So, this week was an interesting one. First off, we had transfers. My companion, Elder Zadi, finally left to Ashaman - he's been wanting to leave Mc'Carthy II since he hit the 6 month mark (which he hit before I got here - stayed here 10 months or so!) - and Elder Bills was sent to Asamankesi [sp?] as District Leader (DL). Elder Nielson came here (switched with Elder Bills) and Elder Jones [Jordon Eric Jones from Orem] is my new companion. Elder Jones is only 1 transfer older than me - we're tied with the office elders for youngest companionship in the mission, apparently. I'm really enjoying it! I'll miss Elder Zadi, though. But at least he finally got to leave Mc'Carthy II; haha.
So, the other thing is that we had Stake Training on Sunday. It was interesting; we were requested (all the Full-Time Missionaries in Mc'Carthy Stake) to come and meet with the Ward Leaders and learn about the new Church Handbook that was just released. We went over how things in the ward are suppose to function, and who's in charge of what, and what's suppose to happen, etc. It's important for us here, because we baptized (we, the FTM's) over 400 people this year, and only 50 are still active. This is a problem throughout the mission, but there's little we, as Missionaries, can do about it.
The Stake President said that this was happening because the Wards are failing to do their job. We only had about 40% of the leaders there from all the Wards (Mc'Carthy Ward - with our awesome leaders, and Bishop Engman had everyone there!) and the Stake Pres. said that this was the problem. He pretty much said that it's the ward's job to keep recent converts active, to find investigators for the missionaries, and to reactivate LA Members. He said the Missionaries were doing all they could, and they (the ward leaders) were letting these souls slip through their hands.
It was quite the sharp reproach, but in all honesty, it's what was needed to be said. The Stake President said all of it; we never said a word. However, it was great to hear how serious the Stake President was, and how much he wants to help the Work.
More than that, though, is we went over exactly HOW to do all this; not just get finished and then sent home, but taught how to fix our mistakes (Ward Leaders; the missionaries weren't reproved at all. In fact, he loved us for our hard work in bringing so many souls into the Stake. So, when I say we, I mean, we the ward... or whatever). It's simply amazing how God runs His Church. It truly is the most inspired, perfect, efficient, and effective organization ever to be placed here on earth. It's phenomenal; I was just in awe the entire time. I was so happy to be there and to hear all those things.
Finally, while doing our BoM Challenge (read all of it in 2 months, highlighting every reference in any way to Christ in red, His Words in Orange, His attributes as found in PMG [Preach My Gospel] Ch 6 in Green, and any Doctrine in Blue), I found a scripture I want to share:
"Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness." --Alma 27:18
The Gospel is the only way we can have the epitome of joy and happiness in our lives. If we reject the Gospel, or avoid from learning about it, we reject and avoid the only way through which we can be truly happy. If anyone, anywhere, is ever wondering why they are sad, why they are depressed, why they are sorrowful, ask yourself: do you live the Gospel? If the answer is no, in any way, shape, or form, then that is why. Learn the Gospel; Live the Gospel; Love the Gospel. I can promise you, from my own personal experiences and from the testimony which I have, given me by the power of the Holy Ghost, who beareth witness of the truth and make it known unto all who ask God, through Christ, and with Faith; I bear my testimony therein, that these things are true; that the Gospel is the only way by which we may have true happiness, because the Gospel is the only way we can truly come unto Christ; and Christ is the way, the light, and the life. Through Him, we may receive rest from all our sorrows and cares, and enter into His rest, and be truly happy, from now, henceforth, and forever, throughout all eternity and beyond the bounds of time.
This Gospel is True; this Work is Great! I love you all! Take care, and God bless!
Weekly Challenge: Read the Book of Mormon - and Pray about it!
1 Verse, three times a day: when you wake up, when you eat lunch (or at the time you normally would; let's not get technical here), and before you go to bed. Then say a simple prayer; just ask our Heavenly Father "Is the Book of Mormon true?" and close "In the name of Jesus Christ, amen." Simple. Do that, and you WILL get an answer from God, through the Holy Ghost, so long as you have the faith to act, the desire to know, and the humility to listen.
--Elder Collings
So, the other thing is that we had Stake Training on Sunday. It was interesting; we were requested (all the Full-Time Missionaries in Mc'Carthy Stake) to come and meet with the Ward Leaders and learn about the new Church Handbook that was just released. We went over how things in the ward are suppose to function, and who's in charge of what, and what's suppose to happen, etc. It's important for us here, because we baptized (we, the FTM's) over 400 people this year, and only 50 are still active. This is a problem throughout the mission, but there's little we, as Missionaries, can do about it.
The Stake President said that this was happening because the Wards are failing to do their job. We only had about 40% of the leaders there from all the Wards (Mc'Carthy Ward - with our awesome leaders, and Bishop Engman had everyone there!) and the Stake Pres. said that this was the problem. He pretty much said that it's the ward's job to keep recent converts active, to find investigators for the missionaries, and to reactivate LA Members. He said the Missionaries were doing all they could, and they (the ward leaders) were letting these souls slip through their hands.
It was quite the sharp reproach, but in all honesty, it's what was needed to be said. The Stake President said all of it; we never said a word. However, it was great to hear how serious the Stake President was, and how much he wants to help the Work.
More than that, though, is we went over exactly HOW to do all this; not just get finished and then sent home, but taught how to fix our mistakes (Ward Leaders; the missionaries weren't reproved at all. In fact, he loved us for our hard work in bringing so many souls into the Stake. So, when I say we, I mean, we the ward... or whatever). It's simply amazing how God runs His Church. It truly is the most inspired, perfect, efficient, and effective organization ever to be placed here on earth. It's phenomenal; I was just in awe the entire time. I was so happy to be there and to hear all those things.
Finally, while doing our BoM Challenge (read all of it in 2 months, highlighting every reference in any way to Christ in red, His Words in Orange, His attributes as found in PMG [Preach My Gospel] Ch 6 in Green, and any Doctrine in Blue), I found a scripture I want to share:
"Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness." --Alma 27:18
The Gospel is the only way we can have the epitome of joy and happiness in our lives. If we reject the Gospel, or avoid from learning about it, we reject and avoid the only way through which we can be truly happy. If anyone, anywhere, is ever wondering why they are sad, why they are depressed, why they are sorrowful, ask yourself: do you live the Gospel? If the answer is no, in any way, shape, or form, then that is why. Learn the Gospel; Live the Gospel; Love the Gospel. I can promise you, from my own personal experiences and from the testimony which I have, given me by the power of the Holy Ghost, who beareth witness of the truth and make it known unto all who ask God, through Christ, and with Faith; I bear my testimony therein, that these things are true; that the Gospel is the only way by which we may have true happiness, because the Gospel is the only way we can truly come unto Christ; and Christ is the way, the light, and the life. Through Him, we may receive rest from all our sorrows and cares, and enter into His rest, and be truly happy, from now, henceforth, and forever, throughout all eternity and beyond the bounds of time.
This Gospel is True; this Work is Great! I love you all! Take care, and God bless!
Weekly Challenge: Read the Book of Mormon - and Pray about it!
1 Verse, three times a day: when you wake up, when you eat lunch (or at the time you normally would; let's not get technical here), and before you go to bed. Then say a simple prayer; just ask our Heavenly Father "Is the Book of Mormon true?" and close "In the name of Jesus Christ, amen." Simple. Do that, and you WILL get an answer from God, through the Holy Ghost, so long as you have the faith to act, the desire to know, and the humility to listen.
--Elder Collings
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