Monday October 29, 2012

Wow. Suddenly everything that happened in my week is completely dwarfed by the gigantic spiritual experiences that occurred at the Calgary Temple celebration this weekend. I'm guessing that that celebration dwarfed all of your escapades throughout the rest of the week too, because you only mentioned what happened this weekend. So yeah, Hurricane Sandy is passing over Pennsylvania and colliding with a cold front from the north. And we got 8 new investigators this week. Not a big deal.

 

You asked how the storm was and it kind of seems to me like everyone's blowing it out of proportion, at least for now. Yes it's been pretty cold, and yes it's been incessantly raining for 2 days, but nothing of cataclysmic magnitude yet. We've been warned by President Topham to park the cars for a couple days and that the Erie Walk Elders specifically should stay with our zone leaders because of flood warnings, so I'm going to guess it's gonna get pretty bad. We'll see though.

 

I think I can hold my own if someone were to intellectually question what I believe. If all else fails, a testimony of the truthfulness of this work vanquishes any sort of finger pointing. It's pretty hard for someone to argue with “I know the Book of Mormon is true,” what are they going to say? “No you don't!”? Something I cannot contend with however is the complacency that is plaguing the people all around me, a sense that they feel that they'll be OK no matter what they do. Sometimes I wish I could just take away their agency and force them to keep commitments and to agree with the truth, but then I remember that that's what Satan wanted and I donut want to be Satan.

 

This week we lost an investigator simply because we gave her a Book of Mormon. We had been introducing her to Jesus Christ previous to this and she was definitely feeling the Spirit. But when she asked her uncle about the Book, he promptly told her that we weren't Christians, that she shouldn't associate with us anymore and that if she were to die right now she would go to her Grandmother. All this sounded so appealing coming from a family member that she decided to trust him over us. All I could do was beg her to pray about it herself and persist in the feeling she had while we were talking about Jesus Christ. But alas, my pleadings nor my testimony was good enough for her. I'm getting pretty sick of flaky people; of people answering my calls by saying, “Oh, we didn't know you were MORMON”; of people thinking they “don't have to be a Mormon” to return to God. I wish I could just grab these people by the lapels and shake them while shouting “I'm not asking you to be a Mormon! I'm asking you to follow our Savior Jesus Christ!” And then I would stick out my tongue and shake like Benson would when he was little.

 

The main message that the Book of Mormon conveys is the convincing of the Jew, Gentile and Lamanite that Jesus is the Christ. That is the message with which the Book of Mormon begins and that is the final testimony of Moroni with which it ends. Moroni 10:4-5 is not a casual invitation to know the validity of the history of the Book of Mormon, but in verse 1, Moroni reveals that the invitation is to the Lamanites to know the truthfulness of the Savior of the World. If only people would hearken to this additional witness of Him and know that that truth will make them free.

 

Elder Low

Monday October 22, 2012

 Things are kind of winding down here in Erie Walk. For some reason it rained a lot. And for some reason the weather seemed to reflect our success. It was kind of eerie.

 

I can honestly say that that we had one very successful lesson this week with a less-active member of our congregation and her boyfriend, their names are Angela and Angelo... yes. We've been teaching them for a while, but we thought a basic review of the Gospel of Jesus Christ would help them out a lot. When we taught about baptism, we emphasized the importance of Priesthood authority. We asserted that it was indeed a bold claim, but if it were true, it's an extremely important message. Luckily the Lord doesn't expect us to believe without a method of increasing our faith – and the Book of Mormon does a great job of that. As we got close to the end of the lesson, we asked them (and Angelo especially)if they would pray to ask God for the answers they needed to know this gospel was true and eventually be baptized. Angelo then brought up a very real concern that he hadn't prayed in a long time and to start asking for things right away would give a selfish impression to God, like a friend approaching you after years and asking you for money. The Spirit touched me so much to share the story of the Prodigal Son, who after requesting his inheritance early, abandoning his family, and wasting the substance he had acquired, was forgiven immediately after returning to his father. I think about that a lot. God is literally our Father in Heaven and just like how any Father could never forget his child, our Heavenly Father will always come running when we return to Him. I testified of Angelo's relationship with His Father in Heaven and that He loved him very much. I felt the Spirit very strongly during this lesson.

 

Despite this wonderful experience, a lot unexpectedly fell through this week and my incessant prayers to God regarding my righteous desires to help his children in Erie come unto Him have resulted in one of the least fruitful weeks I've had here. But when nonchalantly studying in the Book of Mormon this morning, I unexpectedly related uncannily with Alma. After baptizing thousands in the city of Melek, he set out to do the same in Ammonihah, but such wasn't the case; “Satan,” Mormon wrote, “had gotten great hold upon the hearts of the people of the city of Ammonihah; therefore they would not hearken unto the words of Alma.” No matter the fervency of Alma's prayers nor the diligence of his labours, the people still were in tact with their God-given agency, which is unfortunately one thing that cannot swayed, they hardened their hearts despite Alma's efforts. I thought of myself reading these scriptures and how much I beg the Lord to soften the people's hearts and somehow they still didn't accept my message. But it was comforting to see the angel's response to a disheartened Alma, commending him for his faithfulness saying, "Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God." It goes back to what is a successful missionary as described on page 10 of Preach My Gospel, it isn't how many people get wet, but your commitment to find, teach, baptize and confirm people to become faithful members of the Church. It was what I needed to hear all along.

 

Love you all,

Elder Low

Monday October 15th, 2012

I don't even know where to begin with describing this week. It's been miraculous once again. I know that on my own, I could never see the miracles I've seen if I was left to convert people with my own skill or tact. Wit and persuasiveness can never bring someone truly into the gospel. We found, or should I say, the Lord prepared and placed in our path, 7 new investigators this week, which may be low for some missions but I think that's an all time high for me.

 

I never cease to be amazed at the how influential the tiny seeds are that members are planting every day simply by living their religion. One man we found reminds me a little of Jack Sparrow, haha. He's been in like 40 different rock bands since he was 17 and he's lived a celebrity's life. But I can tell that the things that mean the most to him are his family. He grew up around a Mormon family and in fact he is still in contact with his friend that he grew up with who now lives in Utah. It was because of this friend's example that that seed that was planted remained for 30 years. Bernie admitted that he had a problem with there being no evidence of the gold plates, but that was surprisingly quickly resolved after Elder King showed him the testimonies of the 3 and the 8 witnesses who also saw and handled the plates for themselves. Our first discussion was basically a review for him and he seemed to agree with a lot of what we said. After our second discussion, he gave me and Elder King both a hug and said that we were the first missionaries to ever visit him in his home twice and he thanked the Lord fervently in his prayer that we came into contact with him.

 

While walking along a major street in our area, we were quickly walking home as we anticipated being late for our curfew, for our home was still over about a half hour away, walking distance. While walking however, I almost passed a couple walking their dog. The man was smoking and so I rationalized within myself that they probably wouldn't accept our message anyways. I started to pass with just a fleeting "good evening" when the man (Jeff) started to have a conversation with me. It turned out that he had his son enrolled with the scouts at our church, and he and his girlfriend (Sandy) were church hopping, looking for one that they would feel comfortable in. We set up a return appointment for the following Friday on which upon our arrival, they welcomed us into their nice home with donuts and drinks. We had a great conversation answering many of their questions with boldness and they expressed a desire to come to Church AND feed us! Our return appointment happens to be tonight. And LAST night (remember, this has never happened to me before) we got a call from Jeff, confirming our appointment for the following evening, offering dinner AND being willing to pick us up for the appointment! You can't get much more solid investigators than that!

 

The last experience I wanted to share had to do with the family I was so excited about a couple weeks ago. We've been wanting to meet with them for quite some time and finally, we got a time when the entire family was home. Toni and Eric gathered all 5 of their young kids (all ages ranging 11, 9, 7, 4 and 3) and we sat down with a discussion about the Plan of Salvation. Before Toni had told us that she had never been baptized and questions as to the necessity of that ordinance and many others regarding God's plan for our existence rang about her children. A recent death in the family begged the questions from her children "what happens when we die?" Puzzled by the question herself, Toni wanted us to help her children understand better God's plan, which we did. Apparently for days afterward, Ariana, Mia, and Giovanni (the three oldest children) talked openly about the things they had learned from our discussion Friday evening. We set the entire family with a baptismal date of November 10th, which also happens to be my birthday. :)

 

Good things are happening and Heavenly Father knows what we need, when we need it. I don't know if Bernie, Jeff, Sandy, Toni, or Eric would have accepted our message had we presented it in a completely different circumstance, but our Father knows them, just as He knows each one of us. To the faithless Corinthians, Paul asked the penetrating question "Why stand we in jeopardy every hour?" (1 Corinthians 15:30). In answer to that question we may all ask ourselves, Christ assures us, "Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost." (Doctrine & Covenants 50:41-42) We all have the opportunity to come up; come back; come unto Him. For He truly loves us.

 

Elder Low

Monday October 8, 2012

It's been a great weekend. Once again, I have been showered with revelation during this wonderful General Conference season. The words of apostles and prophets have stirred my heart and answered my questions. Such is the benefit of living in the dispensation of the fulness of time (Ephesians 1:10).

 

Things have been clicking recently. It's been a slow and stressful week and the answers to my questions came just in time. I can't wait to study the words again and again when the Ensign comes out. One of the major questions was what I should do with my life, what occupation. I don't want to rob my spiritual experiences of their sacredness but needless to say I feel like I've been pushed in the direction of wanting to be a teacher. It's one job that I don't feel stress about right now at all. I know that everyone keeps saying that every missionary wants to be a teacher but I think my mission has really shaped what I feel like I'm good at. Anyways, that's how I'm feeling right now. I find it ironic that a teacher was not on the occupation major list that you sent me last week. Oh well.

 

President Monson's Sunday morning address really puzzled me at first. President Monson has always been one of my favourite speakers ever since I was a little boy because of his stories. But for this address, the stories really took up most of his time. I pondered for a while about the reason why he talked about these blessings and how they came just when they were needed. It really helped me see and appreciate the little things in life and in coordination with President Uchtdorf's address, I hope that I will always have the perspective to see the Lord's hand in all things, to see miracles everywhere instead of rationalizing them as coincidences. The Lord is in the details of our lives, and He never ceases to amaze me of how he keeps His expansive kingdom in check while still focusing and blessing the one.

I think I was the only one watching General Conference who missed President Monson's "big announcement" about lowering the ages for missionary service. We had an investigator coming late and I was in and out of the chapel on the phone at the beginning. Elder Swensen came out with a surprised expression and told me about his announcement. It really made me think of Dallin actually, how soon he could potentially leave on his mission. As much as I don't want him to leave before I get home, I'm sure that the Lord will call him wherever and whenever is best. In that spirit, Elder Cook's talk came as so much more radical following those revolutionary announcements. Utilizing one of my favourite scriptures ever (Alma 5:26), Elder Cook described how to retain a remission of sins in a world caked in evil. When we joined this Church we left the neutral ground and ascended to something higher, to have that always with us, we must make sure that we can continually sing that song of redeeming love, always asking ourselves, can we feel so now?

 

How many times have I felt abandoned by God in one trial or another? In response to Joseph Smith's plea in Liberty Jail (Doctrine & Covenants 121), President Eyring revealed that God is never hiding from us, but rather we hide ourselves whenever we choose to go contrary to His will. The pavilion of the Lord really turns into our own pavilion that is only torn down as we serve others and come to know Him better. Our wills humbly fall into submission to that of our Heavenly Father's, who only wants the best for us.

 

Possibly my favourite talk this General Conference was (as it was for everyone) that of the Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland. Despite it's reminiscence of a talk he gave to the MTC in early 2011, the new spin he gave to it echoed to not just missionaries, but to all members of the Church. We had a less-active member come to this session who hadn't been to Church in 18 years. When I asked him how he felt afterward, he confessed that he felt called out by Elder Holland. The message that hopefully got across to everyone was to keep the faith and to not abandon the Church ever. For it's not over until it's over. We are to never look back. I don't know about you guys, but I want to start anew and be someone who can honestly say, "Yea Lord, I love thee more than anything."

 

Elder Low

Monday October 1st, 2012

It was an unfortunate week because I got very sick. It began with a stuffy nose, which led to a sore throat, which led to me losing my voice. Then I developed a cough and a headache and that takes me to today - recovering a bit. For future reference, what's the best way to remedy that common cold as soon as it hits? But despite me feeling sick, we pressed on. Elder King was very charitable to me this week, taking on a lot of responsibility of talking and teaching while my throat healed. He also made me soup! He's definitely the best new missionary I could've asked for. But as far as missionary work goes, this week has been pretty great as well. We found several new invesitgators. But the best things were in one less-active, one recent convert, and one potential investigating family.

 

Last week we stumbled upon a less-active gentleman who had not been to church in 18 years. He joined the Church in Key West, Florida entering into the smallest branch of Latter-day Saints that I've heard of. Because of his faithfulness, he held about every calling he could in that branch and definitely felt the pressure. He's also single, so he had no family to fall back on. Shortly after going through the Washington DC temple, he fell away, burnt out and exhausted of the responsibilities he felt he was too inadequate to fulfill, which brought him up to his hometown, Erie. He had not attended Church here at all but the many years of inactivity didn't dim his testimony. We sat down with him and simply invited him to attend our ward (which is a LOT bigger than his branch in Key West), he came and the principles of the gospel have started to rekindle the joy he felt in the Church those many years ago. Dusting off his quadruple combination, we taught him a stirring Restoration lesson on Saturday and his countenance has completely changed.

 

Our recent convert Ed for the first time on his own passed the sacrament this week. To see him take the responsibility of one holding the Priesthood and performing his duties with confidence and poise has been such a great blessing in my life. He's come so far and to see Ed so entrenched in the gospel has been one of the greatest joys of my mission.

 

Remember the man we talked to on the street last week that said his "kids needed Jesus"? His name is Eric and we've come to know his wife, Toni, quite well. Although for one reason or another, we haven't been able to meet with them and their 5 beautiful children this week, we have an appointment scheduled for this Wednesday. Ever since Amie, Leo and their family didn't get baptized back when I was in Bedford, I've longed to find a family who would accept the gospel together and progress toward this wonderful gospel. Perhaps my prayers have been answered with this young family. We brought a member family over to greet them yesterday and Toni told us how coincidental our meeting was, she said that they weren't sure why they bought the house they're in, but since they've been here, their children have been asking many questions about God and what happens after this life, questions to which Toni felt like she wanted answers to herself.

 

The success that I long for, the wonderful fruits of my labours are what I desire so much. I've said before that there really is no greater joy than missionary work. And I've promised God, like King Lamoni's father in Alma 22:15, "I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake [everything], that I may receive this great joy." The desire of my heart is within reach and with God on my side, I know that I cannot fail.

 

Elder Low

Monday September 24, 2012

It's weeks like these that make me want to shout for joy and weep in appreciation to my Heavenly Father of the many miracles he provides for me everyday. We had many appointments set up this week but it's been hard to help these people keep those appointments, so they don't always work out. But despite the occasional flakiness of the derelict of Erie, the humility outweighs those negative qualities.

 

I've surprisingly come to like finding. I can remember being trained in Bedford and despising it, to the point where if people didn't keep their appointments I got so frustrated and impatient that I would feel like throwing my scriptures and breaking down in disdain of finding. I'd like to think some kind of maturity has come over 17 months and I realize that nothing happens in missionary work until you find people to teach. Elder King and I have discovered a street close to ours that we have deemed a "golden street." For some reason, everyone on W. 11th St. seems to be ready to hear the gospel. We have much work to do down there. We actually have an appointment with a young family tonight that hopefully will be very receptive to the truths the gospel has to offer. The husband, who we OYM'd, felt like his children really "needed Jesus." Hopefully that will go well.

 

We were tracting that street the other day and found a man who let us right in off the street because he had some questions about our religion. After we sat down he revealed that he had checked a triple combination (Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price) from the library and asked if he was allowed to read it. We quickly affirmed his plea and went in to teaching about God's plan for us, truths like the Pre-Earth Life, children of our Heavenly Father, and a chance for all mankind that had never occurred to him before. We later tracted into a house that nobody answered and so pressed on, but as we knocked the next house, a black lady came out of the one we had just knocked, looked at the card we left and shouted over to us, "did you leave this here?" We hurried back to talk with her. Though she had little religious background, she started to weep at our testimonies of God's plan for us and a knowledge of Jesus Christ. She said that she didn't know why she was crying and we told her of the Holy Ghost and that it was testifying of the things we were telling her. She said that she was very glad that she decided to answer the door.

 

You can't do this work and not realize the indescribable happiness it brings. You can't feel this kind of joy anywhere else in the world. It's moments like those that help me know that I am exactly where God wants me to be.

 

Elder Low

Monday September 17, 2012

 

"Lift up your heart and rejoice for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation.

"You shall declare the things which have been revealed to my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun. You shall begin to preach from this time forth, yea, to reap in the field which is white..."

 

These same words given to Thomas B. Marsh 182 years ago this month are the same words given to all of us. I am reminded of this section of the Doctrine & Covenants everytime I feel the fire of a new missionary. Elder King is progressing so well. I love how we push each other and try to be the best companionship we can under the present circumstances. Yes we got blinds for our apartment. Yes, I think I could say things are getting easier. Yes we're starting to grasp Erie's bussing system. But that doesn't stop a mission from being one of the hardest things I've ever done.

 

The Lord likens missionary work to the labour intensive work of the harvest - not easy and sometimes you collect less than you anticipated, but the fruit you receive from that which you sow is of the sweetest thing that can be had in this life.

 

"Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back...

"Behold, verily I say unto you, go from [your family] only for a little time, and declare my word...

"Yea, I will open the hearts of the people and they will receive you."

 

I've been surprised how much the Lord is already strengthening my body and desire to contact all. The Lord seems to be partial to his trainers and new missionaries. He senses their inadequate feelings and is merciful to them. We've been led to three new investigators this week and I'm psyched to see the old investigators from Millcreek coming to Church including Guy, Liam, Margie and Gary. Sister Porter told us we will not be able to count the seeds we sow. For the Lord has brought us into these areas for the salvation of souls.

 

"Be patient in afflictions, revile not against those that revile. Govern in meekness and be steadfast.

"Go your way whithersoever I will, and it shall be given you by the Comforter what you shall do and whither you shall go."

 

To all missionaries and all members the Lord gives us these promises laid in Doctrine & Covenants 31. And to us he says,

 

"Pray always...

Be faithful unto the end, and lo[w] I am with you. These words are not of man nor of men, but of me, even Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, by the will of the Father. Amen."

 

Elder Low