Hey there family and friends!
This morning I got to go to the L.A. Temple for an endowment session,
which moved pday to today instead of yesterday. I had some really
wonderful experiences there, and throughout the course of my
preparations to enter the Lord's house. Most of them pertained to
Grandma Whitney and my relationship with my immediate family and
grandparents. It was truly a purifying, testimony building time for
me.
Anyways, back to what I was saying about Paris France:
Monday 3/31/14 - we had an interesting pday with the Korean elders,
who were nice enough to take us shopping. In the evening we met with
Adrian and had a real good lesson on the doctrine and covenants.
Tuesday - We were finally able to sit down with a less active member
we've been trying to work with for about as long as I've been in the
area. He's a really great guy, and has a wonderful family. He really
needs the Savior right now, so I'm happy that we could meet with him.
We tried to visit with an assortment of people in the evening that
we've been missing. Couldn't really find 'em though.
Wednesday - we did a lot of walking around the poorer end of the area
in the afternoon, but even there people just weren't outside (which is
where we find people since we don't tract here anymore). In the
evening we were able to meet with a couple of less active members who
have about as Mormon a home as you can, yet don't come to church
anymore because the ward is "not as friendly as Spanish wards are."
Thursday - Zone meeting was all about planning and how as a mission we
suck at it. But, that just means we know where the most growth can
come from for all of us right now. In the evening we watched "Joseph
Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" with Adrian and he said a really
great prayer asking for answers at the end of the lesson.
Friday - Pretty much none of our Friday plans worked out, but we did
have a really good dinner at a member's house. They're a really cool
family that has had to struggle with some pretty difficult stuff in
the recent past. I think one of their coping mechanisms was to get
very close to the missionaries, whoever they have in the ward.
Saturday/Sunday - general conference! Woohoo! I've been looking
forward to this for a long time now :) we watched all five sessions of
conference with Adrian and we got to see him overcome several hurdles.
So that was pretty cool. Equally awesome was the announcement that my
current mission president will be serving as an area authority in Utah
once his mission ends. Turns out he was in Salt Lake for conference
and he has already been set apart as a Seventy. Some of my favorite
thoughts from conference were:
There is always a price for being a true disciple of Christ.
Christ did not teach easy doctrine, no matter how hard other
Christians try to make it so.
Sustaining our leaders comes with a responsibility to share their burden.
The world will not glide calmly to the second coming of the Savior.
The heritage of hope we leave for our posterity by joining the Church
is one of the greatest reasons we have to enter into, and keep,
covenants with God.
Faith is the antidote to fear, not just the opposite.
Trials bring us face to face with our faith.
50 million people are perfectly capable of screwing up in unison.
Our family history centers are now in our homes,
Sometimes you need to forget about your rights, and fulfill your responsibility.
The Restoration is NOT complete. It is still happening right now
Pray hard and intensely. Serve secretly and humbly.
The equation for gratitude does not contain any variables pertaining
to how blessed we are, our circumstances. It is a truly independent
function of our ability to have an attitude of gratitude regardless of
our situation.
Do not make every crisis a crisis of faith.
The bottom line is that our reasons for acting without love don't
matter. None of them are good enough. Blame keeps wounds open. Only
forgiveness heals.
Much of what we know cannot be taught, but it can be learned.
Concerning Joseph Smith: In his haste to know he is not hasty. He
prepares to talk to God.
If you are seeking truth, look for the cloud of dust marking the
struggle of evil to defy and cover truth.
The resurrection of Christ is the fundamental principle of truth. All
other things pertaining to our religion are mere appendages to it.
As you can see, there was quite a lot I liked about conference :) it
was a really good one. I especially liked the priesthood session
choir. You could tell Wilberg was going for it in every single
arrangement.
Well that's all for now, love you all! The church is true!
Elder Brett Whitney
