Here's a cool story about
Agency!
"One
of my esteemed colleagues told me of his efforts to aid a young college student
who was feeling sorry for himself, who was lacking motivation and had no sense
of responsibility. My friend made an attractive proposal to this young man. In
a conversation that went something like this, he said, “Son, I’m going to take
over full responsibility of your affairs from now on and relieve you of your
worries. I’ll pay your tuition at college, buy your clothes, furnish you an
automobile and a credit card for gasoline. When you get ready to marry, don’t
worry about it; I’ll look for a wife for you, and I will supply you with a
house that is furnished. I’ll support you and your family thereafter without
any effort on your part. What do you think of my offer?” After a moment of
sobered thinking the young man replied, “Well, if you did that, what would
there be for me to live for?” Then my friend replied, “That is what I’m trying
to make you see, my boy. That is the purpose of life--there is no joy without
struggle and the exercise of one’s own natural abilities.” (A Time of Decision)
And
here's a cool story about finding truth!!
"From
our youth many of us may remember the story of a very young boy who was
abducted from his parents and home and taken to a village situated far away.
Under these conditions the small boy grew to young manhood without a knowledge
of his actual parents or earthly home. Within his heart there came a yearning
to return to that village called home. But where was home to be found? Where
were his mother and father to be discovered? Oh, if only he could remember even
their names, his task would be less hopeless. Desperately he sought to recall
even a glimpse of his childhood. Like a flash of inspiration, he remembered the
sound of a bell which, from the tower atop the village church, pealed its welcome
each Sabbath morning. From village to village the young man wandered, ever
listening for that familiar bell to chime. Some bells were similar, others far
different from the sound he remembered. At length the weary young man stood one
Sunday morning before a church of a typical town. He listened carefully as the
bell began to peal. The sound was familiar. It was unlike any other he had
heard, save that bell which pealed in the memory of his childhood days. Yes, it
was the same bell. Its ring was true. His eyes filled with tears. His heart
rejoiced in gladness. His soul overflowed with gratitude. The young man dropped
to his knees, looked upward beyond the bell tower--even toward heaven--and in a
prayer of gratitude whispered, “Thanks be to God. I’m home.” Like the peal of a
remembered bell will be the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the soul of
him who earnestly seeks. Many of you have traveled long in a personal quest for
that which rings true. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sends
forth to you an earnest appeal. Open your doors to the missionaries. Open your
minds to the word of God. Open your hearts, even your very souls, to the sound
of that still, small voice which testifies of truth. As the prophet Isaiah
promised: “Thine ears shall hear a word … saying, This is the way, walk ye in
it.” (Isa. 30:21.) Then, like the boy of whom I’ve spoken, you too will, on
bended knee, say to your God and mine: “I’m home!” (The Way Home)
C, one
of our now former investigators, was wanting to learn about the church, and
we were teaching him, and it was going great! Had a fantastic few lessons on
the restoration, plan of salvation, and an amaaaazing gospel of Jesus Christ
lesson, and then a couple days ago, we read 2 Nephi 31 with him and talked
about it. He got really quiet, and we asked him what was wrong and he said he
was disturbed because he was being told everything he had believed and learned
growing up was wrong, and that he was having an 'internal conflict'. So we told
him that was his feelings about his own beliefs fighting against the truths the
spirit was testifying to him about. It was way cool, but after we left he
texted us and dropped us. I can't say I was surprised, but I was still sad.
It's very much like the rich young ruler who couldn't sell all he had. He
couldn't give up what he held dear to his heart. C is a very nice
boy......he just couldn't give up what he's been told all his life, even when
the Spirit testified to him so strongly that everything we were saying was
true. People are just uncomfortable changing, and will often not change even if
they know they need to, just because they are uncomfortable doing so. We found a family this week! Two weeks ago we were tracting and this YSA
age girl answered a door. We gave her a BOM and she said we could come back
next week, so last week. When we came back she had remembered we were coming
over, and said her family was going to join us, and was that alright? We were
fighting so hard to contain our excitement!!!! We taught the Restoration and
talked about church. The mom asked what we thought of the Virgin Mary and I
told her we didn't worship her, but we hold her in high esteem, and she didn't
really get it, so I compared mom to Mary (love you mom!) to explain that they
are both awesome, we just don't worship them. But that family is so solid!! The
mom and three daughters and one son are all baptismal age and it turns out the
dad is a less active member and we had no idea u tip he came to church
yesterday with three of the kids!!, (the mom was sick) we were hopping up and
down in our seats and on our feet and in the car all day long, we were so
excited! So that basically sums up the week!
Elder Hunter
1. Picture of Elder F
2. Monkey shaking hands with the missionaries
