Jacob 5:61 - The Lord's Call for Missionaries

Hey family!!

It has been an awesome week.  I wish I had more than thirty minutes because I don't feel like I'll be able to include everything.  Ok there are 4 things.

1.  First let me describe how the MTC reacted when President Monson announced the age change for missionaries.  Everyone was screaming and blabbering their mouthes off for 5 minutes.  Seriously though, it was slightly annoying because we couldn't hear what President Monson said those whole five minutes.  But the funny thing was that President Brown didn't do anything to calm the missionaries down.  I think he was just as excited as we were.  This announcement is so exciting!  The Lord is "hastening His work."  That puts a bigger responsibility on our part.

2.  General Conference as a whole was amazing.  First time I actually stayed awake throught the whole thing!! The main theme that I found was loyalty through preparation.  Maybe no one else saw this, but I felt that this thought was a prompting from the Spirit.  There were quite a few talks about parents preparing their children for the future.  Also there were a few talks about true conversion which I loved.  My favorite talk was President Eyering's at Priesthood Session.  Listening to his talk as a missionary really helped me realize how much I can do if I leave everything and focus on the will of the Lord. 

3.  Guess who spoke at the Sunday Night Fireside?!! CHAD LEWIS!! I got to chat with him a bit beforehand.  My companion is a huge fan so I wanted him to meet Chad.  He told me that he's gonna go golfing with dad in a few weeks. (jealousy)  We took a quick photo and then all these people started swarming him, so he had to go sit on the stand.  He recounted experiences in his life that really changed his look on things.  All of these experiences were in his book, but it was nice to listen to them again and see how they all applied to mission work. 

4.  Last and definitely not least was the Tuesday Night Devotional.  Guess who came to this.  ELDER BEDNAR!!! It was the coolest devotional I've ever been to. He taught us how he studies the words of the modern day prophets.  It's amazing to me that he shared that since he is one of the most doctrinal smart men on the world.  His study guide revolves around the doctrine taught,  the invitation said, and the promised blessings that will come from heeding the invitation.  Here are some inspiring quotes he said.

"The Lord can do His work. He can hasten His work at His own time."

"There are no assigned topics at General Conference."....."All the talks end up weaving through each other by the doctrines they teach."  To me, weaving reminds me of a rope.  The talks weave themselves into an iron rod that we "These blessings WILL come. These men all hold keys.  The blessings will come on the Lord's timetable."  I had never thought about that before but it is true.  These men of God know what they are talking about.

"We are raising the bar yet again."......

"The teachings of the apostles has influenced every aspect of my life"

It's amazing to me that each general authority practically follows the "doctrine, invitation, and blessings" path for their talks. I'm really excited to reread my notes and apply these steps to see what each general authority invites me to do.  Elder Bednar said to write down not what they invite you to do, but what the Holy Ghost invites you to do while listening to their invitation.   

Whelp there's a quick recap of this past week.  Best week so far in the mission.  BTW if you haven't heard, we're leaving 4 days early to Chile! Next Thursday!! I sent a letter to the parents with all the details about the phone call and all.  Time has seriously flown by at the MTC. I was blessed beyond measure to be at the MTC when the announcement about missionary age was told to the world.  The Lord has a reason to all things.  The bar has definitely been raised yet again.  I feel that this is a message from Heavenly Father that we need to work even harder.

Good luck this weekend BYU.  You are in my prayers. And so is the whole family. And you too Bishop Willey and Brother Callister.  Thanks for everything!

Elder Weidman

Alma 5: 7-8 - "Their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word."

Hey family!

The time at the MTC is flying by.  It's crazy because the district that came right before me left this weekend, which means we are the next district to leave in the zone!!  Less than three weeks.  I should get my flight plans next week so I'll let you all know when I'll be at the airport so we can talk on the phone.  That will be so weird to be in public.  Not in the MTC.  The MTC is it's own little world.  It's weird that life happens outside of the MTC. In the outside world....

I tried sending pictures last week but for some reason they wouldn't send.  Dang computers.  They only thing connecting me to the outside world is always malfunctioning. 

This week I have learned the importance of trials in my life.  In Alma 13: 28 it says "pray continually that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear."  The Lord will never take away all of our temptations.  That would fulfill the plan of Satan.  Even though they are hard, temptations are vital for us preparing to meet God.  The temptations we receive are difficult but not impossible.  Heavenly Father would never allow impossible temptations to occur in our lives.  The we would succumb to Satan.  Every trial we face is from God.  He challenges us with trials out of love. He allows Satan to tempt us because He knows that we have the strength to overcome our challenges.  Heavenly Father knows that there is a way to overcome every single trial we face.  He is always there to help us.  Turn to Him for guidance.  He is waiting.  He knows what you need more than you do.  We will gain joy out of our trials if we turn to the Lord.  In 2 Nephi 2, the importance of having bad in our life is explained.  Without the evil there would be no good.  There would be no happiness.  In a way, all bad that we face in life eventually turns into good.  Turns into happiness.  We just have the see how.  That`s why we have trials in out life.  To grow. We need to put forth action in order to acheive our purpose.  There would be no work needed without the good and the bad.

I would also like to talk about the people of King Lamoni in Alma 24: 10-16.  What tremendous faith they had.  Their dedication and love to the Lord was unbelievable.  They sacrificed their lives in order to stay clean.  They would not allow blood to be spilled on their sword because it would separate them from the Holy Ghost.  They wanted to have a pure testimony before the Lord.   When they were killed, they died praising the Lord.  They died as examples.  There death was the cause of many Lamanites to be converted.  I ask myself if I would be able to do this.  Would I be willing to sacrifice my life for this work? For the Lord?  How can I know if I have that much faith?  When I read about these children of God who sacrificed their lives in order to come back into His presence, it makes me strive to follow their example.  To give my life to the Lord. To become truly converted as they had.  To have the tremendous amount of faith that they had.  I need to have the characteristics described in verse 18.  The characteristics of Christ.

Obtaining a body is the reason we came to Earth.  It's very ironic though because the body can cause us to be lazy or to strong.  It is our mind that has to take control  The mind always has to win over the body. But they must work together.  The body is an instrument of the mind.  But the mind has to be over the body.  The Spirit has to control the body for good.

I hope everything is going great!  It sounds like it. Congratulations on the kill dad.  I knew you had it in you. Marsh, I am glad that you are teaching your children to play Zelda.  You will see their minds grow as they truly discover the history of Link.

I love you all!

Elder Weidman

Alma 26: 12, 22 - Boast not in yourself but in God. He has promised blessings.

Hey family!

I'm glad the surveys finally started again.  I'm seriously LOLing.  Or was.  The questions  are hilarious.  And the answers.  I've hit the half way mark at the MTC.  It's crazy  how quickly the time has flown by here.  But seriously.  Once general conference comes,  I'll only have two weeks!!  This week has been a great one.  Full of spiritual promptings.  I can talk in Spanish better than I ever could the three years that I took it in high school.  Isn't that loco?!  The thing is though that I only know Gospel phrases.  So when we walk into our ''investigators'' home the first few minutes are full of awkward silences.  Which I can't stand.  The weather yesterday was amazing!!! The clouds creeping down on the mountain.  Oh man.  Reminded me of the Misty Mountains in LOTR.  And volleyball was awesome.  The sand felt great.  And the air.  EVERYTHING DID!  I cherish those 50 minutes each day.  It'll be hard to part with volleyball once I leave but the Chile will be soooo much better! I n D&C 59:8, it talks about the sacrifice we make to God. This sacrifice is a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  It isn't a physical sacrifice, but a spiritual one.  True conversion comes once someone has these two.  When they have a broken heart they realize that God is everything.  They become one with their Heavenly Father.  They realize that they are nothing without the mercy of God.  Once they have a contrite heart they become like the people in Mosiah 24: 10-16.  These people were in bondage and they were suffering tremendously. They prayed to the Lord to ease their burdens and to help them through.  The Lord eased SOME of their burdens.  Even though they still suffered, they suffered with joy that the Lord had heard them. Conversion can only take place when a person is willing to submit all to the Lord and come to the realization that without Him, they are nothing. My computer keeps freezing.  Patience..... Every day I look forward to personal study.  It is a time during the day when I can just focus on the doctrines of the Gospel.  I love it.  I promise that my emails will get more interesting once I arrive in Chile!! But I hope they are interesting now.  Love you all! Elder Weidman

Jacob 1:19 - "teach them the word of God with all diligence"

Hey family!

This week has been great, especially since I got to see Danny and Mary! My face was red due to the unexpectedness of the visit and the excitement I had.  I had no idea they would be there! My Spanish is coming along great now! I can practically understand all of what our "investigators" are saying each lesson.  And I have half of Doctrina y convenios seccion cuatro memorized en espanol! My goal for this week is to memorize it all, and I just started memorizing it on Monday.  It a lot easier to memorize it since I know it so well in English. (Thanks Bishop and Brother Callister) Our district is trying really hard to speak our mission language as much as possible.  It's hard to remember to do that and also to think before I speak. I'm not use to that. At all.

I have learned that The Gospel is an eternal well that will never dry.  It is endless and you can always keep learning and growing spiritually from it.  A testimony is also a well that is endless, but it can dry if you don't use and refresh it each day.  You need to nourish it with pray and scripture study each day.  My testimony has become on of my most valued possessions right now. The well needs to be full at all times so that I can draw some "spiritual water" out of it when the Spirit promps me to. 

Last night at the devotional Elder Koelliker spoke.  I think he spoke at a recent general conference but I loved his devotional. He had us split our note taking into two sections: His words and the promptings of the Spirit.  Here are some promptings that I feel inclined to share.  The mission has three jobs.  Planters, Nourishers, and Harvesters.  I could be all three or just one.  It doesn't matter though.  All three focus around bring others closer to Christ.  In order for the field to be white, there must be seeds planted and then nourished. 

The whole mission is an act of service but the end result is more than just a garden, it is eternal life.  It is living with Heavenly Father in His Kingdom.

I need to always have humility.  I am on the Lord's errand. This is my job. He is my boss. I need to be willing to do as He says.  The key word is willing.

During personal study I have come to love the Book of Mormon.  That book will never have a false teaching or leave you sad after you read it.  SO READ IT!

Lo siento for BYU.

Thank you for the package! Those goldfish was quite possibly the most delicious food I have eaten while at the MTC.  And the mint M&M'S.   Tasty!

I love you all and pray for you!

Elder Weidman

1 Nephi 10:19 - Diligently seek by the power of the Holy Ghost

Hey family!

I sorry to hear about the news about Uncle Wayne.  It's a sad yet joyful event. According to words of mi hermano " We know where he is now."  I couldn't have said it any better.  He truly is in a better place.  Yesterday my district and I were talking about ancestors.  I came to the conclusion those close to us who have passed away are strengthening us each day.  They still love us and do everything possible to help us.  I had a neat experience this past Sunday.  I got to bless the sacrament AND speak in sacrament.  Both in Spanish!  While I was baring my testimony at the end, in spanish let me remind you, tears came to my eyes when I testified of the truthfulness of eternal families.  That was the first time that I have had an experience like that while speaking Spanish.  I will never forget that.  I would say that our eternal family is one of the strongest parts of my testimony.  I have no doubt that we will see each other once we die.  This brings peace to my heart.

I have been having strong impressions to study about obedience recently.  Obedience is the crucial for missionaries.  Not only missionaries, but as humans on this Earth.  We were sent here to be tested.  The blessings God has for us are unlimited.  How many we receive depends on our obedience to Him.  Obedience is an act of faith.  I know that to be true.  Faith without works is dead.  Faith without obedience is dead.  I wish I could type more about this but I limited on time. 

One of the missionaries in my district is afraid that he will change while on his mission.  He doesn't want to be a different person. He wants to grow.  This statement really effected me.  There is a difference between changing and growing.  We are told to stay who are we on the mission.  Don't become a missionary clone.  But there is a need to grow.  I know that as I focus on the mission and my investigators, I will grow to become the man I want to be. The man the Lord wants me to be.  I probably won't notice this growth until after my mission but I hope it will come.

One last thing I felt impressed to share.  In devotional review last night, President Wilkins explained how in the Garden, Jesus saw all of our lives.  He saw my lives.  He bore my burdens and took some of that yoke on himself.  He did this with a willing heart!  I promise that we are never alone.  Christ knows exactly what we are going through.  He knows how to comfort us.  He is waiting for us to turn to Him.  All we need to do is seek Him in pray.  And a thought came to my head then.  The burden of the mission is so light compared to the burden of one sin.

Thank you for all your letters! They mean a lot to me!

Keep it up BYU.  Beat them Utes.

I love and pray for you all!

Elder Weidman

Picture 1. We so happy
Picture 2. Beautiful sunrise
Picture 3. Elder Sunderland (the artist from Canada)  The picture he drew is me.
Picture 4. Game night
Picture 5. Thanks Brother Callister!
Picture 6. Me and Elder Thackeray (mi companero)
Picture 7. The district
Picture 8. The best view in Utah

3rd Nephi 19:20-22, 27-29 - The Lord has chosen those He allows to serve.

Hey family!
This week has been a great one.  It's crazy how fast it went by. Spanish is going great.  The Gift of Tongues is amazing.  In high school, Spanish was my worst class. It was no bueno.  It took me forever to memorize words and I wouldn't have enough patience for it.  Here at the MTC, it's amazing how much I can learn in one hour of language study.  Just the other day I memorized the First Vision in Spanish in one hour.  The hand of the Lord was definitely there for that. I'm not that smart.  I had a really neat experience this week.  We had a workshop yesterday that was focusing on teaching through the Holy Ghost.   At the beginning of the class, our teacher had us write down one question that if we had the chance, we could ask God and he would answer it no matter the question.  I didn't have the best choice for a question. It had something to do with BYU and football this season.  BUT then the teacher had us prepare a random 3 minute lesson that we felt impressed to prepare.  After preparing it, he had us teach it to the Elder sitting across from us, an elder I had never met.  My lesson was centered around the scripture that is the subject of this email. I began teaching this elder and talking about how the Lord has chosen us specifically to be representatives of Jesus Christ.  Holy cow was the Spirit strong.  This elder told me that he was speaking to Brother Monson the other day about his worst fear right now, which is that he isn't worthy enough to have the name of Christ on his chest.  No worthiness issues, he just didn't feel he was strong enough.  He said that Brother Monson quoted the exact scriptures that my lesson was focused on.  We were both amazed about how the Spirit truly knew the scriptures he needed to hear. An experience to save.
Next was the devotional last night.  I hope mom and dad got to hear it.  It was the best talk I've heard on repentance quite possibly ever.  The key points I got out of it is that repentance is a change of who you are and can only happen through love for God.  Repentance is when you feel pain for the sin you have committed and you feel the sorrow that God has for you.  We have to have the feelings that Alma felt in Alma 36:12-20.  Repentance is an action word.  It's a need AND desire to change spiritually and physically.Once one has repented, they need to have the same confidence as the crowd that listened to King Benjamin in Mosiah 5:2,5.  They need  to have no more desire to do evil. Also Elder Kopichka focused on that the only way to teach with conviction is by truly knowing what you're teaching. I loved that devotional.  Dad is there a way that you could maybe pull a few strings and get me that talk. I don't know if you can. But you are who you are. So.. Maybe.
GO BYU!
I'm sorry to hear about Uncle Wayne.  He's in my prayers. 
I'm excited to see the Brigham City Temple when I come back.  Many elders in my district have been to it.  One elder actually lived in Brigham City.  Elder Morley. Recognize the name dad?
THANK YOU for all the treats! Especially that cake Brother Callister.  And the cookies dad. All 20 of them. Or how ever much there are.  And for the package with my water bottle. I've been dying without it!
For those of you who want letters from your favorite youngest brother, I still need addresses....... And letters....
I'm gonna try to include pictures in a separate email. Hopefully they work. 
I pray for all of you every night.
Love,
Elder Weidman