Christmas was awesome!! We had a tree decorated with water balloons, Mountain Dew cans, and what I hear are now valuable Twinkies, with a picture of the Savior in the middle. I don't have an SD card reader at the moment (I used Elder Nichol's last week) so, maybe I'll try and send some pictures later when I can get a hold of his. Thank you so much for the gifts you sent! Those pajama pants are SO soft! And I liked your Christmas story mom. I was confused at the beginning until I remembered the idea you'd mentioned earlier and suddenly it made sense. I bet it's even better when you have no idea what's going to happen. :)
After opening presents we went and had breakfast, and then there was the Devotional with Elder Nelson. The choir was supposed to meet at 9:00am to practice, and even though I was there on time, apparently there were way to many people going in and they closed the doors right before I got in. So instead of singing with the choir, I got to be stuck at the packed crowd of missionaries waiting to get in. I was pretty disappointed at first. I went to every rehearsal and I wasn't going to be let in! But then we ended up getting really great seats and it was all okay. In the devotional we heard from two convert missionaries, President Brown (the MTC Mission President) and Elder and Sister Nelson. Elder Nelson talked about being careful in the field, being a rumor-stopper, not a rumor-monger, and working with the ward mission leader and ward Family History assistant to find success. As I listened to all of the talks I felt that there are people being prepared to hear the gospel all over the world. Sometimes I think I expect everyone to reject the gospel, to think it ridiculous, and then few people who are found are surprised that they ended up joining the church. But I keep hearing stories about people who were looking for the truth or who were clearly prepared to receive it. This work is hastening, and the gospel is going to roll forth faster than ever in the coming years! I'm so excited to be a part of that beginning!
After the devotional, we had lunch, went on a temple walk, and then had a talent show. After the talent show, Greg Olsen spoke to us. He talked about not distancing ourselves from the Savior because He was the perfect Son of God. Yes, He was, and He is, but he was also an ordinary man. That was part of the advice Elder Packer gave him when Greg Olsen first attempted to do a portrait of the Savior; He should be depicted as manly, and ordinary. That's why Greg Olsen's paintings are so beautiful I think.
After that, we had dinner and then watched, "It's a Wonderful Life." I love that movie! All around, I had a very, very good Christmas here at the MTC. I hope all of you had a fantastic Christmas as well!
Until next time!
-Elder Ryan Lofthouse-
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Email from Elder Lofthouse, Christmas 2012
Feliz Navidad! I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas so far. I have! My zone got up around 6, put our presents under the tree we put together (I'll send pictures tomorrow) and opened presents. It was especially awesome to see the elders opening packages who hadn't expect to receive anything. We made sure they were taken care of. :) And then we had a devotional with Elder Nelson and I got to sit right near the front! It was great!
I hope that we all remember why we celebrate this holiday. As a missionary, I stand with the Apostles as we testify of the divinity of our Savior Jesus Christ. His birth was looked forward to by prophets for thousands of years. He was born in the small town of Bethlehem more than 2000 years ago. He showed us the way to return with and become like our Father in Heaven. For three years he ministered among the people of Israel. He taught the gospel, he healed the sick, caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, and the deaf to hear. He called twelve apostles, established His church, and then He finished the work that He came to do. In the Garden of Gethsamane, He took upon Him the sins, pains, and sicknesses of the entire world. Three times He prayed for relief, for some other way, so great was His pain. He bled from every pore and suffered far beyond what any mortal man could suffer. Yet he submitted to the Father's will. He then allowed himself to be taken and tried, mocked, spit upon, accused falsley, tortured, and finally crucified. His life was not taken. As the Son of God, He could have altered His circumstances in any number of ways. But He gave His life for us. Three days later, He rose from the tomb, breaking the bands of death and completeing the Atonement.
Christ lives. He is the Son of the Living God, and He leads this work. This is His church, and it is under His direction. The greatest gift ever given was the Atonement. He is our Savior, our Redeemer from spiritual and physical death, our Brother, and our Friend. He is very real and He can have a very real part in your life if you will let Him. Said he, "I have engraven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me." He will never forget you. He gave His entire life for you. He suffered everything you have ever suffered, everything you are suffering now, and everything you will yet suffer. He loves you. "I am the way, the truth and the light. No man cometh unto the Father but by me." He IS the way. He showed us how to become like our Father. He succeeded. We just need to follow Him. "Come follow me" is His invitation to all people. I pray that this Christmas season and every other day of the year we will keep Him in our hearts.
If you don't know that Jesus Christ is you Savior, then I invite you to find out. Study His words in the New Testament and in the Book of Mormon. Pray to know if He is there for you. He will answer you through the power of His spirit, and you will be filled with peace and happiness. All of us can have our testimony of Him strengthened. I invite you to all read Moroni 7:48, and consider what it means to become like Him. And then do as Mormon urges and pray with all the energy of your heart to be able to come to truly know Jesus Christ.
I am humbled to have the opportunity to spend the next two years testifying of Him, to stand as His representative on the Earth today. Again, I say that He lives!! I know it! He loves all of us and if we will come unto Him, no matter our circumstances, we will receive peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come.
Have a very merry Christmas!!
-Elder Lofthouse-
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Email from Elder Lofthouse 12/19/12 (with pictures!)
 |
| The first one is my district as drawn by Hermana Kennard. :) |
 |
| The next one should be my companion, Elder Montgomery (the one with the red hair). |
 |
| Then there's Elder Williams and Elder Nichols, the other two missionaries in our room. Elder Williams was our district leader, but he and Elder Nichols were made Zone Leaders on Sunday and I'm now our District Leader. |
 |
| There's also a picture of four missionaries at the temple who were my first four zone leaders. They're not sitting next to their companions in the picture. The one on the right and then two left from him were my fist Zone Leaders, Elder Willie-Starkey, and Elder Dubose. They were the best! The other two are Elder Flynn (red hair) and Elder Burnett (the one with the glasses). Those two just left for Tennessee on Monday. |
 |
| There's another one of him (Elder Montgomery) at the temple. |
 |
| Then there's a picture of the four hermanas in my district, Hermana Prince, Hermana Kennard (companions), Hermana Poston, and Hermana Barron (companions). |
 |
| Then there's a picture of my first Zone of which my District is the only one left. I love my district so much. They're just awesome. |
We're getting a brand new district today, and I'm so excited! We had one of them come yesterday because he's from France. And the crazy thing is, he's going to the Paris France mission, Spanish speaking. Whoa!
Elder C. Scott Grow spoke to us yesterday. He said that he was trying to prepare a Christmas talk but the Spirit kept guiding him in another direction. Well of course, that made us listen closer. We knew that this was coming from God and it would be what we needed to hear. It was a very enlightening and powerful talk. He spoke of four prerequisites to teaching with the Spirit: Faith in Jesus Christ, Obedience, Sacrifice, and revelation. He shared a story of when he was a mission president in Uruguay. He had each of the missionaries pray and fast to receive inspiration for a baptismal goal they could set. As he visited with them about what their goals were, one missionary said, "Twenty-three." He was surprised by this number. The most baptisms any companionship had gotten in one month for years was eleven. Moreover, this missionary had only been out for two months. So of course, Elder Grow told him he needed to make realistic goals. And this missionary said, "President, you told us to pray and fast about this, and this is the goal I was prompted to set." Well his companion thought he was crazy too, but after praying about it, he received the same confirmation. The next month, Elder Grow met with this missionary again and asked him about his goal. "President," he said, "we haven't met our goal. We've only baptized twenty." Elder grow was amazed! But then the missionary said (oh yeah, his name was Elder Smith), "But after I'm finished meeting with you, we have a baptismal service and we're baptizing three more." Elder Grow said that that mission changed dramatically. "The glass ceiling had been shattered." Baptisms shot way up as the Elders realized that inspired goals could be met. He counseled us to set realistic goals but to not let our faith be held hostage by previous realities or other people.
Before Elder Grow spoke, his wife shared a story. She has a nephew on a mission in England. He and his companion were teaching a man whose family were members, who'd been taken the lessons for a long time, and just wasn't going to listen. He (the investigator) finally said, "Look, I will open up this Book of Mormon, read a verse, and prove to you that it's not true." He was a man who believed that religion was just a way for people to explain things that science couldn't understand yet. He opened up to Alma 30 and read, "Ye have had signs enough. Will ye tempt your God?..." After reading that whole verse, he agreed to go to church with his family. Miracles have not ceased. This work is hastening. I hear more and more of the coming wave of missionaries. God guides this work and it will not be stopped. The gospel will roll forth to fill the earth as Daniel prophesied. And we are a part of it! Don't be afraid to lift up your voice, to reach out, to bring light to this darkening world! Read the Book of Mormon every day. Pray constantly. Seek to give up your will to Heavenly Father and trust that He knows what is best for you. Miracles happen as we sacrifice and live obediently.
I'll write again next week! Merry Christmas!!
-Elder Ryan Lofthouse-
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Email from Elder Lofthouse 12/12/12
Hello! How is everybody doing? Oh, before I forget again, I can't call home on Christmas. There aren't nearly enough phones to accommodate all the people here. Sorry. I'll be sure to write though. Oh, maybe for Christmas you could send me my orange duffel bag and two more pairs of white socks. :) Oh and I forgot my camera again today, sorry.
Todays e-mail might be short. I'm not sure what to write about. Both of my investigators have baptismal dates and we're picking up two more investigators tonight. I can't wait for the day when those are actual investigators and we're not just role-playing. The BYU mens chorus came and sang on Sunday. They were really good! Our zone is getting a new district today, and next week, my district will be the oldest in our zone. That is so strange. I don't feel like I've been here that long. Yet at the same time I feel like I've always been here and I always will be. :) Maybe throughout the week I should take note of things I should include in this e-mail. That would probably help.
Well, enough of going from one random thing to another. In our devotional yesterday, Elder Hallstrom spoke to us. In part of it he talked about meetings and how if we will go to each of our meetings expecting to learn from the Holy Ghost something that we can change, and we have every intent of acting on the revelation we know we will receive, then we will receive. Meetings will never again be boring if we do that. I encourage each of you to go to church each Sunday with a specific question in mind that you want answered. Write it down in a notebook and take it with you to church. Pray about it and have faith that the Spirit will teach you as you listen to the talks and the lessons. Write down your thoughts and feelings. You will receive an answer. I would encourage all of you to develop that habit of writing down thoughts and impressions all the time, but especially during church and scripture study. When you read your scriptures, have a notebook and a pen or pencil out, expecting that you will receive impressions that you ought to write down. "Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need." - Elder Richard G. Scott. He also taught that if we write down revelation we receive in a sacred place, God will be more likely to give us additional revelation. The Heavens are open. God will speak to you if you will listen. Study, ponder, and pray, and you will receive every answer that you need.
Don't forget to rely on God, and don't forget to be happy. :)
I love you!
-Elder Ryan Lofthouse-
Todays e-mail might be short. I'm not sure what to write about. Both of my investigators have baptismal dates and we're picking up two more investigators tonight. I can't wait for the day when those are actual investigators and we're not just role-playing. The BYU mens chorus came and sang on Sunday. They were really good! Our zone is getting a new district today, and next week, my district will be the oldest in our zone. That is so strange. I don't feel like I've been here that long. Yet at the same time I feel like I've always been here and I always will be. :) Maybe throughout the week I should take note of things I should include in this e-mail. That would probably help.
Well, enough of going from one random thing to another. In our devotional yesterday, Elder Hallstrom spoke to us. In part of it he talked about meetings and how if we will go to each of our meetings expecting to learn from the Holy Ghost something that we can change, and we have every intent of acting on the revelation we know we will receive, then we will receive. Meetings will never again be boring if we do that. I encourage each of you to go to church each Sunday with a specific question in mind that you want answered. Write it down in a notebook and take it with you to church. Pray about it and have faith that the Spirit will teach you as you listen to the talks and the lessons. Write down your thoughts and feelings. You will receive an answer. I would encourage all of you to develop that habit of writing down thoughts and impressions all the time, but especially during church and scripture study. When you read your scriptures, have a notebook and a pen or pencil out, expecting that you will receive impressions that you ought to write down. "Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need." - Elder Richard G. Scott. He also taught that if we write down revelation we receive in a sacred place, God will be more likely to give us additional revelation. The Heavens are open. God will speak to you if you will listen. Study, ponder, and pray, and you will receive every answer that you need.
Don't forget to rely on God, and don't forget to be happy. :)
I love you!
-Elder Ryan Lofthouse-
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Email From Elder Lofthouse 12/5/12
Sounds like life is good back home! I'm glad everyone is doing well and I hope you continue to find success in your writing mom! :) Thirty minutes of computer time is not a lot, so I hope I remember everything I was going to say.
First, I'll answer the questions you sent me in the dearelder.
My companion and I get along fine. We both have more laid back personalities. And we have this thing called companionship inventory (you can read about it in Preach My Gospel) that helps us to keep conflicts resolved. What do we do on a typical day? Well, we get up at 6 (that's the earliest you can get up, 6:30 is the latest) so that we don't have to wait for the showers, at 7 we have personal study in the classroom, and at 8:10 we have breakfast. These times are the same for everyday except Friday. The rest of our activities are the same each day, but vary in their times. Some days we'll have class after breakfast. Classes are three hours and we have two each day. We almost always have our last class at 6:30 except on Tuesdays when we have a devotional. Besides regular class, we have companionship study, gym time, lunch (always at 12:50), dinner (always at 5:45), TALL (technology assisted language learning), and various other "additional study" times. Friday mornings we do service (cleaning).
We get to hear from general authorities every Sunday and every Tuesday. So far, Elder Holland's talk on Thanksgiving has been the only visit from an apostle, but they sometimes come on Tuesdays. And we'll have someone here on Christmas (I'm guessing Elder Nelson :) ). We go to the temple each p-day (today). My favorite part about the MTC is either the devotionals or the gym time. My least favorite part is probably just never being alone. But I'll get used to that.
I like how in your letter you said that Yuki was at in-and-out (well, she does work there) and then almost as an afterthought added that Elder Scott was there. What?? That's so cool! Did you talk to him? And Yuki had better send me a dearelder as soon as she gets her call! Why was dad teaching Sunday school? He doesn't have a new calling does he?
Today, I got a white shirt someone sent me. There was no return address and the note with it said, "Someone is thinking of you. Hope you are in need of this. Merry Christmas!" I wish I knew who sent it, but I am very grateful they did, and if it's someone who is going to read this e-mail, then thank you!
Well I feel like I've finally gotten into the routine of things. And that's just what this week was. Routine. Of course, that routine involves routinely being uplifted and inspired and learning a lot. It's a pretty great thing when amazing experiences become routine. :) I have the best branch president in the world. He is probably the most Captain-Moroni-like person I have every met. He is bold, blunt, powerful, and at the same time caring. He really seems to have a gift of discernment and know what to say to us, what we need, and he has great confidence in us. I am so grateful that God sent President Hollister into my life.
I'm trying to think of what else to write. The weeks go by fast, but they are so long at the same time and it's hard to remember everything that has happened. One of the first things our Branch President said to my district when we got here is that our families will be blessed for our service. I believe it's D&C 35 that talks about that (but I could definitely be wrong). Well, one of the Elders in my district, Elder Nichols, told us yesterday that his older sisters who are inactive are starting to come back to church and take the missionary lessons. Hermana Prince's dad isn't a member, and he's been taking the missionary lessons for years, but this time, he is really serious about it. She fully expects him to be baptized. And Hermana Barron, who was disowned by her family for her decision to serve and had to live with her stake patriarch, her mom has started writing to her, and seems to be experiencing a softened heart. I am so thankful to have come from an active family. I have had so many great examples around me throughout my life. Without the support of you, my parents and family, I don't know if I would be out here. All of us who have the gospel are incredibly blessed and it is so easy to forget that. In the devotional last night, we heard from Elder Dave F. Evans (I think that's what his name was) one of the men, along with Elder Holland and Elder Nelson, who oversees the missionary work. He spoke of opening our mouths. God has promised that if we treasure up the words of life continually then our mouths will be filled when we open them. Don't be afraid to share the gospel! It's true, and anyone who reads the Book of Mormon and sincerely asks if it is true will, WILL, receive a witness from the Holy Ghost that it is true. Believe in that! Trust in it! Get people to read the Book of Mormon, and if you yourself aren't sure that you really know the book is true, then read and pray about it yourself. You will receive undeniable proof if you will do so, and then you will be able to share your testimony with confidence and faith. Let the Spirit guide and you will find opportunities to share your testimony.
I love all of you!
-Elder Ryan Lofthouse-
First, I'll answer the questions you sent me in the dearelder.
My companion and I get along fine. We both have more laid back personalities. And we have this thing called companionship inventory (you can read about it in Preach My Gospel) that helps us to keep conflicts resolved. What do we do on a typical day? Well, we get up at 6 (that's the earliest you can get up, 6:30 is the latest) so that we don't have to wait for the showers, at 7 we have personal study in the classroom, and at 8:10 we have breakfast. These times are the same for everyday except Friday. The rest of our activities are the same each day, but vary in their times. Some days we'll have class after breakfast. Classes are three hours and we have two each day. We almost always have our last class at 6:30 except on Tuesdays when we have a devotional. Besides regular class, we have companionship study, gym time, lunch (always at 12:50), dinner (always at 5:45), TALL (technology assisted language learning), and various other "additional study" times. Friday mornings we do service (cleaning).
We get to hear from general authorities every Sunday and every Tuesday. So far, Elder Holland's talk on Thanksgiving has been the only visit from an apostle, but they sometimes come on Tuesdays. And we'll have someone here on Christmas (I'm guessing Elder Nelson :) ). We go to the temple each p-day (today). My favorite part about the MTC is either the devotionals or the gym time. My least favorite part is probably just never being alone. But I'll get used to that.
I like how in your letter you said that Yuki was at in-and-out (well, she does work there) and then almost as an afterthought added that Elder Scott was there. What?? That's so cool! Did you talk to him? And Yuki had better send me a dearelder as soon as she gets her call! Why was dad teaching Sunday school? He doesn't have a new calling does he?
Today, I got a white shirt someone sent me. There was no return address and the note with it said, "Someone is thinking of you. Hope you are in need of this. Merry Christmas!" I wish I knew who sent it, but I am very grateful they did, and if it's someone who is going to read this e-mail, then thank you!
Well I feel like I've finally gotten into the routine of things. And that's just what this week was. Routine. Of course, that routine involves routinely being uplifted and inspired and learning a lot. It's a pretty great thing when amazing experiences become routine. :) I have the best branch president in the world. He is probably the most Captain-Moroni-like person I have every met. He is bold, blunt, powerful, and at the same time caring. He really seems to have a gift of discernment and know what to say to us, what we need, and he has great confidence in us. I am so grateful that God sent President Hollister into my life.
I'm trying to think of what else to write. The weeks go by fast, but they are so long at the same time and it's hard to remember everything that has happened. One of the first things our Branch President said to my district when we got here is that our families will be blessed for our service. I believe it's D&C 35 that talks about that (but I could definitely be wrong). Well, one of the Elders in my district, Elder Nichols, told us yesterday that his older sisters who are inactive are starting to come back to church and take the missionary lessons. Hermana Prince's dad isn't a member, and he's been taking the missionary lessons for years, but this time, he is really serious about it. She fully expects him to be baptized. And Hermana Barron, who was disowned by her family for her decision to serve and had to live with her stake patriarch, her mom has started writing to her, and seems to be experiencing a softened heart. I am so thankful to have come from an active family. I have had so many great examples around me throughout my life. Without the support of you, my parents and family, I don't know if I would be out here. All of us who have the gospel are incredibly blessed and it is so easy to forget that. In the devotional last night, we heard from Elder Dave F. Evans (I think that's what his name was) one of the men, along with Elder Holland and Elder Nelson, who oversees the missionary work. He spoke of opening our mouths. God has promised that if we treasure up the words of life continually then our mouths will be filled when we open them. Don't be afraid to share the gospel! It's true, and anyone who reads the Book of Mormon and sincerely asks if it is true will, WILL, receive a witness from the Holy Ghost that it is true. Believe in that! Trust in it! Get people to read the Book of Mormon, and if you yourself aren't sure that you really know the book is true, then read and pray about it yourself. You will receive undeniable proof if you will do so, and then you will be able to share your testimony with confidence and faith. Let the Spirit guide and you will find opportunities to share your testimony.
I love all of you!
-Elder Ryan Lofthouse-
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Email From Elder Lofthouse 11/28/12
Hi! This is Elder Lofthouse's mom, Angie. Here is his latest email:
I can't believe I've already been here for two weeks. Actually, it feels like a lot longer than that. Thank you so much for your letters! I enjoyed them all. Thank you dad for reminding me who is in charge. It can be so hard to not worry about the future or about your own lack of ability. But we are not in this alone, especially when we are doing the work of the Lord. "I will go before your face, I will be on your right hand and on your left hand, and mine angels round about you to bear you up."
Our zone gets a new district of eight elders today! Estoy animado! (I'm excited) Oh, and Thanksgiving here was great. Elder Holland and his family came in the morning. They performed some musical numbers, bore testimonies, and then Elder Holland gave a rousing talk on being grateful for having the opportunity to live in this dispensation. The Holland's adopted us on Thanksgiving so we wouldn't have to be homesick. :) Thankfully, I have not felt homesick, and I attribute that not to any lack of love for you (you're the best!) but to the blessing President Tervort gave me in my setting apart that I would not be overly homesick. I'm really glad I wrote down some of what he said in my journal that night, or I probably would have forgotten some of the blessings I was blessed with. Always write in your journal, especially about spiritual things. As Elder Dubose, one of my first zone leaders (he and his companion left to Mexico on Monday) would say, "Es muy importante para su salvacion." It's very important for your salvation. :)
I'll try and send some pictures next week. I've kept forgetting. Sorry. And if you have any questions for me, please ask them, because that will help me know what to write about.
Tell Bethany I'm so excited for her! That is so awesome that we're having another missionary going Spanish speaking to the west coast. And let me know when Yuki gets her call! They're expecting 3000 missionaries here at the MTC by January, and I think they said around 5000 this summer, which is beyond the MTC's capacity. Also, right now the missionaries here are about 15% sisters and 85% elders. They're expecting that to be closer to 50/50 in just a few months. Crazy!
I wanted to leave a thought about relying on God. That's been on my mind a lot lately. When I first put in my papers, I really, really wanted to learn another language. Then I got my call, started trying to learn Spanish, and started wishing I was going English speaking because I thought that I could be effective right from the beginning if I were going English speaking. Now I'm realizing what a blessing it is that I was called to learn another language. It makes it a lot easier to remember to rely on God. In my last lesson with our first investigator, Lisa, we were trying to commit her to a baptismal date by resolving her concern about not feeling prepared. I felt impressed to talk about the steps to baptism: faith and repentance. She definitely had faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism was something that she wanted because she wanted to follow Christ. I told her I believed she had faith and said that the next step was repentance of our sins. I asked if she knew how to repent. She said she didn't (or something like that) and I thought of the scripture in 3 Nephi that talks about offering up a broken heart and a contrite spirit. I would have been able to find that in my English scriptures without knowing the exact chapter and verse, but not in my Spanish ones. I opened up my scirptures anyway, turned to 3 Nephi, and there it was, right in front of me. And I knew what it was saying. In that moment, I KNEW God wanted me to share that scripture with Lisa, and He had given it to me. If that will happen when we're role-playing, I know that it will happen when I am teaching real investigators.
I also watched another talk by Elder Bednar on Sunday called, "Becoming a Missionary." In it, he talked about how success is a gift from God. In Alma 26, it talks about being given to know the mysteries of God, and beinggiven to bring thousands unto repentance if we are repentant, humble, etc. We should do everything we can to be worthy of the gift of success, but if it comes do not forget that it came from God. Without God, I am nothing. I could do everything in my power and still not receive an iota of success. But with Him, I can do all things. If we put forth our best effort, not expecting to be given, but humbling asking to be given, then I believe that we will feel that joy Ammon felt which only the truly penitent seeker of happiness receives. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to serve the Lord with all my time and efforts. God loves us. He is patient, merciful, and forgiving. Always, always, always turn to Him, and ask for His help. He is there and through Him, we can overcome all things.
I love you all!
-Elder Ryan Scott Lofthouse-
I can't believe I've already been here for two weeks. Actually, it feels like a lot longer than that. Thank you so much for your letters! I enjoyed them all. Thank you dad for reminding me who is in charge. It can be so hard to not worry about the future or about your own lack of ability. But we are not in this alone, especially when we are doing the work of the Lord. "I will go before your face, I will be on your right hand and on your left hand, and mine angels round about you to bear you up."
Our zone gets a new district of eight elders today! Estoy animado! (I'm excited) Oh, and Thanksgiving here was great. Elder Holland and his family came in the morning. They performed some musical numbers, bore testimonies, and then Elder Holland gave a rousing talk on being grateful for having the opportunity to live in this dispensation. The Holland's adopted us on Thanksgiving so we wouldn't have to be homesick. :) Thankfully, I have not felt homesick, and I attribute that not to any lack of love for you (you're the best!) but to the blessing President Tervort gave me in my setting apart that I would not be overly homesick. I'm really glad I wrote down some of what he said in my journal that night, or I probably would have forgotten some of the blessings I was blessed with. Always write in your journal, especially about spiritual things. As Elder Dubose, one of my first zone leaders (he and his companion left to Mexico on Monday) would say, "Es muy importante para su salvacion." It's very important for your salvation. :)
I'll try and send some pictures next week. I've kept forgetting. Sorry. And if you have any questions for me, please ask them, because that will help me know what to write about.
Tell Bethany I'm so excited for her! That is so awesome that we're having another missionary going Spanish speaking to the west coast. And let me know when Yuki gets her call! They're expecting 3000 missionaries here at the MTC by January, and I think they said around 5000 this summer, which is beyond the MTC's capacity. Also, right now the missionaries here are about 15% sisters and 85% elders. They're expecting that to be closer to 50/50 in just a few months. Crazy!
I wanted to leave a thought about relying on God. That's been on my mind a lot lately. When I first put in my papers, I really, really wanted to learn another language. Then I got my call, started trying to learn Spanish, and started wishing I was going English speaking because I thought that I could be effective right from the beginning if I were going English speaking. Now I'm realizing what a blessing it is that I was called to learn another language. It makes it a lot easier to remember to rely on God. In my last lesson with our first investigator, Lisa, we were trying to commit her to a baptismal date by resolving her concern about not feeling prepared. I felt impressed to talk about the steps to baptism: faith and repentance. She definitely had faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism was something that she wanted because she wanted to follow Christ. I told her I believed she had faith and said that the next step was repentance of our sins. I asked if she knew how to repent. She said she didn't (or something like that) and I thought of the scripture in 3 Nephi that talks about offering up a broken heart and a contrite spirit. I would have been able to find that in my English scriptures without knowing the exact chapter and verse, but not in my Spanish ones. I opened up my scirptures anyway, turned to 3 Nephi, and there it was, right in front of me. And I knew what it was saying. In that moment, I KNEW God wanted me to share that scripture with Lisa, and He had given it to me. If that will happen when we're role-playing, I know that it will happen when I am teaching real investigators.
I also watched another talk by Elder Bednar on Sunday called, "Becoming a Missionary." In it, he talked about how success is a gift from God. In Alma 26, it talks about being given to know the mysteries of God, and beinggiven to bring thousands unto repentance if we are repentant, humble, etc. We should do everything we can to be worthy of the gift of success, but if it comes do not forget that it came from God. Without God, I am nothing. I could do everything in my power and still not receive an iota of success. But with Him, I can do all things. If we put forth our best effort, not expecting to be given, but humbling asking to be given, then I believe that we will feel that joy Ammon felt which only the truly penitent seeker of happiness receives. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to serve the Lord with all my time and efforts. God loves us. He is patient, merciful, and forgiving. Always, always, always turn to Him, and ask for His help. He is there and through Him, we can overcome all things.
I love you all!
-Elder Ryan Scott Lofthouse-
Saturday, October 13, 2012
"Make Institute A Priority"
Sorry this is such a long post, but I hope it's worth the read.
I work in the meat department at a Walmart. Because of my work schedule I haven't been able to make it to institute on Tuesday evenings very often. This last Tuesday, I finally had the opportunity. I was off of work at 1:00pm and then I was able to go to my little brothers' marching band competition (the Salem Hills marching band) at BYU. After that I was going to go to my Mission Prep class at institute. The marching band performed at about 4:20pm and they sounded great! I think I was more excited about their performance than I was about any of my own. The people who were sitting behind me can attest to how in to it I was getting. Oh, I was missing marching band!!
There were several Salem Hills alumni there to support the band, some of whom are close friends that I hadn't seen for awhile. One of these was a very attractive girl that I had had a crush on in high school. She's even more beautiful now than she was back then. Well, I got to talk to her and was having a great time. The Salem Hills band is 1A this year and the awards ceremony wouldn't be until after the 5A bands had finished and the BYU marching band had performed, at about 9:30pm. I hadn't been planning on staying any later than 6:30pm so I could get to institute. However, a certain someone (yes, her) was staying, and another friend was inviting me to go get dinner with her and her sister at Panda Express (mmmm!) and I was really enjoying the marching band competition atmosphere. So, ignoring President Monson's words echoing in my head to make institute a priority, I decided to stay.
Well, it was fun, the band got first place, and I got to hear a lot of other great performances, but the night didn't end up meeting my expectations. I only briefly saw that beautiful girl after dinner. And something just didn't feel quite right as I left the stadium to go home. I began to think through my decision to stay and discuss it with my Heavenly Father. Suddenly, things became clear. I have been called to serve a mission. That should be my focus and I need to be doing everything I can to prepare. I hadn't gotten to attend my mission prep class for awhile, and I wasn't sure when I'd be able to again. It was a very foolish decision to act on a whim. I should have discussed this decision with God at the moment when I was making the decision, not hours afterward. As soon as I had done that He enlarged my perspective and deepened my understanding. I would have made the right choice. But instead I made the choice on my own and, as usual, it wasn't the best one.
There was nothing bad about staying to support my brothers and to be with old friends. There was nothing wrong with being attracted to a girl and hoping to spend more time with her. In fact, those may have been good things. But there was something better. Something more important. And I had sacrificed it for something of lesser value.
I had been excited to go to institute this week! President Monson had lowered the age at which you could serve!! I wanted to share my excitement with the rest of the class! Elder Holland had given a very similar talk as the one he'd given in the video we watched of him speaking at the MTC. That was interesting! As the clarity of what I'd chosen hit me I was filled with regret. I would have done anything to go back and change that choice!! I wished I was dreaming! It wasn't a major sin I'd committed, yet it was burning me up! I prayed for forgivness, I promised to learn from this experience and do better in the future. I still haven't completely forgiven myself.
Well, today I felt impressed to try and change my work schedule so that I could go to institute this week, perhaps as a way to make up for last week. Yet for some reason I was scared to try. I'm absolutely certain the adversary was trying to get me to just not worry about it. However, I prayed for courage and that I would be able to make the change. And it happened! I'm going to institute this week! I'm so excited!
Institute has really blessed my life. If you are a young adult, go to institute as often as you can. Make sacrifices if you need to! It is worth it! This is the quote from President Thomas S. Monson that I mentioned above:
“If you are a single college student, I ask you to make participation in institute a priority. Married students and other young adults are also welcome and encouraged to attend. Think of it. Friends will be made, the Spirit will be felt, and faith will be strengthened. I promise you that as you participate in institute and study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive direction of the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased. Divine favor will attend those who humbly seek it. That is a promise which I leave with you.”
I have experienced this!! I know it is true! Institute is a powerful tool in the war against evil. It brings strength, increases faith, and brings the Spirit into your life.
Make institute a priority!!
I work in the meat department at a Walmart. Because of my work schedule I haven't been able to make it to institute on Tuesday evenings very often. This last Tuesday, I finally had the opportunity. I was off of work at 1:00pm and then I was able to go to my little brothers' marching band competition (the Salem Hills marching band) at BYU. After that I was going to go to my Mission Prep class at institute. The marching band performed at about 4:20pm and they sounded great! I think I was more excited about their performance than I was about any of my own. The people who were sitting behind me can attest to how in to it I was getting. Oh, I was missing marching band!!
There were several Salem Hills alumni there to support the band, some of whom are close friends that I hadn't seen for awhile. One of these was a very attractive girl that I had had a crush on in high school. She's even more beautiful now than she was back then. Well, I got to talk to her and was having a great time. The Salem Hills band is 1A this year and the awards ceremony wouldn't be until after the 5A bands had finished and the BYU marching band had performed, at about 9:30pm. I hadn't been planning on staying any later than 6:30pm so I could get to institute. However, a certain someone (yes, her) was staying, and another friend was inviting me to go get dinner with her and her sister at Panda Express (mmmm!) and I was really enjoying the marching band competition atmosphere. So, ignoring President Monson's words echoing in my head to make institute a priority, I decided to stay.
Well, it was fun, the band got first place, and I got to hear a lot of other great performances, but the night didn't end up meeting my expectations. I only briefly saw that beautiful girl after dinner. And something just didn't feel quite right as I left the stadium to go home. I began to think through my decision to stay and discuss it with my Heavenly Father. Suddenly, things became clear. I have been called to serve a mission. That should be my focus and I need to be doing everything I can to prepare. I hadn't gotten to attend my mission prep class for awhile, and I wasn't sure when I'd be able to again. It was a very foolish decision to act on a whim. I should have discussed this decision with God at the moment when I was making the decision, not hours afterward. As soon as I had done that He enlarged my perspective and deepened my understanding. I would have made the right choice. But instead I made the choice on my own and, as usual, it wasn't the best one.
There was nothing bad about staying to support my brothers and to be with old friends. There was nothing wrong with being attracted to a girl and hoping to spend more time with her. In fact, those may have been good things. But there was something better. Something more important. And I had sacrificed it for something of lesser value.
I had been excited to go to institute this week! President Monson had lowered the age at which you could serve!! I wanted to share my excitement with the rest of the class! Elder Holland had given a very similar talk as the one he'd given in the video we watched of him speaking at the MTC. That was interesting! As the clarity of what I'd chosen hit me I was filled with regret. I would have done anything to go back and change that choice!! I wished I was dreaming! It wasn't a major sin I'd committed, yet it was burning me up! I prayed for forgivness, I promised to learn from this experience and do better in the future. I still haven't completely forgiven myself.
Well, today I felt impressed to try and change my work schedule so that I could go to institute this week, perhaps as a way to make up for last week. Yet for some reason I was scared to try. I'm absolutely certain the adversary was trying to get me to just not worry about it. However, I prayed for courage and that I would be able to make the change. And it happened! I'm going to institute this week! I'm so excited!
Institute has really blessed my life. If you are a young adult, go to institute as often as you can. Make sacrifices if you need to! It is worth it! This is the quote from President Thomas S. Monson that I mentioned above:
“If you are a single college student, I ask you to make participation in institute a priority. Married students and other young adults are also welcome and encouraged to attend. Think of it. Friends will be made, the Spirit will be felt, and faith will be strengthened. I promise you that as you participate in institute and study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive direction of the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased. Divine favor will attend those who humbly seek it. That is a promise which I leave with you.”
I have experienced this!! I know it is true! Institute is a powerful tool in the war against evil. It brings strength, increases faith, and brings the Spirit into your life.
Make institute a priority!!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Remember, Remember
I have an awful memory. Both my short term and long term memory just doesn't seem to work properly. As I mentioned in an earlier post, forgetting things is one of my least favorite parts of mortality. The scriptures are filled with verses on the topics of remembering and forgetting. "O man, remember, and perish not" (Mosiah 4:30). "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation" (Helaman 5:12). "Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?" (1 Nephi 15:11). And so forth.
Because my journal keeping has never been the greatest, there are probably many things in my life that I have forgotten. However, because I have made some effort to keep a journal I have been able to remind myself of events I may have forgotten otherwise. Some of my past blog posts have done the same thing for me.
As I reread what I have written in the past I realize a few things. First, I really have changed. Sometimes I feel like I'm the same person I've always been and I've never made any improvement. Thank goodness I'm more mature than I was in junior high or high school! Second, I see how frequently God has blessed my life. I was very good at writing about those instances in my journal and I am so thankful for that. Third, looking back gives me a bigger perspective. I can see that God has a plan for my life and that He has been guiding me throughout it. He sees the bigger picture. He knows what is going to happen in my life months and years from now and He is preparing me for those things right now.
If you don't keep a record of your life, I would encourage you to do so. I am just now starting to truly realize the value of having a journal. I wish I had been better at consistently writing in it, but I am so glad that I at least wrote something. One of the challenges we must overcome in this life is our weakness in remembering. If we wish to improve our memory and see more clearly what God has done for us and what He may have in store for us, we ought to keep an up-to-date record of our lives.
Because my journal keeping has never been the greatest, there are probably many things in my life that I have forgotten. However, because I have made some effort to keep a journal I have been able to remind myself of events I may have forgotten otherwise. Some of my past blog posts have done the same thing for me.
As I reread what I have written in the past I realize a few things. First, I really have changed. Sometimes I feel like I'm the same person I've always been and I've never made any improvement. Thank goodness I'm more mature than I was in junior high or high school! Second, I see how frequently God has blessed my life. I was very good at writing about those instances in my journal and I am so thankful for that. Third, looking back gives me a bigger perspective. I can see that God has a plan for my life and that He has been guiding me throughout it. He sees the bigger picture. He knows what is going to happen in my life months and years from now and He is preparing me for those things right now.
If you don't keep a record of your life, I would encourage you to do so. I am just now starting to truly realize the value of having a journal. I wish I had been better at consistently writing in it, but I am so glad that I at least wrote something. One of the challenges we must overcome in this life is our weakness in remembering. If we wish to improve our memory and see more clearly what God has done for us and what He may have in store for us, we ought to keep an up-to-date record of our lives.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Called to Serve
Well, I'm officially as bad at keeping a blog as I am at keeping a journal. Except not quite. I'm telling my blog about my mission call before I tell my journal...... And I got it almost a month ago.
Anyway, after months of trying to get my papers submitted, they finally were. And I received my mission call. I was riding around on a scooter, playing with my little brother on the driveway when the mail-lady came. She said, "Your mission call is here!" I was so excited! And my whole family was home so I didn't have to wait to read it! It read as follows:
"Dear Elder Lofthouse: You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the California Fresno Mission ... You should report ot eh Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, November 14, 2012. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language."
Now, most of you who are reading this probably already knew about that. The reason I'm writing the news again is because part of my online Pre-MTC training was starting a mormon.org profile. I was able to post a link to this blog and I'm hoping that eventually others not of our faith will be reading it. Since a mission is where I'll be for the next two years, I think it's a good idea to post about it. And maybe I'll have my mom take over this blog when I leave and post the e-mails and letters I send. I have a few friends who have done that.
In preparing for a mission, I have felt stress, worry, excitement, and joy. I've mostly been worrying about learning a new language. I know that I could be an effective missionary right from the start if I were speaking English. But now I have to learn to express myself in a different language before I'll be an effective tool in God's hands. I also have to get an extension on my Driver's License, get a couple new immunizations, fill out some forms my Mission President sent me, purchase a bicycle, become familiar with Preach My Gospel like I'm familiar with the Book of Mormon, attend the temple as often as possible, and try to continue focusing on mission preparation even when I'm just tired of it. There is so much to do, and I'm grateful for the two months I have to prepare. However, as I've tried to do all these things and spend my time wisely, I have felt an increase of the Spirit in my life. I know that the language will come, I know that God will help me complete all the things I need to, and I know that as I exercise faith in Him, I will be able to work miracles in His name.
I am so excited for this opportunity to serve! I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's church and kingdom on the earth today. I know that He has called me to serve a mission in Fresno California for specific reasons. There are people there who are being prepared to hear the gospel from me. He loves each and everyone of us more than we can comprehend. Whatever mistakes we make in life, they can be made right through the Atonement of Christ. He never gives up on us. Pray everyday to Him to have your testimony strengthened and live the commandments all the time. You will be blessed.
Anyway, after months of trying to get my papers submitted, they finally were. And I received my mission call. I was riding around on a scooter, playing with my little brother on the driveway when the mail-lady came. She said, "Your mission call is here!" I was so excited! And my whole family was home so I didn't have to wait to read it! It read as follows:
"Dear Elder Lofthouse: You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the California Fresno Mission ... You should report ot eh Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, November 14, 2012. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language."
Now, most of you who are reading this probably already knew about that. The reason I'm writing the news again is because part of my online Pre-MTC training was starting a mormon.org profile. I was able to post a link to this blog and I'm hoping that eventually others not of our faith will be reading it. Since a mission is where I'll be for the next two years, I think it's a good idea to post about it. And maybe I'll have my mom take over this blog when I leave and post the e-mails and letters I send. I have a few friends who have done that.
In preparing for a mission, I have felt stress, worry, excitement, and joy. I've mostly been worrying about learning a new language. I know that I could be an effective missionary right from the start if I were speaking English. But now I have to learn to express myself in a different language before I'll be an effective tool in God's hands. I also have to get an extension on my Driver's License, get a couple new immunizations, fill out some forms my Mission President sent me, purchase a bicycle, become familiar with Preach My Gospel like I'm familiar with the Book of Mormon, attend the temple as often as possible, and try to continue focusing on mission preparation even when I'm just tired of it. There is so much to do, and I'm grateful for the two months I have to prepare. However, as I've tried to do all these things and spend my time wisely, I have felt an increase of the Spirit in my life. I know that the language will come, I know that God will help me complete all the things I need to, and I know that as I exercise faith in Him, I will be able to work miracles in His name.
I am so excited for this opportunity to serve! I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's church and kingdom on the earth today. I know that He has called me to serve a mission in Fresno California for specific reasons. There are people there who are being prepared to hear the gospel from me. He loves each and everyone of us more than we can comprehend. Whatever mistakes we make in life, they can be made right through the Atonement of Christ. He never gives up on us. Pray everyday to Him to have your testimony strengthened and live the commandments all the time. You will be blessed.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
God Loves Us So Much
I have had a great weekend. I have felt the Spirit more powerfully and more often than I have in a long time. I have several experiences from the past two days that I want to share.
Yesterday I was home alone doing the dishes when suddenly I felt an overwhelming feeling of love. It seemed so random! I immediately stopped what I was doing, got down on my knees and began to pray out loud. I thanked Heavenly Father for His mercy, grace, and love. The feeling grew stronger. It's hard to describe it. Borrowing words from the scriptures, there was a swelling in my breast and I felt an my soul being enlarged. Those spiritual moments can come at any time. If we are not living the way we should be, we could very well miss them. I know that God was telling me that I was on the right path and doing the right things and that He was pleased with me.
Today after my family went to church (my homeward meets at eleven, the YSA ward I go to meets at one) I watch The Testaments. I love that movie. Every time I watch it I'm bawling at the end. I felt that overwhelming love again. And I began to feel a burning desire to share that love. I wanted God to lead me to those souls who were seeking to become better that I could help. This is something I had been praying for. I want to go on a mission for many different reasons, but I want the biggest reason to simply be a desire to share God's love with His children. So I've been praying for that. I met with my Stake President today, and my mission papers are going to be submitted tomorrow. Something he challenged me to do to prepare to serve was to talk to people that I don't know. In that moment of joy and love after the movie, I determined that I was going to talk to people in my ward today that I didn't know.
Soon after arriving to church, that feeling had faded. I sat alone, and even though my entire bench ended up filled with people I didn't know by the beginning of the meeting, I didn't talk to any of them. I began to feel a little discouraged. This feeling grew stronger when I realized that I had failed to do my home teaching this month despite having been determined to fulfill my duty at the beginning of the month. I began to pray, expressing my sorrow at my failure and at my weakness and asking for help in overcoming my infirmities. I saw that the intermediate hymn was no. 130, so I opened up to it to see what it was. The words struck me. Hymn no. 130 is "Be Thou Humble."
Be thou humble
in the weakness,
and the Lord thy God shall lead thee,
shall lead thee by the hand
and give thee answers to thy prayers.
Be thou humble
in thy pleading,
and the Lord thy God shall bless thee,
shall bless thee with a sweet
and calm assurance that he cares.
One of the scriptures at the bottom of the page was Ether 12:27. "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." I have been trying so hard the last few weeks to come unto Christ. I have made leaps and bounds in my progress. As I read this scripture I began to understand, and this is what I wrote in my notebook:
"I came to Christ and he showed me my weakness in talking to people I don't know. At first, this discouraged me. I changed that discouragement to humility. He spoke to me through the words of Hymn No. 130 and Ether 12:27. I felt consumed by his love as he showed me that if I am humbleand have faith in him, his grace is sufficient."
I felt that love in a particularly powerful way as I partook of the sacrament and reflected again and again on the words of the hymn and of Ether 12:27. When we are humble in our pleading, the Lord truly does bless us with a sweet and calm assurance that he cares.
God loves us. I know that with all my heart. "He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh" (2 Nephi 4:21). He knows our fears, our concerns, and our weaknesses and he wants to help us overcome them. He has helped me in overcoming the greatest challenge I have ever faced. His power is real. The power of the atonement can help you through any struggle. If you feel you are in the darkest pit, you can still find light. I have been through awful despair and my Savior has lifted me up to unspeakable joy. There is nowhere he can't reach, no wound he can't heal, no sorrow he can't comfort. He loves you, and he can and will help you if you humbly and sincerely seek his divine help.
Yesterday I was home alone doing the dishes when suddenly I felt an overwhelming feeling of love. It seemed so random! I immediately stopped what I was doing, got down on my knees and began to pray out loud. I thanked Heavenly Father for His mercy, grace, and love. The feeling grew stronger. It's hard to describe it. Borrowing words from the scriptures, there was a swelling in my breast and I felt an my soul being enlarged. Those spiritual moments can come at any time. If we are not living the way we should be, we could very well miss them. I know that God was telling me that I was on the right path and doing the right things and that He was pleased with me.
Today after my family went to church (my homeward meets at eleven, the YSA ward I go to meets at one) I watch The Testaments. I love that movie. Every time I watch it I'm bawling at the end. I felt that overwhelming love again. And I began to feel a burning desire to share that love. I wanted God to lead me to those souls who were seeking to become better that I could help. This is something I had been praying for. I want to go on a mission for many different reasons, but I want the biggest reason to simply be a desire to share God's love with His children. So I've been praying for that. I met with my Stake President today, and my mission papers are going to be submitted tomorrow. Something he challenged me to do to prepare to serve was to talk to people that I don't know. In that moment of joy and love after the movie, I determined that I was going to talk to people in my ward today that I didn't know.
Soon after arriving to church, that feeling had faded. I sat alone, and even though my entire bench ended up filled with people I didn't know by the beginning of the meeting, I didn't talk to any of them. I began to feel a little discouraged. This feeling grew stronger when I realized that I had failed to do my home teaching this month despite having been determined to fulfill my duty at the beginning of the month. I began to pray, expressing my sorrow at my failure and at my weakness and asking for help in overcoming my infirmities. I saw that the intermediate hymn was no. 130, so I opened up to it to see what it was. The words struck me. Hymn no. 130 is "Be Thou Humble."
Be thou humble
in the weakness,
and the Lord thy God shall lead thee,
shall lead thee by the hand
and give thee answers to thy prayers.
Be thou humble
in thy pleading,
and the Lord thy God shall bless thee,
shall bless thee with a sweet
and calm assurance that he cares.
One of the scriptures at the bottom of the page was Ether 12:27. "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." I have been trying so hard the last few weeks to come unto Christ. I have made leaps and bounds in my progress. As I read this scripture I began to understand, and this is what I wrote in my notebook:
"I came to Christ and he showed me my weakness in talking to people I don't know. At first, this discouraged me. I changed that discouragement to humility. He spoke to me through the words of Hymn No. 130 and Ether 12:27. I felt consumed by his love as he showed me that if I am humbleand have faith in him, his grace is sufficient."
I felt that love in a particularly powerful way as I partook of the sacrament and reflected again and again on the words of the hymn and of Ether 12:27. When we are humble in our pleading, the Lord truly does bless us with a sweet and calm assurance that he cares.
God loves us. I know that with all my heart. "He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh" (2 Nephi 4:21). He knows our fears, our concerns, and our weaknesses and he wants to help us overcome them. He has helped me in overcoming the greatest challenge I have ever faced. His power is real. The power of the atonement can help you through any struggle. If you feel you are in the darkest pit, you can still find light. I have been through awful despair and my Savior has lifted me up to unspeakable joy. There is nowhere he can't reach, no wound he can't heal, no sorrow he can't comfort. He loves you, and he can and will help you if you humbly and sincerely seek his divine help.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
The Enabling Power of the Atonement
I have made a lot of mistakes in my life. Often, I feel completely overwhelmed with my weaknesses and I feel like Nephi when he said, "O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins." I've generally had a very negative attitude about myself. When it came time for me to submit my mission papers and to receive the Melchizedek priesthood, I couldn't. At that time (about a month and a half ago), I felt completely out of place at institute or at church. Those people were so much better than me, I thought to myself. My closest friends are all on missions. I began to question whether I would ever be able to serve a mission.
Two weeks ago, I posted on facebook this status: "No one should ever marry me. Please remind me if I ever start getting into a relationship." This was following a fight between me and my younger brother. I lost my temper with him, partly because I was frustrated with my parents, but I took it out on him. I was so angry. God had been trying to tell me for weeks that I needed to forgive my family members of their faults, especially my parents. And I was having the hardest time with it. I was so angry and frustrated at that moment. And I couldn't see anyway that I could change.
Thankfully, I have a wonderful uncle who has a strong testimony and who has been a great example to me in the past year and a half. He wanted me to read an article from April's Ensign called, "The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality," which was taken from a talk Elder David A. Bednar gave at BYU a few years ago. In it, he speaks of the enabling power of the atonement. He says that the atonement is not just about making bad men good, but about making good men better. As I read this article, I began to realize that I could use the power of Christ's atonement to overcome any challenge. Still though, I struggled.
A week ago, on a Saturday night, I finished reading the first book in Brandon Mull's, "The Beyonders" series. The book is all about fighting evil despite the consequences. An evil wizard named Maldor has nearly solidified his power over the land of Lyrian, and only a very few try to fight him. All of them fail. Most give in to his offers of power or to live out their days at Harthenham, a place where they can rest from all their worries at the Eternal Feast. Yet though the odds are against him and their are many other options he could take, the main character, Jason, chooses to fight Maldor no matter what the cost, which he knows is most likely imprisonment and torture. There is also a character named Tark who seems to go through a cycle of heroism, followed by failure, followed by self-pity, followed by a chance encounter with Jason that once again inspires him to be heroic again. I wanted to be like Jason, but felt all too much like Tark.
The next morning, I typed up some thoughts, telling myself that I was on a quest against dark forces and that I could not fail. It's a lengthy paragraph that I now have hanging in my room and I read it often to rekindle my determination to stay on the right path. In this past week, I have read my scriptures every morning; I have said prayers morning and night, endeavoring to make them mighty prayers; I have done my best to sacrifice what God asks me to sacrifice; I have sought to do His will; I received a priesthood blessing from my father to give me additional strength and guidance, a blessing in which he mentioned "the enabling power of the spirit"; I have shared my testimony; and I have felt the spirit often.
No matter where we are at, no matter what mistakes we have made, no matter what our faults may be, our Heavenly Father loves us. He has a plan for each one of us. If we will turn to him with full purpose of heart, he will strengthen us and guide us. "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). The atonement is powerful, and through it we can not only obtain a remission of our sins, but we can be enabled to overcome any challenge we may face. Turn to the Lord, trust in him, and humbly do whatever he asks. You will be blessed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)