Dear
family,
This
was an incredible week! I won't go over everything that happened
because I wish to try and verbalize some of my thoughts about a
mission, but here are some highlights:
1.
S's children moved in. We taught them and the F family the
Restoration and it went super well. They all accepted everything and
S really wants this for her kids. She seems to be doing really well.
We stopped by later in the week and they had all read the first three
chapters of the Book of Mormon. I cannot even describe how incredible
it felt to teach a huge family of six like that who are so receptive.
They weren't able to make it to church however, but it is a matter of
time.
2.
L had an incredible week and we taught him several times. He accepted
a date to be baptized on August 1st and I think he will
make it. We got several members involved and it was great.
3.
Elder T came on exchanges Wednesday to help Elder C with
Spanish and because we were both going down to San
Antonio Thursday for MLC and dinner with the Slaughters. It
was fun to be with him all day Wednesday,Thursday,
and Friday morning. MLC was great. All departing
missionaries give testimonies. Elder L, Elder S, and Elder T were all
very powerful. President asked me to write mine down as well and give
it to the historians. Me, Elder T, Elder H, Sister T, and Sister S
(one of the current LSTLs) all had our exit interviews. Mine was
fairly short. It was amazing and I can tell you about it more later.
President was so kind and loving, but none of it really hit me
because it still doesn't feel like I'm going home. We drove to the
mission home and had dinner and asked him millions of questions. He
is so incredible. I will miss hearing his incredible counsel. I have
been so blessed to have such an incredible mission president. A
mission president couple just got home to Brushy Creek and the former
President bore his testimony and it was great. There is a special
spirit with President Slaughter. It can't be explained well, but you
can definitely experience it. One day more people will understand how
faithful and Christ-like he is. He answered a lot of our questions.
4.
Luckily not many people in the ward know I'm leaving, but the ones
that do are freaking out and trying to make us come over, but tonight
is the last night so there's no way I'm losing proselyting time.
It
was an incredible last week. I have felt the Lord's approval and I
could never have imagined having such a life-changing experience.
I
want to briefly go through President Slaughter's seven hopes and
expectations for us, because I think he encompassed just about
everything I have learned, although as President says, "fallen
language cannot properly describe a Heavenly experience."
1.
Know who you are and act accordingly
We
are children of God (Rom. 8:16-17) and have the potential to become
more like God. "The restored gospel enables you to become like
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ" (PMG p 115). We are also
children of the fall. "We are made partakers of misery and woe"
(Moses 6:48) without which we would never know "the joy of
our redemption" (Moses 5:11). "All mankind were in a
lost and fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on
this Redeemer." (1 Ne. 10:6) Christ overcame the fall and we can
too by relying on Christ. We are also the seed of Abraham and have
the responsibility to take the blessings of the gospel to all the
earth (Abraham 2:11). As Elder Bednar said "you and I,
today and always, are to bless all people in all the nations of the
earth...We were foreordained in the premortal existence and born into
mortality to fulfill the covenant and promise made to Abraham."
("Becoming a Missionary")
2.
Discern the Spirit and submit to its promptings
I
have learned that we must "walk in the light" (1 Jn 1:7)
and that God has given us the power to choose for ourselves and we
can do much good of our own free-will (D&C 58:26-28). He allows
to do all things "according to judgment and the direction of the
Spirit" (D&C 62:8). Powerful promptings are more rare, and
commonly they come as simple thoughts or feelings. We must act on the
promptings we receive because "unto him that receiveth I will
give more" (2 Ne 28:30).
3.
Unksaken and unwavering testimony of the restoration
I
have no doubts that this is the true church. Joseph Smith was called
by Christ to restore His church. We have the authority to act in His
name. The Book of Mormon is the most powerful tool in conversion. I
have often wondered how much stronger the church would be if every
member simply read from its pages every day. Jesus Christ is our
Savior and He lives today. I have experienced too much to go back on
it all now.
4.
Has a sound understanding and teaches with power and authority
I
have paid the price to learn of Christ's doctrine and it fills me
with joy to know the power of His gospel. I have "searched the
scriptures diligently" to "know the word of God" and
have given myself to "much prayer and fasting" (Alma
17:2-3) to teach with power and authority
5.
Understands the doctrine of gathering and the principles of effective
finding
I
have learned the importance of restoring the House of Israel. The
children of Israel are to be restored to their true identity (1
Ne 15:14, 2 Ne 30:3-5). They are to be restored to the "true
knowledge of their Redeemer (2 Ne 10:2). They are to be restored "to
the true church and fold of God" (2 Ne 9:2, D&C 84:2). They
are to be restored to "the covenant" (3 Ne 5:25) made
to their fathers. We are here to gather the elect. We recognize them
because they 1) recognize us as servants of the Lord, and 2) are
willing to act on our message. (PMG p 156)
6.
Learn and apply the principles of leadership
I
have learned to observe my leaders and the "unwritten order of
things." I have learned that the Lord qualifies those he
chooses. I've learned the best leaders "teach by example"
(MH p 64) and there most important influence "comes through
ministering to others in harmony with the Savior's example and
teaching" (MH p 57). And "a leader helps other most when
they feel the leader's love" (MH p 60).
7.
Unending desire to improve
I
have learned that the gospel is all about progression. It's about
becoming something more. Probably the biggest thing that has changed
about me is that I no longer will settle for being average. I want to
build the kingdom at all times. I will always seek improvement.
I
am so grateful for the blessings I have seen of serving a mission.
Not only have I learned things intellectually, but I have felt it all
in my heart. I love the Lord and I love this gospel. It is the way to
salvation. It has changed me and those around me forever. May we all
continue this great work!
Love,
Elder
Pew
Elder Pew will be speaking in church August 16th at 1 PM. You are welcome to join us after for visiting and some "grub".
