Hey Everyone!
So... for those of you who have been sleeping all summer it's time to wake up since September has just about ended! I can't believe that September has passed already... but such is life on a mission. This week was pretty sweet though, with some awesome things happening! There were also a couple noteworthy events that were a blast to go to, including zone p-day last week. We had a fantastic Specialized training meeting last Monday where we broke down 1 Nephi 17 and related that to building an area and ourselves, and it was a fantastic spirit. One verse that I loved was verse 15 which says:
"Wherefore, I, Nephi, did strive to keep the commandments of the Lord, and Idid exhort my brethren to faithfulness and diligence."
On Tuesday we got to see Joshua and the Iser Family, which was awesome. With the Isers we talked about a few things that are happening these days and then Alma 34:34 which says:
"Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, thatI will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which dothpossess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit willhave power to possess your body in that eternal world." and then left them to watch a fantastic talk from Elder Holland found HERE!
Wednesday flew by, as we got to go out with Brother Robie most of the afternoon and got to visit with Brad, an associate Methodist pastor at one of the larger churches in town, and had a good visit about the plan of salvation. We also got to see a couple other people and at one home we got to watch the video I told y'all to watch last week found again here!
I spent some time in the Christlike Attributes chapter during my studies this week, specifically focusing on Hope and Faith. When I was reading the one on Faith a talk that referred to the account in Alma 32 was brought to mind, so I went and listened to that. At one point Elder Jensen shares that: (it's a bit long, but it's all good stuff)
"Alma compared the word unto a seed. I pause to emphasize that I have heard some in the Church cite Alma 32:28 and teach that Alma compared faith to a seed. The precise comparison is the word to a seed. I will read verses 28 and 30, and in each instance following the first sentence where the word seed appears, I will substitute the word word:
Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a [word] may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true [word], or a good [word], if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good [word], or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. . . .
But behold, as the [word] swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the [word] is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good [word]; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow. [Alma 32:28, 30]
True words, true doctrines, and true principles planted by faith, like seeds, will sprout and grow. They lead to testimony. Listen again to three words from the last line of verse 30. They are “I know that.” These words often introduce expressions of testimony: “I know that God lives” or “I know that Jesus is the Christ” or “I know that the Book of Mormon is true.” We hear variations of this phrase in “I testify that” or “I declare that” or “I witness that”—all acceptable and appropriate."
(From Building Upon the Rock: http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=
Anyway, it's a very interesting point to ponder about, and I've thought about it a lot the last couple days. In addition to that, I spent quite a bit of time studying "The Priesthood Man" by President Eyring since that's the topic for the lesson we got to teach in Elder's Quorum yesterday. It's a fantastic talk, and I've noticed a difference as I strive to remember and thank the Lord for the people who have blessed my life that day and how. There's lots of things President Eyring points out that we can do specifically to be great priesthood men, so I'm hoping to tackle them one by one and make them habits.
On Thursday we got to go on exchanges after weekly planning and such, and got to walk around and do some biking. We saw quite a few people, which was awesome, and I learned about luxury tax from one of them... something I only thought existed in Monopoly for all these years! Then on Friday we had a fantastic district meeting and got to help out with the Genealogy after hours event at the library here, which was pretty sweet. The speaker talked about using newspapers in research, plus the food was delicious.
"Alma compared the word unto a seed. I pause to emphasize that I have heard some in the Church cite Alma 32:28 and teach that Alma compared faith to a seed. The precise comparison is the word to a seed. I will read verses 28 and 30, and in each instance following the first sentence where the word seed appears, I will substitute the word word:
Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a [word] may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true [word], or a good [word], if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good [word], or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. . . .
But behold, as the [word] swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the [word] is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good [word]; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow. [Alma 32:28, 30]
True words, true doctrines, and true principles planted by faith, like seeds, will sprout and grow. They lead to testimony. Listen again to three words from the last line of verse 30. They are “I know that.” These words often introduce expressions of testimony: “I know that God lives” or “I know that Jesus is the Christ” or “I know that the Book of Mormon is true.” We hear variations of this phrase in “I testify that” or “I declare that” or “I witness that”—all acceptable and appropriate."
(From Building Upon the Rock: http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=
Anyway, it's a very interesting point to ponder about, and I've thought about it a lot the last couple days. In addition to that, I spent quite a bit of time studying "The Priesthood Man" by President Eyring since that's the topic for the lesson we got to teach in Elder's Quorum yesterday. It's a fantastic talk, and I've noticed a difference as I strive to remember and thank the Lord for the people who have blessed my life that day and how. There's lots of things President Eyring points out that we can do specifically to be great priesthood men, so I'm hoping to tackle them one by one and make them habits.
On Thursday we got to go on exchanges after weekly planning and such, and got to walk around and do some biking. We saw quite a few people, which was awesome, and I learned about luxury tax from one of them... something I only thought existed in Monopoly for all these years! Then on Friday we had a fantastic district meeting and got to help out with the Genealogy after hours event at the library here, which was pretty sweet. The speaker talked about using newspapers in research, plus the food was delicious.
On Saturday we had the fantastic opportunity to watch Little Oscar get baptized! There was a story shared by Bishop Newell at the baptism that went something along these lines: A man was hired by the road department and was assigned his first day to paint the yellow line that goes down the road. On the first day he painted 10 miles of road, which was fantastic! The second day he was assigned to the same task, since he had gotten such fantastic results, and he painted 7 miles - which was still above average! So, the next day he was assigned again to paint the line, and painted 5 miles - which is what everyone else does, so he was still doing well. The next day he was again assigned and only painted 3 miles. His supervisor was worried what was causing the decline, so he had a meeting with him and asked. The painter responded: "I keep getting farther from the paint bucket!" Bishop Newell then related that to how the gift of the Holy Ghost allows us to carry the paint with us - to have the spirit with us whenever we are worthy and searching for it. It was a fantastic service, and I'm glad I've had the chance to teach him a few times. We also got to help the young men serve the women and girls of the ward who came for the dinner provided before the General Women's Meeting. It was a fantastic day!
Yesterday, as mentioned earlier, we got to teach Elder's quorum, and also had a fantastic time throughout the rest of the day. In teaching we focused upon three quotes from the talk:
"Each of you will be a model of a priesthood man whether you want to be ornot. You became a lighted candle when you accepted the priesthood. The Lordput you on the candlestick to light the way for everyone who surrounds you.That is especially true for those in your priesthood quorum. You can be a greatmodel, an average one, or a bad model. You may think it doesn’t matter toyou, but it does to the Lord."
"I have observed three common characteristics of the priesthood holders whoare my heroes. One is a pattern of prayer, the second is a habit of service, andthe third is a rock-hard decision to be honest.
We all pray, but the priesthood holder you want to be prays often and with realintent. In the evening you will get on your knees and thank God for theblessings of the day. You will thank Him for parents, for teachers, and for greatexamples to follow. You will describe in your prayers specifically who hasblessed your life and how, during that day. That will take more than a fewminutes and more than a little thought. It will surprise you and change you."
"“For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”
We are to help in that work. Each of us can make a difference. We have been prepared for our time and place in the last days of that sacred work. Each of us has been blessed with examples of those who have made that work the overriding purpose of their time on earth.
I pray that we may help each other rise to that opportunity."
We are to help in that work. Each of us can make a difference. We have been prepared for our time and place in the last days of that sacred work. Each of us has been blessed with examples of those who have made that work the overriding purpose of their time on earth.
I pray that we may help each other rise to that opportunity."
That's all I got this week! Have a fantastic week! Love y'all!
'Til Next Time,
Elder Jordan Nielson
P.S. Sorry for the long letter again? I had plenty of time again today :P
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