March 11, 2019
No pictures this week. Elder Woods (who was the Zone leader and Elder Smith's companion) left to go home this week. Elder Trezise loved him and was sad to see him go. Here is Elder Trezise's letter:
This week went really well, and we had a ton of success. We found 5 new people to teach this week, and just had fun. Elder Smith and Elder Woods are studs. It has been a really good week. I don't have much time to talk, but I figured I'd send the talk that I gave yesterday.
Today I'm going to be talking to you about
preparing to serve a mission. Or, in more real terms. Preparing to serve
God. Because it's easy to look at full time missionaries as the ones
who do the missionary work. We are the missionaries, right? Well yes. We
are called and set apart to be full time missionaries. But we ALL are
missionaries. In more ways than many of you realize. I'm sure you've
heard the phrase, "every member a missionary." But our call as members
of the church goes even beyond that phrase.
When we were baptized, we entered into a covenant with God. Our first covenant with God. Do you remember what that covenant was? There's a scripture in Mosiah chapter 18 that talks about part of that covenant. It reads, "Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at ALL times and in ALL things, and in ALL places that ye may be in, EVEN UNTIL DEATH, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life. Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye WILL SERVE HIM and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?"
We have promised God that we will stand as witnesses of Him at ALL times, in ALL things, and in ALL places. Not SOME times. Not SOME things. Not SOME places. We have told God Himself that we would do this.
You want to know the truth? I didn't prepare to serve my mission. I didn't even know that the Gospel is true until about a year and a half ago. I went out with the missionaries once for 5 minutes before I got bored. I never went to mission prep. I rarely read my scriptures. I never taught people the Gospel. I was, when I came out, and still am, behind. But it doesn't matter. If you think you're not good enough, if you think you don't know the Gospel well enough to share it, trust me. I know how you feel. But there's a few scriptures that have helped me.
First, Ether chapter 12, verse 27 :
"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have FAITH in me, then will I make WEAK things become strong unto them."
Faith is not a passive word. It is an action word. Just do it. If you don't know it well enough, study it more. If you don't feel adequate, turn to Christ. He will make you strong. I know this is true.
Second, Moses chapter 6, verses 31-34. Which is Enoch, asking the Lord why he was called. It reads,
"And when Enoch had heard these words, he bowed himself to the earth, before the Lord, and spake before the Lord, saying: Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?
And the Lord said unto Enoch: Go forth and DO AS I HAVE COMMANDED THEE, and no man shall pierce thee. OPEN THY MOUTH, and IT SHALL BE FILLED, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good.
Say unto this people: Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you.
Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me."
You feel inadequate? Good. You should. Because you're not good enough on your own. None of us are. But the Lord has promised us. Has convenated with us, that as we OPEN OUR MOUTHS. As we do as He has COMMANDED us, He will give us the strength, the knowledge, and the ability to teach others. His Spirit will be with us.
Lastly, and this is one of my favorite scriptures. It's found in D&C 122, and it's when Joseph Smith is in Liberty Jail, and everything is falling apart. The Saints are being persecuted. Killed, and hurt, and worse. And Joseph is in a jail, illegally, and can do nothing to help. Joseph asks God why He's abandoned the members of the Church. And everyone loves the scripture, me included, where God answers back telling Him that everything will be for Joseph, and the Saints experience and for their good. But that's not the scripture I'm going to quote. I'm going to quote the next verse. Verse 8.
"The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?"
We all have feelings of inadequacy, of fear, and of nervousness. It's natural. Do you think Christ didn't feel that? Christ knows EXACTLY how we feel. He has descended below us all! Are we better than Him? I know I'm not. And, no offense, but I know you're not either. He can, and will help us as we turn to Him. He knows exactly what to do to help us. All we need to do is exercise faith, and get out there and do it.
You want to know how to prepare to serve a mission? Start being a missionary now! Start fulfilling the covenant you made when you were baptized. Get out there and open your mouth. Everyone in this congregation knows at least one non-member, and at least one less active member. So after church today I want you to go home, and think about how you can reach out to that person and share something, anything, with them that has brought you happiness. Because I know this Gospel has brought me more happiness than anything else! Just open your mouth. The Lord will do the rest.
I want to end by bearing my testimony that I know this Church is true. I didn't always have that knowledge. In reality I've had it for a very short amount of time. But I have it now. This Church IS true. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. That is a knowledge that nobody can take away from me. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. The first of this last dispensation. And yes, he wasn't perfect. He made plenty of mistakes, as each of us had. But he saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. And I know that we have ALL been commanded of God to preach the Gospel. To help others come unto Christ. "Behold WE ARE disciples of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. WE have been called of HIM, to declare HIS word, among HIS people, that they might have everlasting life." We have been called brothers and sisters. And it is my prayer that we accept that call. In the name of our Savior, our Redeemer, the One who knows us better than we know ourselves. The One who sees our Divine and Eternal potential. Even Jesus Christ. Amen. "
This week went really well, and we had a ton of success. We found 5 new people to teach this week, and just had fun. Elder Smith and Elder Woods are studs. It has been a really good week. I don't have much time to talk, but I figured I'd send the talk that I gave yesterday.
"Good
morning Brothers and Sisters. My name is Elder Trezise. Don't feel bad
if you don't remember it. It's a hard name. I am from Chandler Arizona,
and have been out for about 6 months now. I have the great opportunity
to speak to you this morning because I am in a trio with Elder Smith and
Elder Woods. I normally wouldn't cover this ward, and soon enough, I
won't be covering it anymore. But I am truly grateful to be able to
speak to you today.
When we were baptized, we entered into a covenant with God. Our first covenant with God. Do you remember what that covenant was? There's a scripture in Mosiah chapter 18 that talks about part of that covenant. It reads, "Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at ALL times and in ALL things, and in ALL places that ye may be in, EVEN UNTIL DEATH, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life. Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye WILL SERVE HIM and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?"
We have promised God that we will stand as witnesses of Him at ALL times, in ALL things, and in ALL places. Not SOME times. Not SOME things. Not SOME places. We have told God Himself that we would do this.
You want to know the truth? I didn't prepare to serve my mission. I didn't even know that the Gospel is true until about a year and a half ago. I went out with the missionaries once for 5 minutes before I got bored. I never went to mission prep. I rarely read my scriptures. I never taught people the Gospel. I was, when I came out, and still am, behind. But it doesn't matter. If you think you're not good enough, if you think you don't know the Gospel well enough to share it, trust me. I know how you feel. But there's a few scriptures that have helped me.
First, Ether chapter 12, verse 27 :
"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have FAITH in me, then will I make WEAK things become strong unto them."
Faith is not a passive word. It is an action word. Just do it. If you don't know it well enough, study it more. If you don't feel adequate, turn to Christ. He will make you strong. I know this is true.
Second, Moses chapter 6, verses 31-34. Which is Enoch, asking the Lord why he was called. It reads,
"And when Enoch had heard these words, he bowed himself to the earth, before the Lord, and spake before the Lord, saying: Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?
And the Lord said unto Enoch: Go forth and DO AS I HAVE COMMANDED THEE, and no man shall pierce thee. OPEN THY MOUTH, and IT SHALL BE FILLED, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good.
Say unto this people: Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you.
Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me."
You feel inadequate? Good. You should. Because you're not good enough on your own. None of us are. But the Lord has promised us. Has convenated with us, that as we OPEN OUR MOUTHS. As we do as He has COMMANDED us, He will give us the strength, the knowledge, and the ability to teach others. His Spirit will be with us.
Lastly, and this is one of my favorite scriptures. It's found in D&C 122, and it's when Joseph Smith is in Liberty Jail, and everything is falling apart. The Saints are being persecuted. Killed, and hurt, and worse. And Joseph is in a jail, illegally, and can do nothing to help. Joseph asks God why He's abandoned the members of the Church. And everyone loves the scripture, me included, where God answers back telling Him that everything will be for Joseph, and the Saints experience and for their good. But that's not the scripture I'm going to quote. I'm going to quote the next verse. Verse 8.
"The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?"
We all have feelings of inadequacy, of fear, and of nervousness. It's natural. Do you think Christ didn't feel that? Christ knows EXACTLY how we feel. He has descended below us all! Are we better than Him? I know I'm not. And, no offense, but I know you're not either. He can, and will help us as we turn to Him. He knows exactly what to do to help us. All we need to do is exercise faith, and get out there and do it.
You want to know how to prepare to serve a mission? Start being a missionary now! Start fulfilling the covenant you made when you were baptized. Get out there and open your mouth. Everyone in this congregation knows at least one non-member, and at least one less active member. So after church today I want you to go home, and think about how you can reach out to that person and share something, anything, with them that has brought you happiness. Because I know this Gospel has brought me more happiness than anything else! Just open your mouth. The Lord will do the rest.
I want to end by bearing my testimony that I know this Church is true. I didn't always have that knowledge. In reality I've had it for a very short amount of time. But I have it now. This Church IS true. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. That is a knowledge that nobody can take away from me. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. The first of this last dispensation. And yes, he wasn't perfect. He made plenty of mistakes, as each of us had. But he saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. And I know that we have ALL been commanded of God to preach the Gospel. To help others come unto Christ. "Behold WE ARE disciples of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. WE have been called of HIM, to declare HIS word, among HIS people, that they might have everlasting life." We have been called brothers and sisters. And it is my prayer that we accept that call. In the name of our Savior, our Redeemer, the One who knows us better than we know ourselves. The One who sees our Divine and Eternal potential. Even Jesus Christ. Amen. "
President Nelson has talked about the importance of
the Gathering of Israel. He has said that there is "Nothing! Absolutely
nothing! More important than the Gathering of Israel." I know that this
work is the reason we came to Earth. And I have seen the blessings it
brings. I know this church is true, and I am so excited to spread the
Gospel.
-Elder Trezise
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