16.1.3

J (준석) was baptized!
I'm 99% sure it was the first baptism of the year. He asked me to baptize him, so we descended into the baptismal font on January 1st, at the bright and (relatively) early hour of 9 o'clock. By my reckoning, it was even a new year over in the New World. It was a wonderful baptismal service, and it was a good spiritual experience for our (former investigator, now) recent convert. He commented afterwards that he was more motivated to read the Book of Mormon and keep the commandments now. And isn't that was baptism should do? If our covenants with God don't motivate us to "try a little harder to be a little better" than I'm not sure exactly why we'd make them. Why promise to do your best, then keep performing at your average level?
The baptismal service itself was the culmination of our ward's New Year's activity. The missionaries arrived at 8 to eat rice cake soup (a traditional dish for Korean New Year's). The soup is pretty important; it's the moment you eat it that you "eat" one more year of age. So, I'm now 22 in Korean age. Apparently, the Ward had a nice devotional with the Bishopric, and then gave blessings to families before we got there. After breakfast, we had our baptismal service (the missionaries sang "He Sent His Son," one of my favorite primary songs), and took lots of pictures. Of special note: the man giving me a great handhold in several photos is our ward's Bishop. I was really excited when he grabbed my hand; that means you're close in Korean culture!

Our week in review:

Monday: met with J, and taught him about the temple and missionary work (when he was confirmed on Sunday, part of his blessing was to become a great missionary in the future! I dearly hope that will come to pass). As always, he enjoyed our discussion and continues to open up to us about his life.

Tuesday: met J again; finished teaching everything he needs to know about baptism, mainly concerning family history and enduring to the end. We invited him to endure to the end in enjoying the blessings of the gospel, and continually growing closer to God. I'm not sure there's a more joyful principle of the gospel than that of enduring to the end. Afterwards, we finally finished our session of weekly planning that was interrupted on Friday (thanks, Christmas!) and closed out our night by eating with some members and teaching them a practice lesson. Elder Lowe rocked teaching the first lesson, and we had a wonderful time with this young couple and their newborn son. I say newborn, but he's about ready to start crawling. They fed us well, both spiritually and physically. 

Wednesday: began exchanges with Elder Rogers, and had district meeting. My directive to train was teaching simply and powerfully, and I felt like the best way to do that is to teach from the scriptures. In church settings, we sometimes slip into the mistake of having the scriptures support our words, when really teaching from the scriptures means that we use our words to support the scriptures. We practiced doing so, and I was really happy with the results. Teaching is so much more powerful when we present a verse (or section) of scripture, and then allow the scripture to speak for itself. Our role diminishes to that of interpreting, and likening, rather than blocking and producing from our own stores of knowledge. I find the result to be more pure, and more conducive to individuals learning on their own. 

Thursday: ended exchanges with Elder Rogers. We cleaned up some of their old house (which was also my first house), which was poetically ironic for me. We also visited an investigator who fed us rotisserie chicken! That was delicious. We also watched the Mormon Message, "Reflections," with him. We all felt the Spirit, and it led to a great discussion about family relations. I was impressed by how he spoke of his dad: he didn't talk much, but he taught me how to do things, like paint a car, or build a bookcase. My amount of gratitude for the various people I meet and the lessons they help me learn increases a bit more.
(In the meantime, my companion meets our new investigator for the first time while on exchanges, and they discuss why they want to meet, and watch the video "Because He Lives.")

Friday: Spent most of the day at the church. We played the Korean sport likenable to soccer and volleyball combined, had our baptismal service, and cleaned the church! Our new investigator also came again, and we taught him about God and prayer. He doesn't know anything about religion, but after our explanation of prayer and what blessings are, he commented, "That sounds really good. I need to read the Book of Mormon. I need to pray." Sounds like a golden investigator to me! Once again only managed to get a part of weekly planning done. 

Saturday: Texted tons of people Happy New Year's, and as a result answered phone calls from random people all day! Yay! Taught English to some children; contacted some more folks, and then a less-active member randomly called and wanted to feed us dinner. 

Sunday: J got confirmed! Also, we had our stake president, mission president, and a counselor in the area presidency in attendance! The counselor is Elder Choi of the 70. He gave some great training on sustaining our leaders, local and general, and also about prioritizing in life. His wife gave a heartfelt testimony about how we often think of the Apostleship as glorious, honorable, and wonderful, but we don't see the side of it where they come out of hospitals, use wheelchairs, and can hear themselves getting closer to the grave. The Apostles literally wear out their lives in the service of God, bearing witness of Jesus Christ. How blessed we are for those selfless leaders.
We were also blessed by a completely out of the blue invitation to dinner at a member's home Sunday evening, so we got to break our fast at a member's home. One more fast Sunday for me!

Best Wishes and Happy New Year,
Elder Austin Lynn

새해 복 많이 받으세요!

15.12.27

This week our investigator J iss ready to start on the path of discipleship. I'll baptize him on January 1st, at 9 in the morning -- very possibly the first baptism for this year. It'll be a great start to the year.
The next time we met J, it was Christmas Day. We talked about church callings in the context of the importance of the priesthood, and service. After teaching a brief lesson, we went over to Brother Jason's home, and had a family home evening with our investigator, Brother Jason and his wife, and a returned missionary who rarely comes out to church because of work. We had a great time eating together, then singing Christmas hymns while reading the Nativity story together. After reading and singing, we had a short testimony meeting, and each member present bore a unique, strong testimony of Christ. Jason and his wife provided a fun, game-show-derived game, and we headed home. I feel that J was able to strengthen his testimony greatly through our meeting.
The next time we taught him a lesson was after church on Sunday. We taught him about the Law of the Fast, and finished teaching him about the importance of the priesthood in church organization. He was impressed by how we can fast for specific blessings, and how we help others through fasting.
Other highlights from this week included Christmas Eve, during which was our Ward Christmas Party. Lots of members and groups got together to provide different skits or musical numbers, including the missionaries! We presented a reworked version of a day in the life of a missionary, accompanied by primary songs (it's very similar to the one I performed in earlier this year). It was well received~
We also caroled as a zone on Christmas Day, but I think it was a bit cold for people! That, or the couples were too interested in each other to pay us attention. That's one thing about Christmas in Korea: it is not a family holiday, but a day for couples to do things together (actually, Korea has a holiday for couples every month!).
Another thing about Korean Christmas: it's a time to eat cake! One member owns a bakery, and actually gave us cakes at several different times. We've had around 4-5 cakes this last week! While it doesn't make up for not having a family (outside of my wacky extended Korean ward family, and my close-knit brotherly bond with the Elders, along with our district relationship), it certainly was tasty.
So, Christmas has come and gone, but New Year's is on the way! Our Ward Mission Leader asked the missionaries to each share a thought about this year after our meeting last Sunday, and this is what I shared: often, and I suppose I can only speak for myself, but I assume all missionaries struggle with this: often, we think that if we were a little more diligent, a little more humble, a little more charitable, we could perform mighty miracles, and baptize more people, and so on. One thing I've realized is that God would not mock us, knowing our imperfections and flaws, holding blessings above our heads in a never-ending game. Moreover, it's natural to be rejected and to fail. In particular, I've thought of one scripture, from the Doctrine and Covenants: "The Son of Man hath descended below all things. Art thou greater than He?"
Christ was "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." He was rejected and cast out, and lost many followers (think: investigators). He didn't convert everybody He came into contact with. Am I greater than Christ? Do I believe that if I were more faithful, more persuasive I could convince people to meet that I've failed to reach in the past?
No. I'm clearly not greater than Christ; nobody is. And so, the natural flow of life continues, and I'll continue to search for investigators who are ready to be baptized and follow Jesus Christ, for two more months.

With love,
Elder Austin Lynn

15.12.20

So, this week I was asked to give a talk for sacrament meeting while moving to the second hour of classes. After some frantic searching, pondering, and a bit of prayer, I decided that it was the perfect time to talk about gifts. I ended up using a rough outline with scripture references to give the talk, and it was all in Korean, so the following is a rough translation of something close to what I said:
As everybody knows, Christmas is drawing near. With that, I've thought a lot about Christmas lately -- especially Santa Claus! In particular, I've thought about the relation that Santa has to Jesus Christ. Santa is a benevolent giver, full of love. He gives us gifts, not out of obligation or duty, not because his relationship is that of a parent, friend, or anything else, but simply because he is full of joy and love. There is a direct correlation here with Jesus Christ. He suffers and bleeds, works and lives for us. He doesn't have to do it, but he willingly does so, because He loves us. I believe it is because of this relationship that humankind has such a deep love of Santa Claus.
On the topic of gift giving, what is the greatest gift ever given?
I propose the answer is Jesus Christ, Himself.
Jesus Christ is a gift to mankind, from a loving Father in Heaven. In the Bible we read, 

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
(John 3:16-17)

Jesus Christ is the best gift we've ever received. He is the gift of victory, the gift of redemption, the gift of a Savior. Because of Him, we are able to receive every other good gift. The ancient prophet Moroni exhorted, 

18 And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren,that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ.
(Moroni 10:18)

Thanks to Jesus Christ, we can receive the gift of hope, the gift of faith, and especially the gift of charity -- pure, Christlike love. And yet, there is still one more gift that must be mentioned: the gift of eternal life. Eternal life is the most magnificent gift Christ makes possible, and in God's own words: 

7 And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.
(Doctrine and Covenants 14:7)

The question on my mind is, because I've received so many wonderful gifts and promises from God, what will I give back to Him? What can I give to God this Christmas?
Well, the ancient Israelites gave gifts (or sacrifices) of blood and flesh to God, but I don't think He wants that anymore. In the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ taught us what God wants from us, on Christmas and throughout our entire lives 

19 And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.

20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost. . .
(3 Nephi 9:19-20)

Why would God want our hearts? What does that do for Him? Turns out, it's does nothing for God! It doesn't increase His power, doesn't make Him more God than He already is. An ancient Nephite King explained our worldly value to God: 

21 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.

22 And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.

23 And now, in the first place, he hath created you,and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.

24 And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?
(Mosiah 2:21-24)

We don't profit God. (And yet, how incredible is it that every soul is of "great worth" to Him! Surely, His love for us is a pure father's love, and not the kind of affection we see so often in this life, shaded by position and accomplishment) Why does He want our hearts then? It turns out, giving our hearts to God blesses us! Everything God does is for our benefit, including the sometimes difficult things He requires of us. The seer Nephi explained this clearly: 

24 He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that theyshall not partake of his salvation.
(2 Nephi 26:24)

God's purpose for us is our joy. Nephi's father taught this beyond a shadow of a doubt: 

24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.

25 . . .and men are, that they might have joy.
(2 Nephi 2:24-25)

God is love; love brings joy. He wants us to have joy; He wants us to feel His love. If you can't feel His love right now, take a moment to evaluate and reflect, and ask yourself, what is preventing me from feeling God's love right now? His love is a free gift, embodied by Christ and eternal life -- the life of God, living forever with our families. I pray that we will all give our hearts to God this Christmas, by being a little more obedient, a little more willing to sacrifice, a little more happy, a little more Christlike. 

So, that was a highlight of church for me. Our ward is rather large, so missionaries don't really get the opportunity to speak, like in the smaller wards I've served in. I wish I'd had more time to prepare, but I'm confident that the Lord was able to deliver somebody's needed message, despite my weaknesses. Our investigator also came to church again, and we met after church to teach our third discussion with him this week.
This week we covered a lot of the commandments; he's almost finished taking all of the discussions now. We went from following our modern prophet, to obeying the 10 commandments and the law, to keeping the law of chastity and preparing for temple marriage, to keeping the Sabbath Day holy and paying tithing. He's so committed to the gospel now that he's recognized his answer from God. Whenever we commit him to live a commandment, he acts like it's obvious, responding with something like, "Of course!" We reviewed the baptismal interview questions, and he can answer every single one with confidence. Unless we have to change the date because of his schedule, he'll be baptized on January 1st, likely the first baptism in Korea for the year of 2016.
The rest of our week was consumed with meetings, freezing in the cold while trying to share some Christmas cheer, and practicing for the missionaries' skit for the ward Christmas party. As always, it's a blast to be a missionary, and an honor to have a chance to help the ward. Sorry for the short letter; this week felt like that: short!

Merry Christmas,
Elder Austin Lynn

15.12.13

This week was great! We had a lot to do before Elder Dent left, and then lots to do to prepare another missionary to effectively, happy serve the Lord for two more years. On Monday night, we ate dinner with a family who have lived in our area for a long time. As we ate, we talked about family history, and they told us the story of an ancestor who was in the army. The king marched out with his army, but a strong lightning storm frightened both the king and his forces. Then, the member's ancestor told everybody to take courage, and told the king that there was a man among their troops whose name was dragon. In the Orient, dragons legendarily have the power to control the weather. This member's great-great something father suggested they march behind that man, and the weather would cease to be a problem. The king regained his courage, and their forces rallied. The weather did stop, and they went on to win the battle.
On Tuesday, Elder Dent's last full day, we spent the entire day saying goodbye to many of the people Elder Dent's worked with during his 7 months here. It's always rewarding to see how a missionary can touch peoples' lives. We also had the chance to teach one more lesson with Brother J(준석) before Elder Dent left.
Wednesday was spent traveling around Korea changing companions, and receiving training at mission headquarters. It was weird to be sitting in on that again. The highlight was obviously receiving my new companion, Elder Lowe, from Florida. He's a little on the quiet side, and is pretty serious, but sometimes he'll cut in with a comment that's absolutely hilarious. He wants to work hard and learn the language, which are two things I'm a big fan of. I'm excited for us to spend our (he means his) last 12 weeks together.
Unfortunately, I got pretty ill on Wednesday, and that continued for a couple of days. I staggered through a district training on Thursday, then spent the rest of the day asleep. Friday was much better, though I was still pretty sick. We were able to meet a new investigator, who wants to join our church! He's going to the Phillipines next week though, so we're going to have to hand him off to missionaries over there. We also met J(준석) again, and finally finished teaching him the Restoration. We've taught him so much, and now he finally knows how we have the Book of Mormon and how the church was restored.
Our day on Saturday ended up being taken over by a reception at our church. We sang I Love to See the Temple for the couple that had been sealed, with a special additional verse written especially for them (by me!). We made the couple cry, including the usually stoic husband, so I feel we succeeded. After the reception we had to clean up then set up for a Christmas music concert that evening. Our church is wonderful, but sometimes our huge building can be a lot to maintain.
As typical, we went to church on Sunday. J came, and afterwards we had a lesson with him. A member met him with us, and helped a lot in answering his questions, and especially in helping him recognize his answer from God. When teaching, we finished the contents of the second and third lessons, so now we'll be focusing squarely on the remainder of the commandments we haven't already taught him. He's rapidly becoming more and more prepared for his baptismal date on January 2nd. What a blessing!
A member also brought his friend to church on Sunday, and we'll be meeting him later this week. Get this: the member leaves for his mission in March, his friend leaves for military service in March, and I leave the country in March. Sounds like we'll have a busy next couple of months!

And amidst all of this, one 19 year old boy became a 20 year old man (of course, I've been 21 in Korea since January 1st. Guess who turns 22 in a few weeks!). 

Best Wishes,
Elder Austin Lynn

15.12.7

 This week, our investigator Joon Suk (준석) accepted a baptismal date! That was the result of two wonderful lessons with him this week. The first time we met him, we answered questions about his reading assignment in Alma 18, and read over a few passages from it together. In Alma 18, the Nephite missionary Ammon is teaching the Lamanite King Lamoni. Ammon and Lamoni's ancestors were brothers, who turned against each other, and now Ammon is trying to bring the gospel to the King Lamoni, who could be likened to a barbarian king. He knew absolutely nothing about God, then Ammon began teaching him. Some of the basic doctrines Ammon taught were that God created the earth and heaven, created man, knows men's heart and thoughts, and wants to help us. We also discussed the life and mission of Jesus Christ, and the fall of Adam and Eve -- two very related events. He understood well, and then he came to church again on Sunday.  

    This time, we slowed down a bit to discuss receiving spiritual answers. Joon Suk always feels peace when he prays, but he hasn't equated that with his answer that God lives. We taught him with a member who's his age and preparing for a mission in California. After all three of us shared how we felt the Holy Ghost, we shared an experience from church history, recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants. Similar to Joon Suk, a man heard this message and desired to know if it was true. He too prayed, and felt peace. God said to him: 

  22 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.

 23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God? 

(D&C 6:22-23)

So, Joon Suk agreed to be baptized on the 2 of January, depending on if he receives his answer about the existence of God. Yay!

     I also had the opportunity of doing two exchanges this week: one with Elder Andrew from my district, and one with the zone leaders. Both were great opportunities to see how another missionary works, and to discuss things in each other's areas and lives. I always find myself refreshed and encouraged after exchanges. How glorious are faithful, just and true friends!

     We also had district meeting this week, talking about baptism once again. Our day was pretty packed on that Wednesday; members took us out for dinner, and we all got together to practice some of our musical numbers we're doing for the ward. 

     On Thursday we had a zone training, talking a lot about asking questions, teaching to individuals' needs, and about having hope -- because, we're doing great work! There's never any reason to get down or discouraged, because we're on the Lord's errand. Even when things don't go well, we're doing our best, and Christ will always smile on us when we do our best to follow Him.

     On Saturday we had a baptismal service for a member's child. The missionaries sang, and the primary sang as well. Ironically, there are more primary children in our ward than there are missionaries in the entire city of Incheon! That night we received our transfer calls, and I learned that my companion Elder Dent was leaving, and I would be training for my final 12 weeks in country. 

Looks like time's going to fly by!

     One more thing: Santa Claus. This may seem random, but I've been thinking about Santa. He's closely linked to Christmas, and is rooted deeply in the subconscious of millions of people.

But why?

There could be lots of answers to that question, but I wanted to briefly write about one point: a similarity between the Savior and Santa. Why do children get so excited for presents from Santa? Why are adults so attached to the concept? I believe it's because Santa has no motivation to give presents to children. He has no obligation to us; he's not a parent, guardian, or any such thing. He has no reason to give us presents, yet he does. Similarly, Jesus Christ has no obligation to us, aside from His own charity -- His pure love for us. Nobody forces Him to help us, yet He does, simply because He cares for each of us. I think there's a part of every person that wants to be the receptor of charity: love that has no selfish motivations, is not colored by obligations and responsibilities, but is pure love given simply because we are all creatures worthy of love. 

Love,

Elder Austin Lynn

Sorry, just one picture this week: the district.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6rh7x0e29nnx0c2/AADsYvcJA3uj0HfS8wFak0Qua?dl=0

15.11.29

It snowed this week! The temperatures, as is typical of Korea, plunged with rainy overcast weather, but when the sun comes out everything's a'ok.
In other news, this week we met several times with our newest investigator, Brother (준석). He was referred to us by a member, and he's doing terrific. The first time we met, we talked about God and prayer. Before meeting us, he had no religious background, so we've been starting from square one with him. It was really rewarding to hear him pray aloud for the first time; it was a very sincere prayer, and afterwards he commented that it felt very "refreshing," or "cool." Now, he's praying every day! To have helped a child of God learn how to connect with him is extremely rewarding.
The second time we met him, we taught him some English, then as soon as we changed to talking about God, he immediately asked us what happens when people die. So, we spent that lesson teaching him God's Plan of Salvation. He prayed to end the lesson, and told God that our conversation today was really good, and that he'd learned a lot of things he'd never thought of or known before. He said that he wants to know it in detail, so I'm not worried about him continuing to learn about the gospel.
Then, he came to church on Sunday! It was our ward's primary program. It was a great opportunity for him to hear a lot of simple, heartfelt doctrines about the Atonement, Jesus Christ, prophets, and baptism. Afterwards, we met and talked more about prophets, and how their writings constitute the scriptures. The scriptures and prophets are important because God reveals the gospel to them, and it's through the gospel that we can strengthen our family relationships and find peace and joy. I think that resonates a lot with our investigator. The first time we met him, he asked us about what was difficult in Korea. We talked a bit, then asked him about what was difficult in his life. He said that when he was young, his happiest time was just being with his parents, but now things aren't the same. One thing that's impressed me is that from the very first time he prayed, he's felt peace.
Aside from working with J (준석) this week, we also organized a lot of our less-active records, and went out to find people. We actually found a few people, who will be able to be visited now by missionaries. That hasn't happened in a while, so it was pretty exciting to have somebody answer the door and not tell us they've moved, or aren't home.
Once, while visiting somebody, we were trying to confirm whether or not our less-active lived there, so we talked to the guard outside. He got spooked when we said hello, and essentially thought we were the police, so he wouldn't "release any information." First time that's happened on my mission! I didn't think we really looked like international detectives, but then again I've never met one (as far as I know...).
We met with our other investigator this week, and his two kids. We began teaching the Restoration after teaching English, and had just gotten to the Joseph Smith story when the father cut us off, explaining the rest of it, and it turns out that he's done the Family English Program before, about 10 years ago, and he doesn't believe the Book of Mormon because of a scripture in Revelations (for reasons why we don't believe that see: https://www.lds.org/general-confere…/…/my-words-never-cease… ). That was said, but we'll meet them as long as they're willing to meet, until the program's done.
On Saturday our ward members went out to pick up trash around the church's neighborhood, and they brought us along with them! It was a really good activity -- Korea in general is really clean, but like any very busy city, there was still plenty to pick up. I was amazed by how many cigarette buttes there are everywhere! I thought about it, and it's pretty logical -- nobody wants to carry around a cigarette butte, especially because it's rather disgusting, so it makes instant litter.
This isn't really special but this week we ate air-roasted chicken while meeting with a member. Is that a thing? IT was pretty mind-blowing for us. Maybe it's just because missionaries are so backwards when compared with modern technology, but wow. This world keeps spinning faster.
Well, that's our week in a nutshell. I just want to leave everybody with a spiritual thought: Isaiah scriptures from the Book of Mormon. Lately I've been reading through 2 Nephi, and I've been really impressed with some of the scriptures he quotes from Isaiah. Among them are: 

2 Nephi 15:5-6 (Compare with Isaiah 5:5-6) - For us to fall into destruction, God only need cease protecting us. 

2 Nephi 15:13 (Compare with Isaiah 5:13) - Ignorance leads people into captivity. 

2 Nephi 15:24 (Compare with Isaiah 5:24) - The prideful will end up with no descendants or ancestors -- they will lose family relationships to the cancer of pride. 

2 Nephi 16:10 (Compare with Isaiah 6:10) - We see with our eyes, and hear with our ears, but we understand with our hearts. 

2 Nephi 19:3 (Compare with Isaiah 9:3) - The joy of the harvest is the joy of expectations borne fruit; the joy of an Old Testament's worth of prophecies being fulfilled, millenia of prophecy, trust, and expectations being manifest in the Savior of mankind. The joy of the spoil is the joy of victory, victory over every fall, every failing, every mistake, and every mishap -- the victory over death and sin, brought by Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

2 Nephi 19:13 (Compare with Isaiah 9:13) - The only reason God would smite Israel would be to turn it back to Him -- to save them, because idol gods can save no man. Israel refused to heed God's warnings, and so were destroyed as a natural result of their own actions. 

2 Nephi 21:3 (Compare with Isaiah 11:3) - Don't judge by what you see, and don't reprove based off of what you hear. We only have half of the picture. Be careful when judging and reproving; judge with righteousness, for the right motives. 

One of the things I am grateful for is the Lord's word, brought to us through prophets and Apostles, who had the wisdom to record it, for all of us who would come after them. I'm grateful for the blessings God rains upon me and my family, which in large part comes from heeding and living the scriptures. 

Best Wishes,
Elder Austin Lynn

15.11.22

This week was a lot of working with records since my companion became sick. We did a lot of good work, and by organizing our records, they're more useful. I also spent a lot of time updating member records, which helped me get to know the members in our ward better. Actually, that was most of the week, if you include making phone calls to get appointments. Necessary work, but not exactly glamorous to recite.
I was able to do exchanges this week though, and work with Elder Ryan from my district. We lived together for a while in Yeonsu, and now we live together in Incheon 2 Ward. We spent the day together working, and we were remarkably blessed in the evening. We thought we should trade phones with the other Elders who were at home, and so we took a different phone out with us after dinner. Not 20 minutes later, I got a phone call from a ward member who wanted to talk to me. We rode a taxi to the church, double time, and a ward member referred us to her nephew. He wants to study the gospel and English with us! He's never gone to church before, and so he doesn't know much about religion. We're very excited to teach him the gospel, and help him receive baptism. He's close to our age, and that's about the age we're focusing on in our mission. That's the age at which people start to wonder about life, and become prepared to hear the gospel. Those are the people who serve missions, marry in the temple, and become future leaders in the kingdom of God.
On the weekend, Elder Dent was on the mend, so we were able to go out and do some things. We attended an English speech competition as special guest judges, by invitation of one of our investigators. It was a fun experience; we helped judge the entrants, then were treated to lunch by the organizers of the event. That evening, we also attended a party at the church, for two sister missionaries who had just returned from their missions. It was great to see how excited the ward was to have them home, and to see their testimony of missionary work, and a determination to carry forward member missionary work.
This week we also had interviews with President. While waiting, we made little planner inserts with a set of scriptures about faith. We're calling it, "The Faith Project." As we've striven to read and think about these scriptures throughout the day, I've found my faith increasing. One of my favorites is this passage from the beginning of the Bible:

"Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
(Genesis 18:11-14)

Is anything too hard for the Lord?
Personally, I find the faith of Abraham very inspiring. Perhaps it's for this reason that God commanded ancient Israel, through His prophet Isaiah,

"Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness. Look unto the rock from whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit from whence ye are digged.
"Look unto Abraham, your father, and unto Sarah,she that bare you; for I called him alone, and blessed him."
(2 Nephi 8:1-2/Isaiah 51:1-2)

They're an example for us, of righteousness and faith. Paul wrote to the Romans of Abraham's faith, saying,. 

"[Abraham] against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
"And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
"And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
"And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness."
(Romans 4:18-22)

Do we ever face moments where we're asked to, against all hope, believe in hope? Are we ever called to ignore our own conditions and believe in God, being not weak in faith? Are we ever in danger of faltering, staggering because of unbelief?
If yes, then we need to remember what strengthened Abraham. God is able to perform what He promises. God will do what He said He would. We have multitudes of promises from God, promising that all will be will if we only love God, love each other, and keep His commandments.
Of course, my interview with President itself was terrific. Being able to talk with him has increased my desire to talk more with my parents at home. I've come to treasure time with mentors, and the most important mentor in any person's life should be their parents. I know they're among the most important people in my life! 

Love,
Elder Austin Lynn