From: Joseph Weiss <joseph.weiss@myldsmail.net>
Date: February 22, 2015 at 9:16:19 PM MST
I don't feel like I should be emailing you every day, but that's what
it feels like because all last week feels like one day and here I am
again at the library.
This week was a roller coaster of emotions.
Having recommitted ourselves to the fundamentals we began to feel the
spirit hasten the work. Elder Shelton and I feel like we've built our
missionary work foundations on sand. We've over complicated it all and
now it's time to get back to basics.
On wednesday we had a trade offs.
I went with Elder Osmeni from Albania. We had a great day. The
highlight of the day was a lesson taught over the phone. Our
investigator called and left a message saying that she wanted to talk.
We had found her as a potential my second week here and have gone by
consistently once a week to follow up if she had read the book of
Mormon that we left the first time. She finally had last week and we
committed her to pray.
We began speaking on the phone and I asked her
about her prayer. She said it was awkward and that she didn't feel
anything so she quit. I didn't quite know what to say but the spirit
guided me to ask inspired questions. I asked her what she was praying
for? She replied, “For nothing. I just talked and it was weird." She
didn't even ask a question.
I began to ask her how committed she would
be if she got an answer. She replied that she'd follow the answer. I
asked if she would go to church and be baptized. She finally realized
that honestly she didn't want to give anything up to know God. I told
her that this knowledge is worth more than anything else in this world
and it doesn't come cheap. You have to be willing to act. She wanted
what she called "quick and easy”.
I told her you have to do something
extra if you wants something extraordinary. She agreed. I said, “Madaleine,
you know what’s extraordinary? 9am church for three hours."
The spirit spoke without me even thinking I promised, “Madaleine, you
will receive an answer to your prayer if you come to church this Sunday.
Will you come?" The phone was silent. Then eventually she said
“OK, I'll be there." When I hung up I was so pumped! It was an amazing
experience and I couldn't wait for Sunday to come.
On Saturday Elder Bednar came and gave us a conference. He was so
funny and different from how I would have thought. It was astounding. On
our way back we got caught up in Sydney traffic trying to get to the
mission office for some supplies and then later back home. We still
had an hour and a half to go at 9:30 at night. As we were driving I
began to feel sleepy as my companion drove.
I decided to check the
phone and I saw one new message. It was Madaleine. "Hi guys, I've
decided I don't want to go to church to tomorrow and I don't want to
go forward with reading the book or the prayers." Stunned I lay my
head up against the window and starred at the stars in the night sky
in painful agony asking myself over and over again, "Why?". Too
exhausted from the trip to cry and my mind running too quickly for me
to fall asleep I just lay there thinking.
We got home a little after 11 PM and staggered into the flat. I got
ready for bed then I kneeled down to say my prayers in the dark. As I
prayed I began to sob silently so that nobody could hear. Tears fell
from my eyes and dotted the floor. I was encompassed in spiritual
agony that I'd never before felt. "Why?" I thought, “would God let me
feel this way. Punch me, hit me, but don't let me feel this pain.”
Soon the answers came. God feels this way all the time when his
children disappoint him. I'd only met this lady and he has known her
forever. If I felt that bad then how would he feel? But to God, paying
that price is worth it. It was the price he knew he'd have to pay to
give his children all that he had. Our agency or freedom to choose
means that God weeps and soaks his pillow with his tears also. But he
also shouts for joy each time we choose to let him bless us.
The growth I've experience in 20 months is worth more than the entire
world to me. I hope I can give something back. I thank all of you for
the ways that you have touched my life and helped me to grow. So small
and so weak, but still people love me. I've have truly been broken.
Love Elder Weiss
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Hastening the Work of Salvation
From: Joseph Weiss <joseph.weiss@myldsmail.net>
Date: February 15, 2015 at 6:05:39 PM MST
This week has been crazy. Sunday we got up and showered straight away
and skipped breakfast so we could be studying at 7 because there was
no other time in the day that we could fit it.
We've accumulated so many new investigators
but we have a fair few not keeping appointments
so we are running all over everywhere to meet people but things keep
falling through. A lot of work and a little progress.
We began to
stray from the fundamentals. But now we are different. We can do it
today! Nothing can stop us when we are aligned with the most powerful
being in the universe. I'm ending my mission right where I began, with
the 12 week program and 8 fundamental lessons.
I've requested to be transferred to Merimbula to finish my mission.
It's a branch on the coast full of retired people. Pretty small town.
Elder Shelton started his mission there. He said it was great.
President was going to go see if they should go shut down the area
for missionary work. I'm sooo keen. You already know there would
be so much work to do. I really would like to give it a crack!
Life is soo good! Yesterday we received the Area Broadcast.
They essentially re-emphasized the same things as
in 2013 and 2014. Have you read the area broadcast for Northern Utah?
Are you in alignment with your priesthood leaders? The Friday before
last I gave a training at ZTM about individuals and families. That's
how God thinks. If we want to do what he does and be who he is we have
to think how he thinks. We need to constantly be thinking about
individuals and families. Letting that guide our actions is called
eternal life.
I learned this by the spirit but also by being prompted
from my studies of the Handbook 2. Handbook 2 was given me by Ofa
Amone the high councilor over missionary work in Fairfield Stake. He
said in affect that Zone Leaders are missionary works high councilor's
so I should know what's in that book. So I got a good read of a lot of
it but my fun all came to an end this past weekend when president told
me to turn it in.... Darn.
But this past weekend was stake conference
and it was quite validating. I told the missionaries in my training
the other week, "For the rest of your lives you will hear this phrase
again and again, 'Individuals and Families' because that is what our
church is about and that is how God thinks." Then in almost every talk
given on Saturday and Sunday and in the Area Broadcast they used the
phrase, "Individuals and Families". Each time they said it I looked at
my companion and smiled. He said to me with a grinn, "You've cracked
the code". All the Elders and Sisters were saying, "Elder Weiss did
you hear what they said? Individuals and Families!" It's amazing that
the weekend that God had taught me and guided me to teach others right
before this stake conference. It's a testimony to me of how important
it is to him that we understand what he's worried about. I hope that
at least one zone of missionaries has got the picture.
This is the Lords work. I've never done anything so ridiculously full on. And I've
never felt more satisfaction and joy. I hope you are all fully engaged
in hastening the work of salvation. What are you going to do
differently today to hasten the work? Today, Today, Today! Do it
today. Those who understand the Lord's work feel an incredible sense
of urgency. We don't have enough time to do all that we need to do. It
physically isn't possible. But the Lord likes doing impossible. So get
aligned and enjoy the ride.
Love, Elder Weiss
Date: February 15, 2015 at 6:05:39 PM MST
This week has been crazy. Sunday we got up and showered straight away
and skipped breakfast so we could be studying at 7 because there was
no other time in the day that we could fit it.
We've accumulated so many new investigators
but we have a fair few not keeping appointments
so we are running all over everywhere to meet people but things keep
falling through. A lot of work and a little progress.
We began to
stray from the fundamentals. But now we are different. We can do it
today! Nothing can stop us when we are aligned with the most powerful
being in the universe. I'm ending my mission right where I began, with
the 12 week program and 8 fundamental lessons.
I've requested to be transferred to Merimbula to finish my mission.
It's a branch on the coast full of retired people. Pretty small town.
Elder Shelton started his mission there. He said it was great.
President was going to go see if they should go shut down the area
for missionary work. I'm sooo keen. You already know there would
be so much work to do. I really would like to give it a crack!
Life is soo good! Yesterday we received the Area Broadcast.
They essentially re-emphasized the same things as
in 2013 and 2014. Have you read the area broadcast for Northern Utah?
Are you in alignment with your priesthood leaders? The Friday before
last I gave a training at ZTM about individuals and families. That's
how God thinks. If we want to do what he does and be who he is we have
to think how he thinks. We need to constantly be thinking about
individuals and families. Letting that guide our actions is called
eternal life.
I learned this by the spirit but also by being prompted
from my studies of the Handbook 2. Handbook 2 was given me by Ofa
Amone the high councilor over missionary work in Fairfield Stake. He
said in affect that Zone Leaders are missionary works high councilor's
so I should know what's in that book. So I got a good read of a lot of
it but my fun all came to an end this past weekend when president told
me to turn it in.... Darn.
But this past weekend was stake conference
and it was quite validating. I told the missionaries in my training
the other week, "For the rest of your lives you will hear this phrase
again and again, 'Individuals and Families' because that is what our
church is about and that is how God thinks." Then in almost every talk
given on Saturday and Sunday and in the Area Broadcast they used the
phrase, "Individuals and Families". Each time they said it I looked at
my companion and smiled. He said to me with a grinn, "You've cracked
the code". All the Elders and Sisters were saying, "Elder Weiss did
you hear what they said? Individuals and Families!" It's amazing that
the weekend that God had taught me and guided me to teach others right
before this stake conference. It's a testimony to me of how important
it is to him that we understand what he's worried about. I hope that
at least one zone of missionaries has got the picture.
This is the Lords work. I've never done anything so ridiculously full on. And I've
never felt more satisfaction and joy. I hope you are all fully engaged
in hastening the work of salvation. What are you going to do
differently today to hasten the work? Today, Today, Today! Do it
today. Those who understand the Lord's work feel an incredible sense
of urgency. We don't have enough time to do all that we need to do. It
physically isn't possible. But the Lord likes doing impossible. So get
aligned and enjoy the ride.
Love, Elder Weiss
Monday, February 9, 2015
No End...
From: Joseph Weiss <joseph.weiss@myldsmail.net>
Date: February 8, 2015 at 8:40:20 PM MST
This week was a big down and up and down and we are starting to come
up again. At the beginning of the week we had a meeting with other
zone leaders and the sister training leaders in the mission. We
counseled and discussed the needs and solutions for our mission.
In the estimation of myself and Elder Shelton we came to the wrong
conclussions. We were the only ones that disagreed. We wondered
together, "How can't they see that this is wrong?” We were afraid of the
negative consequences that this would have on our zone.
That night and the next day we went on trade-offs with the Assistants. When the
trade off ended we asked each other, "What are we supposed to do about
this?" "What can we do about this?”
Brother Baker had set up an appointment for us that night which ended
up falling through and notwithstanding his attempts to find other people to come,
nothing worked out and it was just us and him and another member, Julius.
We talked about our concern and he shared a similar experience that he
had. He fasted and prayed. We got home that night and decided we need
to fast as well.
The next morning in personal study I remembered
advice I'd received from Dad and David which was to expect revelation
on your feet while you're moving. So we decided an action we could take
would be to write a letter and express our concerns to President and
then call him and discuss it with him over the phone.
So in the middle of comp study we took off to the chapel and began organizing our
thoughts. After over two hours of disussion and writing we had a three
page thesis written. We sent it to Brother Baker to review because he
just happens to be a Journal Editor for Australia’s National
University. He gave us feedback, we reworked it, and sent it off.
After the whole process was over we gave President a call. He didn't
answer the first time but wanting to let him know it was important we
tried to leave another missed call on his phone but to our surprise he
answered the phone.
Elder Shelton explained the situation and asked if
he would read the letter. He said he would and then said, "You know
it's funny you should call, I was just thinking about you two and how
things turned out on Tuesday. I'm ready to say you can continue with
it the way you want and the rest of the mission will change.”
We were astounded. We thought this was going to be a messy process
and it was going to be a long conversation but the Lord just fixed it for us. I
know he only did that because he saw how serious we were but he made
that phone call last about 2 minutes and we got what we wanted.
I realized that God was aware of two 20 year old missionaries in
Canberra typing away on a clerk’s office computer. He knew the anxiety
in our hearts and the seriousness of our plea. Before we had even
started typing, God was already working to fix the situation because
he knew what we would do.
That is called Omniscience. That is the God I know.
The God that can make a big difference with just a little bit
of faith. The Church of Jesus Christ is on the earth again and will be
forever. And they all lived on happily ever after!
NO END
Love, Elder Weiss
Monday, February 2, 2015
On Top of the World
From: Joseph Weiss <joseph.weiss@myldsmail.net>
Date: February 1, 2015 at 8:22:10 PM MST
Dear Family,
This week we were on top of the world again. We were given 8 more
souls to look after in our teaching pool. With investigators flooding
our area book it's never been more important to be organized than right
now.
Tuesday Bro Green asked us if we could come with him to visit a
former investigator boy that lived in his neighborhood. We went and he
said he wants to be baptized but his mum doesn't think he should be
baptized twice. We asked him to pray about a date and we'd make a plan
to work with his mum. On Saturday we went to visit Bro Green to talk
about Ngor and when we got there he said "Elders we don't have much
time but I'll cook you lunch. We are about to go play soccer with
bishop’s kids." Nik minute he calls Ngor and invites him and his brother
and their friend and HIS brother to ALL go play at the park and then
he says Elders come along and you can teach a lesson! BOOM. That is
members and missionaries working together. This ward is amazing.
Last night we taught our Cambodian neighbors with Brother Baker. It
was a couple and their friend. He had previously shared with us an
experience about how he had prayed everyday for his boys back in
Cambodia since we had invited him to pray. Since then he's felt more
peace and slept better at night. Also when their kids skype they have
longer more engaging conversations. We taught him the gospel of Jesus
Christ and committed him to be baptized on the 28th of March. He and
his wife and their friend all accepted. Their childlike humility and
spiritual sensativity astounds me. I wonder if I had been born in a
different religion if I would have ever found my way back. I hope I
would be as humble as my Cambodian neighbors.
Love you all!
Elder Weiss
Date: February 1, 2015 at 8:22:10 PM MST
Dear Family,
This week we were on top of the world again. We were given 8 more
souls to look after in our teaching pool. With investigators flooding
our area book it's never been more important to be organized than right
now.
Tuesday Bro Green asked us if we could come with him to visit a
former investigator boy that lived in his neighborhood. We went and he
said he wants to be baptized but his mum doesn't think he should be
baptized twice. We asked him to pray about a date and we'd make a plan
to work with his mum. On Saturday we went to visit Bro Green to talk
about Ngor and when we got there he said "Elders we don't have much
time but I'll cook you lunch. We are about to go play soccer with
bishop’s kids." Nik minute he calls Ngor and invites him and his brother
and their friend and HIS brother to ALL go play at the park and then
he says Elders come along and you can teach a lesson! BOOM. That is
members and missionaries working together. This ward is amazing.
Last night we taught our Cambodian neighbors with Brother Baker. It
was a couple and their friend. He had previously shared with us an
experience about how he had prayed everyday for his boys back in
Cambodia since we had invited him to pray. Since then he's felt more
peace and slept better at night. Also when their kids skype they have
longer more engaging conversations. We taught him the gospel of Jesus
Christ and committed him to be baptized on the 28th of March. He and
his wife and their friend all accepted. Their childlike humility and
spiritual sensativity astounds me. I wonder if I had been born in a
different religion if I would have ever found my way back. I hope I
would be as humble as my Cambodian neighbors.
Love you all!
Elder Weiss
Monday, January 26, 2015
This is the Lord's Work!
From: Joseph Weiss <joseph.weiss@myldsmail.net>
Date: January 26, 2015 at 7:39:22 PM MST
Dear Family,
Transfers yesterday. Elder Johnson and I had a great transfer. We
revitalized the area by finding 22 new investigators but now it's a
matter of helping them become solid. We were both proud of the boost
that happened in the area while we were there.
My new companion is Elder Shelton. He was my district
leader and now he's my companion!
It's SO funny because he's a geeky computer person that is obsessed
with Windows 7 and Lynux but our brains operate so much the same way.
He's a lot smarter than I am so living with him for all last
transfer, every night when we'd go to bed I'd ask him questions about
the Gospel…a fountain of knowledge.
The fire was tested intensely this week. Only two new investigators
and a lot of self doubt and self introspection. I love having Elder
Shelton as a companion. We think the same way and he talks me through
my doubts and discouragements. It hit me pretty hard this week that
this is the Lord's work.
After failed appointments or when we have a bit of extra time
we'll knocks some doors. Usually we pick two and end
up doing five because I am so afraid that there is somebody there... I
asked Brother Baker about it and he told me how on his mission he
baptized a lady whose house they had previously tracted. The lady was
at home but her grandmother answered the door. He wondered, "God, we
knocked the RIGHT door at the RIGHT time, and the RIGHT person was
even there but the WRONG person came to the door. WHY?”
He said that he realized that the Lord does His work regardless of what we do.
Our diligence is our expression of love and our desire to be a part of HIS
work. I realized that hard work is an expression of faith and love and
not a down payment for success. If it was, this would be OUR work and
God would be like a middle man to our success. I’m grateful for those
people that God has put in my life to help me and guide because, boy,
do I need it.
I hope YOU people see miracles too!
Love, Elder Weiss
Date: January 26, 2015 at 7:39:22 PM MST
Dear Family,
Transfers yesterday. Elder Johnson and I had a great transfer. We
revitalized the area by finding 22 new investigators but now it's a
matter of helping them become solid. We were both proud of the boost
that happened in the area while we were there.
My new companion is Elder Shelton. He was my district
leader and now he's my companion!
It's SO funny because he's a geeky computer person that is obsessed
with Windows 7 and Lynux but our brains operate so much the same way.
He's a lot smarter than I am so living with him for all last
transfer, every night when we'd go to bed I'd ask him questions about
the Gospel…a fountain of knowledge.
The fire was tested intensely this week. Only two new investigators
and a lot of self doubt and self introspection. I love having Elder
Shelton as a companion. We think the same way and he talks me through
my doubts and discouragements. It hit me pretty hard this week that
this is the Lord's work.
After failed appointments or when we have a bit of extra time
we'll knocks some doors. Usually we pick two and end
up doing five because I am so afraid that there is somebody there... I
asked Brother Baker about it and he told me how on his mission he
baptized a lady whose house they had previously tracted. The lady was
at home but her grandmother answered the door. He wondered, "God, we
knocked the RIGHT door at the RIGHT time, and the RIGHT person was
even there but the WRONG person came to the door. WHY?”
He said that he realized that the Lord does His work regardless of what we do.
Our diligence is our expression of love and our desire to be a part of HIS
work. I realized that hard work is an expression of faith and love and
not a down payment for success. If it was, this would be OUR work and
God would be like a middle man to our success. I’m grateful for those
people that God has put in my life to help me and guide because, boy,
do I need it.
I hope YOU people see miracles too!
Love, Elder Weiss
Monday, January 19, 2015
Wake Up and Do Something EXTRAORDINARY!
From: Joseph Weiss <joseph.weiss@myldsmail.net>
Date: January 18, 2015 at 7:25:25 PM MST
Dear Citizens of the Planet,
Hear ye! Hear ye! We are children of the All Powerful God. Our
potential is without limit. Stop feeling like you are just another
drop in the bucket! You have a divine inheritance and you can withdraw
from it right now. A limitless inheritance. Our spiritual geneaology
goes back one generation straight to God the Father. Get up and go
blow some holes in the negativity in this world! We can ALL make a
difference! Rich people have rich kids. Why? Because to them it's not
"rich" it's just normal. Becoming wealthy themselves isn't hard
because it's the mentality they've been brought up with.
Poor people are the same. They think financial stability is a
novelty and that the way THEY are is "normal". There are many
"normals" in this world. Which normal will we pick? In eternity their
are many normals... which will we pick? Those who KNOW who they are
KNOW what normal is. What is "normal" for a child of God seems
extraordinary to a child of this world. Choose for yourself what
normal is. Find your divine heritage and understand your own potential
and you will own your destiny.
When I ask people, "What do you feel is your purpose in life?" They
often cannot give me a straight answer. After a few seconds of the
typical "errs" and “umms”, instead of giving me a purpose they define
their own life for me. "Have fun. Be kind and see where life takes
you." If they put their expectations right where their performance is
then they don't feel like a failure.
That's like the Spanish national team saying "Hold on people. We
actually never wanted to do good in the World Cup so that's why
we let Brazil thump us!" Are you kidding me?
Because people don't have a full understanding of who they are and why
they are here and where they are going that make up a purpose that
justifies themselves. Justification never helped anyone rise to a
higher level of success.
Make “extra" feel ordinary to you and then you'll start finding success.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have a
knowledge of their divine identity. If we truly know in our hearts
where we come from, mediocrity is not a suitable outcome.
WAKE UP AND DO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY!
Love Elder Weiss
Date: January 18, 2015 at 7:25:25 PM MST
Dear Citizens of the Planet,
Hear ye! Hear ye! We are children of the All Powerful God. Our
potential is without limit. Stop feeling like you are just another
drop in the bucket! You have a divine inheritance and you can withdraw
from it right now. A limitless inheritance. Our spiritual geneaology
goes back one generation straight to God the Father. Get up and go
blow some holes in the negativity in this world! We can ALL make a
difference! Rich people have rich kids. Why? Because to them it's not
"rich" it's just normal. Becoming wealthy themselves isn't hard
because it's the mentality they've been brought up with.
Poor people are the same. They think financial stability is a
novelty and that the way THEY are is "normal". There are many
"normals" in this world. Which normal will we pick? In eternity their
are many normals... which will we pick? Those who KNOW who they are
KNOW what normal is. What is "normal" for a child of God seems
extraordinary to a child of this world. Choose for yourself what
normal is. Find your divine heritage and understand your own potential
and you will own your destiny.
When I ask people, "What do you feel is your purpose in life?" They
often cannot give me a straight answer. After a few seconds of the
typical "errs" and “umms”, instead of giving me a purpose they define
their own life for me. "Have fun. Be kind and see where life takes
you." If they put their expectations right where their performance is
then they don't feel like a failure.
That's like the Spanish national team saying "Hold on people. We
actually never wanted to do good in the World Cup so that's why
we let Brazil thump us!" Are you kidding me?
Because people don't have a full understanding of who they are and why
they are here and where they are going that make up a purpose that
justifies themselves. Justification never helped anyone rise to a
higher level of success.
Make “extra" feel ordinary to you and then you'll start finding success.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have a
knowledge of their divine identity. If we truly know in our hearts
where we come from, mediocrity is not a suitable outcome.
WAKE UP AND DO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY!
Love Elder Weiss
Monday, January 12, 2015
Transparent Obstacles
From: Joseph Weiss <joseph.weiss@myldsmail.net>
Date: January 11, 2015 at 7:49:50 PM MST
To: Cyndy Weiss <cyndyweiss@gmail.com>
This week, my life changed. I learned something that changes
everything. President Pearson came on Tuesday to Mission Leadership
Council. He basically told us we are the worst... actually we were the
worst. He told us we are ineffective and faithless. "Sydney is not the
problem!! It's the way you're thinking!" "We are not looking for
needles in haystacks here!" On wednesday we had zone conference with
him which was even better. He taught us that how we view ourselves
determines who we become. He said that this is what everyone needs to
acheive salvation. Every person needs an identity. If we have a fire
in our hearts that we are children of God then we know we can achieve
greatness. Everyone says life is in your head. What you believe you
can achieve. I always believe that's just a fairy tale. If belief
means hard work. As long as I work hard enough I'll get what I want,
right? FALSE!
Remember that movie "The Secret"? I thought that was soo stupid, but
I didn't understand it. It all clicked in my head last Friday during
personal study. The day prior I was sitting studying when I looked
over at the window sill next to my desk. I was 8-10 little flies lying
on their back dead. All but one who continued kicking his legs
desperately with the last remaining strength that he had. These bugs
had exhausted all their strength trying to fly through the seemingly
non-existent window. In their heads that was the way to get out. When
at first it didn't work the bug gritted his hypothetical teeth and
said, "Well this is the way out so I'll just try again." Over and over
again he tried but the fruits of the 100th attempt yielded the same
fruits as the first attempt and like-wise the last. The bug fought
with all it's might and strength but it's mind was closed all the
while.
On my mission when things didn't turn out how I wanted it to I didn't
think twice, I kept working and trying the best I knew how. I thought
maybe I'm just supposed to be a seed planter. I've tried my absolute
best for 18 months and things haven't really turned out the way I
hoped, "But this IS the way... isn't it? So I'll do all I can until my
time is up and I'll fall onto my back and lay there kicking my legs
till I die." On Wednesday President Pearson grabbed me, shook me up,
and showed me that next to the window there is a wide open door.
There are transparent obstacles that stop us from achieving greatness.
Just because these obstacles are not perceivable with our physical
eyes, that does not make them any less effective it hurting our
progress. With a positive faithful attitude we literally move
intangible obstacles out of our way. The world starts to move how we
believe it can. Such spiritual power to move these mental or spiritual
obstacles can only come through a correct understanding of our
identity. We are Children of the most powerful being in the universe.
We can do AMAZING things. It's in ALL of us. We have limitless
potential. We all knew this before we were born but by choosing to
come to this earth we chose to leave this memory behind so that we
could choose our divine potential.
If only people knew what they are capable of, they would no longer
settle with lives of instant self-gratification. Instead they would
choose lives of power and glory. "The power is in us"!!! We "are
agents unto ourselves." With P-day, MLC in Sydney, Zone conference,
and weekly planning, we didn't get a normal day of proselyting until
Friday. All together we had about 3 1/2 days of proselyting and we did
more work in 3 1/2 days than we did in the entire previous week. We
found a new investigator Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and on Sunday we
found three, one of which accepted an baptismal date on the first
lesson! Am I working harder? No! I already did that. I believe that I
can achieve greatness, therefore the intangible, spiritual obstacles
that once slowed me down have been moved out of my way.
"Spiritual matter is the same as physical matter but it is finer and
purer." One day we will all see that "It is all matter." One quick
experience that I had last night before I end this "lecture on faith".
When we believe that we are can do great things, the Holy Ghost and
communicate to us more openly.
Last night we had just finished doing some visits with our ward
mission leader. He dropped us off at the end of his driveway next to
our car. As I got in the car I saw this house that we had parked in
front of. I thought maybe I should knock it, but we needed to get back
to collect numbers so we drove away. I had this sick feeling that
there was something wrong. I told my companion, "I don't feel good, we
need to go back." I pulled a U-turn and parked where we had been
parked one minute earlier. We got out and knocked the door. "Hello we
are just asking some questions today." "Ok like what?" The bearded man
responded. "Well, for you what are your feelings about God?" "No
thanks!" *SLAM*. But the feeling in my stomach persisted. I told my
companion, "Just one more door and then we'll go".
We knocked on the door and blond women in her 30's came to the door.
She smiled and said "Hey guys how can I help you?" We asked what her
feelings about God were. "I don't believe he exists." "Ok what led you
to that conclusion?" My companion says. "I just can't get over how
much bad there is in the world. Those children that died in that
orphanage in Pakistan didn't choose to be there. They didn't choose to
die." "God gives all of us the right to choose and some misuse it and
hurt others" "But if he gives us the right to choose how come those
children died? They did choose to die. Did they?" We taught that
before this life we lived with God as spirits and we all had the
choice to come here to gain and body and learn from our experiences.
"So you're saying we did have a choice?"
Minute by minute as the conversation had been going the spirit and
started to creep in. When she realized that we all had a choice she
began to get emotional. We taught her of her divine potential and
tears began to flow down her cheeks. We said to her. "Thank you so much
for listening to us and letting us share what we know." She explained
that in two years she had never had religious people come to her door.
That week her friend had died and we were the second people to knock
on her door that weekend. All of a sudden she knew God was real and
she felt his love.
Hope filled this lady's eyes as we stood there in the dark with just a
small porch light. This "atheist" had just felt her fathers love and
the Holy Ghost. That changed everything. And the cycle goes on for all
of those who know their true identity will help all of their brothers
and sisters to do the same.
I know God loves his children.
Love, Elder Weiss
Date: January 11, 2015 at 7:49:50 PM MST
To: Cyndy Weiss <cyndyweiss@gmail.com>
This week, my life changed. I learned something that changes
everything. President Pearson came on Tuesday to Mission Leadership
Council. He basically told us we are the worst... actually we were the
worst. He told us we are ineffective and faithless. "Sydney is not the
problem!! It's the way you're thinking!" "We are not looking for
needles in haystacks here!" On wednesday we had zone conference with
him which was even better. He taught us that how we view ourselves
determines who we become. He said that this is what everyone needs to
acheive salvation. Every person needs an identity. If we have a fire
in our hearts that we are children of God then we know we can achieve
greatness. Everyone says life is in your head. What you believe you
can achieve. I always believe that's just a fairy tale. If belief
means hard work. As long as I work hard enough I'll get what I want,
right? FALSE!
Remember that movie "The Secret"? I thought that was soo stupid, but
I didn't understand it. It all clicked in my head last Friday during
personal study. The day prior I was sitting studying when I looked
over at the window sill next to my desk. I was 8-10 little flies lying
on their back dead. All but one who continued kicking his legs
desperately with the last remaining strength that he had. These bugs
had exhausted all their strength trying to fly through the seemingly
non-existent window. In their heads that was the way to get out. When
at first it didn't work the bug gritted his hypothetical teeth and
said, "Well this is the way out so I'll just try again." Over and over
again he tried but the fruits of the 100th attempt yielded the same
fruits as the first attempt and like-wise the last. The bug fought
with all it's might and strength but it's mind was closed all the
while.
On my mission when things didn't turn out how I wanted it to I didn't
think twice, I kept working and trying the best I knew how. I thought
maybe I'm just supposed to be a seed planter. I've tried my absolute
best for 18 months and things haven't really turned out the way I
hoped, "But this IS the way... isn't it? So I'll do all I can until my
time is up and I'll fall onto my back and lay there kicking my legs
till I die." On Wednesday President Pearson grabbed me, shook me up,
and showed me that next to the window there is a wide open door.
There are transparent obstacles that stop us from achieving greatness.
Just because these obstacles are not perceivable with our physical
eyes, that does not make them any less effective it hurting our
progress. With a positive faithful attitude we literally move
intangible obstacles out of our way. The world starts to move how we
believe it can. Such spiritual power to move these mental or spiritual
obstacles can only come through a correct understanding of our
identity. We are Children of the most powerful being in the universe.
We can do AMAZING things. It's in ALL of us. We have limitless
potential. We all knew this before we were born but by choosing to
come to this earth we chose to leave this memory behind so that we
could choose our divine potential.
If only people knew what they are capable of, they would no longer
settle with lives of instant self-gratification. Instead they would
choose lives of power and glory. "The power is in us"!!! We "are
agents unto ourselves." With P-day, MLC in Sydney, Zone conference,
and weekly planning, we didn't get a normal day of proselyting until
Friday. All together we had about 3 1/2 days of proselyting and we did
more work in 3 1/2 days than we did in the entire previous week. We
found a new investigator Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and on Sunday we
found three, one of which accepted an baptismal date on the first
lesson! Am I working harder? No! I already did that. I believe that I
can achieve greatness, therefore the intangible, spiritual obstacles
that once slowed me down have been moved out of my way.
"Spiritual matter is the same as physical matter but it is finer and
purer." One day we will all see that "It is all matter." One quick
experience that I had last night before I end this "lecture on faith".
When we believe that we are can do great things, the Holy Ghost and
communicate to us more openly.
Last night we had just finished doing some visits with our ward
mission leader. He dropped us off at the end of his driveway next to
our car. As I got in the car I saw this house that we had parked in
front of. I thought maybe I should knock it, but we needed to get back
to collect numbers so we drove away. I had this sick feeling that
there was something wrong. I told my companion, "I don't feel good, we
need to go back." I pulled a U-turn and parked where we had been
parked one minute earlier. We got out and knocked the door. "Hello we
are just asking some questions today." "Ok like what?" The bearded man
responded. "Well, for you what are your feelings about God?" "No
thanks!" *SLAM*. But the feeling in my stomach persisted. I told my
companion, "Just one more door and then we'll go".
We knocked on the door and blond women in her 30's came to the door.
She smiled and said "Hey guys how can I help you?" We asked what her
feelings about God were. "I don't believe he exists." "Ok what led you
to that conclusion?" My companion says. "I just can't get over how
much bad there is in the world. Those children that died in that
orphanage in Pakistan didn't choose to be there. They didn't choose to
die." "God gives all of us the right to choose and some misuse it and
hurt others" "But if he gives us the right to choose how come those
children died? They did choose to die. Did they?" We taught that
before this life we lived with God as spirits and we all had the
choice to come here to gain and body and learn from our experiences.
"So you're saying we did have a choice?"
Minute by minute as the conversation had been going the spirit and
started to creep in. When she realized that we all had a choice she
began to get emotional. We taught her of her divine potential and
tears began to flow down her cheeks. We said to her. "Thank you so much
for listening to us and letting us share what we know." She explained
that in two years she had never had religious people come to her door.
That week her friend had died and we were the second people to knock
on her door that weekend. All of a sudden she knew God was real and
she felt his love.
Hope filled this lady's eyes as we stood there in the dark with just a
small porch light. This "atheist" had just felt her fathers love and
the Holy Ghost. That changed everything. And the cycle goes on for all
of those who know their true identity will help all of their brothers
and sisters to do the same.
I know God loves his children.
Love, Elder Weiss
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