Monday, May 27, 2013

In Memory of our God, our Religion, our Freedom, our Peace, and our Families


Happy Memorial Day! Thanks for the reminder Mom. You're right, in some people’s minds that may just be an excuse to have a barbecue. I knew that Memorial Day was coming up, but I still didn't realize what day it was when I woke up this morning, but how fitting it was that I should have chosen to base my study this morning in the forty sixth chapter of Alma. I couldn't have chanced upon a better chapter to read today, how great it was to read of Moroni's courage and bold defense of what he knew to be right and true.

Today I am so grateful to be serving as one of the Lords Missionaries, to be defending what I know to be true (even when those we speak to may be quick to turn from the Lord their God). Today I gratefully remember again the goodness and mercy of God in giving to us his gospel and a living prophet to lead and guide this church. Today I gratefully remember that freedom and agency which God has given unto all men, as well as the duty of all righteous men to defend those freedoms. Today I gratefully remember those good and great men who gave their lives for these two great and eternal causes; in defense of the truth, of the right, of the weak, that our Peace and Freedom may be preserved that we may worship our God, and nurture our Families in the gospel of Christ.

Today is a day to remember, so "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children" let us go on in this great cause. Let us lift up our voices with the sound of a trump and proclaim this gospel to the ends of the earth. Zion, thy God reigned! Christ, the Son of God has broken the bonds of sin and death, and it is through Faith in Him, Repentance, Baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, that we can find the strength and power to overcome the evils of this world and return to dwell with our Lord, our Father, and our God.

"Surely God shall not suffer that we, who are despised because we take upon us the name of Christ, shall be trodden down and destroyed..."

Life can be rough at times as a missionary. There are people who despise us for our testimony of what we know to be true. But look at the bright side! There aren't any wicked men conspiring to take over the government and make themselves king (...right Dad? I don't really know as I haven't got a politics update in a while). ;)

As far as news goes from the mission there really isn't a whole lot to report. We had exchanges this last week; I was with Elder G (our District Leader). He has a lot different style of missionary work than the other missionary's I've served with before. He takes being anxiously engaged to a whole new level. He is really bold with people and he talks to EVERYONE, He is a great missionary, he has a strong desire to serve, and he doesn't want to let an opportunity pass him by. But I could learn a lot from him, and did learn a lot on our exchange. It was good to get out of my comfort zone again, I've become too comfortable doing what I'm used to, I need to look for more ways to shake things up, it’s far too easy as missionaries to get stuck in a rut just doing and saying the same things all day every day. I have had some ideas on how I can improve and I have been working on applying some of them already. Hopefully it will help. :)

As always if I am getting transferred I will probably get a call tonight. I don't know yet if I will get a call. But, Elder A and I were talking and we both seem to have a curse, and those will probably work together to make sure that we both get transferred. Elder A has had a bunch of 6 week companions, and I have never been in an area for more than three months AND I have never left an area without being Whitewashed (when both missionaries leave at the same time). That having been said.... I have no idea what is going to happen. :)

I love you guys, I look forward to your letters every day (which probably isn't healthy because that means I get disappointed several out of the week. ;P Saturday is the worst because mail doesn't come on Saturday in Canada, and I forget about that just about every week.)

Love,
Elder Thomson

 

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