Learn to "Hear Him"
Good Morning!
We have seen many miracles this week! I know God is at the head of this work, as none would have come without him. It's been such a blessing to witness God guiding our day and leading us to those who need us. And even more importantly, recognizing His guidance to us.
We found four new friends this week, one we didn't have any records of, two are siblings, three have met with missionaries in the past and all four have been humbled over time, so that two are honestly considering baptism as the next step in their covenant journey! It's such a blessing to find people who want to grow in the gospel, and make Jesus Christ a part of their life.
We had our Zone Conference this week, and the theme was "Hear Him." This request is repeated across the books of scripture, always from our Heavenly Father, concerning His Son, Jesus Christ. I looked forward to Zone Conference in part because of the direction we'd receive on this topic. Last time the focus was on seeking and expecting miracles, and now I see those daily! I had high expectations.
It took maybe thirty minutes or so to determine that this topic, learning to Hear my Savior, was going to be harder to apply in my life than I'd expected. This provided a challenge, one I knew I wouldn't accomplish without God's help. So, taking my counsel from last week's email, I turned to my Father in prayer.
Developing this skill in my life isn't hard because I haven't done it before, it is hard because I know I can do much better. I had assumed I was decent enough, and therefore I didn't have to focus on improving yet. But with the humility I could muster and the courage I could find, I planned a couple ways to better Hear Him and His counsel for me.
For me, those efforts involve a journal for my evening prayers, an opportunity to actively record insights and inspirations that come. It also improves with trusting the promptings I get throughout the day.
Two brief examples:
We visited this family one of the Bishops referred us to. We start talking, and some kids show up and stick around. They're part of the family, and we know they might be interested in the missionary discussions, but I'm not sure how to bring it up. These kids have been super comfortable with us, so I get the thought to ask; "So you're pretty comfortable around us, have you met with missionaries before?" This sparks a conversation that leads to us asking the youngest boy, about 11, if baptism is something he wants. He nodded yes, and came to church on Sunday!
Second, we had a lot of open space on Sunday because all our lessons shifted around and canceled on us to some extent. It's the most hectic scheduling issue I've dealt with yet. Amid all this uncertainty, we visit the home of someone who recently moved in. However, we park across the street in someone else's yard, but it isn't until we get out of the car that I notice a face on the front porch. I get a brief impression/thought: 'Be bold.' So I asked them directly about their neighbors! This leads to a conversation with the woman who, for many very good reasons, is extremely bitter about life right now. But she believes God loves her, which allowed us to discuss that principle with her! We don't know much about this woman, but she needed us, and we were able to help her. We'll certainly visit again.
This month my goal is to Hear Him better. To strengthen my understanding of, and receptivity towards, personal revelation and the guidance God has in store for me. It's already improving my missionary experience.
One thing I've found is that as I've grown in knowledge for various subjects, God helps me draw on that knowledge in a time of need. We've held two strong lessons with investigators who had deep questions about the Priesthood. The Holy Ghost helped me find the answers and questions necessary to guide the conversation, and to help the individuals' understanding of true principles. I love those experiences because it shows how I already Hear Him, and it also allows me to use knowledge I've gained in an actual discussion. Missionary work is amazing, particularly under the hand of God.
I will close with this scripture from Ecclesiastes Chapter 12:13;
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Fear here is alike to the words reverence and respect. May I suggest that if we truly desire to give reverence to, and respect for, our Heavenly Father, we must learn to Hear His Son. Our duty is to learn and grow, to become better versions of ourselves, gaining the attributes of Christ. Therefore, let us respect God, keep His commandments, and remember our duty here in this world.
Let us learn to "Hear Him".
- Elder Williams
We found four new friends this week, one we didn't have any records of, two are siblings, three have met with missionaries in the past and all four have been humbled over time, so that two are honestly considering baptism as the next step in their covenant journey! It's such a blessing to find people who want to grow in the gospel, and make Jesus Christ a part of their life.
We had our Zone Conference this week, and the theme was "Hear Him." This request is repeated across the books of scripture, always from our Heavenly Father, concerning His Son, Jesus Christ. I looked forward to Zone Conference in part because of the direction we'd receive on this topic. Last time the focus was on seeking and expecting miracles, and now I see those daily! I had high expectations.
It took maybe thirty minutes or so to determine that this topic, learning to Hear my Savior, was going to be harder to apply in my life than I'd expected. This provided a challenge, one I knew I wouldn't accomplish without God's help. So, taking my counsel from last week's email, I turned to my Father in prayer.
Developing this skill in my life isn't hard because I haven't done it before, it is hard because I know I can do much better. I had assumed I was decent enough, and therefore I didn't have to focus on improving yet. But with the humility I could muster and the courage I could find, I planned a couple ways to better Hear Him and His counsel for me.
For me, those efforts involve a journal for my evening prayers, an opportunity to actively record insights and inspirations that come. It also improves with trusting the promptings I get throughout the day.
Two brief examples:
We visited this family one of the Bishops referred us to. We start talking, and some kids show up and stick around. They're part of the family, and we know they might be interested in the missionary discussions, but I'm not sure how to bring it up. These kids have been super comfortable with us, so I get the thought to ask; "So you're pretty comfortable around us, have you met with missionaries before?" This sparks a conversation that leads to us asking the youngest boy, about 11, if baptism is something he wants. He nodded yes, and came to church on Sunday!
Second, we had a lot of open space on Sunday because all our lessons shifted around and canceled on us to some extent. It's the most hectic scheduling issue I've dealt with yet. Amid all this uncertainty, we visit the home of someone who recently moved in. However, we park across the street in someone else's yard, but it isn't until we get out of the car that I notice a face on the front porch. I get a brief impression/thought: 'Be bold.' So I asked them directly about their neighbors! This leads to a conversation with the woman who, for many very good reasons, is extremely bitter about life right now. But she believes God loves her, which allowed us to discuss that principle with her! We don't know much about this woman, but she needed us, and we were able to help her. We'll certainly visit again.
This month my goal is to Hear Him better. To strengthen my understanding of, and receptivity towards, personal revelation and the guidance God has in store for me. It's already improving my missionary experience.
One thing I've found is that as I've grown in knowledge for various subjects, God helps me draw on that knowledge in a time of need. We've held two strong lessons with investigators who had deep questions about the Priesthood. The Holy Ghost helped me find the answers and questions necessary to guide the conversation, and to help the individuals' understanding of true principles. I love those experiences because it shows how I already Hear Him, and it also allows me to use knowledge I've gained in an actual discussion. Missionary work is amazing, particularly under the hand of God.
I will close with this scripture from Ecclesiastes Chapter 12:13;
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Fear here is alike to the words reverence and respect. May I suggest that if we truly desire to give reverence to, and respect for, our Heavenly Father, we must learn to Hear His Son. Our duty is to learn and grow, to become better versions of ourselves, gaining the attributes of Christ. Therefore, let us respect God, keep His commandments, and remember our duty here in this world.
Let us learn to "Hear Him".
- Elder Williams
No mailing address this week as transfers are around the corner! I'll have that update this coming Sunday.
Pictures:
1. That's a dove, flying away from us.
2. We found these doves, but they flew away before we could document their presence through a still imaging medium.
3. Elder Stucki's pretty good at tennis!
4. We played tennis this P-Day, Elder Sargent can serve!
5. A simple reminder from our Mission President to always seek and expect miracles!
6. The group photo from Zone Conference!
7. And my table for lunch.
8. The group photo from last Zone Conference; it took forever for me to obtain it!
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