Friday, October 27, 2017

It's fun to serve...at the YMCA

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be done unto you; and, if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation."

D&C 11: 8

This passage from Joseph Smith's revelation to his brother, Hyrum, has hit me for some reason on a more personal level. I imagine how Hyrum must have had great faith and belief in his younger brother to be able to bear many of the same torments Joseph experienced. I've been reading the book "Revelations in Context" found in the LDS Gospel Library, and I'm beginning to realize how much I didn't know about the Doctrine and Covenants. The history surrounding the revelations are remarkable, especially how D&C Chapter 4 became scripture; which BTW everyone in our mission recites on a weekly basis. 

We are always looking for opportunities to serve in our area.  This week we had the opportunity to help with the local YMCA and their annual Trunk-or-Treat event. It was long, about 5 hours long! But great to be involved. We were asked to run the bouncy houses, which proved to be more of a "Mad House" than just being bouncy!  But we got a cool t-shirt out of it, so in the end it was all worth it.  Just kidding.

As I have reflected on my mission experiences so far, I have come to better realize all of great blessings which have come my way. I am being reminded all the time how imperfect I am, and I have seen more flaws I have yet to to still overcome...which is a gift indeed. :)  With my recent change in companions, I have also a better understanding of patience and how to deal with others. Another passage that hit me this week was Alma 8: 8-10. When I insert my name and replace the proper pronouns into this scripture it hits a little closer to home.

"And it came to pass that when (Elder West) had come to the city of (Tucson) he began to preach the word of God unto them. 

Now Satan had gotten great hold upon the hearts of the people of the city of (Tucson); therefore they would not hearken unto the words of (Elder West).

Nevertheless (Elder West) labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit upon the people who were in the city; that he would also grant that he might baptize them unto repentance."

This area has been difficult for me; we have seen little success in our efforts.  I know baptismal success is not all what missionary work is about, but never-the-less it is disappointing to me. I know God has a plan, and I trust in His divine timing; even thou it is often much different from my own. Patience is an application of Faith, and Patience and Long Suffering is a principle of Charity. By applying more patience and charity I've learned that sometimes we just have to wait to see what others may become, and remember all of us are striving to become more like Jesus.

Love, Elder West

Here is a pic from our YMCA event.  Not everyone in the picture are missionaries; you can notice the missionary badges on a few of us. 


Tuesday, October 17, 2017

3 Days of Service

"Behold, they have been sent to preach my gospel among the congregations of the wicked; wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, thus: Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known." -D&C 60:13

I've been trying to figure out what I am "good at" being a missionary and in my work. What I have found, is that I  love the scriptures!  I love how the scriptures correlate between each other and to our own lives; but most important how the scriptures will build a testimony of the truthfulness of our gospel. We all have gifts that we should not "hide", refer to Matthew 25:14-29. The Book of Mormon is special, and has touched my heart in a number of ways. I think the most powerful thing about it is the its power to convert and testify! There are many instances of people who love our gospel, love the people in our church, and appreciate how we run things. But these same people fail to gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and thus cannot enter into a baptismal covenant. Having faith in God and trusting His spirit will bring you a testimony that you need. If you can't say you believe "all" the words of the Book of Mormon, what do you believe? Do you read it and ponder its message in your heart? Most importantly do you apply the principles and application that you learn in your study?

I have felt a great amount of grief and anguish for the people in my new area. They have the audacity to say we don't believe in Jesus, and that we have not accepted him as our savior. How foolish are they? His name is in the name of our church! His name is on the cover of our book! How can you then say we don't believe in him? ESPECIALLY when all we do is in HIS name! As you can see I'm very passionate about this. I digress...

This week was full of service. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. A grand total of about 12 hours within those 3 days. Thursday was our usual service at Catalina State Park. Friday, we (along with about 20+ other missionaries) helped out a non-member weed and mend their yard. It's funny to see the people who obviously have never done yard work before; they don't even use the tools haha! The best service was Saturday, where we got to help work and tend the grounds of the Arizona, Tucson Temple! What a privilege!  I could see the love and care the members took while working on the temple grounds, even as we put in new flowers and arrangements outside. I could definitely feel peace just being on the grounds of the temple.  I've felt this on all of our temples. And what a treat it will be to one day make more covenants there, and set up an eternal family. Most people don't know of this joy, and my job is to help them!

What a blessing it is to be on a mission, I've learned so much about myself and the Gospel! I don't even know where to begin. I wish you all a good week. And if at times you do feel weak, and you think you are below the Savior's mercy, read "It Isn't a Sin to Be Weak" by: Wendy Ulrich, in the April 2015 Ensign. I loved it and hope you can learn something new also. Have a good one!!!


Love, Elder West

New companion

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise."
-Proverbs 12:15

Elder Hugh is out of here, and Elder Bradfield is in! Elder "Brad Daddy" has been on his mission fir 23 months so after the next 6 weeks he will be going home as well. So as the saying goes, "I'm killing another companion!" (that's mission lingo for being a missionaries last companion)

Elder Bradfield is a great guy and has been a good missionary.  Unfortunately his challenge in life is that he has a pretty bad stutter, but after working with him the last couple of days it has not become much of a hindrance to our work. His stuttering actually gives me more time to think about what I'm going to say haha. 😉 We have been meeting with this potential investigator by name of Dave. Dave is an "elder" in another church, which is probably a form of a "payed clergy" or job for him. He is very adamant about his understanding and position on religion, and is not willing to change (at least for now!). When Dave reads the Book of Mormon he discounts everything it says. This attitude reminds me of a scripture in John. We need to make sure we are open to the fact that we don't know everything, and to "try every spirit" (1John 4:1), because there are those who work for the adversary, and bring destruction to our testimonies.

Meeting with him has only strengthened my testimony, like a refiners fire. Trials bring blessings.  Sorry it was so short, more next week I promise.  

Love Elder West

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Hard for a Rich Man to Enter into Heaven

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

Matthew 19:23-24

Remember that it is the things of the world that keep us out of the Kingdom of God. Seek not to get gain but to have abundance to give. The dynamic of Oro Valley, AZ is very different from the humble confines of Silver City, NM. There is a lot of wealth in my new area. Many of the people we become in contact with look upon the treasures of the world and think "What more could I need?", oh how little do they know.

2 Nephi 9:30 reaffirms "... And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also."

What a treat is was to listen and watch General Conference, to treasure God's word. He puts valuable tools and information in our reach in order to uplift us and those around us. In accordance with the Church's recent push to use every available resource, the Arizona Tucson missionaries are now able to use Facebook.  We can begin using Facebook to find those interested in the church and a way to communicate with investigators in a different sphere of influence. What a time to be a missionary! I am also able to use Facebook Messenger (which is our main focus in communication) to contact those at home during our allotted email time on Monday's. So for those who would rather contact me through Facebook, Garret West is my name (obviously), and my picture will be me with a white shirt tie, and name tag on.  I only have 90 minutes on my p-day to use Facebook so I hope we can all connect!

I hope everyone is doing well, and I invite everyone to read through our last General Conference addresses when they become available, and pick out a principle or call to action a principle you can work-on to further convert yourself to the Lord.

I thank you for all the prayers and support that I have received.

Love, Elder West