Week 37

Hello!

Since now I have to compete with the mental intellect of Dana to sees who's emails are going to be more inspiring I am using the words of Joseph Smith =P! But I will not really give it a theme or express too much, but I will let the words of The Prophet of this Dispensation, the last and greatest dispensation to sink deep so as to prick your hearts, if you let it.

The Lord does reveal himself to me. I know it. He revealed himself first to me when I was about fourteen years old, a mere boy. . . . I kneeled down, and prayed, saying, 'O Lord, what Church shall I join?' Directly I saw a light, and then a glorious Personage in the light, and then another personage, and the first personage said [of] the second, "Behold this is my beloved Son, hear him."
Interview by David Nye White, Aug. 1843, published in "The Prairies, Nauvoo, Joe Smith, the Temple, the Mormons, etc.," The Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, Sept. 15, 1843, 3; reprinted in The Papers of Joseph Smith, ed. Dean C. Jessee, 2 vols. [1989–92], 1:444.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the iniquitous show yourselves merciful. . . . Beware, be still, be prudent, repent, reform, but do it in a way not to destroy all around you. I do not want to cloak iniquity—all things contrary to the will of God, should be cast from us, but don't do more hurt than good, with your tongues—be pure in heart. Jesus designs to save the people out of their sins. . . . I want the innocent to go free—rather spare ten iniquitous among you, than condemn one innocent one. "Fret not thyself because of evil doers." God will see to it.
History of the Church, 5:20–21.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I shall speak with authority of the Priesthood in the name of the Lord God, which shall prove a savor of life unto life, or of death unto death. . . . If you wish to go where God is, you must be like God, or possess the principles which God possesses, for if we are not drawing towards God in principle, we are going from Him and drawing towards the devil. . . . Search your hearts, and see if you are like God. I have searched mine, and feel to repent of all my sins.
History of the Church, 4:588; paragraph divisions altered.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He who scattered Israel has promised to gather them; therefore inasmuch as you are to be instrumental in this great work, he will endow you with power, wisdom, might, and intelligence, and every qualification necessary; while your minds will expand wider and wider, until you can circumscribe the earth and the heavens, reach forth into eternity, and contemplate the mighty acts of Jehovah in all their variety and glory.
History of the Church, 4:129.

As we are concentrating much about the organization of the Church of God, our views can be very much short-sighted when we see the temporal concerns the world imposes on the spiritual hospital provided for us. It is required by every able bodied saint to expand their view to have "an eye single to the Glory of God" and as that happens we rise above the daily confusion presented to us to a sphere of the spiritual, eternal, and then, we can comprehend the things God would have us comprehend. I know Joseph Smith was a Prophet. The Spirit of God has born witness to me of this fact. I know there are many mysteries that if we each seek out, like the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery, we can have "the eyes of our understanding" touched by the Spirit of the Lord. It takes many different things for our hearts, minds, and Spirits to be ready to receive a direction from God. May we each strive for that prepartion daily, is my prayer.
I love you all!
Elder Blackburn

He also sent these pictures...

1. Down at the mission home with President and Sister Bullock for a meeting

2. The lunch that I made for Elder Sandor and I before I left for Chorley, then Altrincham for a couple days...SO GOOD. It is a weekly thing now

3&4. China Town Manchester. The first real life China Town I have walked into...oh ya Lots of Chis...

5. Oh ya...walking up those stairs during some light rain in England...Must be punctual! =D Hopefully Dana enjoys the arid, dry, warm, comfy climate she has down there!

Week 36

Hey Everyone!

This week was a great week of lots of leadership training and things. I spent about 3 days traveling around to Chorley, Manchester, and back to Blackburn. I learned a lot of things but the thing that I think would help immediately is this quote from someone that President Bullock shared with us.

"It is more important to be united than it is to be right."

Learn it. Live it. Love it. Progress to BECOME and KNOW GOD.

I love you all!

Elder Blackburn



**Just a technical note... All blog entries will be updated by Erika for the duration of Elder Blackburn's mission, seeing as Sister Dana Blackburn enters the MTC in about 16 hours. Be sure to check out her mission blog too! **

Week 35

7 February 2011

Over the past week I have realised more than ever how important my family is, How great they are, and how lucky I am to have them. I am greatful for my immediate and extended family. The wards here like our's back home are getting serious about their roles in indexing and family history as the church has (like always) spoon fed us ways to use our agency in finding and accomplishing the work for our dead ancestors. I am greatful for the work that has been done, however, there is so much more to do for my family, let alone the world family. I know Joseph Smith spoke prophetically about our day when he uttered-"but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."

I love you and hope everyone will join in their full capacity to fulfill the work that Elijah has committed to this dispensation. (Malachi 4:5-6) Will you let your heart be turned to our fathers?

Elder Blackburn


www.new.familysearch.org
www.famiylsearch.org


And here's a summation of his current situation:
I am a District Leader. That was my attempt at humility haha. I am still with Elder Sandor and I am still in Blackburn. I am still Elder Blackburn. I am still alive.

Week 34--Called to be District Leader

1 February 2011

Dear Elder Blackburn,

Congratulations on your calling as a district leader in the England Manchester Mission. This is your first mission leadership assignment and you will find it a time of great personal growth full of opportunities to serve and directly influence the lives of others.

Your primary responsibility is to lead by example by making your area a model territory in all aspects of missionary work: finding, teaching and baptizing. If your area is one of the best in your district, the missionaries will know that your teachings and counsel comes from true experience and proven success. There is no better way to motivate your fellow missionaries than to lead from the front.

You should focus on teaching and helping all the missionaries in your district excel at being: 1) pure in heart, 2) exactly obedient, and 3) Preach My Gospel missionaries. Great promises have been given by the Prophet and Apostles for those missions and missionaries that follow Preach My Gospel with exact obedience.

As a leader, you will find it necessary from time-to-time and it is your part of your calling to correct others. This often has to be done with directness but should always be in the spirit of love and kindness. Great leaders are those who learn the proper balance of “reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy.” (D&C 121:43)

If you live your life in accordance with the teachings of the gospel and missionary rules, you will have the rights of inspiration and revelation in your assignment. You will learn even more to recognize the still small voice and companionship of the Holy Ghost. You will be inspired to do and say those things the Lord would have you do. These sweet gifts do not come automatically but are conditioned upon your faithfulness and righteousness.

I have great faith and trust in you and know that you will be a diligent and inspired leader.

With love,

David J. Bullock
President

Week 33

25 January 2011

wow! so many changes! That was a pretty good article in the indystar about mormons. completely secular and devoid of true spirit, but at the same time it was completely neutral. That is amazing to see 50 acre plot on 116 and Spring Mill! woohoo! Is Spring Mill the one right after meridian? Do I remember that correctly? I forget...oops sorry! haha. anyways, That is amazing!

Did I ever tell you I am flying home to Indy? ps: that is still true haha

I studied the tree of life today but I only have 2 more mins of emailing left and cannot get my notes out to share with you my thoughts.

1 quick thing was that I see how Nephi was still confused in Chapter 8 of which way he should go until Lehi called out to them. Nephi had great spiritual promptings and faith in the Lord, but he still needed the call from a Prophet, his Father, the Patriarch to know which way to go and to turn.

I love you

I will send pictures next week

Week 32-33

20 January 2011

Dear Parents,

We held a special zone conference the first week in January where we talked about Captain Moroni’s Title of Liberty and how that stood as a standard to the world. We also talked about how a standard is a declaration of who we are, what we believe and what we stand for. As part of the conference, we had each of the missionaries write their own title or standard representing these very things. Prior to that, we gave them quiet time to ponder and pray to prepare for what they wanted to write and declare. Then each of them had the opportunity to stand in front of the conference and explain their title and why they wrote what they did. It was a moving and special event and described by many of the missionaries as a sacred experience in their life.

Attached you will find two pictures of your missionary with their district; one picture as they were writing their standard and the second one as they were completed. We thought you might enjoy seeing these pictures and sharing in the experience.

The mission is doing well because we have obedient, faithful and diligent missionaries. We love them and it is truly an honor and blessing to serve with them.

Warm regards,

President and Sister Bullock
England Manchester Mission

24 January 2011

A brief part from Skylar's personal email to me, but I'm including it because it will help with the above pictures.


I am still in a trio and Elder Sandor is the skinny Slovak with red hair. How can you tell him apart...well he looks slovak haha and Elder Youles is the chunkier Londoner that sort of resembles the hunch back of Notre Dame...haha don't laugh because you will be able to tell what I mean! alright! Technically we are in a quadruplet because we have a 4th member in our flat. His name is Brian the friendly apartment mouse...I saw him yesterday but he rarely comes out and he walks on his fingernails over our rat traps so he doesn't get caught...stupid thing...