Week of April 25,1016

Hello!

This week was the bomb! We had an awesome lesson with an Investigator
that his been meeting with missionaries for a very long time now
(Eternigator). We took her to the Visitors Center in Independence and
talked about eternal families, which is exactly what she needed. Her
husband is member, but she is having a hard time knowing if the church
is true, based on her religious background (Southern Baptist) #Anti!
Her parents aren't taking to kindly to her joining the Mormon church.
Nevertheless we had a good lesson with them, they cried! They have a
desire to be sealed in the temple. They just don't see the whole
picture yet.


We did a ton of service on Saturday. My companion and I are 6'4 and
6'5 so our backs and knees are shot! We landscaped a lady's yard. That
took about 3 hours, then we went and picked up a Part Member Families
construction project, and cleaned out their garage, that was about 3
hours. Then, we went and planted strawberries for this old lady, her
hip is busted all to pieces but she still makes it to church every
Sunday. She's a trooper.


Last P-day was cray. We went to down town Kansas City and got some
Fried Chicken with a member in our ward, then I had an interview with
President Vest, and before ya know it, your P-day is over, and you're
chasing Satan lovers across KC MO!

Anyway, the best work I think I have ever done is the work of the
Lord. I have seen myself grow so much lately. I feel like the Lord has
helped me intellectually, and spiritually, just when I think I
understand everything, I find something more to search, ponder and
pray about. I find that most people will hide their questions from us.
In reality, nobody can be helped that way.

There was a semi-active man that we had dinner with this week. The
Bishop told me I had one task with this one. Find out why he hasn't
gone to the temple. So, after dinner we had a discussion about
potential, and privileges. We asked them why they hadn't been through
the temple yet. They started to blame their son that had fallen away
at first. But I felt like I could see right through them. So I asked a
more probing question. "You know that you can receive your endowments
without your son right"? That's when the true colors started to shine.
He started to mention some stuff he read online. The stuff I heard was
definitely nothing new. There is plenty of Anti Mormon stuff that we
get hit with out here. The benefit of this setting is that I knew how
to help him, and even better, this man trusted me enough to open up
about his thoughts and feelings. I don't exactly know what fell out of
my mouth, but my companion told me after that I Said something to the
effect of "If you wanted to know about dodge trucks would you go to a
Ford dealership for information? no, because they wouldn't have the
proper info." So why on earth would you go to an online sources for
something so sacred and spiritual. Do you not believe that God answers
prayers? Have you sought answers in the scriptures? You can't seek
spiritual advice through worldly resources. He said that he would pray
about it. His wife totally started crying! She wants to go to the
temple so bad! Hopefully we can help them!


We had transfers this week, and Elder Monroe and I stayed in Flemming
park for 6 more weeks. Every companionship in the zone but us and the
sisters got changed up! That was a blessing! The people that left the
zone were causing a lot of grief. But they've been replaced with
missionaries that are here for a reason..a lot of them have been out
for over a year!  I'm excited!


Last but certainly not least! I think I'm getting sick. So, yeah. That
happened.


That about caps my life right now.

I attached a picture of the entire mission, and the Mission Leadership
Council at the mission home

Love ya!

Picture of the entire mission

Week of April 18,2016

Hello,

This week was eventful! We found a family of 8! They are super sweet
people, and we are excited to take them to the next level of
progression. This area seemed hard at first, but then I adjusted my
attitude, and things got better. I think there's a common misconception
that occurs with missionaries. "I'm on a mission, I'm not supposed to
get discouraged, weak, lonely, irritable, sad etc." that's a fat lie if
I ever heard one. The gospel was built on opposition!!!! Why on earth
would we believe that we would never feel negative feelings after
baptism? After Christ calmed the tempest did the waves ever pick up
again? So it is with being a missionary, the setting apart comes with
blessings, but that doesn't mean that all struggles are put aside. It
all sits on your attitude.


We had a great baptism this weekend! I attached a pic! This was a
miracle, the mother of this kid didn't even want him to be baptized at
first. She said "if he comes in here, and can say he wants to be
baptized, then I will let him" the kid comes in we ask him if he wants
to be baptized his answer: "no" we were a little thrown off but then
he said "it might be windy, and I don't want to be cold". We fixed
that problem, baptisms aren't held outside. So he committed to be
baptized.

We got to go to KCK today, that was legit! I love the city!


This week has been tough,  yet rewarding. I'm ready for another round though!



Love you!!!

April 11,2016

This week was interesting. We had our Mission Leadership Council on
Wednesday (Meeting where Zone Leaders&Sister Training Leaders have a
meeting, and receive trainings for the missionaries in their zones) I
got a call on Tuesday morning from the assistants asking if I would
give a training. That was a hectic way to start your day. A training
in front of all of the leaders of the mission and the mission
presidency puts a guy on edge! But it went well, and I loved the
experience.

Then we prepared for zone training. That was another great experience,
it's always a great opportunity to address the missionaries and get
their feedback of all the struggles they are having.

I also met a Less-Active family. They stopped coming to church because
both spouses had really bad marriages previously to meeting. So they
just moved in with each other as boy friend and girl friend. Kind of a
sticky situation but they are sincerely seeking to repent and come
back. I received a personal confirmation from the spirit that these
two are the reason I was transferred here. Also, they are both hair
stylists, and they do a stellar job on my hair!

I loved Elder Bednars talk. It was pure doctrine. GOLD! So I studied it.

"Holy ordinances are central in the Savior’s gospel and in the process
of coming unto Him and seeking spiritual rebirth. Ordinances are
sacred acts that have spiritual purpose, eternal significance, and are
related to God’s laws and statutes. All saving ordinances and the
ordinance of the sacrament must be authorized by one who holds the
requisite priesthood keys." -Elder Bednar

The Lord has invited us to come unto him. The gospel of Jesus Christ,
as outlined in the scriptures as Faith, Repentance, Baptism, The gift
of the Holy Ghost, Endure to the End. Is the way we can accomplish
that goal. It is central to obtaining his mercy and grace.

Those who criticize Latter-Day saints for "working their way to
heaven" do not understand the action words the Savior used time and
time again in the scriptures "come unto me". I imagine coming unto the
Savior as a pathway on which we all need to walk in order to use his
Atonement. That pathway is Repentance, Baptism, Holy Ghost, and the
sacred ordinance and covenants in the temple. No wonder James wrote
Faith without works is dead. It's not a working motion he was talking
about. He wasn't talking about how many doors you need to knock in
order to be saved, or even how many baptism you get. He was talking
about how you can actually be saved by choosing to enter into a
covenant with God, and then honoring that covenant by keeping the
commandments.

I love the work here. It has shaped me into something that I could
never imagine being! It continues to teach me every day. When you stop
asking questions, that's when you stop progressing.

Elder Jared M. Greenburg
Missouri Independence Mission
Fleming Park Ward

April 4, 2016

Hey guys, this week was pretty slow. I loved conference though, my
favorite talks were Elder Holland, Bednar was just pure doctrinal
gold. He teaches with such clarity. Anyway, we did a lot of finding
this week, a lot of bashing. My goal with each area is to become good
friends with as many pastors as possible, so when I knock on these
doors, and people say "I go to such&such church" I can tell them I
know their pastors. It's my favorite bridge building activity.

Well, I got nothing else to talk about, so here is a little bit of my
study journal this week,



Things that may not seem logical, can be slowly revealed as we
continue press forward in the Faith of Jesus Christ. Nephi had faith
and trusted that this is what the Lord wanted him to do, so he did it.
Things slowly began to make sense.

1 Nephi 4
In verse 10 it talks about what happens when we begin to doubt. Nephi
used the word "shrunk" appropriate for this occasion, when we begin to
doubt, we begin to lose power. The spirit spoke to him, and instead of
shrugging it off, he listened, and he was taught by the spirit. This
is the principle that was noted in verse 7. The Lord prepares away, he
wants me to obey.

V14 The spirit presses feelings to the mind, and to the heart. Nephi
began to remember his past experiences with faith, he also remembered
the blessings that the Lord promised him.

Do I remember the blessings the Lord promises me in times when my
faith is being tried by temptation? Yes, whenever I am tempted,
-whether I acknowledge it or not- The spirit whispers "I need you
today, stay sharp" or "you know that I can't be with you if you do
that" or my favorite one is "What about your future? You know what
will happen after you fall" The Lord really does prepare a way for us
to accomplish his commandments. The Holy Ghost teaches, testifies,
invites, promises blessings, and in the moment of temptation it
follows up. It follows up in the darkest hours, it pulls on our hearts
when we do things that we know are wrong, it prompts us to go a
different way. The best way to have the spirit more abundantly is to
act on those promptings.


V32-34 Nephi was able to teach Zoram the commandments of the Lord, and
Zoram knew that Nephi was faithful in keeping the commandments, he
knew that he was man of the Lord. He could trust that this was the
right thing to do.




Elder Jared M. Greenburg
Missouri Independence Mission
Fleming Park Ward

Fleming Park

Holy Moses! What an interesting, and long week I have had!

I would have to say this was the toughest week of my mission! I miss
the Lenexa Zone so much! It broke my heart, and I love those
missionaries. I spent last P-day packing, and saying bye to a really
cool family that I grew to love, and learn from! They helped build my
testimony of the importance of having an Eternal Family. Before I met
them I did NOT want kiddos. But after knowing them, and seeing the joy
that they had raising their baby, I couldn't help but recognize the
importance of getting married, and starting a family.

It also taught me to choose a career wisely. This experience in
particular helped me understand how important schooling is going to be
when I return home. It helped me understand that I need to pick a
career that I love, and that will help me meet the needs of my family,
and posterity. Those things have never been thought through until I
met these people, they have been an impact on my life, and I will be
eternally grateful for them.

This new area is pretty interesting. There has been a lot of just
awful things happen to the saints here. It has had a devastating
effect on the work. The missionaries here Blatantly Disobey the rules.
It's extremely frustrating. However, I did sit down with president
Vest this week and went over some things we could do to help them out.
They are just trying to figure out why they are here, and the only way
to help them is to love them.

Not too much to report on this week.

Love ya

March 21,2016

Hi everybody.

This week was good, we baptized. That was successful. First baptism
this area has had in a year. It was a 10 year old. But it still
counts. Lol

I'm getting Transferred to serve in the Kansas City Missouri Stake.
Little unexpected, but the Lord makes his call.

This week was full of interesting things, we only had about 6 hour of
proselyting time in our area and the Lord provided us blessings. We
found 5 New investigators. One just moved from South Carolina and he's
awesome. Surprised he didn't run us off his porch. But he said he is
looking forward to knowing a further light and knowledge. We also met
a missionary from the Lutheran church, she is awesome. I love people
that know the Bible, because the Bible testifies of the Book of
Mormon. So really, it's just helping them recognize that, and then
giving them that opportunity to feel the spirit, and act on the
impressions received.

I am reading through the Book of Mormon for the 8th time now. It is
still just as true as it was when I first read it. Although, I feel
like I understand it better. I was promised at the beginning of my
mission that if I read 6 pages a day, I will never fall. I can testify
of that principle. It is true. All afflictions seem to fade, as I feel
the strength from the spirit to know what to do. A story, or passage
always comes to mind as I'm walking the streets, or feel
discouragement, and of course many other things that a missionary may
struggle with.

I'm really going to miss the Lenexa Stake, and Zone. We had our
monthly correlation meeting with the Stake Presidency and Mission
Presidency. We provided a report of the progress this area is making.
What a spiritual experience! We noticed that the lessons taught with
Members Present had dropped a little. We asked them what they felt as
a stake presidency could be done to increase this. We put our heads
together, and the spirit guided the meeting. We walked out with a
rough draft from the presidents on how we can help the Bishops and
Ward councils move the work forward. They also invited us to a seminar
for all bishops in a month, we will be presenting the plan that was
created.

I know that the work I have done here in such a short time has been
done. I know that I have met the people i have needed to meet. I know
this by their situations. If i hadn't lived the life I did, I would
not have been able to help these people understand grace. I am truly
grateful for the Lords Atonement. I use it every day. The redemption
power, and the Enabling power. The doctrine of Christ is real. It is
the only way we can return back to the Father, and stand blameless
before him.



One of the missionaries in my zone made this little meme about me, I
thought it was cute.

 Baby Fan!

#Thug Life

Fat Baby cheeks of the gospel

This week was the best week ever. We were filled with many spiritual experience. I felt the spirit testify to me, that the Lord calls Apostles and prophets to the earth today, as I looked one in the eyes, shook his hand, and introduced myself. The countenance he held was touching. I listened to him testify to me and every other missionary here that we are the "noble and great ones" as defined in D&C 138 he said "I don't know what you did in the pre-exsistance deserve a mission call like this one". I loved Gary E. Stevensons training. Before this, I had the opportunity to give a training to 9 companionships on Friday. I witness the reality of the Plan of Salvation, as I stand in my flesh and bones, and I see the children of God walk this earth. I know that I told the father that I would come here, I not only know that I told him that, but I know that every person that walks this earth told him that. Heavenly Father wants all of his children back. We are infinitely far greater than we think. As stated in Ephesians 1,  the Latter Day Saints were foreordained as members of this church. That means we have a work to do. How great is our calling as members here in the latter days. 

I attached a copy of my training. 

And this picture of my new bestie since all of mine are married now. 

                                      "Believe in Christ, and Deny Him Not"

                                                    Elder Jared M. Greenburg 

                                                           March 13th, 2016

 

The concept of Faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement has caused me much reflection lately. As I have studied the doctrine, it is my prayer that I might know what more the Lord would have me do as his authorized servant. 

2 Nephi 25:29 "...the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out."

What exactly does it mean to worship him with all your "Might, mind, and strength and your whole souls"? I have studied it out, and defined each word; that I might fully understand what it means to exercise my faith in him. 

Might

 In this context it means power. Allowing Jesus Christ to have power over you, is in essence worshipping him with your might, and so qualifying you to exercise more faith. Satan can't have power over you unless you give it to him. The same concept works with Christ. It is aligning your will with his, and relying on his power to guide and direct you. When we act on the impressions we receive from the spirit, we are honoring him, and showing him our faith. 

Mind

To worship Christ with our mind is to study his doctrine and become familiar with his teachings. What would he say if he were here today? What would he do if he were here today? In the sacrament prayer we covenant to "always remember him". Keeping our thoughts clean and pure, and when they are not, we immediately turn to him and ask "Lord what would thou have me do"?. Worshiping him in faith, is knowing him, and working to allow his attributes to come to fulfillment in our lives. The only way this is accomplished is by studying his doctrine, and allowing our head knowledge become heart knowledge, even to the cleansing of our souls. 

Strength

When temptation is at bay, it takes a lot of strength to keep His commandments. Worshiping Jesus Christ with all our strength is working from 10am to 9:30 pm. It's placing our physical wants aside, and placing all of our energy toward his cause. It's fearing God rather than the precept of man. It's trusting that he is there. When this is applied, fear is no longer an option. It's giving everything you have and relying on grace to come into your life as you physically, and spiritually burn out. I imagine someone fighting a war, and placing all of his training, and knowledge into the battle field. He unloads, he isn't afraid to go the full 15 rounds, and when he is finished he remembers who it was that he trusted. So it is with Christ's Atonement.  If you "Remember how merciful the Lord hath been from the creation of Adam, even down until [this point in your life]"; Then you are truly remembering in whom you've placed your strength, and you will accomplish more that day than you would have if you placed your trust in yourself. 

Whole Soul 

Repenting, and knowing that you are forgiven of your sins. You trust, and have faith that Christ kept his word when he said "16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit--and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink--

19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men." (D&C 19) it's trusting that the atonement happened. It's knowing and feeling that he has payed the debt, and after we have done all things to make it right, We will be forgiven. Faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement not only means to trust in the Redeeming power, but also the Enabling power of Him. Knowing that his grace is sufficient to help you put off the sins, and to put off temptation. Trust that he won't let your soul perish. That if you turn to him, you will be healed, and at the final day be able to stand in the presence of God. 

 I now know, and understand that "there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God." As the scripture reads "believe in Christ, and deny him not." I now realize that I deny Jesus Christ when I let myself believe that he can't take my weaknesses from me. I deny him when i put all my might, mind, strength, and whole soul into my own efforts rather than relying on his. When I tell myself that I can do this on my own, when I rely on the carnal, rather than the councils of God. 

I simply know now, that it is truly him in whom we need to place our trust. Like Nephi, "I know in whom I have trusted....My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep...He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh."( 2Nephi 4:19-21)

He can help each one of us overcome each temptation we receive, pain we have ever felt, guilt can be swept away, and hearts can be healed. It is by the only true doctrine. It is the doctrine of Jesus Christ, and the only doctrine of the father. 

Conclusion 

 I now turn to Alma chapter 32 in closing as he explains better than I can how we can build our faith. 

Alma 32:12 I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues, that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn wisdom; for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom; for it is because that ye are cast out, that ye are despised of your brethren because of your exceeding poverty, that ye are brought to a lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be humble."

Step 1

A man must be humbled by being compelled or by his own instance. Faith cannot work without a building place, therefore we must give place in order for faith to grow.

Alma 32:13 "And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved." 

Step 2

Repentance, we must seek to change, get a fresh view of God, and so qualify for his guidance, we will obtain mercy from it. 

Alma 32:16 "Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart, yea, without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe."

Step 3

Believe in the word of God, and be baptized, be born again! Partake of the sacrament, and be ready for him to bless you as you follow his commandments. 

Alma 32:23 "And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men but women also. Now this is not all; little children do have words given unto them many times, which confound the wise and the learned."

Step 4

Listen to the spirit with submission. Even like a child. Promise to follow those promptings. 

These first 4 steps are the pre-ground for faith. Every farmer plows his field before dropping seed. We can plow our fields, and prepare our spiritual grounds for seed and nourishment in preparation for more faith. 

PHASE 2 Of Faith Building. Action. 

Action 1 Begin 

Alma 32:28 "Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves--It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. 29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge. 30 But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow.31 And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness. 32 Therefore, if a seed groweth it is good, but if it groweth not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast away. 33 And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good." 

Alma uses the word "Beginning" 8 different times in these verses, in connection with "grow" and "enlighten". Everything has to have a beginning before progression starts, and hearts are changed. The beginning could be finding people to teach, it could be a lifelike matter such as someone prepared their field for a seed, the beginning could simply be the missionaries knocking on their door, or a member inviting them to dinner with the missionaries. Whatever the case may be, it has to start with a beginning before it can progress to something greater. It only progress to something greater if the Holy Ghost can testify of its goodness. 

Action 2 Recognize 

Alma 32: 34 "And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand. 35 O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect? 36 Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good."

The action word is "KNOW". You must recognize that the seed is good or in other words-the word is good. Acknowledge that it is from God, and that your own mind did not come up with it. But it was divine revelation from the almighty. The spirit is what expands our knowledge in that thing 

Action 3 Nourish it 

Alma 32: "37 And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit. 38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.39 Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof. 40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life. 41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life. 42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst. 43 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you."

Nourish it until it takes root, and then continue to nourish it with an eye of faith, looking forward to the fruit. The fruit, Is revelation and guidance. If we desire more guidance and revelation, we must have more faith, we must nourish our spiritual trees and be able to pluck the fruit by and by and reap the rewards of everlasting life. Nourishing the word takes diligence, patience, long suffering, submission, and the continuation of the spirit. We can expand our knowledge, our testimonies unto conversion, by nourishing the good word of God, exercising what we know, and looking forward with a positive mind to the future. If we dwell in the past, we will end up doing past things. If we dwell in the future, and the future is a righteous desire, we will eventually become that righteous desire, our hearts will be changed, and we will know with a perfect knowledge that it is in fact a good seed. We will be building our foundations upon the rock of our redeemer who is Christ the son of God. And THAT, is how we can become "disciples of Jesus Christ, and declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life"

Elder Jared M. Greenburg

Missouri Independence Mission

Lenexa Kansas Ward