Hello!
Well, I got the
package! It was pretty exciting. Elder Brimhall and myself both ENJOYED a nice
cup of the mint herb tea last night.
It’s been a little chilly at night lately so it’s nice to have
around. Also, I love the spice! It’s so good and smells amazing. But, I want
to tell you that I’ve already become a local.
Let me explain. I was smelling
the spice, and thought to myself, “I have this.” I went to the kitchen and opened the
cupboards with all my cooking supplies (I have gained a love for cooking on
mission), and I took out a handful of spices, mixed them up in a bowl, and Waa
law, "South African Smoke." :p
It was almost identical, just the bottled one is slightly stronger. So the good thing is when I run out, I can
make my own. (Editor’s Note: South African Smoke is the name of the spice
I picked up for Landon from a local store here in California and it has become
our favorite seasoning).
Dad said in his email
today that he has been lazy. Well, with
the five fingers (minimalist shoes with toes) I’ll have to just make up for his
laziness. I don’t know if I have told
you, but my companion and I run 5 k every morning when we get up. I've lost even more weight. I’m currently almost the same weight I was
when I first came out on my mission. Pretty crazy!
Well, allow me to tell
you what I told President Zackrison this morning about some happenings in our
area;
"Well I’m happy. We are happy. It has been really cool to recognize a
principle from ‘Preach My Gospel’ taking place in our area. Last week while Elder Brimhall and I were
studying we came across a line that said something to the extent of, "As
you do your best to bring less actives back to the church, strengthen new converts,
and build up members, the Lord will lead you to those who are prepared.
To that we felt it
was saying take care of your house first. No point of bringing new people into the
church unless we retain the ones we have. I recognized this week, that since I first got
here, fourteen individuals used their agency to come back, and about six of
them are solidly active with five of them working on it. Since then we have been led to new prepared
people who are coming back. We have a
young man (18) who has been taught for three-years, and who is now fully ready
for baptism. I think there might be a
connection. Another couple that have
been taught for two-years, but struggled to get married, are working to be
married the fourteenth of September that they can then work towards making a
covenant with God. Not to mention a few
other families and individuals (who are Afrikaans) that we are working
with.
I feel like we are
working really well, but, I recognize that I need to work on and maintain the
attribute of diligence. I’m also trying
to study more and apply your vision for us as missionaries."
And that’s how things
are right now. I can also add that
Gunner D. is doing very well. He took us
on a ride in his buggy the other day. The
thing is fast, but that’s all beside the point. He is really progressing in his understanding
of the gospel. I mentioned in an earlier
email that the truth will stand with him. It has been a very cool experience to see the
spirit reveal things, doctrines, and principle to him.
I’m just Super Happy! There is no doubt in my mind that this work is
true. I also remember in dad's letter he
mentioned about the love for Jesus Christ that we must have. I was reading a talk this morning that
impressed me. It was about His grace,
and a correct understanding of GRACE. Of
course we know that grace is the only thing that will save us. But, how do works tie into the picture? The way it was explained is that Christ paid
the penalty (grace) that we will be ransomed from death (every one of us); like
a mother paying for a child to have piano lessons. The mother pays the teacher in full. The child is in no obligation for the child to
pay back the debt, rather he is asked to practice as a sign of appreciation for
what his mother did. His practicing does
not pay anyone, however, it only helps him to improve so as to become the best
pianist he can. Likewise it is with us. Our
works do not pay for anything; they show appreciation and gratitude for what Christ
did. Our works not only show gratitude, but
also help us to grow. When approached by
people who say, "You Mormons are trying to earn your way into heaven"
the writer of the talk says, "No, we are trying to LEARN our way into
heaven.” Our works help us to become
more like Christ, and will eventually help us to be prepared to live in his
presence because we will have grown by obedience. Like the child whose mother paid for his piano
lessons, he is trying to be the best piano player he can by practicing. As he practices, and with the help of the
teacher, he grows to be able to play in concert halls. But if he didn’t practice, he could not be
comfortable to play in those grand halls in front of so many people.
I liked that analogy. If you want to look up the talk it’s titled,
"His Grace is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox.
Anyways, give Jordan a big hug from me and tell him I love him.
I love you and dad too.
Always,
Elder Gold
Editor’s Note:
Elder Gold
Editor’s Note:
In the above letter
Landon gives reference to a talk given by Brad Wilcox titled, ‘His Grace is
Sufficient.’ After finding it on BYU TV
I sat back with intent to just listen for a few minutes. After all, thirty-two minutes of my time
just seemed to be too much as I had the blog to post and countless assignments
on the forefront of my mind. So I
clicked ‘Play’ and impatiently sat through the beginning introductions and
humorous audience icebreaker; all along with my finger on the mouse so
positioned, with just a single click, to stop…finish…. and redirect back to
my tasks. I must add that it is almost 1:00
AM and I am uncomfortably fatigued, just wanting to finish what I, over an hour
ago, sat down to do. Not so fast! As I sat and listened, soon my ‘I don’t have
time for this’ voice faded into silence and I sat, and I watched, and I
listened . . . but most importantly, ‘I heard.’
I heard a message that, quite frankly, is just what this perfectionist,
not quite living up to, just plugging along . . . person needed to hear. I share this unusual Editor's Note with you
because I feel there is someone who will read this very
long post and will get to this end wanting to know what I paused my world
for. Someone who, not unlike myself,
needs to sit, watch and listen to this ’Message of Hope.’ The address was presented to thousands of
college students; Mormons (so the lingo may be a bit different to those of you
unfamiliar with the culture), however, no matter who you are and what stance with
or understanding you have of God this is a message to contemplate.
So, as my young man
stands steadfast in Africa teaching truths he has come to know, I realize some
of what he holds onto comes simply because he is willing to learn rather than
earn. And because of this he has and
will continue to bring hope to the hopeless, faith back to those who have lost
theirs (or perhaps never knew where to find it), as well bring understanding to their
minds enough to set them free. For,
assuredly, through the great and marvelous atonement, the gift was given and the act to receive it shall take place, but…the
question will be, “How comfortable will you be in Heaven?”
*****
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