For the Strength of Youth

November 23, 2015

It is really cold today.  The sun is shining and the sky is clear. The FM missionaries are about finished putting the Christmas lights up. This Friday and Saturday we have a Live Nativity and the lighting program to kick off the Christmas season. This also starts the very, very, very busy nights.  Last year we had about 40,000 cars drive past and 5-6,000 people come into the residence for cider and cookies. We will be open for twelve hours each day and our schedules will be crazy.  BUT it is amazing to greet and visit with so many people, most not members of our Church.

The leaves are all gone now and we can see the rolling hills through the trees.  This monument is captivating in every season.

Roger has had some interesting experiences this past few weeks, so he is going to put them on this post.

Roger:

I teach a small Sunday School class.  In the class are two foreign exchange students.  One is a Muslim from Tunisia; the other is a Roman Catholic from Rome.  There are four Mormon girls and one Mormon boy.  We have all sort of bonded.  We laugh and cry together and discuss the gospel, allowing everyone to say what they want.

Last week was one of those crying weeks.  Miriam believes devoutly in Allah.  Of course, last week was the Paris attack where 130 persons were killed by terrorists professing faith in Allah.  The lesson was on how we can stand up for our beliefs.  I asked, "have any of you ever had to speak up for your beliefs?"

Miriam's hand shot up.  "I have been on Twitter all night," she said. "We do not believe in killing people like this.  The Quran (Koran) does not teach this anywhere!"  It was such a stunning statement that we all started to cry.  I saw in the face of this little Muslim girl (16 years old) a hope for all the Muslim world, and a hope for the western world for peace with about one third of the earth's population.

Elder Brent Nielsen, of the Seventy, came to our ward two weeks ago.  He said of this refugee problem from Syria, "Perhaps this is the way the gospel will be introduced into the Muslim world."  As a soldier in Vietnam, I watched this very thing happen in Vietnam. While we were in that war none of us could see hope for that Buddha inspired nation.  But today thousands and thousands of Vietnamese people are members of the LDS Church.  Could it not be the same for the Muslim nations?

One other story.  Yesterday in class I wanted to play a small piece of video featuring Elder Uchtdorf.  As I put it up on the computer, the piece came up with Elder Uchtdorf speaking perfect Italian.  I don't know how it happened: I touched no such button, but there it was--perfect Italian.  Chincthia translated it for us and we went on, laughing and joying in the Spirit of Christ.      

One Year

November 10, 2015

This weekend we had a wonderful opportunity to meet with Elder and Sister Brent Nielson of the Seventies Quorum.  He was here visiting our mission, spending time with the young Sisters and Elders, and meeting with our Senior Missionaries in New Hampshire Manchester Mission.  

I loved many things about the instructions we were given, but one that caught my attention was the importance of UNITY.  This is something we need in every aspect of our lives.  He said if we would put down the sword of rebellion and take up the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ in our everyday lives, if we would quit finding fault in others and build up those we associate with, we would find that those we love, our families, the people in our work place and the world, would become our fast friends and we would do anything for their benefit.

If we would follow Jesus Christ's call to "come unto me," and then truly follow His ways we could find true joy.

I had two young women, students from Montreal, come to the visitors center.  They were full of life and excitement.  They were thrilled to be here.  They wanted to know everything I could tell them, they wanted every pamphlet and pass along card we have, they wanted the Proclamation on the Family, and The Living Christ, they wanted a Book of Mormon.  They were not members of our Church but knew someone that had made a wonderful impression on them. They are seeking truth and God's plan.  I hope what they learned here will help them reach out to Christ and come unto Him.

Several years ago we visited Denmark with Amy, McKay, Lilly and Lauren.  One of the places we visited was The Church of Our Lady, on Stroet Street, where the famous Christus stands in prominence.  There in the same church are statues of each of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ from His time on the earth.  They are beautifully done. The one of Peter holding keys is especially important.  These are the keys to the kingdom of God, and were restored to Joseph Smith in 1829.  They are held today by President Thomas S. Monson. The reason I put this in the blog today is that all we teach, the stories we tell here at the Visitors Center, are ll encompassed by those keys of authority present in our lives today.  

Roger standing by Peter the Apostle.

We had two Senior Sister missionaries who left to return home to Utah yesterday.  They had spent most of their time in Maine.  They helped teach a young mother who had sought refugee status here in the States.  She was found protesting against her government in the Congo, where she was fighting for freedom.  She was jailed, beaten, and raped.  She was released from jail and went to her home only to have a neighbor come to her and to tell her that the police were on their way to jail her again. They helped her get to a Catholic Church, to safety, and there to come through the underground to the U.S. She brought her young boys, ages six and four, but she still has no idea where her husband is, or if he is still alive.  The missionaries taught her and she knew what they told her was true.  Last Friday she was baptized; on Saturday I was able to give her a tour of the Visitor Center.  Her countenance and spirit were pure and good.  She is on her way now with Sister Farr and Sister Edwards to a place of safety where she can work towards citizenship and freedom for her family.

There is a spirit about this place that is amazing.

Thank you for the picture Marjean.

With the way the world is today it is nice to have a place of peace in my life.  I love this mission. I love this scripture too from Paul: 

Ephesians 6:11-18

11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.

15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

I love home! I love my family more than words can say.  I love the Lord Jesus Christ, and I am thankful daily for the Atonement in my life.