What a great example we can learn from Jacob in regards to the importance of magnifying our calling and of being fruitful in our efforts:
For I, Jacob, and my brother Joseph had been consecrated priests and teachers of this people, by the hand of Nephi.And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day” (Jacob 1:18-19)
Are we accomplishing what the Lord has sent us here to accomplish as missionaries? Are we asking ourselves, “What more can I do?”
In our prayers at the end of the day, do we give an accounting of our work to the Lord? Do we feel personal responsibility for the sacred trust the Lord has given us?
“Your faith will be manifest through diligence and work.” (Preach My Gospel pg. 116)
What is our work?
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 28:19)
It is my prayer that we will be fruitful servants of the Lord in bringing souls to Him through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.
We love you and we know that you have been called of God,
President May
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Showing posts with label Book of Mormon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book of Mormon. Show all posts
Monday, May 2, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Nephi demonstrates power of Prayer
We can continue to learn from Nephi´s great example of being highly favored of the Lord. He has a tremendous testimony of the power of prayer in not only receiving instructions on what the Lord wanted him to do but also to receive the strength to overcome trials and challenges.
In 2 Nephi 4:35 we read:
“And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.” (1 Nephi 18:3)
“Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.” (2 Nephi 4:35)
Prayer is one of the greatest resources we have as missionaries for a source of spiritual strength to carry out our purpose of bringing souls to Christ. Preach My Gospel teaches “through faith you receive answers to your prayers and personal inspiration to guide you in the Lord’s work.” (pg 116)
Let us be diligent in praying to the Lord in all that we do in this great work so that our efforts are in accordance with His will after the manner in which He shows us.
We love you very much,
President May
Read more!
In 2 Nephi 4:35 we read:
“And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.” (1 Nephi 18:3)
“Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.” (2 Nephi 4:35)
Prayer is one of the greatest resources we have as missionaries for a source of spiritual strength to carry out our purpose of bringing souls to Christ. Preach My Gospel teaches “through faith you receive answers to your prayers and personal inspiration to guide you in the Lord’s work.” (pg 116)
Let us be diligent in praying to the Lord in all that we do in this great work so that our efforts are in accordance with His will after the manner in which He shows us.
We love you very much,
President May
Read more!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Why was Nephi highly Favored of God?
Presidente May wrote to the mission this week, helping them prepare for the upcoming zone conferences we will have next week. He asked them to read the General conference talk by Elder Richard G. Scott, "The transforming power of Faith and Character," which he sent attached each of them, in Spanish and English. He invited our missionaries to study and meditate on the the questions, "What does highly favored of God mean?" and also, "Why was Nephi highly favored of God?" -
En preparacion para las conferencias de zona que se efectuaran el 8,9 y 10 de Febrero, con el tema “Ser Altamente Favorecido del Señor”, quiero invitarles a estudiar el discurso “El Poder Transformador de la Fe y el Carácter” por Elder Richard G. Scott dado en la Conferencia General de Octubre 2010 (Adjuntos)
Tambien, quiero invitarles a pensar y meditar en las siguientes dos preguntas:
1. ¿Qué significa “ser altamente favorecido del Señor”?
2. ¿Por qué Nefi fue altamente favorecido del Señor?
Quiero invitarles a buscar referencias de la escrituras en el Primer y Segundo Nefi como evidencias de porque Nefi fue altamente favorecido del Señor y traerlas a la conferencia listo para compartir.
¡Que El Señor les bendiga en esta obra tan maravillosa de traer almas a El por medio de la fe en El, arrepentimiento, bautismo, la recepcion del don del Espiritu Santo y perseverar hasta el fin!
Les amamos,
Presidente May
Read more!
En preparacion para las conferencias de zona que se efectuaran el 8,9 y 10 de Febrero, con el tema “Ser Altamente Favorecido del Señor”, quiero invitarles a estudiar el discurso “El Poder Transformador de la Fe y el Carácter” por Elder Richard G. Scott dado en la Conferencia General de Octubre 2010 (Adjuntos)
Tambien, quiero invitarles a pensar y meditar en las siguientes dos preguntas:
1. ¿Qué significa “ser altamente favorecido del Señor”?
2. ¿Por qué Nefi fue altamente favorecido del Señor?
Quiero invitarles a buscar referencias de la escrituras en el Primer y Segundo Nefi como evidencias de porque Nefi fue altamente favorecido del Señor y traerlas a la conferencia listo para compartir.
¡Que El Señor les bendiga en esta obra tan maravillosa de traer almas a El por medio de la fe en El, arrepentimiento, bautismo, la recepcion del don del Espiritu Santo y perseverar hasta el fin!
Les amamos,
Presidente May
Read more!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Ways to remember citations, memorize and mark Scriptures
During the month of October, Hermana May spent time with each missionary(after they had their private, personal interview with Presidente May)to ask them for their ideas about how they memorize,remember, mark their scriptures and what really works for them individually. One dear Elder shared with her that he had the most rainbow colored, elaboratly marked set of scriptures after about 1.3 yrs in the mission, only to have them stolen! He realized that he needed to have them marked in his HEART and not just on the pages in his books. This is what these insightful, masterful teachers shared during those special conversations;
Ways to remember and mark scriptures:
Personal insights from our magnificent missionaries! Oct 2010 .
• Remember stories, problems, answers used in the stories. Remember Chpt 5 PMG, questions of the soul.
• Read the BofM stories simplified to get better overview of all the stories
• Colors used come from chpt headings in PMG. Look for themes and topics from BofM and the Bible.
• Ask for the Holy Ghost to remind me what I read. Mosiah 2:41
• Look for something personal each time, not just the chapter topics to guide me.
• Try to summarize what I read in Personal study and record that in study journal.
• Remember/memorize the topic headings of each chapter!
• Topics in lessons from PMG
• Sharing the scriptures I just studied in personal study with my companion in our study.
• When I learn for an investigator, and teach it in that day, it stays with me better
• Simple codes and clues help
• Questions of the soul answer many needs
• Highlight or I put a color dot on each question mark and they stand out to me. This shows me when others are asking questions and their answers I can use too, for myself.
• Learn by the stories in the scriptures. Those stay with me, and I find them by stories.
• All of my scripture mastery are one color. Those I can find and I use them often
• I NEVER mark my scriptures! I remember by context, where the topics took place and that reminds me where they are to go look for them again.
• I share them somewhere, after I learn them. Make use of them, don’t just store away in book!
• I don’t like to mark them, or have them messy. I bold, write over the font in letters just the part I want to remember and stand out for my investigators to read.
• When I have personal experiences with them, I can use them again in topics or themes.
• I enjoy seeing when God reveals his character to us when He gives revelations.
• I use blank copy when I go out to teach. I have to prepare ahead, remember and ask Holy Ghost to give me the insight and reminder from my studies. (Brave!) Remember them by principles and who went through the experience, then I can find them.
• I like to think of where that happened in the history of the book.
• I read somewhere that if I REALLY want to remember them, I wouldn’t mark them. That is as if you are telling yourself that you stored that information in the book, it is saved there, and now I don’t have to store it safely in my brain! Wow, what a novel idea. Don’t just mark to save in book. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
• Remembers a story when a 70 in the church lost his copy of B of M, he couldn’t get started reading again for days. He felt like the copy he had was his life one, and the new one wouldn’t help him as much. (Elder Gene R. Cook?)
• I use the same scripture a lot to have it stay with me. Jacob 4:1-3….why scriptures stay with us. (Elder Bruce R. McConkie started a new B of M each year!)
• Enjoy the scriptures. They give me treat. Like a real comfort. They teach me during my trials.
• Every day I have a new goal. I find a few that I like, and use them during the day, many times. I also site them when I teach them. Use different themes, and they come to you, the same scripture.
• I ask how they apply to my personal life. Why do I want to mark it? I think when the people look for help and strength from the Lord, I see they are blessed, by faith.
• I like to BOLD, write over the letters with ink, in Spanish. They stand out and reinforce the words to me, as I write over them. I love the stories. Mosiah 14:7-9. Its great. Let’s memorize it.
• I write in my journal how this applies to me. Text to me….I list by topics. Then I also prepare mini talks, with my companion, 3-4 scriptures by topic, with personal stories and testimony. Ready!
• My scripture mastery/dominio are all marked, also about baptism, and preguntas del alma.
• Lots of post-it notes, with thoughts about the doctrine. Roll play with companion using new ones.
• Later I walk with my B of M, blank copy in hand. I have to rely on the Holy Ghost to remind me which ones I need to share, and can’t depend on my crutch, marked scriptures in my pension.
• Use blank copy while teaching. I have to know where each person, new identity starts teaching and talking to find it in context. I use the guide in the back, when all else fails!
• I put them in by themes. Then after I know where one great one is, I scripture chain them, and mark in the margin the next leading one, go there, add another scripture in the margin and the chain leads me along in teaching!
• Read by the numbers, not just the context?
• Alma 33:23, use my agenda often to record.
• I like to re-read my lists often. They stay fresher to me, and then I can add new ones to it.
• It’s important for me to know the story/history, so I can remember who talks when.
• Read out loud, in voz alto! Reminds me where I am, in what context.
• Learn what I got from the story, not just reading. What principle, doctrine, and insight I learned new or need to apply to my life today. That helps me to remember why I am reading right there.
• If I go to find a scripture and can’t find it, I write the thought down, search for it at home, and then when I’ve had to go find and hunt for it, usually I then never forget it again. The trick is to not forget to write the thought down, or you forget to go look for it too.
• Remember by one word themes, Atonement, Faith, repentance, etc. I try to apply the scripture of the day in THAT day. It takes faith for me to share it sometime that day.
• Sometimes I try to put it to music, like memorizing it to a song. Difficult sometimes.
• I’ve worked on learning the 100 PMG citas. When you mark them you think you already know them so you’ve stored them with the marks. Not as effective.
• Coordinate the numbers with addition, subtraction, etc and that helps me to remember. I like numbers, digits, pages, etc. Coordinate them to remember. (Only if you do study in same language!)
• I know I have to be worthy of the spirit to have the conocimiento. Hechos 8
• Mark by themes and then the story.
• Start my studies with in-depth questions. I find the response and then label that. Pdte May had us read, “Living waters ” a talk by Elder Bednar changed my mission scripture study. Now I look for questions my real investigators have before I start, and then find answers. I look for doubts and find the answers. I find answers and think of their questions, this bridges connections, like he said. Read Alma 22-homework…Set a goal to use that scripture I'm learning 3x in one day.
• I look for doctrine, principles and applications and then see them in the stories. I daily write my impressions about it, so that the study isn’t just habitual.
• Color and line the number by theme. I use a song or make a rhyme like children’s songs-helps.
• I like using my English copy to search(Latin Elder) and search for topics.
• Read out loud. I love poetry and also drama performances. So the feelings of these people are more memorized and retained as I say them as if I were the speaker expressing these thoughts. It stays with my and I feel the spirit put the gospel into action.It helps me show love for them and teaching people, not just scriptures.
• I try to have a relation with each doubt or question, the answer from someone. Then I can relate them to each other.
• Memorize citas by the chapter headings.
• Like to think chronologically. Using inspired questions, I think of where the story took place, Alma-king Lamoni, and it helps me think of topics, service, spirit, needs, questions, doubts, etc.
• Scripture mastery always stays with me. I like to practice and use them too.
• I learn by the needs of others. DyC 20.
• Use the index and search with investigators
• I love the stories in the BofM and I review Chpt 3 in PMG MANY times. Repetition, I remember
• Go into the street with a blank copy, and ask the Holy Ghost to remind me and guide me in the thoughts and scriptures I need to share.
Read more!
Ways to remember and mark scriptures:
Personal insights from our magnificent missionaries! Oct 2010 .
• Remember stories, problems, answers used in the stories. Remember Chpt 5 PMG, questions of the soul.
• Read the BofM stories simplified to get better overview of all the stories
• Colors used come from chpt headings in PMG. Look for themes and topics from BofM and the Bible.
• Ask for the Holy Ghost to remind me what I read. Mosiah 2:41
• Look for something personal each time, not just the chapter topics to guide me.
• Try to summarize what I read in Personal study and record that in study journal.
• Remember/memorize the topic headings of each chapter!
• Topics in lessons from PMG
• Sharing the scriptures I just studied in personal study with my companion in our study.
• When I learn for an investigator, and teach it in that day, it stays with me better
• Simple codes and clues help
• Questions of the soul answer many needs
• Highlight or I put a color dot on each question mark and they stand out to me. This shows me when others are asking questions and their answers I can use too, for myself.
• Learn by the stories in the scriptures. Those stay with me, and I find them by stories.
• All of my scripture mastery are one color. Those I can find and I use them often
• I NEVER mark my scriptures! I remember by context, where the topics took place and that reminds me where they are to go look for them again.
• I share them somewhere, after I learn them. Make use of them, don’t just store away in book!
• I don’t like to mark them, or have them messy. I bold, write over the font in letters just the part I want to remember and stand out for my investigators to read.
• When I have personal experiences with them, I can use them again in topics or themes.
• I enjoy seeing when God reveals his character to us when He gives revelations.
• I use blank copy when I go out to teach. I have to prepare ahead, remember and ask Holy Ghost to give me the insight and reminder from my studies. (Brave!) Remember them by principles and who went through the experience, then I can find them.
• I like to think of where that happened in the history of the book.
• I read somewhere that if I REALLY want to remember them, I wouldn’t mark them. That is as if you are telling yourself that you stored that information in the book, it is saved there, and now I don’t have to store it safely in my brain! Wow, what a novel idea. Don’t just mark to save in book. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
• Remembers a story when a 70 in the church lost his copy of B of M, he couldn’t get started reading again for days. He felt like the copy he had was his life one, and the new one wouldn’t help him as much. (Elder Gene R. Cook?)
• I use the same scripture a lot to have it stay with me. Jacob 4:1-3….why scriptures stay with us. (Elder Bruce R. McConkie started a new B of M each year!)
• Enjoy the scriptures. They give me treat. Like a real comfort. They teach me during my trials.
• Every day I have a new goal. I find a few that I like, and use them during the day, many times. I also site them when I teach them. Use different themes, and they come to you, the same scripture.
• I ask how they apply to my personal life. Why do I want to mark it? I think when the people look for help and strength from the Lord, I see they are blessed, by faith.
• I like to BOLD, write over the letters with ink, in Spanish. They stand out and reinforce the words to me, as I write over them. I love the stories. Mosiah 14:7-9. Its great. Let’s memorize it.
• I write in my journal how this applies to me. Text to me….I list by topics. Then I also prepare mini talks, with my companion, 3-4 scriptures by topic, with personal stories and testimony. Ready!
• My scripture mastery/dominio are all marked, also about baptism, and preguntas del alma.
• Lots of post-it notes, with thoughts about the doctrine. Roll play with companion using new ones.
• Later I walk with my B of M, blank copy in hand. I have to rely on the Holy Ghost to remind me which ones I need to share, and can’t depend on my crutch, marked scriptures in my pension.
• Use blank copy while teaching. I have to know where each person, new identity starts teaching and talking to find it in context. I use the guide in the back, when all else fails!
• I put them in by themes. Then after I know where one great one is, I scripture chain them, and mark in the margin the next leading one, go there, add another scripture in the margin and the chain leads me along in teaching!
• Read by the numbers, not just the context?
• Alma 33:23, use my agenda often to record.
• I like to re-read my lists often. They stay fresher to me, and then I can add new ones to it.
• It’s important for me to know the story/history, so I can remember who talks when.
• Read out loud, in voz alto! Reminds me where I am, in what context.
• Learn what I got from the story, not just reading. What principle, doctrine, and insight I learned new or need to apply to my life today. That helps me to remember why I am reading right there.
• If I go to find a scripture and can’t find it, I write the thought down, search for it at home, and then when I’ve had to go find and hunt for it, usually I then never forget it again. The trick is to not forget to write the thought down, or you forget to go look for it too.
• Remember by one word themes, Atonement, Faith, repentance, etc. I try to apply the scripture of the day in THAT day. It takes faith for me to share it sometime that day.
• Sometimes I try to put it to music, like memorizing it to a song. Difficult sometimes.
• I’ve worked on learning the 100 PMG citas. When you mark them you think you already know them so you’ve stored them with the marks. Not as effective.
• Coordinate the numbers with addition, subtraction, etc and that helps me to remember. I like numbers, digits, pages, etc. Coordinate them to remember. (Only if you do study in same language!)
• I know I have to be worthy of the spirit to have the conocimiento. Hechos 8
• Mark by themes and then the story.
• Start my studies with in-depth questions. I find the response and then label that. Pdte May had us read, “Living waters ” a talk by Elder Bednar changed my mission scripture study. Now I look for questions my real investigators have before I start, and then find answers. I look for doubts and find the answers. I find answers and think of their questions, this bridges connections, like he said. Read Alma 22-homework…Set a goal to use that scripture I'm learning 3x in one day.
• I look for doctrine, principles and applications and then see them in the stories. I daily write my impressions about it, so that the study isn’t just habitual.
• Color and line the number by theme. I use a song or make a rhyme like children’s songs-helps.
• I like using my English copy to search(Latin Elder) and search for topics.
• Read out loud. I love poetry and also drama performances. So the feelings of these people are more memorized and retained as I say them as if I were the speaker expressing these thoughts. It stays with my and I feel the spirit put the gospel into action.It helps me show love for them and teaching people, not just scriptures.
• I try to have a relation with each doubt or question, the answer from someone. Then I can relate them to each other.
• Memorize citas by the chapter headings.
• Like to think chronologically. Using inspired questions, I think of where the story took place, Alma-king Lamoni, and it helps me think of topics, service, spirit, needs, questions, doubts, etc.
• Scripture mastery always stays with me. I like to practice and use them too.
• I learn by the needs of others. DyC 20.
• Use the index and search with investigators
• I love the stories in the BofM and I review Chpt 3 in PMG MANY times. Repetition, I remember
• Go into the street with a blank copy, and ask the Holy Ghost to remind me and guide me in the thoughts and scriptures I need to share.
Read more!
Monday, November 15, 2010
President Hinckley's comments about the Book of Mormon
What can we learn about the Book of Mormon? Do we ask questions before we Study? What is the reminder we need about this sacred book?President Hinckley said in his testimony of the Book of Mormon:
“Each time we encourage others to read the Book of Mormon we do them a favor. If they read it prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, they will know by the power of the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true. From that knowledge there will flow a conviction of the truth of many other things. For if the Book of Mormon is true, then God lives. If the Book of Mormon is true then Jesus is verily our Redeemer, the Savior of the world. The great purpose of its presentation and coming forth according to its own statement is, to the convincing of the Jew and the Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations. If the Book of Mormon is true, Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, for he was the instrument in the hands of God in bringing to light this testimony of the divinity of our Lord. If the Book of Mormon is true, the Church is true, for the same authority by which this sacred record came to light is present and manifested among us today.”
President Hinckley promises that if we prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, there will come into our hearts an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, there will come a strength and resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God. Thus we will be more committed to finding, teaching, baptizing, confirming people and to help them become faithful members of the Church who enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost.
Remember that the Lord loves you and we love you,
President May
Read more!
“Each time we encourage others to read the Book of Mormon we do them a favor. If they read it prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, they will know by the power of the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true. From that knowledge there will flow a conviction of the truth of many other things. For if the Book of Mormon is true, then God lives. If the Book of Mormon is true then Jesus is verily our Redeemer, the Savior of the world. The great purpose of its presentation and coming forth according to its own statement is, to the convincing of the Jew and the Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations. If the Book of Mormon is true, Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, for he was the instrument in the hands of God in bringing to light this testimony of the divinity of our Lord. If the Book of Mormon is true, the Church is true, for the same authority by which this sacred record came to light is present and manifested among us today.”
President Hinckley promises that if we prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, there will come into our hearts an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, there will come a strength and resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God. Thus we will be more committed to finding, teaching, baptizing, confirming people and to help them become faithful members of the Church who enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost.
Remember that the Lord loves you and we love you,
President May
Read more!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Happy Father's Day, dear Mighty Missionaries of the CSNM
Since it is Father’s Day, President May gave me permission to write to all of you and share some of my thoughts. Oh, how we love and pray for you on a daily, continuous basis. Being a missionary is a unique and personal experience. Even though there are thousands who have served before you and many more who will serve after you, the eternal consequences are vital in our lifetime here on the earth.
I look at all of you who will hopefully be fathers and mothers some day. I can imagine the fathers in your own lives, and mine, and the sacrifices they have made to teach, train, guide and bless you and me, to be prepared for this important part of our lives now, to serve the Lord. But I also see in my mind’s eye, our loving Father in Heaven, who loves us all in an infinite way, which we are discovering and learning more about in this mission ourselves. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son….that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17) As I am learning more of Jesus Christ, as one of His missionaries, and learning to serve, witness, and testify of Him more often, I am also learning more of my Heavenly Father. Preach My Gospel divinely instructs us that ‘God is our loving Heavenly Father.’ What great truth that is and all that it encompasses! We are blessed to know about His tender mercies, as we understand more of the Atonement, the perfect Plan of Salvation/Happiness, the Godhead, the Creation, the Fall, the Resurrection, the Restoration, and more of His doctrine that He has given us as members and missionaries in His restored church.
I have been receiving a better understanding of our Heavenly Father, as I have been studying the life of Jesus Christ. When I read of the way Jesus taught, His comments, His instructions, His doctrine, His character, His suffering in His personal life, I am learning more about our Heavenly Father. I see that Jesus Christ submitted all of His own personal will, in EVERY aspect of his life, including his personality, character, impulses, choices, and even gave up His life, so that we could all live with Him and our Heavenly Father again. He sacrificed His life and provided the Atonement, beginning in Gethsemane, on the Cross and in the Garden Tomb, because He loves us, but ultimately, because He loves our Heavenly Father and only wanted to do His will. Completely, perfectly, and obeying with exactness. What an incredible example of how our Savior dearly loves our Heavenly Father. “The Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ completed all that His Heavenly Father sent Him to do.” PMG, pg, 34. I love my own earthly father, Louis Orin Glazier, and he has helped to teach me also, by his Christlike example, more about my Heavenly Father.
We had a special gift this week to add to President May’s joyful Father’s Day. Most of you know that our last son, Elder Gregory May honorably finished his mission and returned here to us on Thursday, arriving from his Chile Concepcion Mission. (My cup runneth over as I think back to each of the 5 “Elder May’s” that I have been able to write to, starting with President May, when he served in the Bolivia, Santa Cruz Mission in 1978, to now have our last son reporting home honorable.) President May was able to release Elder May here, on Father’s Day, which made me again think of our Heavenly Father. Serving a mission is similar to what will be our mission in this life. Will we complete all that He has asked us to do? Will He see that we have become more like Him, during our time in this mission and throughout life on the earth? Will we be like Him in our actions, thoughts, comments, expressions of love, patience, trials, the way the Savior showed us how? Will we look to Him for our guidance, influence, forgiveness as we repent daily, and as for His constant help and inspiration in our walks through this life? ( I am going to send you some photos from Elder May’s arrival day, including the shoes of these missionaries this week, who have faithfully served and walked in the footsteps of the Savior, doing just like you are doing.)
Because we are Heavenly Father’s children, we have His divine attributes in our lives, personalities, character and dispositions. May we live our lives like His Son, to develop the love and character that they both have, because we want to be like them, when we return to live with them again, eternally. We love you Elders and Sisters. May our Heavenly Father pour out his blessings upon each of you for your goodness.
Love,
Hermana May
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I look at all of you who will hopefully be fathers and mothers some day. I can imagine the fathers in your own lives, and mine, and the sacrifices they have made to teach, train, guide and bless you and me, to be prepared for this important part of our lives now, to serve the Lord. But I also see in my mind’s eye, our loving Father in Heaven, who loves us all in an infinite way, which we are discovering and learning more about in this mission ourselves. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son….that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17) As I am learning more of Jesus Christ, as one of His missionaries, and learning to serve, witness, and testify of Him more often, I am also learning more of my Heavenly Father. Preach My Gospel divinely instructs us that ‘God is our loving Heavenly Father.’ What great truth that is and all that it encompasses! We are blessed to know about His tender mercies, as we understand more of the Atonement, the perfect Plan of Salvation/Happiness, the Godhead, the Creation, the Fall, the Resurrection, the Restoration, and more of His doctrine that He has given us as members and missionaries in His restored church.
I have been receiving a better understanding of our Heavenly Father, as I have been studying the life of Jesus Christ. When I read of the way Jesus taught, His comments, His instructions, His doctrine, His character, His suffering in His personal life, I am learning more about our Heavenly Father. I see that Jesus Christ submitted all of His own personal will, in EVERY aspect of his life, including his personality, character, impulses, choices, and even gave up His life, so that we could all live with Him and our Heavenly Father again. He sacrificed His life and provided the Atonement, beginning in Gethsemane, on the Cross and in the Garden Tomb, because He loves us, but ultimately, because He loves our Heavenly Father and only wanted to do His will. Completely, perfectly, and obeying with exactness. What an incredible example of how our Savior dearly loves our Heavenly Father. “The Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ completed all that His Heavenly Father sent Him to do.” PMG, pg, 34. I love my own earthly father, Louis Orin Glazier, and he has helped to teach me also, by his Christlike example, more about my Heavenly Father.
We had a special gift this week to add to President May’s joyful Father’s Day. Most of you know that our last son, Elder Gregory May honorably finished his mission and returned here to us on Thursday, arriving from his Chile Concepcion Mission. (My cup runneth over as I think back to each of the 5 “Elder May’s” that I have been able to write to, starting with President May, when he served in the Bolivia, Santa Cruz Mission in 1978, to now have our last son reporting home honorable.) President May was able to release Elder May here, on Father’s Day, which made me again think of our Heavenly Father. Serving a mission is similar to what will be our mission in this life. Will we complete all that He has asked us to do? Will He see that we have become more like Him, during our time in this mission and throughout life on the earth? Will we be like Him in our actions, thoughts, comments, expressions of love, patience, trials, the way the Savior showed us how? Will we look to Him for our guidance, influence, forgiveness as we repent daily, and as for His constant help and inspiration in our walks through this life? ( I am going to send you some photos from Elder May’s arrival day, including the shoes of these missionaries this week, who have faithfully served and walked in the footsteps of the Savior, doing just like you are doing.)
Because we are Heavenly Father’s children, we have His divine attributes in our lives, personalities, character and dispositions. May we live our lives like His Son, to develop the love and character that they both have, because we want to be like them, when we return to live with them again, eternally. We love you Elders and Sisters. May our Heavenly Father pour out his blessings upon each of you for your goodness.
Love,
Hermana May
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Friday, June 4, 2010
Memorizing Moroni's Promise this Change
President May has encouraged our Missionaries to memorize Moroni 10:3-5, which is fondly referred to as "Moroni's Promise." These great missionaries in the CSNM have been diligent and many are memorizing this great passage in BOTH languages. They come to Hermana May to 'pass it off,' but with the intention of knowing this to help them teach with conviction what these scriptures really mean. This same promise is powerful when we also recognize that it is not to just have a confirmation about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, but as we study and ask God to know about any and all of the doctrine and truths of the gospel, our investigators and we as missionaries are able to know with assurity. I testify that the Holy Ghost WILL convey the truth of all things to us if we ask sincerely as stated in verse 4. We would encourage and invite parents and family memebers to study and memorize these verses also, to feel the power in Moroni's words. They are true! See also Spanish below:
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
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3 He aquí, quisiera exhortaros a que, cuando leáis estas cosas, si Dios juzga prudente que las leáis, recordéis cuán misericordioso ha sido el Señor con los hijos de los hombres, desde la creación de Adán hasta el tiempo en que recibáis estas cosas, y que lo ameditéis en vuestros bcorazones.
4 Y cuando recibáis estas cosas, quisiera exhortaros a que preguntéis a Dios el Eterno Padre, en el nombre de Cristo, si no son verdaderas estas cosas; y si pedís con un corazón sincero, con verdadera intención, teniendo fe en Cristo, él os manifestará la verdad de ellas por el poder del Espíritu Santo;
5 y por el poder del Espíritu Santo podréis conocer la verdad de todas las cosas....----------------- Read more!
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
----------------------------------
3 He aquí, quisiera exhortaros a que, cuando leáis estas cosas, si Dios juzga prudente que las leáis, recordéis cuán misericordioso ha sido el Señor con los hijos de los hombres, desde la creación de Adán hasta el tiempo en que recibáis estas cosas, y que lo ameditéis en vuestros bcorazones.
4 Y cuando recibáis estas cosas, quisiera exhortaros a que preguntéis a Dios el Eterno Padre, en el nombre de Cristo, si no son verdaderas estas cosas; y si pedís con un corazón sincero, con verdadera intención, teniendo fe en Cristo, él os manifestará la verdad de ellas por el poder del Espíritu Santo;
5 y por el poder del Espíritu Santo podréis conocer la verdad de todas las cosas....----------------- Read more!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Power of the Book of Mormon
In the introduction of Chapter 37 in Alma, it says the “plates of brass and other scriptures are preserved to bring souls to salvation.”. We have been called to preach the gospel of repentance and we have been entrusted with the greatest tool for conversion, the Book of Mormon. The Lord expects us to use it powerfully and effectively in all of our proselyting efforts.
----------------------------------In Chapter 37 Alma is teaching his son Helaman of the importance of keeping the sacred records containing the Holy Scriptures. Perhaps he sensed in Helaman a lack of understanding of how important and powerful the scriptures were in God´s great and eternal purposes when he said, “Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise” (Alma 37:6).
Alma teaches Helaman why he should preserve the scriptures. “ And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls” (Alma 37:8).
The study of the Book of Mormon truly does “enlarge the memory” of investigators, members, and missionaries that we do have a Heavenly Father who knows us, answers our prayers, and has a plan of happiness in which we can achieve eternal life through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. President Boyd K. Packer has said that “the gospel will have a familiar “ring” to an adult or a child”. The power of the Book of Mormon greatly increases that familiar ring as we use it regularly in our teachings.
To impress upon Helaman even more the power of the Holy Scriptures, Alma cited the example of Ammon and his brethren in verse 9:
“Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer”.
He then poses a very powerful question about the potential of the Holy Scriptures in bringing many thousands of others including their unrighteous Nephite brethren to a knowledge of Jesus Christ, their Redeemer (Alma 37:10).
Alma reminds Helaman that God has entrusted him with these sacred records and that if he keeps the commandments of God, prays for inspiration to know what to do with these sacred records, “He will show forth his power in them unto future generations, therefore they shall be preserved” (Alma 37:16-19). What a great reminder this is to us as missionaries to trust in the Book of Mormon as a powerful tool for conversion. It continues today to play an essential role in the conversion of many to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us use it powerfully and effectively in our daily teaching here in the North mission that we may bring thousands and thousands to a knowledge of the truth and salvation through baptism of water for a remission of sins and a baptism of the Spirit for the precious gift of the Holy Ghost.
I testify that the Book of Mormon does “enlarge our memories” in reminding us of our purpose here in this life and of the great plan of salvation that our loving Heavenly Father has provided for us in which we can achieve eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, receiving the precious gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.
We love you,
President May
...----------------- Read more!
----------------------------------In Chapter 37 Alma is teaching his son Helaman of the importance of keeping the sacred records containing the Holy Scriptures. Perhaps he sensed in Helaman a lack of understanding of how important and powerful the scriptures were in God´s great and eternal purposes when he said, “Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise” (Alma 37:6).
Alma teaches Helaman why he should preserve the scriptures. “ And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls” (Alma 37:8).
The study of the Book of Mormon truly does “enlarge the memory” of investigators, members, and missionaries that we do have a Heavenly Father who knows us, answers our prayers, and has a plan of happiness in which we can achieve eternal life through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. President Boyd K. Packer has said that “the gospel will have a familiar “ring” to an adult or a child”. The power of the Book of Mormon greatly increases that familiar ring as we use it regularly in our teachings.
To impress upon Helaman even more the power of the Holy Scriptures, Alma cited the example of Ammon and his brethren in verse 9:
“Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer”.
He then poses a very powerful question about the potential of the Holy Scriptures in bringing many thousands of others including their unrighteous Nephite brethren to a knowledge of Jesus Christ, their Redeemer (Alma 37:10).
Alma reminds Helaman that God has entrusted him with these sacred records and that if he keeps the commandments of God, prays for inspiration to know what to do with these sacred records, “He will show forth his power in them unto future generations, therefore they shall be preserved” (Alma 37:16-19). What a great reminder this is to us as missionaries to trust in the Book of Mormon as a powerful tool for conversion. It continues today to play an essential role in the conversion of many to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us use it powerfully and effectively in our daily teaching here in the North mission that we may bring thousands and thousands to a knowledge of the truth and salvation through baptism of water for a remission of sins and a baptism of the Spirit for the precious gift of the Holy Ghost.
I testify that the Book of Mormon does “enlarge our memories” in reminding us of our purpose here in this life and of the great plan of salvation that our loving Heavenly Father has provided for us in which we can achieve eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, receiving the precious gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.
We love you,
President May
...----------------- Read more!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Powerful Experience with the Book of Mormon
(Please excuse this story in Espanol. It was too good to not put in just as it was written, in Espanol...Thanks to Elder Dunshee, Asst. to the President.)
El poder del Libro de Mormón
Hace casi un año encontré a Octavio. Tocamos su puerta y nos contestó, pero pareció que no nos quisiera ver. Nos dijo que estaba ocupado y que pasáramos otro día. Anotamos su dirección para pasar otro día.
Unos días después estuvimos pasando por su calle y decidimos tocar su puerta de nuevo. Fuimos allí y golpeamos su puerta. Su mamá nos contestó. Ella se animó en vernos y nos hizo pasar inmediatamente. Al entrar nos explicó que ella misma no tenía interés en nuestro mensaje, pero su hijo Octavio estaba muy mal con muchas cosas, (depresión, alcohol, violencia) y quería que pudiéramos ayudarle a él. Nos explicó que justo había peleado con su novia y por causa de aquella pelea él fue echado de la casa de ella y se separó de su novia. Estaba mal porque no podía ver a su hijo, el cual vivía con su novia. Al escuchar a todo esto, su madre nos pidió que compartiéramos con Octavio, porque sabía que necesitaba a Dios. Sacamos una cita para volver otro día.
Cuando volvimos pudimos pasar y empezamos hablar con Octavio. Él estaba viviendo en el garaje de su Madre, y no tenía nada. Estaba muy triste y nos expresó que no estaba feliz y que quería ver a su hijo de nuevo. Supimos que él tenía solo 25 años, que no estaba trabajando y que tomaba y fumaba. Por tres citas escuchamos a sus problemas, y al regresar para la cuarta cita nos dimos cuenta que su alma se había vaciado y que estaba listo para llenarse del Evangelio restaurado.
Empezamos enseñarle mucho. Poníamos mucho énfasis en el Libro de Mormón. Cuando se lo enseñamos a él le encantó. Nos asegurábamos de que siempre leyera el libro, y después conversábamos sobre su lectura. Poco a poco vimos los cambios que se llevaban a cabo mientras que él leía el Libro de Mormón. Leía él cuando estaba sólo, y después de unas semanas ya iba en Alma. En poco tiempo, ya no tomaba, ya no fumaba y quería vivir el Evangelio completo. Veía a milagros en su vida. La situación con su novia se arregló, y su felicidad crecía cada vez más que leía el Libro de Mormón.
Mi compañero y yo analizamos un día los cambios que se llevaron a efecto en la vida de Octavio. Él se había cambiado 100 porciento. Nos dimos cuenta de que no habíamos hecho mucho nosotros, sino que el Libro de Mormón, con todo su poder, había hecho que un hijo de Dios reconociera la verdad, y en muy poco tiempo. Cada vez que pasábamos por él, nos hablaba del Libro de Mormón. Daba las gracias en sus oraciones por el Libro de Mormón. Después de su bautismo, el Octavio pudo dar su testimonio al barrio. Dio fuerte testimonio del Libro de Mormón, y dijo “Si esta iglesia no es verdadera, entonces no hay una iglesia verdadera. Si Dios no existe, entonces ¿porque y me siento tan feliz?” Fue un momento espiritual que jamos olvidaré.
El Libro de Mormón pudo cambiar la vida de Octavio. Y puede hacer lo mismo con cada persona que deja que ocurra en su propia vida.
Elder Dunshee
Misión Chile Santiago Norte
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El poder del Libro de Mormón
Hace casi un año encontré a Octavio. Tocamos su puerta y nos contestó, pero pareció que no nos quisiera ver. Nos dijo que estaba ocupado y que pasáramos otro día. Anotamos su dirección para pasar otro día.
Unos días después estuvimos pasando por su calle y decidimos tocar su puerta de nuevo. Fuimos allí y golpeamos su puerta. Su mamá nos contestó. Ella se animó en vernos y nos hizo pasar inmediatamente. Al entrar nos explicó que ella misma no tenía interés en nuestro mensaje, pero su hijo Octavio estaba muy mal con muchas cosas, (depresión, alcohol, violencia) y quería que pudiéramos ayudarle a él. Nos explicó que justo había peleado con su novia y por causa de aquella pelea él fue echado de la casa de ella y se separó de su novia. Estaba mal porque no podía ver a su hijo, el cual vivía con su novia. Al escuchar a todo esto, su madre nos pidió que compartiéramos con Octavio, porque sabía que necesitaba a Dios. Sacamos una cita para volver otro día.
Cuando volvimos pudimos pasar y empezamos hablar con Octavio. Él estaba viviendo en el garaje de su Madre, y no tenía nada. Estaba muy triste y nos expresó que no estaba feliz y que quería ver a su hijo de nuevo. Supimos que él tenía solo 25 años, que no estaba trabajando y que tomaba y fumaba. Por tres citas escuchamos a sus problemas, y al regresar para la cuarta cita nos dimos cuenta que su alma se había vaciado y que estaba listo para llenarse del Evangelio restaurado.
Empezamos enseñarle mucho. Poníamos mucho énfasis en el Libro de Mormón. Cuando se lo enseñamos a él le encantó. Nos asegurábamos de que siempre leyera el libro, y después conversábamos sobre su lectura. Poco a poco vimos los cambios que se llevaban a cabo mientras que él leía el Libro de Mormón. Leía él cuando estaba sólo, y después de unas semanas ya iba en Alma. En poco tiempo, ya no tomaba, ya no fumaba y quería vivir el Evangelio completo. Veía a milagros en su vida. La situación con su novia se arregló, y su felicidad crecía cada vez más que leía el Libro de Mormón.
Mi compañero y yo analizamos un día los cambios que se llevaron a efecto en la vida de Octavio. Él se había cambiado 100 porciento. Nos dimos cuenta de que no habíamos hecho mucho nosotros, sino que el Libro de Mormón, con todo su poder, había hecho que un hijo de Dios reconociera la verdad, y en muy poco tiempo. Cada vez que pasábamos por él, nos hablaba del Libro de Mormón. Daba las gracias en sus oraciones por el Libro de Mormón. Después de su bautismo, el Octavio pudo dar su testimonio al barrio. Dio fuerte testimonio del Libro de Mormón, y dijo “Si esta iglesia no es verdadera, entonces no hay una iglesia verdadera. Si Dios no existe, entonces ¿porque y me siento tan feliz?” Fue un momento espiritual que jamos olvidaré.
El Libro de Mormón pudo cambiar la vida de Octavio. Y puede hacer lo mismo con cada persona que deja que ocurra en su propia vida.
Elder Dunshee
Misión Chile Santiago Norte
Read more!
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