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| Elder Bivings (Big Red Giant) |
Recently in my mind, I have been thinking of the story found in the Book of Mormon; in Mosiah, we read about a group of Nephites who have been put into the captivity of their enemies (basically slavery) due to their wickedness and forgetfulness of the Lord. After much pleading with the Lord, they finally were given an opportunity to leave. It meant leaving the cities they lived in and leaving behind everything they fought for, this promised land owned by their founding fathers. Through their renewed faith in the Lord, they escaped into the forest and went down to another Nephite city. Another group of Nephites from this same city escaped prior to captivity, but they had to start from scratch, with zip, nothing, nada but with hard work, they built up a new city. They realized the problems with dictatorships with kings and rulers and started setting up a basic government. They started getting rich and prospering in the land, but their enemies found them and put into slavery. It was with more intense work and rules. They ran away from a terrible situation with a promise of new opportunity, but quickly fell into the same problem. Only this time, it wasn't self-caused.
Now sometimes in this world, we cause our own problems. Maybe mistakes we make, maybe we have problems because of disobedience to the commandments, or maybe just because the Lord wants to test us. (2 Nephi 1:20) "And he hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence." (Mosiah 23:21) "Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith." The Lord will try our patience at times to see if we are humble and faithful to him. To see if we remember him and still want to be obedient when the blessings aren't coming.
As we jump back to the story of these Nephites. They were being pushed so much that they weren't even allowed to pray. But they kept faithful in keeping the commandments. (Mosiah 24:14-16) "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.
And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage."
And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.
And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage."
The Lord with time let them go. The Nephites had listened to the will of the Lord. It wasn't for them to stay in the forest for the rest of their life. It was to go back and reunite with the rest of their nation and with faith-promoting experiences and complete and utter trust in the Lord. Through these experiences the Nephites prospered exceedingly in missionary work. If we are patient the Lord will make us into the best people we can be. Be obedient and you will feel peace. If you endure these challenges it will make you stronger and will help you later on in life.
This week I had divisions and went to visit Puerto Armuelles. I taught a newer missionary a bit how to teach better.
The best event that happened was that I had the chance to visit Panama City for a conference. In the 1st time in over 3 years, all the missionaries in Panama were called into the city. That is around 200 missionaries and made me so happy. I ran into almost all my old companions (except those who are home). I was also able to see Megan (my cousin) but the big red giant, Elder Bivings, separated us (Sisters/Elders). To top this, I saw a lot of old members from the branches of Boquete, Almirante, y El Empalme. That just made my soul sing for joy. It was like a flush of all these memories of hard work, service, and preaching the gospel. Then we had the conference with Ulyses S Soares, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I got the extra motivation and hope I have been so craving. We talked a lot about faith, setting goals, and inspired plans.
It was great and as I got back home (we left at 2 in the morning Saturday and got back at 2 in the morning Sunday) we went to a church council and had the opportunity to teach the Branch how to make realistic goals. I was able to share what I knew and what I just learned. Today I slept in and then I also prepared for a special investigator with questions. When you have scripture study for the benefit of somebody else it is so much more meaningful, I invite you to try it.
Love you guys,
Elder Irizarry
And shout out to Elder Sargent who read my blog before coming to the mission.
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| During divisions, a guy that I knew from Boquete was working in the area and just threw me full sized Snicker Bars. It was like a belated Halloween. |
