Week 101 Temples

This week went very well, we were busy helping wrap up the final lessons and Samantha's interview. We also had a departing missionary temple trip, which was a wonderful experience. The Baptism was great, her father had the chance to baptize her which was awesome.

Temples

Temples are a vital part of the plan of salvation, with out the temple many of our ancestors would be lost. Those who have passed on would not have the opportunity to have the ordinances necessary to enter our fathers kingdom.

Week 100 Repentance is positive

Well this week was a good one. As far as I know the fire is contained, in the canyon. We have been working on getting the baptism for Samantha all finished up. We went out with Rotherham Egin for our ward visits, which went very well. Also our president interviews for this transfer happened. We mainly discussed my plans for my return home, a sort of premium final interview. Sam and her Dad came to church on Sunday which was good. We are still trying to see if Sam and her brother will get baptized or it will just be Sam before Saturday. 

Repentance is positive 

There was a great talk about repentance being a positive thing. Our missionary purpose revolves around the gospel of Jesus Christ. We help those we encounter build their faith in Jesus Christ through reading scriptures, praying and church attendance. As those that we teach and help to build faith they then begin to change. That change is them being converted to that gospel. They begin to keep commitments and change or repent willfully. Those who are really converted become humble wanting to submit to the Lord. This in turn brings them to repentance and helps them relieve burdens and brings joy. As they continue they soon are ready to enter that pathway of baptism or commitment to a Christ centered life. 

Week 98 & 99 Do you have a book?

It has been getting a little warm out here, woke up to find the sunlight dimmed by a large sky filled will smoke. We have a wild fire on the eastern side of the mission, right now not too much to worry about. 

The week went swell, we have been working on getting Samantha finished up and ready for her baptism this month. There is still some things to teach and arrange. The week had a few meetings, Elder Maynes came for a mission tour then stake conference. He looked familiar being in the priesthood session of General Conference. We helped a family in one of Elder Thomas previous wards, move out. There was a lot to move, but he got the meat out of their freezer. So we were happy to score quiet a bit of some prime Fila and other cuts. I found some great news also, I relocated a convert of mine. 

Do you have a book

So this week we got to hear from Elder Maynes twice, one of the stories he shared in both settings was about a man in South America. The man read this book and it talked about how the natives to the americas were visited by Christ. Through time he eventually lost that book. Time went on and people would come to his door and the question he would always ask was, do you have a book that teach about Christ in America. He went on for many years asking that question as he encountered people. The time came that missionaries were able to reach the area where he was, then the day came were he got a knock on the door. So the man asked his question, the missionaries I'm sure surprised said yes. The man invited them in and the whole family had the opportunity to be taught and to find that book once more.

As I come close to the end of my service I like to think about the great power of the Book of Mormon. It is the convincing evidence of the things that we teach as missionaries is true. Everyone has the promise from our father in heaven that he will answer you as you are diligent and truly seek that it is true. It is always great to see those that exercise that faith and find their answer to their humble prays. 

Week 97 Prophets

Our week was fairly well. We had our meeting for departing missionaries, which is crazy. The Spanish missionaries finally called us back we are going to have a pass off meeting with them for Sam, which is great. We are helping those we see prepare for general conference.

 Prophets

This coming week we have the great opportunity to hear from living Prophets during general conference. It is a great occasion where we can hear what the Lord wants us to do and we can receive a lot of meaningful revelation. Prophets have always played a great role in our heavenly fathers plan. 

       As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are blessed to be led by living prophets—inspired men called to speak for the Lord, just as Moses, Isaiah, Peter, Paul, Nephi, Mormon, and other prophets of the scriptures. We sustain the President of the Church as our prophet, seer, and revelator—the only person on the earth who receives revelation to guide the entire Church. We also sustain the counselors in the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators.

Like the prophets of old, prophets today testify of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel. They make known God’s will and true character. They speak boldly and clearly, denouncing sin and warning of its consequences. At times, they may be inspired to prophesy of future events for our benefit.

You can always trust the living prophets. Their teachings reflect the will of the Lord, who declared: “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38).

Your greatest safety lies in strictly following the word of the Lord given through His prophets, particularly the current President of the Church. The Lord warns that those who ignore the words of the living prophets will fall (see D&C 1:14–16). He promises great blessings to those who follow the President of the Church:

“Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;

“For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.

“For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory” (D&C 21:4–6).

Week 96 Gratitude

We had a service filled this week. There were a few families moving in the ward which needed help. The end of the transfer came, Elder Thomas and I will continue to be companions to finish off our mission. The Priests in the ward have been really good with the ward visits and it has been going real well.

Gratitude

The Lord has promised, “He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious” (D&C 78:19). Gratitude is an uplifting, exalting attitude. You can probably say from experience that you are happier when you have gratitude in your heart. You cannot be bitter, resentful, or mean-spirited when you are grateful.

Be thankful for the wonderful blessings that are yours. Be grateful for the tremendous opportunities you have. Be thankful to your parents. Let them know of your gratitude. Thank your friends and your teachers. Express appreciation to everyone who does you a favor or assists you in any way.

Thank your Heavenly Father for His goodness to you. You can express your gratitude to God by acknowledging His hand in all things, thanking Him for all that He gives you, keeping His commandments, and serving others. Thank Him for His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Express thanks for the Savior’s great example, for His teachings, for His outreaching hand to lift and help, for His infinite Atonement.

Thank the Lord for His restored Church. Thank Him for all that it offers you. Thank Him for friends and family. Let a spirit of thanksgiving guide and bless your days and nights. Work at being grateful. You will find that it yields wonderful results.

Elder Caleb S Bailey

Week 95 Spiritual Gifts

The week went pretty well. We were able to see a couple families that ended up coming to church. One family brought a friend of theirs that was visiting from Africa. Egnosio was also at church and we met with him and discussed the restoration with him. Brother Blood his roommate, sat in and was able to help him out a lot. We are hoping to work with him more often with his busy schedule.

Spiritual Gifts

   Spiritual gifts are blessings or abilities that are given by the power of the Holy Ghost. God gives at least one of these gifts to every faithful member of the Church. As you receive these gifts, they will strengthen and bless you individually and help you serve others. The scriptures teach of many gifts of the Spirit:

   *Knowledge “that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world” (D&C 46:13)

   *The capacity to believe the words of those who testify of Jesus Christ (D&C 46:14)

   *Knowledge of “the differences of administration” (D&C 46:15;1 Corinthians 12:5)

This gift is used in administering and leading the Church.

   *Knowledge of “the diversities of operations,” which helps us discern whether a teaching or influence comes from God or from some other source (D&C 46:16; 1 Corinthians 12:6–7)

   *The gift of “the word of wisdom” (1 Corinthians 12:8; D&C 46:17)

This does not refer to the law we know as the Word of Wisdom. Rather, it is the gift of wisdom—the ability to use knowledge in righteous ways.

   *The gift of “the word of knowledge” (1 Corinthians 12:8; D&C 46:18)

   *The ability to teach by the power of the Holy Ghost (Moroni 10:9–10; D&C 46:18)

   *The gift of faith (1 Corinthians 12:9; Moroni 10:11)

   *The gift “to have faith to be healed” (D&C 46:19)

   *The gift “to have faith to heal” (D&C 46:20; 1 Corinthians 12:9; Moroni 10:11)

   *“The working of miracles” (1 Corinthians 12:10; D&C 46:21; see also Moroni 10:12)

   *The gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 12:10; Moroni 10:13) 

John the Beloved taught that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10)

   *“The beholding of angels and ministering spirits” (Moroni 10:14)

   *“Discerning of spirits” (1 Corinthians 12:10; D&C 46:23)

   *The gift to speak in different languages, or tongues ( 1 Corinthians 12:10; Moroni 10:15)

   *The gift of “the interpretation of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:10; D&C 46:25)

   These spiritual gifts and others listed in the scriptures are only some examples of the many gifts of the Spirit. The Lord may bless you in other ways depending on your faithfulness and on your needs and the needs of those you serve. He has commanded us to work diligently so we can receive spiritual gifts:

“Beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given;

“For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me” (D&C 46:8–9)

Love Elder Caleb Bailey 

Week 94 Unity

We were able to have a pretty good week this week. We had some great team up visits with the ward members. President interviews also happened which were good also. Our discussion in district meeting was on working with goals to help us better achieve success in our efforts. It seems to be a repeating topic in our district meetings, maybe we just don't get it yet.

Unity is especially important in missionary work, but also in our lives. I have seen as a missionary not being unified with a companion just will not bring the full power of the spirit. I also have seen the great power that can be brought when you are. 

Unity 

Just before the Savior carried out the Atonement, He prayed for His disciples, whom He had sent into the world to teach the gospel. He also prayed for those who would believe in Him because of His disciples’ words. He pled for unity: “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:21).

From this prayer we learn how the gospel unites us with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and with each other. When we live the gospel, receiving the saving ordinances and keeping our covenants, our natures are changed. The Savior’s Atonement sanctifies us, and we can live in unity, enjoying peace in this life and preparing to dwell with the Father and His Son forever.

The Lord has said, “If ye are not one ye are not mine” (D&C 38:27). You can seek and promote this standard of unity in your family and in the Church. If you are married, you and your spouse can be unified in purpose and action. You can allow your unique qualities to complement one another as you face challenges together and grow in love and understanding. You can also be unified with other family members and with members of the Church by serving together, teaching one another, and encouraging one another. You can become one with the President of the Church and other Church leaders as you study their words and follow their counsel.

As the Church grows throughout the world, all Latter-day Saints can be united. Our hearts can be “knit together in unity and in love one towards another” (Mosiah 18:21). We appreciate cultural diversity and individual differences, but we also seek the “unity of the faith” that comes when we follow inspired leaders and remember that we are all children of the same Father (see Ephesians 4:3–6, 11–13). 

- True to the Faith 

Elder Caleb S. Bailey