Week 64- Does the Lord trust me?

Headed to General Conference!

Helloooooo!!

Isn't this Gospel just wonderful!? It is!! What a great and marvelous opportunity we had this weekend to listen and observe our Lord's beloved Prophets and Apostles. Elder Burt and I had the opportunity to attend 3 of the 5 sessions at the Conference Center itself. The Spirit in the room when President Monson walks in every time is so surreal. I love it! How blessed are we to have a Prophet that is called of God to lead and guide us. If you did not have the opportunity to see all of the sessions, I invite you to go online and watch the ones you missed! We cannot miss out on the blessing of receiving revelation through the words and Spirit of the brethren.

Our guests for Conference!

Real quick about one of the talks that stood out to me the most... President Uchtdorf's talk (It's always President Uchtdorf haha), "Lord, is it I?”  It really put things into perspective for me.  I definitely can work on my pride!  Although the Lord has worked a miracle on helping me in realizing that, I still have a long ways to go! :)  How easy is it to look at someone else's faults or mistakes, and completely miss our own.  It's pretty dang easy if you ask me!  As President Uchtdorf has instructed us, we must constantly be asking "Lord, is it I?  How can I improve? Won't you help me overcome my personal challenges and weaknesses?" He will be right there, with his arm stretched forth, waiting for us to grab a hold. How great and merciful our loving Lord is. It's truly amazing!

Another few questions I often ask myself... "Does the Lord trust me?  Am I doing something that He would not be pleased with?  If so, what is it?  And how can I change and become better?" If there's one thing I've learned on my mission, it's that the more the Lord can trust us, the happier we will be. It's that straight forward.  Let us re-evaluate ourselves and look deep inside our hearts.  Are we acting, in any aspect of our lives, in a way that would be displeasing to the Lord?  Let us use his graceful Atonement and rise to the next level. The Lord expects us to follow Him and to do it well.

One of the greatest things the Lord has made very apparent to me while out here in the field, is the importance of learning of Him…

"Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, 

and you shall have peace in me." (D&C 19:23)

It is honestly the only way we can come to a knowledge and surety of anything in this life, for ourselves and for our own personal conversion. The Lord has commanded us over and over to "treasure up in [our] minds continually the words of life".  If you know me at all, you would know that back home, I couldn't stand reading a book.  I would much rather play my guitar or rock out to Green Day.  Not saying that I don't like those things anymore, but because I have been serving the Lord full-time for the last while, I have come to LOVE reading. Every P-day, one of the highlights of the day is going to D.I. and looking for good books (cause they're so cheap there!) :) haha!

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou hast done; 

for thou hast inquired of me, and behold, 

as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. 

If it had not been so, thou wouldst not have 

come to the place where thou art at this time." (D&C 6:14)

We must constantly be doing our best to "receive instruction from His Spirit." One of the best ways to do that is by searching His words!

"Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; 

seek learning, even by study and also by faith." (D&C 88:118)

If you can't tell, I love this!!! There isn't hardly enough study time in the day anymore.

"That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, 

and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light 

groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day." (D&C 50:24)

When we put the effort to receive "further light and knowledge" from God, He will then allow us more if we put this knowledge to use. If we act and not just wait to be acted upon. As Nephi, I too "rejoice in plainness". The words of life are easy and simple. We just must put in the effort to be in tune with the Spirit. We must live worthy of it. I know that in order to become personally converted, we must put in some effort. We must pay the price.

Our friend Alissa, is doing great and she is on date for baptism on November 1st! So excited for her and her family. She is solid.

My prayers go out to you, stay close to the Lord and I promise He will bless you! :)

Love,

Elder Carroll

My favorite scripture this week: Alma 29:9 - "I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy."

Elder Burt and I after the Priesthood session

A couple of Missionaries.