Wednesday, April 8, 2015

WEEK 88: Where Can We Find Joy?

March 23, 2015 

I love the mission!!! I can't appropriately express through words, my gratitude for this outstanding opportunity to be serving the Lord full-time in His work. There is no other experience offered like this, anywhere in the world! Being able to grow, mature, and learn at an exponential rate has been quite the uplifting time, over the past months. Studying and learning of the Gospel was definitely not something I ever thought I would love so much. There is so much knowledge to gain when the Gospel resources are added to your tools. Study the scriptures, Gospel books, and the words of the Modern-Day Prophets. If you apply what you learn, you will become a new person. Someone you have never even thought existed within yourself--Someone who has never even crossed your mind.

Genaro was baptized on Saturday, and confirmed on Sunday! An incredible experience. He's 19 and is now a solid member of Christ's Church! When the baptismal prayer was pronounced at the service, something really hit me. “Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ..” Websters Dictionary defines the word Commission as “Authority to act for, in behalf of, or in place of another.” The Priesthood Authority of God has truly been restored back to the earth and it's people. Jesus Christ himself was baptized by John, who also held the Priesthood (Luke 1:8). It is so essential. God entrusts his Priesthood and responsibility with those whom He can trust. With those who are willing to sacrifice for Him. It's a marvelous thing when you really think about it. Maybe a very simple doctrine, but it amazes me.

So get this! Genaro was baptized at 12:30pm on Saturday. Later that night around 9pm, got a text from him. He asked “What if I don't want to be a part of religion?” My heart dropped! NO! This was not about to happen! Turns out, he got browsing on YouTube and came across a bunch of anti-stuff. We asked if we could come by and he agreed. He tried showing us some anti-video and we let him know we've came across a ton of people who have the same concerns as him. He shared an experience he had when he came home from his baptism earlier that day. He fell asleep and had a dream. In the dream, he was in a cell-like room. His back was up against a cold wall, and he couldn't move his body or speak. He saw a dark figure. The dark figure put his hands on Genaro's head, and he woke up. As he told us this dream, it caught me by surprise. It brought back memories of my second area in the mission, North Salt Lake. There were 2 other people that shared very similar experiences with me of when they were sleeping. Of them not being able to move or talk. These individuals were very close to baptism. Instantly, we had an impression to share a Prophet's similar experience. The Prophet Joseph Smith. When the boy Joseph took it upon himself to ask of God which church was right, he too felt an overwhelming power come over him. Right when he was about to do something great.

"After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.

 But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.
It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" (JSH 1:15-17)

We testified to Genaro that the adversary does not want him to confirmed and receive the Holy Ghost, so he was going to do anything to stop it. We testified that Joseph Smith truly is the first Prophet of our the Restoration of the Gospel. We promised that if he followed through with everything and received the Holy Ghost, things would smooth out. There is opposition in on things. If we will just obey the Lord, He will deliver us. Genaro was confirmed and is doing well.

Miracle!! A non-member named Jordan showed up to Genaro's baptism after she saw the baptism invitation info on Facebook! She thought she'd come with a friend to check it out. Turns out, she's met with missionaries for 2 lessons and has been coming to church for a month! She just moved into our YSA ward! And she wants to get baptized this coming Saturday! We have scheduled to meet with her literally every day before Saturday in order to cover all the material needed before baptism. I call this, “chain-baptizing” haha. God is good. Just one more reason to love the Utah Salt Lake City Mission. Find, teach, baptize, retain, and reactivate all day!!

If there's one thing I've learned from being out here in the field, it's that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is what will bring to the searching soul, everlasting happiness. Joy. Joseph Smith once said:

“Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God”

For some who don't believe in a God, happiness is still usually their objective in life. The only difference, is that pleasure (usually more instant and always temporal) is what they usually gravitate to. Nothing the world offers as “happiness” is ever long-lasting. Ever. If the “object and design of our existence” is to find happiness, then we need to be searching for the forever lasting happiness. This kind of happiness takes work. It takes patience. It takes persistence. It takes effort. It takes a different kind of mindset. It eventually takes everything we possess.

“A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has the power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.” -Joseph Smith
Think about it like this. If Bill Gates came up to you and said, “If you give me all the money in your bank account, I'll give you all the money in mine.”, would you even hesitate to accept? Money has no value in the eternal perspective, so that analogy only goes so far, but do you see the point? Heavenly Father offers us an equivalent to all that he has. But He requires that we give him our all. When in reality, is only our will. That is the only thing that we have to give. The rest of everything we own is actually His. How long and what will it take for us to allow our will to become “swallowed up in the will of the Father”? Why do we hold back? What are we waiting for?

“I say, if you want to enjoy exquisitely, become a Latter-day Saint, and then live the doctrine of Jesus Christ.” -Brigham Young

A simple principle I've come to learn and love is obedience. And the fact that it brings blessings and happiness. We are in this life to “fill the measure of [our] creation”. We do that by obey an all-wise and knowledgeable Heavenly Father who knows how to help us do that. It's quite simple when you think about it. I feel like we often make it much more difficult than it needs to be! If we wish to discover joy, we must be willing to pay the small price of obedience and sacrifice the things we feel are important or of worth to us, and obtain the much greater blessings that are in store for us from a loving Heavenly Father.

“Men are, that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25)

Study the Gospel, learn the Gospel, live the Gospel. You'll find lasting joy, I promise you! Rely on the Lord in all you do! Trust him. And make choices that will lead Him to trust you. Make every decision with the eternal perspective in mind. Do your best and try your hardest to “fill the measure of your creation. Repent when you mess up, and keep your head up and you'll find joy in doing so.

Keep up the good work!!
~Elder Carroll




Monday, April 6, 2015

WEEK 87: The Miracle of the Atonement

March 16, 2015

Yesterday, I had the great blessing of going back to my first area in the mission (Fruit Heights) to witness a wonderful friend get re-baptized after 27 years of excommunication. We'll call him Mike. He is an amazing man who would do anything for anybody. He served a full-time mission in California and has taught and showed me many things to use in my teaching that I still use today! It was an incredible service. He had so much support from family, friends, missionaries, and the ward. It just goes to show that people can change. They change by help of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.


The miracle of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, although maybe not completely comprehensible to us at this point, is an incredible and quite fascinating topic of study. The word “Gospel”, as you probably know, means “good news”. We, as missionaries, are going all about the world, preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What is the Gospel or “good news” that we preach and teach? Is it the good news of Christ’s Church being restored in our days? Is it the good news of the Priesthood Authority of God being brought back to the earth? Is it the good news of the accessibility that we now have of Temples and Saving Ordinances? The answer to these questions is no. The Good News we bring to the World, is the knowledge we have of the truth and reality of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The sacrifice for our sin. All other doctrines and principles taught in the Church are but appendages of this Great and Final Sacrifice. Faith, Repentance, Baptism, The Gift of the Holy Ghost, the Plan of Salvation, commandments, temples, ordinances, covenants, priesthood power, the sacrament, missionary work, the church organization, living prophets, prayer, fasting, etc. Everything does and should revolve around the single most important event in the history of man’s existence. The Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Over the past 20 months, my simple, weak, foundation of knowing who Jesus Christ truly is, and being converted to Him, has completely changed. I can now say that I know without a doubt that Jesus Christ was a real man. I can also confidently testify that he was and is the Son of God. I have not seen him. I have not heard him. But I have felt his Spirit confirm that truth, and that is enough for me. He suffered beyond measure, to satisfy the demands of justice for very imperfect people like you and like me. That we ourselves might not suffer the penalty of sin, only if we repent, have faith, and strive to do our best in following Him. I know that we do not only suffer physically when we do not obey His commandments, but spiritually also. I don’t know if you can see it, but I can so blatantly see the difference and feeling between those who strive to live the commandments, and those who don’t. There is a different light and happiness that comes with someone who follows Him.  

So many people I’ve spoken to about life see no reason to obey the commandments. For common reasons such as because they “constrain us”, or they don't allow us to have "fun", or because they don't allow us to be "free". Some people say there is no God, therefore, no reason to follow the teaching of the prophets and scriptures. Atheists (or any individual who justifies their sin) are their own gods. They are their highest authority. There is no eternal punishment for doing wrong. This mindset is so appealing to most people because it is a temporary “freedom” from penalty. But in reality, brings misery and sorrow in the end. I can testify of that. I've seen it firsthand. 

"A God who makes no demands is the functional equivalent of a God who does not exist." -Elder Christofferson

Those who live the commandments, are the happiest. It's a fact. I can't deny it, because I've seen so much evidence of it. I've seen so many come back to the Lord when the realize where their disobedience has taken them. They have to find out the hard way. But, it doesn't have to be like that for any of us. Christ made no mistakes, and also was the happiest and most knowledgeable person to come to earth, because He is obedient.

An amazing 3 minute video on how keeping the commandments can bring us happiness: http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/obedience-to-the-ten-commandments?cid=HPTU031015743

Keeping the commandments will not bring us temporary worldly pleasure, but eternal Heavenly joy. Can you see this perspective?

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it." (Mosiah 2:41)

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is universal and all-reaching. It knows no bounds. The only reason the Atonement would not be able to reach us, would be because of the negative use of our own moral agency. If we wish to feel the enabling power that He has to offer, we must repent, have faith, and obey. There is no other way.

"Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you? (3 Nephi 9:13)

On Saturday, we had 3 great lessons on Temple Square. During one of them, a Recent Convert named Craig shared a fascinating experience he had.  He said he asked God to show him what the afterlife is like, and that God showed him a dream. In this dream, Craig was in the afterlife, standing before God to be judged. Another man was also there. This man was someone who Craig knew. Craig had wronged this man (in real life). This man also died in a car wreck (in real life) a few years back. Craig told us that this man was "testifying against" him. 

"Yea, and I will suffer even until death, and I will not recall my words, and they shall stand as a testimony against you. And if ye slay me ye will shed innocent blood, and this shall also stand as a testimony against you at the last day." (Mosiah 17:10)

He said that there were no words spoken in the dream, but that this man had a very sad look in his eye as he stared at Craig. Then Craig saw an abyss-like cloud that spirits were entering and "not coming out of".  The man didn't want Craig to go in there, but Craig knew that he had done wrong and he had to pay for what he had done.. But then God let Craig in with him. Craig said he felt very uncomfortable there. And that he didn't like it because the man was there also. He felt guilty.

"Wherefore, we shall have a perfect knowledge of all our guilt, and our uncleanness, and our nakedness; and the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness." (2 Nephi 9:14)

Craig has only been a member for a few months. He doesn't have a ton of Gospel knowledge. He's always cracking jokes and always has something out the ordinary and crazy to say.. but I have a feeling this was a real message from God. The things he told us lined up so closely to the doctrine taught in the scriptures. Craig has been super flaky and non-committal for the past month or so, and now is ready to get back on board. The Lord truly does come to whatever level of learning we are at to teach us. We just must be willing to act on the revelations we receive.

Elsa was confirmed a member yesterday. She is doing great. Getting her Patriarchal Blessing, and going to the Temple soon too! :) We have taken her teaching and she is fantastic! Thinking about a mission!

The Lord is great. The mission is great. What an incredible experience.

Stay close to the Lord!
~Elder Carroll
"The Lord is my light; then why should I fear?
By day and by night his presence is near.
He is my salvation from sorrow and sin;
This blessed assurance the Spirit doth bring." -The Lord Is My Light Hymn #89




WEEK 86- What Is True Success?

March 8, 2015






Hey!!!

We're in at the mission home right now with President and Sister Spendlove, their 2 kids that are still at home, and all of the 12 departing missionaries. They had a "departing testimony" meeting and now they're just playing board games until they crash. We have to wake up at 4am tomorrow to take everyone to the airport, and also pick up the new incoming missionaries as well. It's gonna be crazy tomorrow with transfers and whatnot, so I'll send a note now!

Another great week of serving the Lord has come and gone too fast. We have been busy touring the mission with President Spendlove and his wife, so they can attend all Zone Meetings to introduce themselves to all the missionaries. It has been a great. We can all feel the sincere love they have for us. I know the Lord is behind and supporting everything that has been happening in the Great Utah Salt Lake City Mission over the past few weeks. He has a much greater purpose in everything that we can physically see or comprehend. I know the Lord is very aware and interested in what His children are involved with, especially dealings within His Church. He is in charge.

I’d like to write a few things on an observation I’ve had over the past week while visiting and sitting in meetings with all the missionaries in the mission.. I’ve written on this subject before, but I feel inclined to mention it again. It’s been an interesting opportunity to see another side of missionary work, the administrative part for one, but also being able to see the more personal side of all the missionaries and what they are going through and feeling.

It’s been my observation that a lot of missionaries accept success in many different types of ways. For some, success is baptizing. For others, success is teaching a certain amount of lessons. Some see success as just maintaining themselves and staying out here in the field. Since being out here in the field, the Lord has helped me to come to the knowledge of what TRUE success is. True success, or God’s success rate, is what we achieve in an internal sense. I.E. our faith, testimony, conversion, knowledge, relationships, character (Christ-like attributes: faith, hope, patience, charity, obedience, diligence, humility etc.) etc. Things we are able to take with us after physical death. We can each ask the penetrating question within ourselves: If for some reason our mortal life ended in the next minute, would these internal qualities of ours be strong enough to support us in the afterlife and standing before our Almighty God? If not, then why are we not doing everything we need to be doing to strengthen them? When we stand before our Maker, these are the only things that we will have with us. Especially in the past month or so, I've learned that if the Lord wills it so, He can take us home at any moment. We much too often determine our success depending on and focus on external things. Things that don’t last. Things that we aren't able to take with us. Our jobs, money, comfortable living, schooling, sports, music, etc. Now I’m not implying that these things are of no importance. For example, these things can be used to strengthen family relationships. But, if we are placing any of these as priorities over our internal success, we need to do a self-evaluation and make necessary changes. Set goals and make plans. These external successes will only bring limited happiness, or pleasure. Internal successes bring an everlasting happiness, or joy.

Whenever we set any type of goal, we would do best to focus on the internal end of success. When we wish to set a goal of reading our scriptures daily, we should really be setting a goal to increase our knowledge, Christ-like character, spiritual sensitivity, etc. through daily scripture study. It's a mindset change that can make all the difference.

We must always see every situation in this mortal life, in an eternal perspective. Our existence is not about this current life. It’s about what is to come. The choices we make here, through our moral agency, determine our eternal destiny. I know that as each one of us focus and prioritize on, in this life, God’s measure of success, the internal, the successes we are able to take with us after death, we will undoubtedly find more joy in this life, and into the eternities.

As busy as we've been, the Lord has blessed us in our proselyting area. I'm in the same YSA stake (Downtown SLC) as I was before, but just covering 4 different wards. We were able to witness 3 individuals enter into the covenant and waters of baptism this past weekend! Gabby (19), Kate (23), and Elsa (20). And another on date for a few weeks from now! What an amazing opportunity it has been to be even a small part in His Great Work. I am eternally grateful for the mercy the Lord and for Him helping me learn lessons that will have an impact on me for the rest of my life and existence. He has helped me to see what truly matters most in life.

I love the Lord and I love this Work. Stay close to Him and I promise He will bless you.

Love,Elder Carroll

"Do ye suppose that God will look upon you as guiltless while ye sit still and behold these things? Behold I say unto you, Nay. Now I would that ye should remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also." (Alma 60:23)

Week 85- Gather them into the Garners!

MARCH 2, 2015

Friends,

You could say this has been the busiest week of the entire mission. We're "busy missionaries" as President Hansen would always say! We were able to tour the entire mission and participate in 4 Zone Conferences with President Hansen. The conferences were focused on 3 Christlike Attributes: Faith, Obedience, and Diligence, and the importance of having a "firm foundation" in Christ (Heleman 5:12). We were privileged to be trained by President Hansen, the mission presidency, and to give a training on the principle of Obedience ourselves at each conference. Each conference was edifying and inspirational, but especially the last of the 4. President Hansen's last in the mission. His love for the missionaries is so apparent. I am so easily able to feel the love of Christ, through him. I will miss him immensely.

The night before President Hansen left, he stayed in a hotel downtown so the mission home could be deep cleaned for the new President. He invited us to come over and visit in his room that night after our appointments to talk about a few things. It was some mission business, but also an amazing opportunity for him to bear a powerful testimony of the importance of staying close to the Lord throughout our lives. Such an amazing opportunity to get to be so close and one on one with such an amazing man.

Throughout the zone conferences, President would continually quote Alma 26, which says:

 5 Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves! And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted.

 6 Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at the last day; yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the whirlwinds; but when the storm cometh they shall be gathered together in their place, that the storm cannot penetrate to them; yea, neither shall they be driven with fierce winds whithersoever the enemy listeth to carry them.

 7 But behold, they are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest, and they are his; and he will raise them up at the last day.

Of the many things I have learned from President Hansen, it's of the importance of the Temple. The "garner". If we will make going to the Temple regularly a priority, we will not be able to be beaten down by the storms of life. True happiness will come to us when we live worthily of and use an active Temple Recommend regularly.

President and Sister Spendlove (New mission president) got into the mission on Saturday. They are awesome. We had the opportunity to stand in the circle as President set apart his 2 councilors. An amazing experience. We spent all Saturday and last night meeting with them to help them get caught up as much as possible as pertaining to the mission and missionaries. I know the Lord was behind, aware, and in charge of the many changes in the mission recently. He has been anticipating it for a long time. There are so many things that just happen to line up perfectly so things could work out. I has greatly strengthened my testimony in knowing that the Lord knows how to run things, and does.

Things are staying busy. Transfers are next week. We're be touring the mission again this week with President Spendlove so he can attend all the zone meetings in the next coming days. I'm loving the work more than ever right now. The Lord has been merciful in molding me into something much more than I thought I ever could be. I am eternally grateful.

Stay close to the Lord, and He will bless you.

Love,
Elder Carroll

 "Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand." - How Firm A Foundation, Hymn #85

Celebrating my birthday with 
goodies that my mom sent me!

 My man Darius! (Recent Convert)