"Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble."
Mosiah 28:3Sharing the gospel can be scary... So how does one go about teaching every one!? How do I be bold and tell all about the glorious gospel message that has been restored???
Believe it or not I can be shy. My whole life I was taught to never speak to strangers. Then I come on a mission and that's what we do ALL DAY! Talk to strangers, open your mouth and proclaim the truth to all! Suddenly, I am realizing.. sharing the gospel with my friends at home would have been a lot easier. haha!
"19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you."
Matthew 10
21 Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men."
Doctrine and Covenants 11
Although it is never easy to share the glad message of our Savior Jesus Christs church and His true doctrine, it is worth it.
"85 Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man"
Doctrine and covenants 84
If you are doing all you can to study and to understand the scriptures, the Gospel principles, the life of our Savior, the will and commandments of God he will provide the words he needs you to speak. The holy ghost can not draw from empty wells. We must fill our hearts and minds with the "words of life continually" If we are always thinking about how the Gospel has blessed and changed our lives, and studying we become mighty instruments that the lord can call upon in a time one of his children are in need.
after we do these things studying, go about doing good and pray for opportunities to teach we HAVE to open our mouths. THE SCARY PART I KNOW.
What is the worst that could happen? They are either going to say yes and be eternally happy... Or deny the greatest gift that could have ever been given.
"18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me."
John 15
9 Say nothing but repentance unto this generation; keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed.
29 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if they reject my words, and this part of my gospel and ministry, blessed are ye, for they can do no more unto you than unto me.
30 And even if they do unto you even as they have done unto me, blessed are ye, for you shall dwell with me in glory.
31 But if they reject not my words, which shall be established by the testimony which shall be given, blessed are they, and then shall ye have joy in the fruit of your labors.
32 Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you.
33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.
34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
Doctrine and Covenants 6
Sis Dimick and I have had a few rough weeks in a row, where nothing we do is working out. Everything we attempt falls through. Which... Seems to be a common pattern for a missionaries life. You go through phases where you are so busy you don't know what to do, and phases where you are doing your best to keep productive and talk to all you meet. So, a while back during companion study we were reading in the book of mormon. and we came across this scripture:
"29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again."
Alma 26:29
I laughed and said hey! we have been in their homes, and they accepted us! we have talked to people in the streets, they heard us out, we can't go into their temples... so that doesn't count.... we have been cast out of peoples front porches, yards, and all that.. how ever.. we have not been spit upon, we have not been smacked, and we have not been bound in prison.. So if we look at it that way.. these few weeks have been pretty easy!!
haha I spoke to soon...
Last Friday we were going to see this adorable older woman we have been meeting with and she must have forgotten about our lesson and wasn't home. So as we were walking back to our car we did our best to talk with everyone. I approached this man.. or boy.. about 18.. "HELLO! :) How are you doing today" With head phones in his ear he completely disregarded my existence.. or so i thought... when all the sudden.. he is making that really nasty noise.. that really gross noise that comes from the back of ones throat. you know the one I am talking about and then... HE SPITS!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh in that moment... I didn't know whether or not I should laugh. or cry and run away. haha. Old sister carlson probably would have grabbed him by his shirt collar and said "LISTEN HERE PUNK... I AM GOING TO SHARE A MESSAGE ABOUT JESUS CHRIST WITH YOU, YOU ARE GOING TO LISTEN. AND THEN YOU CAN SPIT ON ME." That scenario flashed through my mind in an instant, then complete and utter discouragement and sorrow, then I was over come with a sense of a broken heart, If only he knew.. If only he would have given me a moment. To hear me out. Whatever was causing his anger that day to be driven to act in such a way could have been relieved in knowing that He isn't alone. That if he endures these times that seem so un barable, if he could take Jesus Christ by the hand.. These things would have not seemed so horrible. His life could have been forever changed. Yes his trials would still be there. But there would have been a whole new prospective on how to endure. My heart was filled with compassion, sorrow and love.
I have reflected back to this moment a lot since it occurred. My wish is that I could have helped him to see there is more to life. My wish is that I could have testified to him of the atonement, the enabling power that comes through the atonement and the divinity and worth of his soul.
Not every one wants to hear what we believe all the time. At times we will be rejected harshly, kindly or anything in between.
But when we do find those souls who have been searching those bad days no longer matter. Those moments where our souls are pained with sadness as you watch a random stranger in such a broken world that they have no clue who to peace it back together, those days become worth it when that stranger becomes one of your closest friends. When that stranger becomes as family and you can see hope, faith and the love or God and Jesus Christ becoming real in their life.
To be spit on for the sake of representing Jesus Christ becomes worth it.
A few nights ago sister dimick and I before bed were half way laughing and crying talking about how alone you are as a missionary, but that you never really feel alone because as you are rejected despised and cast out, you feel that our Savior is with us. That you can feel him pushing you along, fear not little flock... they have done this to me too. You can do this. This is for me, continue on in faith.
Once again my mission is teaching me valuable life experiences and providing strength for future and past trials.
You are never alone if you walk daily with Christ.
"those who died in the faith of Christ are happy in him"
Alma 46
Id like to flip that scripture a little and say, "Those who live in faith of Jesus Christ are happy in him"
I emailed my brother Jordan yesterday asking for advice. He was like one of the greatest missionaries I know. and he said something so profound yet so simple that will help me through out all of my life. "Turtle just keep pushing. Remember for everything bad something equally good came along. Something big is about to happen. Just make sure you talk with everyone, and don't miss your chance!"
What ever storm you are in.. don't give up, don't miss your chance. Something big is about to happen.. Some times we feel like life spits in our face, and some times it is easier to be negative and discouraged and to be lost in the poor me, look how hard I am trying but I am seeing nothing of it.. Don't walk there. Don't take that path. Don't let yourself become miserable like that. "You should not, however, become discouraged; discouragement will weaken your faith."
6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.
If you are a missionary and doing your best to share the gospel and you feel no one wants to listen, remember, we can only do our best by inviting all to hear. " Your purpose as a full-time missionary is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end" We can only invite and always provide opportunities for the sons and daughters of god to accept or reject with clear prospective and knowledge.
If you are living in the day to day busy life and feel like you can never succeed you can only continue in faith. Keep putting on foot ahead of the other, keep trying, keep pushing, keep smiling. never let go, never give in, never give up.
The Lords plan and time line for us is a lot bigger than what we can make for ourselves. Some times our plans as missionaries fall through for more solid ones to come together. Good things break so great things can be mended. Keep trusting, keep holding on, and don't lose the fire. Keep burning. in Patient perseverance.
"And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord."
Mosiah 24
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