I know it's been forever and a day since I wrote in this little beauty, but that doesn't mean that I don't want to. I just get caught up in life. Most people my age do. I'm almost 100% positive. Well this morning as I was going through my email I found this one email from my dad from back in April. I had forgotten all about it. As I'm laying here in bed I received a prompting to read it. Well I did. I forgot how amazing of a missionary that my dad is. Best part is, he joined the church just a year and a few months ago! I've now been a member since January 2012, but that doesn't mean that I have nothing left to learn. Every day you can learn something new. I've found that to be very true in my old age of 23. Some days I look back and remind myself how truly blessed I am. I've overcome obstacles that I never thought I could. I've been places I've always wanted to go, and I've met some of the best people that I will ever get to meet. & the best part? I'm only 23. I have so much more life to live, things to learn, and places to go. That brings me back to sharing the gospel with people. It's sometimes hard for me. What if they deny it? What if they're mean about it? My past experiences have taught me otherwise. Most people I share the restored gospel with are accepting. Back in April I had that amazing experience while at General Conference. After the afternoon session my friend Josh went on to the Priesthood session. I had met up with some of my friends and we went to Starbucks to get out of the rain. Well I started talking to the man sitting next to us and 20 minutes later I asked if he wanted to walk around temple square. If you've never been to temple square, you need to go. It's beautiful! We introduced him to the missionaries and it was amazing! By the way, If you don't know what General Conference is, it's where the Lords prophets & apostles go & counsel us on the revelation they've received throughout the year. They hold it once in April & once in October (check out Lds.org) I've always attended the April sessions and I wish that I could attend in October! I'm hoping for this October, but we will see. Art in the Park is that same weekend. & I'd also like to go up to Salt Lake and see the temple lit up for Christmas. I will move to Utah one day. I'd just like to end this post with my testimony that the church is true. The Lord has placed us all here for a purpose. Let him use us as a tool to help other and even ourselves. I leave that with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Now go on and read my dad's talk that I'm posting along with this little blurb and random photos from my trip to General Conference in April! I promise that you won't regret it :)
Josh passed out on the drive up. Best
picture ever. He literally used my hoodie
to cover his eyes and my pillow for a
blanket, Obviously
SLC temple.
Flowers around Temple Square
GC afternoon's session
My cute friends and I
This is the guy I met!
I was explaining to him
all of the rooms inside of the temple
thanks to the awesome model in the
visitors center. It was awesome!
How Can I Be A Missionary
Brothers
& Sisters,
Good morning -
I’m honored to speak today on the subject of How Can I Be A Missionary and help
in the Work Of Salvation. The definition
of Missionary is one who is sent on a mission especially one sent to do
religious or charitable work in a territory or foreign country. The full-time missionarys
in our ward are simply there to assist us in the missionary work. It is
the ward members responsibility in the church to actively be engaged in the
work and keeping the missionary’s calendar full, by finding and befriending
people to teach them the gospel. These can be Investigators, Active &
Non-Active members.
By doing so
members can be involved in the missionary effort. By extending invitations to
friends, neighbors, co-workers, and anyone else you can think of to attend a
church function. This includes all members young or old as we are all
missionary’s. Members need to know our missionary’s and fellowship with them.
As well the missionary’s need to know our members, so that we can work closely
together in finding people to teach the gospel to. I ask that we open our homes for lessons and
teachings of the church and share the gospel with as many people as we can.
Once an Investigator is found and they start taking the lessons it is so
important for ward members to befriend them and make their transition smooth
into the church.
I’m a
perfect example of a Non-Member who had slipped through the cracks, because no
one explained thoroughly the principles that needed to be followed by the
church members. Was it because of my age
or that members felt that I would never follow the principals of the church. I
have often pondered these questions myself - More so why a member never
approached me about joining the church. If I would have known what I know today
about the church I would have joined years ago. How many of you know a Leo
Hernandez or someone like him that is just waiting for you to befriend. To let
them see that we have the spirit of the Holy Ghost and how we live our lives in
these latter days. Do they know that it will lead to sooooo many blessings?
They won’t know if we don’t tell them - so don’t be afraid to ask someone to
come to church or to your home. To share a Scripture watch a Mormon message,
pray with them or share your Testimony and Revelations you have personally
received through the Gospel.
We are all
missionary’s by showing the world our beliefs and our standards. The Work Of
Salvation has begun and will continue to happen. The Objective is to look for an
opportunity in your own missionary work. When the day comes and you hand someone
the Book Of Mormon - look them in the eyes and tell them this book will change
your their life forever and that all they have to do is read it. I am a Testimony of this as it has changed my life
forever 5 months ago on March 16, 2013. If you meet an Investigator and they
have questions about the Church and why I joined please have them call me. I
can reassure them that they are making the best decision they will ever make in
their life. You can weather any storm with your faith in the Gospel and in Missionary
work.
When the soldiers that guard the Tomb Of The
Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. were
ordered to abandon their post during Hurricane Sandy. They replied that is
unacceptable and continued to stand guard during heavy rains and winds. The same
is true in missionary work - do the work no matter what the storm is. May both
members & missionaries ever be United and fulfilling our missionary purpose
to help others come into Christ. Your
Principals mean more to you than any money or success.
Remember-
Who You Are And Always What You Stand For. Matthew 7:7 Ask and it will be given
to you. Knock and the Door will be opened to you. May we be alive and a Beacon
to all the earth and particularly Gods children who are seeking the Lords
Blessing. L Tom Perry Quorum Of The Twelve Apostles. If you
need The Book Of Mormon, LDS hand out cards, Genealogy Charts or any marketing
information to use in your missionary work please ask our Missionary Sisters.
I’m honored to be a member of the Church Of Jesus Christ in these Latter Days.
I humbly say these things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen
