Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2011 11:40:14 +0700
Subject: Hey!
From: bryan.todd@myldsmail.net
SO, it sounds like you had a pretty crazy week weatrherwise! Here in Roi Et the weather is just sabaay sabaay. It's way comfortable-- in the lower 80's I think. Actually, it got cold enough where we turned off our air conditioner this morning because we were both freezing! haha I'm getting acclimatized to it here which is great! I really am loving Roi Et!
This week we had a really good week. We hit all of our goals for other lessons and lessons with a member, which really made us feel great! We also exceeded our goal of investigators at church! Coming to church is such a key part of conversion. It makes me think of a quote by President Hinckley, "Activity is the genius of this church." I can just hear him saying that. It's so true too! We're all supposed to be magnifying whatever callings we have.
That's something that I was reminded of this week. Often times in the church, we feel like we need to be in leadership positions, or have certain callings. But it really doesn't matter as long as we do our best to act in all diligence and fulfilll those callings. Take Nephi and Lehi for example (in Helaman) Nephi gets the sealing power, and is the prophet, but does Lehi feel less or down about that? No! Lehi still goes about doing what he was called to do. Lehi was just as righteous, just as capable to be the prophet, but he didn't get the call. We must do things out of a righteous desire to do things. Just like it says in D&C 121
34 Behold, there are many acalled, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? 35 Because their ahearts are set so much upon the things of this bworld, and caspire to the dhonors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson— 36 That the arights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be bcontrolled nor handled only upon the cprinciples of righteousness. 37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to acover our bsins, or to gratify our cpride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or ddominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens ewithdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. 38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to akick against the pricks, to bpersecute the saints, and to cfight against God. 39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the anature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little bauthority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise cunrighteous dominion. 40 Hence many are called, but afew are chosen. 41 No apower or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the bpriesthood, only by cpersuasion, by dlong-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; 42 By akindness, and pure bknowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the csoul without dhypocrisy, and without eguile— 43 aReproving betimes with bsharpness, when cmoved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of dlove toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; 44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of adeath. 45 Let thy abowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let bvirtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy cconfidence wax strong in the dpresence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the edews from heaven. 46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant acompanion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of brighteousness and truth; and thy cdominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.
That is one of my favorite sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. It's an important lesson for us all. It also reminds me that numbers mean nothing, unless there is a name and a face with each one of them. Because every single soul is precious to God, so it should be precious to me.
We were blessed to have three baptisms this week. One is named, Air. I just want to say a few things about her. I noticed such an amazing change in her after her baptism, when we went and followed up with her. She was so much happier, so much more open to talking to us, and to trying to get her family to share the gospel. This gospel is to change us and our lives. And it can. It's one of the many promises of the Atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thant no matter who we are, or what we have done we can come unto Him, and He will help us. Because He loves us. I know that that is true. Well I hope you all are well! I love you lots!
Love
Elder Todd
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