"According To The Desires Of Our Hearts"

This week was a roller coaster! We had to drop a few people :( that wasn't too fun, but we needed to because we found 3 people that were prepared. Sometimes the Lord presses us to let people go cold for a minute so that someone that is ready can be taught. It was a sure act of faith because we didn't have any appointments for a few days. That's a cause for frustration, but we worked and ended up with some great results. This coming week we have some great opportunities to help people grow closer to Jesus Christ. Like tonight we have an appointment with a member referral in the members home! That's golden! It doesn't get better than that!! We are in extreme re-build mode! 

In other news: Elder Fillerup and I set a goal to get fit at the beginning of this transfer. We are happy to report that after 3 weeks I have lost 10 more pounds. That equals out to be 55 pounds total that I've lost (so far) on my mission. 


My perspective has changed a lot. It's interesting what you can be taught by the spirit just off of one single quote. We have been studying desire this week, and in result I have found a new meaning to my calling as one of the Lords Representatives 


"The greatest men came to the top because of the strength that grew
out of meeting resistance." -M. Russell Ballard

Through my life my sweet Mother often
wondered what the Lord was preparing my family for. Trying and
failing, trying again, failing again, over and over for the past 9
years of my life. The circumstances were unbearable, the struggle was
a real one. Suffering heartaches, disloyalty, sudden deaths,
sicknesses, financial crisis, spiritual whirlwinds, sin, temptation, a
broken home, helping support a family, and wrestling the adversary.
But trial after trial the Lord was there, helping us build strength,
never once did he give up on us. I have often wondered What was the
point of all that? Here is my partial answer:I am the man I am today
because of the strength I have gained from growing up the way I did.
God, has let me pull through those times for this moment right here.
These resistances prepared me for this moment right here, today, in
the mission field. The "dry area" shouldn't phase me, the rejection
should be a "challenge accepted" moment to act on what commitments I
should extend to bring that person to humility. I have been prepared
for resistance, and trained in the furnace of the refinery, I had to
act, or I was going to get eaten alive. The Lord has prepared me long
and hard through those years, and what will be my outcome? What will I
do? I have been given talents to work through affliction, to bust
through the darkest hours, and to find the light of the gospel. Will i
doubt the Lord? Will I stand ready? Will I take what I have been given
and build a kingdom? I didn't lay down when times got difficult, and
for that reason I was made strong. I worked with my circumstances, and
I got through it. I can work in any area, and leave it better then
when I found it. I can sure change my circumstances by the desire of
what the Lord has placed in my heart. Through the resistances that
have been placed before me in past years I have been given the gifts
that are necessary to build just a sliver of Zion. Each family I come
in contact with has experienced at least one of those trials if not
more. But I have been prepared spiritually and emotionally to help
them. I will no longer let that go to waste. "I am a disciple of Jesus
Christ, the son of God, I have been called of him to declare his word
among his people, that they might have everlasting life". I will
"declare his generation" from 10am to 9:30pm. Every day.

“Our time in the mission field is short but eternally important"

"Become a creator of circumstances instead of a creature of circumstances."

"By being able to control what we put in this mind of ours, we determine our own lives. “as we sow, so shall we reap.” We can see how important it is to sow the right beginning thoughts. Another interesting fact about our minds is that we can only entertain one thought at a time. Therefore, your destiny may be determined by one single thought, and it is up to you whether you make it positive or negative. Think baptism and you will baptize. Your actions, attitude, mission, and life will be directed by your thoughts." -M. Russell Ballard


-- 
-Elder Greenburg
Missouri Independence Mission

Rebuking of the sisters 

 Comp-mansionship

Shots Fired!

What's up! This week was crazy! I can't even believe it's Monday again! We ran like mad this week. On Tuesday we did our stake reports, our computer crashed on Friday, so we had to re submit everyone's comments/indicators. That took all day! We only proselyted for like 1 hour! Then on Wednesday we had Mission Leadership Council where we got trained on an app called the "Area book planner" it's an amazing tool that keeps track of pretty much anything and everything EVER! Investigators, events, schedules, planner, indicators.! I love it! We were in the mission home from 8am to 5pm and then we had to go to stake correlation at 5:30pm. From one meeting to the next! We were able to contact our investigator that night. They have been to church 3 times and never been

taught before. They asked us what they needed to do to qualify for Baptism. I don't think I have ever heard someone ask for that before! But I will take it! We are meeting with them this week. 

On Thursday we prepared for Zone Training, it was a lot to cover because we had to train on the Area Book Planner. We hosted the training in the basement of the Historic Liberty Jail! It went great! Then I went on an exchange with some Elders in our zone until Saturday. They had a biking area and I blew out my knee! It's okay though because half of our Ward consists of medical students and residents so I got it checked out. I will survive! 

Saturday was the only full day we had of proselyting so we just tore up our contacts to get people to the next level! This upcoming week is going to be normal! We also get to go full swing with the area book planner tool. It's going to enhance our efforts! 


Here is an excerpt of my study journal based on the Atonement. 

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."  
If we love the lord, we are to think on these things. This is the importance of knowing who Christ is. As I think on these things I know that I am beginning to know who he is, and I am able to internalize his charity, and grace. 9 "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." This applies to all teachings in Christ. The lord is our master teacher. He has made this promise that if we do these things, we will have peace. Once we begin to understand the Savior and his purpose we can feel his love, this is how we are able to be converted to him, and not material things. It only comes through putting that change in our hearts. 10 "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity." -Here is the catch 22. Here is where most people become less active and begin to fall into traps, right here. You can do all these things, but without opportunity and a desire to act, it means nothing. If we don't give ourselves or others chances to grow, we will never become converted, we will never overcome our weaknesses even if we do these very things. 
(Conclusion): 3 points for conversion that I've picked. 
1.) Opportunity is one step toward repentance. When we give ourselves goals, and achievements, we receive opportunity to become better, when the Atonement is applied, along with the teachings of the Savior, it can change our very nature. 
2.) The Atonement is one step towards Charity, the pure love of Christ. When we feel this love within us, it gives us opportunity for success. As we act on this, and recognize that others can receive his love, we will understand that God loves all of his Children, and as representatives, we will be able to branch out that love through the Doctrine of Christ. 
3.) The desire to change is what makes us Latter Day Saints. "Saints are sinners who keep on trying"-Elder Renlund. We feel the Holy Ghost pressing us to change, we feel the Godly sorrow. We can be reconciled unto God as we use the Atonement, it may take time, or many failed attempts, but as we keep trying, we will be able to look at the progress we have made with the savior on our side. 

I love this work, and I love the Lord! Here is a picture of my zone after the training we had at the Historic Liberty Jail 

Love you! 

Jared and his Zone at Liberty Jail

What happened to this week!?

I have been transferred to North Kansas City to serve as a Zone Leader in the Liberty Stake. (15 minutes away from the Liberty Jail. ) My new companion is Elder Fillerup. (yes that's his real name) lol! he's from California. He's super sweet! Elder Fillerup is such a giant! Woah! I have never been so impacted by a missionary in such a short period of time before! I feel like we are going to have a lot of great things in this area. I'm learning so much!

I have had a fantastic week, probably the best on my mission so far. I have been running since I got out to KC! Whew! we have had a lot to do. We had a Stake meeting with President Vest, and President Morgan (Stake Pres.) and then prepped for stake reports. proselyting time was a tough gig this week. It's about to get even crazier because we have Mission Leadership Council on Wednesday, Stake Correlation on Tuesday, Zone Training prep on Thursday, Zone Training on Friday, and then an exchange till Saturday. Pretty full of stuff to do! It's interesting how the Lord helps us move this work forward for other missionaries.

"The fight in this world is not with others, it is with ourselves." The adversary sneaks his way into our hearts and minds to deceive and entice us to act on our weaknesses and fall into sin. Here's the good news, the Lord Jesus Christ knows our hearts and minds. He knows our weaknesses. As we come unto him, He will make them known unto us so we can be humble. As we continue to humble ourselves before him and exercise faith in him, He can make those weaknesses become strong. (Ether 12:27) This is the accessing of his Atonement. The action of humility, and faith that the Lord can and will make our weaknesses strong as we council with him through consistent diligence, we can find that the enabling power of his Atonement is real, our testimonies are strengthened because we recognize that "The Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them, that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (1Nephi 3:7) I have a testimony of this holy work, I know the taste of redemption, I know the feeling I have to press on when my body begs for rest isn't from my strength and endurance, but only through the merits and mercy of the Saviors everlasting Atonement. He won't give up on the children of men, he has never thrown in the towel for me, and I will never throw in the towel for those I have the opportunity to serve in his name. I know him. I know he lives, I have a relationship with him, and I pray that it will never cease.

Lesson #1 if you go into the church building, and need to go back outside for something. Make sure you have the keys with you, Oh, and your phone. We got locked out for a while scratching our heads

Oh yeah! The KC temple is in my area! I literally walk out of church and it's in the same parking lot! It's pretty cool, I still have only 4 times a year that I can go, but it helps with talking to people because it's noticed for miles and everyone always wonders about it.

I'm loving this work!

 Love you all!

(Top) is my son. (Elder Amosa) below him is Elder Holker (grandson)

and then me. And then my grandpa/companion (Elder Fillerup) 

Great Week,new Calling

Mom's Side note: Since this email I received this additional email:

Pres. Vest called me Wednesday, and said "I need a pure heart and clean hands for next transfer, I felt that you were the one prepared, can I count on you? it will be a pleasure to work with you" that's the curve ball, I'm not sure where I'm going next, I find out tomorrow....but something's up. 

 I don't know it's just a big transition. My new comp is a body builder, so I might be getting beefed up lol. It's just a big step for me. 

I'm being transferred to Liberty Missouri to serve as a Zone Leader. That's by AoA and liberty jail. 

This week was great! But I'm super tired. We get to take one of our investigators to the visitors center tomorrow, super excited about that! And I just licked another Elders foot.....side note....btw....you do weird things when transfers are around the corner...anyway! We had a solid week, went on our last exchange for the transfer. President Vest called me and threw a curve ball, so I don't know where I'm going to be next week.....yay! 

Here's my journal entry on the Atonement! 

 I like the assurance of repentance. If I were to cut my arm on accident, would I just let myself bleed out everywhere, or would I give aid to it? Well I know I need to give aid to it because if I don't, it will become infected, or bleed enough that I pass out. Same with our spirits. Do we just suffer in guilt and pain or do we apply the aid of the Atonement? I know that if I don't give aid to my spiritual wounds, they will become infected with doubt, the faith I did have would weaken, and eventually I would spiritually pass out. Oh why do we automatically want to cover our wounds with dirt instead of medicine? The Atonement can heal our wounds, and awake and arouse our faculties, we will become reconciled to God. We can become strong, the Lord can heal us. Or we can continue the shame game that the adversary loves to play. I believe there is a much better way. We don't have to suffer the pain of anguish if we would humbly submit to the lords way, we may feel growing pains at first, but we will find that it is, in the end, easier than fake ideas, emotions and deceiving enticements from the adversary. We sometimes live our lives in complete and utter misery, when we don't have to. Pride can be a deadly factor, and will yield no good fruit, but as we humbly nourish, and prune, and dig, and dung our spiritual trees, and graft in the light of the Atonement into our spiritual vines. We will begin to experience the change that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has to offer us. The seed of faith will begin to take root in us, we will begin to understand his will, the spirit will be our guide, and "our confidence [will] wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon [our] souls as the dews from heaven. 46The Holy Ghost shall be [our] constant companion, and [our] scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and [our] dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto [us] forever and ever." The Atonement is the access of spiritual power and strength. We cannot walk on a broken leg. Likewise, we cannot teach with a broken soul.

Loving the mission! And the people!

Over load and a new car!

This week was overloaded with crazy things. The family that we had on
date dropped us on Friday. It was a pretty heart wrenching experience.
It's interesting how fast they make a decision about this stuff. We
just finished teaching them all of the lessons too. Hopefully one day
they will join.

The other family we are teaching is doing awesome! 12 days without
smoking, and moving forward with the goal of getting married.
Hopefully soon!

We got a new car this week! It's a 2014 Chevy Cruze! I'm not
complaining about that at all! Our old car was going to die
eventually. We did a lot of service and exchanges this week, not too
much teaching. It all just went by way too fast.

I've really hit the Book of Mormon hard this week! I honestly don't
think the Book of Mormon gets enough credit. There are so many things
that have helped me this week just from reading it. I never knew how
much of an impact it was. The lord knows us, he knows our feelings, he
does all things for our benefit and good, I think we are the ones that
miss the mark.


This weeks letter is kinda dull because not much has happened this
week (other than being pulled around the state). But I do know this.
That God lives, that our savior performed the Atonement for each of us
to not only be cleansed, but to be changed. We have been given a path,
and tools (his doctrine) to endure this life, and if we are ever
submissive the Atonement will change our very Natures. President Vest
wrote to me this week and said "Elder Greenburg, the Lord needs you,
and I need you to bless the lives of these missionaries. You are
everything that I and the Lord need to help those struggling. Please
prepare yourself". It was an extremely humbling moment for me. I came
to the realization that I not only need the Lord. But that he needs me
to be his instrument to bring salvation to the lives of those
struggling. He needs me. I can answer that call.

I testify that our Heavenly Father knows our full potential. He sees
what we can be, he sees us at our highest of highs. He is pulling for
us, and he loves us infinitely.

2nd pday in a row that I've had to work on a farm.

Service. I've been throwing hay, and I got peed on by a stupid cow!

Bllluuuuuuurrrrrrrr

This week was a blur. I went on a back to back exchange, probably drove 400 miles in 2 days. That's a lot considering we're only allowed 1,500 miles a month and we have 4 more exchanges to go. 

We had a solid week though. Our investigators are still set and on track for the 1st!

This week @district meeting I gave a training on "abiding in him" and how it is conducive to recognizing the spirit. It outlines how the Atonement can help us abide in the savior. To my surprise the Assistants to the President walked in and joined us for the meeting. That was kind of nerve racking. But I got through it, the spirit was strong, and it turned out great. 

I am often tempted to look at the world and think "what is this place? Why are people so ignorant, or blind, or lost, or fallen. Seriously? What's wrong people?" I get angry, and frustrated. But I have never thought to step outside myself and think "that person is a child of God, has been mis-guided and deceived, and probably has no hope for change" and then I thought about it this way "I am called to invite others to come unto Christ. I have the message of the Atonement. The Atonement can change everything."

To atone means to compensate or pay for something. Jesus Christ’s Atonement references His payment for the sins of mankind. It has the power to provide hope and alleviate the burden of sin for anyone. The following are eight things to remember about the beautiful gift of Christ’s atoning sacrifice.

#1 It’s Personal

If you want to change the world you must know that Jesus Christ knows and loves you as an individual. He knows the challenges you face. He sees your successes and failures. In Gethsemane He suffered for all sins, mistakes, and sorrows. We cannot bare any moving, lasting testimony of the Atonement, if we have never known or felt of such an experience.  

#2 It’s Infinite 

 He suffered for the sins of all mankind. The power and scope of the Atonement is not easily understood. It is infinite, beautiful, and pure. We are not asked to understand it, only to partake of its cleansing power  Psalm 117:2 "For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord".

#3 It’s Available to All

Christ was not selective when He knelt in the Garden of Gethsemane. He suffered for every person ever born into mortality, from those who have lived and died to those presently living to those who are not yet born. Doctrine and Covenants 133:52 And now the year of my redeemed is come; and they shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord, and all that he has bestowed upon them according to his goodness, and according to his loving kindness, forever and ever.

#4 It’s Transformative

Unlike Christ, who was perfect, we trek through life and inevitably get spiritually dirty. Without the atoning sacrifice of the Savior, we would be doomed to shoulder our own spiritual burdens forever. The Atonement has the power to clean our souls and fill us with peace ( Isaiah 1:18) Doctrine and Covenants 101:9 Verily I say unto you, notwithstanding their sins, my bowels are filled with compassion towards them. I will not utterly cast them off; and in the day of wrath I will remember mercy.

#5 It’s the Most Important Event in History

To suffer from spiritual death is far more serious than physical death. Without the Atonement, mankind would be spiritually lost and would be unable to feel the love and comfort of God. Now, mankind can repent, become spiritually clean, and consistently feel God’s love. 

#6 It Helps with Loss

Christ also felt our losses, grief, and pain in Gethsemane When we lose a loved one, the Atonement offers comfort and peace in our times of grief. If we will come to Heavenly Father in prayer during our times of sorrow, He will help us feel peace while we work through the pain. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know how we feel. They won’t let us suffer alone if we seek Them (John 14:18).

#7 It’s Founded in Love

Christ was able to accomplish His atoning sacrifice because of the immense love He has for us. He understood the gift He was able to give mankind and was unwilling to withhold it from us. He knew where we would be without His mercy. When we repent of our sins and try harder to make good choices, we are loving Him back and expressing appreciation for His sacrifice.  

#8 It Is an Expression of God’s Love for His Children

Lastly, if we want to change the world we need to testify that The Father gave His Son because He loves us (John 3:16). The Father and the Son cherish us. Through Christ’s life and Atonement, They worked together to provide a way for us to be spiritually free and to fully feel Their love for us, which is the ultimate reward of the Atonement.

I Pdayed waaaay too hard

Hey Y'all

This week was amazing! I love my District. It has changed my perspective completely. I feel this Love for the Missionaries. That love alone drives me to be a better example. The thing that I've realized the most, is that it's not me that is showing the love, it's not my Nature to love people, in fact most missionaries from time to time tend to annoy me, it's something I have struggled with dearly. However, I feel the companionship of the Lord as I council with the district, I see them as Brothers and Sisters, I feel his love for them, sometimes I even seen them as the Lord sees them, i feel sad when they are discouraged and I automatically want to help them not be discouraged. I love them, the lord has helped me love them. And not just them It is transferring over to my investigators too. For the first time ever Friday night, we were working with an investigator that has been struggling for a while. We were talking about change, and that relying on the lord is key. I got an impression that the man was saying within himself "don't stop coming, please, I need your help, I'm trapped" I heard it within me. the look on his face was a look of want. I said to him aloud. "We will never stop coming, because we love you, the Lord loves you, and he wants you to join his church, he won't give up on you, and neither will we". The man began to cry, he knew that I knew what his heart was feeling, without the Holy Ghost I know that I wouldn't have had that impression. The Atonement is changing my heart as I continue to understand it, and internalize. 

We were able to put a family on date for baptism this week (August 1st) the lesson was sweet. There lives had been flipped upside down, they weren't sure where to turn for guidance. A member in our ward who was the families lawyer referred them to the church. They came a few Sunday's ago, and we set up an appointment for the following week. We arrived at their house, but to our surprise they weren't home. We tried the next day, same thing, no answer. We figured they were avoiding us so we just moved on. But to our amazement, they came to church the next Sunday! Apparently the two times we tried them was just bad luck on our part. They scheduled with us again! This time they were home! We taught them the restoration and invited them to be baptized, but they were afraid to commit. They had a hard time trusting not only themselves, but other people. We were able to reassure them that the Lord wouldn't want them to join the church if they didn't know it was true. They said they would pray about it. We visited them again, and at the end of the lesson we extended the invitation once more. We had a date set, but they were shaky about it. Still had a road block on committing. We visited them again, we taught them the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as we talked about Baptism and Faith, and The Holy Ghost testified of the Atonement, the cleansing power of Jesus Christ. They assurance of the Holy Ghost, and it's guidance and protection in our lives as we exercise faith. The spirit was sweet, it almost felt as if we were all sitting in the Celestial Room together (that's where you want to imagine the people you teach) we again, extended the Baptismal invitation, the Mother was concerned that some of her kids that refused to sit in on the lessons would be separate from them. I testified with all my heart about eternal families, that if they did get baptized, it wouldn't be very long before they were baptized. 3rd time is the charm, they accepted the date with faith, and they are solid, and committed. I love this family, I have never wanted so badly in my life to share the peace and comfort of the Lord with someone else in my entire life.

Another sweet thing that happened was when we were visiting with an investigator that has eaten missionaries alive. They have been investigating for a long time, the visits from the missionaries has changed their lives, they were heavy meth users and drug dealers, been in and out of prison, almost committed murder once, before they met the missionaries. Needless to say they have had a rough life. They are clean of all of that, haven't used or dealt for years. Their journey has been long, and hard but they are hung up on one last thing. The only reason they haven't gotten baptized is because they aren't married, and they are living with each other. Even their kids are members! The hang up is that if they get married they will lose their disability income. And they do make enough from their jobs to support their family. We have told them several times about jobs that are available, we set them up with the LDS employment services, they wouldn't take any thing. It's been frustrating. Well, we were at their house, and we pulled the family together for a Book of Mormon study. Something classic, amazing, and inspired happened. The little girl in the family says "I WANT TO PICK THE CHAPTER!" I go alright, cool she wants to read. Good deal. So I told her to pick the chapter. She picks Alma 39. Waiting for everyone to turn their I start some small talk. Not paying attention to what the chapter was even about at all. After everyone was ready I said "ill read the chapter head and the first verse and we'll go around the room" I began to read. "Sexual sin is an abomination" was the first sentence. I read aloud "Se-HEY WHO CHOSE THIS CHAPTER!" But something told me we were supposed to read it. We got to the part where it talks about denying the Holy Ghost. The boyfriend said "wait so, me not getting married and living with her is almost as bad as denying God?" I sat there in silence for a second, my initial thought was to sugar coat the phrase. But I didn't. I said yes. It is. He went white as a sheet, and turned to his girlfriend and said "we need to get married, this is not good". The spirit bore testimony of the truthfulness of this passage, and it helped me guide the discussion to where it needed to go. I have never seen someone be so taken back by truth in my entire life. I love that family, and I hope they can figure out their situation. 

I bare testimony that Jesus is the Christ. He is our captain, he called us, he goes before us, he chose us to follow him. His Atonement is real, it is enough, and heeding to him will change our natures. I love this gospel and the change its made in me, but also in the change it is making in others. This is his kingdom on earth, this I do testify. 

I love you all 

Sincerely.

Elder Greenburg 

Colossal Berry Crunch! Breakfast of Champions!