December 28, 2015

Hello Everyone,

This week was good. It was nice to see everyone on Friday. Kind of
weird seeing everyone all growed up N' stuff. Christmas was great, we
got to visit some families in the ward. I have never seen such great
people come together to help out a neighbor than I have during this
Christmas season. The ward provided food, clothing, blankets, and toys
for a family that we are teaching that was in desperate need. The fun
isn't over either, we are going by today to set up a couple of beds. I
previously had hated this Christmas season, and in some instances I
still do. But my favorite part, and one that i didn't quite recognize
before, is that of charity; the pure love of Christ. Oh how sweet the
taste of the spirit, when people come together to serve one another. I
pray that these members continue their service to those who are in
need even after this season of giving is over.

This one lady called me Satan, and then slammed the door. I have never
laughed so hard in my life. It was weird because she had a sign in her
yard that said "Mary CHRISTmas" implying that she wants to remember
the mother Mary, and Christ this season. Yet, when I knocked on her
door, and my name tag has the lords name on it, she denied me, and
judged me "as a thing of naught". Classic. Anyway.

I know that this phrase is used so much in the church, and I often
take it for granted. But "when you step outside yourself, you will be
much happier" I'm here to testify of the truthfulness of that
statement. The only way to change, is through service. The only way to
receive an increase of Gods love, is through service. It also goes the
other way, if you don't let someone serve you, you are also denying
the love of God. Thankfully the Lord knows the desires of our hearts,
or we'd all be in hell by now.

It finally started to snow here too. It only took all month. I have a
feeling it's going to be a long winter this year, probably go into
June. Hopefully not.

Love you all, and hope all is well back home!

I hit a cat the other day. Smoked it!

Poor Kitty Cat!

December 21, 2015

Hello Everyone,


So our homie got marred finally! He's so ready for baptism! I have
seen this guy go from thug, to good man in 3 months! I can hardly wait
to see him dressed in white!

We walked a lot this week, and we built some good character, hopefully
we lost a bit of weight too. We found out we have a weight room at our
apartment complex, we have been using that every morning. But that
doesn't matter, it's about the work! I have gotten so sick of worrying
about myself, that I want to move on to others. I feel much happier
when I am serving others. It's  discouraging at times, but it's much
better than not doing anything at all.

 I spoke in sacrament meeting this Sunday. I talked about Christmas,
and how it's helped me build a testimony of Christ. I thought about
that one for a minute, usually I can ponder all morning and then get
up and speak like no problem. But this one took me a few days to
ponder. I thought a lot about the spirit I felt in the MTC, when I was
there during Christmas time. I spoke on the "power, and gift" Christ
stemmed from the scripture in Moroni 7:16 I normally don't write out
my talks, I just go by the spirit. But I felt inspired to write it
home today. (here's the talk written out) "for behold the spirit of
Christ is given to every man that he may know good from evil,
wherefore I show unto you the way to judge; for everything which
inviteth to do good, to persuade to believe in Christ is sent forth by
the power and gift of Christ..." I pose this question "how often on a
typical week do you use the power and gift of Christ in your life?"
Some of you used this gift today as you partook of the sacrament and
renewed your covenants.  I learned in the MTC that you can have
Christmas every day! You can be an example of the believers every day!
It is simply living the gospel year round, instead of seasonally. I
see many reach out around Christmas and Easter time to worship God,
and rely on Christ. If we only did that our eternal progression would
be a lot slower, and we wouldn't have as many opportunities to grow!
Doing that, we lose the ability to use the full effect of the
Atonement. Let us use it every day! The spirit of Christ can be a sure
foundation, it IS, a sure foundation whereon if men build they cannot
fall. (Heleman 5:12) if I learned anything from the last year on my
mission it's that I'm tired of running between hell and heaven. I sure
know the straight and narrow, Brothers and Sisters I've crossed it
back and forth many times. My hope and prayer is that I stay on
heavens path, and that I grab others and take them with me. Running as
fast as I can, until I have finished the race. It takes a little
endurance, and a lot of nourishment from the almighty. If I feel the
heat of the fire of affliction blazing behind me instead of in front
of me, I know I'm in the right direction, and that I shouldn't stop.

Christ was born in a little town called Bethlehem in the city of
David. The birth of the Lord opened a whole new cannon, this was the
fulfilling of the prophets. From the fall of Adam, men and women have
awaited anxiously for this gift. Isn't it nice to live after the
sacrifice of the Christ, rather than before it? We are fortunate
enough that we don't have to wait for this gift to be had. It's right
here for us to use every single day! How many times do we fuss over
messing up, yet deny the gift of Christ that he could help us if we
would repent? How many times have we sat in anguish and sorrow trying
to fix things on our own, and realizing that it can't be done? It's
like trying to turn a bolt with your fingers instead of using the
wrench that is so easily available.

I invite all of you to act on the impressions that you felt today in
this meeting, from the spirit as these other great missionaries and I
have spoken on such an important subject.

My testimony of Christ continues to grow every day, as I see the
countenance of those I teach change as soon as the spirit of Christ
pierces their hearts. It is my favorite part of missionary service, it
is a love that I have found, it is the gospel of Christ.  I bare
witness of the reality of that. For those of you who are not yet
members of this church, I invite you to study it out, and pray to know
if this is true. I did this, and I came to know by the Holy Ghost that
it was. I know him, I love him, and he loves me. He love you, he has
called you to serve those who's hands hang so helplessly low. May we
do so with humble hearts, and sure foundations. In the name of Jesus
Christ, amen.



I will be skyping on Christmas at 6:30pm (my time) mom, I can also
FaceTime you if that's easier. Let me know what you want to do.


Love y'all.

December 14, 2015

Hello Everyone,


I am still in North Kansas City, serving with Elder Roberts. He's from
Hiland, Utah. He went to AF high school. He's a funny guy, and I think
we will do well together.

This new transfer is going to be a challenge for me. We just got put
on car rotation, it's starting to get cold, and we have a baptism to
prepare for next weekend and the Investigator lives on the other side
of the area. I have been working on keeping a good attitude even
though the circumstances aren't ideal. The Lord has taught me many
lessons, but I feel like this one will be a big one for me to learn. I
feel like I have been in this area forever! I'll be here for 6 Months
when the transfer is through! That's a long time, but I have loved
every minute of it.


My testimony of Obedience has grown a lot this week. I enjoy the
spirit when I practice self control and obedience to the commandments
and expectations the Lord has set for me. I have known how important
it is to be obedient. It really is the Law of Heaven. President Vest
has always taught, that no matter what teaching  skills you think you
lack, if you're obedient, the Spirit will testify and people will
change. I know that it's true. I've seen it happen out here. I pray
every day that the Lord will help me be more obedient. I fear the
ending result of disobedience. I see missionaries around me struggle
through homesickness, dark times, discouragement, and so forth. But I
often ask "what have you sacrificed for the Lord today? What small
sins have you chosen to let go of? What happens when you choose to
disobey?" I ask myself that each day, and it has changed my
perspective. It has helped me turn outward, it has helped me focus on
what matters most. "The most important commandment you need to focus
on is the one that you struggle to keep right now. When you have
mastered that, move on to the next one."--Harold B. Lee.


The question that I often ask myself, and I think about it a great
deal is "what are you willing to do, to be my disciple?" Often times,
I find myself in a man hole preaching the gospel to construction
workers, getting my shirt all dirty, and my shoes all scuffed up. But
at the end of the day, I can say within myself. "I have followed his
spirit, I have done his work, and I will begin again tomorrow in
carrying out this gospel, no matter what circumstances,
discouragement, or excuses seem to get in my way, if I cancel out the

noise and tune in to the spirit, I will know what to do, where to go,
and what I should teach." Following this pattern I have found that I
don't need to ask "what should we do now?" Because I know that the
Lord has placed in my path a whole field that is white already to
harvest.


I know the Lord. I know what he expects of me as his representative. I
love him, I pray that others can find him. I pray that I can take his
gospel to all those who need it. I know that he is the Christ, and
that his grace is sufficient for all men. I too have been strengthened
by the Lord, I know he lives. If I am better than I was yesterday than
it is enough. He is the beginning and the end, alpha and omega. The
author of all righteousness. The mighty God, the price of peace. I
testify of the Restored Gospel. I know that Joseph Smith opened up the
doors of this dispensation, the Book of Mormon is evidence of that. He
did see God the father and Jesus Christ, he did receive the priesthood
which binds families together forever, and he has given all these
things, suffered all manner of afflictions, so that if we exercise our
faith in him, repent, honor and obey his covenants, we can be saved in
the kingdom of God. He suffered for all that they might not suffer.
This I know with all my heart, and soul.



Love you,

This is our power stance.

Someone threw Up Christmas Big!

Yep.

Okay, well this week was a dive bomb. Opposition slammed us hard with
our boy that is supposed to get baptized this weekend. His wife
straight up cracked his jaw because she has sleeping probs, and
doesn't like getting woken up. So, they couldn't get married this
week. The Micronesian family almost dropped us Friday, but we saved
it. Hopefully we can bring them back into progress this week. My
companion has to have nose surgery so we aren't sure if he will be in
the field much longer, sad day cause he's my first son in my own
posterity, and a darn good missionary. I have never had such great
success.

We had our Christmas conference on Tuesday. It was legit, (I attached
a video, please excuse my terrible voice) I hope I don't get
transferred this area is flaming right now!

I had a lady try and tear me to pieces about the policy on gay
marriage. She was a less active member, and I didn't know them so we
contacted them, and the husband answered and was super nice, and we
had some good topics, and then she came busting down the stairs and
just started rattling off some anti, and random stuff that isn't even
doctrine. I let her go on for about 15 minutes. I stood there and
waited. Then I said this "when you joined the church, you felt by the
Holy Ghost that there was a prophet called, right?" She said "yes, I
did". I said "then you can't deny that feeling, the Holy Ghost doesn't
lie". And she turned around and walked away. I felt the deepest
compassion in my heart for that women. And I pray that she feels
spirit witness to her of the truthfulness of this gospel.


I love the Lord. He has been my strength this week. No matter what
kind of curve ball is thrown at me, I can remember that he is still
there. I remember what he went through for me.

"Let us not use a sickle, but a combine"

The Lord put in our path 11 new souls to bring to him this week. We
found a Micronesian Family. They are on date for the 26th. Love them
so much! Mahn Trann got married, he and his son PJ will be baptized on
the 12th. I have never seen such faith before. They have come so far.

The Micronesian family opened the door for our return appointment, and
there were two chairs centered in the middle of the room. After a few
minutes, each one of them came and sat before us. In amazement they
heard the message of the restoration of the gospel. They had never
heard of modern prophets and apostles, they never knew of the Book of
Mormon. They didn't comprehend that God could love us that much. But
the spirit was strong, it pierced there hearts, and they wanted to be
baptized. My heart fills with joy concerning these people. I love
them, I hope I don't get transferred.


While pondering what kind of dedication is needed for this work, my
heart draws upon the example of the apostle Paul. His dedication,
understanding, desire and attitude for the work. He moved quickly and
persistently on the impressions he received from the spirit, he did
not doubt neither did he stop for a rest from his purpose. He did not
let anything, anyone, or mediocrity get in his way. (Acts 16:9-10) he
was fixed on his purpose of saving souls. In this account, Paul and
Silas were cast into prison, they continued to sing praises unto God.
This example softened the Jailers heart. When night had fallen, the
Earth began to quake, and the bands had been loosed from Paul and
Silas. The Jailer being woken up, drew his sword for he was fearful
that they escaped, and began to take his own life. Before he could do
this, Paul shouted and Begged the jailer to spare himself, for they
were still there. Even when the Logical thing to do would be to escape
from prison, they didn't. But Paul (unwritten) acted on the impression
to call out to the Jailer, and the jailer came to him and asked what
he needed to do to be saved. Did Paul tell him he wasn't worth it? Did
he hold any grudges? Was his heart fixed on his afflictions? Was his
heart bitter toward him? NO! He began to preach the gospel like a
champ. Because he understood his calling, he knew what the Lord wanted
him to do, and he did it, and resisted not. He could not bear that any
soul should perish. He knew his calling, and he dedicated himself to
the work of the Lord. He baptized the jailer, and many others that
were there. The fruits of his labors were plentiful. He was a mighty
man, and he loved the Lord. It mattered not that he was slain, it was
a privilege to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was standing
there with the best life this world has ever known, the only pure and
perfect missionary that ever lived.

I testify, that dedicated service, understanding our purpose, and
having the desire and attitude to teach all men will bring more souls
unto Christ than anything else we do. Because the definition of all
this is the act of Charity, the pure love of Christ. Charity is
manifest when we act on the impressions we receive, steady our course,
and move with compassion. Charity, is enduring our afflictions with
faith in Jesus Christ. Charity, is preaching the gospel no matter what
the cost, circumstances, or places we may be in. I know this to be
true, I know the power of the priesthood is real, it has cast out many
unclean things in my midst (D&C 50:23) it has given me the power and
strength to overcome my trials. It is real. It is here to bless all
men, this I know, nothing doubting, for I truly know it.
I had a good thanksgiving, nothing like home though! We had it at an old folks home and an old lady told us she was a nudist. How was thanksgiving? 

Elder Greenburg

Missouri Independence Mission

Kansas City Missouri Area

Dun da da dun!

This week was nuts! Our gangster boy is on fire! He's going to get
married on Wednesday so he can get baptized! He's a stud and I love
him! He has made so much progress. He hasn't smoked in like 2 weeks,
he's been making so much progress! This week was pretty dry though as
far as new investigators. The family we found last week dropped us.
Probably okay though, that was a sketchy situation.

I have been studying a lot about the Nature of God. It's interesting
to know what kind of love, and all around long suffering he has for
his children. Thinking about that humbles me. He has given, and
continues to give. All he asks of us, is that we keep his
commandments. He gives us commandments, because he loves us. We show
him our love by obedience. I have taken for granted is that he
continues to give each time. Even after my end of the deal is
finished. Internalizing the love that is needed for the savior is the
only way to truly change, and obey his commandments. I can be obedient
with many different motives. Each motive has a consequence, if the
motive is temporal, then the obedience is temporary, if the motive is
eternal, then the obedience is eternal. Love for the lord is the only
source for eternal obedience. Fear is not a good motive to obey, but
love is. Love endureth forever.


The question i commonly ask to those I teach, and to myself is "are
you really committed? If you love the Lord, you will keep his
commandments even when it seems impossible" he wants to bless us, he
wants to fill is, and the strength we obtain is eternal.

I testify that all things are possible through him. He is our captain.
He is at the helm.

Elder Greenburg
Missouri Independence Mission
Kansas City Missouri Area

Is it just me, or does that sister missionary look like she is 12?

High Profile Case

Well, Chris finally got baptized! He was investigating for 4 months.
The baptism was awesome! The font had a slow leak, so I dunked him in
knee deep water. That was quite the experience. He's now part of the
YSA Ward. I somehow always find YSA people...lol well, I actually know
the answer to that. But that will not be revealed here. :)

I am on cloud 9! I love my mission so much!

We found a family this week! There was a woman that we street
contacted, a subtle prompting brought us to her. Her house was covered
in posters that state "Bring our sister back". We started talking to
her, and it wasn't long before she began to cry, she told us a
sensitive story, about how her baby was kidnapped 5 years ago out of
her crib. The spirit was strong, and we bore simple testimony that our
father in heaven knows more about how she felt that anyone. He had to
watch each one of us make our journey to earth, and then struggle
through the years of life here. Her countenance changed, and a smile,
and sense of comfort came over her. We returned, and her family joined
in on the lesson.

The sad part of that story, is that the mother is one of the main
suspects in the case, and we might have to discontinue our visits with
them until the case is cleared. (Names have been Withheld per data
privacy laws)

I learned a great deal about the spirit in this work. Here are a few
impressions I received.

Many rely on their own learning, and deny the utterance of the Holy
Ghost. They pride themselves in their intellect, but lack the humility
needed to learn from the spirit.  Yet, they still yearn for spiritual
things. They seek comfortable doctrine, and pervert it for things of
godliness. They testify of the incomprehensible God. Which is a true
doctrine, but they lack the understanding that knowledge of his divine
nature is obtained "line upon line, precept upon precept" by the power
of the Holy Ghost. One who does not understand God, will not
understand himself, if he does not understand himself he will not
understand the truth, if the understanding of the truth is lost, the
man becomes carnal, subject to any "wind of doctrine by the sight of
man", and his "cunning craftiness" (Eph 4:11-14)

 "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 Cor 2:14

One of Many reasons why the Natural Man does not sit comfortably in
the chapel of Latter Day Saints,  because they are not comfortable in
the presence of the Lord. They are more comfortable with the world,
because the world won't make them change. Those who do not practice
heavenly things, will never become heavenly. So the stand point of
those who do not comprehend the things of God is simply because they
never wanted to or they wanted to, but relied on man to tell them what
God is, rather than relying on the spirit to reveal to them the nature
of God. That is the concept of man creating God in his own image,
rather than God creating man in his image. The mislead idea is that
when we were born, we were created in gods image. YES. But I pose this
question: Is our creation ended at birth? Or do we continue to be
created throughout our mortal existence, or possibly further than
that? The thing that is needed to understand, is by whom are we
created? What materials are being used in the creation process? And
what are we trying to become.

When we follow the Lord, we build in the Light, and stature of Gods
materials. The commandments, the scriptures, the spirit, the Gospel of
Jesus Christ, are all materials needed to build our image and
countenance of the Almighty. We have been given a body, which is the
First step to Godhood. The Second step to Godhood however, is the
freedom to choose. The ability to act, rather than be acted upon. All
things are given to us which are expedient to us, they are subject for
us to grow in the knowledge and image of God, or the captivity and
power of the devil, his misery, his cunning craftiness.. We can choose
"Liberty, and eternal life through the great mediator of all men, or
to choose captivity and death according to the captivity and power of
the devil". (2 Nephi 2:27)  If we want to honor the doctrine of being
created in the image of God, we must learn his attributes. We learn
his attributes by the Holy Ghost through diligent scripture study, and
the words of the living prophet. So one who does not know the
attributes or cannot comprehend God, is because they have not looked
or searched for his spirit. They have not used his materials-the
gospel-to understand him.

Thus it is expedient to have his spirit in this work. The spirit is
the only tool we have to pierce the wall surrounded by the carnal.
Much opposite to the spirit is the carnal thinking of our own talents.
This is where most missionaries fall short of talking with everyone. I
myself struggled with this a great deal. In common social stand
points, it is un- natural to walk up to a random person, and declare
the gospel, or for that matter, to talk to any random person about
anything is un- heard of these days. When we don't have the spirit with
us, and the carnal has set in; the awkwardness of talking to strangers
settles in, we begin to fear, the isolation and single mindedness
begins, and we are left unto ourselves, it is interesting to note that
self centered attributes are applied to our lives as soon as mistakes
are made. But the only cure is to turn outward, to repent. With
repentance comes the Holy Ghost. Those people are now not as awkward
to talk to, the lord puts words in your mouth to say, and you are not
confounded before man. Any situation, and person. It is the only tool
needed in this work to pierce hearts, break down walls, and be
converted to the gospel.