Hey
hey everyone! The past couple weeks have been preeeety uneventful. But, someone
left a suicide note at church, and we met a cross dresser satanist yesterday.
Anaheim 4th Ward is combining both areas so Elder Meyers and I are taking over
the whole thing! Not to much has happened this week. I almost took out a guy
that stole a large case of something from a 7-11, but he got to the get away
car right before I had him. It was epic. If the darned people waiting for the
bus hadn't been in the way I would be telling a different story! We had a much
more productive week than usual though! We have a car now! Woooohooooo!
We are teaching two people. Our days consist of doing our
studies in the morning, and then we usually take a nap and eat lunch from
11:00-12:30. Then we head out and just spend hours going to people's houses to
try and see if they are there. Hopefully we have at least one set appointment
during the day that we can look forward to. Sorry I haven't been taking
pictures. There's nothing to take pictures of here. "Anacrime" is not a pretty
place. But I can get pictures of the fireworks some night for you! We knocked
into a guy named Jenniffer yesterday. Thinks he's a girl. And he's a satanist.
That was interesting. We have a set appointment though.....let me know how
these pictures turn out. It is really hard to find a computer to use.
1. Me and whatever lady it is from meet the Mormons.
2. Left to right....elder Goodrich, myself (we found out
later that the mannequin was actually female.....awkward, right?), Safsten, and
Meyers.
3. Me
4. Me and Meyers posing in the grass after biking
somewhere and the person not being there.
Since
there wasn't too much to write about, here is a talk/sermon I gave in church
yesterday. It is changed slightly. I give it 98% originality. I hope all of you
have time to read it. I love you all!
Elder
Hunter
What
does, and what will this church do for you?
I'm
basing my talk on a talk given by President Gordon B. Hinckley many years ago.
In it, he outlines a number of blessings that come from being members of the
true church of Jesus Christ.
-First,
it will bring you into the greatest fraternity in the world.
Way
back when the Greeks used swords and other pointy things to kill people, they
used large shields. These shields were often not only big enough to protect
whoever carried them, but also those who stood next to them. The reason I'm
telling you about this is because the church is the same way. The church has been
organized by God in such a way so that we, as a family, watch out for one
another. Here we have friendship, safety, family, and the word of God. Everyone
on some level, wants to feel loved, wants to feel like they're part of
something. Why do we have so many organizations in a ward? We have a sunbeams
class, junior primary, senior primary, deacons, beehives, teachers, Mia-maids,
priests, and laurels classes. We have Elders quorums, relief society, and the
High Priest group. If I know how to count correctly, that is 12 different
groups strictly on the ward level that give us opportunities to be a
contributing soldier in Gods Army.
-Second,
active membership in the Church will motivate a man (and I would add, a woman)
to clean up his (or her) life, if that is necessary.
In
the Book of Mormon, there were some young men that were not actively involved
in church. In fact, "the sons of Mosiah were numbered among the
unbelievers; and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being
called Alma, after his father; nevertheless, he became a very wicked and an
idolatrous man. And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to
the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his
iniquities. And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church of
God; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing much dissension among the
people; giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over
them." He eventually stopped because an angel threatened him with
destruction. "And now it came to pass that Alma began from this time
forward to teach the people, and those who were with Alma at the time the angel
appeared unto them, traveling round about through all the land, publishing to
all the people the things which they had heard and seen, and preaching the word
of God in much tribulation, being greatly persecuted by those who were
unbelievers, being smitten by many of them. And they traveled throughout all
the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under the reign of
king Mosiah, zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done
to the church, confessing all their sins, and publishing all the things which
they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired
to hear them." When we are actively involved in the goings on of the
church, we learn correct principles. Joseph Smith, when asked how he managed to
govern such a large body of people, he said, "I teach them correct
principles, and they govern themselves." That same principle is true
today. When we come to church we learn, hopefully, and when we become involved
long enough, we start to apply what we learn.
-Third,
activity in the Church will afford you growth through responsibility.
A
mission President in the Eastern States mission over half a century ago, asked
one of his missionaries to ouch a pillar over in the building they were in. The
missionary replied that he couldn't because all the weight of the ceiling was
on top of it, but if the ceiling were removed he thought he could. The
responsibilities we are given in the church are the weight of the ceiling that
keeps us from falling over. Yes, there are some people that, although they hold
many responsibilities, manage to have their testimonies shaken, but giving us
responsibilities, sometimes just beyond our capacity, is how the Lord tries our
faith in order to grow it. This following quote by Orson Hyde illustrates this
principle. “When an
individual is ordained and appointed to lead the people, he has passed through
tribulations and trials, and has proven himself before God, and before His
people, that he is worthy of the situation which he holds. … that when a person
has not been tried, that has not proved himself before God, and before His people,
and before the councils of the Most High, to be worthy, he is not going to step
in and lead the Church and people of God. It has never been so, but from the
beginning some one that understands the Spirit and counsel of the Almighty,
that knows the Church, and is known of her, is the character that will lead the
Church." I am sure that no one here is going to receive the calling of a
prophet, but the Lord WANTS to give us responsibilities. We have all been
foreordained to fulfill a role in Gods Eternal Plan for us. But to prepare us
for greater things He gives us lesser things until we are able to bear the
burden of fulfilling the role he intends us to. I have a very personal
testimony of this principle in my life, and I know it is true for all of us.
-Fourth,
membership in the Church and active participation therein will
give a new dimension to your life, a spiritual dimension that will become as a
rock of faith, with an endowment of authority to speak in the name of
God.
In
the Book of Mormon, there was a man named Amulek, who was not actively
participating in church. He introduces himself to the people he begins teaching
with Alma, the prophet by saying, "And behold, I am also a man of no small
reputation among all those who know me; yea, and behold, I have many kindreds
and friends, and I have also acquired much riches by the hand of my industry.
Nevertheless, after all this, I never have known much of the ways of the Lord,
and his mysteries and marvelous power. I said I never had known much of these
things; but behold, I mistake, for I have seen much of his mysteries and his
marvelous power; yea, even in the preservation of the lives of this people.
Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would
not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know;
therefore I went on rebelling against God, in the wickedness of my heart, even
until the fourth day of this seventh month, which is in the tenth year of the
reign of the judges." Now that was before picture. This next part is the
after, and it's his respond to a lawyer trying to trick him into contradicting
himself. "Now Amulek said: O thou child of hell, why tempt ye me? Knowest
thou that the righteous yieldeth to no such temptations? Believest thou that
there is no God? I say unto you, Nay, thou knowest that there is a God, but
thou lovest that lucre more than him. And now thou hast lied before God unto
me. Thou saidst unto me--Behold these six onties, which are of great worth, I
will give unto thee--when thou hadst it in thy heart to retain them from me;
and it was only thy desire that I should deny the true and living God, that
thou mightest have cause to destroy me. And now behold, for this great evil
thou shalt have thy reward." To me, that definitely sounds like he has an
endowment of authority to speak in the name of God. The sure knowledge of the
Gospel that comes with active participation in Christ's church includes a
correct knowledge of and faith in Jesus Christ, knowledge of and a testimony of
a living prophet of God on the Earth, a knowledge and testimony of the
Restoration of the true Gospel, and a knowledge and testimony of Gods plan of
Salvation for us. And if we do have that knowledge, we will be able to have
authority to speak in the name of God because the Holy Ghost will testify of
what we say.
-Fifth,
it will assist you in the governance of your home.
The
family is the central and basic unit for Gods plan for us. What more important
duty do we have than to improve the governance of our homes? The Prophet has
told us that, "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when
founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ." Some of these
teachings include daily personal and family prayer, daily personal and family
scripture study, having a weekly family home evening, and going to church as a
family on a regular basis, just to name a few.
-Finally,
as part of the restored Church of Jesus Christ, we have the Priesthood. Because
we have this authority from God, we have the ability to seal ourselves to our
families for eternity. What greater blessing is there than to live in joy for
Eternity with our Father in Heaven, and with those we love and those that love
us?" There was a young girl up in Placentia. She just turned 17 in
December and she lived on the streets, doing drugs and basically being involved
in a lot of bad stuff. She expressed her concern that after we die our
consciousness simply exists alone and for eternity in a black corner of space.
How blessed are we to know that we aren't doomed to a dark corner of space, but
that Families can be together forever?
I
wanted to share these things with all of you so you know at least some of the
ways the Gospel blesses your lives. I want to share a quote I found by Marvin
J. Ashton, who was part of the quorum of the 12 Apostles a number of years
ago.
"Aren’t
we something less than a friend if we have the gospel of Jesus Christ and are
unwilling to share it by word and example with a family, a member, neighbor, or
the stranger? Aren’t we something less than a friend if we have a testimony of
the gospel of Jesus Christ and are unwilling to share it?"
-Marvin
J. Ashton
I
don't want anyone to raise their hands just in case someone has an answer of
'no,' but how many of you have friends? Now among those friends, how many are
members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? Among those
friends, how many have been introduced to missionaries, or been given a Book of
Mormon, or been invited to church? Listen to these paragraphs from the
introduction to the Book of Mormon.
"We
invite all men everywhere (not some people, sometimes, in some places. Brother
Goodmunsen gives a Book of Mormon to anyone he buys from or sells to) to read
the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then
to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true.
Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its
truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. Those who gain this divine
witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that
Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is His revelator and
prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory
to the Second Coming of the Messiah." That is a promise that is given to
everyone.
A
prophet from the Book of Mormon known as the Brother of Jared had an experience
where he asked God to do something for him. God complied, and as the Brother of
Jared watched, he saw the hand of God, and because of his faith was blessed
with seeing Jesus Christ as He would appear in Jerusalem 2000 years before he
did. I promise you that as you Look for the hand of the Lord in giving you
opportunities to share the Gospel in your lives, He will open your eyes even
wider to even greater ones.
This
is Christs church, and His work. I know He lives, and I know that He is not an
absentee God. I know Joseph Smith is and was a prophet of God, and that he
translated the Book of Mormon through the Gift and Power of God. It is not
something of his own invention. I leave you with these things and my testimony,
in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Happy
Memorial Day everyone! This week was full of lots of small miracles in the form
of people answering their doors or phones and lots of crazy stuff. Let's start
with Elder Meyers's iPad. We were helping someone move some things in our tiny
Corrola. Elder Meyers set his iPad on top of the car. He forgot about it. We
drove off. Yes, elder Meyers's iPad is no more and we believe that it is in the
hands of a dastardly Italian man that was to dishonest to give it back when we
asked for it. We even bribed him with some bags of popcorn we got from the
library. Moral of the story? Never trust an Italian man over the age of 65.
Next
interesting story. We went to teach someone last night. When we got there he
was eating dinner and had very recently taken a hit from the bong sitting on
the floor.
We had some awesome lessons this week. There were only 8, but the quality was
great! Some of the miracles that happened were as follows....we had three
people come to church! And even more exciting was that Allen passed his
interview for baptism! Elder Meyers and I were a little worried about it
because he is very unconventional, not necessarily in a bad way or good way,
but he makes others feel uncomfortable. I literally had nightmares all last
night of being in church and having him run up and start yelling at everyone.
This week was a tough one, but all the hard work was worth it! We spent lots of
time organizing our area. That was exhausting. The pictures are as follows.
1.
Stopped by a family's house we'd never visited before. This sign was there and it
was funny. We talked with the lady about it and she was saying how frustrating
the mailmen were....just sticking packages on the ground....here they will get
stolen in a couple seconds.
4.
This is why you don't drink and drive. But actually this guy was mad at us for
parking in 'his spot' (notice the Guest parking only sign) and tried to box us
in with his truck so the towers could tow us. I backed up and we peaced out. We
were both pretty mad about that. The guy (with the bong) we were teaching after
that offered to have his sister slash the guys tires. We are loved by our
investigators!!
"To
know thyself is to come to know that you and I are literally the offspring of
Deity." The joy that comes from a correct knowledge and understanding of
our Father and His Son cannot be matched. How do we come to this knowledge? By
studying what God has provided for us, namely the Bible and the Book of Mormon.
Many people wonder why we need any book, or why we need the extra book of the
Book of Mormon. God provides an answer. "Know ye not that there are
more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all
men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I
rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word
unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?
Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not
that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I
remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto
one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the
testimony of the two nations shall run together also. And I do this that I may
prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I
speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have
spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is
not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that
time henceforth and forever. Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need
not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have
not caused more to be written. For I command all men, both in the east and in
the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea,
that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books
which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their
works, according to that which is written." 
I
know we are all sons and daughters of God. I know that anyone can come to a
knowledge of that better by reading the Book of Mormon, pondering, and praying
about it than by any other means. I leave these things with you all in the name
of Jesus Christ, amen.
