Exchanges: On Tuesday I went on Exchanges with someone from my District. One of the interesting lessons was one given at the Idaho Falls Temple Visitors Center. With a less-active who doesn't know much about our Savior Jesus Christ, we watched the movie Finding Faith in Christ and the Easter video this year, #PrinceofPeace. She talked about how much fear she had in life, and I was able to testify that Faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement brings peace and replaces fear. His love is perfect and "perfect love casteth out fear". Another one was an investigator that is getting swapped over to us, George. He had just quit smoking for the second time and was just wanting the easy way and the peace promised by the Savior. That peace does come, but we had to work and be patient and faithful for it to get to us. We have to be humble and have our heart changed. I'm so excited to see changes in people's lives as they accept and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and keep the commandments which he as given them.
Following the Spirit and talking to everyone: On Sunday, we followed a small prompting and started talking to some guys around our ages. They all are going through tough times, and some have had bad pasts, and are interested in learning about the peace that Jesus Christ can bring into their lives as they repent and are baptized by proper priesthood authority. One of the others was after contacting a former Investigator. We were knocking on a door of a less active Spanish member, out of our English area, when we looked over and saw someone having car troubles. We went over to see what we could do to help, despite the fact that it looked like someone had showed up. Even though they didn't need our help, one of the people that we met was a Bishop from another stake that we were planning to contact within the coming week. Following the spirit and just going for the first prompting is amazing. It will be hard but it will be worth it.
P-Day:Last P-day after emailing we all went over to a member's home and had a zone activity. This member had a grand piano, Foosball, and a pool table. We didn't really play pool, but had some fun playing on the piano, playing strikers, and having pizza as a zone. We are going to go again towards the end of this transfer, and hopefully by then we can find a string bass, because I have music to play with piano accompaniment, and our Zone Leader Elder Taylor plays the piano. Then after the activity and shopping, I spent some time and created the cover for my planner for this next transfer, and it's a good one. When you take time on it, it looks amazing. My choice for this transfer was partly Easter inspired and it was the Savior coming to the Americas (the account is found in 3 Nephi 11 of the Book of Mormon). it's good.
Saturday: One of the major things that happened this past week was General Conference. Because of the magnitude and the chance to listen to our Prophet and other Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, I prayerfully created 4 different questions to be answered during the talks on Saturday and Sunday. This is a principle that can be used in Conference, in daily Study, before receiving a patriarchal blessing, in a lot. And the talks this conference were just amazing. Just a highlight or two from the Sunday Sessions. From President Russel M. Nelson, President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles: (this is all paraphrasing) It is incorrect to talk about the Atonement as if it was a thing in and of itself. The Atonement was an act by Jesus Christ that gave him the power over death and sin. Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ (never leave of who is was), I can be cleansed from Sin because of Jesus Christ. Because of the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, I will be resurrected to stand before the bar of God to be judged. Everything points back to Jesus Christ, not individual acts that He did during his life or ministry. Another was Elder Jeffery R. Holland, who gave a music themed talk this conference. I'll let you listen to that one to get the full impact, because music is just amazing. Lastly, the talk by Elder Bednar in the Priesthood session, about missionaries and missions. I was not called to serve in Idaho Falls, I was called to the Work, and assigned to labor where I am. They are two separate things, and where I am does not change the Work that I am called to do. One of the weird things that happened too was that after leaving reed's dairy for our tradition, someone called my name and it turned out to be Carleigh Nel. It is strange how many people I have met in Idaho that I have known before. It's a small world.
Sunday: Sunday was the last two sessions, and we all were able to listen to the words of our Prophet Thomas S. Monson, talking about the importance of daily study of the Book of Mormon and how it is important for us to have our individual testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel. For the sessions yesterday, Elder Rasband's talk on the Promptings of the Spirit is actually what helped me follow the spirit and have the experiences above. Joaquin E. Costa's talk is one for everyone to watch, and you'll just to find out why. The rest of Sunday after conference was great, despite the fact that all of our appointments except with the Paredes fell through. Our lesson with their family was asking them if they truly desired to know and if they had an open heart, and one answered that he didn't right now. But he committed to pray for God to open his heart, and he will continue to read and pray about the Book of Mormon.
Studies: One of the amazing things that I studied this week was the account of Aaron, one of the sons of Mosiah, serving his mission and teaching the Father of King Lamoni. At one point, after teaching him the plan of Salvation and about Jesus Christ and about his role in the Plan of Redemption, The King asks this very important question that is something that we all need to ask at one time in our lives (Alma 22):
15 And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.
Following that question, this is the response that Aaron gives the king:
16 But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.
I know that believing that we will receive, humbling ourselves before God, and repenting of our sins is something very very important to these things and is the only way salvation can even come, along with living the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. I have prayed before not really believing that I will receive what I ask for, but when I have faith and believe, miracles happen. I invite all of you to pray for forgiveness with Real Intent, Having Faith in Christ, and believing that you will receive.
This week has been amazing, and a very spiritual one. I hope that everyone had a wonderful week as well, and I was better on picutres for this past week, which means I took a couple. I love y'all and thank y'all for the constant support and prayers for me in this work.
Thanks,
Elder Carson Maurice Baker
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