September 19.2016

Hello everyone! 

This week we walked and talked a lot. Not too much fruit was yielded, though there was a lot of seeds planted. I did not come on my mission to plant seeds, I came to harvest. (D&C 4) But, I find that the Lord is probably working on my endurance. Whenever someone accepts literature, but does not set a return appointment I just find it an opportunity to find someone that is waiting for me, or that the lord needs my time somewhere else. 

As we talk with people we try and identify 2 things. 

1.) what evidence do we have that the person we contacted felt the spirit?

2.) what evidence do we have that they want to repent? 

As we have done this we have been able to better identify the spirit in our work, and we have been able to invite more people to act on the repentant attitude they have. We help them identify that attitude by inviting them to be baptized. I haven't had one person tell me no, and I have not "been confounded before man." For I know that the Holy Ghost is the teacher. He aluminates the mind, and expands the heart as truth is unfolded. Those who receive this gospel, receive it best by a willing and open heart. They must let it into their hearts. We bring it unto, but they must let it into. I love that thought. Heavenly Father lets us exercise our agency even when he is speaking to us directly. 

I love being a full time missionary. I love my Savior. I love feeling the Holy Ghost in my life. It is the most enjoyable thing. Everything depend on that. 

Elder Jared M. Greenburg 

Missouri Independence Mission 

Warrensburg Missouri Area

September 12,2016

Hello! 

I hope everyone's week went well! I had a pretty good week! We had a few meetings, but we still managed to get some work done in our area. 

I had the wonderful opportunity of giving a training on Desires. I won't give the whole training, but I will touch on just a few points: 

1.) Agency only works if you are obedient. Disobedience causes the adversary to make you "miserable like unto himself". Thus we must educate our desires. Do we want to serve God, or Satan? Are the desires of our hearts leading us upward and forward toward God, or further from him? Do we aim for His pleas, or the worlds? 

2.) Righteous desires are more than passive preferences or fleeting feelings. Making a split second decision upon the arrival of instant gratification can lead to detrimental consequences.  In this realm, self mastery is not in our habitual attribute, but becomes an irritant. Righteous desires are those with eternal pleas, and not temporal things. 

3.) Those who truly want the desires of their hearts, will receive them without delay. For as Alma taught "I ought not to harrow up in my desires the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction." (Alma 29:4) If you desire the things of the flesh, you will obtain them. IF you desire the things of God, you will get them. God does not remove your agency. He will respond to our earnest pleas. 

4.) If we are unhappy it is because we so desired to be. This one is difficult to recognize until one reflects on the eternal grand plan of progression. You see, we progress in only 2 ways. 1.) Toward God. 2.) Toward the Adversary. Each decision we make causes us to progress into darkness or light, Telestial or Celestial, Exaltation or eternal damnation. We set the standards of temptation. The sizing and the magnitude of temptation is determined to the heed we give to it. We make choices every day. Each choice we make is either a building block toward God, or a loop hole toward the adversaries final trap. We must then be honest with the consequences of our desires. We must be courageous enough to say that our desires are wrong and that we need to change. 

5.) Drawing upon the Atonement of Jesus Christ to change. As we recognize our wrong desires, we then must determine how we will change. Change in its process requires the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We must reflect upon our hearts, and prayerfully consider our eternal destiny. Are we really doing what's right when we act on our desire? Our all loving Heavenly Father wants us to have eternal happiness. That is His desire. He wants us to succeed and obtain all that he hath, and we can choose that path as we make the sacrifice necessary. 

I have recently began a study on the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. The significance of this part of the Atonement is deep. 

Preparatory to affixing the condemned to the cross, it was the custom to offer each a narcotic draught of sour wine or vinegar mingled with myrrh and possibly containing other anodyne ingredients, for the merciful purpose of deadening the sensibility of the victim.

The Savior did not partake of such, knowing the contents it contained would cloud his focus on the children of men during his death on the cross, and with his communication with the Father. In that very moment, we can understand that the Lord really did engrave us upon the palms of his hands. He undoubtedly did so. 

As He was crucified there was one Malefactor on His right, the other on his left. Thus, the prophesy of Isaiah being fulfilled "he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." (Isaiah 53:12)

I know Jesus Christ performed the Atonement perfectly. There was no fault in His countenance, no disobedience in His choice, step by step he performed what was necessary for the children of men to succeed and obtain every needful thing. 

I love you, and I know that he also loves you. If he didn't, we would have been damned to hell at the first sight of sin. 

Elder Jared M. Greenburg 

Missouri Independence Mission 

Warrensburg Missouri Area

Got a hair cut. I wear my sun glasses inside cause it's always sunny in d-ville

September 5, 2016

Hello! 

This week we were lead and guided to a sweet family! We had somehow been lead to a boons area of the Ward. There we started contact people on the street one by one. Then I miracle happened! We began to approach this couple walking down the street with a baby in their stroller. By the body language they had given previous to me contacting them, I could tell they were not interested in talking to me. "Hey guys! We aren't interested" before I could hold my tongue from the sarcasm I had inside of me, I said "yeah, I knew that about 6 steps back; do you know anyone in the area that just lost a loved one that we could visit? Maybe had a baby kinda like you?" They didn't have anything for me, but the Lord sure provided! We knocked on the nearest door and a man walked out, grabbed my arm and pulled us into the garage. He said "Elders! Where are you from?" He talked to us as if he was a member. He continued "you guys have no idea what kind of month I have had. I just lost my 1 month old son, and I have been praying to God that the Elders would find me, and now you are here. I want to be sealed to my son, and I want my family to become members" 

An experience like that will leave a man in awe for several days; and it sure did! I love the sweet tender mercies of the Lord. 


I have had some serious allergies this week! It kind of stems from the fact that I went to Gods great vegetation! I got the wonderful opportunity to go to Adam-Ondi-Ahman and Far West Temple Site this week!!!! That is a sacred and consecrated ground my friends! Onto some deep doctrine....cover your ears and eyes kids! 

Starting here with the Grand Council at Adam-Ondi-Ahman as prophesied in Daniel 7:9-14

"9 ¶I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.

13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."

"This council will be the most importance to this world. At that time there will be a transfer of authority from the imposter, Lucifer, to the rightful King, Jesus Christ. Judgment will be set and all who have held keys will make their reports and deliver their stewardships, as they shall be required. Adam will direct preside at this judgement, and then he will make his report, as the one holding the keys for this earth, to his Superior Officer, Jesus Christ. Our Lord will then assume the reins of government; directions will be given to the Priesthood; and He, whose right it is to rule, will be installed officially by the voice of the Priesthood there assembled. This grand council of Priesthood will be composed, not only of those who are faithful who now dwell on this earth, but also of the prophets and apostles of old, who have had directing authority. Others may also be there, but if so they will be there by appointment, this is to be an official council called to attend to the most momentous matters concerning the destiny of this earth." 

“When this gathering is held, the world will not know of it; the members of the Church at large will not know of it, yet it shall be preparatory to the coming in the clouds of glory of our Savior Jesus Christ as the Prophet Joseph Smith has said. The world cannot know of it. The Saints cannot know of it--except those who officially shall be called into this council--for it shall precede the coming of Jesus Christ as a thief in the night, unbeknown to all the world.” Joseph Fielding Smith

Because of this knowledge, I decided to study about the millennial Era, Nephi said that “because of the righteousness of his [the Lord’s] people, Satan has no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth” (1 Nephi 22:26). 

There are many who teach that the binding of Satan will be merely the binding which those dwelling on the earth will place upon him by their refusal to hear his enticings. This is not true. He will not have the privilege during that period of time to tempt anyone. It is true that the result of the righteousness of the Saints is that Satan cannot have power over them. The restrictions that will come upon Satan will be a result of two important actions by the Lord: (1) He will destroy telestial wickedness from the earth at His Second Coming; and (2) He will reward the righteous by pouring out His Spirit on them to such an extent that Satan’s power will be overwhelmed. Satan will not have the power to tempt or negatively influence the Lord’s people. Both the righteousness of the Saints and the operation of the Lord’s power are necessary to bind Satan: if the Saints do not give heed to God’s word, He will not give them His Spirit. And without the Spirit, they on their own cannot withstand the force of the adversary. 

Do we see why it is important to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and honor our covenants? We on our own cannot withstand the force of the adversary. We need the enabling power of Jesus Christ. Satan will be bound by the power of God; but he will be bound also by the determination of the people of God not to listen to him, not to be governed by him. The Lord will not bind him and take his power from the earth while there are men and women willing to be governed by him. That is contrary to the plan of salvation. To deprive men of their agency is contrary to the purposes of our God. 

Satan only gains power over man through man’s exercise of his own agency; and when Satan shall be bound, as the Lord says he will be for a thousand years, one of the great powers that will help bring this to pass will be man’s agency. The Lord has never forced men against their will to obey Him. He never will do so. If Satan, therefore, has power with man, it is because man yields to his influence.

So how do we prepare for this Millennial era? There are several ways, but I'll list a few I have identified in the scriptures. 

(1.) Repent, and don't procrastinate. Alma 34 "32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.

33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.

34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world." 

(2.) Take Heed, learn to discern what the spirit of Christ is.  Moroni 7: "14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.

15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.

16 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 every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him."

(3.) Do not allow yourself to think that because it is the Millennium, that you will magically be able to do the right things. (Wickedness never was happiness) if you haven't been doing them now, you won't be doing them then.  Alma 41 "10 Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.

11 And now, my son, all men that are in a state of nature, or I would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; they are without God in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness."

In conclusion to this brain baby I had I will say this: I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know He lives. He is enough. Through Him I have been strengthened to carry the burdens of this life, and to liter on the path of discipleship my grievous transgressions, and imperfections. Without him, I am nothing, and I can do nothing. I love Him, and I know that He loves me. I know that God the Father loves his children. I am highly privileged to be one of those who has been called to be an instrument in His hands for the blessing of His children. I have joy in that and nothing else. 

Love you. 

This is Adams Alter of sacrifice built up after he was cast out of the garden. 

Preachers rock 

Oh dear,,, August 29,2016

Oh Warrensburg. "Oh wretched man that I am" I love the look of this
place, but man it feels dark here. That means there's a lot of work to
do! There is a college in our town along with the Whiteman Air Force
base so our ward is very unique! So many people moving in and out!

I was walking around contacting people the other day and came across a
man who asked me a very distinct question "What is the Holy Ghost?"
What a golden question! I think that was the Lord showing me that
people are searching here! I am extremely excited to have some success
in this area. My new companion is from Tooele. His name is Elder
Sagers. He works hard! He went to Stansbury and played on their
drum line. (Red head kid next to Ron) Pretty good dude. I'm still
getting to know him!

I'm also starting my 4 months to sexy challenge! I have been slacking
on my morning workout and a member is going to let me come over and
use his sweet gym! I'M pumped!

I came to an interesting observation this week.

We cannot live our lives with the risky chance of dying as an enemy to
God. Not only is it miserable, it is extremely unintelligent. We never
know when our "time to prepare to meet God" will be ended. We cannot
with good conscious say "when I am brought to that awful crisis; I'll
repent and return to my God". Life is not about squeezing our way into
the kingdom, but rather learning how to act appropriately so we can be
comfortable there.  There is a better way to live life; repentance.
Though it is hard to face our challenges and transgressions at times,
it makes an eternal difference in the end because we will hear the
Lord say at the final inning "well done, thou good and faithful
servant".  I know people who live there lives in complete and utter
misery, when they do not have to!

I had an experience this week that sunk deep into my heart. So deep
that it brought my own soul to ponder my life more fully, to
appreciate my life to its fullest. This moment that is so
sacred....changed me.

Before I got to Warrensburg I met with a family in Blue Springs to
thank them for serving me, and allowing me to serve them. At this
point I did not know where I was going. When the time to say good bye
came, I offered a prayer. After the prayer, the patriarch of the home
pulled me aside and said "Elder, you might know more about this than I
do. But I got a strong impression to tell you that there is someone in
your next area that has heard the gospel for quite some time now, but
when you invite him to be baptized, he will say yes. You need to find
him son." Pondering this experience for several days before transfers,
I was greeted with the calling to Warrensburg. I got here, and there
is indeed a special man that has been meeting with missionaries for
quite some time. I felt a connection with him immediately. I knew then
that this was the guy. The Lord has guided me along the path to teach
to this mans needs, though I have not invited him to be baptized yet,
I know that when I do, the Lord will be with me as I strive to
influence him.

The night before teaching him I had a dream. A man came to me in this
dream and began to explain to me that he had passed away several years
ago in an automobile accident. He went into great lengths of detail
about the accident. The car (bronco) was tipped upside down, and that
he had 4 friends with him. The car had rolled and each person was
ejected from their seats. The man that was talking to me did not make
it, he had died on scene. He said he had pulled his friends off the
road and laid them side by side to avoid further injury, and to ensure
that the paramedics would find them. He looked at me and said "I need
you to find my family and Baptize them. I want to baptized, and the
only way I can do that is if you find them and teach them." What a
powerful experience.

I wrote down the experience and pondered it throughout the day.
Finally, I arrived at this mans house to teach him. As we taught we
got on the subject of the gospel being preached to the dead. Somehow
he began to speak of a near death experience he had when he was
younger. He began to tell me the exact details of the dream I had the
night before. He said "my friend did not make it. But he made sure I
did". Through this experience I know exactly where to find the dead
mans family. I also know exactly who will be doing his work too. It
will be the man "that has been studying the gospel for quite some
time"  This experience changed my outlook on life for at least 3
reasons.
1.) The dead man came to me seeking consultation, because he had not
received the gospel on earth, and was seeking redemption. He chose not
to repent while in the flesh, and allowed himself with the risky way
of living his life, and dying as an enemy to God.

2.) Finding investigators to teach goes far beyond this life. There
are people on the other side that are praying that we find there loved
ones. When we find and baptize there loved ones we get them into the
temple immediately so they can be baptized for those who have been
seeking redemption on the other side of the veil.

3.) I need to live my life in such a way that if I were called home
today, I would be ready. I need to live a life that will not cause me
to be an enemy to God for eternity.


I know that the Lord directs this week!


Love y'all!

August 22,2016

Hello everyone!

We saw a lot of success this week, even though we haven't had much
time in our area. We had a missionary return home a week early for
school, so that put us in a trio  double covering 2 areas. We have
spent so much time in our car, and drove way too many miles! All weird
things aside, the Lord provided a way for us to accomplish the work in
this area.

I also hit my 20 month mark, so reality kind of set in, I still have
plenty of time!  Transfers are also this week. I will probably be
transferred due to the fact that my companion goes home next transfer,
and I've been here for 3 1/2. The unfortunate part of that is that I
have no idea where I am going until Thursday! YAY! I feel like I'm
going to Warrensburg. Probably!





Here are a few insights from my journal this week.

1 Nephi 19:7

The Atonement of Jesus Christ covers "both the soul and body". It is
"of great worth" to some. But others "esteem it to be a thing of
naught" Both have the opportunity to enjoy It. But I wonder what he
means by that "thing of naught."

Great Worth--Those who exercise faith in Jesus Christ, repent, are
baptized and honor those covenants, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
which sanctifies the soul, and endure to the end, are those who see it
to be of great worth.

Can there be a grey area? Yes. There CAN be, but will that grey area
be sufficient? No.

The grey area of which I speak is this--People think that confession
IS repentance. It is a step in the repentance process, but it IS NOT
repentance. This is what I believe he was speaking of when he said
"they set it at naught and trample under their feet. Yea, Even the
very God of Israel do men trample under their feet." Or in other words
"they set him at naught, and hearken not to the voice of his councils"

The only way to use the Atonement of Jesus Christ and not set it as a
thing of naught, is to hearken to his counsels by exercising Faith in
him unto complete and sincere Repentance. If it isn't used in that
way, I believe it is used in vain. Falling happens when we allow
ourselves to turn back for just a minute on past mistakes. But with
full turning away from sin, comes the responsibility to forgive
ourselves, and not cause father any more grief.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ was performed in the furnace of
iniquity. He was rejected by the estranged, so he could save the
estranged. "the world because of their iniquity shall judge him to be
a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it;
and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and
he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering
towards the children of men." The testimony of the coming of the the
Lord. In this very instance we capture a significant testimony of the
for-ordained Savior. Only He could take that kind of iniquity and have
long-suffering, and loving kindness toward his accusers. Why did the
Lord have that kind of feeling toward us? Because those who see the
big picture, who see our eternal worth would know that it is not worth
it to lash out, or to give up. Those who know that all eternity weighs
on them, would do that.

"I mean this in the most kind of ways, I hope you get the runs tonight"

Good morning friends and family!


This week was full of beautiful experiences. I had a personal
re-connect with my Heavenly Father. What I mean by that is that
sometimes as a missionary you struggle (go figure) you find yourself
going through the motions instead of being a Christlike servant of the
Lord.  This stems from doing the same things, and yielding no new
results. (That's also the definition of insanity BTW) I had excepted
the invitation from my mission President to fast that Sunday for a
testimony and greater understanding of how to draw upon the powers of
God for help. The next day (Monday) I sent a short little note to my
YSA bishop. I hadn't heard from him for a while so I wondered if I
somehow had the wrong email. The note reads "Hey Bishop, have you been
getting my emails?" I didn't think much of it. Monday night was a dark
night for me, we had no-body to go visit, alot of our members were not
home or we had to schedule a family home-evening in advanced. In other
words Elder Greenburg for the first time on his mission said "now what
do I do?" I felt extremely insecure. In a lot of ways I felt alone.

The next morning (Tuesday) I received a letter that honestly changed
my out-look on a lot of things. It may not be significant to any of
you. But to me it meant the world. It reads "Elder Greenburg, yes I've
been receiving your e-mail. I'm like the proud parents of a very
gifted Son. You're so awesome! I read your email each week in our
Bishopric meeting. I even have a file on my computer with everything
you've sent. I use your messages in talks. I guess what I'm trying to
say, is that I love you! You're a chosen Son of our Father In Heaven!
Sorry for being so laxidasical in my writing! Keep the faith!"

I literally felt the love of my Heavenly Father touch my heart through
one of his servants. My fast came through, and I then received the
revelation to know what to do. I hit my knees and offered a prayer of
thanks to my God. I made course corrections, and promised Heavenly
Father that I will work hard every day of my mission and not slack off
anymore. I committed my companion to follow me in that process.
Sometimes the Lord asks you to reach out in humility. He gives you
opportunities to think about your life, and ask "what has happened" He
then blesses you will people that can help you feel his love again.
That day I knew the Lord was there. He always has and always will be.
Sometimes in our search for Him we lose our way. In my case, I just
needed to stop and ask for help.

Because of this experience the next few days were full of wonderful
people, places, and things. I had more conversations about the gospel
than I ever had before. The power of God came down and with his mighty
hand he showed me that miracles have not ceased. On Thursday we had a
Zone Conference with the Warrensburg, and half of Independence zones.
I was invited to conduct the meeting under the direction of President
Vest. As I sat there I looked at an Elder that seemed to be in a lot
of pain. He sat sideways in the pew, his fingers clinching his head,
and tears were flowing down his cheeks. I was sitting right across
from one of the Assistants, and the next thing I knew I was mouthing
quietly "He needs a blessing". The Assistant quietly stepped down from
the stand took the Elder out and administered a blessing to him. They
came back and he sat calmly on the bench. A sister missionary was
giving a training on miracles at the time, and she asked the
congregation if they had seen any miracles this week, and if they
would share them with. The Elder raised his hand and said "I testify
that the priesthood of God has been restored back to the earth through
the prophet Joseph Smith. I stepped out because I was extremely sick,
and as I received a priesthood blessing I could literally feel the
sickness leaving my body, and I sit here before you with a healthy
mind ready to learn." I could hear a pin drop, and there were no dry
eyes at that point. The spirit of the Lord was there.

After a meeting like that coupled with the experience I had at the
beginning of the week, I was ready to "teach all nations". We set our
sights on finding someone to put on baptismal date. We worked as if it
all depended on us, and prayed as if it all depended on the Lord. We
were tracting down a street (that we were guided to) and came across a
family that was loading a trailer. We asked them if we could help them
move. They said "naw, we are almost done" I felt an impression to be
persistent on this one. Normally I don't do this but I said "sir, I
would much rather help you move, than be in the blazin hot sun all day
and have nothing to show for my efforts. Please, let me help you" He
looked up and said "mah! Find something for these men to do" As we
helped them, the old one of the bunch would make small remarks like
"we loaded that trailer as if it were a solid foundation" or he would
say "I can't believe you boys are doing this in dress clothes" Finally
he said "let me get your pastors email, I want to send him a letter
about the help you have rendered" I asked him "now why would you want
to do that?" He said "well boys I'm a pastor myself, and I would love
it if my youth knew that they could do hard things, I want to tell
your pastor that you can do hard things" I didn't even think anything
of it, I pulled out a Book of Mormon, wrote down our Presidents email
address, and then said "here's is information, have you ever read the
Book of Mormon before" He said he had and that he loved it. He started
to talk a lot about God, and how we can get to heaven. He started to
talk a about the straight and narrow path. I said, "have you read the
story about Lehi's dream?" he replied "no sir I haven't" I said "well
dear land sir I have a reading assignment that I think you will like 1
Nephi 11, you will read about a straight path, an iron rod, and the
tree of life which represents the love of God. Read it, pray about it,
and find out what those things mean to you. I testify that it will
testify to what you have just said to me"

We took off down the road and came across man who had just pulled into
his drive way. He said "I just got back from a funeral, my sister died
and I don't want to talk to you guys" I said "Well, that's fine. But I
am here to teach you the Plan that God has for your sister, and you,
and if you don't mind, I would like to talk to you anyway." He
actually stayed and listened! He even cried! We definitely have an
appointment with him this week!

Later that Saturday, we had nobody to teach. So we prayed about a
neighborhood to go finding in. Usually I would suggest that we go find
a member to go see. But this was a persistent feeling, and I don't
turn those down. We knocked doors for 2 hours. we got soft
appointments, a lot of deliberate NO's, no answers, a guy that let us
in who was half drunk but gave us water (we might try him sober. his
wife and mom seemed receptive). Finally we go for the last door on the
block. It's 8:30 and the sun is about to go down. We meet this nice
lady, she was super receptive! We asked her if she knew about the Book
of Mormon. SHE HAD NO IDEA! Then we asked "do you know where you came
from, why you are here, and where you are going next?" Holy MOSES SHE
DIDN'T KNOW THAT EITHER! However, she said that she asked her church
about it and they couldn't give her a solid answer. I testified that
the Book of Mormon answers those questions, along with all the other
deep questions of the soul like "Why do bad things happen to good
people?" Or "what does Christ expect of me?" Then she said "My kids
are big into reading, do you have any more Books?" I cleared out my
bag!!!! I had one copy left to give to the guy across the street, but
I will tell you more about that guy later. We got a return
appointment! And to our amazement the Lord blessed us with a beautiful
family to teach.


After we finished our conversation with the Women, we saw a man that
had just finished mowing lawns. He was leaned against his tail gate.
We approached him and he was polite. We introduced ourselves as
missionaries from the church of Jesus Christ. He said "You're who?"
And after three rounds of that question I finally said "We are ELDERS,
ya know? Missionaries?!" He wasn't a deaf man, he was a rather
arrogant man!  He said "NO NO NO!!!! You guys aren't from the church
of Jesus Christ! I belong to the church of Christ! You guys are a
cult!!!!" Well, from the very beginning me and my companion knew
exactly what was happening. We said "OOOOHHHHHH I see!!!! Well then, I
think you are sadly mistaken!" He said "you have the wrong gospel!!!!
Who is Jesus? Is he God?" We replied "well, under the direction of His
Father he created the earth" he said "really? You guys don't believe
that, I know you don't" I replied said "well now you're just trying to
tell me what I believe, and I find that highly ignorant, and quite
offensive" he said "well you should be, you're going to hell for
following Jo smith!" I replied "I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of
God, and I can assure you that anyone who follows that prophet will
not be going to hell" he said "NO NO NO! You need to be saved!!!!!!" I
said "oh really? You think so?" He said "when did you accept Jesus
into your life?" I said "8 years old was when I was baptized and made
a covenant with him to always keep his commandments" he cut me off and
said "NO NO NO!!!! You got the wrong gospel!!! You guys are adding way
too many things!!!! You don't need to be baptized!!!" I said "but what
about John 3:5 Accept a man be born of water and of the spirit he
cannot enter into the kingdom of God? That was a very clear statement
given, I don't think you can waver from that" he said "before your
mother gave birth to you, what happened?" I said "are you about to ask
me if my mom had to conceive? I don't mean to be rude, but that is
just not right" he said "No! Your moms water broke, indicating that
you were born of WATER! Now you need to be born of the spirit by
accepting Christ into your life!!!" I literally face palmed..."so you
are saying that Christ being fully submersed in water was all just a
big joke? That when the Fathers voice came down from heaven and said
'this is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased' did you think he
was kidding when he charged his apostles to 'go forth unto all
nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, of
the Holy Ghost' do you really think it was fake?" He said "what about
the thief on the cross? When Christ said that he would rest in the
kingdom of heaven?" I said "well, there's some doctrine behind that
statement that you don't really understand, nor will you accept" he
was floored. Then he started to talk about how Joseph Smith was a
fraud he tried to tell me that Joseph Smith himself said he was crazy.
So I asked him where he got that source he said "well it's, hm. No, it
might be, hm. I can't remember" I said "well, I don't think you can
back that one up, so please settle that in you mind"  He jumped
through a few other topics like the book of Revelation "disproving"
scripture, how God doesn't need our works, and that we need to just
accept him into our lives and we will be fine.

This all went on for a good solid 15 minutes. I was told that I was
going to hell, and that I was worth nothing. after a minute, I put my
hand up to stop him from speaking anymore. I looked him in the eye and
said "Do you believe in prayer?" He said "yes! Pray every morning!" I
said "that is good. Do you believe in the Holy Ghost?" He said "You
mean the Holy Spirit? Yes! I believe in it!" I said "do you believe
the Holy Ghost reveals all truth?" He said "of course!!!!" I said "so
if you prayed to know if you should be baptized, and God revealed to
you that you need to be, would you follow the example of Jesus Christ
and be baptized?" He said "NO!" I said well, "I will see you at the
judgment bar of God. And Oh, by the way. What you are feeling right
now, is the spirit." Me and my companion walked away as he yelled at
us about how we are going to hell, and that we are never going to see
him at the judgement bar because we will be in hell." I turned around
and said "hey, don't get too carried away" he said "I'm not carried
away! I'm just fine! Fine fine fine! Yes, I'm fine..." I heard an
uneasiness come into his voice as he said that. He slammed his truck
door and sped off!

It felt like a similar encounter with Lucifer. Weeping and wailing,
and gnashing of teeth. I imagine that's what it was like when lucifer
was cast out of Fathers presence.. We learned that day whom that man
served. He was immature, deliberately condemning us, and honestly I
feel bad for the man. I wish he would have been in a state of humility
when I found him, so I could give him the chance to actually try out
our message. But he was passed feeling, and unwilling to submit to the
will of God. He was puffed up, and I honestly understand the whore of
all the earth, the church that was founded of the devil. It is real,
and it deceives many. Stay on the old ship Zion! It will guide you
safely home.


Love you all!

Heyyyyyoooooo ! August 8, 2016

Hey Everyone!

This one might be kinda short due to the fact that I suck at keeping

my notes updated.

I learned quite a bit this week from the training's that we gave to our

zone. I trained on "calling upon the powers of heaven" and "Developing

Christlike attributes." both of those things go hand in hand of

course. You cannot effectively obtain Christlike attributes without

calling upon the powers of heaven to help you. That is something I

learned really quick out here.

I also had some time to reflect on my mission. There are key events

that stick out. Some of those events are more trying than others. Some

are more miraculous than others. But bit by bit, I have seen the Lords

hand come down and shape my mission. Those experiences have changed me

for the rest of my life.

I have then been able to build a solid foundation.

King Benjamin states "Remember, remember that it is upon the rock of

our redeemer" and to further add his testimony he says "who is Christ,

the Son of God." Who is Christ, the Son of God? What kind of testimony

do we have of him? In verse 11 he speaks of the power that Christ has

been given of the Father to redeem us from our sins because of

repentance. Repentance "brings power to the Redeemer, unto the

salvation of our souls"

The underlying root word is Faith. Build your foundation on faith.

That the Son of God can redeem us. The reason Faith leads us to repent

is because we know that he has power to redeem us, that he has power

unto the salvation of our souls. So, in essence, repentance is the

only intelligent thing to do. No other thing can redeem us. There is

nothing. Only Christ has power to redeem us. We give him power when we

repent. We submit to him when we repent. We begin to build our

foundation when we have faith in him.

With this in mind, we have built our foundations on the power of

Christ's atonement. When the devil sends forth his mighty winds, yea,

his shafts in the whirlwind Yea, when all his hail and his mighty

storm shall beat upon you.

Shafts (A Remark that is intended to be witty, wounding, or provoking.)

Whirlwind (Used metaphorically in this context to describe a energetic

and tumultuous person, or process. In this case, it is the Temptation

process that we are subjected to as mortal men and women.)

Hail ( in this context it is used for "calling out, in attempt to stop someone")

Shall (Expressing a strong assertion, or intention.)

The Devil shall send forth his mighty winds. It is given with

assertion, and intention. With this intention he sends his shafts in

the whirlwinds. He isn't just mildly tempting us, he is energetic, and

tumultuously doing so, with witty, wounding, and provoking thoughts,

feelings, and counterfeit ideas. He isn't just tempting us to stop

walking down the straight and narrow. He is Hailing us. He is boldly

implying that we should give up, on ourselves and all those who want

to succeed. These are the things which beat on us daily.

When our foundations are build on the rock of our redeemer the devil

SHALL have no power over us to drag us down. That is a strong

assertion. One that cannot be wavered. To avoid temptation, we need to

focus our attention on building our foundation on Christ. We need to

give Him power over us, and not allow Satan's shafts, whirlwinds, and

hail to phase us. With this kind of resistance, we know that we are

being built for far greater things after this life. Resistance is key

to building faith. With this opposition, relying on Jesus Christ will

ultimately help us become just like our father in heaven. It is the

only way. Building our foundations on Jesus Christ, is having faith in

his divine power to deliver us from the depths of despair, and then to

continue to help us in the future.

Love ya!

 Sunday Morning Selfie!

He Got a hair cut from the guy that cuts hair for the KC Royals.. How cool is that?