Week 22 - Study Week

It's been a bit of a slow week as the Uni students start to seriously prepare for the coming finals, but this week has taught me a lot about concentrating on the work and planning even if it seems slow. I've been able to try different ideas in the area and see how they can add to our ability to work.

This week was our ward's primary presentation. I'm not sure why, but it was just a great spiritual experience. Hearing the testimonies and singing of the children made last Sunday one to remember. There certainly is a reason that the Savior said that children (and those with child-like qualities) are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. This week in personal study, I learned a bit more about those qualities. I was reading in Colossians 3:12-17, which lead me to Mosiah 3:19. Both of these scriptures talk about becoming a new person through Christ's atonement and changing oneself to become more like him. Of course, these verses eventually lead to our mission's theme (D&C 121:33-46) and it's call to have faith and charity, as well as many of the attributes listed in the other scriptures, in all we do. I've learned a lot about being child-like this week, and the children of the ward have helped me to understand how to apply it to myself.

We've had the chance to meet with Zane a couple of times this week to talk about the Restoration. The spirit was strong as we talked about the first vision and the Book of Mormon, and I know he could feel it too. After reading through the last two paragraphs of the introduction with him, we invited him to read the book. Then something happened that I hadn't seen yet: He asked us if it would be okay if he read Moroni 10: 3-5 (referenced in the introduction) before our next meeting. Of course, there was no way we were going to say no, so we agreed to talk about that scripture at our next meeting. The Holy Ghost can certainly give people great desire to do what's right. Having His help is absolutely essential.

Since I've come here, I've learned that with consecration, sanctification, and supplication, anything is possible. This doesn't apply only to missionary work. In life, with true dedication to a good cause, miracles can happen everywhere when you trust in God. That is a lesson that will stay with me for a long time.

Last week in our reading of the Book of Mormon, we read 1 Nephi 6-10. Lehi's vision of the tree of life is such a great metaphor for life. Though we face adversity, trials, and problems, if we hold to the "iron rod" we can make it through anything.

This week, we are going to read 1 Nephi 11-15. These chapters contain Nephi's account of seeing the same vision as Lehi. They go into a bit more depth and contain prophecies about the future of the American continent. You'll read about Columbus, the revolutionary war, the Bible and it's relationship with the Book of Mormon, and lots of other things. I read through them this morning, and I think that everyone will enjoy this week. Good luck!

Love,

Elder Clark