Weekly Letter #85
My dear brothers and sisters,
I'm just happy to say, that every week over here is better. Every day I am seeing a little bit more of what I expect of our work. I want this side of Guatemala to have a well established church. If there is anyone who had made covenants with the Lord in Zacapa, I want to remind them of that promise, and encourage them to live it, and find others to encourage them to live it too. If there is anyone who is happy living His Gospel, I want them to work with us, and share their experiences with others. If there is anyone who is not doing their duty, I want them to comply it by doing their part of the work we do. What do I want in the end? I want everyone to be happy living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, helping others to do it too.
What I have been learning a lot about in the mission is the value of making goals and setting plans, and I hope that this is something that all of us can do. And not just make goals just to do things we want, but to do what the Lord wants. I would like to share a Scripture that talks about that:
2 Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men, neither did I build the ship after the manner of men; but I did build it after the manner which the Lord had shown unto me; wherefore, it was not after the manner of men.
3 And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.
4 And it came to pass that after I had finished the ship, according to the word of the Lord, my brethren beheld that it was good, and that the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine; wherefore, they did humble themselves again before the Lord.
What is the ship that we need to build, like Nephi did? We need to build the home we want. We need to build the life we want. Most importantly, we need to build the kind of person we want to be. Why is that the most important? Allow me to share a quote from a talk called the Fourth Missionary.
"Your greatest work: your most important creation is and will ever be you. What kind of person will you become? By this I do not mean what role in life will you take. I don't mean will you be a cowboy, lawyer, surfer, homemaker, engineer, computer programmer, accountant or the like. I do not refer to what kind of car you will drive; what kind of clothes you will wear; what kind of house you will live in; what kind of spouse you will marry or what kind of family will you raise. I mean, when all of that is removed and there you stand alone, who will you be? I mean, you.
"What personality will you have; what strengths; what knowledge; what character; what emotional state; what presence; what qualities; what virtues? What will you look like? What will you sound like? What will it be like to be around you? Who will you be?"
I would encourage all of you, if you haven't already, to make goals that are relevant to all aspects of your life. Your home, your career, your hobbies, your family, but most importantly, you.
In the end, Jesus Christ died for you. He, being the Only One who is blameless and perfect and most obedient and most happy, suffered the penalty for all our faults, and thereby taking away all of the guilt of the sins for those of which we repent. That is the great message of the Gospel. It is learning to be like the Blameless to be free of blame; to be like the Sinless to be free of sin; to be like the Jovial, who is free of sorrow. He has goals and plans for you, so that He can make you more than you can ever dream to be -- a God, if you desire. But the question is: Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you believe He has a plan for you? Are you willing to listen to His prophets so that their words might help you learn what He wants you to do? And are you willing to change your life so that you can be like Him?
My brothers and sisters, I have never been more focused on His work. Granted, I am still somewhat distracted sometimes, and I make jokes, and I play some piano in select moments, but I am more concerned with the welfare of others, and I use my gifts which otherwise might distract me, to be a light in the life of those whom I serve. I am constantly trying to cheer my companion up in his afflictions, as he is going through some bad health. I joke around with my missionaries to help them feel relaxed and not stressed as they do the Lord's work, trying to see it more from His eyes, because I believe that the Savior has a sense of humor. I try to get along with the members, and to bless our investigators. I correct others in a constructive and firm manner, reminding them of what they know is true, so that they can feel the Savior's love and feel edified to do the right thing. I am having a lot of fun on my mission, and don't get me wrong because it doesn't transmit well through the usual tone of voice in my letters, but it is fun to do His work. It is the best way of life, because I can laugh perfectly free of remorse of conscience. I hope anyone could feel that way. It is made possible only by way of sacred promises we make with the Lord and that He makes with us.
Have a wonderful week, and remember to count your blessings. I love you all. :)
Elder Dredge
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