This week was a little on the calmer side. We've been making a huge emphasis on less-actives in the mission, and unfortunately that meant we had to do a lot of work with records this week. Records are really important, as Christ Himself attests to in His visit to the Nephites, but it's so painful when they go unupdated and unused. We've had to put a lot of work into updating them because nobody made the effort to keep them up-to-date. That's been rough, but I know it's the right thing to do. President Morrisse has stated that the main focus of the mission right now is bringing those lost sheep back to the fold; they're all precious.
I've forgotten to mention this the past couple of weeks, but I've reached a new stage in my life: the squid eating stage! I've had it with a few different meals now, and I've adjusted to eating squid. It's actually pretty cool! Definitely rubbery though. The most memorable time was eating a whole baby squid (about the size of a box of tic-tacs). I won't lie, I was definitely thinking, "I can't wait to tell my family this," as I chewed and chewed and chewed and chewed.
Something that was impressed on my mind earlier was the importance of keeping a journal. I know they're important, but I realized, looking back over my almost-full journal, starting on the day of my ordination, covering the entirety of my stay in the mtc and my first two transfers, that there are so many moments in my life that I've completely forgotten. Those moments in time are gone. I realized that a massive portion of my life is undocumented, unwritten, and will one day be forgotten. That's really rough. But it's strengthened my resolve to keep a good journal, and I invite everybody to do the same! Even just a small bit may prompt back a days memories. The more effort we put into it, the greater our reward will be. Promise.
Another thing I learned a lot about this week is "peace." One thing I learned was that peace comes from people understanding each other. The more we truly understand each other, the more willing we'll be to make sacrifices for each other, and the more horrific conflict will seem. We will be able to love others more deeply as we understand them more fully. This conclusion is stated in 4 Nephi 1:15, during the golden era of Nephite history: "And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people." The love of God will enable us to see things as they truly are: we will see other humans as God's children, our brothers and sisters; contention will be seen as selfishness, because ultimately it is selfishness that spawns all contention, as it was Satan's selfishness that caused war in heaven, where contention was birthed; and we will establish peace, because we will love each other, and would rather sacrifice for each other than take advantage of one another. The love of God -- Charity -- changes people. It changes their desires, and it changes their outlooks. This change is necessary. James E. Talmage taught that any attempt to establish peace will be futile so long as human selfishness remains; the gospel of Jesus Christ takes that selfishness out of us. The gospel is the true road to peace, more than de-arming, more than treaties and papers, more than reforms and laws.
I know this was really short this week, but this week wasn't to eventful!
Love,
Elder Austin Lynn
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