19 November 2018

Why should I follow Jesus Christ?

This was a questions I was asked this past week: Why should I follow Jesus Christ? In the moment I gave a decent answer, which has led to much pondering on my part. Why should I follow Jesus Christ? And why should I invite others to follow him?

For the life of me I can’t find it, but this week I read a recent general conference talk in which an apostle relates his experience where he was asked a similar question by someone looking for trouble. In that moment he gave an answer, which also led him to reflection and pondering. He concluded that what Christ has done for us is truly great, and we can receive all that he wants to give us by faithfully keeping his commandments.

Jesus Christ, through his great sacrifice, known as the atonement, saved us all from death. Like him, we will all rise again from the grave, having perfect bodies. He also, in a way that we cannot understand, took upon himself the sins of the world and suffered every pain. He did this so that all who will follow him will be saved.

So why do we follow Jesus Christ? He has already returned to the Father. He knows the way. If we will follow him, he too will guide us back into the presence of the Father, where we can enjoy what he enjoys.

I know through the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the World. He will save us from our sins as we follow him. I pray that all of us can consider what we need to start or stop doing to follow Christ. I know that as we follow him, our burdens will be lightened and we will be strengthened to do whatever he requires of us.

Transfers:

Elder Suranto and I receive the dreaded transfer call. We will both be moving from Tangerang to Bogor. Bogor is located an hour south of Jakarta. It is known for raining a lot, being a tad bit cooler than normal Indonesian weather, and for having a strong church presence.

Questions:

Q:Is it common for extended families to live in the same house in Indonesia?

A: Yes, quite common in fact.

Pictures:

1. My English Class

2. One of the families in my ward along with other members and some people that Elder Suranto and I have been teaching.

12 November 2018

Falling in Love on the Mission:

I am not sure when the tradition began, but it has been common for missionaries to be told to ‘lock their hearts’ while serving a mission. By securely locking their hearts’, and perhaps by giving the key to their mothers’, it was hoped that missionaries would not fall in love on their missions.

What a terrible mistake. Any  missionary who doesn’t come home head over heels in love has missed one of the most important growing opportunities that come from full time service.

The gospel of Jesus Christ has been defined as “all the doctrines, principles, laws, ordinances, and covenants necessary for us to be exalted in the celestial kingdom.” (https://www.lds.org/topics/gospel). Missionaries are told that the lessons they teach “contain the essential doctrine, principles, and commandments that [they] are to study, believe, love, live, and teach” (Preach My Gospel 29). Missionaries are also told to love their companions, love the people they serve, and to love the members. And certainly Jesus’ command to “Love your enemies” is more applicable than ever before (Matthew 5:44).

For me, serving a mission has been an incredible opportunity to grow in my capacity to love others and see them as their Father in Heaven sees them; his children. I have also gained a profound love for the simplicity of the gospel, and its universal application in the lives of all of God’s children. Indeed it can be said that I have ‘fallen in love’ with the gospel of Jesus Christ, with the people that I serve, and the people I serve with. Still working on loving my enemies.

Water to Wine:

Something else on my mind this week has been the first miracle that Jesus performed, as recorded by the gospel writer John. Found in John 2, the miracle is one of the most remembered acts of Jesus, but also perhaps one of the least understood acts.

In turning water into wine, Jesus was showing that his power was a power capable to transform. In fact, he can turn water to wine, just as we can be turned from our natural desires into men and women of God.

An important aspect of this transformation is obedience. Mary told the servants at the wedding “Whatsoever [Jesus] saith unto you, do it” (John 2:5). A miracle, even as wonderful as the transforming of water to wine, will take place within each of us who will do everything Christ commands us. And what is it that Christ commands us to do? “Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day” (3 Nephi 27:20).

Six Months to Six Pack:

This past week marks my last six months on the mission, which makes it seem only reasonable that my six month workout program will start. I have found that the mission is one of the best gyms available. Although there isn't a nice squat rack and barbell to train my body, the mission does include some of the best spiritual workout equipment on the market. In this aspect, I plan on coming home in my most spiritually strong state.

Questions:

Q:Have you learned much about politics in Indonesia?

A: Yes, but not too much. It is currently election season but being honest I don’t feel that things here are too politically charged.

Q:What is temple attendance like for the members in Indonesia?

A: By stake annual temple trips are planned for members who would other times have financial difficulty attending the temple. The trip normally has twenty people who go, and they attend the Manila Philippines temple. For the members who have the means to go the temple themselves, they often go to the Hong Kong Temple.

Picture of my district below.

Elder Allen.

5 November 2018

My Week:

Tuesday featured a mission meeting with two general authorities. The meeting lasted for 2.5 hours and I learned a lot. I am grateful even for the fact that I was in attendance. Because of the huge distance between cities in my mission, not all missionaries are afforded the opportunity to attend meetings where general authorities are present.

On the subject of serving in far away places, I read a talk this week given in 2006 by Richard G Scott. In his talk he gave the following observation “I have seen how missionaries who return from unusual assignments, such as adapting to the native culture of a Pacific Island, Mongolia, or the highlands of Guatemala or otherwise serving with minimal personal contact with the mission president, develop previously unknown personal capacities extremely well.” It has been interesting for me to reflect on the short time I have had in Indonesia and come to the realization that this has been true in my development.

Following the mission meeting, Elder Suranto and I traveled with missionaries heading to the city of Bandung; 3.5 hours away by train. In Bandung we went on exchanges with a companionship there. Although we didn’t have any teaching appointments that day, it was refreshing to spend an entire day walking in the city and talking to people.

Following Bandung, Elder Suranto and I went on exchanges in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. This time we were with the assistants, and it was great to see how different the work is between Tangerang and Jakarta. There we ride in buses to travel from place to place, and talking to others seems really easy to do.

This week I have been blessed with a greater vision of the Holy Ghost. In word it is hard to describe, but I know that the

crucial role played by the Holy Ghost is essential in the gaining of a testimony, specifically a testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Regardless of how small the confirmation is, or how long it takes to receive, it is nevertheless needed if we are ever to open our mouths and bear testimony by saying “I know this to be true.”

A confirmation of truth from the Holy Ghost comes by study and by faith. Rarely does it come in the secular means of comparison and examination. I hope that each of us can ponder upon the truth that has been taught to us by the Spirit and decide to learn more truth under his divine tutelage. By so doing we will become more powerful in resisting evil and standing for the right.

Questions:

Q: Have you learned any new skills or talents on your mission?

A: I have learned how to mop (pitiful on my part that I couldn’t mop before), massage, cook food like an Indonesian, enjoy using a squatter toilet, teach English as a foreign language (harder than I thought), and ride a bike (I knew how to before, but I am a pro now). I am wanting to learn how to cut hair because Indonesian barbers are pretty good, even at little shacks on the side of the road. I also want to learn how to sew because the tailors here are all pretty good, but we will see about that.

Q: What is your favorite Indonesian food?

A: Nasi Padang, Nasi Pecel, Martabak Manis, Roti Bakar, Jus Buah, Singkong Goreng

Elder Allen.