The Lord's work moves on in the
Washington Seattle Mission unabated. 27 people were baptized this last
week. It was glorious. Elder Basilius and I went on an exchange with a
district leader who had to do a baptismal interview while he was on
exchange with us, and we had to call our personal district leader who
came to interview our baptismal candidate for baptism. If there has ever
been a crazier week, I haven't heard of it.
I will not lie, it was a rough week. I have never
had to make so many hard decisions in my life. I don't even feel
comfortable mentioning many of the decisions I had to make this past
week. The experiences are sensitive to those involved. In one instance I
called President Larkin to get his advice on a situation. It was one of
those "yes," or "no," situations in which both sides had much weight to
it. President Larkin said, "Well, Elder Lovell, how do you feel about
it?" and I said "President, I am not sure, I am somewhat in between two
opinions." to which he responded, "Look, Elder Lovell, if you're in
between two opinions, then I don't know what to do either." It was a
response that totally changed my outlook on leadership. The scripture in
Doctrine and Covenants is read in a different light for me know.
"26 For behold, it is not meet that I should in
all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a
slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he recieveth no reward.
27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will and bring to pass much righteousness;
28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good THEY SHALL IN NOWISE LOSE THEIR REWARD."
- D&C 58:26-28
Typically I am a very careful person. Not
wanting to do anything wrong. There really isn't anything wrong with
that. Kudos for you all who strive to live righteous lives, as I hope we
all do. However, I usually seek counsel from other people before
I do anything. I do not think that is what God wants. I believe that
Scripture is an invitation for us to recognize the spirit. We've all
heard the three answers the spirit usually gives us: "Yes." or "No." or
"What do you think. I trust you."
I think the scripture goes along very well with two other scriptures:
My favorite: "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." - D&C 6:36
and
"O Lord, I
have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put
my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth
his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm."
- 2 Nephi 4:27
My
Mission President taught me a very valuable lesson that day. Sometimes
the Lord requires us to be His representatives on some very big big
decisions. I don't think He does that by happenstance. He does it, so
that we have the opportunity to rely on Him. Sometimes, He even trusts
us to make the right decision and he doesn't tell us exactly what needs
to be done. but as much as "[we] do good [we] shall in nowise lose [our]
reward." So "Look unto [Christ] in every thought; doubt not, fear not."
for "Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his
arm." When the time comes, take it from me, you will realize the Lord
took a huge risk in choosing you... but he did choose you. You did not
choose him.
The Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, once said "When we
are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help... but whom
the Lord calls, he qualifies." (Thank you Elizabeth for putting that in
that home made journal.)
I love you all! have a great week!
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