Hey
folks!
This week has been
good. We were able to see Emmanuel, Bravedo, and Emmanuel's friend, Daniel, at
church this past Sunday, which made me really happy. I was really worried that
us not being able to baptize Emmanuel for the time being would have driven him
away from wanting to come to church, but luckily he has told us that he loves
coming, and will continue to keep coming as long as he can! That was pretty
cool.
Well, I don't have
a whole lot to write about in particular though. Carnival was this week, which
is apparently a German holiday where people dress up in costumes and wander
around. Apparently people will try to cut your ties off (if you are wearing
them) and kiss you on the cheek. Luckily that hasn't happened so far. Respect to
people who are fearless enough to do that to random people. Missionaries should
learn how to be that fearless. But, of course, in different ways.
We got Bravedo's
date pushed to the 18th of March! Please be praying for him to be ready by that
time!
I finished the
Doctrine and Covenants just yesterday for the second time on my mission! That
was a very cool read-through. I believe that my testimony of Joseph Smith as a
prophet of God really grows each time I read from it. One powerful section is
section 121, which is a letter and revelation written during the prophet's time
in Liberty Jail. We read as follows:
34 Behold, there
are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not
chosen?
35 Because their
hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors
of men, that they do not learn this one lesson--
36 That the
rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven,
and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the
principles of righteousness.
37 That they may
be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to
gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or
compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of
unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord
is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of
that man.
38 Behold, ere
he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute
the saints, and to fight against God.
39 We have
learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all
men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will
immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
40 Hence many
are called, but few are chosen.
41 No power or
influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by
persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love
unfeigned;
42 By kindness,
and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and
without guile--
This is excellent
insight and counsel written in a time of dire need for both Joseph and the
members of the church collectively. It is counsel that is fundamental for all,
especially those who hold the Priesthood, and power of God. We have, and feel,
authority from that power as we have and/or have access to it, but it is useless
to us on an individual level when we lack the principles of righteousness in our
lives, (as the now-familiar example of authority being the engine to a car and
our worthiness and righteousness being the keys demonstrates). As a missionary,
I am ordained to the office of an Elder, and am authorized to preach the
gospel and perform other actions through Priesthood authority, power, and
administration. However, it is possible to be ordained and to yet lack power. If
I, as the scripture says, seek to cover my sins to Priesthood leaders or the
Lord, gratify vain ambitions by being obsessed by gaining positions of
leadership, seek to exercise unrighteous dominion in any image, or act
unrighteously in any general way, I lose that power of the Priesthood, and
probably the power of the Holy Ghost as well, that fuels the work we do
constantly.
We learn as well
that it is the nature of almost all of us as human beings to seek these things
at times, at differing capacities, but almost all of us nonetheless. Now the
progress continues as we all personally try to perfect ourselves through the
elimination of pride, anger, hate, and sin, and the development of long
suffering, love, gentleness, meekness, and so forth. I wish you all good luck,
and pray that we all together can one day overcome our weaknesses.
I think I already
focused on this scripture in an MTC email, perhaps. But it is a really good
one. In other news, as I have completed Doctrine and Covenants twice and the
Book of Mormon about five times since the start of my time here, I decided to
give the Bible a bit more love and will now be focusing more heavily on the Old
Testament as I continue my study of the Book of Mormon. This should be fun. I
look forward to doing a more in depth and dedicated personal study than I did
this previous year in seminary.
I love you all! I
appreciated the continued birthday wishes and for the support I have
received!
Love,
Elder Wallentine
The district: episode 3: coming soon
Very cool Lutheran church we found today
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