Hello everyone!
To put it simply, this week has not been boring! I have quite a bit to talk about! Now first, I did mention special activities for Memorial Day. And special they were! I don't quite know how much I have talked about in last week's General, so this all may seem a bit familiar. The day started with the young elders sharing a breakfast together. Soon after this, we all got together for a hike to the Salt Lake City cemetery. We were to go by districts, so I was a bit held up when some members of mine had to gather some things together from their apartment before going up. However, we caught up to the rest of the group by the time we had arrived at the cemetery. Now, our purpose in going up here was to visit the graves of some of the more notable figures in the Church who were buried up here. We were not able to visit them all, for they were many, but we visited a few, some of which I have shared pictures of in this E-mail, and President Fenn shared some facts about the names represented on the graves. There was much historical information shared on this tour, and I would recommend a visit to the place to anyone interested in Church history. Anyway, we returned to the apartments for lunch, then gathered together for a Memorial Day themed movie "Saints and Soldiers". After this, the evening was free to clean apartments and visit with others. I know that missions are definitely more about the work than about the fun; however, occasional activities such as this are nice opportunities to take a break from the daily grind of doing the work.
Speaking of the work, building management has finally finished furnishing a room for the young elders in the Data Services zone - finally, we have a work area actually designed to be a contact center. This meant that me, Elder Black, and the others involved in the pilot project have finally moved back downstairs with the rest of the zone. It is nice to be back together with all the others. As for the pilot itself, it is now officially ended - it was intended for the Missionary Department and the Global Service Center to observe us for the month of May, which has now ended. However, the final verdict was to have those of us who have already done the work to continue doing it, and to begin training others in the zone to do the work so that it can continue when we get transferred out. So now, it is no longer "the pilot project", but rather, it is simply "mission support". And now, we have begun training two others in the zone on doing this work, Elders Yeoman and Rasmussen. Finally, now that we are not under as much scrutiny as before, we will begin taking calls again, and helping out with FamilySearch support more.
It is still good to be in the choir. I am loving every minute of it! I have neglected to mention, however, that a couple weeks ago, Sister Watkins had started a new music theory class for members of the choir. Elder Black had wanted to go to that, as there are some aspects of music theory he does not yet understand, so I have been accompanying him to this. Sister Watkins does very well teaching the basics of music theory, which I commend her for - I know first-hand that teaching music theory is, at it's best, a challenge. I do not mean to sound prideful, but I do find the theory class to be largely concepts which I am mostly already familiar with. Oh well - so long as my companion is learning new things, then I am perfectly alright with accompanying him.
Anyway, I dare say that yesterday was quite an eventful day for me. I believe I have mentioned that we were getting a visit from Elder Christensen of the Presidency of the Seventy. Well, that happened that day. First was a leadership meeting; he had met with the Young Elders of the mission, myself included, and we discussed where we were doing well, and what we could improve upon. Soon after this meeting, he shared a message at a young elder conference, which all young elders were required to attend. At both meetings, he had challenged us to memorize the missionary purpose (we had as of yet not memorized this important message), with a bit of a modification; we are to "invite others on both sides of the veil to come unto Christ", which added phrase shared by President Nelson at the recent General Conference. Aside from that we had not memorized this, I feel that we had left quite a good impression on Elder Christensen.
Now, I believe that many of you are familiar with the "Be One" celebration which had happened yesterday. Well, to my surprise, the young elders of the mission were permitted to celebrate as well. The way this happened was that we were all permitted to watch a broadcast of the event. We were released from night zone early, and headed to the JSMB for this. On my way there, I had actually ran into my former music teacher, Mr. Woods, who was also there with his son to attend the event. While planned meetings with family and friends are not permitted within the mission, it is still nice to run into people by coincidence and catch up a bit there. Anyway, after this quick meeting, we arrived, and viewed the event together, and I must say - this was a spectacular celebration! The messages shared were quite inspirational, and the music was awesome! All in all, the event was definitely worth attending!
And so, that is my week! Very exciting, I dare say. I anticipate the next week being just as good, if not quite as eventful. Anyway, have a good one!
From,
Elder Bryce Petersen
Challenge: In General Conference last April, President Nelson had informed us that we will not survive spiritually if we do not have personal revelation in our lives. It makes sense - to make it through the mists of fog, we need the constant guidance of One who knows the way. However, receiving personal revelation is almost never easy. No matter what position one holds in the Church, revelation usually takes work to receive. Remember that many visions and revelations recorded in the scriptures were preceded by prayer and pondering, and essentially having the Spirit. So, how do we put in the effort to receive personal revelation as we say our prayers and study the scriptures? First, we must make sure that we have the Spirit with us. If we have not the Spirit, we will not be inspired to ask the questions which are prerequisite for the messages which the Lord wants to give us. We must ask before we shall receive, and knock before things are opened unto us (D&C 4:7), as we "receive no witness until after the trial of [our] faith" (Ether 12:6). It would also work to pray to have the Spirit as you study, and even before you begin your prayer. Second, we must study and pray - and I mean really pray - in other words, this shouldn't be the same prayer we have rattled off all the previous times we have given a morning prayer (Matthew 6:7-8). Rather, ask with true, heartfelt desire, both in your prayers and as you study, with faith that God will hear you, and will answer your prayer if you will but listen. That is the third thing which we must do - at least as much as we speak to our Heavenly Father, we must also take the time to listen to him. Personal prayer is intended to be a two-way conversation with God (D&C 50:11). In this setting, it will not do to simply ask for a few blessings and hang up. Listen, and if you have the previous couple of steps, God will reveal unto you that which you need. Personal revelation is required of all members of the Church. It truly is a blessing to be able to pour out our hearts to our Heavenly Father, the Creator of all, and to have him respond with what we will need to be able to return to live with Him again. Let us take more fully advantage of this marvelous privilege, and work harder to receive more personal revelation for our lives, and whatever situation we may be in.
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