April 29, 2013

 

I do really hope that the family uses the Proclamation; it's such incredible scripture. The words of modern prophets are so great for us to use if people will be humble enough and have sufficient faith to believe that it's possible. We're working every day to use The Book of Mormon with more confidence and wisdom in its application to teaching. There are endless applications for the doctrine that's given within it, and it's portrayed by these wonderful stories and sermons that are easy to understand if given time and attention. Additionally, it's that evidence that the Restoration really occurred.

(Thought I'd add that as I write this email, I'm having to translate everything into English from the Spanish that's floating around in mi brain)

Something interesting about the assignment as a zone leader is that we're promised by the mission president that if we focus MORE on caring for the Elders as our "investigators" and first priorities, then our areas of proselyting will basically take care of themselves and things will pick up and we WILL baptize. Insane promise. I'm really trying to exercise faith in that and take it to heart and application.

 

I want to share some cool things I learned at our stake conference yesterday. I had a unique experience that answered my prayers and helped me feel good. I received a strong witness yesterday that the Spirit is strong with us, and that the Lord is pleased with our service. That affirmation seems more often than not to come by way of others, thanking us for our service. For me it was something different to have that feeling come straight to me. It was an assurance that the Holy Spirit was carrying us, guiding us. It felt like it grabbed my heart to let me know He was there, much in the way that a father would grab his son's shoulders and squeeze him; showing love and affirming his presence as father and protector. It was every bit of that and more for me at that moment, and meant a whole lot.

A special invitation that our stake president made was that in the days to come that we all forgive someone. That can be hard sometimes, but he promised the blessings and I took the challenge.

We have several people who have chosen to set a baptismal date for the coming weeks, and we are working with them to attain those goals and be baptized. We are praying to know what to do and say and share that will help them further their conversion. We invite others to come unto Christ through His ordained way, and it's amazing. I anticipate more joy than I have ever experienced in watching another returning child of God remember what the Spirit feels like, and receive the right to its presence. That's the cleaning power!

Mom, your last statement in this letter means a whole lot to me. People rarely do things without being invited, and it's true that the Elders need invitations as much as any other. Your invitation to "walk with God" encompasses a whole variety of passions and desires that I've had for a very long time. To walk with God is to know Him. To know Him is eternal life. In naming a few who have "walked with God," I'm reminded of Enoch, the 7th from Adam, chosen unexpectedly, against the doubts and fears about his problem of speech, claiming himself that he saw no reason for which he should find favor in the eyes of the Lord. He was weak and felt inadequate, and yet in the making of a prophet, this same Enoch did cast down mountains, and the roar of lions was heard in the forest by his command. All by the invitation the Lord made to him to walk in His ways. Thank you for that invitation, which I will commit to and seek for the building up of the Lord's kingdom on earth.

Elder Talbot