Only 10 more days left at the MTC. I am so excited to be heading over to Indonesia. We continue to learn about the culture there. The language is so funny. They love shortening words. For example, "Lowbat" means "Low Battery." I thought that was pretty funny. They also have KEPO, which means Knowing Every Particular Object. Funny how they use English acronyms.
This week in my studies I have really enjoyed reading Nephi's account of his rebuking his older brothers, found in 1 Nephi 7:8-12. which reads:
8 Behold ye are mine elder brethren, and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you?
9 How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the Lord?
10 How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord?
11 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record?
12 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.
9 How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the Lord?
10 How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord?
11 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record?
12 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.
Imagine being asked these questions. How different are we at times than the older brothers of Nephi, who had forgotten the Lord? How is it, that we, having a knowledge of the Gospel, fail to live it. Matthew 19:16-22 conveys a similar principle, in which a young ruler was not faithful enough to follow the counsel of Jesus, and sell all the he had and "come and follow [Christ]." As Nephi commands us: "Wherefore, let us be faithful to [Christ]."
These past two weeks have been really fun. We are working really hard. This Tuesday my roommates and I did an English fast. We learned so much only speaking our language for 24 hours. I will learn so much more in Indonesia. The main building is being used for the Mission President Conference right now. Hopefully that means we will be able to hear from an apostle before we leave.
I don't have much more to say. I need to start keeping my emails shorter. Thanks so much for everyone who has been reading and replying. I love hearing back from everyone. If you are going through anything difficult in your life, just know that Jesus Christ wants to help you. All you need to do is go unto him. He is waiting to help us, if only we will ask. Don't forget the blessing that daily prayer and scripture study brings you. I know his gospel is true, and I can't wait to help others in Indonesia learn of it.
Attached is a picture of Elder Earl, myself. Elder Rapp, and Elder Schofield last Sunday on our temple walk. I also have attached a mural of the parting of the Red Sea. It is one of my favorite murals.
