Sunday, May 10, 2015

3 - 9 MAY 2015
      This week has been a pretty normal week, so, I want to focus more on our work with missionaries. I am understanding more that this work is not a work I can do by my own abilities. When I become a little independent and slacken my reliance on the Lord, I find that my counsel to missionaries is not as clear or on target. I am usually at my office around 7 a.m. to give me an hour to read scripture, study conference talks, and to pray--all to get in tune with the Spirit. When I do this and invite the Spirit to come, I find that my mind is clear and thoughts of ideas, insights, and discernment flow into me.
     These are remarkable young elders and sisters. They are ambassadors of the Savior sent into Europe to teach, warn, and invite all people to come unto Christ. They want to do well. They have a great desire to serve. Some of them do get depressed or stressed because they are young or struggle with emotional maladies. Sometimes they don't fully recognize who they are and who they represent. They feel they must do it on their own merits and developed unrealistic capacities. Some are perfectionists and place on themselves unrealistic expectations and demands. They can get discouraged, stressed, and even hopeless, at times.
     We have the happy task of lifting and strengthening them so they can be effective. One of the important lessons for them to learn is to place full faith and confidence in the Lord and his strength, and not stress about their own abilities. President Monson has promised that "whom the Lord calls the Lord qualifies." He will make his missionaries strong if they will rely upon Him.This is his work and glory, and He is able to do his own work (2 Nephi 27:20). We are privileged to assist if we have the desire (Doctrine and Covenants 4:3). This is not about the missionary's abilities, this is about His
Swan nesting in Lieden, Belgium
abilities. He uses the weak and simple things to confound the great and wise people and institutions of this earth. All a missionary has to do is show up each morning at the field ready to work with his sickle sharp. The Spirit will help them find, teach, and will convert those who are willing to listen by the Spirit. This removes a lot of pressure from the missionary to know that the success of this work depends solely upon their own capacities, and that he or she doesn't have to be perfect in the language or in teaching abilities. All they have to do is live so they have the Spirit with them, and be willing to follow the Spirit's promptings. I use this concept perhaps four or five times a day in talking with missionaries.
     This work is true. The full truth that was lost through ages of apostasy has been restored through revelation from Heaven. The great churches of the earth, although they do great good, do not have the full restored truth or the authority to administer in the saving ordinances decreed by God for the salvation of mankind. This restored truth is threshing out all other religions, thoughts, and creeds and sifting out those who are humble and willing to hear by the power of the Spirit. Truth is sweeping the earth like a flood of more than 80,000 missionaries who teach the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The priesthood authority with its attendant keys, once lost by apostasy, is back firmly in the hands of living prophets, seers, and revelators called of God to complete the work of the gathering in this last dispensation of time. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who publish glad tidings of peace. We love this work!
Elaine takes on the cone

Trees along Jean Monette Strasse Frankfurt

Wall of Quotes in My Office

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