Sunday, January 8, 2017

We don't know about you, but it's going to take us a while to get used to writing 2017. We can't believe the first week of January has already passed. 

We traveled to Montego Bay again this week to witness the delivery of desperately needed washing machines to the West Haven Children’s Home. The delivery truck followed us up the windy, bumpy mountain roads to the home. The Elders Quorum President from the Montego Bay Branch was with us. He has been a tremendous help in gathering quotes and other pertinent information to help us make this project a success. Whereas we are more than 3 hours away from Montego Bay, he has ready access to the various stores. 

We arrived at the children's home and with big smiles on our faces watched as the 5 industrial grade washing machines were delivered. When we arrived in the laundry area, three women were washing clothes by hand in big sinks and tubs; they had been doing this for who knows how long that day. We cannot begin to describe the heart-warming expressions of gratitude we heard; these were not directed to us, but to the Lord – as they should be. As the washing machines were brought in and unpackaged, the director and the three women began singing hymns of gratitude. We weren’t familiar with the songs or we would have joined in, although it’s very difficult to sing when as choked up as we were. Even some of the children came over to see what all the excitement was about and were thrilled to see what was happening. As the 2nd machine was brought in, one of the women announced she wanted to pray. She offered the most beautiful, humble prayer of gratitude to the Savior. As we were talking while the machines were being set up, I expressed my gratitude to the millions of people all over the world – members of our church and those who are not – who have donated to the Humanitarian Fund of the church. I spoke of picturing in my mind even little children sharing their small amounts to add to this great charitable effort. These generous, sacred contributions make this type of relief possible.

  

 

It's hard to top that kind of a day, but we did have another great day this week. On Friday, we attended and were pretty much “chief cooks and bottle washers” for Missionary Leadership Council held at the mission home. We so enjoy attending these gatherings of the young missionaries and the mission president and his wife. We always increase in knowledge and come away better people. We offered to help with the luncheon, so we made big batches of taco meat, cilantro-lime rice, and Mexican rice. We were once again tired from all this kitchen-work, but it was, as we say, a good tired.

One portion of the meeting was a time of training and discussion about apartments and the expectations for cleanliness and stewardship. The Zone Leaders will be doing the monthly inspections with the senior missionary couples inspecting quarterly. The mission president shared a video he created entitled Standards of Indifference to teach the principle of excellence. He used scripture passages and sacred music to accompany contrasting photos of the clean and orderly interiors of temples and the not-so-clean-and-orderly interiors found during some apartment inspections. He made his point in an imaginative way. There were some snickers as the mission president's wife reminded the Zone Leaders to make sure all the missionaries realize they don't have to wait until P-day to clean. They can certainly clean as often and when needed. 

  

To finish up, we wanted to share something from our studies this week. Debbie has been using the Book of Mormon Teacher Manual used by Institute teachers as a study guide for her reading. It is a wonderful resource that provides introductory information and important gospel principles to look for with each scripture block. The manual includes talks given in General Conference and articles in Church magazines and other approved Church publications to supplement and support the scriptures to help in understanding and application.

Moroni’s abridgment of the final Jaredite records includes a record of Ether’s teachings on faith as well as many teachings of Moroni. One of those teachings is about the inevitable consequences of rejecting the prophets.

The following was included in the manual.

“Consider what President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency said concerning the cost of rejecting prophetic counsel and the safety that comes from heeding prophets:

'Looking for the path to safety in the counsel of prophets makes sense to those with strong faith. When a prophet speaks, those with little faith may think that they hear only a wise man giving good advice. Then if his counsel seems comfortable and reasonable, squaring with what they want to do, they take it. If it does not, they consider it either faulty advice or they see their circumstances as justifying their being an exception to the counsel. Those without faith may think that they hear only men seeking to exert influence for some selfish motive. …

'Every time in my life when I have chosen to delay following inspired counsel or decided that I was an exception, I came to know that I had put myself in harm’s way. Every time that I have listened to the counsel of prophets, felt it confirmed in prayer, and then followed it, I have found that I moved toward safety (in Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 32–33; or Ensign, May 1997, 25).'"

We bear testimony that we know the Lord leads His Church through his holy prophets, and we bear testimony that President Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet on the earth today. We sustain and acknowledge our faith in him, his counselors, President Eyring and President Uchtdorf, and all the members of the Quorum of the Apostles. We testify the truthfulness of the principle of following the prophets for truly in this there is safety and peace. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Until next week...