Faith

Christmas is Within You

 

Jeffrey R. Holland

"On this Christmas I send my love to every missionary, every man or woman in the military, every student, and every employee and traveler who won’t 'be home for Christmas,' as the carol says. Keep your faith. Look for the good in your situation. Do something kind for someone. Seek Christ devoid of wrapping and tinsel. You will find that despite external circumstances, Christmas — like the kingdom of God — is 'within you.’”

Healing Church

Purposeful Plan

0. “The Lord does not always heal the sick, 
   nor save those in hazardous zones. 
   He does not always relieve suffering and distress, 
   for even these seemingly
   undesirable conditions 
   may be part of a purposeful plan.” 
   --Spencer W. Kimball

Difficult Times

Patience vs Anger

Sharp like a Pencil

A PENCIL MAKER TOLD THE PENCIL 5 IMPORTANT LESSONS JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN THE BOX:

1.) Everything you do will always leave a mark .

2.) You can always correct the mistakes you make.

3.) What is important is what is inside of you.

4.) In life, you will undergo painful sharpenings, which will only make you better.

5.) To be the best pencil, you must allow yourself to be held and guided by the hand that holds you.

We all need to be constantly sharpened.  This parable may encourage you to know that you are a special person, with unique God-given talents and abilities.  Only you can fulfill the purpose which you were born to accomplish.  Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot be changed and, like the pencil, always remember that the most important part of who you are, is what's inside of you and then allow yourself to be guided by the hand of God.

FTB

As missionaries, our purpose is to help bring others unto Christ.  In order to accomplish this goal, we must do three things.  The first thing is to FIND others to teach.  Once we have found someone who is interested, we must TEACH them the gospel principles.  The third step is to BAPTIZE them.

The missionaries refer to these three steps as FTB or find, teach, baptize.

In our mission, we tell the missionaries to "Bee the best you can Bee".  One of the missionaries asked another missionary what FTB stood for and he responded "Fill the Beehive".  It was a pretty clever play on words since we have a chart that is a beehive and we put a bee on the beehive for every person who is baptized.  We are trying to fill the beehive.  The beehive holds 40 bees.  Our goal is to have 40 baptisms each month.  The new Rome Temple will have two endowment rooms and each endowment room will seat 40 people.  Each month we are trying to baptize enough people to fill an endowment room.

This is the first time since we set the goal that we have used the graphic.  We are very proud of our missionaries.  During the month of December, the missionaries had 18 baptisms.  That's enough to fill nearly half an endowment room.  We are attempting to FTB!

Book of Mormon

Have you ever wondered what would happen if we
treated our Book of Mormon like our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we turned back to get it if we forgot it?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we spent an hour or more using it each day?
What if we used it to receive messages from its text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it as we traveled?
What if we used it in case of an emergency?
Oh, and a few other things, unlike our cell phones...
one plan fits all, unlimited usage and no roaming charges,
you always have reception, you don't have to buy batteries,
no weak signals, AND you never have to worry about being
disconnected because our Savior already paid the bill.

--Author Unknown

Don't live in the past . . .

"The past is to be learned from but not lived in.  And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future." 

 --Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Lost

September 8, 2013


Two of our sister missionaries got lost in Rome one night and couldn't find their way home.  One of the sisters is a very experienced, capable missionary but had just been transferred to Rome that day and wasn't familiar with the area.  Her companion was a brand new missionary who had only been in Italy one day.  They were at the bus station, but no buses came and they didn't know how to get back to their apartment.  They did exactly as they should have done and called the assistants to see if they knew what they should do.  Within minutes, the assistants were on their way to pick the sisters up and delivered them safely to their apartment--and then reported to us that all was well.

I found it ironic that it's the same with missionary work.  There are people in Italy who are searching for the gospel.  They are calling for help to find their way home.  The missionaries come and guide them until they are safe and sound.

Many individuals have lost their way and don't know what to do.  They are in a position where they don't know where to turn or who to ask for help.  They need guidance in their lives.  That's where the missionaries come in.  They can show those who are lost a path that will lead them safely home.  They can instruct them in the ways of the gospel and show them the way to the light.  For those who have gone astray and become inactive, the missionaries can help guide them back to the church where they are safe and have direction in their lives.  For those who have never been baptized and are looking for a better way, they can lead them to a way of life that will bring joy and happiness.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is so plain ad simple.  It's easy to follow the path to eternal life.  There are no twists nor turns in the path.  The path is straight and narrow.  As long as you hold to the iron rod, you are assured of returning to a Father in Heaven who loves and will show you the way back home and will be beside you every step of the way.  That's so much better than being lost and not knowing what to do.

Every day I am amazed at the tender mercies a loving Father in Heaven has provided for us and how much he must love us to constantly reach out and show us the way back to Him.

There Is a Green Hill Far Away

There is a green hill far away,
Without a city wall,
Where the dear Lord was crucified,
Who died to save us all.

There was no other good enough
To pay the price of sin.
He only could unlock the gate
of heav'n and let us in.

We may not know, we cannot tell,
What pains he had to bear,
But we believe it was for us
He hung and suffered there.

Oh, dearly, dearly has he loved!
And we must love him too,
And trust in his redeeming blood,
And try his works to do.

Text:  Cecil Frances Alexander, 1818-1895
Music:  John H. Gower, 1855-1922

Scriptures:  John 19:16-20, Hebrws 13:12

* * * * *

John 19:16-20

Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified.  And they took Jesus, and led him away.

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

And Pilate wrote a title, and put in on the cross.  And the writing was, Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.

This title then read many of the Jews:  for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city:  and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

Hebrews 13:12

Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

* * * * *

We were driving from Ascoli to Pescara on a Sunday afternoon.  It had rained really hard that morning, but the storm had moved on and the sun was shining.  The elevation is higher and the air is clearer in that part of Italy.  There are more hills and lots of grapes and other agricultural fields along the wayside.

We looked up at a hill as we were driving along.  The sun was shining on it and it was green and beautiful.  Michael and I both started singing "There is a green hill far away without a city wall."

As I contemplated the significance of green hills and city walls, I thought about the huge wall that surrounded ancient Rome and also about the city wall that surrounded Jerusalem at the time of Christ.

We see parts of the partially destroyed Rome wall all over the city.  When we were in Jerusalem a couple of years ago, we saw the wall that surrounds Jerusalem.  We left the confines of the city wall and went to Golgotha, which is outside the city walls, where Christ was crucified.

Ancient people felt safe inside the city walls.  Whenever they were in danger, they sought the protection of the city walls.  Inside the city walls was the heart of civilization.  That's where merchants came to sell their wares and people went to buy them.  There was life and activity inside the walls.

Outside the city walls, bandits and thieves had more power over the people and they weren't nearly as safe.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ provides the same kind of protection.  When we live by it's teachings, we are protected.  When we venture outside and make poor choices, we are in danger.  We need to be vigilant and always strive to be worthy of the blessings that come from living the gospel.  When we go to church on Sunday or to the temple we are protected because we are in safe, sacred places.  We should strive to make our homes a place where we and our children can feel safe.

* * * * *

* * * * *

Pictures of Rome City Wall

Porta Maggiore - Major door to Rome

Promise based on Obedience

D&C 100:2-8, 15

Therefore, follow me, and listen to the counsel which I shall give unto you.

Behold, and lo, I have much people in this place, in the regions round about; and an effectual door shall be opened in the regions round about [Italy] in this eastern land.

Therefore, I, the Lord, have suffered you to come unto this place; for thus it was expedient in me for the salvation of souls.

Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men;

For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say.

But a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of meekness, in all things.

And I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this the Holy Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye shall say.

Therefore, let your hearts be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly, and to the sanctification of the church.

* * * * *

I have mentioned on my blog before how obedience seems to be a constant stumbling block in our mission.  (It's probably the same in all missions.  We are just more in tune with it in our mission.)   Someone sent me this scripture reference and I think it's perfect.

Here in Italy, we are very sensitive to Satan's attempt to keep the missionaries from being productive.  Rome is getting a temple.  Wow!  Nobody ever really thought that would happen, but it is a reality and daily we see the progress being made on the construction.  On September 15, the Rome Stake is being split into two stakes.  The Lord is preparing for growth in his church.  Undoubtedly, Satan isn't very happy about what is transpiring.  Consequently, he is trying to undermine the work of the missionaries.  In the nearly two months we have been here, we have certainly had our share of medical problems.  None of them have been life threatening; they are just things that keep missionaries from being able to teach about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Ingrown toenails are a constant concern, mainly among the elders.  They tell me they are very painful and they look gross.  We've had foot fungus, pink eye, urinary tract infections, viruses, sprained ankles, arthritis, and a bunch of other things going on.  When missionaries can't go out and teach, it puts two missionaries out of commission because you can't leave your companion.  When you're not busy doing the Lord's work, depression sets in and then that creates a whole new set of problems.  Discouragement is not a good thing.  

It's a constant battle, but one we are willing to wage because in the end victory will be ours.  If we can keep our missionaries healthy and obedient, we will have a powerful mission.  We have a young mission and missionaries are forced to step up and be leaders very early in their missions.  The learning curve is very short.  Many of our new, younger missionaries are leaving home for the first time and going to a strange country with a language most of them thought they knew when they left the MTC but find it's much more difficult when everybody uses words they aren't used to and speak so fast.  Not surprisingly, as the Hastening has begun, missionaries are stepping up and they are wonderful.  Given a little time to make the adjustment, they will be a force to reckon with.

After the Trial comes the Blessing

And so he arose and went to Zarephath.  And when he came to the gate of the city, behold the widow woman was there gathering of sticks; and he called to her, and said, Fetch me I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.

And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse; and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

And Elijah said unto her, Feat not; go and do as thou has said:  but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.  For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, the barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.

And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah:  and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.

And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fall, according to the word of the Lord which he spake by Elijah.

1 Kings 17:10-16

* * * * *

The assistants have taught a segment about this story at every zone conference.  I knew the story and knew the missionaries represented the woman in the story.  I had listened to their adestramento (training) at three different conferences before I picked up on the sentence that said  "and as she was going to fetch it"  

That sentence changed the entire concept of the story for me.  The first sacrifice the woman was asked to do was so simple and didn't really require much of a sacrifice at all.  A cup of water isn't really a big sacrifice.   The sacrifice was the willingness to perform the act of kindness and giving a little time.

It wasn't until after the woman agreed to perform the simple sacrifice and was on her way to fulfill the request that she was asked to perform an even greater sacrifice and given even greater blessings. 

Just like the woman in the scriptures who thought she and her son would die if she gave the loaf of bread to the stranger, and gave it to him anyway, we, too, will be blessed when we sacrifice willingly.  We too will have flour in our barrel and oil in our cruse.

. . . for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.  

Ether 12:6

City on a Hill

Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

Matthew 5:14

* * * * * 

Every time we drive by one of the little cities in Italy that sits on a hill, I think of this scripture.  Italy should really be full of light because almost all the cities had their origin on the top of a hill.  Quite often a castle was built on the top of a hill so enemies couldn't come and attack as easily because the soldiers who were in the watch tower would see the enemies and could stop them before they attacked the village.  Usually a church is located nearby.  Once a village was established, other buildings and homes were built to surround the original structure.  Villages were built from the top down which meant they were built on the side of the hill as close to the top as possible.  It was easier to protect the villagers if they were close by.

Perhaps we should pattern our lives the same way.  We should always look towards the Kingdom of God which is at the top.  Churches are our sanctuary here on earth.  We should always look to God for help and guidance.  If we stay close to God and to the church, we are protected and watched over.

Another way to liken the scripture to our lives is that people are always watching us.  Here in the mission field our anziani (elders) and sorelle (sisters) stand out with their white shirts and modest attire.  People are drawn to them because of the spiritual light that emanates from them.  They carry a message that will save people and help bring them unto the light of Christ.

The villa is located in an area of Rome known as Monte Sacro (Sacred Mountain).  A couple of days ago, one of the sisters called to tell us she had met a woman who lives near the villa and walks by it all the time.  She wanted to know why the villa was different because it always has a good feel about it.  She is scheduled to receive her first lesson.  We have asked that the next lesson be taught in the villa.  We hope our missionaries and the villa provide a light to the world that cannot be hid.