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.

Busy busy

This week was sweet! Our investigator Chris is getting baptized this
Saturday. He's sweet! He's gonna be a missionary! We have been
teaching him for 4 months and he finally accepted a date, has a
testimony, and wants his family to join. We are excited!

We didn't get to do the Q&A with the baptist congregation, but we are
still working to find one. We want to teach them a lesson from preach
my gospel chapter 3, and then do 5-10 Minutes of Q&A. I'm so blessed
to be able to represent the Lord, and serve a mission. I love what I
do, I love the change it is making in me. I learn a new lesson every
day, it sometimes humbles me to tears, and other times pricks my
heart.

I really don't have too much to say, other than I got a lot of candy
this week, and I'm pumped for the weekend.


Yup okay.

Elder Greenburg
Missouri Independence Mission
Kansas City Missouri Area

Spiritual Giant

This week was really good, we had a lot of success with our
investigators. We did some good ground work, and found a few preachers
to teach this week. We are planning on offering him a Q&A with his
congregation about our beliefs. I'm pumped for this! I love answering
questions! The preacher is taking a pretty good interest in the Book
of Mormon. We are going to start walking in to more synagogues and
asking religious leaders of we could take a few minutes to speak to
their congregations. I love the restored gospel so much, the Lord has
blessed me to be fearless. It is my prayer that I continue to push
this gift forward. I can't believe it's November already! Where did
the year go? I don't want the time to keep going by!

We had an amazing teaching appointment this week. A few days prior to
this event, we stopped by a less active family. Their teaching record
said "we are never going back to church again!" We knocked on the
door, and the mother answered. She was extremely nice to us, and
invited us to have dinner with the family that Saturday. We were blown
away when she said. "What made you want to serve missions? I want my
daughter to serve." We bore testimony of the Atonement, we told her it
was a big factor in us coming into the mission field. After this we
asked her if she knew anyone we could go visit. She pointed to the
apartment building across the street and said "his wife is a member,
but not on the records of our ward." We went and knocked, and a man
opened the door.  We asked him if his wife was there, and he said no.
And then we asked him if he was a member. He said "no, I have tried
many different church's, and they all judge me. I never feel right for
God." We helped him understand the Savior, and when he was rejected by
his own. After much conversation he accepted a return appointment. We
taught him the Gospel Of Jesus Christ. (I learned that I have a
powerful gift) but I will explain that later in my letter. I saw this
man, full of regret. He had been raised in "the hood" in KCK. Prior to
that he lived in Ukraine, and his mom was sold to an American soldier.
The look in his eyes was dark, complexed, and hollow. He said "I don't
get it, based on the life I've been born into, it's almost like I'm
destined for hell, I've had to do many things that I wish I didn't. I
had to defend myself many times. I know I'm going to hell" I didn't
see it, I refused to believe him. I testified with all my heart that
he was a child of God. That he has every bit of potential to reach
heaven as I did. I watched this tough guys eyes tear up, his
countenance change, and a new light enter into the room. I asked him
what he was feeling right now and he said "Elders, it feels like you
are taking a sponge to a dirty soul, I feel a powerful feeling deep
inside that I've never felt before" I invited him to be baptized and
he said most definitely (he's on for 12/12/15). At the end of the
lesson we invited him to pray. The most sincere prayer I have ever
heard anyone say, when he thanked God for the message we gave to him.
We told the Less Active Family about the experience, and testified of
the healing and enabling power of the Atonement. And that the
sacrament is the most important thing you could partake of. We told
them that the Ward needed them, and that they could be a great force
for good, after much discussion. They came to church that following
Sunday, and they had a marvelous time.

I learned something about myself this week, that I didn't quite
comprehend before. In my Patriarchal Blessing it talks about seeing
people for who they really are, my brothers and sisters, and if my
desires are aloof from the distractions of the world, they will be
turned to my Heavenly Father, and his work here. Only through the Holy
Ghost can this be accomplished. This gift came into play when I was
studying for my investigators this week. As I was studying, I would
ponder what they said during our last appointment. I thought about
their feelings, how I came off, how they understood, how I understood.
Something interesting happened. I knew what they needed! Immediately
the spirit helped me know what I could say to them, what I could
prepare. I saw between the lines, I broke down the walls, and I saw a
child of God, scared, alone, discouraged, and wanting to give up. I
saw someone completely blinded by the apostasy around them, but are
too afraid to act because they have been raised in it. I see that most
people don't want to act on our message because they are scared to
jump out of their own comfortable spots (I don't blame them) it's a
real fear. But the joy that comes to my heart is a sense of empathy,
compassion, and charity. I know exactly how they feel. I am able to
see right through them, I have been able to sense their want, need,
and skepticism. The Spirit is sweet, the Lord knows their heart, and
as I remain worthy I pray that I will continue to see their hearts as
well, because it has really helped me in my finding.

Welp! That's about it!

Love ya!



Elder Greenburg
Missouri Independence Mission
Kansas City Missouri Area