3/5/2015 Weekly Letter
First off, here's my talk from last week. Mentally, I titled it "The Culture of Gods."
Because last week was Sollar (Lunar New Year's), I've been thinking quite a lot about culture. I've been especially pondering the concept of accepting a culture. To be a great missionary, one must accept the culture of the people he serves. To achieve that goal, Preach My Gospel states, "One of the greatest things you can do to gain people's trust and love is to embrace their culture in appropriate ways. Many great missionaries have done so (see 1 Corinthians 9:20-23)." To show my love for the people I Korea, I want to learn about Korean culture. To live happily in Korea, one has to accept the culture.
Just like that, we have to accept God's culture in order to show our love for Him and live with Him again. As a matter of fact, God commanded the ancient Israelites to do this, saying: "Ye shall be holy: for I, the Lord thy God, am holy." (Leviticus 19:2) The risen Christ said this, to the Nephites in America: "Therefore I would that ye should be perfect, even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect." When I look at these verses, it looks like God is commanding "Learn about my culture," to me.
There's a large difference between man's culture and God's culture. Paul said, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14) The natural man can't understand God's culture. God's culture is all about giving, sacrificing, and feeling. Man's culture focuses on seeing and getting. Because of the Fall of Adam, we all begin life as "natural man." The prophet Abinadi taught that natural man is "carnal and devilish, and the devil has power over them; yea, even that old serpent that did beguile our first parents, which was the cause of their fall; which was the cause of all mankind becoming carnal, sensual, devilish, knowing evil from good, subjecting themselves to the devil." From one point of view, we're all kyobo (the Korean word meaning a person of their race, born in a foreign country and raised with their culture). Even though we're God's children, we're born as natural people, and have to learn about His culture. We weren't born with it; we have to find it and accept it. We have to replace mankind's culture with God's. The great king, Benjamin, taught his people that, "the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man, and becometh a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord..."
How can we do this? How can we "yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and put off the natural man?" How can we truly accept God's culture?
This question's answer is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We come to understand and accept God's culture by obedience to its principles and through accepting gospel ordinances.
Among the principles of Jesus Christ's gospel are the principles of enduring to the end and obedience. Enduring to the end means we do our best to be obedient, until the end of our lives. I want to share an analogy about these two principles. Right now I know a bit about Korean culture. I've been a missionary for a year; I've come to know a bit. But, what if, hypothetically, I were to return to America tomorrow? I would stop learning. On the other hand, if I married in Korea, raised a family in Korea, and lived here for the rest of my life, I just might come to understand Korean culture completely. Likewise, in order to accept God's culture we have to be obedient to the gospel throughout our lives. Momentary obedience is insufficient.
It'll take our whole lives, and maybe a bit more, to completely accept God's culture. But, that understanding will come, for the faithful. The Apostle Paul said that, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." As we do our best, our ability will grow larger. As we receive a little, we're given a little more. Our joy becomes full. Our understanding grows deeper. God said the following through the Prophet Joseph Smith: "And no man receiveth a fulness, unless He keepeth his [God's] commandments. He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and is glorified in all things." And again, "That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day."
Lifelong obedience brings incomprehensible blessings to us. If anybody is trapped in a pattern of disobedience, please remember this expression: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. We can always start anew. I testify that Jesus Christ made this possible, through His atoning sacrifice. He is our Savior. In our time, He has restored His gospel through Joseph Smith. I pray that we may all do our best to learn of God, and accept His culture, that we may live with Him again. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Just like that, we have to accept God's culture in order to show our love for Him and live with Him again. As a matter of fact, God commanded the ancient Israelites to do this, saying: "Ye shall be holy: for I, the Lord thy God, am holy." (Leviticus 19:2) The risen Christ said this, to the Nephites in America: "Therefore I would that ye should be perfect, even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect." When I look at these verses, it looks like God is commanding "Learn about my culture," to me.
There's a large difference between man's culture and God's culture. Paul said, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14) The natural man can't understand God's culture. God's culture is all about giving, sacrificing, and feeling. Man's culture focuses on seeing and getting. Because of the Fall of Adam, we all begin life as "natural man." The prophet Abinadi taught that natural man is "carnal and devilish, and the devil has power over them; yea, even that old serpent that did beguile our first parents, which was the cause of their fall; which was the cause of all mankind becoming carnal, sensual, devilish, knowing evil from good, subjecting themselves to the devil." From one point of view, we're all kyobo (the Korean word meaning a person of their race, born in a foreign country and raised with their culture). Even though we're God's children, we're born as natural people, and have to learn about His culture. We weren't born with it; we have to find it and accept it. We have to replace mankind's culture with God's. The great king, Benjamin, taught his people that, "the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man, and becometh a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord..."
How can we do this? How can we "yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and put off the natural man?" How can we truly accept God's culture?
This question's answer is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We come to understand and accept God's culture by obedience to its principles and through accepting gospel ordinances.
Among the principles of Jesus Christ's gospel are the principles of enduring to the end and obedience. Enduring to the end means we do our best to be obedient, until the end of our lives. I want to share an analogy about these two principles. Right now I know a bit about Korean culture. I've been a missionary for a year; I've come to know a bit. But, what if, hypothetically, I were to return to America tomorrow? I would stop learning. On the other hand, if I married in Korea, raised a family in Korea, and lived here for the rest of my life, I just might come to understand Korean culture completely. Likewise, in order to accept God's culture we have to be obedient to the gospel throughout our lives. Momentary obedience is insufficient.
It'll take our whole lives, and maybe a bit more, to completely accept God's culture. But, that understanding will come, for the faithful. The Apostle Paul said that, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." As we do our best, our ability will grow larger. As we receive a little, we're given a little more. Our joy becomes full. Our understanding grows deeper. God said the following through the Prophet Joseph Smith: "And no man receiveth a fulness, unless He keepeth his [God's] commandments. He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and is glorified in all things." And again, "That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day."
Lifelong obedience brings incomprehensible blessings to us. If anybody is trapped in a pattern of disobedience, please remember this expression: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. We can always start anew. I testify that Jesus Christ made this possible, through His atoning sacrifice. He is our Savior. In our time, He has restored His gospel through Joseph Smith. I pray that we may all do our best to learn of God, and accept His culture, that we may live with Him again. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Anyways, this week:
Monday
We hung out with some grandpas at a park near the place we email. They motioned over one of their grandma friends, who they told us, "Gave good sermons!" I almost asked if I could share one, having given a talk the day before. Nobody ended up sermonizing anything, but it was a nice, peaceful talk.
We then traveled to our own little "Central Park" located in the center of the city. We played basketball with some students, and they invited us to come back and play again sometime. We intend to visit them tonight.
Finally, we visited our less-active friend, Bak Jay Hong (박재홍). He hasn't come out to church in over two decades, but he's a wonderful family man. That night, we got pretty real with him. We asked him if it'd be possible for him to get work off on Sunday, and he told us that he didn't think it would be. I shared 1 Nephi 3:7, and testified that God would provide a way for him to keep His commandments. We talked more, and decided that he would need a miracle. In order for him to receive a miracle, we've been sharing a scripture with him everyday, and have been fasting. We really hoped he'd be able to come to church on Sunday, and bring his non-member family.
We hung out with some grandpas at a park near the place we email. They motioned over one of their grandma friends, who they told us, "Gave good sermons!" I almost asked if I could share one, having given a talk the day before. Nobody ended up sermonizing anything, but it was a nice, peaceful talk.
We then traveled to our own little "Central Park" located in the center of the city. We played basketball with some students, and they invited us to come back and play again sometime. We intend to visit them tonight.
Finally, we visited our less-active friend, Bak Jay Hong (박재홍). He hasn't come out to church in over two decades, but he's a wonderful family man. That night, we got pretty real with him. We asked him if it'd be possible for him to get work off on Sunday, and he told us that he didn't think it would be. I shared 1 Nephi 3:7, and testified that God would provide a way for him to keep His commandments. We talked more, and decided that he would need a miracle. In order for him to receive a miracle, we've been sharing a scripture with him everyday, and have been fasting. We really hoped he'd be able to come to church on Sunday, and bring his non-member family.
Tuesday
We fasted today, and tried to visit various potentials. Nothing major happened. We ran into one missionary friend, who called our baker friend and purchased fifteen dollars' worth of bread for us! We would run into her again on Friday. Apparently, her nickname among the Elders is "Cute Hippo." Interesting name for an upper-50s to 60s English teacher.
We fasted today, and tried to visit various potentials. Nothing major happened. We ran into one missionary friend, who called our baker friend and purchased fifteen dollars' worth of bread for us! We would run into her again on Friday. Apparently, her nickname among the Elders is "Cute Hippo." Interesting name for an upper-50s to 60s English teacher.
Wednesday
We had district meeting. There, Sister Pratt shared something she learned from Sister Bradie Johnson, while she was training her. It goes like this: Pick up a Book of Mormon, pray to God, asking a specific question, then flip through the pages until it just "feels right." Then, you open up and start reading until you find your answer. I was skeptical, and decided to put it to the test right then. I asked God how we could find new investigators, then read in 3 Nephi, where Christ tells the Nephites that all things are become new. Uncertain if that was my answer, I asked for a confirmation, like Gideon of old, and flipped through again. This time, I read about a Lamanite army attacking the Nephites and being routed in the same place they'd been defeated a year prior. The message was clear. Time for new techniques, and new ideas!
We also prayed that night to see how many people the Lord has prepared for us to find, teach, and baptize here in Sanbon. I've never done anything like this before, so it was a very.. different experience. Elder Maris and I both received an answer, but decided to wait until the next day to confirm with each other.
We had district meeting. There, Sister Pratt shared something she learned from Sister Bradie Johnson, while she was training her. It goes like this: Pick up a Book of Mormon, pray to God, asking a specific question, then flip through the pages until it just "feels right." Then, you open up and start reading until you find your answer. I was skeptical, and decided to put it to the test right then. I asked God how we could find new investigators, then read in 3 Nephi, where Christ tells the Nephites that all things are become new. Uncertain if that was my answer, I asked for a confirmation, like Gideon of old, and flipped through again. This time, I read about a Lamanite army attacking the Nephites and being routed in the same place they'd been defeated a year prior. The message was clear. Time for new techniques, and new ideas!
We also prayed that night to see how many people the Lord has prepared for us to find, teach, and baptize here in Sanbon. I've never done anything like this before, so it was a very.. different experience. Elder Maris and I both received an answer, but decided to wait until the next day to confirm with each other.
Thursday
Temple day! Had a great time at the temple, then, confirmed with Elder Maris as we prayed in the celestial room. We were both inspired to believe that there are 3 people waiting for us to find them and teach them. Considering how difficult it is for us to find people right now, that'll require some huge miracles, but I'm hopeful. I believe in a God of miracles. Thursday also marked one year of missionary service. Today (Monday) I'll be gathering with the rest of my MTC "class" and celebrating during P-Day.
On our way home from the temple, we ran into a grandma from our ward, who took us to a traditional Korean restaurant. She got us fish -- head and all. We were pretty worried for a bit, but she took the head. It was a bit spicy, but quite good once you figured out how to eat it without getting a mouth full of fishy bones.
Temple day! Had a great time at the temple, then, confirmed with Elder Maris as we prayed in the celestial room. We were both inspired to believe that there are 3 people waiting for us to find them and teach them. Considering how difficult it is for us to find people right now, that'll require some huge miracles, but I'm hopeful. I believe in a God of miracles. Thursday also marked one year of missionary service. Today (Monday) I'll be gathering with the rest of my MTC "class" and celebrating during P-Day.
On our way home from the temple, we ran into a grandma from our ward, who took us to a traditional Korean restaurant. She got us fish -- head and all. We were pretty worried for a bit, but she took the head. It was a bit spicy, but quite good once you figured out how to eat it without getting a mouth full of fishy bones.
Friday
Pretty calm day. Visited a baker friend after weekly planning; ran into Cute Hippo again. Less busy, she took us to a nearby restaurant and purchased lunch for us. That's surprisingly common here. I don't know if it's being a missionary, or a foreigner, or both.
In the evening, we met with our ward mission leader and did a practice lesson. He acted like an investigator, misunderstanding and asking questions just like one would. He mentioned how impressed he was by my grasp of Korean phrases (he specifically mentioned the Korean equivalent of "fall" into apostasy), and said that I almost have the vocabulary of a fluent speaker.
Pretty calm day. Visited a baker friend after weekly planning; ran into Cute Hippo again. Less busy, she took us to a nearby restaurant and purchased lunch for us. That's surprisingly common here. I don't know if it's being a missionary, or a foreigner, or both.
In the evening, we met with our ward mission leader and did a practice lesson. He acted like an investigator, misunderstanding and asking questions just like one would. He mentioned how impressed he was by my grasp of Korean phrases (he specifically mentioned the Korean equivalent of "fall" into apostasy), and said that I almost have the vocabulary of a fluent speaker.
Saturday
This was the long-anticipated navy base trip! We bussed over, and then toured the base. It was really neat; the place focused on the "NLL" -- the Northern Limit Line -- set up by the UN and defended by South Korea since the armistice. It definitely puts things in a different light to be learning about these things in the country.
This was the long-anticipated navy base trip! We bussed over, and then toured the base. It was really neat; the place focused on the "NLL" -- the Northern Limit Line -- set up by the UN and defended by South Korea since the armistice. It definitely puts things in a different light to be learning about these things in the country.
Sunday
Church and a meal with our recent converts, where we shared the classic story of Nephi busting free of rope in chapter 7 of 1 Nephi. Discussed the significance of what he specifically asked for when he prayed (strength to change his circumstances, instead of an instant solution) and the way his answer came (the ropes were loosened, something he wasn't expecting, but answered his prayer).
Bak Jay Hong didn't come, so we were kind of disappointed, but we have a new game plan to get him active, founded on lots of small reading and prayer commitments that will eventually prepare him to come back.
Church and a meal with our recent converts, where we shared the classic story of Nephi busting free of rope in chapter 7 of 1 Nephi. Discussed the significance of what he specifically asked for when he prayed (strength to change his circumstances, instead of an instant solution) and the way his answer came (the ropes were loosened, something he wasn't expecting, but answered his prayer).
Bak Jay Hong didn't come, so we were kind of disappointed, but we have a new game plan to get him active, founded on lots of small reading and prayer commitments that will eventually prepare him to come back.
Sorry for the quick report; time seems to slip by faster than ever. Thanks again for all of your support, prayers, and love! It means the world to me.
Best wishes to all of you,
Elder Austin Lynn
Elder Austin Lynn
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