Aug. 26, 2019

Elder Trezise was able to baptize someone

Hello family!!!! This week has been awesome! I only had 3 days where I stayed up past 11! So I actually got a good amount of sleep! It was awesome. But the best stuff that happened this week was while we were actually out working. We found 4 new people to teach, including a family of 3, 2 of which were close to baptism in California a few months ago! We got 7 non members to Sacrament, which is the most the area has seen in over a year, so that was awesome. 

But the coolest thing was what happened this Saturday. We have been teaching a man named Javier. He is probably the most prepared person I have ever met. He goes to church every week without skipping a beat, he has accepted every principle of the Gospel wholeheartedly, and this Saturday was baptized. I had the honor of baptizing him. The Spirit that is with him is incredible. He is so humble, and so willing to do what the Lord wants him to do. He has been such a great example to me in my life. The service went great, and the confirmation yesterday went great as well. 

 

Last night I was invited to go to a youth fireside in one of the wards we cover. I had given a talk when I first got to Ammon, in the which I explained that I used to be an aethiest, and shared how I know the Gospel is true. The High Councilor that I spake with that day informed the Bishop of one of our wards that it would be good if I spake to the youth. So last night we went to a fireside, and I shared my story with about 30 youth. They're a lot better kids than I was, that's for sure. It was good for me to be able to talk to them. I feel like I can relate a lot more to the youth than anyone. I ended up sharing a lot of scriptures with them, but one of the ones I shared with them was about priorities. 

 

You see, this week, during a lesson, we had someone we're teaching tell us her boyfriend's son just got home from his mission, and he is lost. She says that he was given a purpose for 2 years and now he feels like he doesn't have a purpose. She asked if we thought we would have the same problem. I responded by telling her that I have a purpose as a missionary, yes. But I have a purpose as a child of God that is even more important. My purpose is to love God, and to love Christ, and to love the Spirit with EVERY OUNCE of my soul. With all I have. My purpose extends far beyond spreading the Gospel. I read Helaman chapter 10:4-5, and I read it with the youth last night as well. 

"Blessed art thou *insert your name*, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word which I have given thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments. And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee might in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will."

 

My purpose will forever be to put God first. To seek His will and not my own will. To follow His commandments and not to rely upon myself. I want to be an architect. I have wanted that for a while. But if that career ever takes up so much time that I start to slack on scripture study, or church attendance, or prayer habits, then I will leave it behind. The purpose of this life is to find joy. It is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of our brothers and sisters. And to do that, we only need to do 2 things. 

1. Love God

2. Love our neighbor

 

If you want to be happy there is the secret. There is the key. Love God. Trust Him. It won't be easy. At times it will be quite the opposite. Trust me, I know. But just because it's hard doesn't make it depressing. Change your attitude. Look at things positively. Viewing things from a positive prospective, and following the will of God will help you be happy every day when you wake up and every night when you fall asleep. I can't honestly tell you the last time I was truly sad. I've had hard days on my mission, discouraging times, of course. But I continued to follow God's will, trusting Him, and showing that trust by going out and doing what He asked me to do. And I have been happy. I have been so incredibly happy out here. And I have learned so much. 

 

I tell you all this because I want this happiness for you. I want you to wake up with a smile and go to bed with that same smile. I want you to feel the peace of Christ as you go through trials. I want you to feel His love. So badly I want this. So please listen to me. Please, even if you don't fully trust God right now, trust me. Please start seeking God's will. When you have questions, concerns, doubts, fears, then PRAY! Or open your scriptures and read! Or wake up Sunday morning and get dressed and go to church! Please! It will bless your life so much!

 

The quote by President Nelson, "Salvation is a personal matter, but exaltation is a family matter," has been ringing in my ears lately. I want to achieve exaltation, but I want each of you to achieve it even more. I want you all to "dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness" as King Benjamin taught. I beg of you to please accept the Gospel in your lives. I beg of you to at least begin looking into it more earnestly. God will reveal the truth to those with ears to hear and eyes to see. Please don't shut your eyes and plug your ears. Look into it without skepticism. Begin to search with a sincere and open heart! President Nelson has said, 

"I understand why God weeps.⁶ I also weep for such friends and relatives. They are wonderful men and women, devoted to their family and civic responsibilities. They give generously of their time, energy, and resources. And the world is better for their efforts. But they have chosen not to make covenants with God. They have not received the ordinances that will exalt them with their families and bind them together forever.

How I wish I could visit with them and invite them to consider seriously the enabling laws of the Lord. I’ve wondered what I could possibly say so they would feel how much the Savior loves them and know how much I love them and come to recognize how covenant-keeping women and men can receive a “fullness of joy.”  They need to understand that while there is a place for them hereafter—with wonderful men and women who also chose not to make covenants with God—that is not the place where families will be reunited and be given the privilege to live and progress forever. That is not the kingdom where they will experience the fullness of joy—of never-ending progression and happiness. Those consummate blessings can come only by living in an exalted celestial realm with God, our Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and our wonderful, worthy, and qualified family members.
 
I feel to say to my reticent friends:
“In this life, you have never settled for second best in anything. Yet, as you resist fully embracing the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, you are choosing to settle for second best."
Please don't choose to settle for second best. Get back on the path. It is not too late. I will support you, but more importantly, as you out your trust in God, "God will support you through your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and will lift you up at the last day." I hope you know how much I love you all. I really do. Turn to the Lord, and do so now! Please! 

-Elder Trezise