Study, pray, and listen "There's no greater way to learn the book of Mormon"

I just have to say that I love the book of Mormon, through it, we learn the doctirines of christ, it gives us stories of saints that lived good and faithful lives a long time ago. It gives us stories of battles that ensued from unrighteous action, and warns us against sinning, tells us what we must do to gain eternal life.

I think tho, one of the best features of the book of Mormon, is that it gives us guidance through this life, and its difficult times. As a missionary in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints, its a struggle every day. Weather its to wake up in the morning and get out of bed on time, or trying to teach an investigator, who is just not getting a concept, even tho you try, and you try to get them to understand. But its not our timming, its the lords timming.

The book of Mormon, if we will let it, allows us to gain a closer relationship with the Father, and through this relationship, we can help others to see what kind of love they can feel, if they're just willing to listen! It is my prayer that all of us will, study the book of Mormon, Pray about its precepts, and then listen to god for the answer. Don't take my word for it, prove the book for its self, get on your knees and pray. Test its metal as it were. I know you can recieve an answer. and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen!

A study of culture, verses a study of words!

In my studies of the bible, and the book of Mormon; i've pondered on the many words of scriptures and I realized a fatal flaw in the designs! I had been trying to understand the Bible from the point of view, or an ancient isrealite, who merely wrote in english! As I pondered on these things, I tried to think about all the things I had learned about the ancient isrealites! As I reflected on their culture, and how they would have understood the passage, or even how they would have written it, if they were writting the same thing, but in our cultural languge. The conclusion I came up with, was that they would have written it much differently had they been writting it for our time.


For example in the book of proverbs proverbs 28:26 Now in the english culture, the heart represents the center of emotion, and feeling. So, when I first read that scripture, I wasn't quite sure what they were trying to say. But lets take a closer look at this statement shall we? In the hebrew culture, well in any of the cultures, known more formally as the semetic culture, the heart is the center of thought or intellegence. (This would explain why the heart of the pharoh was preserved, while the brain was considred worthless, and typically tossed out). So, as we examine this scripture, to an ancient israelite, a more litteral translation, would be; "He that trusteth in his own intellegence, and mind is foolish". Which kind of makes the second half of that statement, make a little more sense! But whoso walketh wisely, shall be delivered"!

So, as I pondered on these things, I realized, that; in order to gain a more literal translation of whats found in these passages of scripture is, one would need to study the culture; in addition to the languge, in order to understand what was really being said. After all, inherent in every languge/culture, you will find small statements, that will not mean much to someone else; but through such minute statements, I like to call "Micro communication", you can communicate, threats, statements of love, Joy, or anything else that you might want to communicate to another person. The same is found in the bible; through out, you will find words, and phrazes uncommon to us, but completely natural, and common to the ancient children of israel.

So, the next time you study your scriptures, and you don't quite understand what is meant in them, or even if you think you know what is being said in them, ask god what it means! chances are, the cultures are completely different, and so the meaning has changed as it tries to cross the languge barrier. Try asking yourself, the 5 main questions that every writer has to ask themselves when writing a story, "Who wrote it"?, "What were they writing it for"?, "Where was it written"?, "Why did they write it"?, and "how does it apply"? As you do these things, the bible scriptures, I promise you, that this coupled with prayer, will open a light unto your feet, and the pathway through the scriptures will open unto you! The path will be iluminated before you, and you will never walk alone through the scirptures again!

I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Lessons learned from a good friend, and fellow missionary; sister vaterlaus!

So; as many missionaries may know, one of our beloved sisters, sister vaterlaus is going home. I thought I would write in honor of her, and the lessons I have learned from her. I think one of my fondest memories, is back when I was still quite a young and tender missionary. I was serving with one of the top 3 most patient elders in the world; he did a lot for me. Now, for people who know me, i'm not really that great with social interactions of any kind; Sometimes I walk away from the whole conversation I just had with someone, going, wow, you are a complete an utter idiot. Not to mention, there are a lot of thoughts, and ideas that fly about the mission about me, that may or may not be truthful; but they make it less then ideal to associate with me at all! Like i'm talking, you talk to me; it sounds like you should probably be shunned! No, i'm just kidding, but it is really hard to talk to me. Because even the things that are true, make it less then pleasent to talk to me. I'm not denying that. I'm working on it, I haven't discovered the secret, or formula to talking to people about situations.

Well, so any way, one day; we're at a kick ball game in honor of all the leaving missionaries. I've ofcourse was being my typical self, trying to be goofy, and funny, and most people probably just thought I was being annoying. But, someone told sister vaterlaus that I knew martial arts, infact, I think it was our very own Elder Nevil that told her that. But either way, she actually asked me to show her some martial arts. Which I did, which was different for me, because most people when they hear I do martial arts, typically think that either that means they should be intmidated, or that I want them to feel uncomfortable around me. That is not true at all! I love people, i'm just really, horribly, nerdy, and socially akward! But any way, so back to the story, she actually started a conversation with me about my skills, then latter after all that, she actually showed me one of her talents; YOGA! I mean, this is the first person, aside from the people that know me rather closely, that has been willing to talk to me, or even try to get to know me. I was astounded at her courage in talking to me, one of, atleast I consider myself, to be one of the most illapproachable missnionaries in this mission.


Then at a later time, we were taking some investigators up to see the sites, I was with a different companion at that time, he's awsome! But, while there, I guess, she got it into her head that she had offended me up there or something. Now, most missionaries would naturally decide that its not worth their time, that they should just ignore the offended, or wounded person and walk away! But low and behold, the next day, when she had time, she went throught he trouble to write me a text, appologizing for what she thought she had done! I was astounded at how, loving, and kind this young woman really was! I learned alot from her, I really have; I learned not only is it ok to talk to people that you think may be a pain in the butt, but also that you should always be willing to swallow your vain and selfish pride, and just appologize to someone, even if you think they're a total bonehead and that they deserve a rebuking and not an appology! I mean, when you go into a situation to appologize, sometimes, i've been guilty of this too, but sometimes we go in there; with the thought that this person is upset because they lack the understanding, and that in reality, they realy just need us to teach them of our ways, and convince them that you are right and they are wrong! I've done that, and, it almost never works out! If you go in there with that attitude, of, they can learn something from me, you usually go in and make the wound bigger; sometimes even foolishly reopening a wound that had healed on its own. But this sister, made it aboslutely clear, that she was sorry if she had offended me, and that she was not expecting me to learn something from her, but she was "On the errand of angels" and was going to "Bind up the broken hearted"! She took the time to bind up the broken hear that I might of had! But, rather then going in there with accusations, or sharp rebukes for some way that I could have been stupid; she said that "She was sorry if she was mean". The impression left upon my heart, was so deep, that I actually started doing it with my companion; and you know something? It actually works! It actually makes you feel 100% better, even if you don't consider it to be your fault, you appologize, and then you explain why you did it, and how you felt; I learned that, if you just go in there with no other object then to bind up their broken heart, then you will accomplish the goal! rarely if ever should you go in with the idea of, I will rebuke them, and they will learn wisdom from me! She has taught me so much, and as I've applied it, i've become a better missionary for it. Sister vaterlaus, we love you, and we think your the greatest! Hey, and thanks for all you've taught me, I have learned to become a greater missionary then I ever would have had I not met you!

We'll miss you here in the New York Rochester Mission, but you go home and be as great of a missionary as you can be, and like we all know that you are capable of being! I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love thy neighbor as thy self!

As a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we are encourage do as Jesus Christ commanded his disciples to do, "Love thy neighbor as thy self" and "Have love one to another"! Living as a missionary isn't always the easiest thing! As a missionary, we have what we call "tracting", a translation from missionary speak to normal english it roughly translates to, "Going to a door, knocking, introducing yourself and your values as a Latter Day saints, and introduce a message of ultimate happiness. Doing this only to get A.) a door slammed in our face, with some kind of mean comment thrown at us; like, but not limited to, 'I'm sorry we're christian we can't help you', 'Your going to hell', and any such nasty things the human mind can invent. Or B.)Someone could ask us to share the message with them, but they may just say they already believe in christ after we share it, or they may do it to simply fight with us". Yes thats a long deffinition; but its how it works.

So one might ask themselves two questions; "why the heck would you do something like that"; and "how do you keep going despite all that". the simple answer can be found in the reason why we're out here. in John 13:34 From this scripture it is made abundantly clear, that we are not just obligated to love one another, but its a commandment. one of the ways that i'm able to do what I do as a missionary, is simple; I love everyone that I come in contact with. I want all to hear this message that I've recieved that has brightened my life and given me such happiness.

Now, love for my neighbor is not all that motivates me to keep moving. Now yes, love is one of the most important things in the work; but a love of God is a bigger reason for me being out here. I love my Heavenly Father, and I know that the only thing he wants for me, is my eternal happiness, and the eternal happiness of all his children. In D&C 4 This scripture sets forth the doctirines that every missionary should remember when they step out in to the world to perform this labor of love.

Now these two loves by themselves should, and indeed is enough for me to go out into the world and put that name tag on, introducing myself, and the message I bear as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ; But I like to take it a bit further. I go out there into the world each day, because I know with absolute certainty, independent from anyone else, that this church is true; that Jesus is the Christ, and that he and our Father in Heaven live and love us to the end. I know, that with out a shadow of a doubt that our Savior, and redeemer lives, I know that this work is true. The fact is, that when I go out into the world, and I recieve a door slammed in my face, I laugh at it! Because, I know that this is just prophecy that has been spoken of by the prophets of old, and the prophets of today! When i'm told that I'm not a christian, my solution, to turn right around and sing "I believe in Christ"!

What I like to do, is compare the building of ones testmimony to the investing of money in "low risk" and "High risk" investments. When you put your money into a bank account, the interst increases the money with in over a slow period of time right? conversely, if you put it into stocks, where the investment is much higher risk, it produces large amounts of money faster! When I go out there into the world each day, and I see people throwing insults at me, I just laugh, Because these people not only do not understand my religion, but they also do not understand what they are really doing to me! They think, that by argueing with me, or telling me i'm in a cult, that they can break my testimony down, but the reality is, they're actually building mind up! they're creating an enviorment in which, although i've risked my testimony by sharing it I gain the huge reward of the spirit confirming my witness that the words I speak are true. I just know, that they are really fufilling prophecy, and so therefore, my testimony grows. It is my witness, and my privlige to stand bold, and to stand strong with my brothers and sisters in proclaiming, not what I belive, or that I belive, but that "I Know this church is true, and I know my redeemer and savior lives"! Its my privlige to do this, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Why do we need the book of Mormon?

As a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I'm asked alot of times by friends, family, and yes; the occasional investigator will ask this; what do we need the Book of Mormon for?

I will attempt to answer in simplicity the real extent to which we need the Book of Mormon. Please bear with me as i'm not a perfect teacher, and so therefore do not always say things in the most simple of ways.

Now, for those of you who have questioned sincerely what do I need with the book of Mormon, one need look no further then Isaiah for the answer. In isaiah 6:9-13 As we can see Isaiah a Prophet in the old testament, was commanded to speak in such a way that his speech would be beyond the understanding of any who read his words. Much as was done with many other old testament prophets. A book of mormon prophet named Jacob taught his people plainly as to why this is he states in Jacob 4:14 As we can see from these two scriptures, the bible, although a wonderful source of spiritual enlightenment, and revelations of god. It is written in a language totally foreign to those that deal in plainess. It is, the best place anyone should go, for a record of the beggining of the human family, a book chalked full of the revelations of God to his anceint covenant people. Facts I would never dispute, nor is it my intention to tell you that the Book of Mormon is a better source of learning then the Bible.

However, what I would like to say, is that the book of Mormon, was written by the ancient inhabitants of the america's, for our day! Its predated to 600 BC, durring the time of Jermiah's prophecying. God, specifically instructed the Book of Mormon prophets to write in plainess, as Nephi proclaims, "My soul delighteth in plainess". These prophets words were given, as a way for the lord to reclaim both Jew and Gentile. To give unto the people what they really needed, when they stopped asking for things they could not understand, then he would grant unto them the plainess of his teachings.

Secondly, the Book of Mormon fufills many of the prophecies found in the Bible, to name off a few, but to be short in writting I will only give you the books and some of the reffrences, and will let you look them up if you so wish. Note:I've also included in this post the relevance of the scriptures as well. Ezekiel 37:15-17 The Book of Mormon was written by a group that are of the tribe of Ephraim. Isaiah 29 The book of Mormon is the voice of a people brought down low into the dust, because the ones who wrote the thing experienced anniahlation. Psalms 89 The book of Mormon was a book literally found burried in a hill. "Truth springing up from the ground", and many other prophecies, such as the one found in matthew 13 where christ says that the kingdom of heaven is likened unto the seed of a mustared tree, or a treasure in a field, Leaven which was hidden in three meassures of meal, and a seed that a man sewed ina field. For the Book of Mormon, was litterally sewn in a field of tree's. It was most deffinitely a treasure waiting to be found, (Joseph smith himself giving up all worldly persuits to bring fourth and testify of the Book of Mormon); it gained its strongest support from the leaven, or testimony of three special witnesses who litterally saw the angel moroni, and the plates of which have been spoken. The book was harrold in by the calling of angels, "Birds come to nest in the branches there of" not to mention John in his inspiried writings in the book of Revelations 14 "I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven having the evelasting gospel". As we can see from these and many more prophecies, like the ones in Malachi of the lords words hissing fourth, the book of Mormon is most deffinitely needed in this dispensation. Any one who sincerly questions, and wishes to know of the truthfullness of it for themselves, need look no further, then to ask God the Eternal father, truely desiring the answer of it, through humble and sincere prayer. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Rumors

As a missionary, although you would think it would not be so; I hear a lot of rumors about people, places, things; some good, and some are bad. Sadly, such talk, however harmless it must seem to the user, may infact be a deadly poisoun that destroys the target with blinding speed. as it says in James 3:8-9 from what we can see of this scripture, the tongue is indeed an unruly thing, it is full of deadly poisoun. Many may ask themselves, well is it really cursing man if i'm not really saying anything directly to him? The answer is still yes! Just because you don't say directly to the person what you think of them, when you voice it to others it is just as bad!

Through this evil source, you may find the destruction of whole nations, but not just nations alone, but the individuals that inhabit them. I have found, that more often then not, when you spread a rumor here, or a rumor there, it spreads; and just like a plague of locust swarming in on the crops, they will eventually multiply. The saddest part about it, is that the people effected by such action usually go completely unaware of whats happening untill it grows too late! Sure, they may notice the snickering, or maybe even the people that act so strangely around them, but most of the time they will just brush it aside, as mere coincidence, or maybe they'll begin to think something is wrong with them, losing all hope of recieving the love and respect of their peers! I shouldn't have to remind anyone, that people like sheep or goats are herd animals, they require friendship, love, and the interactions of others to feel complete. To find a good lesson to remember, one need look no further then the churches own history. JS-H 1:1 Rumors began to circulate about our beloved prophet Joseph Smith even from the beggining of the churches devolopment. Due to this fact he was forced to publish this letter known as the wentworth letters to "Disabuse the public mind" as it were, or to silence the rumors that had arisen.

It is sad but it is also true, when an unkind thought it communicated one against another, the the rumor, no matter how harmless it seems, destroys the lives and lively hood of a person. They poisoun the mind, and can damage the reputation of one, who may not even be guilty of the act. Inconclusion, I would exhort you, if you have heard a rumor about someone, ignore it; or tell the person that has told you that although you respect their opinion, but you cannot believe that untill you know it for yourself. Then ask the affected person about themselves, get to know them; you will soon find that the shadows of the cloak of rumors, can only be parted by simple an honest communication. Its truth, it can part any cloak, that may cast darkness upon someone who may or may not be innocent, let us all walk a little closer to the lord. Let us attempt to bind up the broken hearted, not hurt needlesly destroy the already hurt!

Thoughts of a missionary!

So recently, had a chance to listen to many sides of the different groups that exsist, that do proclaim themselves to be, or do hold the title of Christian. I've had a chance to learn, from groups of people that we called Anti's or anti-mormons. They are people that go after missionaries, and members alike. I've recently had a chance to see what some of my own friends have said on the subject of my religion! Now, don't get me wrong this is not to go after them, to chastize anyone, or to be a state deffending our beliefs. But is merely to clear up mis-understandings that have seemed to have taken root inside the minds of many friends who truely do not know what to think. The first misunderstanding I would like to clear up, if I could talk to my friends right now, is the misconception, of the principle of what I do out here as a missionary. To all those who would like to know, its very simple. I "Invite others to come unto christ" the key word being "INVITE"! The term invite, does not mean to force, to endeanvor to prove by virture of intellgence what i'm doing, but to ask people if they would like to participate. This invitation is delivered by the missionaries, and is fufilled when the member prays to god by themselves for a witness that this work is true, and that this church is true! we do not pray with them when they recieve the witness for themselves, we do not use intellegence and whit, to win them over and bring them in. Its god that calls them to this church, that tells them its true. We, might testify unto them of the truthfullness of this church, but the witness that is required for them to enter this church, is the convincing evidence of the holy spirit! As it says in Romans 8:26

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

When an investigator asks for gods help, they recieve the spirits witness of this church! Its not through any intellegence on my part, or the part of any missionary, but the witness of the spirit. As is found in Galatians 5:20-22 " 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Through this witness they recieve the answer to their prayers! They join this church based off the witness given them by the spirit. We do not sit there and watch over their shoulder until they decide that based off the evidences its true, but they pray and recieve the witness! Its not god's way to force, but to invite. Thats what I do, I invite others to come by themselves and recieve greater light and truth, through asking god, and hearing the message, not by listening to me alone! I leave these things unto you in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.