Nov. 18, 2019

I didn't get to talk to Elder Trezise for very long since it was transfers and he kept getting calls since he is the Zone Leader in Ammon.  Here is his letter:

HELLO FAMILY!!! This week was super fun. We found 2 new people to teach and have been working really hard and having tons of fun. We also found out last night that Elder Manu and I are staying together, which we are so excited for! Also, Elder Brazier became a Zone Leader! That's my son! But seriously, overall, it's been a super great week. Earlier on in the week I asked the Assistants how we, as a zone, could help the mission reach its weekly goal of every companionship finding a new person to teach, and last night President called us, and said, "Elder Trezise. I need your help. There's only 1 area left that hasn't found. We have 2 hours to help them. I want you to go out there and help." Now, I'm in the middle of Ammon. So I expected it to be in a nearby area of another zone (my zone had all found). Nope. He had us drive 35 minutes out to Menan. The middle of nowhere. Welp. An hour and a half later, they had found 3 new people to teach!!! It was awesome! Elder Manu and I had a great talk on the ride down, and we expressed how we truly felt like instruments in the Lord's hands that night. We were commanded to go and do, and we went and did. Then we blasted praise to the man and sang at the top of our lungs. It probably sounded terrible from the outside, but to us it was just awesome. 

I wanted to talk a little bit about love today. Now I'm not the most patient person. In fact, I am quite stubborn and impatient. But my mission has changed me a lot. Including my patience level of course, but really, what it has changed is the level of Charity I have. The scriptures define charity as, "And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, and is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail— But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."

 

Over time, as you grow to understand the Savior, you will begin to feel His love sink into your heart. You will feel His peace. His joy. And, if you pray with enough energy and sincerity, you will gain charity. You will feel the desire to go and bring others this joy and this peace and this love. We should wake up every day with a desire to help those around us. Even those we dislike. What good does it do to hate? It hurts us, and can lead to us hurting others. School your feelings before you speak. Think about how your actions will affect others. Realize WHO YOU ARE. You are a child of God. A son or daughter of Heavenly Father. Understand the responsibility you have to care for and love one another. When you begin to realize who you are, you will gain a magnificent self worth. Now remember those scriptures, "envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, and is not easily provoked." There is a large difference between self worth and pride. But not everyone can see that. Think of the Savior, dying on the cross. "Father forgive them, for they KNOW NOT WHO I AM." That is such an amazing lesson in self worth. You are worth something. You are worth worlds and universes without end. But this does not give you permission to puff yourself up. To focus inward. If anything, it gives you a duty. A duty to let others know who THEY are. Let them see their worth. That is what charity is. Some are born with it, others must earn it, pray for it, gain it. Charity is a knowledge of your self worth, and a desire to serve others combined into one. Cleave unto that love of Christ. Seek forgiveness when you mess up. Because you will mess up. But get up, and continue striving to help others. Continue striving to love others.

 

I love you all so much. I pray for you all daily. Sometimes hourly. And I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of this Gospel. Sweet IS the peace that the Gospel brings. I promise you all that this church is true. I promise you all that it helps us find joy. And I promise you all that the way to feel that joy. That fullness of joy that the scriptures talk about is to serve others and focus outward instead of inward. The Savior never focused inward. And His is the example to follow. I love my Savior so much. But more importantly, I know He loves me even more. And I hope and pray that each of us will be able to love each other the way that He loves us. With an infinite and undending love. And I leave this with you, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen. 

-Elder Trezise