Hymn of the week "I need thee evr'y hour"
I need thee ev'ry hour,
Most gracious lord.
On Sunday I had a really really good lesson in priesthood. Elder Casey and I taught about Joseph Smith, the
restoration, and the apostasy. We talked about how the lord prepared the way for the restoration, through
reformers and technology. It's really cool to see all the crazy things that happened so that the restoration could
come. The best part of our lesson was when we spoke of the restoration. The spirit really descended upon us
when we started to read about Joseph Smith and his first vision. Good lessons always feel great. I sang in choir
again this week, and there 700+ missionaries singing. It was so spiritual because we sang "Josephs first prayer".
The song resonated all 700 of our testimonies in a beautiful sincere cascade.
No tender voice like thine
Can peace afford.
Tuesday was a sad day. Sister Fuller left for home that day. She will be back out in six months though, which
comforts me. I respect anyone who comes back out on their mission after being home. I don't know if I would be
able to come back out once I got home. It almost felt like when Jenny left home for her mission. I know I will see
and talk to her again, but she feels like family. It sounds corny for sure but the relationship I have with all the Elders
and Sisters in my district is so strong. I know, I knew all of them on a personal level before we came to earth.
I need thee ev’ry hour;
Stay thou nearby.
There was a devotional by D. Todd Christopherson and it was great! We got to sing our testimonies to him through
song and he felt it. Aren't the apostles just fantastic! He spoke of how we can become truly converted to the lord.
We know the path isn't easy. As we strive to become more Christ like, Satan tries to wash away our foundations.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the
gates of hell shall not prevail against them." 3 Nephi 11:39
Hope is our anchor that allows us to seek to become better through the atonement, and Satan seeks to chisel
away at our self confidence. When he succeeds, we have fear and do not spread the joy and hope of the gospel.
Satan has been trying hard to silence me by making me feel like an inadequate teacher among other things.
I know through the strength of God I was able to shut him out. He only has the power to hurt you if you let him.
When feeling self doubt you must turn to God and allow him to send away Satan. I have tried to do things my way
and it just doesn't really work.
Temptations lose their pow’r
When thou art nigh.
On Wednesday I had a fantastic end to my day. Brother Huber is such an amazing teacher and is so inspired.
We talked about all of our personal testimonies of Christ's atonement. It was so powerful to see that many of my
district have also gone through great change like I have. I would be nothing and no one without the atonement and
gospel in my life. I wouldn't be as funny or laugh as much, because I wouldn't be able to find joy in many things.
"Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even
to the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth." Alma 27:17
Speaking of this scripture, we discussed it in class one day because my teacher said he always laughs at the
thought of someone being so happy that they would fall. Right after that we went to say closing prayer and
Elder Kowallis fell off his chair and was laying on the floor. The lord has a sense of humor for sure. It was good to
get a first hand demonstration of what it would look like.
I need thee ev’ry hour,
In joy or pain.
While I had much joy this week I also had pain. I had a rough lesson on Wednesday. I was talking about baptism
and I just butchered it. It's a night and day difference when you have the spirit and when you don't. I know that I
need to focus on the ordinance of baptism in my personal study so that I can bear a personal witness that baptism
is important.
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.
The spirit really helps you know what to say. On Thursday I had another great lesson with an investigator, and the
spirit guided us to teach of repentance. As I started to talk about the atonement my companion and I both had the
prompting to turn to the bible dictionary definition of repentance. Our investigator noticed and was like, "you started
talking about that definition that you love at the exact same time that your companion started turning to it. How did
you know?" I know that the spirit guides us to things that our friends need to hear. We got feedback about the TRC
and we did really good. She was able to feel the spirit and she felt very inclined to meet with us more and go
fthrough with the commitment we left with her. I don't think there's a greater feeling than when you leave a lesson
knowing the spirit was there.
I need thee ev’ry hour,
Most holy One.
Friday went so quickly I almost forget what happened. I have gotten quite comfortable here. My companion and I
still sometimes have the feeling that we are at some summer camp and we're about to go home. But in another
way I can't wait to get in the field! I have progressed so much here but it is starting to stagnate. I am still learning
lots just not as much as I could. I had a Book of Mormon read again (my favorite) and we discussed miracles. It
really is up to us too have miracles in our life. Heavenly father really wants to give us all the blessings but our faith
and desires always hold us back. I have been trying to gain the faith needed to believe that I can be able to have
the spirit give my words. I am so glad that I have come to serve a mission. This week has flown by and you know
what they say about fun. Time flies by too fast. Love you all and thanks for all the support and letters!
Oh, make me thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son!
-Elder Brown
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