I got a surprising phone call this week, President Bishop called to let me know that I would be a trainer this move call. It's pretty crazy. I feel like I was just trained yesterday. There is quite a few missionaries coming in recently and so leadership opportunities are coming up really fast.
I don't feel like I have been trained fully in all the aspects of missionary work, but I have been trained completely in one aspect: "GO!"
I remember asking my mom when I was really young what the shortest sentence was, and she said, "GO!" This word is synonymous for missionary work - - probably one of the best words that describes what it is we do. I hope my new companion will understand "GO!" before these 6 weeks are up.
At Stake Conference President Huang talked about the brother of Jared. He made 16 stones right at the beginning and then took them up the mountain. He didn't do one and see if it worked, then make the other 15. He had the faith to make all 16, and carry them in is hands to the top of the mountain. "He prepared them to be touched by the finger of the Lord."--Huang Huizhang
This is my move call motto: "16 Stones". I don't know about 16 people being baptized, but Elder Gillespie and I are going to put forth the effort to prepare the stones in advance so that they can be touched and enlightened/illuminated by the finger of the Lord. I hope that as we put forth the faith this move call we, as the brother of Jared, will unveil the power of the Lord and behold his glory.
I love this work, and I am so grateful for the time I get to serve in douliu and I'm really grateful for a worthy, obedient, diligent companion. Miracles are waiting to happen this move call.
Thank you for all you do. Love, Elder Harris
Showing posts with label testimony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label testimony. Show all posts
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Baptisms and a Move Call (Posted by mom)
This week, I was in a tri-panionship with none other than...... ELDER GLUCH (my friend from Orem)!! It was fun, really fun. He kept me company as I packed on the day before move call. We had a great time and it is a memory I want to keep forever.
Our two baptisms this week went really well. The 11 year old is so solid. As we were meeting with him in the days leading up to his baptism, we asked him why Joseph Smith is important, and he, with out hesitancy, said "Because of the Great Apostacy." He has an understanding. I know the spirit has really confirmed to him the truth of the gospel and helped him learn because he was willing to read and pray. When he was bearing his testimony after his baptism, he said: "I'm really afraid of water, but as I was about to be baptized, I felt that God was with me."
The other baptism, Jiang, arrived just as the meeting was ready to start. Satan was working on him, but he came anyway. What a great act of faith. He has really found the comfort that comes from the gospel. The Elder's Quorum President has befriended him.
Every one's experience is different, --from the 11 year old who was really excited to be baptized and overcame the fear of water, to the 35 year old who just broke up with his girlfriend and put his faith in God to the point that he was willing to accept the ordinance of baptism.
Oh how I love this work!! God is a gracious God. He loves his children and blesses them according to His tender mercies.
I am now in DoLiu and am a senior companion, I wasn't ready for that. I am very aware of my own weaknesses. The Holy Ghost is going to be our senior companion.
My Junior companion is great. He is fluent in Chinese. His mom is from taiwan and his dad is a former Taibei missionary. He is from Orem too and went to Mountian View. He loves the people and wants to help them know the chruch is true.
I testify that it is through Jesus Christ that we can be healed spiritually. (And physically, for that matter.) This is what want to share with people. This is a truth that can only be felt and understood by the power of the Holy Ghost. When this happens a light comes to the eyes, a smile to the face, and humility is instilled in the heart. That is what a mission is about.
I love all of you. Elder Spencer Harris
Our two baptisms this week went really well. The 11 year old is so solid. As we were meeting with him in the days leading up to his baptism, we asked him why Joseph Smith is important, and he, with out hesitancy, said "Because of the Great Apostacy." He has an understanding. I know the spirit has really confirmed to him the truth of the gospel and helped him learn because he was willing to read and pray. When he was bearing his testimony after his baptism, he said: "I'm really afraid of water, but as I was about to be baptized, I felt that God was with me."
The other baptism, Jiang, arrived just as the meeting was ready to start. Satan was working on him, but he came anyway. What a great act of faith. He has really found the comfort that comes from the gospel. The Elder's Quorum President has befriended him.
Every one's experience is different, --from the 11 year old who was really excited to be baptized and overcame the fear of water, to the 35 year old who just broke up with his girlfriend and put his faith in God to the point that he was willing to accept the ordinance of baptism.
Oh how I love this work!! God is a gracious God. He loves his children and blesses them according to His tender mercies.
I am now in DoLiu and am a senior companion, I wasn't ready for that. I am very aware of my own weaknesses. The Holy Ghost is going to be our senior companion.
My Junior companion is great. He is fluent in Chinese. His mom is from taiwan and his dad is a former Taibei missionary. He is from Orem too and went to Mountian View. He loves the people and wants to help them know the chruch is true.
I testify that it is through Jesus Christ that we can be healed spiritually. (And physically, for that matter.) This is what want to share with people. This is a truth that can only be felt and understood by the power of the Holy Ghost. When this happens a light comes to the eyes, a smile to the face, and humility is instilled in the heart. That is what a mission is about.
I love all of you. Elder Spencer Harris
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Baptism (posted by mom)
Brother Xie got baptised this week!!
It is exciting to be a missionary and to help prepare people for baptism. Just a few weeks ago, my companion bore a sweet testimony about baptism. Our investigator asked "After I'm baptized, will my life be any different." My companion said, "I promise you that the difference will be like darkness compared to the sunlight." When he said that, I thought to myself, Probably the only thing I remember from my baptism is that right after I was baptized, I told someone, "I don't feel any different." I felt that nothing had changed. In hind sight I realize I was wrong! In the MTC, a general authority told all the senior couples, "Thank God every day for the decisions you have made in light of the gospel." Also a member in Taiwan said something like this, "From the moment we were baptized until now, everything that has happened has been a miracle." I love these two quotes.
There is no way to know how our lives would be different without baptism, but I can promise it would be a lot worse. Our souls would still be in infant stage. Our understanding and eternal perspective would be so basic. Because we were baptized, our daily struggles and trials can be consecrated and become the miaracles that make up our life.
This is the only true in living chruch on the face of the whole earth. Through baptism we've put ourselves on the only path to salvation--that is our Savior's atonement. With our baptism, we've invested in a one-way ticket to Heavenly Father's holy presence. This is my testimony. I am grateful I have been called as a missionary to baptize for the salvation of souls.
It is exciting to be a missionary and to help prepare people for baptism. Just a few weeks ago, my companion bore a sweet testimony about baptism. Our investigator asked "After I'm baptized, will my life be any different." My companion said, "I promise you that the difference will be like darkness compared to the sunlight." When he said that, I thought to myself, Probably the only thing I remember from my baptism is that right after I was baptized, I told someone, "I don't feel any different." I felt that nothing had changed. In hind sight I realize I was wrong! In the MTC, a general authority told all the senior couples, "Thank God every day for the decisions you have made in light of the gospel." Also a member in Taiwan said something like this, "From the moment we were baptized until now, everything that has happened has been a miracle." I love these two quotes.
There is no way to know how our lives would be different without baptism, but I can promise it would be a lot worse. Our souls would still be in infant stage. Our understanding and eternal perspective would be so basic. Because we were baptized, our daily struggles and trials can be consecrated and become the miaracles that make up our life.
This is the only true in living chruch on the face of the whole earth. Through baptism we've put ourselves on the only path to salvation--that is our Savior's atonement. With our baptism, we've invested in a one-way ticket to Heavenly Father's holy presence. This is my testimony. I am grateful I have been called as a missionary to baptize for the salvation of souls.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Personal Study Time in the Mountains
Guess what? I got to sing with Elder Gluch at Zone conference!! How crazy is that. Heavenly Father sure knows what He's doing. Four of us sang I'll go where you want me to go--I sang the alto line and there was no possible way I was going to mess that up. (There was only 3 notes.)
Dad asked me a question about learning everyday words like "potassium permanganate"--haha. No, not yet. But it made me think of zone conference President Hoer had to traslate for parts of the conference because no one else knew the words that were being said. He knew words like whale shark, plankton, and carbon monoxide poisoning. He is so smart! He is a master of the language!
Most recently I've been so amazed at the Savior and His role. I've been pondering on the meaning of always remembering the Savior--as we promise to do each Sunday when we partake of the sacrament. Every prophet's purpose, since the begining of time, is to testify of the Savior and His divine role. Every verse of scripture points to the Savior. Every ordinance in the law of Moses and every ordinance in the law introduced at the time of Christ's death points to the Savior--every jot and tittle. This insight is starting to change how I study and how I act. The words of Hymns and scriptures have taken on new meaning.
I just want to let each of you know that we have a Father in Heaven. This life is not "whatever" (sui bian), there is a plan. We are being looked out for. The way is prepared and we are not left comfortless.
This week, I wondered, "How can Christ know what it's like to sin and to have that loss of spirit?" I thought there was no way, Christ can't know how that feels. How can he help me in that case? How can he know how it feels to have the spirit withdraw? and in that case, how can I use the atonement to overcome that distance from God? However, my wonderings were very immature: On the cross, in the agony that he was put through at that time, the Father withdrew his spirit. In the Savior's hour of need, in his darkest hour, the Son of God--perfect and holy--suffered a a temporary spiritual death. He bridged the eternal divide. When we sin, and the sprit withdraws, Jesus Christ's atonement has covered that, and he can lift us from our fallen state and allow us to keep going. We can feel the arms of mercy extended to us and once again experience the blessings and joy of walking in the presence of God. How great is our Savior!
The scriptures often begin with the words, "And it came to pass". In Chinese it is written "Shiqing shi zhe yang de" -- the literal translation of that is, "Things are this way." I thought that was pretty cool.
Today for Preperation day my companion and I biked to the other end of our area, and hour + ride up the mountians. We got permission and had personal study up there. Biking up the mountian was really cool. I felt like I was in my zone. We decided that since we never go up that way that we'd take some time to spread the good news, so we took some of our Preparation Day to find the prepared. It was fun! As we tried to do as the Savior would do, we were lead to a less-active family that there was really no way of finding where they lived by their address; we were able to serve some people who had stuff fall out of their truck; and we were able to run into a former investigator on the street that my companion had just barely told me told me about.
Too many things seem to fall into place in missionary work. It can't all be coincidence. God directs this work.
(Jia you!) add oil - give your best.
With all my love,
Elder Spencer Harris
--posted by his mother
Dad asked me a question about learning everyday words like "potassium permanganate"--haha. No, not yet. But it made me think of zone conference President Hoer had to traslate for parts of the conference because no one else knew the words that were being said. He knew words like whale shark, plankton, and carbon monoxide poisoning. He is so smart! He is a master of the language!
Most recently I've been so amazed at the Savior and His role. I've been pondering on the meaning of always remembering the Savior--as we promise to do each Sunday when we partake of the sacrament. Every prophet's purpose, since the begining of time, is to testify of the Savior and His divine role. Every verse of scripture points to the Savior. Every ordinance in the law of Moses and every ordinance in the law introduced at the time of Christ's death points to the Savior--every jot and tittle. This insight is starting to change how I study and how I act. The words of Hymns and scriptures have taken on new meaning.
I just want to let each of you know that we have a Father in Heaven. This life is not "whatever" (sui bian), there is a plan. We are being looked out for. The way is prepared and we are not left comfortless.
This week, I wondered, "How can Christ know what it's like to sin and to have that loss of spirit?" I thought there was no way, Christ can't know how that feels. How can he help me in that case? How can he know how it feels to have the spirit withdraw? and in that case, how can I use the atonement to overcome that distance from God? However, my wonderings were very immature: On the cross, in the agony that he was put through at that time, the Father withdrew his spirit. In the Savior's hour of need, in his darkest hour, the Son of God--perfect and holy--suffered a a temporary spiritual death. He bridged the eternal divide. When we sin, and the sprit withdraws, Jesus Christ's atonement has covered that, and he can lift us from our fallen state and allow us to keep going. We can feel the arms of mercy extended to us and once again experience the blessings and joy of walking in the presence of God. How great is our Savior!
The scriptures often begin with the words, "And it came to pass". In Chinese it is written "Shiqing shi zhe yang de" -- the literal translation of that is, "Things are this way." I thought that was pretty cool.
Today for Preperation day my companion and I biked to the other end of our area, and hour + ride up the mountians. We got permission and had personal study up there. Biking up the mountian was really cool. I felt like I was in my zone. We decided that since we never go up that way that we'd take some time to spread the good news, so we took some of our Preparation Day to find the prepared. It was fun! As we tried to do as the Savior would do, we were lead to a less-active family that there was really no way of finding where they lived by their address; we were able to serve some people who had stuff fall out of their truck; and we were able to run into a former investigator on the street that my companion had just barely told me told me about.
Too many things seem to fall into place in missionary work. It can't all be coincidence. God directs this work.
(Jia you!) add oil - give your best.
With all my love,
Elder Spencer Harris
--posted by his mother
Sunday, March 21, 2010
TaiZhong Dakeng Ward
The new ward is great! there are about 80 people who attend regularly. That is about 40 less than the Xihu ward. The members here in Taiwan really are so great! They fellowship like I've never seen anyone fellowship. I've learned that I wasn't a fellowshipper. That is changing and will continue to change. Even long time attenders can use fellowshipping--an arm around the back and a sincere "How are you doing?"
I'm so excited for general conference. We get conference a week late, so if you would be so kind as to give me some brief updates and highlights, that would be SO EXCITING! (I don't want all your notes though. :) )
Here in TaiZhong, I've noticed that there are a lot more sirnames. In xihu, a lot of the members were Chen or Yang, but here we have Zhuang and Qiu and Meng and all types of sirnames. Also, in TaiZhong, we are working with some people who are struggling with the commandments. It is way outside my comfort zone to help people overcome problems with the law of chasity and the word of wisdom, but I'm learning quickly. Boldness and holding to the firmness of the commandment are good ways to help people overcome these problems. I've noticed that placing faith in their ability and in the ability of the atonement help too. Inviting someone to do is a lot less effective than letting someone know that they can start obeying this moment, and that through prayer and the atonement they can overcome any challenge.
Two days ago, my companion and I really wanted to add a Week B investigator--that means getting them ready for baptism in 2 weeks. There are a few ways to do that, mostly prayer and calling/visiting former investigators. I think between my companion and my prayers and faith we were rewarded. I was riding my bike down the street and a man on a scooter called out to me and so I went to the side of the road to talk to him. I guess he has attended church many of times. For some reason he has just not been baptised. We set up the baptismal interview right then and he passed. His name is __ Zhang.
My new companion is great! He is worthy, obedient, and DILIGENT! I thought I was working so hard in my previous area... I guess not. I'm hoping I can set some good habits this move-call. He is so focused on our missionary purpose. Everything we do is pointed to helping people come unto Christ.
I'm teaching English again--the beginning class. It's scary because my Chinese is still beginner so a lot less can be communicated to a beginning class. If anyone has some fun games or songs, or ideas to teach beginning English, that would be great!
We are also teaching Mr.Zhang. He used to smoke a lot, and he's quit for 4 days--he has so much faith. There is another man Mr. Jie. His son died a while ago and he goes to this spot by a bridge everyday at 11 and 4 to remember his son. We often go to meet and talk to him at those times. I know he has the ability to obey the commandments, I'm just hoping that he will make the decision to DO IT.
I feel like I should still be new, but my companion expects a lot and it's really good for me to learn the ropes of self-motivation in the work, and it's teaching me to be a hard worker and to grow in important areas like the language and teaching and contacting.
I know this church is true. I'm so greatful for the opportunity to serve God for Two years. Two years seems so long and I often think of you all and miss you so much. My testimony is growing in the areas of work and faith--thanks to my companion. He is a worker and he is a pray-er and he has so much faith.
Please just tell everyone you see that I love them, and I'm so greatful for their love and support. Tell them that I'm loving the mission, the work is so good and it is divinely directed. My testimony is strengthening every day.
With Love, Elder Harris
--posted by his mother
I'm so excited for general conference. We get conference a week late, so if you would be so kind as to give me some brief updates and highlights, that would be SO EXCITING! (I don't want all your notes though. :) )
Here in TaiZhong, I've noticed that there are a lot more sirnames. In xihu, a lot of the members were Chen or Yang, but here we have Zhuang and Qiu and Meng and all types of sirnames. Also, in TaiZhong, we are working with some people who are struggling with the commandments. It is way outside my comfort zone to help people overcome problems with the law of chasity and the word of wisdom, but I'm learning quickly. Boldness and holding to the firmness of the commandment are good ways to help people overcome these problems. I've noticed that placing faith in their ability and in the ability of the atonement help too. Inviting someone to do is a lot less effective than letting someone know that they can start obeying this moment, and that through prayer and the atonement they can overcome any challenge.
Two days ago, my companion and I really wanted to add a Week B investigator--that means getting them ready for baptism in 2 weeks. There are a few ways to do that, mostly prayer and calling/visiting former investigators. I think between my companion and my prayers and faith we were rewarded. I was riding my bike down the street and a man on a scooter called out to me and so I went to the side of the road to talk to him. I guess he has attended church many of times. For some reason he has just not been baptised. We set up the baptismal interview right then and he passed. His name is __ Zhang.
My new companion is great! He is worthy, obedient, and DILIGENT! I thought I was working so hard in my previous area... I guess not. I'm hoping I can set some good habits this move-call. He is so focused on our missionary purpose. Everything we do is pointed to helping people come unto Christ.
I'm teaching English again--the beginning class. It's scary because my Chinese is still beginner so a lot less can be communicated to a beginning class. If anyone has some fun games or songs, or ideas to teach beginning English, that would be great!
We are also teaching Mr.Zhang. He used to smoke a lot, and he's quit for 4 days--he has so much faith. There is another man Mr. Jie. His son died a while ago and he goes to this spot by a bridge everyday at 11 and 4 to remember his son. We often go to meet and talk to him at those times. I know he has the ability to obey the commandments, I'm just hoping that he will make the decision to DO IT.
I feel like I should still be new, but my companion expects a lot and it's really good for me to learn the ropes of self-motivation in the work, and it's teaching me to be a hard worker and to grow in important areas like the language and teaching and contacting.
I know this church is true. I'm so greatful for the opportunity to serve God for Two years. Two years seems so long and I often think of you all and miss you so much. My testimony is growing in the areas of work and faith--thanks to my companion. He is a worker and he is a pray-er and he has so much faith.
Please just tell everyone you see that I love them, and I'm so greatful for their love and support. Tell them that I'm loving the mission, the work is so good and it is divinely directed. My testimony is strengthening every day.
With Love, Elder Harris
--posted by his mother
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Transfer to Taizhong!
Wow! I am being transferred. I was not expecting this move call. I am going to Taizhong! My companion will be Elder Hofhiens. There will be 5 elders from the MTC in that zone. Exciting!
Zheng Xing was confirmed this Sunday as well as Zong Yi. After his baptism Zong Yi bore his testimony about how prayers are answered and how Joseph Smith is a prophet and received answers to his prayers. I am going to miss all the new converts so much! Some of them are young and don't have family suport. I worry about them becoming blinded by the lies of the world.
I know that we have a Savior. I know God loves us. Our lives take on so much meaning when we yield our thoughts, words, and actions to God and to His service. We would sorrow because of the wickedness of the world, but our joy in Him would be so great! We could stand tall, have confidence in this world; and walk confidently, and humbly in the presence of God. He could guide our foot steps, make use of us, give us ever greater opportunities to serve and bless others. I truly believe it is as in the days of Moses--If we would just look, if we had our eye single to the glory of God, the way would be easy. How do we do that? Conscientious effort? yes. But I think it starts with the little things --reading the scriptures, praying, going to church. When we study the scriptures, do we really study? When we pray, do we really pray? When we go to church, do we mentally and spiritually attend?
Thank you for your prayers. I love you all! Please keep praying for me. At times I believe I really feel the power of your prayers helping me.
Zheng Xing was confirmed this Sunday as well as Zong Yi. After his baptism Zong Yi bore his testimony about how prayers are answered and how Joseph Smith is a prophet and received answers to his prayers. I am going to miss all the new converts so much! Some of them are young and don't have family suport. I worry about them becoming blinded by the lies of the world.
I know that we have a Savior. I know God loves us. Our lives take on so much meaning when we yield our thoughts, words, and actions to God and to His service. We would sorrow because of the wickedness of the world, but our joy in Him would be so great! We could stand tall, have confidence in this world; and walk confidently, and humbly in the presence of God. He could guide our foot steps, make use of us, give us ever greater opportunities to serve and bless others. I truly believe it is as in the days of Moses--If we would just look, if we had our eye single to the glory of God, the way would be easy. How do we do that? Conscientious effort? yes. But I think it starts with the little things --reading the scriptures, praying, going to church. When we study the scriptures, do we really study? When we pray, do we really pray? When we go to church, do we mentally and spiritually attend?
Thank you for your prayers. I love you all! Please keep praying for me. At times I believe I really feel the power of your prayers helping me.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Arrived in TAIWAN!!
I got to give out a Book of Mormon on our trip to Taiwam. It was to a Chinese man from Brazil. It was fun to talk to him. He speaks 4 languages.
It was cool to get to the mission home and to see that President Hoer and his wife really are as awesome as they were made out to be. The kind of people you could be seeing in the middle of the Conference Ensign in a few years. They've lived in Asia for 20+ years! I was glad to get here and have the mission spirit be as strong, if not stronger than it was at the MTC. The spirit of the missions is "There's a Way - Anything is Possible" (you ban fa). Even more than that, I was excited to see that the spirit truely is in the heart of the missionaries and in the heart of my companion. The Hoers fed us well! They gave us some trainings. Then they had us go to a night market and we got to get up on a box and preach to the people there. It's called "Dan Jones Night" (he was a powerful missionary in the early days of the church). We spent the rest of the time going throughout the night market contacting people.
I am serving in XiHu. It is about a rural of a place as Taiwan gets (yet there are sitll people to talk to everywhere). My companion is Elder Porter. We've been spending most of our time finding. I'm starting to feel more confident in finding. It's a lot easier when you keep the perspective our life's purpose. There are prepared people here! To sort out the willing from the unwilling, we set a baptismal date the first time we meet with people.
I want to let you know I'm loving this. I feel like I've been here for a long time.
One of my favorite times of the day is personal study. Finding scriptures to share, talking with God, self evaluating, setting goals, and receiving inspiration.
I know that I'm in good hands--God's, the Hoer's, and my companion has got my back.
I love you all so much. The church is true. There is real power in keeping our covenants, living by gospel principles, losing ourselves in the service of God, and in trusting in the Lord.
It was cool to get to the mission home and to see that President Hoer and his wife really are as awesome as they were made out to be. The kind of people you could be seeing in the middle of the Conference Ensign in a few years. They've lived in Asia for 20+ years! I was glad to get here and have the mission spirit be as strong, if not stronger than it was at the MTC. The spirit of the missions is "There's a Way - Anything is Possible" (you ban fa). Even more than that, I was excited to see that the spirit truely is in the heart of the missionaries and in the heart of my companion. The Hoers fed us well! They gave us some trainings. Then they had us go to a night market and we got to get up on a box and preach to the people there. It's called "Dan Jones Night" (he was a powerful missionary in the early days of the church). We spent the rest of the time going throughout the night market contacting people.
I am serving in XiHu. It is about a rural of a place as Taiwan gets (yet there are sitll people to talk to everywhere). My companion is Elder Porter. We've been spending most of our time finding. I'm starting to feel more confident in finding. It's a lot easier when you keep the perspective our life's purpose. There are prepared people here! To sort out the willing from the unwilling, we set a baptismal date the first time we meet with people.
I want to let you know I'm loving this. I feel like I've been here for a long time.
One of my favorite times of the day is personal study. Finding scriptures to share, talking with God, self evaluating, setting goals, and receiving inspiration.
I know that I'm in good hands--God's, the Hoer's, and my companion has got my back.
I love you all so much. The church is true. There is real power in keeping our covenants, living by gospel principles, losing ourselves in the service of God, and in trusting in the Lord.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Eleventh Week: Last Week at the MTC
The MTC is a great place. The experiences we have here are amazing. I have learned a lot. There is a power here. In the MTC I don't feel like I'm a sub-missionary, but that infact I am a missionary.
I got a new Chinese name and I love it. HUANG LING KAI
HUANG - my last name
LING - Spirit, clever, sharp, effectual
KAI - Triumphant strains, triumphant
We are it - We are THE force for good in this world. Missionaries have the authority to put people on the path home to their Father in Heaven.
I want you to know that the atonement is real. Faith has real power. Our covenants have real power.
I read this great talk by Elder Holland called "The best is yet to be". It was awesome.
With love,
I got a new Chinese name and I love it. HUANG LING KAI
HUANG - my last name
LING - Spirit, clever, sharp, effectual
KAI - Triumphant strains, triumphant
We are it - We are THE force for good in this world. Missionaries have the authority to put people on the path home to their Father in Heaven.
I want you to know that the atonement is real. Faith has real power. Our covenants have real power.
I read this great talk by Elder Holland called "The best is yet to be". It was awesome.
With love,
Monday, January 18, 2010
Tenth Week: A Tender Mercy
The best part of this week was at our Teaching Center. We had these two awesome returned missionaries that we taught. The Spirit was there. After we taught we had a discussion about having faith to do hard things and relying on the Lord's promised blessings. As I pondered, the Spirit came into my heart and in my mind that made me know that the Lord had accepted my efforts here at the MTC. What a tender mercy. I think that is what we all are striving for in this life, to know that our attempts - poor, human attempts - to be the best we can be - are recognized by a divine Heavenly Father.
I am excited to go to Taiwan and give it my all. I feel like I have been given insight into who I am and what is expected of me.
I am excited to go to Taiwan and give it my all. I feel like I have been given insight into who I am and what is expected of me.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Seventh Week: Learning form the Apostles
This week we had Elder Anderson and Elder Perry of the Twelve come to speak to us. It was AWESOME! Elder Perry is like your next door neighbor, and his family is just like ours. After he spoke, he came down and shook hands. I was like 3 feet away from him. I also almost bumped into him in the cafeteria. I didn't even notice he was there until I almost ran into him--I bumped into his body guard though.
This affected me in a big way. All the apostles are so different. Elder Holland is so on fire and Elder Perry is so patient and longsuffering. I learned that becoming perfect doesn't mean we all become the same. Our personalities are unique, Heavenly Father gave each of us the talents and traits needed to fulfill his purposes/our missions in this life. If we give up that to become something we're not, then we've lost the point. Heavenly Father needs you and he needs me. We've been sent down to this earth to fulfill a mission consistant with our eternal nature and personality. Elder Anderson told us that our premortal existance had arrange events while in this life. Heavenly Father needs the best me to fulfill my purpose and no the best someone else. I think that's why it's important no to compare ourselves with others. Either we will become content at feeling like we are better; or will try to hard to be someone else; or don't try at all because we figure we can't do it. I think comparison is something I'm struggling with right now.
This affected me in a big way. All the apostles are so different. Elder Holland is so on fire and Elder Perry is so patient and longsuffering. I learned that becoming perfect doesn't mean we all become the same. Our personalities are unique, Heavenly Father gave each of us the talents and traits needed to fulfill his purposes/our missions in this life. If we give up that to become something we're not, then we've lost the point. Heavenly Father needs you and he needs me. We've been sent down to this earth to fulfill a mission consistant with our eternal nature and personality. Elder Anderson told us that our premortal existance had arrange events while in this life. Heavenly Father needs the best me to fulfill my purpose and no the best someone else. I think that's why it's important no to compare ourselves with others. Either we will become content at feeling like we are better; or will try to hard to be someone else; or don't try at all because we figure we can't do it. I think comparison is something I'm struggling with right now.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Fifth Week: MTC Mission Conference
The MTC is awesome. For our Sunday devotional we watched the 1st Presidency's Christmas Message. I really liked when President Monson said that the Spirit we feel during Christmas is the Spirit of Christ. I want that feeling all the time.
I guess each Fast Sunday the MTC has a Mission Conference. Wow! Powerful Stuff. Sister Clegg gave a talk about Mary (mother of Jesus) and it was awesome! The BYU Men's Chorus gave us a Christmas performance and it was great! Sunday's are amazing here!
Thank you so much for making me work the past few summers - and throughout my life. I know that the time I've spent working has blessed me in so many ways in addition to earning money.
Elder Costa of the 70s talked to us last Tuesday. He has a fire of a testimony! I learned that people who I come in contact with in Taiwan may not accept what I have to say and may not understand what I have to say because they are not ready. But everyone I talk to can know for certain that I know the Church is True! Like Elder Holland said (quoting someone else) "We could warm our hand by the fire of his faith." said by a boy in a rowdy Sunday School class talking about his teacher.
One of the cool things about the gospel is we don't have to be apologetic. We can invite, or even tell someone to repent and be on the Lord's errand - if His Spirit so directs. We can ask people to do hard things - like overcome addiction - and promise them bold blessings. We can put faith in gospel principles and know the end result.
Thank you for your prayers. Love you lots.
I guess each Fast Sunday the MTC has a Mission Conference. Wow! Powerful Stuff. Sister Clegg gave a talk about Mary (mother of Jesus) and it was awesome! The BYU Men's Chorus gave us a Christmas performance and it was great! Sunday's are amazing here!
Thank you so much for making me work the past few summers - and throughout my life. I know that the time I've spent working has blessed me in so many ways in addition to earning money.
Elder Costa of the 70s talked to us last Tuesday. He has a fire of a testimony! I learned that people who I come in contact with in Taiwan may not accept what I have to say and may not understand what I have to say because they are not ready. But everyone I talk to can know for certain that I know the Church is True! Like Elder Holland said (quoting someone else) "We could warm our hand by the fire of his faith." said by a boy in a rowdy Sunday School class talking about his teacher.
One of the cool things about the gospel is we don't have to be apologetic. We can invite, or even tell someone to repent and be on the Lord's errand - if His Spirit so directs. We can ask people to do hard things - like overcome addiction - and promise them bold blessings. We can put faith in gospel principles and know the end result.
Thank you for your prayers. Love you lots.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Fourth Week: Snow!
Probably the most interesting part (of this week) was the snow and I'm sure you know about that already. It's funny though because my companion is from Sacramento, and I guess it never snows there. He, unknowingly, tells me all the interesting little things he learns about the snow--stuff I never really thought of--It's fun.
I got sick this week and I thought I was going to die. About wednesday I got a really bad sore throat and by friday it was REALLY bad and I started getting a fever and feeling really tired. So we went to the health center and they had just closed. The Elders from my district gave me a blessing. I'm feeling much better now.
Hai you shenme?... (one more thing)
Our companionship had two very awesome teaching experiences again. I feel very blessed. In one of them the missionary we were teaching played the part of a friend he had who was going through some struggles. We talked about how the Atonement could help him and we read Alma 7:11-12 (i'm pretty sure that's what we read.) anyway it talks about how the Savior took upon himself the pains, sins, and afflictions of the world so he could know how to succor us. Then as my companion and I testified and told our investigator of our love, the spirit was SO strong! For the closing prayer, the missionary gave a real prayer for his friend. Every one was crying.
Something I remember from President Eyring's last conference talk is that he said, "Love of God enables us to obey his commandments, love for others increases our capacity to obey." Think of how much love Jesus Christ has for us in order to to obey God's commandment to atone for the sins of the world! I think it was his love for each of us that allowed his mortal body to withstand the pains of the Atonement.
I know this church is God's true Church, and this gospel is the source of true joy.
with love,
elder harris
I got sick this week and I thought I was going to die. About wednesday I got a really bad sore throat and by friday it was REALLY bad and I started getting a fever and feeling really tired. So we went to the health center and they had just closed. The Elders from my district gave me a blessing. I'm feeling much better now.
Hai you shenme?... (one more thing)
Our companionship had two very awesome teaching experiences again. I feel very blessed. In one of them the missionary we were teaching played the part of a friend he had who was going through some struggles. We talked about how the Atonement could help him and we read Alma 7:11-12 (i'm pretty sure that's what we read.) anyway it talks about how the Savior took upon himself the pains, sins, and afflictions of the world so he could know how to succor us. Then as my companion and I testified and told our investigator of our love, the spirit was SO strong! For the closing prayer, the missionary gave a real prayer for his friend. Every one was crying.
Something I remember from President Eyring's last conference talk is that he said, "Love of God enables us to obey his commandments, love for others increases our capacity to obey." Think of how much love Jesus Christ has for us in order to to obey God's commandment to atone for the sins of the world! I think it was his love for each of us that allowed his mortal body to withstand the pains of the Atonement.
I know this church is God's true Church, and this gospel is the source of true joy.
with love,
elder harris
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)