5/24/2015

I guess we'll start with the sad news for this week. Our new investigator family dropped off the face of the earth! I suspect it's due to all of the sports events schools held last week, so we're holding our breath to see if we can reestablish contact, but... it's been a while. This is a pretty common problem out here; you meet a person, then they drop off the radar after canceling your next appointment. Phone calls only meet "I'm busy"s and "I'll call you backs." Then, you're left to guess what went wrong.

Not the most enjoyable part of the work of salvation.

But, then there are the moments like last night: when one such investigator texts you, explaining how because of poor health, he hasn't come to English class like he promises every week, but he still wants to see us and eat together. It's not a commitment to consistently meet again, but it's a chance to get our foot in the door, and work our magic from there.

Take Lucas, for example. We met him at the library, and struck up a conversation when I asked him some Korean questions. Almost immediately, we learned that he was pretty darn good at English. Since then, we've visited him a few more times at the library, and had good, friendly talks that led to religion each time. The first time, we were able to introduce the Book of Mormon, and the last time we visited we talked a bit about prayer. He's Christian, so it's always comfortable, too. On top of that, we're the same age, so we're instantly best friends!

Next week is Sanbon Ward's last ward conference, before their ward combines with others. As part of the meeting, I'll be singing "This is The Christ," accompanied by Elder Campbell on the cello. We've only been able to practice a couple of times, but it's come together really well so far.

Here's the song:
https://www.lds.org/liahona/2006/12/this-is-the-christ…

I really love how this Apostle wrote his testimony as a song. It reminds me of Bruce R. McConkie, in a way. In particular, I love that it ties the Book of Mormon's witness of Jesus Christ, best represented in His visit to the ancient Americans, to His suffering in Gethsemane, recorded in the holy scriptures, to a modern witness, united with ancient saints. To try to abridge is to mar; here's the lyrics to this beautiful piece.

They heard His voice, a voice so mild
It pierced them through and made their souls to quake
They saw Him come, a man in white,
The Savior who had suffered for their sake.
They felt the wounds in hands and side,
And each could testify:

This is the Christ.
This is the Christ, the holy Son of God,
Our Savior, Lord, Redeemer of mankind.
This is the Christ, the Healer of our souls,
Who ransomed us with love divine.

I read His words, the words He prayed
While bearing sorrow in Gethsemane.
I feel His love, the price He paid.
How many drops of blood were spilled for me?
With Saints of old in joyful cry
I too can testify:

This is the Christ.
This is the Christ, the holy Son of God.
Our Savior, Lord, Redeemer of mankind.
This is the Christ, the Healer of our souls,
Who ransomed us with love divine.

I'm grateful for the chance to sing this song, and add my small testimony to all the others that have been borne of Him: He truly is the Christ; the Messiah, the Savior.

The other day we went sticker-boarding out in the middle square. It's right next to a subway station, and there are tons of restaurants and shops, so it's always hopping with people. We took out our English class board, which asks people the reason they want to learn English. It's a really easy way to start conversations and advertise our English class, which is always in need of more people. It's also loads of fun because you have the chance to interact with dozens of people with very little negative pressure. After all, it's just a sticker!

Today looks to be a wonderful day, with great weather and what one member deemed "Oriental Christmas": Buddha's birthday! We met with that member last night, and had a wonderful dinner together: bean noodles, chilled with ice and milk!

Okay, I'll be honest: I didn't care for the taste. But the difference between me not liking something now, and not liking something a year ago, is now I can eat it with kimchi, a smile, and eat it quickly and completely. I wasn't able to put things down like that a year ago.

The member talked to us a little bit about Buddhism, and explained some of the core beliefs, explaining that one of the things he likes the most about our church is that we embrace all truth, and are completely open about the fact that truth is found in many places -- though, of course, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only complete collection of truth.

He said that Buddhism teaches 4 pains, or sufferings: birth, disease, age, and death. The main focus of Buddhism is an 8-point road that leads to resolving these sufferings. The roads are things such as right thinking, right speaking, and rightly acting. Karma brings back what we send out in this life, and influences the cycle of reincarnation. The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to reach Nirvana, a state of oblivion to all external cares and worries.

Wow, that's some heavy stuff. But, in a sense, it's all based on truth. For instance, questions of the soul do include those four things: why was I born, why is there disease and disability in life, including aging, and what is death, what comes after it?

Jesus Christ also taught a path of deliverance from worldly cares and sorrows. He commanded us to take up the cross and to follow Him; to deny ourselves of all worldliness. In a sense, He said, "let go of the things that don't really matter, and follow me, so I can take you to back to God, our Heavenly Father." His Gospel is our road to resolution.

Justice is a basic attribute of God, and is reflected in the fact that at some point, we will all face judgment for our actions, thoughts, and desires.

No, we don't believe in Nirvana. But we do believe that at some point every man must decide whether or not he's going to hold on to the things of this life, or give them up for the things of eternity. We all have to learn to let go, in many different ways.

Let's take a moment and ponder the Savior's invitation:

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

(Matthew 6: 19-21; taught to the Nephites in 3 Nephi 13:19-21)

My most valuable treasure is my family; inextricably linked with my relationship to God, my Father in Heaven, and my Elder Brother, Jesus Christ. I hope we all take time to assess our priorities, and make sure that we're putting our strength into laying up treasure where it matters the most.

With Love,
Elder Austin Lynn