HIGHLIGHTS.
I got an email from my dad last week and I studied it all week. Every morning I have an hour to sit at my desk and study. It is the most amazing experience to be able to read, apply, and learn from the scriptures. I have never received so much personal revelation before than I have had this week.
My dad's email:
"In chapter 20 Lamoni's father contended with Ammon. The king feared for his life, his physical life. He said he would give him whatever he would ask (vs. 23) even half of the kingdom. Ammon only desired that his brethren be cast out of prison and that the king's son, Lamoni, retain his kingdom, which was done.
Later in Chap. 22 Aaron teaches Lamoni's father (same person) about the fall of Adam, the creation, and the plan of redemption. The king's response is, "What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou has spoken? What shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy?" Then he said, "I will give up all that I possess, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy." (Vs. 15) Before he rejoiced because his physical life was spared and I think it was just a relief for him to keep living. Now, after being truly converted and taught of Aaron, he had a change of heart. The physical no longer mattered as much to him. He wanted to experience this eternal joy; that which would be with him forever. That is the type of conversion we are speaking of. I also really like when he says in vs. 18, I will give up all my sins to know thee. That is a sign of conversion and being willing to give it all away. That is an amazing transformation but something that each one of us needs to experience. I am working on it but I realize I have a long way to go. But the important part is, I have a desire. Vs. 16 of Chap. 22 says, "If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down (be humble) before God, and repent of all thy sins, and call on his name (pray) in faith...." Then we can receive what we desire. "
Then I turned to a talk by Sheri Dew, "You Were Born to Lead, You Were Born for Glory." and she talked about this exact thing.
She said, "Repentance is, frankly, just plain smart, because sin makes you stupid: Stupid because you are deaf, dumb, and blind to the ways of the Lord. Stupid because habitual sin drives the Spirit away, leaving you outside the protective influence of the Holy Ghost. Stupid because it makes you incapable of drawing upon the powers of heaven. Being stupid costs a lot.
Lamoni’s father pledged to “give away” all his sins to know God (Alma 22:18). Today I invite you to do the same. What favorite sins, large or small, are you willing to give away—right now, today—to increase your access to the power of God?"
In the scriptures we read about "pueblitos" being saved from wars. What saved them? Their exact obedience and willingness to to what the lord told them to do. They were blessed. They gave away all of their sins to access the power of God. I've thought a lot about what it is that is holding me back from reaching the potential that god sees in me. I must perfect little things that are basic and daily. Not being exactly obedient is a sin against our God.
We all have our favorite sin that "isn't that bad". But that little sin is the thing that is holding us back from our progression towards our eternal potential.
All of this seems so hard to do, but in reality, it's not that hard. We can all do it. We all promised God we would before we came here to this world.
I love you all and pray for your success.
Life's good in Laredo,
ehemmingsen
Shoutout to my wonderful father! Happy Birthday!
Shout Out to the Jensen's for sending me a package!
- this week I had my first charlie horse in my calf... or whatever you call it. It was the worst thing in the world. Sister Crawford rolled it out for me with a tennis ball and I thought I was going to pass out.
- Sister Taylor told me a story of when she was younger. They were in some sort of PE class doing swimming relays. Sister Taylor was the last leg. Pressure was on, the race was close, she dove in as her teammate touched the wall, and swam her heart out. Halfway down the lane her teacher jumped in. She was so confused. She stopped swimming and looked up out of the water to see her entire class staring at her... they thought she was drowning. She was just swimming...It was pretty funny.
- My mom wrote me a letter this week ending each paragraph with a hashtag. #sheiship
- I was asked to help teach english to a native speaker.. aka I have good enough spanish to teach english!
- Yesterday Sister Taylor received a call from the Zone Leaders saying she had to come to the meeting in McAllen for three days. Aka she is being called as a Sister Training Leader :( aka we aren't going to be together next transfer. I cried for the most of the morning, but it will be alright. She is going to be a wonderful leader. The good thing is that most likely I'll be in Laredo until April, but who knows what will happen. We'll find out next week!
I got an email from my dad last week and I studied it all week. Every morning I have an hour to sit at my desk and study. It is the most amazing experience to be able to read, apply, and learn from the scriptures. I have never received so much personal revelation before than I have had this week.
My dad's email:
"In chapter 20 Lamoni's father contended with Ammon. The king feared for his life, his physical life. He said he would give him whatever he would ask (vs. 23) even half of the kingdom. Ammon only desired that his brethren be cast out of prison and that the king's son, Lamoni, retain his kingdom, which was done.
Later in Chap. 22 Aaron teaches Lamoni's father (same person) about the fall of Adam, the creation, and the plan of redemption. The king's response is, "What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou has spoken? What shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy?" Then he said, "I will give up all that I possess, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy." (Vs. 15) Before he rejoiced because his physical life was spared and I think it was just a relief for him to keep living. Now, after being truly converted and taught of Aaron, he had a change of heart. The physical no longer mattered as much to him. He wanted to experience this eternal joy; that which would be with him forever. That is the type of conversion we are speaking of. I also really like when he says in vs. 18, I will give up all my sins to know thee. That is a sign of conversion and being willing to give it all away. That is an amazing transformation but something that each one of us needs to experience. I am working on it but I realize I have a long way to go. But the important part is, I have a desire. Vs. 16 of Chap. 22 says, "If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down (be humble) before God, and repent of all thy sins, and call on his name (pray) in faith...." Then we can receive what we desire. "
Then I turned to a talk by Sheri Dew, "You Were Born to Lead, You Were Born for Glory." and she talked about this exact thing.
She said, "Repentance is, frankly, just plain smart, because sin makes you stupid: Stupid because you are deaf, dumb, and blind to the ways of the Lord. Stupid because habitual sin drives the Spirit away, leaving you outside the protective influence of the Holy Ghost. Stupid because it makes you incapable of drawing upon the powers of heaven. Being stupid costs a lot.
Lamoni’s father pledged to “give away” all his sins to know God (Alma 22:18). Today I invite you to do the same. What favorite sins, large or small, are you willing to give away—right now, today—to increase your access to the power of God?"
In the scriptures we read about "pueblitos" being saved from wars. What saved them? Their exact obedience and willingness to to what the lord told them to do. They were blessed. They gave away all of their sins to access the power of God. I've thought a lot about what it is that is holding me back from reaching the potential that god sees in me. I must perfect little things that are basic and daily. Not being exactly obedient is a sin against our God.
We all have our favorite sin that "isn't that bad". But that little sin is the thing that is holding us back from our progression towards our eternal potential.
All of this seems so hard to do, but in reality, it's not that hard. We can all do it. We all promised God we would before we came here to this world.
I love you all and pray for your success.
Life's good in Laredo,
ehemmingsen
Shoutout to my wonderful father! Happy Birthday!
Shout Out to the Jensen's for sending me a package!