So this week was definately alot harder.
Elder Sonderegger and I have been working SUPER HARD- and sometimes it feels like we recieve no success- and that's really hard for us, because we try so hard. We really try hard, we pray often, we seek diligently to serve. But yet we don't have ANYONE to teach really- we get lots of people who say we can try back with them- but we always come back and they reject us- or the appointment falls through. So this first part of the week was very hard for us, because we had some very difficult people we met- one man believed Jesus Christ was a good person, just not the Son of God. And he refuses to believe in J Dubs because the are very anti-gay and anti-feminism. And he has a hard time with us cause we don't support homosexuality either.
BUT we are not anti-gay; always remember that everyone. Though we do not endorse homosexuality, the church will NEVER excommunicate a person if they are gay. Elder Holland said in a talk- "you may have the thoughts and the temptations, but it is you who gets to decide whether to act upon them." The Church will however help you to understand the importance of marriage between a Man and a Woman- and how homosexuality is not ordained of God.
You hate the SIN not the SINNER.
The man did not understand that marriage between a man and a WOMAN is ordained of God; not marriage between a man and a man, not marriage between a woman and a woman, not marriage between a man and women (polygamy). I was reading yesterday from the Proclamation to the World- and it stood out to me about how much God believes in marriage, and he sustains it! A huge thing that stood out to me as I was thinking about this as well was the fact about how messed up society is. The man asked me "Where in the bible does it say do not be gay?!" I instantly opened up my Bible and showed him Leviticus 18:22- which clearly states 'Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.' [don't I rock for knowing about that scripture?] His instant reply was "Leviticus also teaches that we should not eat pork! And do we obey that?! NO!"
And here is what I have to say to that, even if it says that in the Bible and we don't obey it, it is still a SIN! You sin when you go against God's commandments! How more plain do you want it?! Even if Gay Marriage is legallized it is still a sin, God is unchanging- He will not change according to a public vote, if He did, then He is not God. God makes His laws because He knows what is best for us. Yes the church practiced polygamy, because the Lord commanded it for us; just as He did with King David, because our men were fighting to our families alive, and being killed off! Women had no husbands so there were no children being born into the Gospel! And when polygamy started to tear the Church apart, and men started to use it for wicked deeds, that's when the Lord pulls it from the Earth. How more plain and simple can that be? The Lord will never ordain homosexuality.
Anyways, that guy and several other people frustrated us, and because we were frustrated we did not have the spirit. And when we did not have the spirit we could not teach- D&C 42:14 'And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye recieve not the Spirit ye shall not teach.' This was so frustrating, so when we went home for lunch I sat on my bed in absolute distress. I was reminded of a story one of my MTC teachers- Brother Farley- told to us, where he was in a similar state, and he prayed to the Lord asking "Why is it so hard?" and he recieved the answer instantly- "It's not about you!" this begged me the question though, why is it so hard for me right now? I'm being as faithful as I can as far as I know, so why is it so hard for me? Why are all the disobedient missionaries seeing success, and yet I'm not meeting anyone? I prayed to ask the Lord this, and instantly as I ended my prayer I recieved my answer- a single line from Ether 12:6 'Ye recieve no witness until after the trial of your faith.'
Isn't it great to know the Lord really does speak to us? I sat there on my bed in total distress- I have not been faithful. I've been prideful, I've been arrogant- I need to be humble, and charitable. I did not understand that- I did not realize how I had murmured, and how distressed I was that the Lord had not handed the success to me.
Remember; I'm teaching people, not objects. They have their views, and while it doesn't make sense when you invite the spirit and they still say no to you, they have their agency; so let it go, they'll learn someday- be it in this life or the next.
Later in the week as Elder Sonderegger and I began to prayed for Charity, and Humility and we sought to just show our love for the Gospel and less just teach a lesson- we started meeting people. On wednesday while I was on exchanges with Elder Jennings I got 4 Potential Investigators, all inviting us back to teach them again. I also met with a potential investigator who E. Sonderegger and I tracted into, and he was not home for our appointment and he said he felt bad he missed us cause he went to vote. And we scheduled a new appointment, and will meet with him and his girlfriend today; and they are very excited to learn about the Church. Elder Sonderegger and I also tracted into a man who we met with for 15 minutes, scheduled another appointment, met with him yesterday and we will meet with him again on wednesday. You demonstrate true faith, and you follow the spirit, and you will see success. D&C 82:10- 'When ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.'- the Lord will not give us success if we murmur and whine and complain about people, or anything; we must be humble and charitable. The spirit will not dwell where there is pride.
As we followed the commandments, and were led by the spirit we also met some less-active members the ward had been trying to track down for a long time! We're planning on working with them.
As I coninue to serve the Lord I see how important obedience is- it's simple in the Children's Hymn 'Keep the commandments, keep the commandments; in this there is safety, in this there is peace.' You keep the commandments and diligently obey, and the Lord will bless you. As Joseph Smith said- "If the Lord commands it- DO IT!" If you do this then you will be protected, and you will see health, and strength.
I know that this church is true, I know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet and that Thomas S. Monson is our Prophet, Seer and Revelator today. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, along with the bible and that the two compliment each other- "for God so loved the world He sent His only begotten Son." Yes, He so loved the WORLD not Jerusalem. So it makes sense there is a book which takes place in the America's. I know it's true, I've read it several times, I've prayed about it, and the Spirit has born witness to me of the truth and the divinity of the Book of Mormon and the Bible.
Jesus is the Christ- always remember that.- The church can be summed up in 4 words as Elder Nelson said- "We Believe In Christ". This past week I have reflected alot on the atonement, and how I am blessed to know of it. It is so difficult for me to comprehend the love He has for me, and for you. He loves us so much He bled for, and died for us- even when he fell, on His knees, pleading! to the Father that this cup would pass from Him, if we would just believe in Him, and if we would just repent. "Nevertheless, Lord, not my will, but thine be done." And yet He pursued, and He conquered death for us- and because of Him we can return to be with our Father in Heaven and Him again. And I cannot wait for that day, I cannot wait to feel the prints in His hands, and in His feet. And to wash His feet with my tears, and to embrace Him, and to say 'thank you, thank you for being my Savior- and for suffering for me." I often thing we take it too lightly that even when we sin, we harm our Savior- but not only did He suffer for that, but He suffered for our pains and our sorrows as well. Through Him are we saved, and are we able to be truely whole- I know this to be true, I bear witness of it, that only through Christ can we achieve true happiness- He is the Christ. I love Him, I bear witness of Him.
In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord, my Savior-
Amen
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