And now, Companions from the MTC:
Hermana Beauchamp in front of the Provo Temple:
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Refining Faith in the MTC
Thank you thank you for the tennis shoes, socks, letters, etc....they are perfect! Those ARE the right shoes, mom, thank you so much. Where did you find my glasses? Oh also, I got my backpack from the sister missionary mall---love it!!
Dad, I got your letter about your trip to Italy. Sure sounds derricious :) I loves all the details about the views of the Alps and Greenland from your window. I miss you Poppalops! Speaking of Greenland, there's an elder here from there and he joined the church in Denmark when he was there for school. I asked how big the church is in Greenland and he just held up four fingers...not including himself. Crazy, eh? Also, there's a sister from Jordan that I met in the bookstore the other day. I guess her dad joined the church because he met some humanitarian missionaries there and he started asking about the church. Cool. Something else kind of interesting, she told me that all the Christian Jordanians added "ian" to their last names during some Turkish genocide something (I was having a hard time hearing her---it was a little loud in the bookstore) to distinguish themselves, so her last name must have been Sultan because now it's Sultanian.
Gah!!! I'm leaving tomorrow! I can't believe it! There's so much to do...man alive. I had to say goodbye to Hermanas Font and Mitchell way too early this morning, and I miss them tons already, but I'm companions with my friend Hermana Jensen for today, so we're taking good care of each other. It's so strange only having one companion--it sure makes potty breaks quicker though!!
So this week for our devotional, we sang in the choir and we did a song called "Ever Be Near Us Lord" by David R. Naylor--It's AMAZING. I'm finding out that I have a pretty deep affinity for American Folk hymns. Thanks a bunch, padres.
Also, I heard something hilariously excellent the other day: "complexity is of the devil". It's funny to think about in terms of teaching the Gospel, because it's really so simple, but if we get sidetracked and start pulling in doctrine from random places, it doesn't make sense anymore and it's harder to feel the Spirit.
So Sunday was a really big day. Every weekend, the missionaries in our branch have to write a talk about a specified theme for that week (this week was about faith) and they'll choose someone at random to speak for 5 minutes (good prep for wards where they'll call up the missionaries to speak when the assigned speakers fail to show up ). They almost always choose a sister and an elder from the district that's leaving, so we knew it was going to be someone from our companionship. Lo and behold, the first counselor in the branch presidency kept on smiling at me through the announcements and the sacrament, so I decided I'd better review my talk again. So anyway, I got called up, gave a talk that taught me A TON about faith, and THEN I sang with Hermanas Font and Mitchell with Hermana Jensen playing piano and THEN I was asked to say the closing prayer in Relief Society (the church-wide women's organization). But for Relief Society, they have EVERY sister (presidency wives included) in the auditorium and usually some kind of General Authority Sister come speak, so I got to chat with Sister Rosemary Wixom (General Primary President (children's Sunday school)) and she gave a phenomenal talk about Christlike love. Her husband was so sweet, I shook both their hands (well, hugged sister Wixom,) and her husband said " Ya know, we just love sister missionaries. We think they are absolutely shazam!" They're adorable!
Ok, so here's the journal entry that led to my talk, I hope it makes sense:
" So last night we read Ether 12 (in the Book of Mormon) for companionship study, and verse 18 struck me as very interesting. It says, in effect, that no miracle has been performed until after one had faith, and they first had to believe in the Son of God. I started thinking about faith being a principle of action and power and how this principle tied into the content of some Large Group Meetings we'd had about setting goals and about having both desire and vision be integral parts of a goal. Without a plan of action, it's not faith or even a goal, it's just a wish. That got me thinking about the various miracles that have been performed throughout history: social, technological, philosophical, etc. and how those individuals' faith would have been tested. I came to the conclusion that their plan and action was what made them different from others. Once they made a plan, they ceased to be merely philpsophers and became men and women who really made a difference in the world. But I was still confused as to how that would have to be based in their faith in Christ I rememebered what my teacher Hermano Anderson had said about there being absolutely no hope without Christ. Without the Savior we have no means by which we can return to live with Heavenly Father, and we therefore have no purpose on this earth. And if we have no purpose, everything we do in this life would be entirely futile. There would be no progression, no point to making goals, plans, or to hope. Therefore all hope MUST come because of the Savior, whether we acknowledge it or not. It is because of Jesus Christ that we have a purpose and a plan, and work to better ourselves and our world. So THEN I thought more about faith being the initiator, perpetuator, and end result of obedience and trust in Heavenly Father's promises, and I wondered where faith comes from if we have never experimented upon His word and had those experiences of trials of our faith. Where does that intial motivation and determination and hope come from to get us started on growing our faith? I remembered that scripture about faith coming from (or at least growing from---I didn't have time to look it up) hearing others' testimonies."
My talk ended up sounding a lot more eloquent, and in Spanish, but there's the general gist of one of the major things on my mind this week.
I love you I love you,
I get to talk to you tomorrow from the airport! Keep your cell phone on!!
Love you more than all the snow we got this morning!
Hermana B.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
MTC Photos Week Two
Brother and Sister-in-law Hermana Beauchamp and Elder Palmer meet up at the MTC (Elder Palmer is the brother of Ryan's wife Chelsea.)
A Little Extra News
January 22,2011 (via snail mail this week)
Hey Fam!
I forgot to mention something in my email but had no time....last week in the temple there was an Elder Elijah Barton who was going through the temple for the first time - pretty cool, right? Well, when I finally got my flight plans, he was listed as my travel group leader, and as it turns out he is from Scotland and he's assigned to my mission. Not only that, he is from OBAN! (Mom's note: Oban,county Argyle on the west coast, is the ancient seat of the McDougall clan, from which we are descended and which we have visited a number of times as a family.)So cool! Apparently his family lives on the edge of town and raises deer. Anyway, any family history questions you want me to ask him?
I love you endlessly,
Hermana Apple
Hey Fam!
I forgot to mention something in my email but had no time....last week in the temple there was an Elder Elijah Barton who was going through the temple for the first time - pretty cool, right? Well, when I finally got my flight plans, he was listed as my travel group leader, and as it turns out he is from Scotland and he's assigned to my mission. Not only that, he is from OBAN! (Mom's note: Oban,county Argyle on the west coast, is the ancient seat of the McDougall clan, from which we are descended and which we have visited a number of times as a family.)So cool! Apparently his family lives on the edge of town and raises deer. Anyway, any family history questions you want me to ask him?
I love you endlessly,
Hermana Apple
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
MTC Week Two
Hey beautiful Fambly!! Sorry the letter last week was cut a little short, the computer kicks you off when your 30 min runs out, but it is helpful for learning how to manage time better.
As for the backpack question: I'm pretty sure we ordered it--they should be calling you for my address fairly soon. Although you may just want to have them send it to the mission home. hmmm. The shoes haven't arrived yet, but mail's been kinda spotty these last couple days, so I might even get it tonight. Fingers crossed!!
Also, what's Dad's cell number? I'll be flying out of Salt Lake around 11:00 on Wed the 26th (holy canoli!!) and I get to call home from the airport. So keep your cell phone on you around 10. Did he have fun in Italy? I'm so excited to hear about his trip!
I can only respond to letters on Tuesdays, but I can receive mail any day of the week *cough cough*. But seriously. it's like Christmas. and is a gift from heaven.(Editor's note: you may write to Allison any day at: www.DearElder.com and address it to Hermana Allison Clare MorningSkye Beauchamp. They print out the letters and deliver them the same day.) Thank you for your little updates this week. Tell Lauren to write too. I miss her pretty face so much. Also, will you send me Jared's mailing address? I wrote a letter to him, but forgot that I don't have his address. whoops.
Ok so the main amazing thing that happened this week was that Elder Holland came and spoke at a Tuesday night devotional. Oh my gosh it was incredible! I love when he speaks because it feels like he reaches in, grabs my soul, and shakes it awake. ("Awake my soul, no longer droop in sin...".. awesome) He mainly spoke about how blessed we as missionaries are to have "Preach My Gospel" and how that entire curriculum is centered around personalizing the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for everyone who hears it, but how it will take so much more of us to really work with the Spirit to know what each person we talk to will need and be receptive to. He said "You have to be a thousand times better missionaries than I ever was." Whoa. better than Elder Holland?
Anyway, one of my absolute favorite parts was when he related the story of Peter after Christ had been crucified and resurrected, although in a bit plainer language and applied it to us as missionaries and what we are to do after our missions.
So after Christ was resurrected, Peter wasn't quite sure what to do with himself. He had certainly loved Christ and served Him as well as he could, but now that He was gone, Peter just figured he would go back to doing what he had always done....fishing. They'd been fishing all night and hadn't caught anything and were very frustrated when they saw a figure on the shore who called out to them and told them to cast their nets on the other side. When they did so, their nets nearly broke with the weight of all the fish they had brought in. Peter recognized the Savior right away and went to go be with Him. The Savior asked him, "Peter, do you love me?" and Peter answered, "of course I do" to which the Lord responded, "Feed my sheep". Peter wasn't getting the message so Christ asked him again "Do you love me?" and Peter said again "yes, you know I do"....but he still didn't understand so Christ asked him a third time "Do you love me more than anything else?"( and Elder holland said, and ya know peter was very sensitive about threes by this time") and Peter said "I do. More than anything." Then Elder Holland with his pulpit-pounding, earth shaking voice told us what the Lord wants us to know. " When I asked you to leave your fish, your nets, your boat, it was forever." He said, you cannot be what you have to be unless you love Him. Your call is to feed His sheep forever. you cannot go back to how things were because you are now a missionary of Jesus Christ. and if you do, you will break my heart and you will break the heart of the Savior. If you are ever tempted to walk away from your covenants, remember, you've left your nets. You are going to feed His sheep forever. Because you love Him"
I really don't know if I can do it justice, but just imagine that it was Elder Holland driving that message into your heads. lovingly, of course, but with the power of God in his voice. Amazing.
We have another fireside tonight and I hear it'll be another somebody from among the general authorities of the church.
I'm almost out of time, but I love you so so so smuch. Please remember the Savior this week. He's been helping me every moment of the day and I'm so grateful I can feel it.
I love you I love you more than all the missionary nametags at the MTC!! Be good!
Hermana B
As for the backpack question: I'm pretty sure we ordered it--they should be calling you for my address fairly soon. Although you may just want to have them send it to the mission home. hmmm. The shoes haven't arrived yet, but mail's been kinda spotty these last couple days, so I might even get it tonight. Fingers crossed!!
Also, what's Dad's cell number? I'll be flying out of Salt Lake around 11:00 on Wed the 26th (holy canoli!!) and I get to call home from the airport. So keep your cell phone on you around 10. Did he have fun in Italy? I'm so excited to hear about his trip!
I can only respond to letters on Tuesdays, but I can receive mail any day of the week *cough cough*. But seriously. it's like Christmas. and is a gift from heaven.(Editor's note: you may write to Allison any day at: www.DearElder.com and address it to Hermana Allison Clare MorningSkye Beauchamp. They print out the letters and deliver them the same day.) Thank you for your little updates this week. Tell Lauren to write too. I miss her pretty face so much. Also, will you send me Jared's mailing address? I wrote a letter to him, but forgot that I don't have his address. whoops.
Ok so the main amazing thing that happened this week was that Elder Holland came and spoke at a Tuesday night devotional. Oh my gosh it was incredible! I love when he speaks because it feels like he reaches in, grabs my soul, and shakes it awake. ("Awake my soul, no longer droop in sin...".. awesome) He mainly spoke about how blessed we as missionaries are to have "Preach My Gospel" and how that entire curriculum is centered around personalizing the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for everyone who hears it, but how it will take so much more of us to really work with the Spirit to know what each person we talk to will need and be receptive to. He said "You have to be a thousand times better missionaries than I ever was." Whoa. better than Elder Holland?
Anyway, one of my absolute favorite parts was when he related the story of Peter after Christ had been crucified and resurrected, although in a bit plainer language and applied it to us as missionaries and what we are to do after our missions.
So after Christ was resurrected, Peter wasn't quite sure what to do with himself. He had certainly loved Christ and served Him as well as he could, but now that He was gone, Peter just figured he would go back to doing what he had always done....fishing. They'd been fishing all night and hadn't caught anything and were very frustrated when they saw a figure on the shore who called out to them and told them to cast their nets on the other side. When they did so, their nets nearly broke with the weight of all the fish they had brought in. Peter recognized the Savior right away and went to go be with Him. The Savior asked him, "Peter, do you love me?" and Peter answered, "of course I do" to which the Lord responded, "Feed my sheep". Peter wasn't getting the message so Christ asked him again "Do you love me?" and Peter said again "yes, you know I do"....but he still didn't understand so Christ asked him a third time "Do you love me more than anything else?"( and Elder holland said, and ya know peter was very sensitive about threes by this time") and Peter said "I do. More than anything." Then Elder Holland with his pulpit-pounding, earth shaking voice told us what the Lord wants us to know. " When I asked you to leave your fish, your nets, your boat, it was forever." He said, you cannot be what you have to be unless you love Him. Your call is to feed His sheep forever. you cannot go back to how things were because you are now a missionary of Jesus Christ. and if you do, you will break my heart and you will break the heart of the Savior. If you are ever tempted to walk away from your covenants, remember, you've left your nets. You are going to feed His sheep forever. Because you love Him"
I really don't know if I can do it justice, but just imagine that it was Elder Holland driving that message into your heads. lovingly, of course, but with the power of God in his voice. Amazing.
We have another fireside tonight and I hear it'll be another somebody from among the general authorities of the church.
I'm almost out of time, but I love you so so so smuch. Please remember the Savior this week. He's been helping me every moment of the day and I'm so grateful I can feel it.
I love you I love you more than all the missionary nametags at the MTC!! Be good!
Hermana B
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
MTC Week One
Hi Fambly! I sure love you!! thanks for the update on the family. I'm so sorry to hear about Ryan and his strep throat... poor buddy. But at least he doesn't have to travel to and from work because of the storms (there's a sister in my room who was supposed to leave for Honduras, flying through Atlanta on Sunday but her flight has been canceled twice now and they're thinking she won't be able to go until Thursday evening. Hopefully the storm will have subsided by then.
How long is Dad in Italy?(Dad went to Monza on business) And where in Italy is he? I met a Sister Willey on my floor who is the sister of Hannah Smith's roommates and is going to Hannah's mission, so I got to gush about her for a little bit. Ironically, there was another sister in the bathroom stall behind us who said "Wait, Hannah Smith?? She used to live in Austin? I KNOW HER!! She's so wonderful!" I can't remember her name right now, but she's either going to Hungary or Brazil. The majority of the sisters in our residence hall are either Spanish-speaking or Portuguese-speaking, but there is the odd Hungarian-speaker or some such thing. Pretty cool.
Also, I saw Elder Palmer.(Elder Palmer is our daughter-in-law Chelsea's brother, heading to Mexico any time now...) He's actually a Zone leader and in my classroom building. He seems to be doing well despite his fall and chipped teeth, which I heard about second hand.
So I don't remember what I wrote in that first email, but I'm in a trio with Hermana Font from Nebraska, a really sweet, kind girl who is one of 3 gringas in our district (the rest are either part or entirely Hispanic)...so we take some pride in being in the nearly-native class. She really wants to make a difference in people's lives and works so hard to know how to be a better teacher. my other companion is Hermana Mitchell, also a really amazing person and has fantastic insights into gospel subjects and how to teach them. She looks a lot like how I would imagine cousin Mariah to look when she grows up .(..oh P.S: Congrats to cousin Asia on your baptism!! I'm so proud of you!!) Anyway, my companions are both very hard workers and extremely organized and punctual, all of which are qualities of which I am in dire need.
I've found that it's been difficult for me to keep my brain on and going ALL of the time, but that really is what is needed if I'm to gain what I need from classes. It's been a great blessing to really try to do my best. Heavenly Father's been helping me stay focused! I'll sometimes get frustrated with the language, but I'm getting better and FINALLY learning subjunctive. it seems like all we use is subjunctive. bleh. It's good for me though. The elders in our district are so so much fun and just such great young men. They're fantastic and will be great teachers and missionaries. On our first night here, we had a mock investigator session where 40ish brand new missionaries got to teach an "investigator" and it was interesting to watch the difference between the Elders' and the Sisters' approach. The Elders have an amazing sense of duty and a desire to accomplish their goal of bringing someone into the church, but it seemed the sisters were more driven by that desire to really help someone and share something that has made a difference in their lives. It felt like the sisters were better able to balance asking, listening, teaching, and bearing testimony (sharing experiences) and those are attributes that our teachers have been helping us to develop in our classes and through using the missionary teaching manual, "Preach My Gospel". We'll watch clips from a couple of websites (usually either 1 in 8 million or 6 billion others) where people from all over the world get to share a bit of their lives and their beliefs, thoughts, priorities, etc. It's a really cool thing so I think you should check it out. So we'll usually watch one of those and then analyze who we think that person is, their attributes and strengths, their fears and hopes, etc and then discuss what principle of the gospel would really help them in their lives and really appeal to them. It's an awesome thing to do and so so helpful. My companions and I have been conducting pretend lessons/ discussions and it has helped immensely. Our teachers keep stressing the importance of really personalizing the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ for the individual and developing a love for that person. It has helped me so much in knowing how to teach and what to teach, and I know it has helped everyone else in our district. It's been good to reflect on our conversations, Mom, about the gift of discernment and how the truth will pierce to the heart of the individual if the message is accompanied by the Spirit. I'm really happy to be here. It's been difficult at times, but I have some great support and I feel your prayers buoying me up. So thank you!! I love you so so so much.
Also, I leave January 26th
Also, please send my tennis shoes
Also, give everyone hugs and kisses.
Also, I know my Savior lives and loves me. I am so grateful for Him.
How long is Dad in Italy?(Dad went to Monza on business) And where in Italy is he? I met a Sister Willey on my floor who is the sister of Hannah Smith's roommates and is going to Hannah's mission, so I got to gush about her for a little bit. Ironically, there was another sister in the bathroom stall behind us who said "Wait, Hannah Smith?? She used to live in Austin? I KNOW HER!! She's so wonderful!" I can't remember her name right now, but she's either going to Hungary or Brazil. The majority of the sisters in our residence hall are either Spanish-speaking or Portuguese-speaking, but there is the odd Hungarian-speaker or some such thing. Pretty cool.
Also, I saw Elder Palmer.(Elder Palmer is our daughter-in-law Chelsea's brother, heading to Mexico any time now...) He's actually a Zone leader and in my classroom building. He seems to be doing well despite his fall and chipped teeth, which I heard about second hand.
So I don't remember what I wrote in that first email, but I'm in a trio with Hermana Font from Nebraska, a really sweet, kind girl who is one of 3 gringas in our district (the rest are either part or entirely Hispanic)...so we take some pride in being in the nearly-native class. She really wants to make a difference in people's lives and works so hard to know how to be a better teacher. my other companion is Hermana Mitchell, also a really amazing person and has fantastic insights into gospel subjects and how to teach them. She looks a lot like how I would imagine cousin Mariah to look when she grows up .(..oh P.S: Congrats to cousin Asia on your baptism!! I'm so proud of you!!) Anyway, my companions are both very hard workers and extremely organized and punctual, all of which are qualities of which I am in dire need.
I've found that it's been difficult for me to keep my brain on and going ALL of the time, but that really is what is needed if I'm to gain what I need from classes. It's been a great blessing to really try to do my best. Heavenly Father's been helping me stay focused! I'll sometimes get frustrated with the language, but I'm getting better and FINALLY learning subjunctive. it seems like all we use is subjunctive. bleh. It's good for me though. The elders in our district are so so much fun and just such great young men. They're fantastic and will be great teachers and missionaries. On our first night here, we had a mock investigator session where 40ish brand new missionaries got to teach an "investigator" and it was interesting to watch the difference between the Elders' and the Sisters' approach. The Elders have an amazing sense of duty and a desire to accomplish their goal of bringing someone into the church, but it seemed the sisters were more driven by that desire to really help someone and share something that has made a difference in their lives. It felt like the sisters were better able to balance asking, listening, teaching, and bearing testimony (sharing experiences) and those are attributes that our teachers have been helping us to develop in our classes and through using the missionary teaching manual, "Preach My Gospel". We'll watch clips from a couple of websites (usually either 1 in 8 million or 6 billion others) where people from all over the world get to share a bit of their lives and their beliefs, thoughts, priorities, etc. It's a really cool thing so I think you should check it out. So we'll usually watch one of those and then analyze who we think that person is, their attributes and strengths, their fears and hopes, etc and then discuss what principle of the gospel would really help them in their lives and really appeal to them. It's an awesome thing to do and so so helpful. My companions and I have been conducting pretend lessons/ discussions and it has helped immensely. Our teachers keep stressing the importance of really personalizing the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ for the individual and developing a love for that person. It has helped me so much in knowing how to teach and what to teach, and I know it has helped everyone else in our district. It's been good to reflect on our conversations, Mom, about the gift of discernment and how the truth will pierce to the heart of the individual if the message is accompanied by the Spirit. I'm really happy to be here. It's been difficult at times, but I have some great support and I feel your prayers buoying me up. So thank you!! I love you so so so much.
Also, I leave January 26th
Also, please send my tennis shoes
Also, give everyone hugs and kisses.
Also, I know my Savior lives and loves me. I am so grateful for Him.
Monday, January 3, 2011
I'm a Missionary!!
Hello, you attractive, intelligent, charming, wonderful person, you!
As you may have guessed (or been told, most likely by myself) this is the blog in which my weekly letters home during my 18 months as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in California, San Fernando will be posted. And I get to speak Spanish, no less! I get to email home once a week to family and can write snail mail to everyone else. I hope they'll be at least marginally entertaining, but more than anything I hope to share some really wonderful experiences with you as well as my understanding and love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
During these next 18 months, I will primarily be teaching about my church, it's doctrines and practices, though I will have ample opportunity to be involved in service projects, most likely teach English classes, and generally uplift and love the people of California. As a missionary, I am a representative of Jesus Christ and I can't think of anyone whose message and love I would rather share. He has changed my life in a million different ways and continues to help me change for the better.
So, to get this whole blog thing rolling, here is a letter that I actually wrote a while ago. For my Missionary Prep class, we were to write a letter to a non-member, explaining 6 principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I had a specific person in mind when I wrote it, and I honestly can't remember if I actually sent it to him, but I had a lot of divine help with it and I think it's worth sharing. It might read a little stiffly in some parts because of the assignment requirements, but I hope you enjoy the central messages.
Dear .,
We’ve been talking a lot about religion lately, and some of the things you have said have really struck a chord with me. It feels as though every time you mention something that you’re looking for or a concern about spirituality, I look at the same aspect in my life and how it is addressed. Inevitably, it always turns out that my religion and the perspective and understanding it has afforded me gives me an answer to that concern. I know you have known quite a few Mormons before, but if I may, I would really like to explain a few basic doctrines of my church that may not have been shared or obvious from observation of your other LDS friends lives, or even my life.
1.God as Our Father- A few weeks ago when I asked you what it was that interested you so much in religion, you told me something to the effect that you saw that your friends who had religion in their lives had a sense of belonging and that you wanted to have that for yourself. For me the most basic principle that gives way to all others and allows me to make sense of, truly, everything in the world is that God is my Heavenly Father. He is the Father of our spirits and gave us the opportunity to be born into this life to learn and to grow. Just like an earthly father, He knows us individually, though better than we could ever imagine. He watches over us, cares for us (often much more than we realize) As I have come to understand my role as His daughter, I have wanted more than anything to live up to His expectations for me and trust that even though I may not understand why I have certain challenges, traits, or opportunities, all of these things have a purpose. Being able to trust that my life is in God’s hands gives me the greatest comfort. Knowing that I am a child of God also gives me confidence that I need to do and be my best each moment. One of the presidents of our church said, “it should stir within the heart of every man and woman a greater appreciation for himself or herself as a son or daughter of God. Paul’s words to the Corinthian Saints are as applicable to us today as they were to those to whom he wrote. Said he: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?“If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
2. Agency- In order to adequately learn and grow to become more like our Father, we have to be able to choose for ourselves. Like you and I talked about a while ago, parents give their children true principles to live by that will maximize happiness and prevent a vast majority of physical and emotional harm; things like honesty, patience, or “don’t stick a fork in the toaster.” So, too, does Heavenly Father give us principles like that, though His have a far more lasting impact. We have to use our agency to choose what we want for ourselves in our lives. To have so many options available is an incredible gift but we must exercise our agency according to the principles that our Father has taught us. In the Book of Mormon, it explains agency in these simple terms: “And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free. He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you . Thankfully, God has also given us a guide who, through promptings, feelings, and sometimes even a still, small voice, will help us to know Heavenly Father’s will for us and aid us in obeying it. Elder Spencer J. Condie, another leader of our church describes this guide: “He will not usurp or override our moral agency, but when given an invitation, his Spirit will augment and accelerate our agency. When the Spirit, the gift of the Holy Ghost, is given a chance to influence us, decisions become easier and despair dissipates as solutions to our challenges become clearly evident.” Our Father wants us to return to Him, having utilized the opportunities and resources around us to become our best selves, and our free agency allows us to do just that.
3. Atonement- Since we do not always use our agency wisely and do things that lead us further from our Father, and since “no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom” , we are in need of a Savior to pay for our sins so that we may become right with the God’s law and be reunited with Him. This payment that Jesus Christ wrought is called the Atonement and is conditional upon our repentance. “Ever and always it offers amnesty from transgression and from death if we will but repent. Repentance is the escape clause in it all. Repentance is the key with which we can unlock the prison from inside. We hold that key within our hands, and agency is ours to use it.” The Atonement not only allows us to be set right with God, it also enables us to become more like our Savior, a perfect being who is kind, just, powerful, merciful, and more than anything, loving. Jesus Christ, our elder brother, has given us this incredible gift and like the quote from earlier says, it is our choice to use it.
4. Personal Revelation- The Holy Ghost, as our guide through our lives, can help you to know of truth. This isn’t just “yes, I stole your shoes” truth, this is life-changing, earth-shaking, feel-it-in-your-bones truth that makes everything clear and maximizes your potential to become closer to Father. As God’s children, we have a right to this truth and we can gain access to it by praying to know of it. In the New Testament, it says, “if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him,” . You have told me that you have prayed before but have never really gotten answers. In my experience, answers rarely come in the form we expect them to. As was said earlier, the Holy Ghost works through feelings and promptings and it is sometimes very difficult to hear or feel those impressions if we are not sensitive to the Spirit. “Even though we have a right to his constant companionship, the Spirit of the Lord will dwell only with us when we keep the commandments. He will withdraw when we offend him by profanity, uncleanliness, disobedience, rebellion, or other serious sins.” The Lord will teach us through our experiences with other people as well as the truths He has already given us, namely the scriptures and revelations given through prophets. We can use the Holy Ghost to verify that the things we have experienced, heard, and studied are truths that our Father would have us know and make use of in our daily lives. The key is prayer. Constant communication with God will allow us to gain access to those truths as well as the feelings of peace and comfort that accompany the Holy Ghost.
5. Modern Prophets- God has always used prophets to communicate His will to His children. There was a period of deviance from the truth, which we call the Apostasy, when prophets and apostles (special witnesses of Christ) no longer preached and testified of the nature of God as our Eternal Father, of Christ or his Atonement, or the saving ordinances and principles such as repentance, baptism, and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. With the Restoration through Joseph Smith, such truths were brought back and prophets and apostles once again reveal Father’s will concerning His children. Yes, individuals may receive revelation to know specific truths in regards to their lives, but as I also said before, He expects us to make use of the resources already given, and if God has put forth the effort to prepare, call, and support a prophet, then we must likewise put forth the effort to listen to what he has to say. History is riddled with accounts of good men and women who try their very best to understand the scriptures and figure out how and why they should apply the lessons taught therein to their everyday lives, which is why there are so very many slightly different versions of the Bible. “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” God tells his prophets exactly how He wants His will to be carried out by His people and we can know if what he says is true by the Holy Ghost. “Prophets, seers, and revelators teach the word of God in clarity that all His children may benefit and be blessed through obedience to their teachings. ” If complete obedience and trust in God is the ideal, we may practice by listening, trusting, and obeying the words of his prophets.
6. Book of Mormon- Just as the Bible is the record of God’s faithful children in the Old World, the Book of Mormon is a record of His dealings with His children in the New World. It is a compilation of the writings of ancient American prophets and their experiences in living the commandments of God. The Book of Mormon contains true principles that will bless the lives of all those who live them faithfully. There are explanations of Heavenly Father’s purposes for things like the Fall of Adam, baptism, prayer, trial and hardship, scripture, the atonement, and countless others. Most importantly, it contains an account and testimony of Jesus Christ, his ministry, his atoning sacrifice, and his visit to the Americas. It contains the fullness of the good news of Christ’s gospel. “The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ through two basic means. First, it tells in a plain manner of Christ and His gospel. It testifies of His divinity and of the necessity for a Redeemer and the need of our putting trust in Him. It bears witness of the Fall and the Atonement and the first principles of the gospel, including our need of a broken heart and a contrite spirit and a spiritual rebirth. It proclaims we must endure to the end in righteousness and live the moral life of a Saint. Second, the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time.” Moroni, the son of the book’s compiler and namesake, pleads with everyone who reads it to put it to the test through prayer; “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.” I have done so, independent of my parents, teachers, and friends, and I know that it is true. I know that it is the word of God. It encourages me every day and also teaches me how to live my life in such a way that I can feel closer to my Father and know that He is proud of me. I find comfort, joy, wisdom, and peace in its words. Every time I read, I feel a greater measure of Father’s and Christ’s love for me and know that I can do anything through them. It is truly amazing to me and I am so grateful for the knowledge of the truth that lifts and inspires me.
This is what I know. I feel it. I love it.
I hope you can feel even a small portion of the happiness that my religion has brought me and I pray that you will find the same joy for yourself, because I know that you are my brother, just as I know God is our Father and that He loves us. I leave my testimony of all of these things in the name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen. Allison
So there you are. I am a missionary because I love the things taught in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It has brought me immeasurable joy and comfort throughout my life and I feel confidence and peace for the future because of those same teachings. I want to share that joy with people around me because I love them. Because I love you. You're worth it.
As you may have guessed (or been told, most likely by myself) this is the blog in which my weekly letters home during my 18 months as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in California, San Fernando will be posted. And I get to speak Spanish, no less! I get to email home once a week to family and can write snail mail to everyone else. I hope they'll be at least marginally entertaining, but more than anything I hope to share some really wonderful experiences with you as well as my understanding and love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
During these next 18 months, I will primarily be teaching about my church, it's doctrines and practices, though I will have ample opportunity to be involved in service projects, most likely teach English classes, and generally uplift and love the people of California. As a missionary, I am a representative of Jesus Christ and I can't think of anyone whose message and love I would rather share. He has changed my life in a million different ways and continues to help me change for the better.
So, to get this whole blog thing rolling, here is a letter that I actually wrote a while ago. For my Missionary Prep class, we were to write a letter to a non-member, explaining 6 principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I had a specific person in mind when I wrote it, and I honestly can't remember if I actually sent it to him, but I had a lot of divine help with it and I think it's worth sharing. It might read a little stiffly in some parts because of the assignment requirements, but I hope you enjoy the central messages.
Dear .,
We’ve been talking a lot about religion lately, and some of the things you have said have really struck a chord with me. It feels as though every time you mention something that you’re looking for or a concern about spirituality, I look at the same aspect in my life and how it is addressed. Inevitably, it always turns out that my religion and the perspective and understanding it has afforded me gives me an answer to that concern. I know you have known quite a few Mormons before, but if I may, I would really like to explain a few basic doctrines of my church that may not have been shared or obvious from observation of your other LDS friends lives, or even my life.
1.God as Our Father- A few weeks ago when I asked you what it was that interested you so much in religion, you told me something to the effect that you saw that your friends who had religion in their lives had a sense of belonging and that you wanted to have that for yourself. For me the most basic principle that gives way to all others and allows me to make sense of, truly, everything in the world is that God is my Heavenly Father. He is the Father of our spirits and gave us the opportunity to be born into this life to learn and to grow. Just like an earthly father, He knows us individually, though better than we could ever imagine. He watches over us, cares for us (often much more than we realize) As I have come to understand my role as His daughter, I have wanted more than anything to live up to His expectations for me and trust that even though I may not understand why I have certain challenges, traits, or opportunities, all of these things have a purpose. Being able to trust that my life is in God’s hands gives me the greatest comfort. Knowing that I am a child of God also gives me confidence that I need to do and be my best each moment. One of the presidents of our church said, “it should stir within the heart of every man and woman a greater appreciation for himself or herself as a son or daughter of God. Paul’s words to the Corinthian Saints are as applicable to us today as they were to those to whom he wrote. Said he: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?“If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
2. Agency- In order to adequately learn and grow to become more like our Father, we have to be able to choose for ourselves. Like you and I talked about a while ago, parents give their children true principles to live by that will maximize happiness and prevent a vast majority of physical and emotional harm; things like honesty, patience, or “don’t stick a fork in the toaster.” So, too, does Heavenly Father give us principles like that, though His have a far more lasting impact. We have to use our agency to choose what we want for ourselves in our lives. To have so many options available is an incredible gift but we must exercise our agency according to the principles that our Father has taught us. In the Book of Mormon, it explains agency in these simple terms: “And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free. He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you . Thankfully, God has also given us a guide who, through promptings, feelings, and sometimes even a still, small voice, will help us to know Heavenly Father’s will for us and aid us in obeying it. Elder Spencer J. Condie, another leader of our church describes this guide: “He will not usurp or override our moral agency, but when given an invitation, his Spirit will augment and accelerate our agency. When the Spirit, the gift of the Holy Ghost, is given a chance to influence us, decisions become easier and despair dissipates as solutions to our challenges become clearly evident.” Our Father wants us to return to Him, having utilized the opportunities and resources around us to become our best selves, and our free agency allows us to do just that.
3. Atonement- Since we do not always use our agency wisely and do things that lead us further from our Father, and since “no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom” , we are in need of a Savior to pay for our sins so that we may become right with the God’s law and be reunited with Him. This payment that Jesus Christ wrought is called the Atonement and is conditional upon our repentance. “Ever and always it offers amnesty from transgression and from death if we will but repent. Repentance is the escape clause in it all. Repentance is the key with which we can unlock the prison from inside. We hold that key within our hands, and agency is ours to use it.” The Atonement not only allows us to be set right with God, it also enables us to become more like our Savior, a perfect being who is kind, just, powerful, merciful, and more than anything, loving. Jesus Christ, our elder brother, has given us this incredible gift and like the quote from earlier says, it is our choice to use it.
4. Personal Revelation- The Holy Ghost, as our guide through our lives, can help you to know of truth. This isn’t just “yes, I stole your shoes” truth, this is life-changing, earth-shaking, feel-it-in-your-bones truth that makes everything clear and maximizes your potential to become closer to Father. As God’s children, we have a right to this truth and we can gain access to it by praying to know of it. In the New Testament, it says, “if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him,” . You have told me that you have prayed before but have never really gotten answers. In my experience, answers rarely come in the form we expect them to. As was said earlier, the Holy Ghost works through feelings and promptings and it is sometimes very difficult to hear or feel those impressions if we are not sensitive to the Spirit. “Even though we have a right to his constant companionship, the Spirit of the Lord will dwell only with us when we keep the commandments. He will withdraw when we offend him by profanity, uncleanliness, disobedience, rebellion, or other serious sins.” The Lord will teach us through our experiences with other people as well as the truths He has already given us, namely the scriptures and revelations given through prophets. We can use the Holy Ghost to verify that the things we have experienced, heard, and studied are truths that our Father would have us know and make use of in our daily lives. The key is prayer. Constant communication with God will allow us to gain access to those truths as well as the feelings of peace and comfort that accompany the Holy Ghost.
5. Modern Prophets- God has always used prophets to communicate His will to His children. There was a period of deviance from the truth, which we call the Apostasy, when prophets and apostles (special witnesses of Christ) no longer preached and testified of the nature of God as our Eternal Father, of Christ or his Atonement, or the saving ordinances and principles such as repentance, baptism, and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. With the Restoration through Joseph Smith, such truths were brought back and prophets and apostles once again reveal Father’s will concerning His children. Yes, individuals may receive revelation to know specific truths in regards to their lives, but as I also said before, He expects us to make use of the resources already given, and if God has put forth the effort to prepare, call, and support a prophet, then we must likewise put forth the effort to listen to what he has to say. History is riddled with accounts of good men and women who try their very best to understand the scriptures and figure out how and why they should apply the lessons taught therein to their everyday lives, which is why there are so very many slightly different versions of the Bible. “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” God tells his prophets exactly how He wants His will to be carried out by His people and we can know if what he says is true by the Holy Ghost. “Prophets, seers, and revelators teach the word of God in clarity that all His children may benefit and be blessed through obedience to their teachings. ” If complete obedience and trust in God is the ideal, we may practice by listening, trusting, and obeying the words of his prophets.
6. Book of Mormon- Just as the Bible is the record of God’s faithful children in the Old World, the Book of Mormon is a record of His dealings with His children in the New World. It is a compilation of the writings of ancient American prophets and their experiences in living the commandments of God. The Book of Mormon contains true principles that will bless the lives of all those who live them faithfully. There are explanations of Heavenly Father’s purposes for things like the Fall of Adam, baptism, prayer, trial and hardship, scripture, the atonement, and countless others. Most importantly, it contains an account and testimony of Jesus Christ, his ministry, his atoning sacrifice, and his visit to the Americas. It contains the fullness of the good news of Christ’s gospel. “The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ through two basic means. First, it tells in a plain manner of Christ and His gospel. It testifies of His divinity and of the necessity for a Redeemer and the need of our putting trust in Him. It bears witness of the Fall and the Atonement and the first principles of the gospel, including our need of a broken heart and a contrite spirit and a spiritual rebirth. It proclaims we must endure to the end in righteousness and live the moral life of a Saint. Second, the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time.” Moroni, the son of the book’s compiler and namesake, pleads with everyone who reads it to put it to the test through prayer; “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.” I have done so, independent of my parents, teachers, and friends, and I know that it is true. I know that it is the word of God. It encourages me every day and also teaches me how to live my life in such a way that I can feel closer to my Father and know that He is proud of me. I find comfort, joy, wisdom, and peace in its words. Every time I read, I feel a greater measure of Father’s and Christ’s love for me and know that I can do anything through them. It is truly amazing to me and I am so grateful for the knowledge of the truth that lifts and inspires me.
This is what I know. I feel it. I love it.
I hope you can feel even a small portion of the happiness that my religion has brought me and I pray that you will find the same joy for yourself, because I know that you are my brother, just as I know God is our Father and that He loves us. I leave my testimony of all of these things in the name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen. Allison
So there you are. I am a missionary because I love the things taught in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It has brought me immeasurable joy and comfort throughout my life and I feel confidence and peace for the future because of those same teachings. I want to share that joy with people around me because I love them. Because I love you. You're worth it.
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