Ok. Yeah, this week has been wonderful! :)
The food is still amazing. The Danishes... I feel as if
they're finally getting to me.. my face that is. I need to start running. hmm
but I love being able to cook all the time again! Danish ovens are a bit
different but still get the job done! It's hard when every member you visit
gives you so many sweets....
Great things have happened!
First off our new investigator John accepted to be baptized
from our invitation after the first lesson! Don't ever think miracles don't
happen. They do. I definitely consider this to be one. John without hesitation
accepted the invitation to follow Jesus Christ's example and be baptized on
August 19th!
He is soaking up every word and lesson that we teach him. I
wish there was almost a fast pass to baptism because he needs one! haha Really.
He is so eager and willing. God has undoubtedly prepared him for many many
years. It seems that he is trying to run to the font. All of the rejections,
bad looks, and tough times are well worth it for one soul to come closer to
Heavenly Father.
We also committed two siblings from India to be baptized on
September 2nd. They are so receptive to the gospel and the spirit. They simply
understand the truths that are so simple yet so profound.
However, there is opposition in all things. Early in the
week while on splits in Hørsens, an Ældste and I were basically pushed and
punched out of a public apartment building... haha, you'll have to check out
recording #6 in the Sønderborg file.
Overall I love being a missionary. I know I have said it
plenty of times and I'll say it a thousand more. I don't know of anything else
I could be doing right now that would be better. There truly is not a better
work here upon the Earth. Bringing God's beloved children closer to Christ is
both humbling and incredible. The lessons you will learn, the people you will
meet, the tears you will shed are all priceless and irreplaceable.
I have written down and recorded who I want to be by the end
of my mission. I uploaded the audio recording and I hope many of you will be
able to listen to it. I want to be held accountable, haha! I know that as we set
goals, have a vision, and be diligent in working toward that vision, God will
sustain our efforts and accelerate our progress. Have faith and work hard. The
fun is undoubtedly in the work.
____________________________________________________
Please read and ponder the following scriptures in the Book
of Moses 1: 1-26
Moses who was a prince of Egypt, a God among his people,
must have wondered who he truly was when he crossed the desert after finding
out he was Hebrew, the very people his "father", really Pharaoh,
enslaved and killed. Hearing the words "my son", spoken multiple
times by God to Moses, must have made a difference in Moses' life. Gave him
confidence to do that which God was calling him to do.
Think about what the significance is of being a child of
God. What difference does that truly make in your life?
(An extract from the translation of the Bible as revealed to
Joseph Smith the Prophet, June 1830–February 1831.)
Chapter 1
(June 1830)
God reveals Himself to Moses—Moses is transfigured—He is
confronted by Satan—Moses sees many inhabited worlds—Worlds without number were
created by the Son—God’s work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and
eternal life of man.
1 The words of God, which he spake unto Moses at a time when
Moses was caught up into an exceedingly high mountain,
2 And he saw God face to face, and he talked with him, and
the glory of God was upon Moses; therefore Moses could endure his presence.
3 And God spake unto Moses, saying: Behold, I am the Lord
God Almighty, and Endless is my name; for I am without beginning of days or end
of years; and is not this endless?
4 And, behold, thou art my son; wherefore look, and I will
show thee the workmanship of mine hands; but not all, for my works are without
end, and also my words, for they never cease.
5 Wherefore, no man can behold all my works, except he
behold all my glory; and no man can behold all my glory, and afterwards remain
in the flesh on the earth.
6 And I have a work for thee, Moses, my son; and thou art in
the similitude of mine Only Begotten; and mine Only Begotten is and shall be
the Savior, for he is full of graceand truth; but there is no God beside me,
and all things are present with me, for I know them all.
7 And now, behold, this one thing I show unto thee, Moses,
my son, for thou art in the world, and now I show it unto thee.
8 And it came to pass that Moses looked, and beheld the
world upon which he was created; and Moses beheld the world and the ends
thereof, and all the children of men which are, and which were created; of the
same he greatly marveled and wondered.
9 And the presence of God withdrew from Moses, that his
glory was not upon Moses; and Moses was left unto himself. And as he was left unto
himself, he fell unto the earth.
10 And it came to pass that it was for the space of many
hours before Moses did again receive his natural strength like unto man; and he
said unto himself: Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing
I never had supposed.
11 But now mine own eyes have beheld God; but not my
natural, but my spiritual eyes, for my natural eyes could not have beheld; for
I should have withered and died in his presence; but his glory was upon me; and
I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him.
12 And it came to pass that when Moses had said these words,
behold, Satan came tempting him, saying: Moses, son of man, worship me.
13 And it came to pass that Moses looked upon Satan and
said: Who art thou? For behold, I am a son of God, in the similitude of his
Only Begotten; and where is thy glory, that I should worship thee?
14 For behold, I could not look upon God, except his
gloryshould come upon me, and I were transfigured before him. But I can look
upon thee in the natural man. Is it not so, surely?
15 Blessed be the name of my God, for his Spirit hath not
altogether withdrawn from me, or else where is thy glory, for it is darkness
unto me? And I can judge between thee and God; for God said unto me: Worship
God, for him only shalt thou serve.
16 Get thee hence, Satan; deceive me not; for God said unto
me: Thou art after the similitude of mine Only Begotten.
17 And he also gave me commandments when he called unto me
out of the burning bush, saying: Call upon God in the name of mine Only
Begotten, and worship me.
18 And again Moses said: I will not cease to call upon God,
I have other things to inquire of him: for his glory has been upon me,
wherefore I can judge between him and thee. Depart hence, Satan.
19 And now, when Moses had said these words, Satan cried with
a loud voice, and ranted upon the earth, and commanded, saying: I am the Only
Begotten, worship me.
20 And it came to pass that Moses began to fear exceedingly;
and as he began to fear, he saw the bitterness of hell. Nevertheless, calling
upon God, he received strength, and he commanded, saying: Depart from me, Satan,
for this one God only will I worship, which is the God of glory.
21 And now Satan began to tremble, and the earth shook; and
Moses received strength, and called upon God, saying: In the name of the Only
Begotten, depart hence, Satan.
22 And it came to pass that Satan cried with a loud voice,
with weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth; and he departed hence, even
from the presence of Moses, that he beheld him not.
23 And now of this thing Moses bore record; but because of
wickedness it is not had among the children of men.
24 And it came to pass that when Satan had departed from the
presence of Moses, that Moses lifted up his eyes unto heaven, being filled with
the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and the Son;
25 And calling upon the name of God, he beheld his
glory again, for it was upon him; and he heard a voice, saying: Blessed art
thou, Moses, for I, the Almighty, have chosen thee, and thou shalt be made
stronger than many waters; for they shall obey thy command as if thou wert God.
26 And lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days;
for thou shalt deliver my people from bondage, even Israel, my chosen.
Elsker,
Ældste Haruch
