Week 10 in the Field: Baptisms, Music, Ammon and Aaron

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.

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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. 

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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.

Week 9 in the Field: The Gospel Goes Forth!

Elder Peery in Brother Mortensen's recording studio.

Hi everyone!  

This week in the mission field has been pretty crazy--also really busy. 

We've been working on finding new investigators in different, not so visited, areas. What has resulted thus far is a list of areas NOT to go to. We've come across some pretty scary people and not the safest of areas. Still, the gospel goes forth. One of the people we talked to was really scary. He was a former demon worshipper and he told us a lot of the crazy things he had done. (We didn't really ask for the life story but he gave us it). One thing he did say which was pretty scary and eye opening is that "Demons are real. I've seen them. I've communicated with them. It's real." Judging from some of his stories, which I have chosen to not include, I can believe that.

Speaking of judging, I've gotten into studying the Book of Judges in the Old Testament. Yes, I made it past Numbers, which was a trip. SO MANY COMMANDMENTS. Isaiah has nothing on the first Books of Moses. 

Zone Leaders Elder Harris and Elder Bryner, with Elder Leavitt.

So I took over my area on Tuesday for the day while on exchange with Elder Threet. He's an interesting missionary. We taught a bunch of lessons and did a lot of biking. One of the lessons we had was with the boy who's getting baptized this upcoming Saturday at noon. He was still really excited about it and asked me to speak on the importance of the Holy Ghost, to which I happily agreed. I will also be speaking in church this upcoming Sunday on the importance of member missionary work using Ammon as a kick off point. (Alma 17-20). 

The other family we are teaching has been interesting. The person that introduced us to them hasn't been the best help. When we finally got over to them and laid out the purpose for us inviting them to do things, it was very powerful. I hope we got the point across that we love and care about each one of them and want what's best for them and that is to come unto Christ.

What's pretty funny is that while I've been hearing about he Mormon night at the Nats game in Washington, DC last Saturday, I've been working with 10 other missionaries on singing the national anthem at the Mormon night at the Nashville Sounds game. We will perform Monday night and I still have yet to have any info on whether or not we can actually watch the game. I have been singing tenor with one of the AP's, Elder Tagaloa.

Elder Leavitt in the recording studio.

Elder Leavitt and I recorded several songs for our album today. We will have to redo a couple, but for the most part it sounds pretty cool. He has a great voice and it's pretty awesome to see a plan coming together. Brother Mortensen is another amazing guitarist and has been really helping us out. 

Brother Mortensen in his recording studio!  

Things are going great. I want to make known that I can read all your emails the day you send them, not just on Monday. So please feel free to write whenever. I will do my best to respond to as many as I can. Thank you, as always, for your prayers and your support.

Love you all and miss you all.

Elder Peery

You can contact me at:

Andrew.Peery@myldsmail.net

or

Elder Andrew Peery

Tennessee Nashville Mission

105 Westpark Drive, Suite 190

Brentwood, TN 37027-5010

Hope to hear from you this week!

Adventures in Antioch: Part 8

First off, I’d like to apologize for the lateness of this email. I am

currently on exchange with Elder Threet and had to take over my area

for the day.  This means I’m currently in charge of Smith Springs B area,

which involves a lot of scheduling and phone calls and more scheduling

and so forth.   Hence the delay in writing.

It has been good to hear from the regulars again this week and some new

ones, too.  Thank you so much for keeping in touch!

So this week was an adventure.

First of all, we did some pretty awesome tracting. We met this guy who

looked like he was about to slam the door in our face. However, after

telling him we were Mormons he was much more relaxed. Turns out

missionaries from other faiths have also been contacting local folks

and the locals get confused.

The guy was super cool though. He’s a Christian rapper and goes by Mr. Cross.

He was really impressed with what we do and gave us T-shirts which say

"radical nation."  They’re pretty sweet.

I also recently discovered that the apartment complex where I lived

as a baby is in my area.   Getting to Massman Manor was a bit of a hike,

but we decided to do some tracting over there. Unfortunately the entire place

was pretty much overrun with non-Christians from foreign lands, and a lot

of other people who weren’t very interested. It was still pretty cool

to check out.

Massman Manor Apartments, where I lived with my parents as a baby.

Tracting at Massman Manor.  My parents used to live on the 3rd floor.

All our investigators are progressing well. It’s pretty awesome to see

them getting closer to baptism. One of our investigators who is

getting baptized next Saturday is super excited to have his older

brother baptize him.

I’ve recently been striving to develop more Christlike attributes. One thing I

carried with me from BYU-Idaho was just caring for the people. So I

made a personal challenge of doing something nice for at least three

people per day--simple things like giving sincere compliments and

assisting with setting things up.

For example, we had a bus driver who was kind of elderly and didn’t

hear very well. He would often miss our stop, or if we pulled the cord a few

blocks early, would just stop there. This didn’t really help us. We

have heard many other passengers complain about him too--even my

companion. One day when we got that driver, I could tell my companion

was dreading having to yell for him to stop at the correct stop. All

of a sudden, a poem President Monson quotes a lot came into my mind:

I have wept in the night

For the shortness of sight

That to somebody’s need made me blind

But I never have yet

Felt a tinge of regret

For being a little too kind.

With this prompting, I leaned over and said “Whatever happens, just

get off the bus. Don’t say a thing. Even if he misses our stop by a

long shot or stops too short.” Then I pulled the cord and

approached the driver. “How has your day been?” I said, loud enough so

he could hear. He kind of jerked up in surprise and said something along

the lines of “Pretty good.” I then pointed to the stop ahead saying

“If you could let us off at the stop up there that’d be great.”

“Alrighty then,” he replied. As we got off the bus at the correct stop

I could tell my companion was a little surprised. With a big smile, I

waved to the driver who to my surprise smiled and waved back. Since

that day, that driver has always talked to me and laughed with me. He

has never missed our stop again.

Elder Leavitt was pretty surprised at the turn around. But for me it

almost seems natural. Jesus Christ commanded His apostles to love one

another as He had loved them. Why should we not do the same today?

When someone takes the time to express interest or care for someone

else it shows that Christlike attitude. As Christians, it is our duty

to love and serve others. When we make it a part of our day to listen

and act on promptings to do good we can feel Christ’s love and care.

When you do these things, I challenge you to see how you feel

afterwards. President Monson said “If we truly listen, we may hear

that voice from far away say to us, as it spoke to another, ‘Well

done, thou good and faithful servant.”

I hope all of you are doing well. I don’t get to hear from as many

people as I’d like to, but I can understand busy schedules.

I’ve noticed that my friend, Elder Moffitt, is putting scriptures in his blog

so here are TWO of my favorites:

Alma 37:6-7 and 1^st Corinthians 10:13

Thank you again for all your support and prayers.  We appreciate it.

So long for now,

Elder Peery

More pictures below:

Cell tower with a bunch of crows on it.

Beautiful day in Tennessee -- a local "mega" church in the background.

Elder Leavitt's birthday celebration at the Catherine's.

Even serious missionaries can have fun, silly birthday celebrations!

Happy Birthday, Elder Leavitt!

Elder Leavitt is learning to play guitar!