We Learn To Teach "By Study And Also By Faith"

9/30/08

Prayer and pondering the scriptures help prepare us to receive the influence of the Holy Ghost.

• 1 Nephi 11:1 - This scripture is very powerful. It really shows of Christs power. If we believe in things, then we should ponder them. After we think and ponder exceedingly then we will feel the spirit of the lord. We need that spirit to dwell within us in order to teach out investigators and bring them unto Christ
• Alma 5:46 - The spirit will make things known unto us as children of god, and as missionaries. But these things don't just come in the mail one day. We need to first treasure up our religion and its teachings. Fast and prayer, just like in this scripture will help us to have the spirit with us, and have the power to preach and teach

We must seek to obtain the word

• D&C 11:21 - We need to not seek to declare the word, but to obtain it. We need to strive to learn and dwell and treasure up the things that we need to teach. We need to know the discussions like the back of our hand, and treasure them up. When we have succesfully obtained the word, our tounge will be loosed. The spirit of god will dwell within us and help thing come to mind. Our memory will be opened and the spirit will help distinguish what to say and what not to say. This is such a special thing to have in our lives, and it will ever help us. With his spirit we will have the power to convince men, and bring them unto Christ
  
• D&C 100:5-8 - I feel like a lot of missionaries might be scared to speak up and say what they are prompted to say. so in this scripture it says we need to lift up our voices! We need to speak and preach the word to everyone. The spirit will put the words into our hearts, and we will not be confounded my men. It will pay in the end. If we do what we are asked, if we do what we should, we will have the words delivered to us, and the children of god will be brought unto his word.
  

Teaching by the spirit

Sept - 22- 2008

Personal preparation and worthiness are necessary to teach by the spirit.

• Alma 8:10 - When I read this scrupiture the first thing that came to my mind was a challenge. Our missions are not going to be a 2 year youth conference, playing games while being spiritual and things like this. Our missions are going to be 2 years of hard work. This scripture talks about laboring, wrestling, and having mighty prayer. It means to me that we need to be very ready. This isn't going to be a walk in the park, it's going to be 2 years of hard work and learning. Not only is it going to be hard work, but hard work to convert. We can't just expect the people to come untro Christ right away. We need to work at it and feed the spirit of the lord in to their hearts.
• D&C 84:85 - This shows the true meaning and power of the spirit, and of the Holy Ghost. When on our mission, we needeth not think before hand of the things in which to preach, but treasure up in our minds and it shall be given to you. If the spirit is with us, we will be given the words that we're going to need in order to convert and help the people to feel the spirit.

Missionaries can incite the Holy Ghost into their teaching.

• Alma 5:45-46 - The spirit of revelation doesn't come with ease. It comes with the spirit of fast and prayer. It's not something you can go buy from the store, or obtain in 1 day. You need to earnestly pray and fast in order to have this spirit of revelation with you, so you can productively teach the people. Just like i said before, its going to be a challenge, a wrestle. Its going to be a challenge to gain the spirit of revelation, but once gained we will be moving along nicely.
• D&C 84:62 - I think this goes back to serving, i suppose everything in this class revolves around serving. But this scripture to me is likened unto war. If you are drafted into the war, you go and serve wherever it is that they send you. During out mission, we go and serve wherever it is that they send us. We go and serve with all our heart mind might and strength. Teaching to everyone we can, and trying out best to convert those who want unto Christ.
  

The companionship of the Holy Ghost

9/17/08

The companionship of the Holy Ghost part 2

• There are many ways that the Holy Ghost influences our lives for good.
  
• 1 Nephi 4:6 - While were on out missions, and all throughout life we need to heed the feelings of the spirit. It was given to us, and is a great privilege, hence when prompted we need to abide and go with what the spirit is telling us. In the scripture it says, "And i was led by the spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which i should do." No matter what the circumstance, if the spirit is prompting us, we need to listen. Even if we feel like we want to do something different, or we want to do it our way, the spirit know's best. We were given the Holy Ghost for a reason, and he only gives us feelings to keep us safe. When they come, not just on the mission but all throughout life, we need to listen.
• 2 Nephi 33:1 - This scripture is especially for the missionaries. This give me great confidence. It says, "that for a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it into the hearts of the children of men." This gives me heaps of confidence, because it reassures me that the spirit will be helping me along the way to soften the hearts of our investigators.

• Sensitivity and obedience to the spirit is one of a missionary's greatest resources.
  
• 2 Nephi 33: - I would just like to re-iterate that this scripture was written in the manual twice in a row, hence it must be important. So remeber to be worthy to have the spirit with you, for it will go into the hearts of the children of men.
• D&C 43:15-16 - This scripture goes back to a talk i just recently read, and a small portion of a lesson we had in the mission preperation class. This scripture talks about how elders are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach the children of men. And it really is true. Some people think a mission is a good 2 year period to strengthen yourself in the church, to clean up and get closer to the lord, and in a way it is. You really should come home from your mission closer to the lord and the church. But on the other hand, your mission is not for you to learn, but for you to teach. You've been learning about the church your entire life (or most of it) and you have been chosen by your father in heaven to now share that knowledge, and bring the children of men unto christ. Its inportant that we go on our missions to teach, baptize, and bring people unto christ. Its a learning experience for us, but more for the people we are meant to be teaching.

The Companionship of the Holy Ghost

9/16/08

The Companionship of the Holy Ghost part 1

• The light of Christ is a power for good in the lives of all people
• Moroni 7:16-19 - This scripture stood out to me in vs. 17 more than any other. When we are being evil, in a sense we are promoting it. If we are sinning, denying him, and not serving him, then we are essentially being of the devil. Just like the lesson before, we need to be worthy, and be in the ever glowing light of the lord. He loves us, and wants us to be with him. We need him near us often in order to serve a successful mission
• D&C 84:46-47 - It amazes me every single time i read a scripture that is meant specifically for missionaries, or the children of the last days. There is so much stuff in these scriptures for us, and its amazing to me. Something written so long ago, was meant for us thousands of years later. Now what stands out to me in this scripture is that god has given light to every man on this earth. Everyone chose to be here, and everyone is given his light, and can be enlightened by him and feel his love deep within their hearts. Everyone has the chance. Either they grew up in the church, or we the missionaries are to bring it to them. And once they have heard the word and accept the one and only true love of Christ. They will "come unto god, even the father." That is the most priceless thing you could ever receive.
  
• The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead
• 3 Nephi 28:11 - One thing is for certain, we need the Holy Ghost on our mission. To keep our hearts close to the lord, and to soften the hearts of investigators. The Holy Ghost is a big reason behind conversion. Its that little feeling inside your heart, telling you that this doctrine is in fact the true gospel. "The Holy Ghost beareth record of the father and me." The Holy Ghost is an important and beautiful thing to have with you every day of your life, and essential for a missionary.
• D&C 130:22 - Since were on the subject of the Holy Ghost. Sometimes we/I wonder, why does the holy ghost need to be a spirit, why cant he be a man in the godhead like the others. This scripture tells us why. If the holy ghost were a body of flesh and bones he could not dwell within us. He could not give us that feeling of comfort and love that he is able to give while dwelling inside us. His spirit is constantly inside the church, temple, and some even say the PCC. It is critical that the Holy Ghost is a spirit, so it can dwell within us.
  

Personal Worthiness

9/11/08

Personal Worthiness part 2

• Personal worthiness allows prospective misssionaries to obtain temple blessings
• D&C 109:22-23 : servants will go forth from his house with his power. This is just amazing to me. Just like a general in an army we are going out in to this "field" of work. Yet we have the upper hand on any missionary from another church. We are being sent out with "his" power. The power of the all knowing and all powerful lord. That personally gives me confidence, that if im ready, i can all preach his gospel, with his spirit and help
• D&C 110:7-9 : Not very many people on this earth have been given the opportunity to see Christ. This scripture says that if we in fact keep the commandments he will "appear unto his servants." There is not much to treasure up, except great appreciation. Its so unreal, all we need to do is keep some simple commandments, and we will be able to see and be with Christ. It's a good "motivation" to keep the commandments, knowing you'll be around and see Christ.
• Repentance is a cleansing process that allows us to become worthy.
  
• Isaiah 1:18 : This scripture to me is all about repentance. Repentance is such an amazing thing. To know 100% that Christ has endured anything and everything we have endured. Every single emotional and physical pain, he has felt. And no matter our sins, with time we can become "as white as snow." This makes me appreciate what the lord has done for us even more. Not only has he experience everything we have, he is willing to forgive us, and that means a lot to me
• Mosiah 26:29 - Since we are treasuring up, i went a little before this scripture to verse 28. I happened to have it high lighted so i read it. It kinda made me realize even more then before how much people need missionaries. The scripture summed up says those who dont hear my voice they wont receive my church, and wont be received at the last day. It is our divine responsibility to teach these people, so they can come unto christ. Without us, they are lost souls, and who else will bring them the gospel? If they don't hear the word, they cant be received at the last day, and that could be our fault.
  

Personal Worthiness

9/9

Personal Worthiness part 1

• Personal worthiness is necessary to accomplish missionary work
• D&C 88:74 - I personally feel like this scripture is written for our days. It's so crazy how some things in the scriptures you just know are meant for your ears. It says for us, the first laborers of this last kingdom. The children of the last day. He is giving us the commandment to go out and serve. It is "our" responsibility, it is my responsibility to go out and serve. And not just serve, but organize, prepare, sanctify, purify, and cleanse so we may be clean. This also goes back to searching worthily. When we go, we need to go and do in a state as pure as possible.
• D&C 121:45 - This scripture, in the "treasured up" form means to me a give take relationship with the lord. If we are charitable to not just your friends, but to all men. If you have faith, virtue, and let your confidence wax strong. The doctrine of the priesthood will distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. If we give a little, if we do what we are told, what we know is right. Then we will be greatly blessed.
  

Called to Serve

9/4

Called To Serve part 2

• The focus of missionary work is too invite people to Christ
• 2 Nephi 25:26: We talk of Christ so often, in school, seminary, church, and among friends. But i feel as though we aren't really thinking about what we say always. We are learning in this class to "treasure up". And i think whenever the word, or any thoughts of Christ come around, we need to treasure up what we are saying. Think twice and really ponder about our thoughts and words of Christ. We rejoice in Christ. He gave us everything, and anything we ever have had, have now, or will have. I think we take for granted how blessed we really are that we have a loving savior that would do and give anything to see us be happy. In this scripture it says many of these things, we talk of, we rejoice in, we preach of, we prophesy, we write according to his prophecies, so our children may know. We love and appreciate all that Christ has done for us, so we do all these things, insomuch that our children may know and grow in his loving gospel.
• D&C 133:37-39: This scripture is amazing to me. As a pre-missionary, it shows just how important, I and every single other person in this class really is. We are to go out and litterally bring unto salvation the souls of many. The souls of every kindred, tounge, nation, and people. We will be able to go out to the many lands of the earth, and share the one and only truth with people who may have never heard it, except the fact that we had come to them to preach. It just really hits deep, it makes you appreciate the "opportunity" to be able to go and serve for the lord our god.
• A full time mission call comes form the lord through his authorized servants
• Alma 42:31: This scripture to me may have a whole different meaning then it may have to others. In the passage it says " Declare the word with truth and soberness." To me this is so powerfull for a certain reason. I have known, and come to have known a lot of wonderful young men that have served missions. And i have come to know a handfull who have not served their missions with "truth and soberness" It really hits home for me because i know people. And i know that you need to be 100% true and sober while on your mission in order to get the full experience. If you do stay true to the word, and work hard every single day, it will pay off and you will have a wonderfull 2 years, and i believe in this strongly.
  
• D&C 64:29: This scripture also hit home for me a lot. Specifically because we talked about this in class. When we go on our missions we are in the direct sevice of our lord. He is our "boss" on our 2 year intership for the gospel. Whatever we do reflects upon him and his church. We are his agents, we are doing his will, and his work. Therefor we need to give it our all 100% all the time for the entire 2 years. Whatever we do is according to the lord and his business. Just like a gardener needs tools to make the garden flourish, and become beautiful. The lord needs us to bring forth the truth. We are simply a tool in the hands of the lord.
  

9/2

• The first thing i thought of as i started to read the Doctrines and Principals was how great of an opportunity this is. It says we have the duty and "Privilege" to share the restored gospel. Some may think of a mission as a trial, a period of 2 years where we need to leave everything we've ever known and pay for it. But all in all, this is a wonderful opportunity to go out and share with the world what we know to be true, we have the opportunity to share things with people that could change many lives not just during our mission, but in the lives of people to come years from then.
• "The field is white already to harvest" The people are ready to learn, and when its our time to go, we need to go serve, we need to go thrust in our sickle with all our might. Go out for our entire 2 years, and work hard every single day. There are people ready to learn, and we are the ones responsible for bringing them unto christ.
• Something that stood out to me was D&C 133:37-39 That we will preach the gospel to every nation kindred and tongue. I just think that is neat that we are able to spread the word to every single people among this earth. It also says it will come forth saying with a loud voice. To me that kind of means, there are so many missionaries out there with numbers growing every day, i envision a big army. The more people you have the louder your army would be, and that's what i see, a large army going forth with a loud voice preaching the sacred word of god