WOW. What a morning! I have been anxiously waiting for so long for TODAY. Today the missionaries of the Tennessee Nashville mission got to have a meeting with an Apostle of the Lord, Elder Dalin H. Oaks. This is the 3rd apostle that has visited our mission in the past 6 months. That is so rare! Also with him came Elder Meyers, from the Presidency of the 70 and Elder Hymus from the quorum of the 70.
And another sweet suprise, our beloved mission mom Sister Mckee came to the meeting and bore her testimony to us, and played the piano! It was so good to see her and have her back with us. We love her and have witnessed a miracle with her.
It was a very spiritual and revelatory experience, we are so lucky and blessed to have had this special meeting.
I want to share the message of Elder Oaks with you all! This is a special witness of Jesus Christ talking to us, a true instrument and mouthpiece of God.
He talked about going fishing with his grandkids. He has taken them each out to the lake and taught them how to fish! When he came home from their fishing trip, his wife always asks him "did you catch any fish?" The answer is always "No!" He described what usually happens:
They get on the lake for about 4 hours. During that time they are busy getting the bait ready, getting lines out of trees, or getting the hook un-stuck...then after a while the kids get hungry so he has to take care of that...by the time the 4 hours is over, He only has had about 15 minutes to have his own line in the water! But the experience is gratifying and worthwhile.
He compared this to missionary work. Missionaries are fishers of men. He said, " The amount of time spent out on the fishing boat is not proportionate to the amount of fish caught." Coming from a missionary, that is so true!
Missionary work is hard work! He testified that if all missionaries "have their lines in the water" meaning being obedient, working hard, and talking to everyone, we together will find the "fish" who are ready to come into the boat of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Keep your line in the water!
"A good fisherman is determined not by how many fish he comes home with at the end of the day, but rather how long he keeps his net in the water."
Friends, let us consistently keep our nets in the water, searching for those who are ready to "take the bait" which leads to eternal life.
So amazing. Another analogy he gave was being instruments in the hands of God. He pulled out a pen for example. He took the pen apart. He showed us that the important part of the pen is the ink inside the cartridge.
The ink represents a knowledge of the Gospel. If we want to be instruments in His hands, we have to have to have the knowledge brought by the Spirit through diligent studies! It is so important for us missionaries to prepare every morning by having "perfect" studies. Which means being obedient and prayerful to learn the things we need to learn for us and our investigators. This assures that the "pen" will be in working order when used.
I loved the quote he said, "It may be preparation day, but to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord you have to be on duty 24/7!" We have to always be conscious and aware of opportunities to talk to everyone, and share the "Good News" to all who will listen.
The hand using the pen writes his message in his own way, and in his own time table. Who is the hand holding us and guiding us? It is the Lord. We have to do things His way, and we teach His words. And everything will be in His timing.
I will conclude with His brilliant and powerful testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ! He explained that all churches have truth in them. Our only invitation is for others to come and receive more light and knowledge of the Savior. To come and see if we can add more to the truth that you have.
The difference of our church: "The things we do here will be recognized after death."
Here are 3 things that makes us different:
1. We have the fulness of the Gospel
2. We have the Authority
3. We have a unique testimony of Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Brothers and Sisters!! I testify that this is true. The words of a prophet of God are given directly from Heaven. I promise you can know the simple and pure truths of His gospel, through faith and earnest prayer. I know that the same church Christ established when He was on the Earth is once again on the Earth today! That is why we, missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are here to help you. Please visit mormon.org if you have questions, and find the missionaries in your area to help guide you to more joy than you can imagine. I know this is true. YOU can know too.
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