The Plan of Salvation Became Very Real To Me

Hey Family!

      I read all your mail today, and I was all smiles.  I was actually laughing at a few of the stories and drawing some attention to myself... Oh well!   :p

Well let me be straight this week and tell you about what happened:

      On Monday a younger single sister from our branch passed away after battling health for a few months.  It was a personal blow to me because of our friendship and her sudden departure.  Now, the following days were beyond imaginable; let me explain.

      From Tuesday till Thursday there were evening prayer sessions held at the family’s home.  The gal and her mother are the only church members in this very large, politically connected, AND well known family.  The prayer sessions were conducted by the Branch Presidency and offered an opportunity for many not of our faith (family, friends and neighbors) to come and learn about the gospel.  Each evening the spirit was strong as more and more people attended.  I had the opportunity to speak on Thursday night and exhorted all individuals to learn of the truths they had been taught the past few days.  Through those days my testimony swelled.

      Friday was the day of the service.  Well, over 250 or 300 people were in attendance and the chapel could not bear the crowd.  By the way, that is a huge number for a funeral on a Friday morning.  The speakers were OUTSTANDING, as the spirit FLOODED the building.  Everything was up to church standards and had a huge impact on all who attended.

      On a personal note:  I had some of the most spiritual experiences this week regarding the event, especially during the viewing.  The Plan of Salvation became very real to me and it did as well for this community.  Many people were extremely touched by the spirit that resided there.  It was the most spiritual and amazing funeral I have ever attended.  The Plan of Salvation is true, the post mortal spirit world is real, and there is a work going on there as we live our lives here.  I know this with a sure certainty.

      I’ve not a lot of time to share many details, but that is the gist of it.

Still thrusting in my sickle with my might.  The time is flying :(

I love you my dear family :)

Always,

Elder Gold

 
Editor’s Note:
      Landon makes mention several times in his letter about a Plan of Salvation, also known as God's Plan of Happiness.  If I were to try to explain just what this beautiful plan is in a few brief moments I could no way do it justice.  However, the video presents the basic concept using a beautifully creative art form.  I hope you enjoy it and the message it unveils of the mysteries of Heaven, which through this loving plan no more are mysteries to me. If you are unable to click the link below it can be found at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media-library/video/missionary/our-heavenly-fathers-plan?lang=eng

Joy in Afflictions & Beauty We Can Find There

 

Hello My Dear Momma,

      I want to write you today and tell you how grateful I am for you!  I thank God often in my prayers for my amazing family and remarkable mother.  Distance does make the heart grow fonder.  I often have blurbs flash into my memory of you, of the amazing qualities you have, of the timeless treasures you have taught me that help me every week, and much more.  I often tell stories about you or say, "my mom taught me this" or "my mom did this" in our teaching appointments. I want you to know with all your heart, that your son loves you with all of his.

      Over the past few months I’ve had many challenges that test and try me, and some that just waste me.  I don’t tell you guys most of them because 1) it would take way too long, and 2) it forces me to rely on my Heavenly Father for strength and guidance (though I always do and will continue to rely on you guys).  One thing, out of many, that I have come to an understanding about is this; There is so much beauty in our afflictions, trials, and challenges of faith.  Think about it this way: the Lord chastens those whom He loves.  He is all seeing and knows what He wants us to become and where He wants us to go.  If you look at the current position or place of a great man or woman or child of God, it’s amazing, how, behind each individual, is a long stream of turmoil that bent and shaped that individual. 

      We are taught to find joy in the journey (at least I have been).  I don’t know really how to best explain the joy in afflictions or the beauty we can find there, but I can say this: to anyone who can change their perspective, they too can see trials of faith or afflictions as something that is beautiful, and will tap into and enter a new world with brilliant technicolor.  I bare testimony that it’s true.  I know the Lord loves me because He is challenging me and stretching me.

      I would ask you to include in the blog post this week a ‘Mormon Message’ that focuses on a talk given by Elder D. Todd Christofferson.  In his talk he tells about an experience Hugh B. Brown had with a current bush.  I really wish for all to watch it because this message sums up my testimony.

I love you mom, So very much.

Your Son,

Elder Landon T. Gold

Editor’s Note:

            I struggled with including the first paragraph of his letter in the blog of fear that others may see the choice to include it as bragging or boastful.  My prideful self wishes to remove it, however, my encouraging self realizes that it should remain to give others hope that what they are doing as parents will someday be appreciated.  Most importantly, what I wish for you to understand is that those good things you do for your children will eventually be emulated through who they become and what they choose to give back to their families and this world.  My hope has always been that my children’s lives would be a reflection of all things good while giving them the skills to be able to cast off (not holding onto) the bad.  As a parent I did many things wrong of which I’ve prayed would not define what my children would become.   I still feel infantile in my personal growth and development; however, it has been through the years and challenges of being entrusted as guardian to two amazing children that I have gained a deeper sense of self (and continue to be humbled by those challenges).  For nothing I have done as a mother could ever measure up to what has been given me in return.  For this I am GRATEFUL!
There is a wonderful video found at www.churchofjesuschrist.org titled 'The Will of God.' It is an amazing story of the importance of being willing to be cut down in order for us to grow to our greatest potential. 

A Remarkable Promise

Hey Guys, this will be to all of you.

      I read all your letters, and I love the diversity.  It’s so good to hear that there is peace on earth.  As Dad says, “Backing down isn’t a sign of weakness, but of strength.  Or in other words, “Humility isn’t a sign of weakness, but of spiritual strength.”

      Dad, that was some very interesting findings about Isaiah (a great Hebrew Prophet whose writings are found in the Bible and the Book of Mormon).  I also found some interesting things about the Book of Mormon this week while listening to a talk by Gene R. Cook.  Look it up, it will blow you away.  But my biggest question and concern is this: Dad did you ask your friend if he has read the book, and if not, did you invite him to do so?  Brigham Young said that if all the eloquence and talent for public speaking were presented to him to convince him of the Book of Mormon it would have gone up like smoke only to vanish.  But when he saw a man without eloquence bare testimony, it was more powerful than anything else could have been, and the spirit witnessed the truth of it to him through that simple man’s testimony.  I imagine it the same with the Book of Mormon.  “The spirit will not testify of superficiality "as Elder Holland has said.  But it will testify of the truth.  I’m not saying any of this against you and your approach; I’m just having a fun time expressing my feelings on conversion through the Book of Mormon.  The Book of Mormon is saturated with the spirit, and if the reader puts sincerity into his heart, the spirit will manifest the truth unto him.  I've tried to "convince" people with my existing knowledge of worldly facts of the book and have exhausted my breath with no avail.  But, to one man last week we opened and read the first chapter of Nephi after I was exhausted from explanation.  This hardened man’s heart melted away as he looked up from the pages and said, "Something has illuminated me like a light inside, and I understand.”  Nothing short of the spirit :)

      Well, that’s my sermon.  I love the Book Of Mormon!  And I know by the power of God and his Spirit that it is TRUE.

      So, if you guys were to hear me laugh, you would think it was dad in the room. I’m turning more and more into him.  :p  It’s a nice reminder of my loving parents. So, whenever he laughs most awkwardly, just know that I’m doing and sounding the same here in Africa.

I love you guys.  Keep it up!  I’m so proud to be a Gold.

Elder Landon Taylor Gold

Editor's Note:

       After reading Landon's letter I set out to find the article he made reference to and on the
quest I ran into some very interesting facts that should help you to better understand the how, where and why the Book of Mormon actually exists.  First off, I found out that currently it's fully published in 82 languages and partial translations have been done with an additional 25 languages.  Wow, I was unaware that so many different languages actually exist.  I was intrigued by the fact that it really is going forth to all the nations and that many are now able to read it in their native tongue.  If you wish to better understand exactly what the Book of Mormon is, click on the following link and it will direct you to a site the church has made available.  Its content will help you to quickly filter through the fallacies and get directly to the truth of The Book of Mormon.

      I also have read the talk that Landon gives reference to.  It was published back in April 1994 in the periodical, The Ensign, and is worth the read if you are interested in seeing what Elder Gene R. Cook has to say about "a remarkable promise to those seeking knowledge of the truth." He talks of "a process we can each go through every time we wish to have eternal truth confirmed," and lays out the simple steps taught by an ancient prophet who helped bring these writings to our present day.  This article titled 'Moroni's Promise' gives reference to a scriptural promise inspiring others to know for themselves.  See what Moroni's Promise has for you and don't be surprised if you find a key to knowing.....really knowing truth unfeigned.

It's Summer Finally

Hella my Famila!

      It’s summer finally.  We have had some hot days but over all it's nice.  I heard that the east coast was getting hit hard with winter storms.  That sounds about right.  It is crazy to be on the other side of the world, yet we can communicate so easily each week.  Well, the work is moving.  We are seeing success and have 3 potential priesthood holders waiting to jump into the font, which is what our Branch needs . . . priesthood. 

      I mentioned I got your package mum.  It was a nice surprise and a joy to get as well.  I already have a conference DVD set from April so I gave it to my companion.  I think he likes it.  Also, I’ve yet to watch the President Monson DVD because some people in the branch were so eager to watch it, I let them have it first.  I think I’ll find time today.  So, you asked what you could send me for Christmas and my birthday?  Well do this; spend the postage on my companion.  He doesn’t have the same communication with his family (mom and little brother) and doesn’t receive much either.  I’d love it if you would put something together, whatever might be interesting and cool and spiritually helpful, and send it to him rather than me.

       Well, I emailed my mission president something that I will share with you:

“The week ended well.  We have 3 very solid potential priesthood holders to be baptized in the next transfer that we are excited for.  This week we saw a lot of success, but at the same time we are coming to recognize Lucifer’s influence on some of our investigators and members.  It’s been very interesting to see the influence around myself these past weeks, and now among people in our area.  I say around myself because I have recognized things put in my path to distract, bring down that could destroy me and the level I’m trying to maintain.  It’s a little eerie.  

But we push on.  Training is teaching me a lot, both from the packet, and from my companion…”

      For me, being on the Lord’s errand I feel gives me an amount of protection, safety, and guidance.  I worry for those not yet on a mission, on His errand, that have the potential to embark.  I especially think about Jordan, Chase, Jordan, Cody, Jeff, Conner, Zack, Max, and many others.  I hope they are doing well.  They need all the help they can get, and so does every one else.  But, not to be negative, I know that a little newly baptized girl has more power to overcome the adversary then do the rest.

      I’m so grateful for this remarkable and wonderful Church that the Lord has given us, and the Gospel that is in it.

And for the family that has guided me all this way.

I love you guys, keep on pushing :)

Elder Gold