Lesson One Complete
I am trying to get a little jump on my message this week. We have a big weekend ahead of us with a great deal happening. So, I will start with where my head is right now and the come back later and update the events.
Over the past 11 months or so, I have taken the challenge of ponderizing. I decided a good place to start would be the scriptures referenced in Preach My Gospel. Some of the references are long, some times chapters, some times paragraphs. This week, I made it through the first lesson. Yep, I am a Moroni 10:3-5. I only have 4 more lessons to go. I already have my next list of scriptures to ponder when I am done. (in the next 3 or 4 years) I have learned so much. I have really enjoyed always having a scripture or thought in my head.
Any who, we are challenged in these verses to put our faith to the test, to ask, to listen, to learn, and then to do. I can testify that the Lord will speak to you. He will whisper through the Holy Ghost, in a language you can understand, that which is true. You will know as I do.
This morning as I ran, I was listening to President Eyring's talk from Priesthood session. As I listened to his words and pondered Moroni 10, a thought entered my mind. Actually, it was the Spirit opening my understanding. He talked about how the Priesthood plays an important role in each of our lives, but how we can make it more a part of our lives as well. My ears perked as he talked about what a young elder can do to help. Though he was talking about Eternal Families, I was hearing Priesthood, Holy Ghost, Witness, Baptism, Teaching.
This is what he said, "He may be about to go into the mission field. He can pray with all his heart that he will be able to find, teach, and baptize families." I am sure that this is not only in the minds and prayers of those young elders preparing to go, but also of those in the field. I also find my mind and prayers going the same direction. That is one of the main purpose of the plan is it not?
Then my mind went a different path as he shared a story from his mission. He had found a young family. They had felt the testifying witness of the Holy Ghost. But they did not receive it. There is the kicker. They have to receive. I heard the rest of the talk, but my mind was on this key thought. Just as promised in Moroni. We may know, but we have to receive. When we receive, we will know.
I wonder how many young elders forget that finding, teaching, and baptizing families does not just mean baptizing by water. There is two parts to the conversion process. Sometimes, we may be guided to those who have already been baptized by water, but have not received the baptism by fire. i.e. the Holy Ghost. I began to think of families in our ward and stake, those who I need to assign valiant home teachers to. Can we also pray to find, teach, and baptize them by fire? The work of the Lord's Kingdom is all encompassing. There is much to be done.
Now, before I close my thoughts and leave you to your own. Have you received? Have you asked? Have you prayed? Have you listened? Have you learned? Are you going to heed? I hope you start where you are and press forward from there. You are never alone in the path, just ask.
I am back. Let's see if I can sum up the week.
It has been crazy. That about sums it up. I am sure there will me more crazy, but this one has been good.
The Queen has started prepping for a new training class. When she is not prepping, she has been shopping, shopping, mixing, baking, cooking, slicing, dicing, and splicing. Oh, did I mention doing so on very little sleep.
The Professor commented once or twice this week that there is just so much to do. I think she feels like a first year teach again this year. She is re-writing or re-developing all of her lesson plans, beefing them up, and looking for ways to meet the challenge.
We saw Tall Man and Ehl-Bo today. They looked sharp. Tall Man went back to the baby smooth cheeks. We almost did not recognize him when he walked into the chapel. I wish I would have had more time to catch up. Maybe in the next few days.
SnackPack has been running around like a crazy man trying to get in all the last minute lunches, brunches, breakfast, dinners, video games, hang outs, and more. Then today, he stood up and shared a wonderful witness. It was filled with the charm, wit, and character we love him for.
When it was all said and done, we invited those who wanted to join us over for a small gathering. At some point today, someone who was unfamiliar with speakers, ward members, family and friends was commenting on how impressed they were with the influence of the small village we live in. As I looked around the room and then later our backyard, I was overwhelmed with the powerful influence of good we are all surrounded by. We need to surround ourselves more. We need to diligently build up those walls of support. Thanks to all who have been and will continue to be a part of it.
There you go, that is the week. Hope yours was just as crazy full of joy like ours.
Over the past 11 months or so, I have taken the challenge of ponderizing. I decided a good place to start would be the scriptures referenced in Preach My Gospel. Some of the references are long, some times chapters, some times paragraphs. This week, I made it through the first lesson. Yep, I am a Moroni 10:3-5. I only have 4 more lessons to go. I already have my next list of scriptures to ponder when I am done. (in the next 3 or 4 years) I have learned so much. I have really enjoyed always having a scripture or thought in my head.
Any who, we are challenged in these verses to put our faith to the test, to ask, to listen, to learn, and then to do. I can testify that the Lord will speak to you. He will whisper through the Holy Ghost, in a language you can understand, that which is true. You will know as I do.
This morning as I ran, I was listening to President Eyring's talk from Priesthood session. As I listened to his words and pondered Moroni 10, a thought entered my mind. Actually, it was the Spirit opening my understanding. He talked about how the Priesthood plays an important role in each of our lives, but how we can make it more a part of our lives as well. My ears perked as he talked about what a young elder can do to help. Though he was talking about Eternal Families, I was hearing Priesthood, Holy Ghost, Witness, Baptism, Teaching.
This is what he said, "He may be about to go into the mission field. He can pray with all his heart that he will be able to find, teach, and baptize families." I am sure that this is not only in the minds and prayers of those young elders preparing to go, but also of those in the field. I also find my mind and prayers going the same direction. That is one of the main purpose of the plan is it not?
Then my mind went a different path as he shared a story from his mission. He had found a young family. They had felt the testifying witness of the Holy Ghost. But they did not receive it. There is the kicker. They have to receive. I heard the rest of the talk, but my mind was on this key thought. Just as promised in Moroni. We may know, but we have to receive. When we receive, we will know.
I wonder how many young elders forget that finding, teaching, and baptizing families does not just mean baptizing by water. There is two parts to the conversion process. Sometimes, we may be guided to those who have already been baptized by water, but have not received the baptism by fire. i.e. the Holy Ghost. I began to think of families in our ward and stake, those who I need to assign valiant home teachers to. Can we also pray to find, teach, and baptize them by fire? The work of the Lord's Kingdom is all encompassing. There is much to be done.
Now, before I close my thoughts and leave you to your own. Have you received? Have you asked? Have you prayed? Have you listened? Have you learned? Are you going to heed? I hope you start where you are and press forward from there. You are never alone in the path, just ask.
I am back. Let's see if I can sum up the week.
It has been crazy. That about sums it up. I am sure there will me more crazy, but this one has been good.
The Queen has started prepping for a new training class. When she is not prepping, she has been shopping, shopping, mixing, baking, cooking, slicing, dicing, and splicing. Oh, did I mention doing so on very little sleep.
The Professor commented once or twice this week that there is just so much to do. I think she feels like a first year teach again this year. She is re-writing or re-developing all of her lesson plans, beefing them up, and looking for ways to meet the challenge.
We saw Tall Man and Ehl-Bo today. They looked sharp. Tall Man went back to the baby smooth cheeks. We almost did not recognize him when he walked into the chapel. I wish I would have had more time to catch up. Maybe in the next few days.
SnackPack has been running around like a crazy man trying to get in all the last minute lunches, brunches, breakfast, dinners, video games, hang outs, and more. Then today, he stood up and shared a wonderful witness. It was filled with the charm, wit, and character we love him for.
When it was all said and done, we invited those who wanted to join us over for a small gathering. At some point today, someone who was unfamiliar with speakers, ward members, family and friends was commenting on how impressed they were with the influence of the small village we live in. As I looked around the room and then later our backyard, I was overwhelmed with the powerful influence of good we are all surrounded by. We need to surround ourselves more. We need to diligently build up those walls of support. Thanks to all who have been and will continue to be a part of it.
There you go, that is the week. Hope yours was just as crazy full of joy like ours.
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