19 July 2010
Hi there,
So sounds like everything went off without a sitch. CONGRATS! WISH I WAS THERE! I was thinking about asking President if I could get on last week and write on the Wedding website, but I didn't. Tanner looks DELICIOUS! You down to 230 or so now bud?! Griffin...=[ Greg needs to not pick his nose in pictures though...eesh. So did the fire in the Freeze home happen before or after the wedding =[. Glad everyone is out ok though. Is Sean living with them this Summer like he planned on? I was going to write him a letter, but maybe not...I will hold off on that. Anyways, moving on...
So, I have been blessed to have the chance to read about how beastly Moroni is! To quote a Guiness Draft Beer Commercial-"Brilliant!" If you study Moroni and study chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel, you will be studying how to acquire and use Christlike attributes. First off if you turn to:
Alma 48-
11 And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;
12 Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.
13 Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.
-----------
16...and this was the faith of Moroni, and his heart did glory in it; not in the shedding of blood but in doing good, in preserving his people, yea, in keeping the commandments of God, yea, and resisting iniquity.
17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.
18 Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God.
Alma 50-
1 And now it came to pass that Moroni did not stop making preparations for war, or to defend his people against the Lamanites; for he caused that his armies should commence in the commencement of the twentieth year of the reign of the judges, that they should commence in digging up heaps of earth round about all the cities, throughout all the land which was possessed by the Nephites.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moroni had-Faith in Jesus Christ which is the first Christlike attribute we need or should acquire because honestly if you don't believe in Jesus Christ, then why do you want to obtain the other Christlike Attributes????????
Moroni had a PERFECT understanding- He was only 25. He had acquired much knowledge which is a Christlike attribute as well.
Moroni did joy in liberty and freedom. With this joy, he showed HOPE which is a Christlike Attribute that if people would stay steadfast in the Faith and keep the commandments of God, then they would be preserved from their enemies.
When I read the first verse in Alma 50 that was what stuck out to me. It is highlighted in Orange real big. He didn't stop. He was just an energizer bunny! He was DILIGENT. There is always something to be done and he knew that so he used his time effectively. IT is interesting to see how the Preach My Gospel is such an inspired work. It could be added to the back of our quads if they wanted it to be, but that would just bring on more persecution of stupid people saying we changed scriptures. ANYWAYS,
Verse 17 says it all really. If we acquire these attributes then the devil will not have power over us and will quake in our presence. Reasons he will quake are because we have saught diligently to be like Christ insomuch that we have BECOME like Christ. Moroni was successful in doing what we need to do. If we strive to acquire the attribute, we must study it, look for ways to apply it, and then apply it, and then perfect it.
last but not least, Moroni is a beast.
I love you all very much,
Elder Blackburn
Monday, July 19, 2010
Week 9
12 July 2010
So last week I vented many frustrations to Dana about last Sunday. July 4th-It rained. 0 of 5 comitted investigators and 1 of 3 comitted less actives and 0/1 recent convert came to church.
We called that 'Golden' Recent Convert and he explained to Elder Stringham and I that he did not want to go to church anymore. We immediately went down to see him wondering what could have happened. We talked about things pertaining to Polygamy, Spirit World, and anyone who believes in Jesus Christ being automatically saved as though he hadn't been taught a thing. We left with him still refusing to come to church and filled with pride that you could see in his eyes. This was 5 days after we had taught him a "Transition Lesson" aka turning him over to his home teachers. We taught about the Restoration which he loved to hear again and accepted it AGAIN. SO we were left down trodden basically on Sunday feeling pretty miserable. Elder Stringham was then notified that he was leaving.
Fast Forward to this Sunday. I was somehow hoping that James would come to church. He wasn't there but we had a couple different others there due to someone else's efforts. We are just getting done watching the video 'To This End Was I Born' (which I recommend to all) and the Spirit was very strong in that lesson. Sacrament meeting was a good one too and I taught the Gospel Principles class on Faith in Jesus Christ. With that- we were walking out and I turned to the member who was driving us and asked if he would come with us to James' house and help us out with that. it was about 8:15 so we needed him to get back on time. We did and we opened the door to a big 61 year old man saying, "Im still not coming back." and so I just told him. "Ok, Cool, let us in. We will talk about that and you have to meet the new Elder." (You have to be that way with James.)
The week before we had resolved his concerns, but he didn't ever feel the spirit through that I don't think or he was so puffed up that he didn't any longer recognize it. This week he wasn't full of pride like he was 7 days ago, but still didnt want to come to church. Anyways, we talked about the Atonement and Elder Metsaranta did a great job talking about Justice and we talked about God's Love and Mercy to all and he was then by the end comitted to coming to church and to study the Atonement from the Bible and the Book of Mormon. It was a great day =P
I love you all,
Elder Blackburn
So last week I vented many frustrations to Dana about last Sunday. July 4th-It rained. 0 of 5 comitted investigators and 1 of 3 comitted less actives and 0/1 recent convert came to church.
We called that 'Golden' Recent Convert and he explained to Elder Stringham and I that he did not want to go to church anymore. We immediately went down to see him wondering what could have happened. We talked about things pertaining to Polygamy, Spirit World, and anyone who believes in Jesus Christ being automatically saved as though he hadn't been taught a thing. We left with him still refusing to come to church and filled with pride that you could see in his eyes. This was 5 days after we had taught him a "Transition Lesson" aka turning him over to his home teachers. We taught about the Restoration which he loved to hear again and accepted it AGAIN. SO we were left down trodden basically on Sunday feeling pretty miserable. Elder Stringham was then notified that he was leaving.
Fast Forward to this Sunday. I was somehow hoping that James would come to church. He wasn't there but we had a couple different others there due to someone else's efforts. We are just getting done watching the video 'To This End Was I Born' (which I recommend to all) and the Spirit was very strong in that lesson. Sacrament meeting was a good one too and I taught the Gospel Principles class on Faith in Jesus Christ. With that- we were walking out and I turned to the member who was driving us and asked if he would come with us to James' house and help us out with that. it was about 8:15 so we needed him to get back on time. We did and we opened the door to a big 61 year old man saying, "Im still not coming back." and so I just told him. "Ok, Cool, let us in. We will talk about that and you have to meet the new Elder." (You have to be that way with James.)
The week before we had resolved his concerns, but he didn't ever feel the spirit through that I don't think or he was so puffed up that he didn't any longer recognize it. This week he wasn't full of pride like he was 7 days ago, but still didnt want to come to church. Anyways, we talked about the Atonement and Elder Metsaranta did a great job talking about Justice and we talked about God's Love and Mercy to all and he was then by the end comitted to coming to church and to study the Atonement from the Bible and the Book of Mormon. It was a great day =P
I love you all,
Elder Blackburn
Week 8
8 July 2010
So everyone! Transfers were this week so I am emailing you now. Elder Stringham got transfered to Bolton which is one of the dodgiest places in England and the mission. He has already served in the other dodgy place but ya its interesting.
My new companion is Elder Metsaranta from Finland. (Ask Dana for details) Here is a picture I promised her of him. I just sent home my memory card to Adrienne as we talked about so hopefully you can see all of the grounds of the Temple and Stoke that are there. Thanks for this Gigaware thing-its amazing! It immediately downloads the pictures and everything at about the click. So much better than that random camera chord that Elder Stringham had.
So I have about 5 mins because this is a shorter time period day so I will share with you more from my studies.
I just read Alma 5 so I feel rebuked. But I was reading in the first chapter of PMG page 10 of "Establishing the Church". We read a lot of times in the Book of Mormon and ESPECIALLY in the first bits of Alma where he "Established the Church in the city of Zarahemla, Gideon, Mahek? and plenty other cities. Now this was not just Alma going there and saying to a couple followers 'Here is your church' and leaving. That isn't establishing. The Definition of Establish is given on page 10 of PMG and what we all need to do to continue to have an established branch, ward, or church in our area. I will let you talk about that amongst yourselves and see what thoughts you have about it. While you do your scripture reading also, I challenge you to look for other things Alma or the other prophets have done to ESTABLISH the church in their times.
I love you,
Elder Blackburn
So everyone! Transfers were this week so I am emailing you now. Elder Stringham got transfered to Bolton which is one of the dodgiest places in England and the mission. He has already served in the other dodgy place but ya its interesting.
My new companion is Elder Metsaranta from Finland. (Ask Dana for details) Here is a picture I promised her of him. I just sent home my memory card to Adrienne as we talked about so hopefully you can see all of the grounds of the Temple and Stoke that are there. Thanks for this Gigaware thing-its amazing! It immediately downloads the pictures and everything at about the click. So much better than that random camera chord that Elder Stringham had.
So I have about 5 mins because this is a shorter time period day so I will share with you more from my studies.
I just read Alma 5 so I feel rebuked. But I was reading in the first chapter of PMG page 10 of "Establishing the Church". We read a lot of times in the Book of Mormon and ESPECIALLY in the first bits of Alma where he "Established the Church in the city of Zarahemla, Gideon, Mahek? and plenty other cities. Now this was not just Alma going there and saying to a couple followers 'Here is your church' and leaving. That isn't establishing. The Definition of Establish is given on page 10 of PMG and what we all need to do to continue to have an established branch, ward, or church in our area. I will let you talk about that amongst yourselves and see what thoughts you have about it. While you do your scripture reading also, I challenge you to look for other things Alma or the other prophets have done to ESTABLISH the church in their times.
I love you,
Elder Blackburn
Week 7
28 June 2010
Hello Family,
Well I was going to write you a long note, but some disgusting person is standing right outside the door smoking and its filling up the library and grossing everyone out so I will probably keep this short and leave. I hope everyone enjoyed the pictures. Also, Mom did you send the package to the mission home or my flat? curious because if it was my flat-it will be hard for them to find me home or what not...anyways moving on.
I hope all of you are doing well. Dana is now in Missippi and Mom is in Utah. Logan and Liz are well I don't know because they don't tell me anything =P. and Tanner is probably on Cloud 9 because England lost yesterday 4-1 to Germany in the World Cup and because its Tanner. Bob is Bob =). Erika has sent me a nifty little book of our christmas pictures this week so I will be passing it around all of the missionaries that are going home to find Dana a man haha. I love you!
Ok, so I will tell you a little bit about my studies so far. I am in Mosiah chapter 4. I have finished Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price and the JST/JSH. Haven't really touched the Bible. Logan was right, I never use anything but a Book of Mormon while finding.
I have learned a lot though. I am not sure what to pinpoint for all of you in a family message. OK-I used this for a lesson this past week sort of. so here it is:
Read through this.
Alma 56:43-48
43 And now, whether they were overtaken by Antipus we knew not, but I said unto my men: Behold, we know not but they have halted for the purpose that we should come against them, that they might catch us in their snare;
44 Therefore what say ye, my sons, will ye go against them to battle?
45 And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never had I seen aso great bcourage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites.
46 For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will anot suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus.
47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the aliberty of their bfathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their cmothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.
48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their amothers, saying: We bdo not doubt our mothers knew it.
And they went to battle as we know and then:
Alma 57:24-27
24 And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had fled, I immediately gave orders that my men who had been wounded should be taken from among the dead, and caused that their wounds should be dressed.
25 And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out of my two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loss of blood; nevertheless, according to the goodness of God, and to our great astonishment, and also the joy of our whole army, there was anot one soul of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds.
26 And now, their apreservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous bpower of God, because of their exceeding cfaith in that which they had been taught to believe葉hat there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power.
27 Now this was the afaith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are bfirm, and they do put their trust in God continually.
Mom asked me in her email, how she could have such wonderful children. We find the answer here with the 2,000 Stripling Warriors. We are the way we are, we have the Faith that we have, and we act the way we act because our Mother knows it. Yes, we all have to find our own way, our own testimony, and our own faith, but who set us down with our feet on the ground pointing in the right direction. We all ran back and forth from Mom to Dad and back to Mom. Mom didn't point us towards the street or down the steps. I believe in everyone of my brothers and sisters that they have been taught exactly the same way I have been taught and we have all heard the same words. You are accountable for the Faith you show and live by. Sometimes, we aren't very experienced, but as long as we are willing and know that mom knows it or at least we know that mom has known it and forgot it =P and has gone through it that we can probably get through it too.
What has formed mom to who she is today?
milking the cows
gathering eggs
hugging baby lambs?
FINANCIAL STRUGGLES
5 children
college
mission
loss of husband
marriage X2
cooking
she has done it. ASK!!! Don't be shy. I love you all, and I hope you learned something from this.
I love you,
Elder Blackburn
Hello Family,
Well I was going to write you a long note, but some disgusting person is standing right outside the door smoking and its filling up the library and grossing everyone out so I will probably keep this short and leave. I hope everyone enjoyed the pictures. Also, Mom did you send the package to the mission home or my flat? curious because if it was my flat-it will be hard for them to find me home or what not...anyways moving on.
I hope all of you are doing well. Dana is now in Missippi and Mom is in Utah. Logan and Liz are well I don't know because they don't tell me anything =P. and Tanner is probably on Cloud 9 because England lost yesterday 4-1 to Germany in the World Cup and because its Tanner. Bob is Bob =). Erika has sent me a nifty little book of our christmas pictures this week so I will be passing it around all of the missionaries that are going home to find Dana a man haha. I love you!
Ok, so I will tell you a little bit about my studies so far. I am in Mosiah chapter 4. I have finished Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price and the JST/JSH. Haven't really touched the Bible. Logan was right, I never use anything but a Book of Mormon while finding.
I have learned a lot though. I am not sure what to pinpoint for all of you in a family message. OK-I used this for a lesson this past week sort of. so here it is:
Read through this.
Alma 56:43-48
43 And now, whether they were overtaken by Antipus we knew not, but I said unto my men: Behold, we know not but they have halted for the purpose that we should come against them, that they might catch us in their snare;
44 Therefore what say ye, my sons, will ye go against them to battle?
45 And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never had I seen aso great bcourage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites.
46 For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will anot suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus.
47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the aliberty of their bfathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their cmothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.
48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their amothers, saying: We bdo not doubt our mothers knew it.
And they went to battle as we know and then:
Alma 57:24-27
24 And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had fled, I immediately gave orders that my men who had been wounded should be taken from among the dead, and caused that their wounds should be dressed.
25 And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out of my two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loss of blood; nevertheless, according to the goodness of God, and to our great astonishment, and also the joy of our whole army, there was anot one soul of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds.
26 And now, their apreservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous bpower of God, because of their exceeding cfaith in that which they had been taught to believe葉hat there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power.
27 Now this was the afaith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are bfirm, and they do put their trust in God continually.
Mom asked me in her email, how she could have such wonderful children. We find the answer here with the 2,000 Stripling Warriors. We are the way we are, we have the Faith that we have, and we act the way we act because our Mother knows it. Yes, we all have to find our own way, our own testimony, and our own faith, but who set us down with our feet on the ground pointing in the right direction. We all ran back and forth from Mom to Dad and back to Mom. Mom didn't point us towards the street or down the steps. I believe in everyone of my brothers and sisters that they have been taught exactly the same way I have been taught and we have all heard the same words. You are accountable for the Faith you show and live by. Sometimes, we aren't very experienced, but as long as we are willing and know that mom knows it or at least we know that mom has known it and forgot it =P and has gone through it that we can probably get through it too.
What has formed mom to who she is today?
milking the cows
gathering eggs
hugging baby lambs?
FINANCIAL STRUGGLES
5 children
college
mission
loss of husband
marriage X2
cooking
she has done it. ASK!!! Don't be shy. I love you all, and I hope you learned something from this.
I love you,
Elder Blackburn
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)