In our zone, every other week, we hold a Spanish sacrament meeting and Sunday school. Since Elder Ayala speaks Spanish, I got to sit in, so I was lucky enough to to go two Sacrament meetings this week! I was very good, even though I understood practically nothing of what was happening in the Spanish/ Portuguese session. It was a very good experience, it is so cool to me that the Lord is gathering His people everywhere, even a group of Spanish speakers in Japan.
In sacrament meeting (the Japanese one) I had the great opportunity to give a talk. It just also happened to be the week that the Mission President, President Wada, was coming to visit. So, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak to the ward and also to the president. Not nerve wracking at all! (⌒-⌒; ) But, it was still a very good experience. I spoke about something that has been on my mind a lot recently, from when I was reading from the Book of Mormon, Ether 12. This chapter is one of the most loaded chapters in the Book of Mormon, and I spoke on verses 8-9 and verse 6. Christ has prepared the way for all of us to be partakers of the Heavenly Gift, through our faithfulness in Him. Only after our faith is tried, however, do we receive of this gift, this witness from God. However, the cool thing about having to teach this in Japanese is the word choice that is used. In English, it says you receive a "witness." In Japanese, it says you receive a testimony. You receive no testimony until after the trial of your faith. Oftentimes we wish we had strong testimonies, we say, "Wow, I wish I could believe like him (referring to someone awesome, like Elder Holland). He really knows what's up." But, more and more of what I'm learning is that to receive that powerful, unshakeable testimony, we have to pay the price. The price being our continued faithfulness and obedience to God's commandments, even when things are difficult. Especially when things are difficult. Only after the trial of our faith do we receive the reward of the trial. If you don't think you have strong faith, just keep trying. Keep pressing on, believing in the word of God, pray to Him, study His words, and I
promise that He will make it manifest to you, in your mind and in your heart.
I love you all! Have a great week!
Elder Nelson
PS Elder Ayala and I went biking out somewhere further out in our area, missed a turn, and ended up climbing two extra mountains. Fun stuff.
PPS We were lame with our shopping last week, so we survived this week on eating pancakes for several meals in a row. Yum!
a quick shot of my desk
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