April 19,2010 Life Goes On

There it is.... the new slogan. Life Goes On. I've learned that whenever you have a hard week or things just aren't going the way you want them too.... Life Goes On.

This week was a decent one. We are teaching plenty, but aren't having much progress. We went out to Crete yet again and found more and taught more. It may be close to impossible but not completely impossible to open Crete this next transfer because a spanish missionary went home last week. But I still think it can be done. There are 2 many missionaries that were called english, got switched to spanish and are back in english areas (if that makes any sense) that could be switched back to spanish. Then we would have enough. Plus we have one new spanish missionary coming in this next transfer. So we'll see what happens. Hopefully it opens up though. As you know I have been wanting this so bad for so long. But whatever happens, happens and we just go with it.

So yesterday was Stake Conference. That was really really good. Elder Smith, an area 70 was there and gave an amazing talk! President Kunz, Sister Kunz, and President Bateman (the stake president) also spoke at the meeting. Unfortunately only 2 memebers from our group showed up. I really don't know what's going on right now. Things have just been so.....down?...I guess would be the word. We have hit a rough spot that we haven't really pulled out of yet. And it's with everyone, members and investigators. It looks like we are going to drop Hector and Jully because they are being major bums. Hector just keeps making excuses. He said if he found a job he would get baptized, he found a job. He prayed before his job interview and asked God to help him get the job. He got it, now he wants a car before he is baptized. It's just ridiculous. We've been so bold with him and he just doesn't get it.

Also, I have noticed something. It's always hard being a convert and having to change everything. It's hard, but it's worth it and some people just don't realize it. They aren't willing to TRY obeying the Lord's commandments because they don't think anything will come of it, or they are content living the way they live. But if they would just TRY it, just for a week, or 2 weeks, they will see how much the Lord has for them and how much he is willing to bless them! They just aren't willing to make that sacrafice sometimes and it's frustrating and hard to watch when we know what will come of them doing what God asks them to do.

We went out to Crete like I said earlier and tried to see Edgar, he wasn't home, but his mom was. Oh man.... Me and her got into it big time. She won't let Edgar come to church anymore, says he HAS to go with her. She called us liars and decievers, said we go around confusing people. So I just let her have it. She was yelling at me, so I didn't yell at her, but I didn't use my nice "sweet" voice either. It was pretty intense, and funny at the same time. Elder Rigby didn't know what to do so he just stood there, and I could tell he was just like what the heck is going on. Because it was pretty intense. So after about 10 minutes of arguing and as she started to recognize that defeat was drawing near, she kicked us out and told us we are no longer welcome in her home. Fine with me. But then as we were on the porch Edgar and Annel showed up and we hung out on the porch and talked with them for about an hour.

So last week, on a fun note, we got pranked. The Elders from Holmes Lake broke into our apartment and put syrup on EVERYTHING! The whole kitchen floor, counters, fridge, stove, dishes, then they flipped our beds and put stuff in them and then tried to make jello in our bathtub. So, we had to get them back of course.... they started a prank war. So the next day during lunch, us and the elders from Trendwood broke into their apartment and put every piece of furniture they owned in there bedroom, we stacked their beds and piled everything in there! Even the food from there cabinets. Then we filled up their bath tub with lots of good nasty stuff, and put fish in he air vents. It was a sweet prank. and it only took us about 30 mintues to do all of that. It was so awesome! So later that night they called us and truced. I don't blame them. Ya don't mess with us. :) I love the missionaries here and the friendships you create with everyone. I really have loved my mission and I am going to miss it so much when it comes time for me to go home.
There really is no greater calling than teaching the gospel. Although young mens president comes close right Tyler? :)

But I do love just talking to people, I love knocking doors and talking to people on the street. It sucks when they reject this message. And when they reject it, they have no idea what it is they are rejecting. I wish that people would just listen. I can't even imagine how frustrating it must have been for Christ, trying to teach the people and them rejecting him and his teachings. Rejecting happiness that can last forever. It's hard when people reject it. It's especially hard when we know the blessings that can come from not just being a part of, but living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We really are blessed to have a prophet and to have God's authority. I love this church and I know it's true. I love you all!

Congrats Tyler on your new calling! You are going to be great! You have such a great gift. You are what got a lot of boys from our quorum on missions. You helped, changed. and affected so many peoples' lives in so many different ways. And definately mine. I am so greatful for the time you took to be a good example to me. I love you!

Mom, here is the Thompson's number again... 402-620-5703. Call that if Justin gets his call this week and tell them and Melanie will give me a call. That would be AWESOME! J- Money I am so excited for you!!! I miss you - you little stud. You are going to be a great missionary! And it doesn't matter where you go, it's the people you teach. I LOVE Nebraska!!! It is the best mission in the world! But I'm sure you'll get called to the second best mission in the world. You'll love it though! I love you broski!

And mom thanks for the picture you sent of you and Amber. You both look great! Talk to ya soon.... like really... I'll be able to talk to you.:) I love you!

Love,
Elder Moore

Notes from Stake Conference:
We had the opportunity to listen to Elder Terrance C. Smith of the Seventy at the Lincoln Stake Conference this weekend. Here are a few notes from his talks.
We build faith by: 1. Reading the scriptures (particularly the Book of Mormon), 2. Praying, and 3. Attending Sacrament meeting. These are typically the first three commitments that missionaries extend to investigators and they are the same things that members must do to constantly build faith. A three-legged stool is more solid and firm than a one-legged stool. We must do all three to build faith.

"Don't take counsel from your fears." People have concerns and if they listen to these concerns they will not take advantage of available blessings. Instead, they must exercise faith unto repentance and the first fruits of repentance is baptism.

"Don't doubt in the dark what you learned in the light." In other words, we learn about the gospel which brings the Spirit (or light) into our lives. As people drift away, they begin to doubt in the darkness of their inactivity the truths they learned while being faithful in the gospel.

When the prophet Joseph Smith went into the grove of trees to pray, he went with the intention not only to find out which church was true but also with a determination to join that church. We also must seek the inspiration from the Lord through the Holy Ghost but must "bind yourselves to act" (D&C 43:9) As we seek guidance from the Spirit, we must be willing and committed to act upon that inspiration. We must seek guidance constantly not just during daily planning or companion study.

People suffer from two major things: 1. sin and 2. adversity. People suffer more from adversity than sin. The 'fix' for sin and adversity are different. Sin is 'fixed' by 1. faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, 2, repentance and 3. Holy Ghost. Adversity is 'fixed' by 1. faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement and 2. service. The keys of the Aaronic Priesthood in the office of Bishop is used to help people obtain a remission of their sins (D&C 13) while the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood are utilized to help people with adversity. The Melchizedek Priesthood offers people the gift of the Holy Ghost, Priesthood blessings, Patriarchal blessings, and temple covenants.

Elder Smith talked about what is required to build a stake of zion: 1. individual unity with the Savior, 2. unity within families and 3. unity in the Church. We must attach ourselves to Jesus Christ, "remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation" (Helaman 5:12)

He offered an interesting insight to the sacrament. In 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 it states, "16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17. For we being many are one bread, and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread." When the Priest breaks the bread, he is offering it to us individually and as we all take of the bread we, as a congregation, become one with the Savior.

And finally, Elder Smith talked about our obligation to support the poor and needy. In order to retain a remisison of our sins we must remain faithful which includes helping those in need. "The physical needs of the poor are our spiritual necessity."

Hope you enjoyed. It was an amazing conference session!