February 3, 2014

What Elder Moore does after he's fed a delicious meal at a member's house.

 

Dear Family:

Mosiah 5:2 (Scripture Mom asked "who knows the scripture that talks about 'losing all desire for sin'"?)

Miraculous fast Sunday!  I had such a powerful experience yesterday!!  It's not the first time it's happened with fasting, but it still strengthened my faith in the Savior SO much.  I wrote down all the things that Elder Allen and I were fasting for and then prayed I would be able to remember them throughout the day.  I forgot to mention that I was having a pretty awful week and felt "encompassed about by temptation.."  It was just rough, so I fasted for that very thing you just asked about!  One of the things I fasted for was to have no desire to do evil but to do good continually.  Anyway, some of the things I wrote down were that, "Olivia - conversion / get testimony / progression, Adrian - have a softer heart / receive an answer, focus on mission, courage to talk to everyone.."  A couple more too that I can't remember.

I went into the church and from the very beginning of the service to the end I felt blissful and wonderful even though Olivia was the only one at church (Answer #1).  She has SUCH good questions and is just progressing so well.  

We went over to Adrian's after not seeing him for a week and he was outside cleaning off his couch.  He told us he was busy and to come back later.  I can't lie, I thought things weren't going to ever be the same but we went back later that day and he was extremely nice and understanding..  He told us that he didn't even pray to ask about Joseph Smith being a prophet, so sorry to let you down there, but his heart was softened (Answer #2).

We went out later yesterday to see some people and it was just so much easier to talk to everyone that was out and about.  We met a couple of really cool people yesterday just from talking with everyone (Answer #3).  We left the apartment when we just wanted more than anything to collapse in the house and sleep for a week because of fasting and plain old being tired, so we went out to work instead of giving up (Answers #4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and so on haha).  

We ended our fast around 4:30 and I hadn't really realized until I reviewed the list of things we were fasting for that the Lord granted every blessing that we had asked for.  I couldn't make it through the prayer without choking up.  I had felt so empty and the Lord filled my heart with the spirit all at once.  It was almost overwhelming, but it was so wonderful!  I shared what happened with Elder Allen and later that night we set up goals to continue to have spiritual experiences like that one and to be more unified and exactly obedient.  It was an answer to a lot of prayers, probably from you guys and myself.  

So, I guess I'll tell you a little bit more about Olivia!!  She's amazing!!  She's the cousin of the Ward Mission Leader.  We teach her once a week in the McDowell's home and it gets better each time.  I mean, we've only taught her twice, but between visits she had read and prayed.  She asked us questions about Heavenly Mother.  Ha I don't really know how to respond, but that's the beauty of being in a member home.  She told us that she was reading the chapter we left with her and couldn't really understand much of it, but her boyfriend just told her to pray like we had suggested so she did and then could understand it much easier.  She asked us about the baptism of fire and speaking with the tongues of angels..  Again good thing we were with the McDowells because they were able to explain the speaking with the tongues of angels to her.  It explains it in the next chapter..  I felt sheepish for never making that connection on my own!

We're all having a lot of fun and really enjoying being together.  I love Elder Allen so much!  I hope that he finishes me off to be completely honest!  We've come a long way since week one here.  Whatever happens though, I'm sure that it's what the Lord wants.  

I registered for classes on Saturday.  Chem 106, New Testament (part 2), and Weightlifting.  I was recommended to just take Chem 106 and another general or religion class by the Life Sciences department.  It sounded like a good idea to me.  I'm thinking about doing swimming, but I just want it to be outside so I can get tan haha.  I don't think it would be, so I'll just have to stick with a season pass to Seven Peaks and Tyler and Jaimee and the churn.  (That's ebonics for children or kids :))  

You're amazing missionaries!  I told everyone in the ward yesterday that you're serving a mission and testified about "catching the wave" and how you guys are such a huge example to me of how missionary work can be done in SO many different ways!  I'm also amazed at how on fire our family has been for the past 2 to 3 years because of all of these missions.  I completely agree that we should get something that says "In this family, we serve missions."  I'll make it if you're patient enough to wait until I get home!  I think I could make something cool.  :)  

I'm sure you've seen it already, but I just wanted to invite you to watch this again.  I love it so much.  I get teary-eyed in my heart every time I see it.  :')  http://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/special-broadcast?lang=eng#media=16902107223790014226-eng

I also fasted to find a family and we found some more potentials, so I'll keep informed on their progress :)  And I also fasted that you'd make inspired decisions!  I love you so much!  I hope that you have a great week!  Keep up the good work!  Have the family ready earlier than the 23rd :)  You could have two or three families ready by then :)  

Love,

Elder Moore

It has scarcely been one year since I announced the lowering of the age of missionary service. Since that time the number of full-time missionaries serving has increased from 58,500 in October 2012 to 80,333 today. What a tremendous and inspiring response we have witnessed!

The holy scriptures contain no proclamation more relevant, no responsibility more binding, no instruction more direct than the injunction given by the resurrected Lord as He appeared in Galilee to the eleven disciples. Said He, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizingthem in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”²The Prophet Joseph Smith declared, “After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel.”³ Some of you here today will yet remember the words of President David O. McKay, who phrased the familiar “Every member a missionary!”⁴

To their words I add my own. Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together, to work together, to labor in the Lord’s vineyard to bring souls unto Him. He has prepared the means for us to share the gospel in a multitude of ways, and He will assist us in our labors if we will act in faith to fulfill His work.