We had a great this week. We had the chance to go to the temple on Thursday, which turned out to be really well timed as that was the main subject matter on Sunday, during Priesthood meeting. We discussed what the temple represents to each of us. Having just been there, it was something that had been on our mind lately. In my opinion, the temple represents the most primal yearning of fallen man -- the desire of children to go home, to be in their father's home again. The temple symbolizes reconciliation, the reuniting of God and man. It is the closest we come to salvation in this life -- after all, isn't salvation returning to God, after our journey here is complete? The temple raises us -- it is a bridge where we can leave behind every weakness and sin that "so easily besets" us, and can stride into the presence of God with confidence. There are few expressions of love greater than that of the temple. As a matter of fact, the temple points towards those expressions -- Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Everything in the Father's plan revolves around those things -- forgiveness, growth, and ultimate reunion.
After visiting the temple, we also went to Gangnam, with one of our investigators (Jung Hong Ik [정홍익]). It was neat to finally visit the much-sung of "Gangnam."
Monday night last week was a major blow... financially. A potential investigator met with us, then, after ordering lots of food at an overpriced restaurant, stuck us with the bill, promising to pay next time. I'm not sure what I would've done if I wasn't a missionary, but I can tall you that Elder Stapp and I had to fork over the majority of our remaining cash. Luckily, we received more missionary funds a few days later. Last Tuesday was our turning point, for everything to start improving. We met with our investigator Jung Hong Ik (정홍익) and finished teaching The Gospel of Jesus Christ by reading 2 Nephi 31 together. He understood it really well, and explained it all back to us, while also relating back to Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life. One of the reasons Jung Hong Ik is such a great investigator is because he reads the Book of Mormon consistently, and he's understanding it. He's reading 2 Nephi right now, and commented that 2 Nephi 2 helped him understand more about the need for laws and repentance. It's wonderful to finally be working with somebody who will not only read, but who actually understands and applies what he's reading. We don't come across people like that very often. We also taught an old man that day, and he's doing better as well. His health is improving, and he said he's trying to read a little bit of the Book of Mormon every day. He asked about church as well, so we taught him how to get there.
District Meeting also went well. We brought back a tradition that my trainer had when I first came to country -- the pre-District Meeting Poetry Slam Jam. It's really fun to listen to everybody's poetry, even though nobody's really a professional, or anything like that. It's sincere, funny, and good wholesome fun.
Friday, we met with a new investigator, who has interest in English, and is a Christian. We were excited to meet somebody new, and that excitement was increased by a man who walked up to us on the street, exchanged phone numbers with us, and told us he has interest in learning about our church, and wants to try attending. We have an appointment to meet him this Saturday.
Last Saturday, the bishopric took us out to dinner. It was meat -- something we don't always eat a lot of. It was delicious, although they were cooking it awfully quick... well, it was beef, so under-cooked or not, all's well that ends well, right?
On Sunday evening, we were also able to eat dinner at a member's home. We've had a meal with a member once or twice a week for a few weeks now, and I just have to say, I'm grateful for those members who open their hearts and their homes to us. I doubt they realize how much it means to us, and how much it does to lift our spirits and strengthen us for the week ahead. There are times when we can feel isolated, against the odds, and downtrodden. It is good to remember that we are all part of a worldwide family, that none of us are truly alone.
This past week as I continued my study of the Old Testament, I read about the life of the prophet Elijah. At one point in his ministry, he felt much the same way -- alone, overwhelmed, and outnumbered. On a distant mountaintop, he cried out to the Lord, "I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine alters, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." (1 Kings 19:14). After listening to His servant, God responded by commanding Elijah to continue his ministry, and he reminded him of a very important fact: he was not alone. As he gave instructions regarding the work he had left to do, the Lord told Elijah that, "I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, [a common idol in their day] and every mouth which hath not kissed him [that is, pledged their allegiance to him]." (1 Kings 19:18)
Only a few months ago, Elijah was aided by Obadiah, a servant of the king, who had hidden a hundred prophets, and saved their lives. And soon, Elijah would go to Elisha, his successor as prophet in northern Israel. Shortly before this exchange, an angel had brought food to Elijah, strengthening him on his journey to converse with God. However discouraged Elijah may have been by Israel's state of apostasy and wickedness, there was hope. All was not lost.
And so it is with us. We may feel that we are against the world, one drop against a raging tide. When we feel like we have not the strength to make a difference, remember: we are not alone. While the Prophet Joseph Smith suffered in Liberty Jail, God comforted him with these words: "Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands." (D&C 121:9) And if we should become as Job, whose friends turned against him, then look towards the Savior, the only person who can truly say, "I was alone." Because He spent those darkest hours on the cross in complete isolation from all aid and companionship, because He prayed in Gethsemane while His closest friends slept, we don't have to be alone. He will never sleep while we suffer, and He will never withdraw during our struggles. He is, and always has been, and always will be, our Savior, our Friend, and our Eldest Brother. He will succor us -- a word that means, literally, "to run to."
After visiting the temple, we also went to Gangnam, with one of our investigators (Jung Hong Ik [정홍익]). It was neat to finally visit the much-sung of "Gangnam."
Monday night last week was a major blow... financially. A potential investigator met with us, then, after ordering lots of food at an overpriced restaurant, stuck us with the bill, promising to pay next time. I'm not sure what I would've done if I wasn't a missionary, but I can tall you that Elder Stapp and I had to fork over the majority of our remaining cash. Luckily, we received more missionary funds a few days later. Last Tuesday was our turning point, for everything to start improving. We met with our investigator Jung Hong Ik (정홍익) and finished teaching The Gospel of Jesus Christ by reading 2 Nephi 31 together. He understood it really well, and explained it all back to us, while also relating back to Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life. One of the reasons Jung Hong Ik is such a great investigator is because he reads the Book of Mormon consistently, and he's understanding it. He's reading 2 Nephi right now, and commented that 2 Nephi 2 helped him understand more about the need for laws and repentance. It's wonderful to finally be working with somebody who will not only read, but who actually understands and applies what he's reading. We don't come across people like that very often. We also taught an old man that day, and he's doing better as well. His health is improving, and he said he's trying to read a little bit of the Book of Mormon every day. He asked about church as well, so we taught him how to get there.
District Meeting also went well. We brought back a tradition that my trainer had when I first came to country -- the pre-District Meeting Poetry Slam Jam. It's really fun to listen to everybody's poetry, even though nobody's really a professional, or anything like that. It's sincere, funny, and good wholesome fun.
Friday, we met with a new investigator, who has interest in English, and is a Christian. We were excited to meet somebody new, and that excitement was increased by a man who walked up to us on the street, exchanged phone numbers with us, and told us he has interest in learning about our church, and wants to try attending. We have an appointment to meet him this Saturday.
Last Saturday, the bishopric took us out to dinner. It was meat -- something we don't always eat a lot of. It was delicious, although they were cooking it awfully quick... well, it was beef, so under-cooked or not, all's well that ends well, right?
On Sunday evening, we were also able to eat dinner at a member's home. We've had a meal with a member once or twice a week for a few weeks now, and I just have to say, I'm grateful for those members who open their hearts and their homes to us. I doubt they realize how much it means to us, and how much it does to lift our spirits and strengthen us for the week ahead. There are times when we can feel isolated, against the odds, and downtrodden. It is good to remember that we are all part of a worldwide family, that none of us are truly alone.
This past week as I continued my study of the Old Testament, I read about the life of the prophet Elijah. At one point in his ministry, he felt much the same way -- alone, overwhelmed, and outnumbered. On a distant mountaintop, he cried out to the Lord, "I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine alters, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." (1 Kings 19:14). After listening to His servant, God responded by commanding Elijah to continue his ministry, and he reminded him of a very important fact: he was not alone. As he gave instructions regarding the work he had left to do, the Lord told Elijah that, "I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, [a common idol in their day] and every mouth which hath not kissed him [that is, pledged their allegiance to him]." (1 Kings 19:18)
Only a few months ago, Elijah was aided by Obadiah, a servant of the king, who had hidden a hundred prophets, and saved their lives. And soon, Elijah would go to Elisha, his successor as prophet in northern Israel. Shortly before this exchange, an angel had brought food to Elijah, strengthening him on his journey to converse with God. However discouraged Elijah may have been by Israel's state of apostasy and wickedness, there was hope. All was not lost.
And so it is with us. We may feel that we are against the world, one drop against a raging tide. When we feel like we have not the strength to make a difference, remember: we are not alone. While the Prophet Joseph Smith suffered in Liberty Jail, God comforted him with these words: "Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands." (D&C 121:9) And if we should become as Job, whose friends turned against him, then look towards the Savior, the only person who can truly say, "I was alone." Because He spent those darkest hours on the cross in complete isolation from all aid and companionship, because He prayed in Gethsemane while His closest friends slept, we don't have to be alone. He will never sleep while we suffer, and He will never withdraw during our struggles. He is, and always has been, and always will be, our Savior, our Friend, and our Eldest Brother. He will succor us -- a word that means, literally, "to run to."
Love,
Elder Austin Lynn
Elder Austin Lynn
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