"My Words are their Words": April 7, 2014

It feels like I've come full circle with the conferences this weekend. I remember the first time I watched conference in the mission I felt happy and honored to be on a mission. Home was a little too close and it distracted me. This time I watched conference I felt honored and happy to be on a mission, and home is now closer, but in the other direction. The cycle of the mission is an interesting one. I've had lots of thoughts of it's affect on me and the rest of my life. The last couple days were like pure revelation flowing through me. All the questions I had and hoped to receive answers for were given. I know that the Holy Ghost guided my thoughts to tell me what I needed to know and most importantly, what I needed to do, in order to be in line with the Lord and His path for me. 

I know that this is the true and living church on the earth. I know that Thomas S. Monson is called to be the Lord's authorized steward and spokesman on the earth. I know this is Christ's church and that He guides and directs it through His prophet and servants. I feel it. I felt it strongly as I heard them speak and give their special witness to the world. They know God. I know what they said to me was exactly what God would have me hear. I know that if I didn't receive answers, or direction from this conference, it is not the fault of the Lord's anointed. It would be my own cause. If at any time I find myself saying a certain conference was not very inspiring or uplifting I think about the story of Nephi and his brother and determine which example I'm emulating. Laman and Lemuel received the same counsel and prophecies from their father, Lehi, as Nephi did. Just as we all received the same counsel and prophecies from our Prophet. Yet, the influence and affect this had on Nephi was completely different than it was on Laman and Lemuel. Why is that? Let's look at the formula for allowing the words of a prophet sink in or remain untouched from the heart. 

DILEMMA:

LAMAN & LEMUEL:Behold, we cannot understand the words which our father hath spoken concerning the natural branches of the olive tree, and also concerning the Gentiles.

OUR APPLICATION: I don't see why conference was important. I don't understand. It was kind of worthless and repetitive. I've heard all that before.

NEPHI: And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?

LAMAN & LEMUEL And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.

OUR APPLICATION: I just showed up to conference hoping to get something out of it. I didn't really pray or anything. It should have just hit me if it was good enough. I should have just heard what I needed to hear. 

ANSWER:

NEPHI: Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.

Looking at all the times I showed up to conference with a hardened heart and an unwilling disposition to change, I see that I never received any inspiration. I was bored and tired. I know that since I prepared, and came prayerfully, I received answers through the Holy Ghost. I gain a new insight and perspective on things I didn't have before. I know that when I will act in accordance with what I was instructed, I will be blessed. D&C 82:10. "I the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."

Anyways.

I feel preachy.

We were able to talk to a lot of people this week. We met one girl who was brought to church by a friend. We've met with her twice now and she accepted the invitation to be baptized. The only catch is that we found out she lives in another ward so... woof. Salvation is salvation. I don't mind. I'm just glad we were able to get her started on the path. It's always a good time. We found another family that said they'd be baptized too. I'll tell you more about them next week when I have time. 

My focus this week has been listening. Learning how to listen intently to everything people say to me. I'm probably not very good at it but it's been interesting what I've been able to learn. When I observe their demeanor and their tone of voice and then listen to the words they have to say, the holy ghost helps me discern what it is they need and what I should say. It works better than when I just try and push my agenda and teachings on them. Those are Elder Bednar's observations, I'm just trying to do what he's taught. I think it works. I'd like to get better at it some day. I've heard all that stuff at the beginning of my mission and I thought, "yeah, yeah, it's good stuff. Heard it before. Now what's something new I can try?" I'm learning that I know the basics. I know the way I'm supposed to do things. I don't need to reinvent the wheel of missionary work. I just need to do what the Lord's anointed have instructed. Preach My Gospel. The Scriptures. There's my answers. I just need to see instead of merely looking. Whatever that means.

Still fighting the good fight,

Elder Trent Jay Merrill