Subject: feast
¡Hola Familia!
Another week here in the Provo MTC has come and gone. So thankful for the experiences I've been able to have and hope to relay some of them in my message today :)
On Saturday morning our zone woke up with an extra zeal and passion as it was the 4th of July, a celebration honoring the freedoms of this great country. As a zone we marched around the MTC singing the patriotic hymns of America! We became the faves of the MTC campus with our flag swag and cherubic voices of freedom praise!
That night we had the opportunity to hear from President Judd of Branch 41, he helped teach us the importance of remembering whose shoulders we are standing on. The Founding Fathers were divinely inspired men who allowed the gospel of Jesus Christ to restored here in America. It paved a path for God the Eternal Father and His Son to appear to a farm boy in upstate New York. The blessings of the Declaration of Independence have positively impacted the entire globe. I hope and pray that our current government leaders may remain humble and submissive in following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. If you have questions or doubts about the accuracy of the first vision, I invite you to ask someone who was there. I invite you to ask our loving Heavenly Father and His Son, even Jesus Christ.
"We invite everyone to everywhere to to taste of the Gospel and see if it is not sweet and pleasing" -President Uchtdorf
Missionary Conference Sunday Morning:
What 'gods' are standing before you that are restraining you from coming unto Jesus Christ?
This question was asked at the beginning of the meeting and ate at my brain throughout the conference. Worshipping two 'gods' is like straddling a barbed wire fence, it restrains movement and progression. Do not straddle the fence. Cut off the head of your imaginary 'Laban' and commit to following the Savior. Put God first and give your perfect heart the the Lord. There is no other thing in this world that can bring you the joy, peace, and confidence in this life than that of Jesus Christ. He is the Way :)
"The Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit is the most powerful tool in conversion" Preach My Gospel 104
Hermano Olsen is a man in tune with the teachings of the Spirit, as we all can be. This week he was able to help open our eyes on the importance of 'Feasting' upon the words of Christ. To feast means to slowly digest the words and verses. Pausing throughout our reading is necessary for the Holy Spirit to help teach us the message we are hoping to hear. I wrote this in my journal last Monday, hopefully it can help you better understand the meaning of 'feasting'
"During our personal study time i incorporated my first personal feast of the scriptures, it was a life-changing experience. In over 45 minutes of study I dove in Mosiah 28 & 29 the final chapters in the book. The Holy Spirit was able to teach me many things that i recorded right on the pages of my Book of Mormon. The 4 pages are completely filled with inspiring treasures taught by the Holy Spirit. As I continue to diligently feast upon the words of Christ I became more and more thankful for the lesson Hermano Olsen shared with us and cannot wait to share this experience back home." 7/6/2015 We could literally spend a lifetime on just one chapter in the Book of Mormon and continually learn something new from the Holy Ghost. It is incredible and fun! The gospel of Jesus Christ is perfect and so is the Book of Mormon. Feast rather than nibble, the Book of Mormon is meant to be lived rather than read.
Remember the Gospel is a journey parallel to our lives, trust the map maker and follow the signs of your tour guide, who is the Holy Ghost.
I love all of you so much and am ever grateful for the positive examples you have been in my life and love you continue to show me here
les quiero,
Elder Larsen