June 10, 2013
Missionary Slim is at a loss for words this week? "Wow" That's really all that I can say is, "Wow" and then 2458 words later... (Week 70 in Pennsylvania, Week 11 in Somerset, PA)
Wow. That's really all that I can say, is Wow. It was an intense week this week, one which certainly will never be forgotten by myself. I had better just jump into things.
I'd better start with a disclaimer. I fear that I might be using this blog as a way of saying "Look at me! I'm so awesome and spiritual." In other words, gratifying my pride. I really hope that is not the case. I am writing this for a purpose like Nephi of old: "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." So, actually, in other words, this blog isn't for you or for me; it's for my kids.
That being said, this week was full of miracles and tender mercies. Monday, we went off to find the last of the lost sheep. We actually got word that we missed an address and needed to check it before we went any further. The member we were looking for was the daughter of another member who we actually made contact with over phone. She told us that she didn't want us to have her address because she didn't want visits. We obliged, but were mildly annoyed because we really wanted to make sure the branch directory was up-to-date.
Anyway, we went to the address of the daughter. A woman, older than we expected, came to the door. "Hi. Is so-and-so there?" "No, she's at work." My mind started going... *Chick*chick*chick...YAHTZEE! This was her mom! We apologized for finding her against her will, but I was thrilled.
We got the chance to be stone masons. There is a less-active family who is very sick. They aren't able to get a whole lot done because they both have osteoporosis and would break if they worked themselves too hard. We had a very open morning, so we decided to go and give them a hand. We helped them put together a rock wall for one of their gardens, and got a return appointment to go and teach them later in the week.
Wednesday, we decided to stop in on a potential investigator who lives just a block from the church. Usually, we never can catch them home, but this time we caught the husband and wife together, and they didn't have anything going on. We went right in and they asked us the question they ask every minister: What do you believe about divorce? The wife was previously married to an abusive man and when she divorced him, her church wouldn't honor it and disfellowshipped her. It's sad, really, because it's kept both of them from getting into church. We talked to them about it, and they were really interested, especially when I accidentally let slip about three degrees of glory with regard to eternal marriage and families. That sort of piqued their interest. We didn't have time to get into the whole discussion, but we certainly laid the ground work for a good relationship.
Saturday was incredible. We got up really early to drive with some missionaries who were staying the night to Harrisburg for a mission conference. But this just wasn't any mission conference. Elder David Bednar was coming to teach and train us. Needless to say, we were stoked.
As a side note, we had a really funny trip there. We picked up some breakfast at a local fast-food chain and as we were leaving the parking lot, I started to say the blessing on the food for everyone. I kept my eyes open for a bit, though, and I'm glad I did because the missionary who was driving was going in the very opposite direction we needed to be going. Mid-prayer, I started saying "Far right lane, Elder. Far right lane." He corrected, and I continued. "Sorry, Father. Elder Griffith needed some direction there..." I must say, I hope that our Father in Heaven has a sense of humor.
Can I say, It was surreal being back in Harrisburg? Today marks one year since I lived east of the Susquehanna, and coming back brought with it a burst of memories. Same goes for seeing every single missionary in the mission all at the same time. Here were people I've served around, people I've gotten really close to, former companions and good friends. That brought back another flood of memories as well. Some of these were people who are going home in a week, some in two full years. I got a lot of updates about the people that I've taught in areas past.
Rebecca, who was baptized in Lebanon 4 weeks after I was transferred, is preparing to go to the temple. It's been almost a year for her, and she apparently has been strong ever since her baptism. Her son, Sam, got baptized too!
Aja in Washington started taking the Church seriously after sisters came in to replace us. (Makes sense... It's just awkward having three twenty year old's and a random member with this single lady) They really hit it off and she's been coming to church regularly and is getting baptized next week!
That was some good news.
I would give detailed notes on the conference, but that would actually go against the whole point of the conference. I'll give a sum up though.
It began weeks ago with three talks which were given to us to read so we would be prepared. (Converted unto the Lord, Ask in Faith, and Seek Learning by Faith). At the conference, we had a song and a prayer and then the three Seventies which were traveling with Elder Bednar were invited to bear testimony. Then Elder Bednar got up and said "Good Morning. Are you ready to work? Good." And he was on a roll. He made the greatest emphasis about how the Spirit would be the only teacher, and that he was only there to facilitate that. He explained how objects are acted upon, but agents act and we are all agents. Therefore, to learn in any way, we must act and not be acted upon. And to teach, we must allow our students to act and not act upon them.
He then said "I promise that not once during this meeting will any of us act upon you in any way." And he was true to his word. He opened it up to us with the question "What did you learn from the talks?" Missionaries stood up and gave their responses, and then he would say "May I ask you a question?" or "May I make an observation?" And of course, the answer was always yes, but he would allow no to be an answer.
We went through the whole gamut of every one of those talks, talking about details and how to apply it to missionary work and our lives.
I give this next part as an example, and not as an exhortation to anyone. This is an Apostle speaking to a very specific audience. This is not meant to be a rebuke of any kind to anyone in any way. I have no intention of sounding holier-than-thou, because I certainly felt convicted as he said these things.
He said things like "We never really pray in faith. Faith is acting in accordance to correct principles. It is a principle of action So, in our meetings, we say 'Bless that those who are not here may be with us next week.' We all say it, but there is no faith in that! You know what would be great to hear? If someone were to pray 'Father, we are truly grateful for the Spirit which has been here. Now, Father, there are some among us who are not here with us today. We love them, Father, so we are going to go and get them NOW. As soon as this meeting is over, myself and all who will will all leave and go to the homes of those who are not here.
"'Now, I'm sure the bishop is getting pretty nervous right now, Lord, and he can pull me from this podium if he wants to, but Father, if he doesn't and if these brothers and sisters here today say Amen then we are all going to go and get them. We won't stick around to plan or prepare, we won't have a committee or a meeting to talk about how we are going to accomplish this. We won't talk about it, we'll do it.
"'Father, we just have one request. As we all go out, please bless us that we will be inspired to not all go to the same house.'"
Wow. That blew my mind.
I was most impressed with how real he was. When you see those 15 men on TV and the internet, they look larger than life. When they are in an intimate setting like that, they are much more expressive. We heard what he really feels about certain things. For example (Again, as example, not exhortation): "In the church, we have a culture which often does not connect with the gospel itself (That was a refreshing bit of candidness). One part of this culture is we come to meetings like this, take out our scriptures and notebooks and pens and pencils and from the first verse to the final 'Amen' take copious notes of ever word which comes from the podium. Then what do we do? We forget what we wrote, and we lose our notebooks. What good did it do us? Nothing! It's stupid!"
Me being a very copious note-taker, I again was convicted in my spirit. But, he followed up with what we should do: "Instead of writing what you hear, write what you feel. Write the promptings the Holy Ghost tells you." Confession: I don't know if it was me or the Holy Ghost, but I did write a substantial amount of what came over that pulpit.
After an hour or so of asking what we learned from the talks, he asked us "I've been following a pattern of gospel learning as we've been discussing. What have you learned from the pattern?" That's right. He was turning our attention to the very meeting itself and inviting us to learn from what we observed.
Following that, we were able to ask questions. Of course, he gave the disclaimer (As all Apostles, do, I'm sure) "Don't go asking frivolous questions like 'Where is the sword of Laban'!" He again followed with what we should do: "If you had pertinent questions you were preparing to ask, forget them. Ask inspired questions given to you by the Spirit remembering who you are asking, what you are asking, and that you may never have the chance to ask again." Those questions were truly inspired. For example: "What can you tell us about your calling and service to the Lord?" "You have three sons. What do you want them to know most of all?" "How do I overcome my pride?" "I feel so inadequate in the service of the Lord." A common answer to all of them was "Find a cheap, paperback copy of the Book of Mormon and look for this phrase:..." He told them to look for things like Heart, Strength of the Lord, Grace, Power, Remember. He didn't answer our questions; he gave us tools to answer them ourselves.
Of course, he did give his own observations, but ultimately, he made us the stars of the show. More importantly, he made the Spirit the star. When we were all done, he had us all come and shake his hand, we went to the back to take a picture, and then that was that.
Some really important things I took away from this:
I am nothing. My job is to invite the Spirit, tell the investigator how to pick up that Spirit, and get out of the way. If I am making myself the center of attention through teaching methods, etc. then I am practicing priestcraft, and must repent.
The key to enduring to the end is remembering. We remember our covenants, our spiritual experiences, the miracles in our lives. Most important, we remember Him.
There is a disconnect between the culture of the Church and the true gospel. We can find the discrepancies as we pray, humble ourselves, feast upon the word, and act in faith.
I am an agent. No person is an object.
I must do everything I do with the intention to act upon it. I must pray in faith, feast upon the word in faith, worship in the church or temple in faith, etc.
If you've been reading this whole time, kudos to you. It's not over yet.
Sunday, we showed up for church. Since the branch is so small, and Elder Swanson and I are both pretty decent singers, we were enlisted into the branch choir the first Sunday we were here. Elder Swanson and I were singing this past Sunday when a sister came in. "Some of your people are out here." We had no clue who it could be. We went over to the foyer and there were Ray and Jamie, a less-active brother and sister, coming to church for the first time in years. We met them the past week at the food pantry (that place is a goldmine for finding less-active members) and they promised us to come to church. Against all expectation, they actually came! I was thrilled. We had an excellent sacrament meeting, and then set up and appointment to come over after church.
When we went over, we met Amber, Ray's fiancee. She was incredibly nice. She had no idea who the Mormons are, so she was ridiculously open and interested. It was obvious that for all three of them, their knowledge of the gospel was pretty low, but their desire to learn was very high. All three of them just soaked in what we were saying. Jamie talked about her baptism ten years ago, and how she felt so clean afterwards. At the end of our visit, Amber told us how she really enjoyed it and was looking forward to the coming week. I was thrilled. Seriously, I was on cloud nine for the rest of the day!
It's been an awesome week, as I said. And it still has been an incredible ride. The culture here in PA is something apart from everything else, but is so welcoming. Like a member aptly said "Pennsylvania: We're a porch-sitting kind of people."
Love,
Elder Alex Anderson, AKA Missionary Slim
I'd better start with a disclaimer. I fear that I might be using this blog as a way of saying "Look at me! I'm so awesome and spiritual." In other words, gratifying my pride. I really hope that is not the case. I am writing this for a purpose like Nephi of old: "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." So, actually, in other words, this blog isn't for you or for me; it's for my kids.
That being said, this week was full of miracles and tender mercies. Monday, we went off to find the last of the lost sheep. We actually got word that we missed an address and needed to check it before we went any further. The member we were looking for was the daughter of another member who we actually made contact with over phone. She told us that she didn't want us to have her address because she didn't want visits. We obliged, but were mildly annoyed because we really wanted to make sure the branch directory was up-to-date.
Anyway, we went to the address of the daughter. A woman, older than we expected, came to the door. "Hi. Is so-and-so there?" "No, she's at work." My mind started going... *Chick*chick*chick...YAHTZEE! This was her mom! We apologized for finding her against her will, but I was thrilled.
We got the chance to be stone masons. There is a less-active family who is very sick. They aren't able to get a whole lot done because they both have osteoporosis and would break if they worked themselves too hard. We had a very open morning, so we decided to go and give them a hand. We helped them put together a rock wall for one of their gardens, and got a return appointment to go and teach them later in the week.
Wednesday, we decided to stop in on a potential investigator who lives just a block from the church. Usually, we never can catch them home, but this time we caught the husband and wife together, and they didn't have anything going on. We went right in and they asked us the question they ask every minister: What do you believe about divorce? The wife was previously married to an abusive man and when she divorced him, her church wouldn't honor it and disfellowshipped her. It's sad, really, because it's kept both of them from getting into church. We talked to them about it, and they were really interested, especially when I accidentally let slip about three degrees of glory with regard to eternal marriage and families. That sort of piqued their interest. We didn't have time to get into the whole discussion, but we certainly laid the ground work for a good relationship.
Saturday was incredible. We got up really early to drive with some missionaries who were staying the night to Harrisburg for a mission conference. But this just wasn't any mission conference. Elder David Bednar was coming to teach and train us. Needless to say, we were stoked.
As a side note, we had a really funny trip there. We picked up some breakfast at a local fast-food chain and as we were leaving the parking lot, I started to say the blessing on the food for everyone. I kept my eyes open for a bit, though, and I'm glad I did because the missionary who was driving was going in the very opposite direction we needed to be going. Mid-prayer, I started saying "Far right lane, Elder. Far right lane." He corrected, and I continued. "Sorry, Father. Elder Griffith needed some direction there..." I must say, I hope that our Father in Heaven has a sense of humor.
Can I say, It was surreal being back in Harrisburg? Today marks one year since I lived east of the Susquehanna, and coming back brought with it a burst of memories. Same goes for seeing every single missionary in the mission all at the same time. Here were people I've served around, people I've gotten really close to, former companions and good friends. That brought back another flood of memories as well. Some of these were people who are going home in a week, some in two full years. I got a lot of updates about the people that I've taught in areas past.
Rebecca, who was baptized in Lebanon 4 weeks after I was transferred, is preparing to go to the temple. It's been almost a year for her, and she apparently has been strong ever since her baptism. Her son, Sam, got baptized too!
Aja in Washington started taking the Church seriously after sisters came in to replace us. (Makes sense... It's just awkward having three twenty year old's and a random member with this single lady) They really hit it off and she's been coming to church regularly and is getting baptized next week!
That was some good news.
I would give detailed notes on the conference, but that would actually go against the whole point of the conference. I'll give a sum up though.
It began weeks ago with three talks which were given to us to read so we would be prepared. (Converted unto the Lord, Ask in Faith, and Seek Learning by Faith). At the conference, we had a song and a prayer and then the three Seventies which were traveling with Elder Bednar were invited to bear testimony. Then Elder Bednar got up and said "Good Morning. Are you ready to work? Good." And he was on a roll. He made the greatest emphasis about how the Spirit would be the only teacher, and that he was only there to facilitate that. He explained how objects are acted upon, but agents act and we are all agents. Therefore, to learn in any way, we must act and not be acted upon. And to teach, we must allow our students to act and not act upon them.
He then said "I promise that not once during this meeting will any of us act upon you in any way." And he was true to his word. He opened it up to us with the question "What did you learn from the talks?" Missionaries stood up and gave their responses, and then he would say "May I ask you a question?" or "May I make an observation?" And of course, the answer was always yes, but he would allow no to be an answer.
We went through the whole gamut of every one of those talks, talking about details and how to apply it to missionary work and our lives.
I give this next part as an example, and not as an exhortation to anyone. This is an Apostle speaking to a very specific audience. This is not meant to be a rebuke of any kind to anyone in any way. I have no intention of sounding holier-than-thou, because I certainly felt convicted as he said these things.
He said things like "We never really pray in faith. Faith is acting in accordance to correct principles. It is a principle of action So, in our meetings, we say 'Bless that those who are not here may be with us next week.' We all say it, but there is no faith in that! You know what would be great to hear? If someone were to pray 'Father, we are truly grateful for the Spirit which has been here. Now, Father, there are some among us who are not here with us today. We love them, Father, so we are going to go and get them NOW. As soon as this meeting is over, myself and all who will will all leave and go to the homes of those who are not here.
"'Now, I'm sure the bishop is getting pretty nervous right now, Lord, and he can pull me from this podium if he wants to, but Father, if he doesn't and if these brothers and sisters here today say Amen then we are all going to go and get them. We won't stick around to plan or prepare, we won't have a committee or a meeting to talk about how we are going to accomplish this. We won't talk about it, we'll do it.
"'Father, we just have one request. As we all go out, please bless us that we will be inspired to not all go to the same house.'"
Wow. That blew my mind.
I was most impressed with how real he was. When you see those 15 men on TV and the internet, they look larger than life. When they are in an intimate setting like that, they are much more expressive. We heard what he really feels about certain things. For example (Again, as example, not exhortation): "In the church, we have a culture which often does not connect with the gospel itself (That was a refreshing bit of candidness). One part of this culture is we come to meetings like this, take out our scriptures and notebooks and pens and pencils and from the first verse to the final 'Amen' take copious notes of ever word which comes from the podium. Then what do we do? We forget what we wrote, and we lose our notebooks. What good did it do us? Nothing! It's stupid!"
Me being a very copious note-taker, I again was convicted in my spirit. But, he followed up with what we should do: "Instead of writing what you hear, write what you feel. Write the promptings the Holy Ghost tells you." Confession: I don't know if it was me or the Holy Ghost, but I did write a substantial amount of what came over that pulpit.
After an hour or so of asking what we learned from the talks, he asked us "I've been following a pattern of gospel learning as we've been discussing. What have you learned from the pattern?" That's right. He was turning our attention to the very meeting itself and inviting us to learn from what we observed.
Following that, we were able to ask questions. Of course, he gave the disclaimer (As all Apostles, do, I'm sure) "Don't go asking frivolous questions like 'Where is the sword of Laban'!" He again followed with what we should do: "If you had pertinent questions you were preparing to ask, forget them. Ask inspired questions given to you by the Spirit remembering who you are asking, what you are asking, and that you may never have the chance to ask again." Those questions were truly inspired. For example: "What can you tell us about your calling and service to the Lord?" "You have three sons. What do you want them to know most of all?" "How do I overcome my pride?" "I feel so inadequate in the service of the Lord." A common answer to all of them was "Find a cheap, paperback copy of the Book of Mormon and look for this phrase:..." He told them to look for things like Heart, Strength of the Lord, Grace, Power, Remember. He didn't answer our questions; he gave us tools to answer them ourselves.
Of course, he did give his own observations, but ultimately, he made us the stars of the show. More importantly, he made the Spirit the star. When we were all done, he had us all come and shake his hand, we went to the back to take a picture, and then that was that.
Some really important things I took away from this:
I am nothing. My job is to invite the Spirit, tell the investigator how to pick up that Spirit, and get out of the way. If I am making myself the center of attention through teaching methods, etc. then I am practicing priestcraft, and must repent.
The key to enduring to the end is remembering. We remember our covenants, our spiritual experiences, the miracles in our lives. Most important, we remember Him.
There is a disconnect between the culture of the Church and the true gospel. We can find the discrepancies as we pray, humble ourselves, feast upon the word, and act in faith.
I am an agent. No person is an object.
I must do everything I do with the intention to act upon it. I must pray in faith, feast upon the word in faith, worship in the church or temple in faith, etc.
If you've been reading this whole time, kudos to you. It's not over yet.
Sunday, we showed up for church. Since the branch is so small, and Elder Swanson and I are both pretty decent singers, we were enlisted into the branch choir the first Sunday we were here. Elder Swanson and I were singing this past Sunday when a sister came in. "Some of your people are out here." We had no clue who it could be. We went over to the foyer and there were Ray and Jamie, a less-active brother and sister, coming to church for the first time in years. We met them the past week at the food pantry (that place is a goldmine for finding less-active members) and they promised us to come to church. Against all expectation, they actually came! I was thrilled. We had an excellent sacrament meeting, and then set up and appointment to come over after church.
When we went over, we met Amber, Ray's fiancee. She was incredibly nice. She had no idea who the Mormons are, so she was ridiculously open and interested. It was obvious that for all three of them, their knowledge of the gospel was pretty low, but their desire to learn was very high. All three of them just soaked in what we were saying. Jamie talked about her baptism ten years ago, and how she felt so clean afterwards. At the end of our visit, Amber told us how she really enjoyed it and was looking forward to the coming week. I was thrilled. Seriously, I was on cloud nine for the rest of the day!
It's been an awesome week, as I said. And it still has been an incredible ride. The culture here in PA is something apart from everything else, but is so welcoming. Like a member aptly said "Pennsylvania: We're a porch-sitting kind of people."
Love,
Elder Alex Anderson, AKA Missionary Slim
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