet today is President Thomas S. Monson. This weekend on March 31st and April 1st President Monson and  the Apostles will be speaking to us! We can hear the wonderful and uplifting word of God (see Jacob 3:2, Book of Mormon) and see His will be revealed to us in these days. What a blessing! I am excited to hear their words and follow their council.           

         

To watch President Monson and the Apostles speak go to: http://www.lds.org/

To learn more about how God again called a prophet go to: http://mormon.org/restoration/

The Spirit that Saves Lives

About a month ago I went on a companion exchange with Elder Nelson who is serving in Lake City. I had him come down to my area in Branford for the day and I felt like we were going to have a really good experience. Well the trade off was an experience, but defiantly not what I expected. About 20 minutes into the trade off we were driving down an open country road driving about 45 mph to an appointment when out 

of no where a 1991 Chevy pickup truck pulled right out in front of us! I slammed on the brakes and laid on the horn while Elder Nelson braced for impact. It felt like everything went into slow motion. I had a feeling to turn the car a little to the right and so I did. We slammed into the side of the truck on a diagonal right in front of the trucks passenger door. After things calmed down I climbed out of the car to go see if everyone in the truck was okay. To my surprise I saw three little kids in the truck all under the age of 5! The truck only had one front bench seat and that's where all 3 kids were sitting. Had I not listened to that subtle prompting to turn the car a little to the right we would have slammed into the truck right where the kids were sitting. Amazingly no one was injured in the accident. 

Just earlier today I started another companion exchange with Elder Nelson. We were planning on going to Branford to teach, but yet again the plans got jumbled up by car problems. I'm begging to fear my companion exchanges with Elder Nelson :). Just joking! For the past little while the inside of our car has been smelling like gas really bad. But today it was worse than its ever been. We deemed the car hazardous, then called our mission office in Jacksonville and they had us take it into the shop. While we sat in the waiting room the service man came out to fill us in on the status of the car. As we talked we felt prompted to take things to a more spiritual note. Our conversation went from talking about our car to talking about life after death. He told us about a dream he had about the after life and asked if we might know what that means. We turned to the Bible and showed him where it teaches about the very doctrine the spirit revealed to him in his dream. He then gave us his number and asked us to call him so he can learn more. Had we not listened to the Spirit it could have taken this man, who knows how long, before he received answers to his questions about Gods plan for him. 

I think its important to learn how to recognize and follow the Spirit to make it through this life and ultimately to make it back to live with God. 

President Boyd K. Packer taught: “The voice of the Spirit is described in the scripture as being neither ‘loud’ nor ‘harsh.’ It is ‘not a voice of thunder, neither . . . voice of a great tumultuous noise.’ But rather, ‘a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper,’ and it can ‘pierce even to the very soul’ and ‘cause [the heart] to burn.’ (3 Ne. 11:3; Hel. 5:30; D&C 85:6–7.) Remember, Elijah found the voice of the Lord was not in the wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but was a ‘still small voice.’ (1 Kgs. 19:12.). The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand. Rather it whispers. It caresses so gently that if we are preoccupied we may not feel it at all. Occasionally it will press just firmly enough for us to pay heed. But most of the time, if we do not heed the gentle feeling, the Spirit will withdraw and wait until we come seeking and listening and say in our manner and expression, like Samuel of ancient times, ‘Speak [Lord], for thy servant heareth.’ (1 Sam. 3:10.)” (“The Candle of the Lord,” Ensign, Jan.1983, 53). "God answers our prayers through personal inspiration and revelation. Our task is to live worthily, pray fervently, and learn to recognize and follow courageously the Spirit’s guidance. Many voices in the world compete for your attention, and they can easily drown out spiritual impressions if you are not careful." (Preach my Gospel, page 96-97).

     

Seeking the Light

Last Saturday Elder Lang (the missionary that has been assigned to serve with me), and I wanted to visit one last person before we called it a day. It was almost 8:30pm and holy moley it was pretty dark! Especially out in the sticks where we were located at the time. It was overcast, so the clouds covered any light that the moon or stars would've made for us. To get to this persons house we had to cross through a long field. In the distance we could see a little square light from the living room window of the persons house we were headed to, but right in front of us we couldn't see anything. We walked quietly trying to focus and see what was in front of us. After walking some distance we became concerned that we might step in a hole or on a snake or be attacked by possums or a homeless bearded man or who knows what. At that moment, however, I remembered we had a small flashlight back at our car. I suggested to Elder Lang that we should go get it, and he agreed. So we went back and got our flashlight then quickly turned it on. As soon as it was on our vision expanded and we were able to see what was in front us. Because we now had light our concerns of holes and snakes disappeared and we walked confidently to our appointment, cracking jokes and laughing along the way.

Some people today feel they are walking in spiritual darkness. They have concerns about their family, job, and even religion. Some dont know whats a head of them or how to get where they want in life safely. The Lord, however, has given us a flashlight. Our loving Father in Heaven has revealed truths about our purpose in life, where were going, and how to return to Him safely. He revealed this through a modern prophet. In the spring of 1820 a young boy stepped into a grove of trees to pray for guidance. His name is Joseph Smith. In answer to his prayer our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ, appeared to him. In time They called Joseph to be a prophet whom They used to restore the Saviors church back to the earth. Because of this Restoration we know Gods plan for our happiness. In just a few weeks on March 31st and April 1st 2012 Gods living Prophets and Apostles will be speaking to us and to the world. Here we will have a chance to hear the mind and will of the Lord for us personally. I know the Lord is leading his children today to safety through divine guidance.  

http://mormon.org/restoration/

Men and Women of Courage

Since before I was born my Dad worked as a firefighter and he worked as one for over 30 years. Because he was a fireman he kept a radio in our house that would go off when the fire department had a call. One night when I was about ten years old I heard the radio go off. It woke me up from my sleep. I waited and listened to the call, it sounded pretty bad. When the dispatcher on the radio stopped talking I heard my Dad get up and start heading for the door. It was his day off, but he decided to go help out anyway. So I jumped out of bed and ran up to my Dad asking if I could go too. After thinking for a moment he agreed to let me come and observe. So he woke up my Mom and asked her to come too to be with me. When we arrived to where the fire was I noticed it wasn't a small fire. It was a three story building right in the middle of a collage campus. I watched my Dad hurry out of our car and rush to where the firetrucks were parked. He geared up then went to work. I witnessed him and the other firefighters working hard and diligently to protect the surrounding buildings and to put the fire out. The fire was huge! And it seemed you could feel the heat from a mile away. It got a little scary watching the building collapse and seeing the ash fly everywhere. But no matter how big or scary the fire was my Dad stood courageously in his spot and fought the fire. I learned a powerful lesson from my Dad that night. It took courage for my Dad to leave the safety of his home and be willing to drive to a fire not knowing how big it was or what was going to be asked of him to protect others and to put the fire out. But he made the needed sacrifices and put his trust in God knowing that everything would be alright no matter the outcome. He is a man of courage.

Courage and faith are closely related. Each of us will be called to fight a fire of some kind. Not a real fire with flames, but a spiritual fire, which was lit by the devil. Satan, or the devil, glories in destruction and he is seeking to destroy our souls. He lights spiritual fires to keep men and women from following the Saviors teachings. These fires may include movies or other forms of worldly entertainment, bad influence from friends and family, addictions, pride or selfishness, or even fear. These spiritual fires can burn our souls until we are no longer able to feel the righteous and guiding influence of the Holy Spirit. With courage and faith we can win against these spiritual fires. It takes courage to walk out of an inappropriate movie. It takes courage to stand up to the peer pressure from family and friends. It takes courage to say no to a harmful drug or to give up an addiction. It takes courage to be charitable and give to someone else what you may need or want for yourself. It takes courage to live what you believe in a world that sees religion as a burden rather than a blessing. It takes courage to keep Gods commandments and take those steps of faith. 

As a missionary I've seen dozens of people who have the courage to stand against the spiritual fires and do what they know is right. I've seen many give up smoking and drinking. Others quit their jobs to keep the sabbath day holy. And some were baptized regardless of the mocking from friends and family. These are a few examples, but each faced a difficult decision and each had the courage to act and do what the Savior taught. Even though most of them faced harsh and unfair consequences from their righteous choices, all of them today have found true and lasting happiness. When we exercise courage and choose to be faithful, the Lord is bound and he'll pour out his greatest blessings upon us. The Savior taught "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." (D&C 82:10) He also taught " There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." (D&C 130:20-21). What these two teachings mean is that the only way we can obtain the greatest blessings God has to offer us, his children, is if we have the courage to be obedient and live what we believe in.

True courage and faith can only come from the Savior, Jesus Christ. When we follow Him and keep his commandments he gives us the strength to fight against the devil. The more we learn about our identity (that we are truly children of God) and about our purpose in life, the easier it is to stand up and do what we know is right. The way we can learn more about our identity and purpose in life is through daily scripture study, including the Book of Mormon. Also through daily prayer we can communicate our struggles with God and plead for his assistance. As we communicate with him, he then is able to bless us. Weekly attendance at church gives us an added measure of the Spirit. When all of these our present in our life we will have the courage, faith, and strength to extinguish the spiritual fires placed in front of us and are able to become true disciples of Jesus Christ.