Sept. 23, 2019

The Shelley OGs - Elder Trezise, Elder Banks and Elder Smith

Shelley crew back together

MTC companions - favorites

Working hard

This week Elder Bednar came and spoke to Elder Trezise's mission.  He said it was amazing.  Afterwards he was able to shake Elder Bednar's hand and get some pictures with his favorite missionaries.  It was a good week.  Here is his letter:

Hello! Sorry I am sending this so late! Crazy day! But this week was amazing! We put two people we are teaching on date to be baptized in October which was awesome! But of course, the highlight of my week was the visit that we got from Elder Bednar. He came in, and starting cracking jokes, which caught us all of guard, haha. But, when he started speaking he spoke about how we are agents and not objects, and we all have the ability to act. With that said, he asked us different questions, mostly about spiritual impressions we received while we studied some of his talks. One person would answer, and then he would ask, "Elder (or sister), may I ask you another question?" Then he would continue to ask questions, basically prompting an entire conversation until he came to the conclusion he wanted to reach. It was cool to be able to discuss Gospel principles with him by simply telling him what I thought the difference between conversion and testimony were. 

But, anyway, one of my favorite things, if not my favorite thing that he talked about was action. He said that there are so many people, members and non-members alike who will read in the scriptures not to ask God for anything contrary to His will. He explained how so many people have questions in their lives, or concerns, and ask God. This is the right thing to do. But, then something happens. They don't get an answer right away, so they think to themselves, "Well, to show God I'm patient, and I care, I am going to wait and not make a decision until I receive an answer on what the right thing to do is. Because I want to make sure I am doing God's will." By doing this, their prayer is in vain. There is no faith, because there is no action, because they are unwilling to make a choice. 

I have found myself doing this before. I have prayed for answers, and waited to try to show that I care about the subject. That is so ironic. He talked about how there is not 1 right choice, or 1 wrong choice. How when we pray to God for answers to our questions, He hears them. But He may not respond immediately. But this does no give us an excuse to stop moving! He illustrated this perfectly by using an example in the scriptures. When Nephi and his brothers need to go get the plates, what do they do? They ask for guidance, then, instead of sitting there, they draw lots. Well... that didn't work. Then, they try using their gold and silver. Well... didn't work again. Finally, in the beginning of 1st Nephi 4, there is a verse that reads, "And I did go forth, being led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things I should do." Was Nephi wrong to try those two methods? NO! Not at all.  Nephi learned valuable lessons from drawing lots and using their wealth. He learned you can't go in without any planning, and you can't rely upon worldly things. But in the end, when he was really uncertain about what to do, after he had already made the wrong decision twice, he pushed forward. He didn't quit, he didn't whine. He picked himself back up and got to work. We need to apply THAT principle in our lives. When we are uncertain about what to do, pick something, and do it. It doesn't matter if we fail. Pick ourselves up, try again, and get back to work.

 

I love that lesson. And I love the example he used. I am uncertain about things pretty often, haha. But this gave me comfort. No matter what's going on, or if I am uncertain or afraid, I can just push forward, and keep trying, and learn along the way. I promise each of you that God knows what you're going through. He hears your prayers, and answers them. In one way, or another. Even if that answer is silence. If you don't hear anything back, He WANTS you to choose. He wants you to go, pick something, and follow through with it. He gave you agency for a reason. So just do it! I love you all so much! I am so grateful for the emails, and the packages, and the prayers you all send to me. I appreciate them more than you know!

Love, 

-Elder Trezise