28 April 2020: The Standard of Truth
Hola todos!
Unfortunately the family we have also been teaching in the South Valley Ranch Ward decided that they were going to take a more familiar path for them and discontinue learning with us, which means that they will not be getting baptized on May 9. That was disappointing, because we have grown to love them, and they love us, and said they would miss us, and it would be weird not talking to them. That was a little bizarre, but everyone has their own agency.
Yesterday we had a virtual zone conference over Zoom, and it was so cool to see how the technology really worked well enough for it still to be a spiritual experience. I bore my departing testimony, and didn't really get choked up, which was a plus. I think not being there in person took a bit of the edge off, but President Youngblood trained us on how we have two wolves inside of us, one good and one bad. The good one represents essentially a good attitude, gratitude, peace and joy through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The bad wolf represents the negative emotions we experience that can sometimes overtake us. But the wolf that will always win, is the one we feed. So I am deciding to feed the good wolf and starve the bad wolf. It has helped me look back on my mission with so much more happiness and peace, instead of beating myself up for things I could have done better. I know that Jesus Christ and His Atonement make it possible for us to feel that joy.
I have seen a lot of miracles this week. Anyone who says "Oh those poor missionaries, they aren't able to do anything" no offense at all, but that is completely not true. I have seen the Standard of truth come to life within my apartment. The Standard of truth is a prophecy that the Prophet Joseph Smith gave shortly before his martyrdom. Here it is:
“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; … the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”
The work of the Lord is still progressing even within the walls of a tiny missionary apartment in Henderson, Nevada. Last night, we saw an incredible, unprecedented miracle happen when our neighbor, a young lady who we have been texting back and forth with after she had originally texted us asking to be taught. At the beginning of my mission, I literally would not have believed it to be possible to invite someone to make the covenant of baptism over Facebook messaging, but yesterday, it happen. Cheyenne accepted a baptismal invitation last night over text. She will be baptized on June 13. I felt the Spirit guide us to do it even over TEXTING!! That was amazing.
Unfortunately the family we have also been teaching in the South Valley Ranch Ward decided that they were going to take a more familiar path for them and discontinue learning with us, which means that they will not be getting baptized on May 9. That was disappointing, because we have grown to love them, and they love us, and said they would miss us, and it would be weird not talking to them. That was a little bizarre, but everyone has their own agency.
We had a lesson with Hno Zarate on Wednesday and it was super cool. He expressed some stress that he has been experiencing recently, so we read in Mosiah 4:27 with him, which says
"And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order."
When he read that, he said"wow that's exactly what I needed" that was an awesome thing to see. He said that he was going to print that one out and put it on his desk at work. It was awesome to see the Book of Mormon so profoundly impact him like that. I know that the Book of Mormon has that power.
On Tuesday we had a phone lesson with this nice man we have been teaching named Robert. He has been making a lot of progress, and we asked him "Robert, if these things are true, what would that mean to you"
"Well I'd probably move to Salt Lake!"
"Oh cool."
We didn't expect that answer, ha ha! But we did invite him to be baptized, and he accepted. He accepted and he is super excited for that. He will be baptized on June 6th! He also received a priesthood blessing yesterday to help him overcome some things he has been struggling with. Again, the work of the Lord cannot and will not be halted. Heavenly Father wants His children to eventually come home, so He is going to do everything He can to make it happen.
Yesterday we had a virtual zone conference over Zoom, and it was so cool to see how the technology really worked well enough for it still to be a spiritual experience. I bore my departing testimony, and didn't really get choked up, which was a plus. I think not being there in person took a bit of the edge off, but President Youngblood trained us on how we have two wolves inside of us, one good and one bad. The good one represents essentially a good attitude, gratitude, peace and joy through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The bad wolf represents the negative emotions we experience that can sometimes overtake us. But the wolf that will always win, is the one we feed. So I am deciding to feed the good wolf and starve the bad wolf. It has helped me look back on my mission with so much more happiness and peace, instead of beating myself up for things I could have done better. I know that Jesus Christ and His Atonement make it possible for us to feel that joy.
Have a great week!
Elder Lovell
Pics
- Our success making chicken cheese steaks, brushing off my cooking skills from Raub's Twin Kiss
- I got thirsty during my follow up call with my zone leader ha ha
- somebody is killing it with kindness in our complex's mail area
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