No Empty Chairs

Written 8/24/14

I've been thinking over and over about a quote I once heard, "The world tries to change people from the outside in. The gospel changes people from the inside out."

I was also pondering on the scripture in D&C 18:38 "And by their desires and their works, ye shall know them." The challenge of this life is overcoming the natural man, or in other words, changing not just our behavior to match the commandments, but changing our innermost desires. I thought upon examples in the scriptures of the gospel changing our desires and changing us from the inside out. Take Enos, for example. Enos experienced an "inside out" change. He said that as he was out doing everyday things- in his case, hunting wild beasts- he remembered the words of his father and they sunk deep into his soul. His "soul hungered" (to be forgiven of his sins) and he knelt and prayed. His simple desire, planted by the Spirit, led him to righteous actions, which led to significant spiritual results. His faith became unshaken. He became a great missionary... here we see how life shaping our desires turn out to be.

Compare this to Alma 30- Korihor, the anti-Christ. He had desires to become popular and powerful (desires placed on worldly things) which led him to preach false doctrines pleasing to the carnal man- bombarding the people with wickedness and temptations until they believed Korihor that every man "conquered according to his own strength" and "whatever they did was no crime", and believing there was no life after death- which bombardment eventually led them to "lift up their heads in wickedness" and giving in to devilish desires. Here we can see the stark contrast that the way of the Lord is to invite and prompt- inside out. Whereas the way of the devil is to tempt and persuade- outside in.

The hard part about these changes is that giving heed to the promptings and being changed from the inside out is a process that requires patience and humility. We must choose to yield to the Spirit. The way of the devil is much easier. All we have to do is be passive and comfortable and give into the "natural man" desires we already posses. I know that replacing those desires with Christlike desires is not easy, and I'm not perfect myself, but I know it's the only road to lasting and true happiness and peace.

Thanks for indulging my rambling. The work is going on. I was so sad to hear about Mamo passing away, but I do know that what I teach my investigators every day about the plan of salvation is true: We will see her one day with a perfect and complete body, never again to feel pain or sickness or exhaustion. Death is one part of the plan we must all experience, so that we can see each other again in celestial glory. The Lord comforts those left behind. On Saturday we had the chance to attend a funeral service of one of the members here in Manapla. Death always brings home the need for repentance and preparation to meet our God. I echo Aunt Laura's words, and I take peace in knowing that all of us are living worthy right now so that at the last day, there will be "No empty chairs in Eternity."

Love to you all,
Sister Luke

 

1. A recent convert. This is what they wear when they wash clothes here.

 

2. Happiness is... Krispy Kreme donuts.

3. I hereby dedicate this picture to Sister Andrus. Found this little guy while hanging up my laundry outside and went through quite the ordeal to catch him.

Manang Pula, Manang Puti‏

Written 8/17/14

The destroying Angel of transfers passed by our door this past week- surprisingly- seeing as Sister Oquias has been here for 4 months and I'm only 2 weeks behind her. But as President likes to point out, you can never guess him. It could happen any time.. But for now, we're grateful to have more time together here in Manapla. :)

Happy Fiesta here in Manapla! It's the craziest and coolest thing I've ever seen. Parades, pageants, street dancers... Picture the Utah Arts festival, Filipino style, times 3. I'll send you a picture of one of our members dressed up. Some of the boys here are more gwapa than I am. If you know what I mean...

We ran into some Jehovah's Witnesses this week who flat out told us they just wanted to debate with us.We only talked with them for about 10 minutes, but it made me so glad we know the truths that we do. We shared with them our purpose- that we aren't here to debate etc... and I shared my testimony that we are called of God to invite others to come unto Christ here in Bacolod, and he told me, "Oh yes, God used to call His servants in Bible times, but He doesn't talk to man anymore. You're just called to his work if you have love for him."

For some reason, that really got my blood boiling. Not with anger, but with a surety that I AM called of God. We have living, breathing and speaking Apostles and Prophets in our day, and God is not silent. I knew that with more surety than I ever have... It's really true that faith tested is faith strengthened.

He said a lot of other false doctrine and sort of yelled with us without yelling at us (if you know what I mean). We just bore testimony, thanked him for his time, and left it at that. As we walked away from such a nasty experience, I said a prayer of gratitude that we have the restored truth.

I've really learned that the influence of the members is way more powerful than the missionaries. We had an investigator tell us this week she isn't interested in us anymore, because of a bad experience she had in the past with some members. She told us that she didn't know why she should keep learning about a church with members who don't live what they learn. She said that if this was the true doctrine of Christ that we teach, it would change our member's behaviors. Ouch. That was a tough lesson.

On the flip side, we have a member who is struggling right now with some word of wisdom issues. He's had earrings in the last few times we've seen him, but this last lesson he was doing a lot better and had removed his earrings. He said it was because he's been spending a lot of time with a member who has been encouraging and helping him along the road of repentance. I'm so everlastingly grateful for the good example of the members. You all have so much more power than you can imagine.

Last experience here, something that happened last night. The best ever :) Last night our investigator A. and our recent convert L. told us that THEY were going to teach US (Sister Oquias and I and Liezel's referral, C.C.) the message of the Restoration! We readily agreed and couldn't stop smiling as they told us all about families, prophets, priesthood, Christ's ministry, the Apostasy and Joseph Smith. They even bore their testimony and offered a commitment to C.C. to pray about Joseph Smith. L. is only 12, and A. is only 10, but they said to each other after, "Pwede na kita mag-Sister!" or basically, "We could be Sisters now!" :)

The Elders baptized in the most gorgeous river this past week in their far area. We got to attend and it was the coolest thing ever. "Here are the waters of Mormon. And now..." :)

Lots of good stuff happening! I never get sick of missionary work.


Palangga ko kamo tanan!

Sister Luke

1. The waters of Mormon

2.& 3. Always enough rabies to go around! Just kidding mom.

 

4. L. and A. playing Sister.

5. Happy Fiesta!

6. Street dancing

7. Parade

8. Recent Converts