Baptism on Saturday, 08/09/14
Greetings! Good to hear from many of you this week!
So many people are freaking out about the
album instead of the baptism we had, so that's interesting.
The baptism went really well. Tommy, David's older brother, baptized him correctly although he was understandably and incredibly nervous. It was super awesome to speak too, but I feel that my talk in sacrament meeting was a lot better. I was pretty nervous to speak in front of 25 people at the baptism, but could handle a couple hundred in sacrament meeting the next day. I have copied the talk I gave for the benefit of you all below here. I was pretty happy with how it all went down.
The reception area -- ready for the Baptism!
Regarding our album: Well I'm not sure
exactly when we will be releasing anything considering that we are still in the
recording process. In fact as I type this on my iPad I am sitting in the chair
that was pictured in last week’s blog listening to Elder Leavitt recording
"A Poor Wayfaring Man Of Grief". We are recording from 9 to 4 and
then we have to go to Green Hills where we will be practicing a musical number
with Sister Larsen and Sister Tebbs (from my MTC district) for zone meeting.
After that it is off to the mission office where we will then car pool to the
Sounds stadium. “So much happening so little time.”
We've found a ton of new
areas and lots of new investigators. Most of them are families, which is
fantastic. One of our families that we've been working with came to church this
past Sunday and it was great to see members interacting with them. David E. was
also confirmed a member of the church and has been very happy from the looks of
it. Hopefully we'll get to see him receive the Priesthood which was one of the
reasons he wanted to join the Church!
I went on exchange with
Elder Harris who's one of the zone leaders here. He was super fun and we both
really enjoyed being around each other. He's a super awesome missionary and we
enjoyed teaching the people in my area.
We also had interviews
with the mission president who was super excited to see us. He had me teach him
which he said was great and we also discussed several other things. It was more
along the lines of a longer email to the president but it was a fun discussion
on why we couldn't attend the Sounds game. He shared an example of when he had
the chance to either go to the St Louis temple, or the Cardinals game and ended
up choosing the latter and beating himself up for it till he returned again. He
also had talked with the member of the seventy over our area about it and he
gave a similar explanation. Hopefully we'll get a souvenir or something though.
...
Here is my sacrament meeting talk
08/10/14:
Good morning brothers and
sisters my name is Elder Peery and it is a pleasure to speak to you today. My
companion and I have loved being in this wonderful ward and have enjoyed
hearing the envy of other missionaries in this area. When I first came out to
Nashville and found out that I'd be in a the Smith Springs ward, I was told by
many of the missionaries who have served here before such as Elder Byington and
Elder Fore, that I was lucky to have landed in the promised land. It is my
prayer that I will be able to stay as long as The Lord allows me to. I also
pray for the spirit as I try to express my own feelings on the topic I have
been given.
Missionary work has been a
marvelous work to behold. From the early days till now, people have been
teaching God's commandments and bringing more people to a knowledge of their
Redeemer and his wonderful plan he has for them. One of the great things about
missionary work is that it isn't just done by missionaries. Many members around
the world are helping people and sharing what they believe. Some do it by
sharing inspired messages on Facebook, giving out Books of Mormon, teaching a
principle, or even simply inviting friends to church. We must realize that the
people around us are fellow children of God. By sharing our beliefs, we can
help others to gain their own testimony, and plant that seed of faith.
One of my favorite
missionaries in the Book of Mormon was Ammon. Growing up, I always marveled at
the great feat of strength he showed in defending the king's flock. But I
didn't really recognize his motives, teachings, or especially his love of the
people. After defending the king's flocks by the power of God, he illustrates
to the King the power of the Spirit and how a mighty change of heart can
benefit him as well as his people. After a few days of powerfully spiritual
events, the King and many of his people are converted. What happens next
however is where I want to focus on.
In Alma chapter 20, Ammon
discovers that his brothers who were also teaching in the land of the
Lamanites, had been taken captive in the land of Middoni. King Lamoni said that
he was good friends with the King over there and said that he could soften the
heart of the King to let his brothers go free. While en route to the land
Middoni, they happen to run into King Lamoni's father. You can imagine the
surprise on Lamoni's father's face when he sees a Nephite, "one of the
children of a liar," with his son. He commands Lamoni to slay Ammon.
Lamoni refuses saying that Ammon and his brethren are "just men and holy
prophets of the true God."
Lamoni's father is
enraged. He draws his sword and attempts to kill his son, like any other parent
would do to a disobedient child I'm sure. However after Ammon jumps in saying
if you kill your son you'd be shedding innocent blood, he turns his attack
towards Ammon. I guess word doesn't travel fast in the Lamanite kingdom, cause
the King must not have known Ammon has a thing with the arms of his attackers.
After Ammon disarms the King, the King starts pleading for his life using all
techniques. Even offering him half of his kingdom. Ammon promises that he won't
slay him on condition that he lets Lamoni govern his own people and that his
brothers be released from prison.
I believe at this point
the King finally gets it. He sees the great love Ammon has for his son as well
as the lack of desire for bloodshed. He is so astonished at this, that he asks
that when his brethren are released that they come and teach him in his lands.
To quote verse 27 "...For the King was greatly astonished at the words
which he had spoken, and also at the words which had been spoken by his son
Lamoni, therefore he was desirous to learn them (teachings)"
Brothers and sisters,
missionary work doesn't have to be as violent as this example from the Book of
Mormon. It can be very powerful to have that third witness of the Restored
gospel of Jesus Christ. With a testimony coming from someone familiar, it can
be a much stronger experience than coming from two random strangers. We promise
you that as you reach out in love towards your friends that your words will be
guided by the Spirit. We've heard of and seen people become more curious about
the church simply because they have seen their friend testify of it. We have
heard of scenarios where the people have later asked their friend more about
certain principles and concepts the church has.
To conclude the story of
King Lamoni's father, he is taught by Aaron, Ammon's brother. Because "The
Spirit of The Lord (had) called (Ammon) another way to the land of
Ishmael." Or in missionary terms he was transferred. Lamoni's father
believes the words of Aaron and tests it for himself. The result is that he,
and many others become converted to the gospel and become a more righteous
people than the Nephites.
My testimony is that
missionary work when combined with the members of the church is incredibly
powerful. We have been encouraged by living prophets to invite more to hear the
news of the restored gospel. This is not a secret church. It is a worldwide church.
And as we continue to help others come unto Christ I promise that we will feel
closer to Him. That we may be comforted, encouraged, and enlightened on how
best to do this, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
...
Hope you all are doing well.
Would love to hear from more of you! Please stay in touch!
Elder Peery
View from a hilltop in Smyrna which is near Murfreesboro.
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