Hey!
I only have 26 minutes to write! We're put on a timer here so I'm not going to worry too much about grammar and whatnot. But anyway! Dear elder does WORK. I've gotten those the same day you wrote them so keep sending those! Once I get out in the field you won't be ale to use that service anymore, it only works while I'm at the MTC. Thanks for the cookies too, haha. They were enjoyed. But newsssss, hmmm...I don't even know what to say! The days just mesh together here and there is always so much going on that I can't remember certain things. But I'll try and remember for you....uhhh, I'm getting used to getting up at 6:15 every day so that is nice. We've done a TON of teaching! I really feel like I'm getting a whole lot better at it. It's really a HARD thing. "Don't teach lessons, teach people." That is a really hard principle to follow. You only have 45 minutes for a lesson (not supposed to be longer than that) and if you're visiting that investigator for the first time you have to find out what they're like and what they're concerns/problems are and then teach according to those things. I have the first 2 lessons memorized in the sense that I know all the doctrines and principles in them. I know good scriptures in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon for both of them as well. I'm starting to memorize a lot of scriptures as well. I have a goal to memorize 1 scripture a day. Speaking of scriptures, I bought a new set. I got a Bible and a Book of Mormon in a separate thing so I can cross referece really easy. I got the blue with the silver pages! I'm going to start color coordinating my markings in them also. I already have a little template down.
But anyway, that's boring news. Uhmmm, exciting.... OH! We had a devotional last night that was AWESOME. It's always one of the general authorities. I was hoping for Pres. Monson, but it was Elder David F. Evans of the First Presidency of the Seventy. I kinda feel like someone called him Monday night and asked him to speak Tuesday night because he talked about Pres. Monson the whole time. It was a great talk! But half of it was quotes and teachings from Pres. Monson. I've never really thought about a prophet in our day TODAY. I've beeh so focused on Joseph Smith that I kinda forgot we have a living prophet. Haha, is that bad? But last night was awesome. My whole district sings in the MTC choir and we sang Joseph's First Prayer. It was an AWESOME arrangement. I got chills and shivers going down my spine the whole time!
I can't believe I'e been here for 2 and a half weeks already... it's really crazy how time is flying by, and it's even more crazy how much I'm learning. I study all day, every day, literally. I taught my district in Sunday School (that's the DL's job is to teach on Sunday) and I wasn't nervous or anything. I was confident and I feel like I did pretty well, although it was on the Great Apostasy and the Restoration which I've been studying ever sine I stepped foot in this place - haha.
Anyway, I'm getting along with everyone really well and made some new sister friends in another district that has their classroom right next to ours, They are a lot of fun and the elders in their class are pretty lame and boring it seems like, but my elders and sisters are the BOMB! I've been trying to convince Elder Norwood to transfer to BYU after our missions and we'll live together. He's from SLC and went to community college there. He's a whole lot of fun! So is his companion - Elder Halle (pronounced like Halle Berry).
I can't believe it's the Steeler and Packers in the Super Bowl!??! Who would have thought... I'm glad the Pats and the Jets didn't make it though. I was hoping Atlanta would make it, they deserve to have a ring with Matt Ryan. It's weird talking about sports, haven't done that since I left to come here. Everything is so weird! I don't feel 19 years old... more like 20+. Boys really do become men in the MTC. That's what G-ma told me before I left. She also sent me a package full of candies. Haha, bless her heart! The uptight elder in our district is finally chillin out so that is good too! Everything is really meshing together. But I really have to owe my growth in knowledge to my teachers. I have 2 of THE best teachers I've ever had in my life. I'm convinced they're some of the best in the MTC. Brother Kirk (from somewhere in Texas and served in Mississippi and Brother Bastian from I can't remember and served in Kenya). They're amazing They make us figure things out on our own, They WON'T answer questions - haha - it gets kind of annoying but it makes me work for it and it's really paying off. I've become real independent with my learning. If I have a question, thanks to Bro. Bastian, I search and search and pray until I find one. They're awesome and I love them. Not only are they great teachers, they're AMAZING people. So much fun. Bro. Kirk is so goofy and fun. Ahhhh - I want to take them with me. Oh well... me and my companion are getting along pretty well too so that is always good. I'm preparing myself for that weird comp that I WILL get out in the field. I keep wanting to say when I get out on my mission, but then I remember I AM on my mission right now. Weird. I miss my puppy too. Give him some love from me!
Alright, I gotta wrap up. I gotta write Colin and Tanner.
Love, Elder Edwards
P.S. Send me a package of collar things please. I realize how important they ar and I need some, ASAP! If possible!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Hey there parents! I loved all the e-mails you sent me this week! Just kidding. But really, I haven't received any mail at all since I've been here, kind of depressing but I was expecting it I suppose. ****MOM INSERTING COMMENT HERE - Peter and I both tried to send Brennan e-mails, but his account wasn't up yet - so, we paid to have a service deliver them, which they didn't do! By the day after he wrote this, he had those original letters as well as a box of cookies**** Well anyway, I hope you got my first letter letting you know that I'm alive. I'm loving it here, it is such a great experience. I haven't ever felt the Spirit so strongly before in my life. Me and my companion - Elder Blake - have done a lot of teaching already. We have taught maybe 5-8 lessons in just a week! I'm starting to get a little more comfortable during lessons. My mouth still gets real dry and I stumble over my words, but I'm getting there. I study and work 16 hours a day here, just about every hour is scheduled for us, and then it is left up to us to plan during those times what we want to do when we don't have a teacher there. We usually have a teacher come and teach in the morning, usually about 8-11:30 and at night from about 5:30-9. Everything in between is MDT (missionary directed time). So I have been studying Preach My Gospel a TON and also the scriptures and just the gospel in general. My knowledge has grown so much, it's incredible how much I've learned in just the week that I've been here. I feel like I've been here a lot longer too.
Anyway, I get along with everyone in my district pretty well. We have a really good group. I'm pretty good friends with another companionship - Elder Halle and Elder Norwood. Elder Halle is from some small town in MO. Elder Norwood is from Salt Lake. They're both really fun, energetic and goofy....
So I had a great experience yesterday. Me and Elder Blake went tot he TRC (Teaching Resource Center) where you teach people who act like investigators. They make it seem really real. But yesterday, we were teaching another Elder who was acting the part of an investigator. I guess he wanted to make it really hard or something because me and Elder Blake crashed and burned for the first time. This investigator had NO motivation and didn't see the need to do anything. I explained the need to pray and to serve your fellow man and also the need to come unto Christ. But he just kept saying, "that is really great that you believe that, but I just don't see the need to do any of that." So it was the first time that I realized that there will be people out there like that and I as completely unprepared for it. I did everything I knew how to do, but it wasn't enough. Same with Elder Blake. So we left that appointment VERY discouraged. I had tears in my eyes. I was thinking that I couldn't do this and that it would be too hard. That was early in the morning at 8:00. The rest of the day the Lord looked out for me. All the lessons we had yesterday and meetings were all about not being discouraged and picking yourself up after a bad experience. This was not in the day planning either. The MTC wasn't like, "today we're going to instill discouragement in the missionaries and the build them back up to teach them a lesson." Me and Elder Blake were the ONLY ones that had that experience. The rest had great lessons. So I firmly believe that the Lord was looking out for me and just preparing me for what is surely to come. Later that night, we had a missionary devotional, which you will be pleased to know that I sang in the choir for, and we had Elder Gong of the First Presidency of the Seventy come and speak to us. Guess what his topic was? It was "Be of Good Cheer." Incredible, huh? The Lord truly does look out for us in our times of need, and I REALLY needed Him yesterday. It was an awesome day looking back on it now because I learned a valuable lesson. I know that Dad said that I'll get discouraged and down, but to just pick myself up. But you don't really know what to expect until it actually happens. So, I'm so so so grateful for the lesson I learned yesterday. I have a TON of reasons to be of good cheer - the gospel, my faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, my family, spreading the gospel, being a missionary, and even my little puppy Max. Who I miss a TON. Don't worry I miss both of you too!
***Brennan then asks me to send him some personal things****
...I'm being a good district leader. I've gotten comfortable with it and I'm doing the best that I know how. It's good experience though. I also have a great Branch Presidency. They're all great and I like them a lot.
The food here is pretty tasty! It's a lot better than the Cannon Center. It can't be the same food. Impossible. We eat so early too. We have breakfast at 7, lunch at 11:30 (the only normal time we eat), and dinner at 4:30. 4:30?!?! seriously? That is a midday snack for me...But it's weird. Well, I have to go now, my 30 minutes of e-mail time is up. I'm so grateful I'm here and I'm trying my hardest to learn more about the gospel and to be an effective missionary. I love you both! Keep up on that blog and facebook Momma! And please keep me updated on what the blog says, and what's going on in facebook, football, annnnnnnd just how everyone is doing is suppose.
Love, Elder Edwards
Anyway, I get along with everyone in my district pretty well. We have a really good group. I'm pretty good friends with another companionship - Elder Halle and Elder Norwood. Elder Halle is from some small town in MO. Elder Norwood is from Salt Lake. They're both really fun, energetic and goofy....
So I had a great experience yesterday. Me and Elder Blake went tot he TRC (Teaching Resource Center) where you teach people who act like investigators. They make it seem really real. But yesterday, we were teaching another Elder who was acting the part of an investigator. I guess he wanted to make it really hard or something because me and Elder Blake crashed and burned for the first time. This investigator had NO motivation and didn't see the need to do anything. I explained the need to pray and to serve your fellow man and also the need to come unto Christ. But he just kept saying, "that is really great that you believe that, but I just don't see the need to do any of that." So it was the first time that I realized that there will be people out there like that and I as completely unprepared for it. I did everything I knew how to do, but it wasn't enough. Same with Elder Blake. So we left that appointment VERY discouraged. I had tears in my eyes. I was thinking that I couldn't do this and that it would be too hard. That was early in the morning at 8:00. The rest of the day the Lord looked out for me. All the lessons we had yesterday and meetings were all about not being discouraged and picking yourself up after a bad experience. This was not in the day planning either. The MTC wasn't like, "today we're going to instill discouragement in the missionaries and the build them back up to teach them a lesson." Me and Elder Blake were the ONLY ones that had that experience. The rest had great lessons. So I firmly believe that the Lord was looking out for me and just preparing me for what is surely to come. Later that night, we had a missionary devotional, which you will be pleased to know that I sang in the choir for, and we had Elder Gong of the First Presidency of the Seventy come and speak to us. Guess what his topic was? It was "Be of Good Cheer." Incredible, huh? The Lord truly does look out for us in our times of need, and I REALLY needed Him yesterday. It was an awesome day looking back on it now because I learned a valuable lesson. I know that Dad said that I'll get discouraged and down, but to just pick myself up. But you don't really know what to expect until it actually happens. So, I'm so so so grateful for the lesson I learned yesterday. I have a TON of reasons to be of good cheer - the gospel, my faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, my family, spreading the gospel, being a missionary, and even my little puppy Max. Who I miss a TON. Don't worry I miss both of you too!
***Brennan then asks me to send him some personal things****
...I'm being a good district leader. I've gotten comfortable with it and I'm doing the best that I know how. It's good experience though. I also have a great Branch Presidency. They're all great and I like them a lot.
The food here is pretty tasty! It's a lot better than the Cannon Center. It can't be the same food. Impossible. We eat so early too. We have breakfast at 7, lunch at 11:30 (the only normal time we eat), and dinner at 4:30. 4:30?!?! seriously? That is a midday snack for me...But it's weird. Well, I have to go now, my 30 minutes of e-mail time is up. I'm so grateful I'm here and I'm trying my hardest to learn more about the gospel and to be an effective missionary. I love you both! Keep up on that blog and facebook Momma! And please keep me updated on what the blog says, and what's going on in facebook, football, annnnnnnd just how everyone is doing is suppose.
Love, Elder Edwards
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Week 2 in the MTC -- Getting Broken In To Missionary Life
Hi, everybody. We're still missing Brennan pretty badly, as evidence by random tears trickling down our cheeks at any given time of the day or night. But we're proud of him, and he's doing well. Here's his latest letter:
I hope you got my first letter letting you know that I'm alive. I'm loving it here, it is such a great experience. I haven't ever felt the Spirit so strongly before in my life. Me and my companion--Elder Blake--have done a lot of teaching already. We have taught maybe 5-8 lessons in just a week! I'm starting to get a little more comfortable during lessons. My mouth still gets real dry and I stumble over my words, but I'm getting there. I study and work 16 hours a day here, just about every hour is scheduled for us, and then it is left up to us to plan during those times what we want to do when we don't have a teacher there. We usually have a teacher come and teach in the morning, usually about 8-11:30 and at night from about 5:30-9. Everything in between is MDT (missionary directed time). So I have been studying Preach My Gospel a TON and also the scriptures and just the gospel in general. My knowledge has grown so much, it's incredible how much I've learned in just the week that I've been here. I feel like I've been here a lot longer too.
Anyway, I get along with everyone in my district pretty well. We have a really good group. I'm pretty good friends with another companionship--Elder Halle and Elder Norwood. Elder Halle is from some small town in MO. Elder Norwood is from Salt Lake. Their both really fun, energetic, and goofy. But of course, we do have that ONE straight shooter where EVERYTHING must go by the rules... He is starting to get annoying. He thinks that every second of every day should be devoted to studying. I mean that is good for him and all, but for the rest of us, we need a break. Especially at night after we're winding down and getting ready for bed we like to just sit and talk a bit and laugh. He's not too big a fan of that. Luckily he's going to the Roseville, CA mission as well. Me and Elder Blake are the only Elders going to Santa Rosa, CA.
So I had a great experience yesterday. Me and Elder Blake went to the TRC (Teaching Resource Center) where you teach people who act like investigators. They make it seem really real. But yesterday, we were teaching another Elder who was acting the part of an investigator. I guess he wanted to mke it really hard or something because me and Elder Blake crashed and burned for the first time. This investigator had NO motivation and didn't see the need to do anything. I explained the need to pray and to serve your fellow man and also the need to come unto Christ. But he just kept saying, "that is really great that you believe that, but I just don't see the need to do any of that." So it was the first time that I realized that there will be people out there like that and I was completely unprepared for it. I did everything I knew how to do, but it wasn't enough. Same with Elder Blake. So we left that appointment VERY discouraged. I had tears in my eyes. I was thinking that I couldn't do this and that it would be too hard. That was early in the morning at 8:00. The rest of the day, the Lord looked out for me. All the lessons we had yesterday and meetings were all about not being discouraged and picking yourself up after a bad experience. This was not in the day planning either. The MTC wasn't like, "today we're going to instill discouragement in the missionaries and then build them back up to teach them a lesson." Me and Elder Blake were the ONLY ones that had that experience. The rest had great lessons. So I firmly believe that the Lord was looking out for me and just preparing me for what is surely to come. Later that night, we had a missionary devotional, which you'll be pleased to know that I sang in the choir for, and we had Elder Gong of the First Presidency of the Seventy come and speak to us. Guess what his topic was? It was "Be of Good Cheer." Incredible huh?
The Lord truly does look out for us in our times of need, and I REALLY needed Him yesterday. It was an awesome day looking back on it now because I learned a valuable lesson. I know that Dad said that I'll get discouraged and down, but to just pick myself up. But you don't really know what to expect until it actually happens. So I'm so so so grateful for the lesson I learned yesterday. I have a TON of reasons to be of good cheer--the gospel, my faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, my family, spreading the gospel, being a missionary, and even my little puppy, Max. Who I miss a TON. Don't worry I miss both of you too!
The Lord truly does look out for us in our times of need, and I REALLY needed Him yesterday. It was an awesome day looking back on it now because I learned a valuable lesson. I know that Dad said that I'll get discouraged and down, but to just pick myself up. But you don't really know what to expect until it actually happens. So I'm so so so grateful for the lesson I learned yesterday. I have a TON of reasons to be of good cheer--the gospel, my faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, my family, spreading the gospel, being a missionary, and even my little puppy, Max. Who I miss a TON. Don't worry I miss both of you too!
Feel free to send me any goodies too if you would like... I certainly wouldn't mind. Just to get something in the mail from anybody would be sweet. There have been people in my district that have gotten 5-8 letters already. Speaking of my district, I'm being a good district leader. I've gotten comfortable with it and I'm doing the best that I know how. It's good experience though. I also have a great Branch Presidency. Their all great and I like them a lot.
The food here is pretty tasty! It's a lot better than the Cannon Center. It can't be the same food. Impossible. We eat so early too. We have breakfast at 7, lunch at 11:30 (the only normal time we eat), and dinner at 4:30. 4:30?!?! seriously? That is a midday snack for me... But it's weird. Well I have to go now, my 30 minutes of email time is up. I'm so grateful I'm here and I'm trying my hardest to learn more about the gospel and to be an effective missionary. I love you both! Keep up on that blog and facebook, momma! And please keep me updated on what the blog says, and whats goin on in facebook, football, annnnnnd just how everyone is doing I suppose.
Love,
Elder Edwards
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
First Letter
We finally received our first letter from Brennan in the mail yesterday. Here it is -
"Dearest Mom & Dad,
Well, 1 day down and if feels like I've been here for weeks. Everyone says the time goes by really slow the first few days and then it picks up. We're definitely kept busy! So you're wondering why I'm writing. Well, us newbies get to write home the first or second day to let you know we're alive. So lucky you mom :). Anyway, when I first arrived and was shown my room I didn't have time to do anything. I was immediately taken to the class I'll be in throughout my stay @ the MTC. In my class, which is my district, we have 4 sisters and 6 elders. 4 of us - me, my companion (more later), and 2 sisters are going to the same mission. The others are all going to the Roseville, CA mission. That is literally the next mission east of my mission. Anyway, my companion.... when we got to our class we were given our companion. Mine didn't show up for like 4-6 hours. Thought he got cold feet. But I found him and he's great. Elder Blake from Ironton, OH. He's a great, goofy, serious elder (we were told to stop using the terms "guys," "dude," and anything like that - everyone is now elder or sister). So the rest of the 12th we just learned the ropes and did some teaching to volunteers in the community to act like investigators. They make it feel really real. My mouth gets dry and I trip over my words a bit. Elder Blake has told me that I'm a natural though. He's had nothing but positive criticism. He's a really laid back elder. He is a good teacher as well. He really knows how to teach with sincerity. So today I DID wake up at 6:15 a.m. Yes, hard to believe. We are supposed to be on our feet and moving @ 6:30 so I need to wake up early for shower. Then we've spent a lot of time with personal study, companion study and MDT (Missionary Directed Time). MDT means that my district gets together and we do whatever we want; discuss principles, teaching techniques, roll play, anything. Then a teacher comes and such. We get about 40-50 min. of scheduled gym time each day which is nice and much needed. We met our branch presidency tonight and they're great! Also, our zone leaders are just missionaries and they go to their fields on Mon. I'm older than both. Elder Blake is 20, if you're wondering.
So to the good stuff. Tonight with our branch presidency, we established senior companions and a district leader. Yes...I'm the district leader and therefore senior companion. I have about 3/4 of a page w/all my responsibilities. I'm excited though! It'll be good experience. I also have to teach during Sunday for my district for the 3 Sundays that I'll be here.... this is crazy. Yesterday I realized that this is real, and tonight (13th) it got even more real. Well I'm exhausted to say the least. Write you on Wednesday! (That is my P-day). Keep up with that blog mom! and Facebook! Give Max my love. I'm doing great. This is where the Lord wants me, and this is where I want to be. My testimony has already grown so much. I love it here.
Love,
Elder Edwards"
"Dearest Mom & Dad,
Well, 1 day down and if feels like I've been here for weeks. Everyone says the time goes by really slow the first few days and then it picks up. We're definitely kept busy! So you're wondering why I'm writing. Well, us newbies get to write home the first or second day to let you know we're alive. So lucky you mom :). Anyway, when I first arrived and was shown my room I didn't have time to do anything. I was immediately taken to the class I'll be in throughout my stay @ the MTC. In my class, which is my district, we have 4 sisters and 6 elders. 4 of us - me, my companion (more later), and 2 sisters are going to the same mission. The others are all going to the Roseville, CA mission. That is literally the next mission east of my mission. Anyway, my companion.... when we got to our class we were given our companion. Mine didn't show up for like 4-6 hours. Thought he got cold feet. But I found him and he's great. Elder Blake from Ironton, OH. He's a great, goofy, serious elder (we were told to stop using the terms "guys," "dude," and anything like that - everyone is now elder or sister). So the rest of the 12th we just learned the ropes and did some teaching to volunteers in the community to act like investigators. They make it feel really real. My mouth gets dry and I trip over my words a bit. Elder Blake has told me that I'm a natural though. He's had nothing but positive criticism. He's a really laid back elder. He is a good teacher as well. He really knows how to teach with sincerity. So today I DID wake up at 6:15 a.m. Yes, hard to believe. We are supposed to be on our feet and moving @ 6:30 so I need to wake up early for shower. Then we've spent a lot of time with personal study, companion study and MDT (Missionary Directed Time). MDT means that my district gets together and we do whatever we want; discuss principles, teaching techniques, roll play, anything. Then a teacher comes and such. We get about 40-50 min. of scheduled gym time each day which is nice and much needed. We met our branch presidency tonight and they're great! Also, our zone leaders are just missionaries and they go to their fields on Mon. I'm older than both. Elder Blake is 20, if you're wondering.
So to the good stuff. Tonight with our branch presidency, we established senior companions and a district leader. Yes...I'm the district leader and therefore senior companion. I have about 3/4 of a page w/all my responsibilities. I'm excited though! It'll be good experience. I also have to teach during Sunday for my district for the 3 Sundays that I'll be here.... this is crazy. Yesterday I realized that this is real, and tonight (13th) it got even more real. Well I'm exhausted to say the least. Write you on Wednesday! (That is my P-day). Keep up with that blog mom! and Facebook! Give Max my love. I'm doing great. This is where the Lord wants me, and this is where I want to be. My testimony has already grown so much. I love it here.
Love,
Elder Edwards"
Saturday, January 15, 2011
MTC DAY PICS
Hi, everybody! Mom and Dad updating for Brennan today. Well, the big day came and went. We left home in St. Louis in a snowstorm at 5 AM and, miraculously, our flight was on-time. We got into Provo, ran the last few errands, and Brennan headed off to the dorms to hang out with buddies for a few hours. We then took a crowd to dinner that night at Tucano's (Brazilian-style meat place) and then off to Grandma Edwards' for the night.
In the morning, we let Brennan sleep in for the last time, then Grandma took us to Village Inn for breakfast. With about half an hour to kill, we headed up to the Provo temple to take a few pics and try to get the weepy goodbyes over. We did that, then into the well-oiled MTC drop-off machine.
Brennan's now in the MTC and officially on his mission! We don't know anything yet about when his P-Day is, but we'll be sure to post news once we've got it. For now, here are a couple pics (hope we get this right -- we're newbies at blogging):
In the morning, we let Brennan sleep in for the last time, then Grandma took us to Village Inn for breakfast. With about half an hour to kill, we headed up to the Provo temple to take a few pics and try to get the weepy goodbyes over. We did that, then into the well-oiled MTC drop-off machine.
Brennan's now in the MTC and officially on his mission! We don't know anything yet about when his P-Day is, but we'll be sure to post news once we've got it. For now, here are a couple pics (hope we get this right -- we're newbies at blogging):
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Elder Edwards
It is now January 9, 2011 and I head into the MTC in 3 days. I am now OFFICIALLY Elder Edwards. I was set apart as a full-time missionary tonight. It's pretty surreal, but very very exciting! As this was my last Sunday with my parents and in my "home" ward I had to speak again. My 2nd farewell. I spoke on agency--a great topic for me. Luckily I typed it up and saved it so everyone here can read it. Also, This will be the last post that I personally write. After this, my mom will be taking over blogging/facebook duties. Well, goodbye all you followers... Maybe I'll see you guys in 2 years, and if not, I wish you the best of luck. Here is my talk that I gave today:
Sunday Talk
1/9/11
“Agency”
Good morning brothers and sisters. Wow, this is a whole lot different than speaking in a student ward with only maybe a 100 or so students that are the same age as me. Some of them day dreaming, some staring off into space, and some sleeping. As this is only my 3rd Sunday here at this ward, I’ll start off with a little background on myself. There isn’t much to say, because it’s mostly the same as my parents, but I’ve spent my last 3 years of high school in Brussels, Belgium. Unlike my dad, I never learned French because I lacked the determination and patience. I attended the International School of Brussels. While in high school, I played football and lacrosse. After I graduated, I went to BYU for the summer and fall semesters. I am currently majoring in Athletic Training, but I plan on changing to either Philosophy or Psychology. Which brings me to here. During my fall semester I received my mission call and, for those of you who don’t know, I have been called to the Santa Rosa California mission and I will be speaking English. I report to the MTC in 3 days on the 12th.
Last week, Bishop Wegner tracked me down and asked me to speak on Agency. Football analogy... The things we choose in our day-to-day lives make us who we are and it also clears a path to where we are going. In order for us to exercise our agency, there must be an more than one choice that can be made. Lehi made this clear when he was talking to his son, Jacob. In 2 Nephi 2:11 he explains, “READ 2 Nephi 2:11... We can choose to come to church or stay home, we can choose to read our scriptures or watch tv instead, and we can choose to try and live a Christlike life or we can become subject to the devil. Sometimes, I’ve found, that it is too easy to take our free agency for granted. It’s way too easy nowadays to give in to worldly devices and make wrong decisions. The Second Article of Faith states, “We believe that men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam’s transgression.” Ultimately, we are the only ones that control our spiritual future for better or for worse. And not only here on Earth but after as well. It all depends on what we choose while here on Earth. I think that 2 Nephi 2:27 explains free agency perfectly. It says, READ 2 NEPHI 2:27. As a sidenote, 2 Nephi 2 is a great chapter on agency and the atonement for futher reading if you are interested.
Agency is something that we have had since the the pre-mortal life. We had the choice to either follow Lucifer into captivity or follow Jehovah to salvation. Agency is something that is so sacred that even our Heavenly Father had to respect it, even though he knew he was going to lose 1/3 of His children. He couldn’t stop His children from making a decision, that was Lucifer’s plan. Satan tries to take away our agency by tempting us into addicting sins. Through those addictions, we ultimately lose our agency and lose the ability to make good choices.
President Boyd K. Packer made it aware to us that the term “free agency” appears nowhere in the scriptures. If you think about it, agency isn’t really free. There is always a price. If we make wise decisions, we will be rewarded with blessings and happiness, if we make poor decisions that lead to sin we are then rewarded with captivity. The ultimate price to agency is the atonement and sacrifce of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Elder Spencer J. Condie of the Seventy spoke on agency in the 2010 October General Conference. He said, “Every drop of divine blood was payment for a costly plan that privided us with moral agency, the ability to become righteous or to sin, and the miracle of forgiveness, which enables us to become cleansed from our sins through repentance, priesthood ordinances, and endurance to the end.” We all make bad decisions from time to time, but the wonderful thing is, is that we have the ability to repent for those poor choices. We can kneel down in prayer and with a broken heart and a contrite spirit we can repent for the sins that have been committed. The atonement is the cornerstone of the gospel because without it, we wouldn’t be able to return to our Father in Heaven. Again in 2 Nephi 2:8 we read, READ 2 NEPHI 2:8... Without either agency or the atonement, we would become angels to a devil.
Brothers and sisters, agency didn’t come at a small cost. I again reiterate that agency is such a crucial piece to the Lord’s Plan of Happiness. We need to exercise our agency for good so that we can carve a path towards salvation. But agency and the atonement go hand-in-hand. There is no doubt that bad decisions will be made in our future. No one is perfect, not even President Thomas S. Monson. But we can repent for those poor choices. Because of agency, I was able to decide to serve a mission, which is the best decision that I have ever made. I haven’t even left yet, and I’m so happy that I made this choice.
Testimony
End
See ya in a short 2 years!
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