Priesthood Power
Sunday: We were running from meeting to meeting and it was
also fast Sunday! I want everyone to know that I fasted from 6:30 am, to 6 pm
and it was probably the hardest, and coolest thing I've ever done. We had
Mission Conference, so everyone gathered in the gym and we talked about the
Light of Christ and the Light the World project! I hope all of you are trying
so hard to watch the videos every night and planning what you'll do for the
next day! I came out of that meeting with this overpowering love for my Savior,
and I was so excited to tell all of you!
After that meeting I wanted everyone to love Christ with that same power
and love I had and now, have for him. Don't get me wrong, I've always loved my
savior, I just wish I could describe that feeling to you. I wanted everyone to
love Christ so much, I wanted everyone to feel the spirit that I felt and I'm
so excited to get out there and teach that love of Christ to everyone!
We also watched the Character of Christ by David A. Bednar,
and I have never felt so humbled in my life. It was definitely a call to
repentance and a big wake up call. I have a new desire to strive to turn
outward and serve like Christ did in hard times, instead of turning in and
throwing a pity party. I thought the first few days was like drinking from a
fire hose, but Sunday, there wasn't a second I didn't feel the spirit.
Also on Sunday, I got to think a lot about the Power of the
Priesthood. And during testimony meeting I wrote Jake and Tyler a letter, and
because I think a lot of it applies to everyone holding the priesthood, I'm
going to share it with you here:
Jake and Tyler, In Moroni chapters 4 and 5, he writes the
sacrament prayers. This was right before Moroni was about to be killed because
he wouldn't deny Christ. Think about that for a moment. He was moments away
from being killed, and he wanted us so badly to know the sacrament prayers. So
please remember that as you say them. They are prayers, and they are covenants,
just like those at baptism or in the temple. They are prayers just like the
ones we say in the morning and at night and any other time. They are us
communicating with God. Don't just recite them, or read them, mean them. Think
about what you are saying as you are saying it. Remember that when you mess up,
it makes people listen to them more carefully. Don't let a mistake discourage
you or scare you from ever saying them again, let it motivate you to do better.
Remember that passing the sacrament is not a burden, it's a great blessing.
While I was sitting in sacrament meeting, I just thought about how cool it is
that you can bring the sacrament to others just like Christ did before he died.
Remember that as you prepare to serve your own mission, that you'll probably
have to bless and pass the sacrament. Remember to always be worthy of that. You
get to do as Jesus did. Don't take your priesthood responsibilities lightly,
you are the sons of a King and you have an immense responsibility, and I know
how easy it is to forget these things. I know how easy it is to just go through
the motions of Sunday, and to forget the meaning, but I challenge you to think
about the meaning and to gain a personal testimony of the sacrament and the
Atonement of Christ. Stop relying on Mom and dad's. Pray to know for yourself.
Pray to know that every aspect of your testimony is true. Take reading every
night with mom and dad seriously. Ask questions. Study the Book of Mormon. I
wish so badly I had paid better attention and that I was still there reading
with you guys every night. Jake, set an example for your friends, live your
testimony. Tyler, gain a strong and personal testimony before High school. Your
faith will be tested and you'll hear things in class and in the halls, and you
will meet people who do not share the same beliefs as you. Stand for truth and
righteousness. Keep being the good boys you always have been. Know that I love
and miss you so much. Pay attention in seminary. I'm kicking myself for not
doing that. Turn your phone off and focus, don't skip it. Feel the spirit and feel
God's love for you! Okay, that's all. Keep being amazing and keep being great
examples.
Now on to the rest of the week!
Monday: Your favorite sister woke up with a cold. It was a
rough day. But we got to go to the Teaching Resource Center (TRC). It's where
we go to meet with investigators. We don't know if they are real investigators
or if they are just members role-playing. Sister Peck and I got to meet with
Alicia and Kyiesha. The lesson with Alicia was really rough. She doesn't seem
really interested, and won't ever give us more than one or two-word answers. Kyiesha
was really interested. It was hard to have the spirit, but we spoke to her
briefly about the restoration and by the end of the day we got both of them to
commit to praying.
Tuesday: I woke up still super sick and not sure at all if I
was going to make it through the day. I said my morning prayers and asked for
strength and energy, and just had a feeling that I should ask my District
Leader for a blessing. So that's what I did. After breakfast we, as a district,
went up to our classroom and Elder Jones and the rest of the Elders in my
district gave me a blessing that I would have the energy to make it through the
day. I found out before that that was his first blessing for the sick, so I
told him that I needed the blessing, but that it was my faith in the blessing
that would help me, not necessarily what he said. It was a great blessing and I
have had enough energy to make it to 9 pm every night and then I crash. I am
still not feeling great this morning and have a wicked cough and headache. But,
I have energy. I am torn between wanting to be a faithful servant to the Lord
and have strict obedience, but also wanting to nap during exercise time so that
I can be a useful servant. The priesthood power is so amazing. That day for
Light the World was to Honor our fathers and mothers and I know those boys were
able to do that by being worthy to be out here, and by giving me that blessing.
Wednesday: We taught Alicia again this day, and it still
went really poorly. We didn't have time to prepare, and the spirit wasn't
there. We teach her again tomorrow and we are feeling more prepared and we're
going to invite her to read the Book of Mormon. Hopefully that goes well. We
taught Kyiesha, we watched the video, Because of Him, and she said before that
she felt that there was something missing from her life, and after we watched
it, she said she felt whole. That was so dang cool. We were able to get her to
say the closing prayer and read the Book of Mormon. We had such a strong spirit
with us because we were more prepared and I know she could feel it too.
Thursday: I felt the worst this day. Still had some energy,
but I just felt like garbage. We taught Kyiesha for the last time and we
committed her to be baptized! we got her email so hopefully I'll be able to
keep updated with her and find out if she really does get baptized come Jan. 6!
Right after that I skipped gym time so me and Sister Coon, (another sick sister
in my room) could take a nap. I didn't feel any better, but it was nice to feel
like I was at home for a while.
I hope all of you are doing well! I look forward to hearing
from you guys and all about your week!
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