Dear Brethren,
I have much I wish to say to you next week concerning some of my discoveries during my personal study. It reminded me you, and the work that we are doing. I was actually really reading about the sons of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon. I wrote down some impressions that I had as I was reading. I will hopefully bring those next week, and share them with you all.
I do not yet know what to say, so I probably will not say much this week. The work here is picking up, which is absolutely wonderful. Things are going forward. An interesting lesson I learned last week, that I will probably say again in my next email, is that truly the work of God is never frustrated, but only the work of man is frustrated. I laugh at the old saying, "If the church isn't true, the missionaries would have destroyed it a long time ago". Haha! Of course, that is only referring to those missionaries who weren't really doing what they ought to on their missions. God truly has given us power and authority if we will but use them. Preach My Gospel says to not be shy about the power and authority we hold. You should read it. It's at the beginning of Preach My Gospel.
Anyway, I will have more to say next week. I love you all!
Love, Elder Christopher Petersen
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Become as Little Children . . .
Dear Brethren,
News on the front, there was just another baptism here in Broken Bow--only if you want to get technical it "doesn't count", but if you ask me, all baptisms count. It's another soul brought to Christ. His name is Tryon, and he's eight years old. Most of his family are members of the church, but for one reason or another, he was taking forever to be baptized. He will be turning nine this summer, so my companion and I were like, "what the heck?" and then we went into their home, and came out with plans for him to be baptized on Thursday. However, the most impressive thing is that we didn't have to do much. Just our presence made Tryon say to his parents, "I wanna be baptized", before we even brought anything up. Then we got to work it from there.
It was actually such an awesome experience for me, and I was amazed at the example that this young man set for me. He was continually persistant that he wanted to be baptized. Apparently they had talked about it many times, but this time he was determined. It's strange, because I know that my knowledge is far greater than that boy who has a mere eight years under his belt, but I realized how much more willing he was to simply submit to the will of the Lord. He probably doesn't comprehend to the degree that I do, the baptismal covenant, or the principles of the gospel, but his faith is outstanding. I could not believe how happy he was. He just wore a constant smile, simply knowing that what he was doing was right, and that he was doing the will of his Father in Heaven. I hope that we can all become like that.
Jesus Christ said, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven"(Matthew 18:3). He continued, "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:4).
King Benjamin, a great king in the Book of Mormon, taught: "For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."
Truly children are to be not only our students, but our teachers. In my couple of times visiting this family, I doubt that I have taught him nearly as much as he has taught me. His example was great. The scriptures teach us that we are to become as this boy is. We are to become as children--not childish, but submissive as a child is. How hard this journey is! Sometimes it seems impossible. but that is why in the sermon delivered by King Benjamin, he strictly included: "...through the atonement of Christ the Lord...". That is the only possible way we are to become a Saint, or become like a child. We must always remember to utilize both the cleansing, and enabling power of the atonement. I'm working on it myself.
Love you all! Have a great week!
Love, Elder Christopher D. Petersen
News on the front, there was just another baptism here in Broken Bow--only if you want to get technical it "doesn't count", but if you ask me, all baptisms count. It's another soul brought to Christ. His name is Tryon, and he's eight years old. Most of his family are members of the church, but for one reason or another, he was taking forever to be baptized. He will be turning nine this summer, so my companion and I were like, "what the heck?" and then we went into their home, and came out with plans for him to be baptized on Thursday. However, the most impressive thing is that we didn't have to do much. Just our presence made Tryon say to his parents, "I wanna be baptized", before we even brought anything up. Then we got to work it from there.
It was actually such an awesome experience for me, and I was amazed at the example that this young man set for me. He was continually persistant that he wanted to be baptized. Apparently they had talked about it many times, but this time he was determined. It's strange, because I know that my knowledge is far greater than that boy who has a mere eight years under his belt, but I realized how much more willing he was to simply submit to the will of the Lord. He probably doesn't comprehend to the degree that I do, the baptismal covenant, or the principles of the gospel, but his faith is outstanding. I could not believe how happy he was. He just wore a constant smile, simply knowing that what he was doing was right, and that he was doing the will of his Father in Heaven. I hope that we can all become like that.
Jesus Christ said, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven"(Matthew 18:3). He continued, "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:4).
King Benjamin, a great king in the Book of Mormon, taught: "For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."
Truly children are to be not only our students, but our teachers. In my couple of times visiting this family, I doubt that I have taught him nearly as much as he has taught me. His example was great. The scriptures teach us that we are to become as this boy is. We are to become as children--not childish, but submissive as a child is. How hard this journey is! Sometimes it seems impossible. but that is why in the sermon delivered by King Benjamin, he strictly included: "...through the atonement of Christ the Lord...". That is the only possible way we are to become a Saint, or become like a child. We must always remember to utilize both the cleansing, and enabling power of the atonement. I'm working on it myself.
Love you all! Have a great week!
Love, Elder Christopher D. Petersen
Written March 7, 2011
Dear Sons of Mosiah,
I don't have much to say today. There aren't really any doctrinal
subjects that I wish to discuss or anything. I just wanted you all to
know that I love you, and am proud of you for all that you do. Keep
happy, and keep up the work.
I am serving in Broken Bow, Nebraska, now. There are not even 3,500
people here, according to the sign with the population on it. The
surrounding towns are even smaller, and I'm going kind of crazy
because there isn't even a Walmart here. However, the people here are
really nice, and I look forward to working with them. Here in the
Kearney Stake, the Stake President makes a big deal out of trying to
get members to stay here in the Stake to help it grow. In fact, he
tells the missionaries to go home, find wives, and move back. Lol. I'm
not planning on that one. Still, I have to say, this place almost
seems like it came out of some old book or movie. Toria, if you are
reading this, Broken Bow should totally replace Carbondale. Lol!
Either that, or I have a few other places in mind. (For all of you who
don't know, we were working on a book. That's what I am referring to.)
Anyway, I hope you are all keeping happy. I love you all! Have a great week!
Love, Elder
Christopher D. Petersen
I don't have much to say today. There aren't really any doctrinal
subjects that I wish to discuss or anything. I just wanted you all to
know that I love you, and am proud of you for all that you do. Keep
happy, and keep up the work.
I am serving in Broken Bow, Nebraska, now. There are not even 3,500
people here, according to the sign with the population on it. The
surrounding towns are even smaller, and I'm going kind of crazy
because there isn't even a Walmart here. However, the people here are
really nice, and I look forward to working with them. Here in the
Kearney Stake, the Stake President makes a big deal out of trying to
get members to stay here in the Stake to help it grow. In fact, he
tells the missionaries to go home, find wives, and move back. Lol. I'm
not planning on that one. Still, I have to say, this place almost
seems like it came out of some old book or movie. Toria, if you are
reading this, Broken Bow should totally replace Carbondale. Lol!
Either that, or I have a few other places in mind. (For all of you who
don't know, we were working on a book. That's what I am referring to.)
Anyway, I hope you are all keeping happy. I love you all! Have a great week!
Love, Elder
Christopher D. Petersen
Written Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Dear Sons of Mosiah, my fellow brethren,
This week has been an interesting one here in Columbus. Transfers just took place, and I am going to Broken Bow, Nebraska. It is in the western part of our mission, so it should be interesting for me. I am definitely not a cowboy, and it got described to me as a "cowboy town", so we'll see how that goes. It has been interesting being here in Columbus for just shy of six months, and I have really grown to love the people here. I am really going to miss them, however (at least for some of them), this is not goodbye. I am convinced I have made some life-long friends, and I believe that the Lord has a work for them to do too. You already know that Jake Williams who we just baptized recently, is now in Utah, and will be attending school at UVU. As well, I have other great friends--especially Josh Johnson, Jana Hager, and Scottie Leifert. Though they are not yet baptized, I strongly believe they will be. They told us last night when we went to say "see you later" to them, that they could not go away from this religion, because it would always be in their minds what they know they need to do. I plan on coming back to Columbus, but they also plan on coming out to visit in Utah. Josh even wants to be in the next movie we make from "The Series" (Divisions being the only one we have made so far). It's way awesome. I know we have found more brothers and sisters in the Lord, and for those of you that are, or will be serving missions, I am sure you will find us some as well. Bring them all home into our family.
I have learned a lot from being here and serving a mission. I have gained a great love for people in my life, both past and present. I appreciate all of you, and am extremely happy for the things you have done for me in my life, and also what you have done for each other. Keep being an example of the believers, and being my brothers and sisters in the Lord. We have such a tight bond, and I hope that bond will always remain. On missions, people often try to measure success on how many people we have enter into the waters of baptism. Though that is a goal that is worthy, and though we are called to baptize, I had an interesting realization last night. We are called to bring people closer to Christ. If we do this, we are succeeding as missionaries and as people. The impact we make cannot be measured in a mere two years. Two years makes up only a tenth of my life so far, and far far less for a whole life time--and even less in the eternal perspective. Brethren, we carry the world. Never in the history of man has a group made more impact for the good and well-being of mankind than Christ's true church. Jesus Christ leads this church, and He truly leads us where we need to be to do the most good. I have a testimony of that now. I wondered for a while, as I watched all of these investigators struggle, if I was really helping them. So few of them have been baptized--but many of them have been brought to believe. Josh, Jana, Scottie, Shannan, Katie--all of these individuals have not yet been baptized, but they believe, and I believe in Christ who knows His sheep, and will call for them. He knows their lives, and He has prepared them. They will come and be part of our family.
For the longest time I feel I always paid too much attention to the justice of God, and not on His mercy. I have known He is merciful--and that the atonement is real--but I guess it just never clicked. I was pondering this, when I realized something wonderful. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us so much, and they will do EVERYTHING in their power to let us into the Kingdom of God. Heavenly Father wants us to return to Him. I knew that, and I was teaching that, but I hadn't really thought about it. He loves us, and will do everything He can to bring us back. Jesus Christ has done, and will do, everything He can to bring us back to Him. I forgot to bring my scriptures into the Library, but there is one time I recall where Jesus sat looking over Jerusalem and with sadness he proclaimed how oft He had tried to bring the Jews in, like a hen gathers her chicks, and the would not come. He mourns when we will not come. Many of you are probably thinking, "yeah, I knew that". So did I, I thought, but somehow it seems I understand even more--and I believe I will continue to learn even more. It is such a miracle how it is the simple principles of the gospel that are so profound, if we will just take the time to think about them, and try to really understand them. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want all of you--each individual. They know your pains, and cry with you when you cry. They hurt with you, and want you to be free from the heavy burden of sin. Oh how touching is the mercy and love of a Father, and our perfect Brother. Understand, for all of you who have ever felt a grief or anger toward God, thinking that He doesn't want you because of the way you have lived your lives, that He does love you, and want you.
I love you all brethren. God speed the right!
Love, Elder Chris Petersen
This week has been an interesting one here in Columbus. Transfers just took place, and I am going to Broken Bow, Nebraska. It is in the western part of our mission, so it should be interesting for me. I am definitely not a cowboy, and it got described to me as a "cowboy town", so we'll see how that goes. It has been interesting being here in Columbus for just shy of six months, and I have really grown to love the people here. I am really going to miss them, however (at least for some of them), this is not goodbye. I am convinced I have made some life-long friends, and I believe that the Lord has a work for them to do too. You already know that Jake Williams who we just baptized recently, is now in Utah, and will be attending school at UVU. As well, I have other great friends--especially Josh Johnson, Jana Hager, and Scottie Leifert. Though they are not yet baptized, I strongly believe they will be. They told us last night when we went to say "see you later" to them, that they could not go away from this religion, because it would always be in their minds what they know they need to do. I plan on coming back to Columbus, but they also plan on coming out to visit in Utah. Josh even wants to be in the next movie we make from "The Series" (Divisions being the only one we have made so far). It's way awesome. I know we have found more brothers and sisters in the Lord, and for those of you that are, or will be serving missions, I am sure you will find us some as well. Bring them all home into our family.
I have learned a lot from being here and serving a mission. I have gained a great love for people in my life, both past and present. I appreciate all of you, and am extremely happy for the things you have done for me in my life, and also what you have done for each other. Keep being an example of the believers, and being my brothers and sisters in the Lord. We have such a tight bond, and I hope that bond will always remain. On missions, people often try to measure success on how many people we have enter into the waters of baptism. Though that is a goal that is worthy, and though we are called to baptize, I had an interesting realization last night. We are called to bring people closer to Christ. If we do this, we are succeeding as missionaries and as people. The impact we make cannot be measured in a mere two years. Two years makes up only a tenth of my life so far, and far far less for a whole life time--and even less in the eternal perspective. Brethren, we carry the world. Never in the history of man has a group made more impact for the good and well-being of mankind than Christ's true church. Jesus Christ leads this church, and He truly leads us where we need to be to do the most good. I have a testimony of that now. I wondered for a while, as I watched all of these investigators struggle, if I was really helping them. So few of them have been baptized--but many of them have been brought to believe. Josh, Jana, Scottie, Shannan, Katie--all of these individuals have not yet been baptized, but they believe, and I believe in Christ who knows His sheep, and will call for them. He knows their lives, and He has prepared them. They will come and be part of our family.
For the longest time I feel I always paid too much attention to the justice of God, and not on His mercy. I have known He is merciful--and that the atonement is real--but I guess it just never clicked. I was pondering this, when I realized something wonderful. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us so much, and they will do EVERYTHING in their power to let us into the Kingdom of God. Heavenly Father wants us to return to Him. I knew that, and I was teaching that, but I hadn't really thought about it. He loves us, and will do everything He can to bring us back. Jesus Christ has done, and will do, everything He can to bring us back to Him. I forgot to bring my scriptures into the Library, but there is one time I recall where Jesus sat looking over Jerusalem and with sadness he proclaimed how oft He had tried to bring the Jews in, like a hen gathers her chicks, and the would not come. He mourns when we will not come. Many of you are probably thinking, "yeah, I knew that". So did I, I thought, but somehow it seems I understand even more--and I believe I will continue to learn even more. It is such a miracle how it is the simple principles of the gospel that are so profound, if we will just take the time to think about them, and try to really understand them. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want all of you--each individual. They know your pains, and cry with you when you cry. They hurt with you, and want you to be free from the heavy burden of sin. Oh how touching is the mercy and love of a Father, and our perfect Brother. Understand, for all of you who have ever felt a grief or anger toward God, thinking that He doesn't want you because of the way you have lived your lives, that He does love you, and want you.
I love you all brethren. God speed the right!
Love, Elder Chris Petersen
Monday, February 14, 2011
A Wonderful Baptism . . .
Dear Brethren,
Jake Williams was baptized last Saturday, and confirmed yesterday (Feb. 13th)!!! He is now a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and has the Gift of the Holy Ghost! How wonderful! We've added another soul to the fold, and great will be our joy with him in the kingdom of our Father!
He actually just took off to Utah today, quite suddenly. He will be attending UVU in Orem soon, so maybe you people in Utah should look out for him. He is really cool! He will definitely not only be added to Christ' true church on the earth, but also to the Sons of Mosiah and the League of Unextraordinary Gentlemen that we so proudly call ourselves. He is awesome, and will be an awesome addition to our friendships, and to God's work. I confirmed him yesterday, and it said he would be mighty in the work. j
Well, I am sorry this email is short, but I have to go. I love you all!
Love, Elder Christopher Petersen
Jake Williams was baptized last Saturday, and confirmed yesterday (Feb. 13th)!!! He is now a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and has the Gift of the Holy Ghost! How wonderful! We've added another soul to the fold, and great will be our joy with him in the kingdom of our Father!
He actually just took off to Utah today, quite suddenly. He will be attending UVU in Orem soon, so maybe you people in Utah should look out for him. He is really cool! He will definitely not only be added to Christ' true church on the earth, but also to the Sons of Mosiah and the League of Unextraordinary Gentlemen that we so proudly call ourselves. He is awesome, and will be an awesome addition to our friendships, and to God's work. I confirmed him yesterday, and it said he would be mighty in the work. j
Well, I am sorry this email is short, but I have to go. I love you all!
Love, Elder Christopher Petersen
Monday, February 7, 2011
Miracles Still Happen . . .
Dear Brethren,
This scripture I submit to the world: "And now, O all ye that have imagined up unto yourselves a god who can do no miracles, I would ask of you, have all these things passed, of which I have spoken? Has the end come yet? Behold I say unto you, Nay; and God has not ceased to be a God of miracles. Behold, are not the things that God hath wrought marvelous in our eyes? Yeah, and who can comprehend the marvelous works of God? Who shall say that it was not a miracle that by his word the heaven and the earth should be; and by the power of his word man was created of the dust of the earth; and by the power of his word have miracles been wrought? And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many mighty miracles? And there were many mighty miracles wrought by the hands of the apostles. And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles. And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust. Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth."--Mormon 9:15-21
I confirm this scripture true, today. We have been witnessing many miracles from the hand of God, because of our belief in Him--not that ours is perfect, but that he makes up the rest. Did not a man in the scriptures say to Jesus, "help thou mine unbelief"? Surely we can say the same, but we should learn not to doubt our living God. It is a hard thing--and I fall short often--but there are blessings for those who strive to conform their lives with the will of the Father, and keep the commandments of God. The commandments of God are not a burden--for God does not force us to obey them--but they are directions back to His presence. How can one make it to a destination unless he is willing to follow the directions which he is given? It is the same with the commandments. We are given blessings for obedience, and when we choose to follow the commandments of God and follow the Savior, we are given the directions in which we should travel to the kingdom of our Father.
My companion and I have been striving to become even better missionaries, and as God is aware of our efforts, He suddenly poured out blessings upon our heads. A few weeks ago a young man walked into church, and found us. We began to teach him, but he knows a lot already. He has been studiying the LDS religion online for some time, and has some LDS friends in Utah. He wanted to be baptized, and Jake Williams will be getting baptized this Saturday! Truly a miracle. Also another woman got on mormon.org, and requested a visit with us missionaries. We are now teaching her and her husband, and they are amazing. They took us to a really fancy resturant, but there is much more to be excited about than where the took us. I just thought that was awesome. Made my day.
So I have an experience to share with you brethren, that goes to confirm the scripture above. It happened to me and my companion, and is a true witness that God answers the prayers of His servants. He loves His children, and wants to answer our prayers. This is a story about an investigator of mine. I will refer to her as K, and to her boyfriend as J:
K has wanted for some time to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and we have been meeting with her for a while now. Eventually, it got to the point in our teaching her, that she needed to make some decisions. You see, she has one thing yet to do, and that is to live the Law of Chastity by either moving out (because she lives with J), or by marrying J. She wants to marry J, but J "is not ready for that step". Well, I guess she was just in a bad mood one day, because she had promised us previously that she would be coming to church that week, then we talked on the phone, and she told us that basically she might not keep her promise. Now, really she didn't promise US--that is an error--we actually asked her, "Will you commit to your Savior, Jesus Christ, to come to church and remember Him during the sacrament?" She had said yes, and was now going to back out. She did back out.
On the phone call, she was grumpy. I told her that we cannot force her to do anything, but unless a person is progressing in the gospel, we cannot teach them and need to spend our time elsewhere. I told her we had been trying to do all that we can to help her, and have been putting an amazing amount of effort into her--and if she wasn't going to progress, I didn't know what more we could do for her. I asked her if there was more we could do for her. She said no, and said "J and I aren't ready to take that step yet". And I said, "Ok, talk to you later". Then later, she text us saying she didn't want to meet with us anymore. She was mad at us, and at another member who told her not to meet with us unless she was going to do something about her newfound belief in the gospel.
Elder Pauni (my companion), and I, decided there was only two things we could do. Pray, and then wait. We were confident that she would come back, and I knelt down to offer up a request to my Heavenly Father. I asked him to bring K back, and do whatever is necessary to help her know that she needs to act on her belief in the gospel. I even requested a few possiblities saying I didn't care how it was done--whether it be by her feeling the lack of the Spirit in her life, by vision, or a dream, or anything really that God willed to be done--I just wanted it done.
A few days later, she sent us a text, asking us if we needed a ride anywhere because it was cold outside, and our cars were grounded. The Spanish Missionaries decided to take her up on it, and gave her a call. After saying she would give them a ride, she asked to talk to me. They gave me the phone, and she asked us what our plans were for that day. I replied that we didn't have much going on, and she asked if we could come over. I said, "To do what?" She replied, "Umm...I don't know, to read from the Book of Mormon or something". It was her way of asking us to come back and teach her. We went back, and she asked us if we wanted to know why she had chosen to invite us back. We said yes, and she went on to tell us a story.
She said that she had a dream earlier that day, and when the Spanish Elders called, she awoke from that dream. She told us that in the dream she was walking down a path, and eventually she came to fork in the path. She told us that down one of those paths, she saw us missionaries, and down the other, she saw "her friends". She told us that in the dream, she decided to go down the path with "her friends". She told us that she soon regreted her mistake, because as she was with "her friends" they got wild, and soon they all suffered an accident. She broke her leg in the accident. Wisely, she decided to then come over to our path, and found happiness there with us. She told us that she then looked back over to the path with "her friends" to see that they had been in yet another accident that this time, took all of their lives.
She then laughed a little and said that the funny part was that in the dream, she didn't even recognize any of the people she knew to be "her friends". She just somehow thought them to be her friends. We then interpreted the dream for her--it was very simple, and in fact, the member told her some of the interpretation before we did. "Her friends" represented the world, and the things of the world. The path with the missionaries (us), was the path that would lead to happiness and eternal life. It was the right path to choose, that wouldn't end in "death". We told her that even though in the dream the physical death she saw was a tragedy, even more tragic is that of spiritual death which it represented. We told her that she needs to act, and that even inviting us back will do no good unless she is willing to act, and rid herself of the things of the world that she holds on to so desperately. Those are "her friends", and we saw what would have happened has she stayed with "her friends".
God gave her a dream, and to add to it, her boyfriend J also had a dream. He woke up from his dream at the same time that K woke up from hers, and the spanish missionaries called. His dream was that he was being held down in darkness, suffocating, and he could not move. He told us that he had had this dream before, but K pointed out that the last time he had this reoccuring dream, was before he started taking lessons with us and now that he was no longer taking lessons with us, he was having this dream again.
Jesus is the Christ, brethren. He lives, and God our Father is also aware of the things that His children need. If we ask, he will give them to us, as long as we ask not amiss. If we ask with faith, and in righteousness, he will grant unto us according to our desires. He answered my prayer, and the prayer(s) of my companion. This is His work. Let us not doubt it ever, and let us remain faithful. I love you all! Have a great week!
Love, Elder Christopher D. Petersen
This scripture I submit to the world: "And now, O all ye that have imagined up unto yourselves a god who can do no miracles, I would ask of you, have all these things passed, of which I have spoken? Has the end come yet? Behold I say unto you, Nay; and God has not ceased to be a God of miracles. Behold, are not the things that God hath wrought marvelous in our eyes? Yeah, and who can comprehend the marvelous works of God? Who shall say that it was not a miracle that by his word the heaven and the earth should be; and by the power of his word man was created of the dust of the earth; and by the power of his word have miracles been wrought? And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many mighty miracles? And there were many mighty miracles wrought by the hands of the apostles. And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles. And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust. Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth."--Mormon 9:15-21
I confirm this scripture true, today. We have been witnessing many miracles from the hand of God, because of our belief in Him--not that ours is perfect, but that he makes up the rest. Did not a man in the scriptures say to Jesus, "help thou mine unbelief"? Surely we can say the same, but we should learn not to doubt our living God. It is a hard thing--and I fall short often--but there are blessings for those who strive to conform their lives with the will of the Father, and keep the commandments of God. The commandments of God are not a burden--for God does not force us to obey them--but they are directions back to His presence. How can one make it to a destination unless he is willing to follow the directions which he is given? It is the same with the commandments. We are given blessings for obedience, and when we choose to follow the commandments of God and follow the Savior, we are given the directions in which we should travel to the kingdom of our Father.
My companion and I have been striving to become even better missionaries, and as God is aware of our efforts, He suddenly poured out blessings upon our heads. A few weeks ago a young man walked into church, and found us. We began to teach him, but he knows a lot already. He has been studiying the LDS religion online for some time, and has some LDS friends in Utah. He wanted to be baptized, and Jake Williams will be getting baptized this Saturday! Truly a miracle. Also another woman got on mormon.org, and requested a visit with us missionaries. We are now teaching her and her husband, and they are amazing. They took us to a really fancy resturant, but there is much more to be excited about than where the took us. I just thought that was awesome. Made my day.
So I have an experience to share with you brethren, that goes to confirm the scripture above. It happened to me and my companion, and is a true witness that God answers the prayers of His servants. He loves His children, and wants to answer our prayers. This is a story about an investigator of mine. I will refer to her as K, and to her boyfriend as J:
K has wanted for some time to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and we have been meeting with her for a while now. Eventually, it got to the point in our teaching her, that she needed to make some decisions. You see, she has one thing yet to do, and that is to live the Law of Chastity by either moving out (because she lives with J), or by marrying J. She wants to marry J, but J "is not ready for that step". Well, I guess she was just in a bad mood one day, because she had promised us previously that she would be coming to church that week, then we talked on the phone, and she told us that basically she might not keep her promise. Now, really she didn't promise US--that is an error--we actually asked her, "Will you commit to your Savior, Jesus Christ, to come to church and remember Him during the sacrament?" She had said yes, and was now going to back out. She did back out.
On the phone call, she was grumpy. I told her that we cannot force her to do anything, but unless a person is progressing in the gospel, we cannot teach them and need to spend our time elsewhere. I told her we had been trying to do all that we can to help her, and have been putting an amazing amount of effort into her--and if she wasn't going to progress, I didn't know what more we could do for her. I asked her if there was more we could do for her. She said no, and said "J and I aren't ready to take that step yet". And I said, "Ok, talk to you later". Then later, she text us saying she didn't want to meet with us anymore. She was mad at us, and at another member who told her not to meet with us unless she was going to do something about her newfound belief in the gospel.
Elder Pauni (my companion), and I, decided there was only two things we could do. Pray, and then wait. We were confident that she would come back, and I knelt down to offer up a request to my Heavenly Father. I asked him to bring K back, and do whatever is necessary to help her know that she needs to act on her belief in the gospel. I even requested a few possiblities saying I didn't care how it was done--whether it be by her feeling the lack of the Spirit in her life, by vision, or a dream, or anything really that God willed to be done--I just wanted it done.
A few days later, she sent us a text, asking us if we needed a ride anywhere because it was cold outside, and our cars were grounded. The Spanish Missionaries decided to take her up on it, and gave her a call. After saying she would give them a ride, she asked to talk to me. They gave me the phone, and she asked us what our plans were for that day. I replied that we didn't have much going on, and she asked if we could come over. I said, "To do what?" She replied, "Umm...I don't know, to read from the Book of Mormon or something". It was her way of asking us to come back and teach her. We went back, and she asked us if we wanted to know why she had chosen to invite us back. We said yes, and she went on to tell us a story.
She said that she had a dream earlier that day, and when the Spanish Elders called, she awoke from that dream. She told us that in the dream she was walking down a path, and eventually she came to fork in the path. She told us that down one of those paths, she saw us missionaries, and down the other, she saw "her friends". She told us that in the dream, she decided to go down the path with "her friends". She told us that she soon regreted her mistake, because as she was with "her friends" they got wild, and soon they all suffered an accident. She broke her leg in the accident. Wisely, she decided to then come over to our path, and found happiness there with us. She told us that she then looked back over to the path with "her friends" to see that they had been in yet another accident that this time, took all of their lives.
She then laughed a little and said that the funny part was that in the dream, she didn't even recognize any of the people she knew to be "her friends". She just somehow thought them to be her friends. We then interpreted the dream for her--it was very simple, and in fact, the member told her some of the interpretation before we did. "Her friends" represented the world, and the things of the world. The path with the missionaries (us), was the path that would lead to happiness and eternal life. It was the right path to choose, that wouldn't end in "death". We told her that even though in the dream the physical death she saw was a tragedy, even more tragic is that of spiritual death which it represented. We told her that she needs to act, and that even inviting us back will do no good unless she is willing to act, and rid herself of the things of the world that she holds on to so desperately. Those are "her friends", and we saw what would have happened has she stayed with "her friends".
God gave her a dream, and to add to it, her boyfriend J also had a dream. He woke up from his dream at the same time that K woke up from hers, and the spanish missionaries called. His dream was that he was being held down in darkness, suffocating, and he could not move. He told us that he had had this dream before, but K pointed out that the last time he had this reoccuring dream, was before he started taking lessons with us and now that he was no longer taking lessons with us, he was having this dream again.
Jesus is the Christ, brethren. He lives, and God our Father is also aware of the things that His children need. If we ask, he will give them to us, as long as we ask not amiss. If we ask with faith, and in righteousness, he will grant unto us according to our desires. He answered my prayer, and the prayer(s) of my companion. This is His work. Let us not doubt it ever, and let us remain faithful. I love you all! Have a great week!
Love, Elder Christopher D. Petersen
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