Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Another week in Odorkor - #45
Dear Friends and Family, July 12, 2010
This past week wasn't particularly eventful. We had some pretty cool lessons, and all, but nothing jumps out at me. Other then Zone Leaders' Council. That is officially the coolest meeting ever. I saw a lot of missionaries that I'd known for a long time as hard-working, solid missionaries, and many of them instructed. I felt like part of some dream team. We talked a lot about getting our mission back on-course obedience-wise. To be honest, this mission isn't the most obedient. So, we as Zone Leaders are tasked with cleaning all this up, and Elder Ho. and I are mega-committed to steering our zone back on course. Mind you, the McCarthy Hills Zone was never really the problem, but better safe then sorry, right?
We also were told that the Church has shaken up how mission administration work is going to be done a little. Instead of every 6 weeks, zone interviews and conferences are going to be every 12. We also will no longer report goals on a 6 week cycle, but monthly. Given the tremendous inertia we've built up on the other system, this is going to be a bit of a pain. The other thing is that Zone Leaders council will be monthly, not every 6 weeks. The idea behind this is that mission leadership, not just the Mission President, is now more responsible for the teaching and training of missionaries,. They've changed the MTC curriculum too, effective May, 2011... but I have a copy of the curriculum right now. It's so much better then what we learned and I'm excited to put it into practice. It's not a complete overhaul, like when it went from discussions to the use of Preach My Gospel, but we are changing the focus of our teaching. This one is far more centered on revelation and helping our investigators seek and receive personal divine guidance. Elder Ho. and I have tested it the past 3 days and it's amazing. Clearly, we are still governed by inspiration, because this is exactly what we've needed. I'll talk more about this principle later. We'll also have to have a week long leadership training on the subject, which I am also excited for. I'll be sending Hans a copy of this curriculum, BTW.
Completely by happenstance, Elder Golden, of the 70, and President Smith, and two members of the Stake Presidency, all attended our ward. It was amazing seeing all those priesthood keys in one place! I was teaching Gospel Essentials that day. It was nerve racking to be teaching about the ATONEMENT with your super-critical, teaching-skills-centered mission president in the class with you.
Anyway, on to the principle I've come to appreciate most this week. One of the most frustrating things I've experienced on my mission comes from when I ask which Church is true. Most Ghanaians at first answer "Oh, church is church." After a little teaching, most will generally accept that there is only one true Church, but they will say, "Only God can know which." This frightens me a little bit. When we take tests, we like to know the results as soon as possible. Yet when the stakes are as high as ETERNAL SALVATION, most people live their life in a state of guessing. This is where the ever important principle of revelation comes in. I don't mean the book in the Bible but I mean the certainty that comes from Divine communication. Elder... Whitney? I think so. His talk in the Liahona ("Built Upon the Rock", Gospel Classics section) illustrates this point perfectly. Nothing in this church, he points out, is done because the Jews did it. Nothing is done or left undone because the Nephites did it. Rather, things are the way they are because Christ, standing at the head of this Church, has revealed through our current prophet, seer and revelator, that WE must do them. An all-powerful God can surely confirm the truth of any principle to YOU. He doesn't require you to GUESS your standing before Him.
See the example of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Abraham was given a marvelous promise, and it was revealed to him that these promises would extend to his son Isaac. This old revelation to another did not satisfy Isaac, and he sought to know for certain for himself. The Lord revealed to him, just a few pages later, that these promises were for him as well. Years later, Jacob had the same concern, and pursued the same course. Again, the Lord revealed these same promises to him. If these Patriarchs, righteous as they were, were not comfortable leaving their salvation up to chance, why are we?
Peter talks of "the more sure word of prophecy", which we understand to be "a man's knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life, by revelation and the spirit of Promise". This is what the Book of Mormon means when it says it teaches what "man must do to gain peace in this life..." It is this certainty that gives peace! It is this certainty that allowed Paul, Stephen, and Peter to give their lives for something they hadn't seen. Yes, faith is important, but faith doesn't mean that you have to walk in the dark! The scriptures repeat over and over, "ask", "seek", "knock". The Lord even promises in Jeremiah 29 "I will be found of you". We really can know, for sure, if we are pleasing the Lord. We can know if we are on the right course. We can know if, at the end of the day, everything will be alright. (Enos and Joseph Smith are both great examples of this. The prayer that prompted Moroni's visit was driven by a desire to know "[Joseph's] standing before God")
The Lord has given us the TOOLS to seek Him, through the scriptures, through His Church, and through our personal prayers. As we strive diligently to know, we can. Let us not accept doubt where we can have certainty, my friends! I invite you, especially, to pray to ask God concerning your life. Are you on the right path? The rewards for such knowledge are worth the effort! For those who don't believe in God, this is a perfect way to see if He is there! Just like walking into a dark, seemingly abandoned house, we can shout "Hello?" and listen for a response.
I love you all! I'm so grateful that we have the gospel to bind us together for time and all eternity, as I should not hope for anything less. Thank you for your love, your prayers, and your support. Not long until 1 year!
Love,
Elder W. Farnbach
This past week wasn't particularly eventful. We had some pretty cool lessons, and all, but nothing jumps out at me. Other then Zone Leaders' Council. That is officially the coolest meeting ever. I saw a lot of missionaries that I'd known for a long time as hard-working, solid missionaries, and many of them instructed. I felt like part of some dream team. We talked a lot about getting our mission back on-course obedience-wise. To be honest, this mission isn't the most obedient. So, we as Zone Leaders are tasked with cleaning all this up, and Elder Ho. and I are mega-committed to steering our zone back on course. Mind you, the McCarthy Hills Zone was never really the problem, but better safe then sorry, right?
We also were told that the Church has shaken up how mission administration work is going to be done a little. Instead of every 6 weeks, zone interviews and conferences are going to be every 12. We also will no longer report goals on a 6 week cycle, but monthly. Given the tremendous inertia we've built up on the other system, this is going to be a bit of a pain. The other thing is that Zone Leaders council will be monthly, not every 6 weeks. The idea behind this is that mission leadership, not just the Mission President, is now more responsible for the teaching and training of missionaries,. They've changed the MTC curriculum too, effective May, 2011... but I have a copy of the curriculum right now. It's so much better then what we learned and I'm excited to put it into practice. It's not a complete overhaul, like when it went from discussions to the use of Preach My Gospel, but we are changing the focus of our teaching. This one is far more centered on revelation and helping our investigators seek and receive personal divine guidance. Elder Ho. and I have tested it the past 3 days and it's amazing. Clearly, we are still governed by inspiration, because this is exactly what we've needed. I'll talk more about this principle later. We'll also have to have a week long leadership training on the subject, which I am also excited for. I'll be sending Hans a copy of this curriculum, BTW.
Completely by happenstance, Elder Golden, of the 70, and President Smith, and two members of the Stake Presidency, all attended our ward. It was amazing seeing all those priesthood keys in one place! I was teaching Gospel Essentials that day. It was nerve racking to be teaching about the ATONEMENT with your super-critical, teaching-skills-centered mission president in the class with you.
Anyway, on to the principle I've come to appreciate most this week. One of the most frustrating things I've experienced on my mission comes from when I ask which Church is true. Most Ghanaians at first answer "Oh, church is church." After a little teaching, most will generally accept that there is only one true Church, but they will say, "Only God can know which." This frightens me a little bit. When we take tests, we like to know the results as soon as possible. Yet when the stakes are as high as ETERNAL SALVATION, most people live their life in a state of guessing. This is where the ever important principle of revelation comes in. I don't mean the book in the Bible but I mean the certainty that comes from Divine communication. Elder... Whitney? I think so. His talk in the Liahona ("Built Upon the Rock", Gospel Classics section) illustrates this point perfectly. Nothing in this church, he points out, is done because the Jews did it. Nothing is done or left undone because the Nephites did it. Rather, things are the way they are because Christ, standing at the head of this Church, has revealed through our current prophet, seer and revelator, that WE must do them. An all-powerful God can surely confirm the truth of any principle to YOU. He doesn't require you to GUESS your standing before Him.
See the example of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Abraham was given a marvelous promise, and it was revealed to him that these promises would extend to his son Isaac. This old revelation to another did not satisfy Isaac, and he sought to know for certain for himself. The Lord revealed to him, just a few pages later, that these promises were for him as well. Years later, Jacob had the same concern, and pursued the same course. Again, the Lord revealed these same promises to him. If these Patriarchs, righteous as they were, were not comfortable leaving their salvation up to chance, why are we?
Peter talks of "the more sure word of prophecy", which we understand to be "a man's knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life, by revelation and the spirit of Promise". This is what the Book of Mormon means when it says it teaches what "man must do to gain peace in this life..." It is this certainty that gives peace! It is this certainty that allowed Paul, Stephen, and Peter to give their lives for something they hadn't seen. Yes, faith is important, but faith doesn't mean that you have to walk in the dark! The scriptures repeat over and over, "ask", "seek", "knock". The Lord even promises in Jeremiah 29 "I will be found of you". We really can know, for sure, if we are pleasing the Lord. We can know if we are on the right course. We can know if, at the end of the day, everything will be alright. (Enos and Joseph Smith are both great examples of this. The prayer that prompted Moroni's visit was driven by a desire to know "[Joseph's] standing before God")
The Lord has given us the TOOLS to seek Him, through the scriptures, through His Church, and through our personal prayers. As we strive diligently to know, we can. Let us not accept doubt where we can have certainty, my friends! I invite you, especially, to pray to ask God concerning your life. Are you on the right path? The rewards for such knowledge are worth the effort! For those who don't believe in God, this is a perfect way to see if He is there! Just like walking into a dark, seemingly abandoned house, we can shout "Hello?" and listen for a response.
I love you all! I'm so grateful that we have the gospel to bind us together for time and all eternity, as I should not hope for anything less. Thank you for your love, your prayers, and your support. Not long until 1 year!
Love,
Elder W. Farnbach
Monday, July 5, 2010
Odorkor
Dear Friends and Family, July 5th, 2010
Well, like I said last week, I'm back in McCarthy Hills Zone. Even funnier, we had to do a ZL-DL split with...... Kasoa. [ His old area ] Because I don't know my new area that well, I had to go there. I served with Elder T. He's a big humble Samoan who is going to do wonders for the mission. I loved teaching with him. His greatest strength is one I've been trying to learn my whole mission: the gift of being quick to observe. He sees Elder B. (his trainer and former AP) and adopts every strength the guy has in minutes. Anything I did well one lesson, he could do flawlessly the next lesson.
I've gained new appreciation for my companion, Elder Ho. We sat down one night and just kinda looked at our mission. This mission has a problem with obedience. Man, just talking about it was like a punch in the gut. It put a huge hole in my stomach, for sure. Elder Ho paid me a huge compliment, saying I'm obedient, and obedient for the right reasons. He's really put a lot of work in himself. He's a clean-freak, which I'm trying to copy, and we're both setting a new standard for Obedient, hoping our Zone will follow suit. The Lord is really rewarding us, too. We've found some of the greatest people in my mission this last week. One guy, named F., was "just" a street contact. We gave him a Joseph Smith Pamphlet... which he read... and took notes. He said over and over how this just makes him happy, how it feels true. As we taught about Christ's church, and the Apostasy, he cut us off. "So what your saying is, God used Joseph Smith for a purpose..." ...Elder Ho. and I were both praying in our hearts... "say the right thing!!"... "...which was to re-build Christ's Church." YES!!! YES YES YES YES! Then he nodded his head. "I know what you'll teach me is true, so I'll believe anything you tell me." Hello, King Lamoni! [ a king in the Book of Mormon ] To top it off, he brought his daughter to church with him on Sunday! We never want our lessons with him to end.
We've also had a lot of success this week as we've taught the Plan of Salvation. This is the part of my letter on which I want everyone to focus. I'm going to attempt to answer some big questions.
"Where did religion come from?" Religion started before the world did. Heavenly Father sat down with all His spirit children in Heaven and devised a plan by which they could learn, grow, and become like him. That, at its most basic, is religion. As part of this plan, Adam and Eve came to this earth. After being given their freedom, Adam and Eve broke the commandment, not to partake of the forbidden fruit. Now, this wasn't all bad, as it gave us the chance to be born and come into this life, but more on that later. Because of transgression, Adam and Eve fell, being separated physically and spiritually from God. This continues, but also answers the next question.
"How does 'church' figure in to Christianity?" As they exercised faith, repented, and called upon God, He again gave them commandments, obedience to which would allow them to return to live with God. This is where the Church, our Church, first started on earth. Men were chosen and foreordained, according to their faith and good works, to be priests and teachers in this life, teaching others these commandments. The purpose of THE Church (singular) is to preach these correct doctrines and principles, and administer in the ordinances of salvation, through proper priesthood power.
"Then what does Christ have to do with it?" Now, as men had fallen, they were incapable of "earning" salvation through obedience only. In their weakness, no one would be perfectly obedient. Jesus Christ had been prepared from the foundation of the world to overcome the negative affects of the Fall. Any separation from God we will experience stems only from our own sins. He also opened the way to repentance for all, so that if we will repent, and come unto him, our sins may be forgiven, placing nothing between us and God.
"Why doesn't God just forgive our sins regardless? Isn't He a merciful God?" Absolutely, but He is also a just god. Every infraction has to have a punishment. These punishments don't stem from God, but are the natural consequence of poor choices. He didn't put them there, they were always there. Imagine a large canyon. A kind, wise, benevolent person would naturally put a guard-rail there. Now, you have every right to jump over that guard-rail, and break through it... but you will fall down the cliff. The man who put the guard-rail there is not the one who punished you, any more than God is the one who punishes you when you sin. Repentance, however, overpowers justice with mercy.
"How does it do that?" The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the most important event to happen in the history of the world. In the garden of Gethsemane, Christ took upon himself all our pains and afflictions, but most important, all the punishments of our sins. If a particular sin you committed required ten stripes, he instead took your ten stripes. Through his Atonement, justice was wholly satisfied and he could extend mercy to those who would accept him.
"Then why bother not to sin at all? Why not sin and repent indefinitely?" Trust me, we do that without even trying. However, to willfully sin means that you are perfectly fine with the idea of your Eldest Brother taking all your punishments, and will gladly heap it on him. Does this demonstrate a love for your fellow man? No, it does not. This means whatever you called "repentance" was insufficient, as it didn't really change you at all.
Whew! This has been the subject of our teaching for the past week. This is the Plan of Salvation, the way by which man becomes like Father in Heaven. This is the central message of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a doctrine unique to our Church, and taught in the Book of Mormon. As D&C 20:17 states, "by these things [the Restoration and the Book of Mormon] we know" God's plan for His Children, and what we must do to gain peace in this life, and happiness in the life to come.
Love,
Elder W. Farnbach
PS That's the other thing! World Cup! Ghana was robbed out of advancing, with BELLIGERENT play by the Uruguayans... At the same time, whenever Ghana beats a team with one or more whites on it, I hear "Obruny! We score you!" incessantly. Plus, every time they play, we missionaries have to go in our apartments, so I'm not broken up about the loss. When Ghana beat the US, it was horrible... except the fact that my name and complexion makes everyone think I'm from Germany. So I correct them. "Obruny, we score you!" --- "False. We score you. And England. And Argentina." GO GERMANY!
Well, like I said last week, I'm back in McCarthy Hills Zone. Even funnier, we had to do a ZL-DL split with...... Kasoa. [ His old area ] Because I don't know my new area that well, I had to go there. I served with Elder T. He's a big humble Samoan who is going to do wonders for the mission. I loved teaching with him. His greatest strength is one I've been trying to learn my whole mission: the gift of being quick to observe. He sees Elder B. (his trainer and former AP) and adopts every strength the guy has in minutes. Anything I did well one lesson, he could do flawlessly the next lesson.
I've gained new appreciation for my companion, Elder Ho. We sat down one night and just kinda looked at our mission. This mission has a problem with obedience. Man, just talking about it was like a punch in the gut. It put a huge hole in my stomach, for sure. Elder Ho paid me a huge compliment, saying I'm obedient, and obedient for the right reasons. He's really put a lot of work in himself. He's a clean-freak, which I'm trying to copy, and we're both setting a new standard for Obedient, hoping our Zone will follow suit. The Lord is really rewarding us, too. We've found some of the greatest people in my mission this last week. One guy, named F., was "just" a street contact. We gave him a Joseph Smith Pamphlet... which he read... and took notes. He said over and over how this just makes him happy, how it feels true. As we taught about Christ's church, and the Apostasy, he cut us off. "So what your saying is, God used Joseph Smith for a purpose..." ...Elder Ho. and I were both praying in our hearts... "say the right thing!!"... "...which was to re-build Christ's Church." YES!!! YES YES YES YES! Then he nodded his head. "I know what you'll teach me is true, so I'll believe anything you tell me." Hello, King Lamoni! [ a king in the Book of Mormon ] To top it off, he brought his daughter to church with him on Sunday! We never want our lessons with him to end.
We've also had a lot of success this week as we've taught the Plan of Salvation. This is the part of my letter on which I want everyone to focus. I'm going to attempt to answer some big questions.
"Where did religion come from?" Religion started before the world did. Heavenly Father sat down with all His spirit children in Heaven and devised a plan by which they could learn, grow, and become like him. That, at its most basic, is religion. As part of this plan, Adam and Eve came to this earth. After being given their freedom, Adam and Eve broke the commandment, not to partake of the forbidden fruit. Now, this wasn't all bad, as it gave us the chance to be born and come into this life, but more on that later. Because of transgression, Adam and Eve fell, being separated physically and spiritually from God. This continues, but also answers the next question.
"How does 'church' figure in to Christianity?" As they exercised faith, repented, and called upon God, He again gave them commandments, obedience to which would allow them to return to live with God. This is where the Church, our Church, first started on earth. Men were chosen and foreordained, according to their faith and good works, to be priests and teachers in this life, teaching others these commandments. The purpose of THE Church (singular) is to preach these correct doctrines and principles, and administer in the ordinances of salvation, through proper priesthood power.
"Then what does Christ have to do with it?" Now, as men had fallen, they were incapable of "earning" salvation through obedience only. In their weakness, no one would be perfectly obedient. Jesus Christ had been prepared from the foundation of the world to overcome the negative affects of the Fall. Any separation from God we will experience stems only from our own sins. He also opened the way to repentance for all, so that if we will repent, and come unto him, our sins may be forgiven, placing nothing between us and God.
"Why doesn't God just forgive our sins regardless? Isn't He a merciful God?" Absolutely, but He is also a just god. Every infraction has to have a punishment. These punishments don't stem from God, but are the natural consequence of poor choices. He didn't put them there, they were always there. Imagine a large canyon. A kind, wise, benevolent person would naturally put a guard-rail there. Now, you have every right to jump over that guard-rail, and break through it... but you will fall down the cliff. The man who put the guard-rail there is not the one who punished you, any more than God is the one who punishes you when you sin. Repentance, however, overpowers justice with mercy.
"How does it do that?" The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the most important event to happen in the history of the world. In the garden of Gethsemane, Christ took upon himself all our pains and afflictions, but most important, all the punishments of our sins. If a particular sin you committed required ten stripes, he instead took your ten stripes. Through his Atonement, justice was wholly satisfied and he could extend mercy to those who would accept him.
"Then why bother not to sin at all? Why not sin and repent indefinitely?" Trust me, we do that without even trying. However, to willfully sin means that you are perfectly fine with the idea of your Eldest Brother taking all your punishments, and will gladly heap it on him. Does this demonstrate a love for your fellow man? No, it does not. This means whatever you called "repentance" was insufficient, as it didn't really change you at all.
Whew! This has been the subject of our teaching for the past week. This is the Plan of Salvation, the way by which man becomes like Father in Heaven. This is the central message of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a doctrine unique to our Church, and taught in the Book of Mormon. As D&C 20:17 states, "by these things [the Restoration and the Book of Mormon] we know" God's plan for His Children, and what we must do to gain peace in this life, and happiness in the life to come.
Love,
Elder W. Farnbach
PS That's the other thing! World Cup! Ghana was robbed out of advancing, with BELLIGERENT play by the Uruguayans... At the same time, whenever Ghana beats a team with one or more whites on it, I hear "Obruny! We score you!" incessantly. Plus, every time they play, we missionaries have to go in our apartments, so I'm not broken up about the loss. When Ghana beat the US, it was horrible... except the fact that my name and complexion makes everyone think I'm from Germany. So I correct them. "Obruny, we score you!" --- "False. We score you. And England. And Argentina." GO GERMANY!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Transfer - Palooza
Dear Friends and Family, June 28, 2010
Well, if it was two days ago, I would have told you we've been transferred to Korle-bu with Elder W [ from his hometown ] . I spent about a week there, doing nothing but finding amazing people with Elder Jo., and then on Saturday, President called to inform me that we were being transferred again. I have now been called as a Zone Leader in Odokor... McCarthy Hills Zone! My mission REVOLVES around this zone. As I've thought about it, even when I was sent to the Eastern region, I was always back in time for the transfer-ly Zone Conference.
My new companion is Elder Ho., who was my former Zone Leader while I was in Buduburam. As Elder W. said "Oh look, ANOTHER American Companion for Elder Farnbach." He's legit. In the 2 days I've been here, we've become pretty tight. We have big dreams for this Zone, as we were both trained here, so it's going to be awesome.
Because of all the transfers and everything, I don't really have that much to write... Nsawam was shut down. My understanding is/thoughts are the immigration thing turned out to be nothing, but President was happy to have an excuse to get us out of there. We went to the temple on Friday. I'd forgotten how much I loved it. The Lord knows I've been trying harder, because I just sat there and felt the happiest I have in a long time. Just smiles the whole time I was there. The interviews were mostly about obedience. Exact obedience. President asked us to rate ourselves on a scale of 1-10. A lot of elders over-rated themselves. After you did, President explained that 10 was Jesus Christ, and 8 were the Sons of Mosiah. Oh... It's really frustrating that the thing that is holding this mission and the Church here back is simple obedience. Pay your tithing! Do your home teaching! Don't leave your companion! Hopefully, as a Zone Leader, I'll be able to help a little more, but this Zone is generally where President puts good missionaries. We don't get too many slackers out here.
As for people we taught, Elder Ho. and I have been talking about really seeking out the elect. We found an AWESOME family of 8 in Korle-Bu. We taught the lesson, in which I learned a TON about repentance, and then we digressed onto the subject of natural disasters. Scriptures I didn't know I knew came to my mind, and we talked about how God, foreseeing these things, called upon Joseph Smith to restore the necessary knowledge so that man can make covenants with God to guarantee themselves peace, safety, and comfort. I showed a picture of Joseph Smith, and the eldest son said, "Wait... I thought that was John Taylor..." and then produced a Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: John Taylor book... AWESOME!
As we were teaching about repentance, I learned something. Repentance doesn't mean that the punishment goes away. Not by a long stretch. It just means it will be inflicted on Christ, and not ourselves. Now, Christ is willing to take it, so this should bar no one from repenting. But for those who think "lie a little, cheat a little, dig a pit for thy neighbor", it demonstrates a complete lack of concern or care for the Savior. As we minimize sin, we minimize suffering. Suffering, as we see in even the case of Adam and Even, stems from sin, whether it be our own or someone else's. The other thing I've really learned this week is from an Old Testament movie. At zone interviews, we talked about the biggest challenge we are facing is not major obedience, but minor. It is the simple commandments that make us trip up. We talked of the Israelites and the brass serpent, and Naaman, the captain of the Syrian Guard. This reminded me of the Elisha movie I watched when I was small. Naaman is so insulted and so upset over the simple thing he has been asked to do, that he'd rather have leprosy. His servant humbly chides "A simple thing is simple to do." [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEEi6CEO8VA ] This has become my new motto, for "[His] yoke is easy, and [His] burden is light". Obedience, by definition, is the easiest thing. My new favorite song is "I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus"... because I am.
There was something else, but I can't remember it. Don't worry, it's probably in my journal, or letters to President somewhere.
Sorry we lost to Ghana [ in the World Cup ]. Believe me, no one regrets that more then I do. If someone else says "Obruny! We score you!", they will lose an arm. Plus, I was rooting for Germany anyway. When Ghana plays, we generally get told to stay in because it gets crazy out in the streets.
Enjoy another wonderful day in paradise, and write to me about it from time to time ;)
Love,
Elder W. Farnbach
Well, if it was two days ago, I would have told you we've been transferred to Korle-bu with Elder W [ from his hometown ] . I spent about a week there, doing nothing but finding amazing people with Elder Jo., and then on Saturday, President called to inform me that we were being transferred again. I have now been called as a Zone Leader in Odokor... McCarthy Hills Zone! My mission REVOLVES around this zone. As I've thought about it, even when I was sent to the Eastern region, I was always back in time for the transfer-ly Zone Conference.
My new companion is Elder Ho., who was my former Zone Leader while I was in Buduburam. As Elder W. said "Oh look, ANOTHER American Companion for Elder Farnbach." He's legit. In the 2 days I've been here, we've become pretty tight. We have big dreams for this Zone, as we were both trained here, so it's going to be awesome.
Because of all the transfers and everything, I don't really have that much to write... Nsawam was shut down. My understanding is/thoughts are the immigration thing turned out to be nothing, but President was happy to have an excuse to get us out of there. We went to the temple on Friday. I'd forgotten how much I loved it. The Lord knows I've been trying harder, because I just sat there and felt the happiest I have in a long time. Just smiles the whole time I was there. The interviews were mostly about obedience. Exact obedience. President asked us to rate ourselves on a scale of 1-10. A lot of elders over-rated themselves. After you did, President explained that 10 was Jesus Christ, and 8 were the Sons of Mosiah. Oh... It's really frustrating that the thing that is holding this mission and the Church here back is simple obedience. Pay your tithing! Do your home teaching! Don't leave your companion! Hopefully, as a Zone Leader, I'll be able to help a little more, but this Zone is generally where President puts good missionaries. We don't get too many slackers out here.
As for people we taught, Elder Ho. and I have been talking about really seeking out the elect. We found an AWESOME family of 8 in Korle-Bu. We taught the lesson, in which I learned a TON about repentance, and then we digressed onto the subject of natural disasters. Scriptures I didn't know I knew came to my mind, and we talked about how God, foreseeing these things, called upon Joseph Smith to restore the necessary knowledge so that man can make covenants with God to guarantee themselves peace, safety, and comfort. I showed a picture of Joseph Smith, and the eldest son said, "Wait... I thought that was John Taylor..." and then produced a Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: John Taylor book... AWESOME!
As we were teaching about repentance, I learned something. Repentance doesn't mean that the punishment goes away. Not by a long stretch. It just means it will be inflicted on Christ, and not ourselves. Now, Christ is willing to take it, so this should bar no one from repenting. But for those who think "lie a little, cheat a little, dig a pit for thy neighbor", it demonstrates a complete lack of concern or care for the Savior. As we minimize sin, we minimize suffering. Suffering, as we see in even the case of Adam and Even, stems from sin, whether it be our own or someone else's. The other thing I've really learned this week is from an Old Testament movie. At zone interviews, we talked about the biggest challenge we are facing is not major obedience, but minor. It is the simple commandments that make us trip up. We talked of the Israelites and the brass serpent, and Naaman, the captain of the Syrian Guard. This reminded me of the Elisha movie I watched when I was small. Naaman is so insulted and so upset over the simple thing he has been asked to do, that he'd rather have leprosy. His servant humbly chides "A simple thing is simple to do." [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEEi6CEO8VA ] This has become my new motto, for "[His] yoke is easy, and [His] burden is light". Obedience, by definition, is the easiest thing. My new favorite song is "I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus"... because I am.
There was something else, but I can't remember it. Don't worry, it's probably in my journal, or letters to President somewhere.
Sorry we lost to Ghana [ in the World Cup ]. Believe me, no one regrets that more then I do. If someone else says "Obruny! We score you!", they will lose an arm. Plus, I was rooting for Germany anyway. When Ghana plays, we generally get told to stay in because it gets crazy out in the streets.
Enjoy another wonderful day in paradise, and write to me about it from time to time ;)
Love,
Elder W. Farnbach
Monday, June 21, 2010
#42 Moved to the Mission Home
Dear Mom and Dad and Friends and Family, June 21, 2010
So, this week was kind of agonizing. I'm not going to lie, our area is really just that difficult. It's been hit by a lot of problems. Elder Jo. and I basically sit down every day and say "Wow... nothing works." I let him continue his trainer's way for a little bit. Nothing. I tried a Book of Mormon flood like in Buduburam. Nothing. We tried incredibly direct commitments. Nope. We tried teaching the Restoration right away. No. Then we tried "gentle" things, like Prayer, and who Jesus Christ is... not really anything. It really zapped my zeal that week. Hilariously, today, in the Mission Home, we did a little study, and I have a lot of hope for our new idea... the Fall of Adam.
Now, why am I in the mission home? Well, 9:00, Saturday night, someone who claimed to be from Immigration came around and started asking about our residence permits and things, and I immediately pointed them in the direction of the Hammer that is President Smith. 5 minutes later, I received a call. "Elder Farnbach, I just got a call from someone from Immigration. I think it's nothing, but I'm not comfortable with things like this. Pack up and the Hales will bring you to the mission home tomorrow after Church." Okay, no problem. Even now, President says we'll be resolved and back there or reassigned by tonight. I'm not worried.
Anyway, back to the week. I went on a split with Elder E. We had a nice long chat, getting to know each other, and then I brought it on to the subject of his obedience. I told him that I wasn't going to baby-sit him. I told him that he come out a year ago November, and that's a lot of experience that I hope to draw on as a District Leader in turning this area around. I asked how I should correct him, should I feel the need to. ---- Back up, this was after my first awesome tactic. We received a lot of instruction based on how to make District meetings more effective, and I'm really pushing to develop the gift of being quick to observe. So, I had an agenda for the meeting, and the topic was obedience. I felt incredibly clever as I had Elder E. role play how to talk to a disobedient missionary who came in late, with the offender being his companion, Elder K. The zone leaders came to our meeting, so they watched as the "problem" companionship chastised themselves for me. Then I let them know that if that's they way they think it should be done, that's the way I'll do it. ---- Back to my split with Elder E. He committed to helping me as we worked together as the leadership of Nsawam, and I hope to see him fulfill that commitment. We discussed long-term goals for Nsawam. We want the District to baptize 10 in a transfer before we are transferred. We've been asked to report on splits to the APs. As we talked, I let them know that I used their counsel on doing a written outline of my split before, and it really helped Elder E and me stay on the same page. I was commended for being the only elder to use that counsel, "and just a DL, too!"... what does that mean? Hahaha!! But seriously, it's the little commandments that'll trip you up, not the big ones. Quick to observe. I want to be like Peter, who received a commandment, and did it.
I also went on splits with Elder R., my zone leader. It was hilarious because we are constantly being compared throughout our missions. The former APs told me Elder M. [ his first companion and trainer ] didn't like me because I was like Elder R., whom he also trained, and they fought. Then he noticed we both have canned Red Feather butter from our parents. And the same... well, I can't remember, but I remember it was ridiculous. Anyway, we had a really long chat about the Church in Ghana. It came down to the missionaries need to do more to help establish the Church, and complain less about the membership. I'll be frank. Membership support and understanding even, is pretty thin. But then, 60% of these people are pretty fresh. Maybe the missionaries should have prepared them better for the huge culture shift? So that is our other big revelation. Missionaries don't just baptize, according to Preach My Gospel. We establish the Church. That's our job.
Well, my studies yielded a lot of little results, and I don't have time to elaborate. Needless to say, I'm gaining a greater appreciation for the plan of redemption. Redemption from what? From the Fall of Adam, and out lost and fallen natures. I'm just going to say it straight... no matter how good we try to be, man CANNOT get by on his merits, "but for the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins" Alma 22:14. This plan was established from the foundations of the world, and made known unto man as he called upon the Father in the name of Christ. To carry it out, the Lord called men after the order of the priesthood, to teach His children these things, that they might be saved. As the 3rd Article of Faith states, mankind is saved only upon obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. The Lord, in all ages, organized His children and servants into a Church, so that the conditions of repentance could be brought about. The Book of Mormon is the greatest single source of understanding available for principles and particulars of God's plan, and should be near and dear to our hearts. To those who have not, I re-issue my plea: Read the Book of Mormon. Start today. I recommend the Book of Alma, chapters 7, 11-13 and 2 Nephi 2 to start. This goes specifically to my own family, Farnbachs and Skowhedes alike.
I want to write another paragraph about the Hales, because they deserve it, but I don't have time. They are a senior couple in our mission, and Elder Hale is the 2nd counselor in Nsawam. Words cannot express how much I look up to them.
I love you all very dearly. I'm honored to serve as one of those called to teach God's children, that they might be saved. I am humbled to know that God trusts imperfect me to do something so important.
Love,
Elder W. Farnbach
So, this week was kind of agonizing. I'm not going to lie, our area is really just that difficult. It's been hit by a lot of problems. Elder Jo. and I basically sit down every day and say "Wow... nothing works." I let him continue his trainer's way for a little bit. Nothing. I tried a Book of Mormon flood like in Buduburam. Nothing. We tried incredibly direct commitments. Nope. We tried teaching the Restoration right away. No. Then we tried "gentle" things, like Prayer, and who Jesus Christ is... not really anything. It really zapped my zeal that week. Hilariously, today, in the Mission Home, we did a little study, and I have a lot of hope for our new idea... the Fall of Adam.
Now, why am I in the mission home? Well, 9:00, Saturday night, someone who claimed to be from Immigration came around and started asking about our residence permits and things, and I immediately pointed them in the direction of the Hammer that is President Smith. 5 minutes later, I received a call. "Elder Farnbach, I just got a call from someone from Immigration. I think it's nothing, but I'm not comfortable with things like this. Pack up and the Hales will bring you to the mission home tomorrow after Church." Okay, no problem. Even now, President says we'll be resolved and back there or reassigned by tonight. I'm not worried.
Anyway, back to the week. I went on a split with Elder E. We had a nice long chat, getting to know each other, and then I brought it on to the subject of his obedience. I told him that I wasn't going to baby-sit him. I told him that he come out a year ago November, and that's a lot of experience that I hope to draw on as a District Leader in turning this area around. I asked how I should correct him, should I feel the need to. ---- Back up, this was after my first awesome tactic. We received a lot of instruction based on how to make District meetings more effective, and I'm really pushing to develop the gift of being quick to observe. So, I had an agenda for the meeting, and the topic was obedience. I felt incredibly clever as I had Elder E. role play how to talk to a disobedient missionary who came in late, with the offender being his companion, Elder K. The zone leaders came to our meeting, so they watched as the "problem" companionship chastised themselves for me. Then I let them know that if that's they way they think it should be done, that's the way I'll do it. ---- Back to my split with Elder E. He committed to helping me as we worked together as the leadership of Nsawam, and I hope to see him fulfill that commitment. We discussed long-term goals for Nsawam. We want the District to baptize 10 in a transfer before we are transferred. We've been asked to report on splits to the APs. As we talked, I let them know that I used their counsel on doing a written outline of my split before, and it really helped Elder E and me stay on the same page. I was commended for being the only elder to use that counsel, "and just a DL, too!"... what does that mean? Hahaha!! But seriously, it's the little commandments that'll trip you up, not the big ones. Quick to observe. I want to be like Peter, who received a commandment, and did it.
I also went on splits with Elder R., my zone leader. It was hilarious because we are constantly being compared throughout our missions. The former APs told me Elder M. [ his first companion and trainer ] didn't like me because I was like Elder R., whom he also trained, and they fought. Then he noticed we both have canned Red Feather butter from our parents. And the same... well, I can't remember, but I remember it was ridiculous. Anyway, we had a really long chat about the Church in Ghana. It came down to the missionaries need to do more to help establish the Church, and complain less about the membership. I'll be frank. Membership support and understanding even, is pretty thin. But then, 60% of these people are pretty fresh. Maybe the missionaries should have prepared them better for the huge culture shift? So that is our other big revelation. Missionaries don't just baptize, according to Preach My Gospel. We establish the Church. That's our job.
Well, my studies yielded a lot of little results, and I don't have time to elaborate. Needless to say, I'm gaining a greater appreciation for the plan of redemption. Redemption from what? From the Fall of Adam, and out lost and fallen natures. I'm just going to say it straight... no matter how good we try to be, man CANNOT get by on his merits, "but for the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins" Alma 22:14. This plan was established from the foundations of the world, and made known unto man as he called upon the Father in the name of Christ. To carry it out, the Lord called men after the order of the priesthood, to teach His children these things, that they might be saved. As the 3rd Article of Faith states, mankind is saved only upon obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. The Lord, in all ages, organized His children and servants into a Church, so that the conditions of repentance could be brought about. The Book of Mormon is the greatest single source of understanding available for principles and particulars of God's plan, and should be near and dear to our hearts. To those who have not, I re-issue my plea: Read the Book of Mormon. Start today. I recommend the Book of Alma, chapters 7, 11-13 and 2 Nephi 2 to start. This goes specifically to my own family, Farnbachs and Skowhedes alike.
I want to write another paragraph about the Hales, because they deserve it, but I don't have time. They are a senior couple in our mission, and Elder Hale is the 2nd counselor in Nsawam. Words cannot express how much I look up to them.
I love you all very dearly. I'm honored to serve as one of those called to teach God's children, that they might be saved. I am humbled to know that God trusts imperfect me to do something so important.
Love,
Elder W. Farnbach
Monday, June 14, 2010
Now in Nsawam - Two Missionaries in Jail!
Dear Friends and Family, June 14, 2010
Well, first things first. This was going to be a rather jovial letter, but something serious happened, so we'll get that done. Two Missionaries, Elder K. (my former ZL) and Elder Om. (my mission half-brother), (both good friends of mine) were thrown in prison. We don't know why, but we have been instructed by President to remember them in our prayers. This was just today.
I have been transferred. It was a little sad, since I've spent 6 months in Buduburam. I didn't have the heart to go around and tell everybody, but we did go see Sister S. She's a strong return-missionary, she and her husband both. They are the kind of people we need at the foundation of the Church, anywhere. Anyway, I was transferred to Nsawam. It's a few hours from the mission home, so I'm again in the bush, but it's a nicer bush. We have a weight-room and a sweet cafe. It'll be okay, but I had serious whiplash from how different/hard the work is here. In Buduburam, it rains investigators. Here, it rains a lot, and there are still NO investigators. We had to pull teeth to give lessons, even with people that are supposedly going to be baptized. I've taken over for a missionary who was going home, and sick for the last 2 weeks, so it's pretty much ground-zero. That is not his fault, mind you. Malaria is harsh. But it does add to my stress level a little. That, and I am again the District Leader, with the 2 most DISOBEDIENT elders in the mission as the other companionship. I mean, that's what I've been told...... by the mission president. It's a little difficult for me not to kick in the door, guns blazing, but I'd like to think this is the Lord's way of teaching me proper leadership, D&C 121 style. Elder Jo., my companion, is awesome. He was in the MTC the same time as Elder Qu., my trainee, and he's amazingly obedient. He was trained by Elder Mc., so it's to be expected, and it's nice. The area book is flawless and his planning skills rock, so I expect to learn a lot.
Now, like I said, the work is difficult. This is the part of the mission that used to be two wards, until a bishop messed up, and now it's just one branch. This has really pressed Elder Jo. and me to spend a lot of time on our knees, asking the Lord to show us the right people. We've found a couple. We started teaching the chief of the village, which is awesome. As we studied how to work a "hard" area from the Book of Mormon, we read a lot about Ammon. We also met a woman named D. Everyone here requires you to chase them down. We had to go by her place 4 times to have her to sit down with us, but when she did, it was very spiritual. The topic really hung on to the idea that the Gospel is a family affair. Heavenly Father, His Son, Jesus Christ (our elder brother), and Elder Jo. and I (her brothers) were all working together so our sister could have eternal life. She became very accepting, and the Spirit bore unforgettable testimony to me that this woman really is my sister, and that she should be as important to me as she is to her Heavenly Father. I know that Nsawam will be tough, but I feel in my bones that Elder Jo. and I can turn it around. Elder Jo. is a little pessimistic, but I'm a little crazy, so it balances out, I'm sure.
Elder Jo. is sweet. He's a lot like I imagine working with Elder Kyle Jones would be. Very humble, not going to cause problems, but very obedient, and striving to set a good example and learn everything he can. He went to BYU. He also skipped a grade, so we really get along. We're going to work our tail-ends off and blow some minds. Elder Mc. told Elder Jo. that Kasoa district was doing some miracles, so it was cool to hear that those older work-horses notice how hard I worked. I've learned the gospel is about doing, so I'm working extra hard to SHOW my testimony, and not just say things. I hope it is working!
The other cool thing is Kasoa was re-opened, and President sent a veritable DREAM TEAM into that place. I was mad to slave out there, 3 months by myself, and then be transferred before it became awesome, but it's okay. Elder Ki., a good friend and MTC mate, took over for me, and I made sure to set him up with a nice transfer, so he can't blame ME for anything. ;) Elder Qu. is still there, so it'll be a good chance for him to step up and be senior until Elder Ki. gets a grasp of everything. Elder Ba., the former AP, is training as the District Leader in Kasoa, and Elder Ne. (my MTC, Elder Wardle's MTC companion) and Elder Ed. (Elder Qu's MTC and all around work-horse) are Kasoa 2. It's going to be off the HOOK! They'll have that place back into shape in no time.
I just wanted to take a second to bear testimony of the absolute divinity of the Book of Mormon. We asked for 2 cases, so we can just flood this place with it. I know the words contained in the Book of Mormon are the words of Christ. It pulls us closer to God and fills our minds with virtuous thoughts. I know it is the key to our message, and the foundation of our claims. I love it, and invite all, member or non-member, to read and pray about it.
Love you all. We will be receiving mail every week because the office couple is also the 2nd counselor in the branch presidency here. I'm always happy when the Spirit (and my mail) reminds me of how wonderful my life is, because of the people in it.
Love,
Elder W. Farnbach
Well, first things first. This was going to be a rather jovial letter, but something serious happened, so we'll get that done. Two Missionaries, Elder K. (my former ZL) and Elder Om. (my mission half-brother), (both good friends of mine) were thrown in prison. We don't know why, but we have been instructed by President to remember them in our prayers. This was just today.
I have been transferred. It was a little sad, since I've spent 6 months in Buduburam. I didn't have the heart to go around and tell everybody, but we did go see Sister S. She's a strong return-missionary, she and her husband both. They are the kind of people we need at the foundation of the Church, anywhere. Anyway, I was transferred to Nsawam. It's a few hours from the mission home, so I'm again in the bush, but it's a nicer bush. We have a weight-room and a sweet cafe. It'll be okay, but I had serious whiplash from how different/hard the work is here. In Buduburam, it rains investigators. Here, it rains a lot, and there are still NO investigators. We had to pull teeth to give lessons, even with people that are supposedly going to be baptized. I've taken over for a missionary who was going home, and sick for the last 2 weeks, so it's pretty much ground-zero. That is not his fault, mind you. Malaria is harsh. But it does add to my stress level a little. That, and I am again the District Leader, with the 2 most DISOBEDIENT elders in the mission as the other companionship. I mean, that's what I've been told...... by the mission president. It's a little difficult for me not to kick in the door, guns blazing, but I'd like to think this is the Lord's way of teaching me proper leadership, D&C 121 style. Elder Jo., my companion, is awesome. He was in the MTC the same time as Elder Qu., my trainee, and he's amazingly obedient. He was trained by Elder Mc., so it's to be expected, and it's nice. The area book is flawless and his planning skills rock, so I expect to learn a lot.
Now, like I said, the work is difficult. This is the part of the mission that used to be two wards, until a bishop messed up, and now it's just one branch. This has really pressed Elder Jo. and me to spend a lot of time on our knees, asking the Lord to show us the right people. We've found a couple. We started teaching the chief of the village, which is awesome. As we studied how to work a "hard" area from the Book of Mormon, we read a lot about Ammon. We also met a woman named D. Everyone here requires you to chase them down. We had to go by her place 4 times to have her to sit down with us, but when she did, it was very spiritual. The topic really hung on to the idea that the Gospel is a family affair. Heavenly Father, His Son, Jesus Christ (our elder brother), and Elder Jo. and I (her brothers) were all working together so our sister could have eternal life. She became very accepting, and the Spirit bore unforgettable testimony to me that this woman really is my sister, and that she should be as important to me as she is to her Heavenly Father. I know that Nsawam will be tough, but I feel in my bones that Elder Jo. and I can turn it around. Elder Jo. is a little pessimistic, but I'm a little crazy, so it balances out, I'm sure.
Elder Jo. is sweet. He's a lot like I imagine working with Elder Kyle Jones would be. Very humble, not going to cause problems, but very obedient, and striving to set a good example and learn everything he can. He went to BYU. He also skipped a grade, so we really get along. We're going to work our tail-ends off and blow some minds. Elder Mc. told Elder Jo. that Kasoa district was doing some miracles, so it was cool to hear that those older work-horses notice how hard I worked. I've learned the gospel is about doing, so I'm working extra hard to SHOW my testimony, and not just say things. I hope it is working!
The other cool thing is Kasoa was re-opened, and President sent a veritable DREAM TEAM into that place. I was mad to slave out there, 3 months by myself, and then be transferred before it became awesome, but it's okay. Elder Ki., a good friend and MTC mate, took over for me, and I made sure to set him up with a nice transfer, so he can't blame ME for anything. ;) Elder Qu. is still there, so it'll be a good chance for him to step up and be senior until Elder Ki. gets a grasp of everything. Elder Ba., the former AP, is training as the District Leader in Kasoa, and Elder Ne. (my MTC, Elder Wardle's MTC companion) and Elder Ed. (Elder Qu's MTC and all around work-horse) are Kasoa 2. It's going to be off the HOOK! They'll have that place back into shape in no time.
I just wanted to take a second to bear testimony of the absolute divinity of the Book of Mormon. We asked for 2 cases, so we can just flood this place with it. I know the words contained in the Book of Mormon are the words of Christ. It pulls us closer to God and fills our minds with virtuous thoughts. I know it is the key to our message, and the foundation of our claims. I love it, and invite all, member or non-member, to read and pray about it.
Love you all. We will be receiving mail every week because the office couple is also the 2nd counselor in the branch presidency here. I'm always happy when the Spirit (and my mail) reminds me of how wonderful my life is, because of the people in it.
Love,
Elder W. Farnbach
Monday, June 7, 2010
Intellect/ Spirituaility #40
Dear Friends and Family, June 7th, 2010
I want to start this e-mail with a few quotes/talks I've found going through old Conference editions I've discovered as I've packed things. Not that I'm sure of a transfer, but technically, we should be moving on Transfer day either way, and I've only packed things I don't use regularly. Anyway,
"The Future is as bright as your faith!"- President Monson
"I am a nobody... if [I] ever forget it, the Lord will remind [me] of it instantly, and it will not be pleasant." - President Packer
"None but fools will trifle with the souls of men" - Joseph Smith
"I am reverent, for reverence is love" Primary song
"Sunday Will Come" - Elder Wirthlin (I highly recommend this talk!)
"Let Us Be Men" - Elder Christoffersen (the best talk ever)
"Discipleship" - President Faust (also awesome)
I love the Conference editions. I hope to collect a stack of them when I get back home. How blessed are we to have living Prophets and Apostles to fill us full of insight into the mind of our Heavenly Father?!
These past few weeks have been a great example of President Packer's quote up there. Last week, especially, Elder Q. and I felt like we had a lot of lessons that didn't pan out the way they should have. As we sat down and talked about it, we realized we've been a little prideful.... well, a lot prideful. Getting a shout-out at Zone Conference for our efforts last transfer didn't help. Anyway, it hasn't been that we sit around telling everyone what awesome missionaries we are. Rather, it was manifest in our teachings. We've been too intellectually centered. We have not been relying on the Spirit, but rather our own brains. Which is why last week failed so miserably. Not to say that the Gospel can't make sense intellectually, but rather that it just doesn't penetrate that way. As we taught a well-to-do doctor, it came out of my mouth (meaning, I don't remember planning on saying it) that his intellect was getting in the way of the Lord. God does appeal to the intelligentsia in His methods because that's just not going to help all His of children. The Spirit and prayer are for everyone, even the illiterate and ignorant. It is the spiritual, and not the rational that God asks us to rely on.
This leads to a powerful scripture I found in the Book of Mormon. 2 Nephi 32:5. The context is this – It is just after Nephi has made clear the Doctrine of Christ, which concludes with the importance of enduring to the end. Nephi, with prophetic insight, realizes the next question is "Baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost are tangible things. How do I endure to the end?"
2 Nephi 32:5
" For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do."
This is why the guidance of the Spirit and relying on the Lord is so important. God cannot flesh out His will for each of His children in the scriptures. There are billions of us!! Instead, we are invited to "ask, seek, and knock" to know what we must do to endure. Now, to do this requires personal righteousness. As Elder Q. and I recognized our weaknesses and attempted to correct them, we realized the Lord has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams. One man who was investigating the Church in Liberia, but lost contact when he moved here, sprinted over to us. "My people! I've found you!" One sister walked by later, and in the middle of a lesson with someone else, asked "Excuse me. How can I find the real Church from the Bible?" A member appeared during a lesson, and realizing we were teaching his cousin, immediately testified and resolved the investigators concern. The Lord has blessed us as we remember that we are “nobody".
Striving to act upon the will of God, and repenting as quickly as possible, THAT is personal righteousness. This was especially evident as President Smith talked to us last Zone Conference. "I start to receive promptings for what is to be taught here about 10-12 weeks out," he said, "and the Spirit has been persistent in saying 'Your missionaries are doing well, but they would do so much more if they would strive to be more obedient!'" Obedience is synonymous with personal righteousness. It is what is required in order to handle the powers of heaven. We then received a thorough instruction on Christ. What is it that made Him our Savior? Was He created better than us?
Wow, this is going to get disorganized, but it's relevant. This also connects to the fact that most people we taught this week were intellectuals who struggled with the concept of Spirit, and Soul.
Christ was the firstborn of the Father. This does not refer to His status as Only Begotten, but rather, in the spiritual sense. We all were created spiritually before we were born. We lived with God before our birth on this earth. Christ was the first created by Father. If we were to go back into our spiritual memories, there would never be a time we could find without Christ. Now, this being said, the means by which God created Christ was not different than you or I. His status as Firstborn did not give Him any edge. His greatness and glory stem solely for His obedience to the will of the Father. Indeed, in His existence, He never once went contrary to God. As he obeyed the direction of God, this gave Him greater glory and power, as God's commandments are just directions down this path. We loved and revered Christ as our older brother. His obedience prepared and qualified Him to be sent as our Savior and Redeemer. Throughout His mortal life, He never deviated from His course. I say His, because under the direction of the Father, He authored and set in motion the plan of salvation. The atonement was as much His desire as it was Heavenly Father's. Anyway, in His perfect life, it was His humility and deference to the commandments of God that gave Him power to perform miracles, to heal the sick, and ultimately, break the bands of death.
This reflects 3 important aspects of my testimony. I know that we are spiritually the children of a loving Heavenly Father. I know He will lead and guide those who wish to be. I know that Christ, our eldest brother, lived a perfect life, and ultimately suffered for our sins, opening the path to overcome spiritual death. He died on the Cross and rose the third day, giving us the gift of immortality. And I know it is through humble obedience to the Lord that we can claim these blessings for ourselves.
Now, as the last thing I learned this week, I add this. Our testimonies are nothing without action. Just as the body without the spirit is dead, our testimonies are lifeless shells if shared only on the first Sunday of the month. I hope that to the people of the Buduburam ward, as well as you, my dear friends and family, that my testimony is evident in what I DO, and not just in what I say.
Love,
Elder W. Farnbach
Striving to act upon the will of God, and repenting as quickly as possible, THAT is personal righteousness. This was especially evident as President Smith talked to us last Zone Conference. "I start to receive promptings for what is to be taught here about 10-12 weeks out," he said, "and the Spirit has been persistent in saying 'Your missionaries are doing well, but they would do so much more if they would strive to be more obedient!'" Obedience is synonymous with personal righteousness. It is what is required in order to handle the powers of heaven. We then received a thorough instruction on Christ. What is it that made Him our Savior? Was He created better than us?
Wow, this is going to get disorganized, but it's relevant. This also connects to the fact that most people we taught this week were intellectuals who struggled with the concept of Spirit, and Soul.
Christ was the firstborn of the Father. This does not refer to His status as Only Begotten, but rather, in the spiritual sense. We all were created spiritually before we were born. We lived with God before our birth on this earth. Christ was the first created by Father. If we were to go back into our spiritual memories, there would never be a time we could find without Christ. Now, this being said, the means by which God created Christ was not different than you or I. His status as Firstborn did not give Him any edge. His greatness and glory stem solely for His obedience to the will of the Father. Indeed, in His existence, He never once went contrary to God. As he obeyed the direction of God, this gave Him greater glory and power, as God's commandments are just directions down this path. We loved and revered Christ as our older brother. His obedience prepared and qualified Him to be sent as our Savior and Redeemer. Throughout His mortal life, He never deviated from His course. I say His, because under the direction of the Father, He authored and set in motion the plan of salvation. The atonement was as much His desire as it was Heavenly Father's. Anyway, in His perfect life, it was His humility and deference to the commandments of God that gave Him power to perform miracles, to heal the sick, and ultimately, break the bands of death.
This reflects 3 important aspects of my testimony. I know that we are spiritually the children of a loving Heavenly Father. I know He will lead and guide those who wish to be. I know that Christ, our eldest brother, lived a perfect life, and ultimately suffered for our sins, opening the path to overcome spiritual death. He died on the Cross and rose the third day, giving us the gift of immortality. And I know it is through humble obedience to the Lord that we can claim these blessings for ourselves.
Now, as the last thing I learned this week, I add this. Our testimonies are nothing without action. Just as the body without the spirit is dead, our testimonies are lifeless shells if shared only on the first Sunday of the month. I hope that to the people of the Buduburam ward, as well as you, my dear friends and family, that my testimony is evident in what I DO, and not just in what I say.
Love,
Elder W. Farnbach
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