Blessings of the Priesthood

Many people have asked me if I feel like I'm missing out in not holding the Priesthood. My answer is always the same: no. I receive so many blessings from the Priesthood that I would not trade for anything. The Priesthood is held by men in the church who are worthy. They use this power to help the church and perform service. One of these services is blessings to heal the sick or comfort those who are struggling. In my life time, I have been blessed by both of these but, the ones that stand out the most right now are most recently. I will not be giving details but, I will give some basics to help you see why these were so meaningful to me:

A few weeks ago, someone gave us some shrimp tacos and they did not sit well in my stomach (because I am allergic). Because of this, my companion and I needed to return home and I took a 30 minute nap to try and see if I felt better. It did not help much. Then, some elders gave me a blessings and, within an hour, I felt better and it was as if I had not even been ill. This was a miracle for me because I was able to get back to missionary work and continue doing what I needed to.

Another was very recently. I have been feeling very stressed out by how I do not talk much, as was discussed in another blog post. I decided to get a blessing and two elders gave me a blessing of comfort. As words that I needed to hear were said, tears rolled down my cheeks and peace filled my heart as my burdens were made lighter.

I know that the Priesthood is restored on the earth today. There is no way 18 and 20 year old young men could have said what I needed to hear without the help of God. There is no way I could have been healed of feeling sick just by some young men saying I would be better. I have had too many experiences like this that have confirmed to me that the Priesthood is real and is again on the earth to help those in need. I know it is. I know it with all my heart. So, once again, I am happy to be a woman and be able to receive the blessings of the Priesthood and I would never change that.

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Video about the Priesthood and how it serves others.

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My Story. My Change.

Today I would like to open up a little bit to connect with those of you who happen to read this post. I am typically a very shy person and have struggled with that for a good chunk of my life. Now, I know you're probably thinking, "But, you're a missionary! Missionaries talk with everyone!"

Now, you see my dilemma. 

When I was growing up it would take me at least a half hour of tears to make a phone call. Yes, it was that hard to talk with strangers. Obviously, it has gotten better from that point but, it is still something I struggle with.

This week, we had the opportunity to hear from Elder Don R. Clark. I felt edified and uplifted but, I also felt very overwhelmed because I realized how much I, myself, would need to change to be the kind of missionary I wanted to be. This stressed me out a lot and I became almost silent for a few days as I tried to think through how I would continue to work through this. During a talk with my companion, we talked about the changes I had made and I was able to sort through some of my struggle. Now, I'm not going to say I'm all of a sudden cured of my shyness. On the contrary, I am far from overcoming it but, I know who I can turn to for help. I can turn to God for help and answers through the scriptures and prayer. Here are a few of the scriptures I read that have given me strength:

Alma 26:27 "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said:...bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success."

Doctrine & Covenants 58:2-4 "For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven... for after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand." 

Ether 12:27 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." 

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

And so many more found in Doctrine & Covenants 84:88, 2 Kings 6:16, etc. I know God lives and can help us through our struggles if we turn to Him and seek his guidance to help us be the person he wants us to be.

I know because it has happened to me. 

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Fear

How often do we talk about how Christ has blessed our life but, when asked to share it with others are too scared to do so? I know I am. It's a lot easier for me, as a missionary, to go up to random strangers on the street and talk about Jesus Christ and church than it is to talk to my own friends and family who are so close to me. Why is that? Is it because we fear being rejected? Do we fear we will lose their trust? Do we fear being labeled as a "churchy person?" Why do we fear these things?

Peter denying Christ
lds.org

In John 14 we read, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid... If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I." (verses 27&28).

If we love Christ, we have no need to fear. It is the devil who makes us fear man more than God. It is hard to change this but, with prayer and a willing heart, it is possible. In the past weeks, I have reached out to a few friends and family to tell them about the joy I have found through Christ, many do not want to hear it but, in case one does, that is why I do it. It is very scary for me but, the scripture above, brings me peace and helps me to have the courage and love I need.


Even the greatest have fears. Remember the story of Peter when he denied Christ three times. He had seen Christ with his own eyes but, feared man around him. However, Christ says later, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? ... Feed my sheep." (John 21:15-17) If we love Christ, we need to rejoice in His life and resurrection and share His gospel and love with others around us so that they too can feel of the joy that comes from Him. I know that to be true. I feel so much happier after I have shared my testimony of my Savior with others that I love because I know I am doing what God wants me to do, especially when it is hard for me.

Dare to Stand Alone

There have been many moments in my life when I have felt alone in this world. For those that try to follow Christ, it is easy to feel lost and alone when your friends are our partying and you are home. Even though these moments can be hard, they do pass and you can find strength through continuing to keep your standards and live the teachings of Christ. The video below is of the prophet, Thomas S. Monson, when he was in the Navy and stood up for being a "Mormon" (Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). He could have easily not but, he kept his standards and was blessed because of it.

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In High School, there were many weekends when I felt very alone. I felt like I was the only one who was sitting at home doing homework and spending time with family. When I got to college, however, I found out that had not been the case. Even though I felt I was the only one, there were others who also had sacrificed popularity for Christ. There are others now who do this. There are blessings. They may not be right now when we want them but, they will come to those who follow Christ.

Leaves & Members - Hojas y miembros

This past week, my companion and I, along with some other missionaries, helped rake leaves for some people. As I was working with the members (of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) around me, I realized how important it is to work as members and missionaries, together. No one can do God's work alone. We need Him and we need to work together.

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lds.org

Esta semana pasada mi compañera y yo, con otros misioneros, ayudamos colectar hojas para otras personas. Estaba trabajando con un miembro (de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los santos de los últimos días) y realicé la importancia a trabajar como miembros y misioneros, juntos. Nadie puede hacer la obra de Dios sin ayuda. Necesitamos la ayuda de él y miembros y misioneros.

Christ in the Book of Mormon - Cristo en El Libro de Mormón

My Book of Mormon

Our mission president has challenged us to read the entire Book of Mormon before the next General Conference (in just under 6 months) and mark all references to Christ. At first, I was a little sad because I had done it before my mission and I was trying to read the Book of Mormon in Spanish. Then, I got really excited because I realized I can do it in SPANISH! So, I began where I had left off in my personal study of the Book of Mormon. I took a yellow highlighter to add to my group of colorful pens (used to mark other things) to mark all references to Christ. I was amazed, as I began, how often Christ appears in the Book of Mormon. Yes, I did it in English but, it was with a red pen which did not stand out as much as the neon yellow highlighter. This experience has increased my testimony of the Book of Mormon being another testament of Jesus Christ. The pages are full of references to Him. When we follow Christ, we are obeying the words of God. I know the Book of Mormon is of God and contains guidance for us to return to live with God. And, through this book, I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the church of Jesus Christ on the earth (See Introduction).

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My Book of Mormon

Nuestro presidente de misión nos invitó a leer el Libro de Mormón antes de la próxima Conferencia General (menos de 6 meses) y marcar referencias de Cristo. Primero, me sentía un poco triste porque he hecho esta antes de mi misión y yo era tratando a leer en Español. Después un poco tiempo, me sentí feliz porque yo puedo hacerlo en ESPAÑOL! Entonces, empecé donde terminé para mi estudio personal del Libro de Mormón. Usé un highlighter amarillo con mis bolígrafos con muchos colores (para otras cosas) para marcar referencias a Cristo. Me asombró cuantas veces había referencias a Cristo en el Libro de Mormón. Sí, hice en Inglés pero fue en rojo que no fue muy bien como el highlighter. Esta experiencia ha aumentado mi testimonio de Jesucristo. Las páginas son llenos de referencias a él. Cuando seguimos a Cristo, estamos guardando las palabras de Dios. Yo sé que el Libro de Mormón es de Dios y tiene consejo para nosotros para regresar a vivir con Dios. También, mediante esto libro, sé que José Smith fue un profeta y que la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los santos de los últimos días es la iglesia de Jesucristo en la tierra hoy (va Introducción).

He Will Give Us Rest

A few days ago I posted a picture on facebook and received a comment from my father commenting on the word "rest." This comment has led me to reflect on this word: rest.

Greg Olsen picture from Facebook

In Enos 1:27, it says, "And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen."

Also, Matthew 11:28 says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

After reading these verses, I thought once again about that word: rest. This led me to the Topical Guide in the back of our King James Bible, that says, under "rest" these words: purpose of earth, paradise, peace, quietness, Sabbath. The ones that most stuck out to me were quietness and peace.

The word peace made me think of when Christ, talking with his disciples, said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

This verse has always touched me and made me think of how we truly can find peace through Christ during hard times or when this world seems to be over crowding us.

I then returned the the Topical Guide but, this time, looked up peace. Under this word, it had two words that stuck out to me: order and silence. Silence made me think of the temple and how we can go there to find peace and receive rest from our trials and the world around us. I know when we go to places where we can feel the spirit of the Lord, we can find peace and rest. The quiet places in the world can be where we can gain the most guidance from God for our lives so that we live according to His will. I hope I can always return to those places of peace to be able to find rest in the Lord.