Dear Sons of Mosiah,
What to say today? I truly have no idea...I do have to say, I've been seeing some pretty crazy things going on in the world, and my mind is caught up in the writings of Nephi when he spoke of the latter days, and the Great and Abominable Church. I've talked to a lot of people who are so hardened against religion because of the acts of such churches. They see wickedness high up in churches all around them, and I often wonder, can we blame these people who choose not to listen? Truly Satan's church is at large, and it has turned away many good people that see the hold Satan has on many churches--Christian and Non-Christian churches alike. This is why members need to help people see the difference between the Great Whore of All the Earth, and the true and restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's quite the battle out here, nevertheless a good work is going forward, and many people are being brought to a knowledge of the truth. And why should we be discouraged? Truly Nephi prophesied that our numbers would be few, and will always be fewer than those of the Great and Abominable Church--at least until the Great and Terrible Day when the Son of God will come again. Hopefully for all of us that will be a Great Day, and not so terrible. Nevertheless, it is what it is.
Now, where do we stand on this whole scale that determines the fate of the world? My father sent me an email about this, and I have to say, I wish I always truly understood my place as a servant of the Lord. Truly missionaries are a force going forth to dissolve the wickedness and secret combinations which plague our world. In the Book of Mormon missionary work is exactly how the Lamanites rid themselves of secret combinations in their society, and the Nephites were unable to do so because people would not hearken unto the word of God. Hopefully the people of this great nation, and of the world, are not hardened to that extent, in their hearts. This is all why we have a great need to do missionary work! Think about it, all of you who have ever wished to be great! The way to be great is to humble yourself, and understand your great nothingness before the Lord, then he will make you mighty in His hands. How cool is that? For a reference, check out Mosiah 4, and read it prayerfully. It's a beautiful chapter, and is honestly a lot of what got me out here on my mission.
Anyway, I'm done preaching now, but love you all! Keep safe, keep righteous, and keep doing the Lord's work, okay? Talk to you next week!
Love, Elder Chris Petersen
Monday, August 23, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Food For Thought . . .
Dear Brethren,
I miss your stinking guts! (End of the carnal Chris speaking) How are you all doing? I was in sick all day yesterday, and was told to stay home by Sister Kunz, so my companion and I talked a lot. I got to think about all the crazy things we've done, and realized that we really had quite the experiences, didn't we? Anyway...
Well, I don't have much to say today. I suppose I'm just writing this week out of habit. The Lord's work is going great! Satan's working really hard against it, but no matter what he does, the Lord comes out triumphant! It's all about the casualties now. We must save as many of our brethren as we can. As Brigham Young said concerning the lost handcart companies, "Bring In Those People Now!" This is the job of missionaries, and of members! More dire than the physical death of a freezing, starving people, is the spiritual danger of a soul!
How many of us would jump in front of a car to save someone's life--especially somebody that we care about? I think a lot of us would. So should we not treat with the same urgency the soul who does not have the gospel, or who has strayed from the truth? Now we can't force them to accept it, but ought we not to continually present it? Is the immortal soul not more important than our temporary tabernacles? How much more then, should we care to save a soul, than even that of a life? We place lives at a priceless value--then of how much more value is the soul!
Anyway, it's food for thought. Too often we are afraid to talk to our nonmember friends or acquaintances about the gospel, but we wouldn't hesitate in the least to save them from an oncoming car. Where should we place our priorities? Anyway, good job to all who have realized it, and I'm still working on it. Lol. Half the time that I write things to all of you, I have a major realization myself--and I'm in the process of convincing myself of the truth of something.
Well, I love you all! Have a great week!
Love, Elder Chris Petersen
I miss your stinking guts! (End of the carnal Chris speaking) How are you all doing? I was in sick all day yesterday, and was told to stay home by Sister Kunz, so my companion and I talked a lot. I got to think about all the crazy things we've done, and realized that we really had quite the experiences, didn't we? Anyway...
Well, I don't have much to say today. I suppose I'm just writing this week out of habit. The Lord's work is going great! Satan's working really hard against it, but no matter what he does, the Lord comes out triumphant! It's all about the casualties now. We must save as many of our brethren as we can. As Brigham Young said concerning the lost handcart companies, "Bring In Those People Now!" This is the job of missionaries, and of members! More dire than the physical death of a freezing, starving people, is the spiritual danger of a soul!
How many of us would jump in front of a car to save someone's life--especially somebody that we care about? I think a lot of us would. So should we not treat with the same urgency the soul who does not have the gospel, or who has strayed from the truth? Now we can't force them to accept it, but ought we not to continually present it? Is the immortal soul not more important than our temporary tabernacles? How much more then, should we care to save a soul, than even that of a life? We place lives at a priceless value--then of how much more value is the soul!
Anyway, it's food for thought. Too often we are afraid to talk to our nonmember friends or acquaintances about the gospel, but we wouldn't hesitate in the least to save them from an oncoming car. Where should we place our priorities? Anyway, good job to all who have realized it, and I'm still working on it. Lol. Half the time that I write things to all of you, I have a major realization myself--and I'm in the process of convincing myself of the truth of something.
Well, I love you all! Have a great week!
Love, Elder Chris Petersen
Monday, August 9, 2010
The Atonement of Jesus Christ . . .
Dear Brethren,
The work of the Lord is going on mightily, and the powers of hell will be shaken forever! Nothing will stop the will of the Lord from being done, and we should all rejoice because of this thing. I have learned a lot this week, as life varies, and things change. We sometimes make plans, and they fail, and then we must remember in whom we have trusted, and remember Him who is mighty to save!
I wish to speak on a matter that came to my attention this week. I wish to speak on the write on the atonement of Jesus Christ--but it isn't merely what you think it is. I believe many of us have a testimony of the power of the Atonement of Christ to heal us and cleanse us from sin. Many of us have experienced this miracle many times, and glory be to God for it! However, fewer people (including myself, until this week brought about experience in the matter in just a small portion--even now I cannot fully comprehend it) have a testimony of the enabling and strengthening power of the atonement.
We know that it was said that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to make "bad men good, and good men better". We get that it makes bad men good--for it cleanses us of ous sins. But how many of us believe that we are to rely on ourselves to become better? It is not so. The atonement of Jesus Christ is for good men to become better as well. Also, it enables men to do things they cannot do of themselves, and get through situations they could not handle on their own. Remember that the Savior conquered all of our pains and our sicknesses and infirmities--not just our sins.
Nephi had such knowledge when his brothers bound him, and planned his death. Read over it. In verse 17 of 1 Nephi 7, Nephi prays: "O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound." This, and many other passages in the scriptures give a great example. Nephi did not just say, "Get me out of this now!" or anything else. He asked to be given the strength. The cords did not just fall from his wrists, and he did not just magically pull a bit and off the came. He was not given "Hercules Powers", but he was granted the strength and the percision to break the bands with which he was bound.
There is a talk by Elder Bednar given in, I think, 2001, before he was an apostle. It was while he was President of BYU Idaho. It's titled, "In The Strength of the Lord". It's about the enabling power of the atonement. Read it, watch it, or listen to it. It will change you a lot if yo let it.
I love you all! Take care, and remembe the God in whom you should trust!
Love, Elder Chris Petersen
The work of the Lord is going on mightily, and the powers of hell will be shaken forever! Nothing will stop the will of the Lord from being done, and we should all rejoice because of this thing. I have learned a lot this week, as life varies, and things change. We sometimes make plans, and they fail, and then we must remember in whom we have trusted, and remember Him who is mighty to save!
I wish to speak on a matter that came to my attention this week. I wish to speak on the write on the atonement of Jesus Christ--but it isn't merely what you think it is. I believe many of us have a testimony of the power of the Atonement of Christ to heal us and cleanse us from sin. Many of us have experienced this miracle many times, and glory be to God for it! However, fewer people (including myself, until this week brought about experience in the matter in just a small portion--even now I cannot fully comprehend it) have a testimony of the enabling and strengthening power of the atonement.
We know that it was said that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to make "bad men good, and good men better". We get that it makes bad men good--for it cleanses us of ous sins. But how many of us believe that we are to rely on ourselves to become better? It is not so. The atonement of Jesus Christ is for good men to become better as well. Also, it enables men to do things they cannot do of themselves, and get through situations they could not handle on their own. Remember that the Savior conquered all of our pains and our sicknesses and infirmities--not just our sins.
Nephi had such knowledge when his brothers bound him, and planned his death. Read over it. In verse 17 of 1 Nephi 7, Nephi prays: "O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound." This, and many other passages in the scriptures give a great example. Nephi did not just say, "Get me out of this now!" or anything else. He asked to be given the strength. The cords did not just fall from his wrists, and he did not just magically pull a bit and off the came. He was not given "Hercules Powers", but he was granted the strength and the percision to break the bands with which he was bound.
There is a talk by Elder Bednar given in, I think, 2001, before he was an apostle. It was while he was President of BYU Idaho. It's titled, "In The Strength of the Lord". It's about the enabling power of the atonement. Read it, watch it, or listen to it. It will change you a lot if yo let it.
I love you all! Take care, and remembe the God in whom you should trust!
Love, Elder Chris Petersen
Monday, July 26, 2010
An Amazing Week . . .
Dear Brethren,
This week has been amazing! I've learned a few very practical lessons this week, and have had some amazing experiences!
First off, Saturday, the 24th of July, I had the privilege of baptizing Judy England! She was an investigator that I taught in the Holmes Lake Area, and a while ago I had invited her to be baptized. She said she would think about it. Then I left Holmes Lake before she could come to a decision. Later, we picked her up again as an investigator when I had stewardship over both Holmes Lake and Trendwood. We only got to teach her a couple of times before new missionaries came into Holmes Lake. Well, long story short, she decided to get baptized, and requested that I do it since I first invited her, and gave her her first Book of Mormon. I was way stoked to get the call, as you can imagine! There is nothing like the happiness one receives when you help them make the first step to the most important thing they will ever decide to do! The consequences are eternal.
Secondly, it's been the best week that Trendwood has seen in a long time! Elder Hoyt and I have been working to just get it moving, and finally, it did! We learned how to set goals, and actually meet them! I am now a good goal setter. Both us really lacked testimony in goal setting, cause unfortunately, most goals are never met. Elder Hoyt analyzed it, and decided we needed to go about it differently. So we set goals that would stretch us, but we put names behind the goals instead of just empty numbers. We set goals we have never accomplished before, but lo and behold, we made it! Now, I do not say this to boast of myself, because 1) My companion had the idea, and 2) It's the Lord's work, not mine. However, it felt good. Now my point: Learning to be a good goal-setter will greatly affect our lives, and our missions. So my advice to all, learn how to set good goals, and meet them. Pray for help. Hopefully, I can keep it up as well, cause I have always been bad at it.
Thirdly, companionship unity is everything. Elder Hoyt and I have very different personalities. We are like opposite ends of the spectrum! We both work hard and love the work, but we weren't getting along. Finally, we had a falling-out and just argued hard-core. No bueno. Luckily, we took a different approach to things this time, and figured out our core problems with each other. There had been some major assumptions made, and that was no good. We worked through them, and resolved things. Since then, we have been able to set and reach good goals, we have had more success than ever before in Trendwood, have taught more lessons than ever in Trendwood, and have been unified in our teaching--which has brought the Spirit strongly into our lessons, and has been what we can credit any of our success to.
Anyway, I love you all, and sorry about the bragging session, but Ammon in the Book of Mormon taught me a valuable thing. It is not okay to boast about yourself, but you can always boast in the Lord. Don't stretch it however, just be righteous about it. Lol.
And look it up, cause it's in Alma.
Love you all!
Elder Petersen
This week has been amazing! I've learned a few very practical lessons this week, and have had some amazing experiences!
First off, Saturday, the 24th of July, I had the privilege of baptizing Judy England! She was an investigator that I taught in the Holmes Lake Area, and a while ago I had invited her to be baptized. She said she would think about it. Then I left Holmes Lake before she could come to a decision. Later, we picked her up again as an investigator when I had stewardship over both Holmes Lake and Trendwood. We only got to teach her a couple of times before new missionaries came into Holmes Lake. Well, long story short, she decided to get baptized, and requested that I do it since I first invited her, and gave her her first Book of Mormon. I was way stoked to get the call, as you can imagine! There is nothing like the happiness one receives when you help them make the first step to the most important thing they will ever decide to do! The consequences are eternal.
Secondly, it's been the best week that Trendwood has seen in a long time! Elder Hoyt and I have been working to just get it moving, and finally, it did! We learned how to set goals, and actually meet them! I am now a good goal setter. Both us really lacked testimony in goal setting, cause unfortunately, most goals are never met. Elder Hoyt analyzed it, and decided we needed to go about it differently. So we set goals that would stretch us, but we put names behind the goals instead of just empty numbers. We set goals we have never accomplished before, but lo and behold, we made it! Now, I do not say this to boast of myself, because 1) My companion had the idea, and 2) It's the Lord's work, not mine. However, it felt good. Now my point: Learning to be a good goal-setter will greatly affect our lives, and our missions. So my advice to all, learn how to set good goals, and meet them. Pray for help. Hopefully, I can keep it up as well, cause I have always been bad at it.
Thirdly, companionship unity is everything. Elder Hoyt and I have very different personalities. We are like opposite ends of the spectrum! We both work hard and love the work, but we weren't getting along. Finally, we had a falling-out and just argued hard-core. No bueno. Luckily, we took a different approach to things this time, and figured out our core problems with each other. There had been some major assumptions made, and that was no good. We worked through them, and resolved things. Since then, we have been able to set and reach good goals, we have had more success than ever before in Trendwood, have taught more lessons than ever in Trendwood, and have been unified in our teaching--which has brought the Spirit strongly into our lessons, and has been what we can credit any of our success to.
Anyway, I love you all, and sorry about the bragging session, but Ammon in the Book of Mormon taught me a valuable thing. It is not okay to boast about yourself, but you can always boast in the Lord. Don't stretch it however, just be righteous about it. Lol.
And look it up, cause it's in Alma.
Love you all!
Elder Petersen
Monday, July 19, 2010
A Lesson Learned . . .
Dear Sons of Mosiah,
I have no idea what to write this week...I guess, a personal experience will do.
Don't ever argue with people about the gospel! It's no bueno. I got pretty frustrated the other day when talking with a man. All he wanted to do was bring up anti-mormon things that were just absolutely ridiculous. I used the Bible against him big time, and tore him down. Bad idea. Yeah, so I may have won the Bible-Bash from a technical standpoint--and even then, he was pretty good. His views were ridiculous, and his understanding leads me to think his pastor probably just spoon-fed it to him. Still, all I did was feed his dislike for us, probably. That wasn't my goal, but in reality, I probably just made things worse.
The reason I grew angry a bit, was because he started to just make things personal. He insulted me, and told me I was misguided. If dedicating two years of my young life to serving the Lord, Jesus Christ is what one would classify as being "misguided"...yeah, see? I'm even kind of mad writing it, but I ought to have watched my temper.
I'm going back to talk with him tomorrow, and handle it the way I really should have in the first place. I should have simply testified of Christ. That is what I have been called to, after all. We teach Christ, we testify of Christ, and we help people to accept Christ. So, I guess there is no end to this story yet. I'll have to let you know how it goes. Either way, learn from my mistakes before you go out and preach the gospel yourselves. It will make your missions, and missionary efforts, easier.
Anyway, I love you all. Have a great week!
Love, Elder Christopher Petersen
I have no idea what to write this week...I guess, a personal experience will do.
Don't ever argue with people about the gospel! It's no bueno. I got pretty frustrated the other day when talking with a man. All he wanted to do was bring up anti-mormon things that were just absolutely ridiculous. I used the Bible against him big time, and tore him down. Bad idea. Yeah, so I may have won the Bible-Bash from a technical standpoint--and even then, he was pretty good. His views were ridiculous, and his understanding leads me to think his pastor probably just spoon-fed it to him. Still, all I did was feed his dislike for us, probably. That wasn't my goal, but in reality, I probably just made things worse.
The reason I grew angry a bit, was because he started to just make things personal. He insulted me, and told me I was misguided. If dedicating two years of my young life to serving the Lord, Jesus Christ is what one would classify as being "misguided"...yeah, see? I'm even kind of mad writing it, but I ought to have watched my temper.
I'm going back to talk with him tomorrow, and handle it the way I really should have in the first place. I should have simply testified of Christ. That is what I have been called to, after all. We teach Christ, we testify of Christ, and we help people to accept Christ. So, I guess there is no end to this story yet. I'll have to let you know how it goes. Either way, learn from my mistakes before you go out and preach the gospel yourselves. It will make your missions, and missionary efforts, easier.
Anyway, I love you all. Have a great week!
Love, Elder Christopher Petersen
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Worth of Every Soul is Great in the Eyes of God . . .
My Dear Brethren in the Lord,
Many are called, but few are chosen. Why are they not chosen? Cause they aren't as awesome as this brotherhood. Too bad. Lol! You all know I'm the most humble person any of you have ever seen, right?
Anyway, the real point for the day truely isn't that far off from the first paragraph--okay, well, the first sentence, or so. I gave a lesson in church yesterday, from the Gospel Principles manual. The lesson was on Sacrifice. I firmly believe that I discovered--or was lead to discover--some great things concerning the children of God that surround me, and also many of you.
In the Joseph Smith movie that is about an hour long, at visitors centers, that is pretty new as of a few years ago, there is a part that really did happen historically, which had a deep impression on me, and helped my view of missionary work even more. These people were saying terrible, awful things which Joseph, and many others were chained as prisoners. Eventually, Joseph stood, and rebuked them in the name of Christ. It was the famous one where he says, "Silence! Silence ye fiends of the infernal pit!..." and then it continues. You should read, the whole quote to truely understand, but after he rebukes them, he turns to the men that were imprisoned with him, and says, "The worth of every soul is great in the eyes of God". It stuck with me, and I've tried to remember that when I talk to people on the streets, however, today there is a different lesson to be learned from this, mixed with the lesson on Sacrifice.
The worth of every soul is great in the sight of God. He has a work for each of us. Every one of us has an unimaginable potential, as sons and daughters of the living God. Every one of us has the potential to be a great instrument in the hands of our Father, and the hands of our Savior. And how many of us are living up to the potential, and allowing God to mold us to His desire? I know I am not wholly. Are you? Should we not sacrifice every sin, and lay aside the things of the world which do occupy our attention? Should we not do all things we do because it will bring us closer to God? Which things have real value to us? Which things ought to have real value to us?
I think Captain Moroni set a perfect example for which things should have real value to us. It says, in paraphrase, that they (the Nephites) fought for their God, their wives, their children, their country, and their freedom. As well, I would suppose that you should include all of your loved ones, since many of us do not have wives and children, though some do. Also, many of you are not my family biologically, but you are my brothers and sisters in Christ. That is also worthy of fighting for.
Brethren, this world is at war, though it is not all with the sword. However, the casualties are worse in this war, than they are in a war with weapons. It is not merely the lives of people being lost, but the souls of our brothers and sisters. How great of a work we are involved in, cause we are rescuers of these souls!
Anyway, I do not wish to play preacher, but brethren, let's lay aside the things which ought to be laid aside, and sacrifice the one thing we have to give to the Lord. Only our will is really ours. It is also the hardest thing to do. I have never been good at it, and I can only hope I ever will be. Still, I wonder how many souls we can bring to the Kingdom of God together. I wonder what amazing things God has planned for each of us. I do not see why we cannot be great in the hands of God, like Alma, or the Sons of Mosiah. Let's do this. Love you all! Sorry if you feel preached at, but I love you anyway.
Love, Chris
Many are called, but few are chosen. Why are they not chosen? Cause they aren't as awesome as this brotherhood. Too bad. Lol! You all know I'm the most humble person any of you have ever seen, right?
Anyway, the real point for the day truely isn't that far off from the first paragraph--okay, well, the first sentence, or so. I gave a lesson in church yesterday, from the Gospel Principles manual. The lesson was on Sacrifice. I firmly believe that I discovered--or was lead to discover--some great things concerning the children of God that surround me, and also many of you.
In the Joseph Smith movie that is about an hour long, at visitors centers, that is pretty new as of a few years ago, there is a part that really did happen historically, which had a deep impression on me, and helped my view of missionary work even more. These people were saying terrible, awful things which Joseph, and many others were chained as prisoners. Eventually, Joseph stood, and rebuked them in the name of Christ. It was the famous one where he says, "Silence! Silence ye fiends of the infernal pit!..." and then it continues. You should read, the whole quote to truely understand, but after he rebukes them, he turns to the men that were imprisoned with him, and says, "The worth of every soul is great in the eyes of God". It stuck with me, and I've tried to remember that when I talk to people on the streets, however, today there is a different lesson to be learned from this, mixed with the lesson on Sacrifice.
The worth of every soul is great in the sight of God. He has a work for each of us. Every one of us has an unimaginable potential, as sons and daughters of the living God. Every one of us has the potential to be a great instrument in the hands of our Father, and the hands of our Savior. And how many of us are living up to the potential, and allowing God to mold us to His desire? I know I am not wholly. Are you? Should we not sacrifice every sin, and lay aside the things of the world which do occupy our attention? Should we not do all things we do because it will bring us closer to God? Which things have real value to us? Which things ought to have real value to us?
I think Captain Moroni set a perfect example for which things should have real value to us. It says, in paraphrase, that they (the Nephites) fought for their God, their wives, their children, their country, and their freedom. As well, I would suppose that you should include all of your loved ones, since many of us do not have wives and children, though some do. Also, many of you are not my family biologically, but you are my brothers and sisters in Christ. That is also worthy of fighting for.
Brethren, this world is at war, though it is not all with the sword. However, the casualties are worse in this war, than they are in a war with weapons. It is not merely the lives of people being lost, but the souls of our brothers and sisters. How great of a work we are involved in, cause we are rescuers of these souls!
Anyway, I do not wish to play preacher, but brethren, let's lay aside the things which ought to be laid aside, and sacrifice the one thing we have to give to the Lord. Only our will is really ours. It is also the hardest thing to do. I have never been good at it, and I can only hope I ever will be. Still, I wonder how many souls we can bring to the Kingdom of God together. I wonder what amazing things God has planned for each of us. I do not see why we cannot be great in the hands of God, like Alma, or the Sons of Mosiah. Let's do this. Love you all! Sorry if you feel preached at, but I love you anyway.
Love, Chris
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
A Powerful Witness of Heavenly Father's Love . . .
Dear Sons of Mosiah,
Cool experience this week! There is this couple that moved into the ward recently, and they are awesome! They love missionaries, they love missionary work, and they would see us every day if they could! The problem is that each of them have some issues to overcome, and both had been less-active for a time. They currently aren't married to add to it--but are planning on it soon, after they can get through legal complications that are preventing them getting married, because of her trying to get custody of her child-- and are living under the same roof. However, a relief is that they are observing the law of chastity with one another right now, which is good.
Anyway, we met them by accident actually. We had brother Schrum as a team up, and he thought he had a list of inactive members we need to contact, but he actually brought the list of people without home teachers. So we knock on their door, expecting a family that will want us to leave them alone (as many inactives do), and we get a wide-eyed excited greeting instead! He was like, "Missionaries! Elders, come on in! We're so glad to see you!" We walk in, and there's gospel art all over. They get us water, and I'm like thinking, oh crap, this just isn't right. This waters got to be like poision, or something. Nobody is ever this awesome! This is not happening. For real, I was hesitant to drink the water. Anyway, long story short, they were cool. Now the cool experience we had, happened this last Sunday, July 4th.
We went over there hoping to practice teaching them a lesson, and get them to the Trail Center. Instead, they decided to just open up to us, and let us know all of their current addictions and such. Now, they didn't do this in the way that's terrible and annoying, and like spilling their whole life story to us, or anything. They did this cause they wanted our help in overcoming these things, and they've had very good relationships with missionaries in the past. She's a convert, and he was less-active for a long time.
So we shared a lesson, using Alma 24. It's about the people of Ammon, or the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. These are the Lamanites that became converted due to the Sons of Mosiah going to do missionary work in their land. These are those who buried their weapons of war when they non-converted Lamanites wanted to war with them. These great people would not take up arms against their brethren, as they had become clean of their murders and sins through the blood of Christ--so they would not kill again, and instead, went out to meet their enemies, and prayed to God in the streets as they were slain. That day, over one- thousand of them died, and even more than died, were converted because of what they saw. At this point, the sister ( I don't wish to name them) was crying. There are very powerful verses, and I urge you all to read the chapter. Now this is what we desired of this couple: we asked them to bury thier "weapons of war", or their sins and things connected to them. We went on to teach about what kind of men the sons of those converted Lamanites became, those being the Sons of Helaman A.K.A. the Stripling Warriors.
After a long, emotional lesson, they plan to bury their "weapons". They may even literally bury some items that are helping them in their sins. After this lesson where the Spirit was so powerful, they asked us for a blessing. We gave them blessings. Elder Hoyt was the mouthpiece for the sisters blessing, and I was for the brother. The Spirit was even stronger now, and all of us were crying except my companion (Lol. I give him crap for it, a bit). It felt amazing to give a blessing again, cause it's been a little while. I could once again feel the Spirit speak through me, almost as the first time I gave a blessing-- which was Michael's confermation back home in Lehi, for those of you who remember. I knew there were angels in the room, and I told him in the blessing that they were there. But the thing that was the most striking, was at the beginning of the blessing, the first thing that Heavenly Father had me say, was how much he loved him. I could feel it so powerfully, the love that He has for that man, and how long He has anxiously awaited the return of this man back into His arms and into the fold of God. I suppose that it is that way for all of His children, and that God has such joy in heaven every time one of His children receives him.
Have a great week my brethren, and let us be even as the Sons of Mosiah.
Love, Elder Chris Petersen
Cool experience this week! There is this couple that moved into the ward recently, and they are awesome! They love missionaries, they love missionary work, and they would see us every day if they could! The problem is that each of them have some issues to overcome, and both had been less-active for a time. They currently aren't married to add to it--but are planning on it soon, after they can get through legal complications that are preventing them getting married, because of her trying to get custody of her child-- and are living under the same roof. However, a relief is that they are observing the law of chastity with one another right now, which is good.
Anyway, we met them by accident actually. We had brother Schrum as a team up, and he thought he had a list of inactive members we need to contact, but he actually brought the list of people without home teachers. So we knock on their door, expecting a family that will want us to leave them alone (as many inactives do), and we get a wide-eyed excited greeting instead! He was like, "Missionaries! Elders, come on in! We're so glad to see you!" We walk in, and there's gospel art all over. They get us water, and I'm like thinking, oh crap, this just isn't right. This waters got to be like poision, or something. Nobody is ever this awesome! This is not happening. For real, I was hesitant to drink the water. Anyway, long story short, they were cool. Now the cool experience we had, happened this last Sunday, July 4th.
We went over there hoping to practice teaching them a lesson, and get them to the Trail Center. Instead, they decided to just open up to us, and let us know all of their current addictions and such. Now, they didn't do this in the way that's terrible and annoying, and like spilling their whole life story to us, or anything. They did this cause they wanted our help in overcoming these things, and they've had very good relationships with missionaries in the past. She's a convert, and he was less-active for a long time.
So we shared a lesson, using Alma 24. It's about the people of Ammon, or the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. These are the Lamanites that became converted due to the Sons of Mosiah going to do missionary work in their land. These are those who buried their weapons of war when they non-converted Lamanites wanted to war with them. These great people would not take up arms against their brethren, as they had become clean of their murders and sins through the blood of Christ--so they would not kill again, and instead, went out to meet their enemies, and prayed to God in the streets as they were slain. That day, over one- thousand of them died, and even more than died, were converted because of what they saw. At this point, the sister ( I don't wish to name them) was crying. There are very powerful verses, and I urge you all to read the chapter. Now this is what we desired of this couple: we asked them to bury thier "weapons of war", or their sins and things connected to them. We went on to teach about what kind of men the sons of those converted Lamanites became, those being the Sons of Helaman A.K.A. the Stripling Warriors.
After a long, emotional lesson, they plan to bury their "weapons". They may even literally bury some items that are helping them in their sins. After this lesson where the Spirit was so powerful, they asked us for a blessing. We gave them blessings. Elder Hoyt was the mouthpiece for the sisters blessing, and I was for the brother. The Spirit was even stronger now, and all of us were crying except my companion (Lol. I give him crap for it, a bit). It felt amazing to give a blessing again, cause it's been a little while. I could once again feel the Spirit speak through me, almost as the first time I gave a blessing-- which was Michael's confermation back home in Lehi, for those of you who remember. I knew there were angels in the room, and I told him in the blessing that they were there. But the thing that was the most striking, was at the beginning of the blessing, the first thing that Heavenly Father had me say, was how much he loved him. I could feel it so powerfully, the love that He has for that man, and how long He has anxiously awaited the return of this man back into His arms and into the fold of God. I suppose that it is that way for all of His children, and that God has such joy in heaven every time one of His children receives him.
Have a great week my brethren, and let us be even as the Sons of Mosiah.
Love, Elder Chris Petersen
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