I Know That This Is True and I Hope That You All Feel It Too

Feb 20,  2011
Wow, sounds like quite the week. I totally forgot that today is President's Day. Naturally that isn't a holiday here so I hadn't thought about it at all. The next official national holiday here isn't until Holy Week in April. And that is just ridiculous. But it will be my last Holy Week! My highlight for that is that conference is the next weekend here! That's next transfer! I cant wait for conference! I have been rereading my conference editions of the Ensign and listening to them on my iPod. I've got conference fever! Still got to wait a month though...

So as dad said, the people that most need our help are often those that we feel least deserve it. I hadn't ever really realized that I had realized that. But we see that all the time. There are people everywhere that need what we have. The membership in the Ayungon Branch is roughly 196. The official record (CMIS) has names of people that have died and moved away, so those need to be taken off, but the list also has kulangs (it's missing names). So with such a small number and although the area is a way small one, lowest population in our zone, there are still a ton of people that don't have the gospel. And some of them say that they don't want it and never take the chance to taste of it's sweetness. We see people and we no longer think if they deserve our service or our message, we know that they need it and we have a responsibility, duty and opportunity to share it with them. Once you see them all as children of a loving Heavenly Father that loves them just as much as he loves you, your outlook on everything changes. I have seen that change in myself. I used to just assume that someone won't listen or accept the gospel, but I have worked hard to change that and I am making progress, still not perfect at it, but I have come a long way.

For those that have found the gospel and accepted it, it says in Preach My Gospel that some have described it as, a hole in their heart that they didn't know they had, which has been filled. I used to think that was just every so often that people had such an experience, but now I have had multiple investigators use that phrase, without it ever being told to them. Even those who reject the message can feel of it's truthfulness. I have seen investigators become former investigators but they have a feeling that they made the wrong choice. One was the other week. We taught him once and he was receptive and I felt that he felt something, just the way he took it in. The next time we visited he told us that we couldn't come back because his mom is active catholic (this guy is probably almost 30). Way lame excuse. We passed by him on a trike and we made eye contact, then he looked away and avoided me the rest of the time we were stopped next to each other. I can tell he knows he made the wrong choice. We want to talk to him again, but he avoids us.

Okay dad about scouts, "Sunday stuff" is fun. But it is a different kind of fun. The experience we have with the Spirit of the Lord during sacrament and the classes are sustaining experiences that support us throughout the rest of the week. It also bears witness to us of the truthfulness of this church and of God's love to each of us as His children. Those who only come to the Wednesday activities don't truly understand the church or the gospel. Coming to those activities does not make up for church attendance. The Spirit may be there, but it is certainly not as strong as it is during the Sunday block. And there are no ordinances preformed at those activities. But being bold and just telling them that hardly ever works. The other young men, not just the leaders (but the leaders also), need to extend the hand of fellowship and love. Tell them that they are missed and that they would contribute a lot to the quorum if they came. And then when they do come don't let them be ignored and left out of the group. Bring them in and involve them, show your love for them and your appreciation for them coming. That works! I have seen it work for less-active members AND investigators. Just yesterday (Sunday) a in-active member came to church and she was welcomed by multiple hugs! Another came and received the same greeting. The members were excited to have them at church and made them feel welcome. Now, I don't expect the YM to go around giving hugs or kisses to each other, but a warm handshake and a manly embrace can mean a lot to them. Save them a seat next to you and show them you want to be their friend and include them in the group.

I know that this is true and I hope that you all feel it too. I have never felt all this so strongly and now I know that I was missing out. Young men, prepare for missions! Read the scriptures EVERYDAY! Even if it is just five minutes. Take your Book of Mormon around with you if you don't need to. Dont be afraid to show your religion. There are many more of us in Utah than there are here (percent wise) and the members here show where their faith lies. You can too.

Elder Phelps