It sounds like you had a good Thanksgiving! I missed you so much!! I was thinking about the family all day.
Elder Canova and I got to have a SAMOA Thanksgiving!! It was great! They had two pigs and two turkeys and tons of sea food and it was so yummy!! We got to visit alot of families in the ward, less active and active families. We visited about 6 families so even tho I really really missed home, going shooting and chillen around the house watching movies and eating yummy food... ...we were still loved by our church families so it was ok..
we have a few new investigators! Zina (23) and her mom! Elder Canova and I decided to go on a Less Active SPREE and we found Zina at a less active's house while we were visiting! so now we're teaching them..
Anyways, my mission has been so good. I'm really loving the studies I've been able to do. I've been able to learn alot about the church, but I've also been able to learn and understand alot about how this earth was created, space and time, spirituality and where we come from.. The gospel teaches so much if we are willing to really dive into the doctrines and search for answers. Alot of what science is discovering now was already revealed by Prophets of the church long before scientists even had the technology to discover things like 'space and time'. The thing I like most about studying this as a missionary - is that I have the Spirit with me, the Spirit testifies of TRUTH!! so when I read about things like 'The Creation' my eyes of understanding open and I can comprehend 'Matter Unorganized' and that God in his infinite power organized that matter- thus creating the Earth! Science with out the Spirit is so limited. its like a computer without a screen.. it works, but you can't SEE anything!!! haha
I'm doing well. Tell the family I love them and miss everyone tons!! I LOVE YOU
LOVE
Elder Blandon
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
By the Spirit
How is everything going?? HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Me and Elder Canova are going to the Napoleone's house for Thanksgiving, Bro.Napoleone is the BEST. He's from Samoa. His family is big, they have like 7 kids and a ton of other people (cousins) living with them. All the youth in the ward really like hanging out over there cuz their house is so fun.. bro napoleone is such a happy nice person..
Anyways I'm really excited for this week. This last week has been SOO GOOD. We had a district meeting and we were learning how to teach better. During the lesson I was giving something just clicked. I had finally realized something about teaching and how I can teach better, it has alot to do with the way we ask questions, (it takes a while to figure out so i won't try to explain it) but it was really cool to see how i can better invite the spirit.. it's really interesting to see how people answer their own questions through the Spirit.
anyways so after this training i was like "SWEET I'M GONNA TRY THIS' we had a lesson later that day with a lady named Annie so i thought i would try my newly learned method.. it was kinda rocky.. haha but the spirit was there to make up for it. as the week went on i was able to ask better questions and really perfect asking better questions.
so we had contacted a guy named Elon later in the week, he told us to come back the next day, so we returned, when we started talking to him he stopped us mid-sentence and said "are you guys mormons?" and of course we said yes.. after that he said "I'll be right back" he kinda looked mad, and i was really scared but i knew i was there for one reason.. to testify of the gospel.. he came back and stepped out on the porch and closed the door and said "ok what were you saying?" he looked ready to counteract anything i was about to say but i just open my mouth and i started to testify of prophets.. the spirit was so strong, i was able to ask him questions that really got him thinking and we told him why we believe in Joseph Smith and why this was the restored gospel, my trainer was just standing there looking at me like "DAAANG" and after we left the doorstep i was like "DAAANG" haha.. i didn't really know what i said, but i knew i had prepared myself and the Lord had placed me there, i opened my mouth and I testified.
anyways it was really cool... my testimony is growing alot. my comp. is going home in three weeks.. :( we'll see what happens, i know i'm going to stay in hayward for another transfer AT LEAST.. i'll prob be here for 6 months tho.
I LOVE AND MISS EVERYONE A TON!! happy thanksgiving
Anyways I'm really excited for this week. This last week has been SOO GOOD. We had a district meeting and we were learning how to teach better. During the lesson I was giving something just clicked. I had finally realized something about teaching and how I can teach better, it has alot to do with the way we ask questions, (it takes a while to figure out so i won't try to explain it) but it was really cool to see how i can better invite the spirit.. it's really interesting to see how people answer their own questions through the Spirit.
anyways so after this training i was like "SWEET I'M GONNA TRY THIS' we had a lesson later that day with a lady named Annie so i thought i would try my newly learned method.. it was kinda rocky.. haha but the spirit was there to make up for it. as the week went on i was able to ask better questions and really perfect asking better questions.
so we had contacted a guy named Elon later in the week, he told us to come back the next day, so we returned, when we started talking to him he stopped us mid-sentence and said "are you guys mormons?" and of course we said yes.. after that he said "I'll be right back" he kinda looked mad, and i was really scared but i knew i was there for one reason.. to testify of the gospel.. he came back and stepped out on the porch and closed the door and said "ok what were you saying?" he looked ready to counteract anything i was about to say but i just open my mouth and i started to testify of prophets.. the spirit was so strong, i was able to ask him questions that really got him thinking and we told him why we believe in Joseph Smith and why this was the restored gospel, my trainer was just standing there looking at me like "DAAANG" and after we left the doorstep i was like "DAAANG" haha.. i didn't really know what i said, but i knew i had prepared myself and the Lord had placed me there, i opened my mouth and I testified.
anyways it was really cool... my testimony is growing alot. my comp. is going home in three weeks.. :( we'll see what happens, i know i'm going to stay in hayward for another transfer AT LEAST.. i'll prob be here for 6 months tho.
I LOVE AND MISS EVERYONE A TON!! happy thanksgiving
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Teaching a Ton
HI MOM,
So the mission is going good.. we're still teaching alot, about 18 - 20 lessions a week, we have 4 progressing investigators, we were going to have some baptisms this week but we haven't been able to meet as frequently as we wanted to..
the first is Jai, she's a way cool black girl, like in her late 20's. she loves church, we've been able to hook her up with a couch and food from the church she had a baptismal date but we haven't been able to meet with her as much as we'd like but she comes to church most of the time so that's awesome
next is Taralyn and jasmine.. they are sisters 14 and 12 they've both been going to church for about 3 years. they want to be baptised but they need permission from their great grandmother.. so thats fun, they're fun to teach prob be baptised in about six months due to the mother being in rehab.. but they are really solid investigators
we have annie who we just started teaching this week, she's from samoa she had a really ruff upbringing, she was a felon a long time ago.. its crazy, she is really cool tho.
cali is great i love it out here, the weather is awesome its been like low 70's all week. its ok to be jealous.
anyways things are good.. its really hard tho, prob the hardest thing ive ever done in my life. everyday i come home im so tierd.. my trainer is cool.. i want to say only good things about him, LOL.. anyways idk this area is super good tho. the members are still great, i get to teach a huge multi-family home evening- im going to teach about the scriptures, then im going to have everyone look up the scripture from their birth date, example: mine would be 8 - 28 in any book, so like 1 nephi or alma or helaman, just find the best one then share it.
anywaysI know this gospel is true I know that through faith in our Savior, through the Atoning sacrifice he made, WE CAN BE FORGIVEN. I have felt the love of our Father in Heaven i know He lives. this gospel changes lives, we dont need to go searching for how to have happiness, or what to teach our families, we already know. and there are so many people in this world that dont have this blessing. i know this gospel is true, there is no way it couldnt be. . and dont forget to pray :)
Love,
Elder Blandon
So the mission is going good.. we're still teaching alot, about 18 - 20 lessions a week, we have 4 progressing investigators, we were going to have some baptisms this week but we haven't been able to meet as frequently as we wanted to..
the first is Jai, she's a way cool black girl, like in her late 20's. she loves church, we've been able to hook her up with a couch and food from the church she had a baptismal date but we haven't been able to meet with her as much as we'd like but she comes to church most of the time so that's awesome
next is Taralyn and jasmine.. they are sisters 14 and 12 they've both been going to church for about 3 years. they want to be baptised but they need permission from their great grandmother.. so thats fun, they're fun to teach prob be baptised in about six months due to the mother being in rehab.. but they are really solid investigators
we have annie who we just started teaching this week, she's from samoa she had a really ruff upbringing, she was a felon a long time ago.. its crazy, she is really cool tho.
cali is great i love it out here, the weather is awesome its been like low 70's all week. its ok to be jealous.
anyways things are good.. its really hard tho, prob the hardest thing ive ever done in my life. everyday i come home im so tierd.. my trainer is cool.. i want to say only good things about him, LOL.. anyways idk this area is super good tho. the members are still great, i get to teach a huge multi-family home evening- im going to teach about the scriptures, then im going to have everyone look up the scripture from their birth date, example: mine would be 8 - 28 in any book, so like 1 nephi or alma or helaman, just find the best one then share it.
anywaysI know this gospel is true I know that through faith in our Savior, through the Atoning sacrifice he made, WE CAN BE FORGIVEN. I have felt the love of our Father in Heaven i know He lives. this gospel changes lives, we dont need to go searching for how to have happiness, or what to teach our families, we already know. and there are so many people in this world that dont have this blessing. i know this gospel is true, there is no way it couldnt be. . and dont forget to pray :)
Love,
Elder Blandon
Monday, November 1, 2010
the water stopped leaking
Well the first transfer is over! it looks like I'm staying in hayward, this last week has been crazy, it went by really fast, we added a few new investigators so that's good. i had new missionary training it was really good! i got to see all my district from the MT! so that was nice.. i took some cool pic.s at the temple.
On Friday we had a 'trunk or treat' at the chapel there are a lot of non-members that attend so we knew it would be good to hit it up.. we dressed up as missionary's ;) it was crazy tho! this ward really knows how to party!! they had all kinds of stuff going on.. some one just gave me a huge bowl of candy and said 'give this out!' so it was a pretty good missionary tool :) i just handed little kids candy and was like 'I don't think I've met you before?' we were able to set like three appointments with non-members that night!! the youth of the ward learned the thriller dance and did for everybody, it was really funny!! elder Canova and i got to help with the doughnut eating game it was weird tho cause it was like a party an stuff.. and missionaries don't party.. we had fun.
anyways so we've been teaching a girl named Vanessa! she's 19 and she is a golden investigator, she's been going to church for a while now, and i guess no one has ever asked her to be baptized! her boyfriend is a member(he just left on a mission) and didn't want to pressure her into getting baptized but we just were teaching her one day and just asked her.. so she's been doing so well, she reads and prays more than a lot of people i know.. anyways her baptism was on HALLOWEEN!!! (yesterday) it was a really good day.. it started out a little rough but it was really good.. on the way to church i realized i had forgot my tag (I've never done that) and we had to turn around, we don't live far from the church tho.. so we were late, church was good it was a fair-well, sis. Becky Rohner, the Rohner family is AWESOME they just are so happy and funny and laugh all the time and their mom is crazy! she's in the relief society stake pres. anyways her talk was really good, we teach two investigators at the Rohner house so right after church we headed over.
our lessons went well we were able to get another potential investigator who happened to be cutting hair while we were there, we just walk in the kitchen and were like 'hey you should take lessons and come to church' so we got her info and bounced. we went looking for some referrals and we actually found one! we were at his house looking for him and he just pulled up. his name is Matthew he was bump'n hard rap when he pulled up but we started talking to him about work and all that. it was crazy tho i really gained a strong testimony about the gift of discernment, I shook his hand and looked him right in the eyes, i could see right into life, it was a really powerful experience. after that it was off to Vanessa's baptism!!
so we showed up to the church to set up, everything seemed to be going well, we started the font and set up the room elder canova said to me 'do you think 50 chairs will be enough?' i said 'probably not, we should get more just in case' but I'm the Jr.companion so what i say doesn't really matter ;) i was really nervous for some reason, our mission president has us teach the Restoration while the people being baptized are changing, so i started studying up to teach. after a little while people started showing up. it turned out that about 70+ people were attending!!! i guess a few extra chairs wouldn't have made a difference we had people standing in the halls..anyways the we shut off the water so we could get started.. but we could hear it leaking... so we got a big stick and tried to get it stop but we couldn't get it to stop draining it was going pretty fast and by the time the baptism happened we wanted enough water to be there.. we couldn't do anything but pray. the program started there was a song and a really nice talk given about half way through the talk i was listening to the water draining and it just stopped! just strait up stopped.. it was really a miracle.. so then it was time for the baptismal ordinance, it was really nice Vanessa was crying before she even got in the water, it was short and sweet.. then it was my turn! the restoration in front of 70 people i was really nervous but i was praying a lot i don't even know what i really said but i remember i felt like i was gonna cry the entire time.. i think it went well anyways.. well i love this gospel SOOO much i love this area, love missionary work. i love all of you and i miss everyone have a good week and keep up your scripture study!!
Love elder Blandon
On Friday we had a 'trunk or treat' at the chapel there are a lot of non-members that attend so we knew it would be good to hit it up.. we dressed up as missionary's ;) it was crazy tho! this ward really knows how to party!! they had all kinds of stuff going on.. some one just gave me a huge bowl of candy and said 'give this out!' so it was a pretty good missionary tool :) i just handed little kids candy and was like 'I don't think I've met you before?' we were able to set like three appointments with non-members that night!! the youth of the ward learned the thriller dance and did for everybody, it was really funny!! elder Canova and i got to help with the doughnut eating game it was weird tho cause it was like a party an stuff.. and missionaries don't party.. we had fun.
anyways so we've been teaching a girl named Vanessa! she's 19 and she is a golden investigator, she's been going to church for a while now, and i guess no one has ever asked her to be baptized! her boyfriend is a member(he just left on a mission) and didn't want to pressure her into getting baptized but we just were teaching her one day and just asked her.. so she's been doing so well, she reads and prays more than a lot of people i know.. anyways her baptism was on HALLOWEEN!!! (yesterday) it was a really good day.. it started out a little rough but it was really good.. on the way to church i realized i had forgot my tag (I've never done that) and we had to turn around, we don't live far from the church tho.. so we were late, church was good it was a fair-well, sis. Becky Rohner, the Rohner family is AWESOME they just are so happy and funny and laugh all the time and their mom is crazy! she's in the relief society stake pres. anyways her talk was really good, we teach two investigators at the Rohner house so right after church we headed over.
our lessons went well we were able to get another potential investigator who happened to be cutting hair while we were there, we just walk in the kitchen and were like 'hey you should take lessons and come to church' so we got her info and bounced. we went looking for some referrals and we actually found one! we were at his house looking for him and he just pulled up. his name is Matthew he was bump'n hard rap when he pulled up but we started talking to him about work and all that. it was crazy tho i really gained a strong testimony about the gift of discernment, I shook his hand and looked him right in the eyes, i could see right into life, it was a really powerful experience. after that it was off to Vanessa's baptism!!
so we showed up to the church to set up, everything seemed to be going well, we started the font and set up the room elder canova said to me 'do you think 50 chairs will be enough?' i said 'probably not, we should get more just in case' but I'm the Jr.companion so what i say doesn't really matter ;) i was really nervous for some reason, our mission president has us teach the Restoration while the people being baptized are changing, so i started studying up to teach. after a little while people started showing up. it turned out that about 70+ people were attending!!! i guess a few extra chairs wouldn't have made a difference we had people standing in the halls..anyways the we shut off the water so we could get started.. but we could hear it leaking... so we got a big stick and tried to get it stop but we couldn't get it to stop draining it was going pretty fast and by the time the baptism happened we wanted enough water to be there.. we couldn't do anything but pray. the program started there was a song and a really nice talk given about half way through the talk i was listening to the water draining and it just stopped! just strait up stopped.. it was really a miracle.. so then it was time for the baptismal ordinance, it was really nice Vanessa was crying before she even got in the water, it was short and sweet.. then it was my turn! the restoration in front of 70 people i was really nervous but i was praying a lot i don't even know what i really said but i remember i felt like i was gonna cry the entire time.. i think it went well anyways.. well i love this gospel SOOO much i love this area, love missionary work. i love all of you and i miss everyone have a good week and keep up your scripture study!!
Love elder Blandon
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
:D
Hows it going!? Things are going great on the mission! I don't have time for ANYTHING!! We've been working really hard last week we had 24 lessons!!! It was awesome.. we just set 4 baptismal dates this last week!! So the ward is on fire right now! I feel so blessed.. Everything is good. Lately I've been praying a lot for humility and the Lord really answers our prayers.. my comp and I work together well but we bump heads a lot.. but I'm learning a lot about myself and about the Savior.
So I have so many spiritual experiences everyday.. I love missions and how the Lord really places us right where we need to be.. just last night we were visiting part-member less active families from the ward and we stopped by a family, the peoco's. They have four kids and they're CRAZY!! Anyway the dad isn't active.. so the mom was having a really hard time and she was praying that she could have a blessing.. then we showed up.. she asked me to give the blessing.. I love the Priesthood and the privilege I have to administer the Lord's power. Anyway we get this kind of stuff everyday.
We contact a lot of people.. I don't even know.. ?? Like investigators or tracting or members what?? We talk to a lot of people.. The weather's nice. It's been raining the last few days and I've been using my sweet rain coat!! Its not cold, though everyone says 'oh now its the cold season' but its not bad at all.
I GOT TO DO BAPTISMS FOR THE DEAD this last weekend!! It was great!! I loved it.. my comp had a new convert going for the first time so i got to go too!! I loved it.
So ever since I've been a missionary I've been able remember almost all of my dreams. Its really cool tho in all of my dreams I'm a missionary.. My roommate's theory is that as a set apart missionary while we sleep we are doing missionary work in the spirit world.. haha just a cool thought..
The ward is great. It's a lot of Polynesians.. I'm going to come off my mission in a lava-lava with a white shirt and tie!! :) They feed us so much.. I've gained 10 pounds!! I work out really hard too so I'm not going to get to fat.. just think bones. The food is the best tho we get fed a lot. Pday is good we try and get all the shopping and laundry done before 9am so we can chill the rest of the day.. we play volley ball a lot (my least fav. sport)
I need to start writing in my journal better..... I only do it like every other day, this week I'll be done with my first transfer!! CRAZY!! its been a good one tho we've had a lot of success. Thanks for all your support, I feel your prayers :)
Last pday we had to cut our free time 2 1/2 hours short cuz we had so much to do.. people are really nice i haven't had any really extreme or crazy experiences yet (weird right???) its crazy.. I've just been really blessed.. Well i do have a few but its not like WOW THAT'S CRAZY.. just we found a pack of cigarettes in the apartment!?? (I think the roommates planted them in the apartment as a joke) then the next day we were playing soccer at like 6:30am and we found a full bottle of liquor.. HA satan is so dumb. We just see a lot of drug abuse in the homes and a lot of crazy kids sluffing school.. we knock doors in the ghetto but everybody's pretty nice.. ohh i was on exchanges the other day and we were on bikes and i was being dumb and crashed :) we were on our way to service and my hands were all bloody..
The other day we did a big zone project and there was this guy like 6'10 and he was CRAZY he did like a pep-rally cheer thing and was trying to get us all pumped to do service.. HA it was really funny.. anyway K LOVE YOU!!!
So I have so many spiritual experiences everyday.. I love missions and how the Lord really places us right where we need to be.. just last night we were visiting part-member less active families from the ward and we stopped by a family, the peoco's. They have four kids and they're CRAZY!! Anyway the dad isn't active.. so the mom was having a really hard time and she was praying that she could have a blessing.. then we showed up.. she asked me to give the blessing.. I love the Priesthood and the privilege I have to administer the Lord's power. Anyway we get this kind of stuff everyday.
We contact a lot of people.. I don't even know.. ?? Like investigators or tracting or members what?? We talk to a lot of people.. The weather's nice. It's been raining the last few days and I've been using my sweet rain coat!! Its not cold, though everyone says 'oh now its the cold season' but its not bad at all.
I GOT TO DO BAPTISMS FOR THE DEAD this last weekend!! It was great!! I loved it.. my comp had a new convert going for the first time so i got to go too!! I loved it.
So ever since I've been a missionary I've been able remember almost all of my dreams. Its really cool tho in all of my dreams I'm a missionary.. My roommate's theory is that as a set apart missionary while we sleep we are doing missionary work in the spirit world.. haha just a cool thought..
The ward is great. It's a lot of Polynesians.. I'm going to come off my mission in a lava-lava with a white shirt and tie!! :) They feed us so much.. I've gained 10 pounds!! I work out really hard too so I'm not going to get to fat.. just think bones. The food is the best tho we get fed a lot. Pday is good we try and get all the shopping and laundry done before 9am so we can chill the rest of the day.. we play volley ball a lot (my least fav. sport)
I need to start writing in my journal better..... I only do it like every other day, this week I'll be done with my first transfer!! CRAZY!! its been a good one tho we've had a lot of success. Thanks for all your support, I feel your prayers :)
Last pday we had to cut our free time 2 1/2 hours short cuz we had so much to do.. people are really nice i haven't had any really extreme or crazy experiences yet (weird right???) its crazy.. I've just been really blessed.. Well i do have a few but its not like WOW THAT'S CRAZY.. just we found a pack of cigarettes in the apartment!?? (I think the roommates planted them in the apartment as a joke) then the next day we were playing soccer at like 6:30am and we found a full bottle of liquor.. HA satan is so dumb. We just see a lot of drug abuse in the homes and a lot of crazy kids sluffing school.. we knock doors in the ghetto but everybody's pretty nice.. ohh i was on exchanges the other day and we were on bikes and i was being dumb and crashed :) we were on our way to service and my hands were all bloody..
The other day we did a big zone project and there was this guy like 6'10 and he was CRAZY he did like a pep-rally cheer thing and was trying to get us all pumped to do service.. HA it was really funny.. anyway K LOVE YOU!!!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Farewell talky goodnesssss
Good Morning- My name is Robert Blandon I am pleased to be with you today. I have been called to serve in the California Oakland/San Francisco mission! For this reason I am speaking with you today. The theme this month has been -the Book of Mormon and I have chosen to speak on my favorite verse in the Book of Mormon. Please turn with me to Alma 32:21 – It reads, “Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have Faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.” This is certainly one of the most powerful scriptures I have ever read in the Book of Mormon. I love the truth and simplicity within its words.
First we’ll take a step back for a brief recap of the story leading up to the discourse on faith given to the Zoramites by Alma the younger. It begins with a man named Korihor. If you remember Korihor isn’t a very good guy, he is an anti-Christ or in other words he is an enemy to Christ, one who is in opposition to the true gospel. His philosophy is comprised of naturalism, materialism and immorality. With his words of flattery Korihor led the Zoramite’s to a state of disbelief and apostasy.
(Alma 30:13-15) Korihor preaches
13. O ye that are bound down under a foolish and a vain hope, why do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things? Why do ye look for a Christ? For no man can know of anything which is to come.
14. Behold, these things which ye call prophecies, which ye say are handed down by holy prophets, behold, they are foolish traditions of your fathers.
15 How do ye know of their surety? Behold, ye cannot know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there shall be a Christ.
Korihor couldn’t be more wrong! He preaches that we are “Bound down under a foolish and vain hope” Heavenly Father has blessed us with a plan, a way that we can gain a knowledge of truth. With faith and through the holy ghost we can gain knowledge of things that are true. These ideals korihor preaches are contrary to that of the true gospel. After trying to spread his delusions among the people of Nephi Korihor was brought before Alma because of his offensive philosophies. (30:40,41) Alma asked Korihor the following:
40 And now what evidence have ye that there is no God, or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only.
41 But, behold, I have all things as a testimony that these things are true; and ye also have all things as a testimony unto you that they are true; and will ye deny them?
Korihor could not provide any evidence that God did NOT exist or that Christ wouldn’t save us from our sins. Brothers and sister We have “ALL things as a testimony!” that Christ is our Savior! The very air that we breath, the world around us from nature to technology all testify of the reality of our Father in heaven, what a blessing this is in our lives
In this generation here and now, do we have modern day “korihor’s”? are we led to believe that it’s ok to live our lives free of consequences, that the Word of Wisdom and the law of chastity don’t apply to us? korihor preaches that the “Foolish traditions of our Fathers” are not real because “ye cannot know of things which ye do not see” everyday our spirituality is attacked by these same ideals that korihor preached. In a talk given by President Boyd K. Packer he states “I know of nothing in the history of the Church OR in the history if the World, to compare with our present circumstances. Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah which exceeds in wickedness and depravity that which surrounds us now.” Brothers and sisters we need Faith. Faith is the foundation of our testimonies and anchors us to Christ. Without faith we are led astray. This is the same problem that affected the Zoramites in the Book of Mormon. Their faith had been attacked and in order to repair the deceptions and false teachings of Korihor Alma and Amulek began preaching among their brethren.
Faith in Jesus Christ is the First principle of the Gospel. The bible dictionary reads “To have Faith is to have confidence in something or someone” “Faith is a Principle of action and of power, even more important, by Faith one obtains a remission of sins and eventually can stand in the presence of God.” It says here that Faith is a “Principle of action” or in other words something that requires us to act. So let’s see what Alma has to say about it. If you would like to turn with me to (Alma 32:27,28)
27. But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, 28. Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.
Alma gives us a challenge here, he says “Experiment upon my words!-give place that a seed may be planted in your heart!” then he explains to us how we feel when we know the seed is true he says “yea it beginneth to enlighten my understanding” How do we plant a seed of faith in our hearts? This is a question I have been pondering these last few days, I think there are several ways that we can go about doing this. I know for me I have found that prayer is a powerful tool. we must pray and ponder the things that we are questioning, and we must also believe we can receive an answer. We need to believe that our testimony can grow. Once we plant a seed is that it? Are we finished? Can we go home? Alma goes on in verse 37.
37 And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.
SO WHAT ARE THINGS WE CAN DO!!! How can we NOURISH our testimonies?
Gospel principles reads:
How can we increase our faith? The same way we increase or develop any other skill. How do we develop skills in woodworking, snowboarding, painting, cooking, making pottery, or playing a musical instrument? We study and practice and work at it. As we do so, we improve. So it is with faith. If we want to increase our faith in Jesus Christ, we must work at it.
So If we want to gain a testimony of these principles we must ACT with FAITH. This is best stated in James chapter 2:17 “Even so Faith if it hath not works is dead, being alone”
Strengthening our faith doesn’t start with a grandiose task but a small prayer and desire to know and understand. A little effort to read scriptures, serve our neighbor, listen to the Spirit. Continue increasing in faith. Know that God keeps His promises and fear not. brothers and sisters just as Alma challenged the Zoramites I challenge you today to plant a seed in your heart, if you have question or need guidance believe that Heavenly father can provide for you. I have a testimony of this and I am so grateful to have that knowledge. Let us nourish that seed by doing service for those around us, read the Book of Mormon, and say our prayers.
I would like to share with you the experience I had in receiving a mission call. When I was preparing to get my mission papers I prayed a lot, I prayed to know if a mission was right for me one day while I was meeting with the bishop he told me that this is what the Lord wanted. When the bishop told me that I was supposed to go on a mission I knew that was true! As the weeks went by I continued to pray and read my scriptures, I prayed that when I received my call I would know that it would be the place I was supposed to serve. I also fasted and searched the scriptures that I might receive inspiration from the Lord. The day finally came. My brother called my on the phone and told me my call had arrived! The only problem was my brother was in PENNSYLVANNIA!! I had been living in Pennsylvania and turned in my papers there as well- a little miscommunication and lack of planning and my papers got sent to my brother’s house… Luckily my sister was there visiting and she would be returning home in a week… ONE FULL WEEK, so I waited.. And as I waited the Lord taught me about patience. My sister came home and with her was my mission call. We rushed over to my dad’s house in salt lake where the family was anxiously waiting and then it happened. I opened my call and read the lines “Elder Blandon” when I saw that I was called to the California Oakland/San Francisco mission at first I didn’t feel anything!! I wasn’t sad or happy or scared “all this praying and fasting!” I thought “and I don’t feel anything!?” but the more I thought about is and as I got online and started learning about the area later that same day I got my answer. It was a feeling of calmness, of comfort. It was subtle. And the Lord gave me his answer in his own time.
MY MISSION CALL: faith, prayer fasting, answer.
TESTIMONY
.
First we’ll take a step back for a brief recap of the story leading up to the discourse on faith given to the Zoramites by Alma the younger. It begins with a man named Korihor. If you remember Korihor isn’t a very good guy, he is an anti-Christ or in other words he is an enemy to Christ, one who is in opposition to the true gospel. His philosophy is comprised of naturalism, materialism and immorality. With his words of flattery Korihor led the Zoramite’s to a state of disbelief and apostasy.
(Alma 30:13-15) Korihor preaches
13. O ye that are bound down under a foolish and a vain hope, why do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things? Why do ye look for a Christ? For no man can know of anything which is to come.
14. Behold, these things which ye call prophecies, which ye say are handed down by holy prophets, behold, they are foolish traditions of your fathers.
15 How do ye know of their surety? Behold, ye cannot know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there shall be a Christ.
Korihor couldn’t be more wrong! He preaches that we are “Bound down under a foolish and vain hope” Heavenly Father has blessed us with a plan, a way that we can gain a knowledge of truth. With faith and through the holy ghost we can gain knowledge of things that are true. These ideals korihor preaches are contrary to that of the true gospel. After trying to spread his delusions among the people of Nephi Korihor was brought before Alma because of his offensive philosophies. (30:40,41) Alma asked Korihor the following:
40 And now what evidence have ye that there is no God, or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only.
41 But, behold, I have all things as a testimony that these things are true; and ye also have all things as a testimony unto you that they are true; and will ye deny them?
Korihor could not provide any evidence that God did NOT exist or that Christ wouldn’t save us from our sins. Brothers and sister We have “ALL things as a testimony!” that Christ is our Savior! The very air that we breath, the world around us from nature to technology all testify of the reality of our Father in heaven, what a blessing this is in our lives
In this generation here and now, do we have modern day “korihor’s”? are we led to believe that it’s ok to live our lives free of consequences, that the Word of Wisdom and the law of chastity don’t apply to us? korihor preaches that the “Foolish traditions of our Fathers” are not real because “ye cannot know of things which ye do not see” everyday our spirituality is attacked by these same ideals that korihor preached. In a talk given by President Boyd K. Packer he states “I know of nothing in the history of the Church OR in the history if the World, to compare with our present circumstances. Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah which exceeds in wickedness and depravity that which surrounds us now.” Brothers and sisters we need Faith. Faith is the foundation of our testimonies and anchors us to Christ. Without faith we are led astray. This is the same problem that affected the Zoramites in the Book of Mormon. Their faith had been attacked and in order to repair the deceptions and false teachings of Korihor Alma and Amulek began preaching among their brethren.
Faith in Jesus Christ is the First principle of the Gospel. The bible dictionary reads “To have Faith is to have confidence in something or someone” “Faith is a Principle of action and of power, even more important, by Faith one obtains a remission of sins and eventually can stand in the presence of God.” It says here that Faith is a “Principle of action” or in other words something that requires us to act. So let’s see what Alma has to say about it. If you would like to turn with me to (Alma 32:27,28)
27. But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, 28. Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.
Alma gives us a challenge here, he says “Experiment upon my words!-give place that a seed may be planted in your heart!” then he explains to us how we feel when we know the seed is true he says “yea it beginneth to enlighten my understanding” How do we plant a seed of faith in our hearts? This is a question I have been pondering these last few days, I think there are several ways that we can go about doing this. I know for me I have found that prayer is a powerful tool. we must pray and ponder the things that we are questioning, and we must also believe we can receive an answer. We need to believe that our testimony can grow. Once we plant a seed is that it? Are we finished? Can we go home? Alma goes on in verse 37.
37 And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.
SO WHAT ARE THINGS WE CAN DO!!! How can we NOURISH our testimonies?
Gospel principles reads:
How can we increase our faith? The same way we increase or develop any other skill. How do we develop skills in woodworking, snowboarding, painting, cooking, making pottery, or playing a musical instrument? We study and practice and work at it. As we do so, we improve. So it is with faith. If we want to increase our faith in Jesus Christ, we must work at it.
So If we want to gain a testimony of these principles we must ACT with FAITH. This is best stated in James chapter 2:17 “Even so Faith if it hath not works is dead, being alone”
Strengthening our faith doesn’t start with a grandiose task but a small prayer and desire to know and understand. A little effort to read scriptures, serve our neighbor, listen to the Spirit. Continue increasing in faith. Know that God keeps His promises and fear not. brothers and sisters just as Alma challenged the Zoramites I challenge you today to plant a seed in your heart, if you have question or need guidance believe that Heavenly father can provide for you. I have a testimony of this and I am so grateful to have that knowledge. Let us nourish that seed by doing service for those around us, read the Book of Mormon, and say our prayers.
I would like to share with you the experience I had in receiving a mission call. When I was preparing to get my mission papers I prayed a lot, I prayed to know if a mission was right for me one day while I was meeting with the bishop he told me that this is what the Lord wanted. When the bishop told me that I was supposed to go on a mission I knew that was true! As the weeks went by I continued to pray and read my scriptures, I prayed that when I received my call I would know that it would be the place I was supposed to serve. I also fasted and searched the scriptures that I might receive inspiration from the Lord. The day finally came. My brother called my on the phone and told me my call had arrived! The only problem was my brother was in PENNSYLVANNIA!! I had been living in Pennsylvania and turned in my papers there as well- a little miscommunication and lack of planning and my papers got sent to my brother’s house… Luckily my sister was there visiting and she would be returning home in a week… ONE FULL WEEK, so I waited.. And as I waited the Lord taught me about patience. My sister came home and with her was my mission call. We rushed over to my dad’s house in salt lake where the family was anxiously waiting and then it happened. I opened my call and read the lines “Elder Blandon” when I saw that I was called to the California Oakland/San Francisco mission at first I didn’t feel anything!! I wasn’t sad or happy or scared “all this praying and fasting!” I thought “and I don’t feel anything!?” but the more I thought about is and as I got online and started learning about the area later that same day I got my answer. It was a feeling of calmness, of comfort. It was subtle. And the Lord gave me his answer in his own time.
MY MISSION CALL: faith, prayer fasting, answer.
TESTIMONY
.
Mailing address aquired! Let the letter writing commence!
Hey just have anyone who wants to write me send it to the mission home (4945 Lincoln way Oakand CA 94602)
HEY!! Week TWO! so my area is really cool it’s about the size of Spanish Fork, it’s called Hayward. It’s a really nice area it reminds me of Utah all the time.. I spoke in church the first Sunday I got here it was intense! Cuz we really didn’t have any notice, but my talk went really well! So the ward is great! It’s veery diverse there are a lot of families from Tonga and Samoa we get to EAT SO MUCH FOOD!! I’ve gained 10 pound and lost all motivation to exercise.. Oh well :)
The first Saturday here there was a baptism I’m not sure if I had mentioned that last time??? His name is Delano he’s 14 years old. We’re working with his little brother Keoni who is 11, he's going to be baptized hopefully at the end of the month. We’re also working with a guy named Willie, we’re helping him quit smoking. He’s been doing well, he came to Delano's baptism and he was at church as well.
The people in this area are really nice. I feel the respect and love from so many people we come in contact with. It’s hard sometimes though, California is a very worldly place. It seems like satan has a hold of people hearts with the things of the world. Mostly cars, bling, clothes and RIMS- people that don’t even have money to buy the basic things of life still have a set of RIMS ON their CAR!!! ????? I just don’t get it? And when people have the things of the world they think they don’t need the Savior in their lives. The people here are good people though and elder Canova and I work hard to help them see the blessing they are given.
I love my comp. we have a lot of fun, I’m loving mission life. I’m learning more about myself and about the Savior every day. I’m finding it’s hard sometimes but the hard work always pays off. There are time's when we go places - if we’re given an address for a referral or trying to find a members house and we can't find it- we just keep looking and the spirit just guides us and we end up crossing paths with someone that needs us. I love the gospel I love the Savior. I am so grateful for all the support of all my friends and family!! I LOVE EVERYONE!!! k well gotta go play volley ball :) BYE
Elder Blandon
Thursday, September 30, 2010
In the field and already seeing baptisms!
HEYYY SUzIE huh well guess what i was writing you on paper this morning but now i realized i can just write you NOW! guess what else... IM A MISSIONARY!! YAY! so the MTC ROCKED!!.. the firesides were good.. but i never saw any general authorities :( but i met lots of really cool kids..
anyways so i learned tons in the mtc, the spirit was so strong my testimony got huge! so when it was time to leave the MTC i was kinda scared and a little sad to see all my friends go when i go to the airport i was really freaked out.. but then i got on the airplane and sitting next to me was my old soccer coach from jr.high.. and the other guy next to me was a member so i didn't really get to try out what i had learned.
(there were ten of us missionaries) when we came off the plane there was a group of missionaries standing there. They gave us all hand shakes and then we sang called to serve in the middle of the airport, we made a scene and it was awesome! i didn't realize tho all those missionaries were waiting to get on the plain to go home!! we just met the missionaries we were replacing for like three min..
anyways we then met pres. Wade. HE'S AWESOME! he believes in breaking in the missionaries nice and easy.. so we went out to lunch, toured the temple, then we filled out a ton of paper work. we ate a family dinner and while we were eating all of our trainers came over and were waiting in the living room. we had a big meeting and the mission pres. talk about the mission.. the Oakland mission is doing so well right now!!! its crazy, there are alot of people investigating the church here and being baptized. all that stuff i was nervous about, like people hating the church and protesting, i haven't seen any of that. the people are really nice for the most part. most people dont really even know the church that much, they just know about the temple.
anyways right know im in the Hayward First ward, its pretty diverse, a lot of samoan's and tongan's asian's african american's anyways the ward is SOOO good! i really like it, there missionary work as a ward is so good. the other day i got to teach a lesson under a tree in the park on a traditional samoan mat- IT WAS AWESOME! then they fed us tones of food! it was the best.
there was a baptism this last saturday that me and my comp. set up. it was really nice, the boys name was delano, he's like 14 years old, i got to stand in confirming him on sunday.
i also got to speak in church!! i was kindof a surprise when i looked on the program and i saw my name! yikes! so i got up and spoke. it was really nice i talked about Christ it turned out really good.
so my Comp. is Elder Canova! hes great, he's from salt lake and he likes to run (we go running on a trail for exercize time) hes a really good trainer. elder canova and i are teaching a few investigators right now, Willy he's about 40's or 50's hes a cool
show details Sep 27 (3 days ago) |
sorry my computer died.. anyways the ward is great my mission is awesome.. i have a cool apartment too! there are two companionships total. k love you!!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Leaving the MTC
HEY EVERYBODY!!
So im still at the MTC. i leave for Oakland on the 22 of sep. im really nerves but i know the Lord will help me... AND GUESS WHAT! im the travel leader! so im responsible for 9 missionary's and making sure they all get to oakland safe. anyways the MTC has been great! its crazy i only have one week left. i see payden mcroberts every once in a while, its really nice to see someone i know.
so i love my district (my class mates) we are all getting along so nice now.. there is an elder who does magic tricks! hes SOO GOOD so we have magic shows in our dorm like every other night.. everyone like to hang out in our room cuz we have so much fun..
we have two sets of sisters in our district and they add alot to our class, we are learning so much about the Gospel and what it is every day i feel the Spirit so strong.. im working really hard to become a good missionary. after being here just a few days i quickly realized that this is by far THE BEST thing i have ever done. its such an adventure and it hasnt even started yet!!
we spend like 8-10 hours a day in our class room.. we have two teachers bro.gannaway and bro.heaton i love them both very much we also have personal study time and comp. study.. i love the book of Mormon!!! i am learning so much about the power within the book and how much it really blesses our lifes. anyways im doing well but im still working hard to become more like Christ. the attribute im working on now is humility. its easy take all the blessings we have as missionary and forget the Lord is allowing the knowledge and progress in our lives.. "you have to pray alot for humility as a missionary" -Chris Cain- but i know the lord will bless me if im just willing to submit myself to his will..
yesterday i was a Host and we welcomed all the new missionarys! it was sooo fun! all the missionary mom's were crying HAHA i was like "GEE WIZ! im sure glad my mom wasnt like that when i left!!" ;) LOVE you MOM!! its really cool to see so many kids making good choices i really feel so strong when we all get together for big meetings i feel like a stripling warrior!! its awesome
its been a little harder than i thought- working with my comp. elder Smith.. haha i know you dont even need to say it. (everyone reading this is saying "I told you so" ) but im growing as i work through things with him. anyway i Love everyone very much. i dont really have time to think about anyone tho so i cant say i really miss you..... HA!! jk but no really i dont have time to even think! but hopefully next e-mail you get will be from OAKLAND/ SAN FRANCISCO!! YAHHH
So im still at the MTC. i leave for Oakland on the 22 of sep. im really nerves but i know the Lord will help me... AND GUESS WHAT! im the travel leader! so im responsible for 9 missionary's and making sure they all get to oakland safe. anyways the MTC has been great! its crazy i only have one week left. i see payden mcroberts every once in a while, its really nice to see someone i know.
so i love my district (my class mates) we are all getting along so nice now.. there is an elder who does magic tricks! hes SOO GOOD so we have magic shows in our dorm like every other night.. everyone like to hang out in our room cuz we have so much fun..
we have two sets of sisters in our district and they add alot to our class, we are learning so much about the Gospel and what it is every day i feel the Spirit so strong.. im working really hard to become a good missionary. after being here just a few days i quickly realized that this is by far THE BEST thing i have ever done. its such an adventure and it hasnt even started yet!!
we spend like 8-10 hours a day in our class room.. we have two teachers bro.gannaway and bro.heaton i love them both very much we also have personal study time and comp. study.. i love the book of Mormon!!! i am learning so much about the power within the book and how much it really blesses our lifes. anyways im doing well but im still working hard to become more like Christ. the attribute im working on now is humility. its easy take all the blessings we have as missionary and forget the Lord is allowing the knowledge and progress in our lives.. "you have to pray alot for humility as a missionary" -Chris Cain- but i know the lord will bless me if im just willing to submit myself to his will..
yesterday i was a Host and we welcomed all the new missionarys! it was sooo fun! all the missionary mom's were crying HAHA i was like "GEE WIZ! im sure glad my mom wasnt like that when i left!!" ;) LOVE you MOM!! its really cool to see so many kids making good choices i really feel so strong when we all get together for big meetings i feel like a stripling warrior!! its awesome
its been a little harder than i thought- working with my comp. elder Smith.. haha i know you dont even need to say it. (everyone reading this is saying "I told you so" ) but im growing as i work through things with him. anyway i Love everyone very much. i dont really have time to think about anyone tho so i cant say i really miss you..... HA!! jk but no really i dont have time to even think! but hopefully next e-mail you get will be from OAKLAND/ SAN FRANCISCO!! YAHHH
Saturday, September 11, 2010
First Letter!
HEY EVERYBODY!!! ok so i dont have much time..THE MTC ROCKS!!! im learning SO much everyday! i love my companion his name is elder smith and hes from Colorado hes a great elder.. its so weird being here in the MTC i know im in provo but it seems like we are in a world of our own being on the inside is so different.. I am so happy to be here. i LOVE missionary work. the thing i like best about being a missionary is that i have the spirit with me all the time! its so great..
I HATE THE FOOD its the worst!! but the spirit is so strong it makes everything good again, so today's my first P-day. its nice, i get to go to the Temple so im super exited for that.. anyways being that everything moves at the speed of light.. my testimony is like a rocket ship! its hard to keep up with some times. they push our limits but we grow so much by working hard.
We're learning how to help people. not just like service but really learning how to help people just as Christ would. we are becoming tools in His hand and its so awesome. everyday my heart is full. the blessings i am receiving as a result of my service is more than i can even receive.
we learn about different principles every day and lately ive been learning about choices. "choosing and doing is the path of becoming" our choices reveal who we truly are we learn about ourselves and about Christ through our choices.. anyways i forgot my notes but i have tons more to talk about.. i love this gospel i love my savior Jesus Christ i am so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary I am so grateful for Joseph Smith and i KNOW our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph. my testimony has grown SO MUCH i feel the spirit so strong every day.. I LOVE YOU ALL.. PRAY FOR ME and PRAY FOR OAKLAND!!! k bye :)
I HATE THE FOOD its the worst!! but the spirit is so strong it makes everything good again, so today's my first P-day. its nice, i get to go to the Temple so im super exited for that.. anyways being that everything moves at the speed of light.. my testimony is like a rocket ship! its hard to keep up with some times. they push our limits but we grow so much by working hard.
We're learning how to help people. not just like service but really learning how to help people just as Christ would. we are becoming tools in His hand and its so awesome. everyday my heart is full. the blessings i am receiving as a result of my service is more than i can even receive.
we learn about different principles every day and lately ive been learning about choices. "choosing and doing is the path of becoming" our choices reveal who we truly are we learn about ourselves and about Christ through our choices.. anyways i forgot my notes but i have tons more to talk about.. i love this gospel i love my savior Jesus Christ i am so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary I am so grateful for Joseph Smith and i KNOW our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph. my testimony has grown SO MUCH i feel the spirit so strong every day.. I LOVE YOU ALL.. PRAY FOR ME and PRAY FOR OAKLAND!!! k bye :)
Monday, September 6, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
It's official!!!
Elder Blandon has joined the ranks of Missionaries at the Missionary Training Center in Provo! We gave him the best little send off we could and took lots of silly pictures for your enjoyment. We are so proud of you Robbie!
How can you resist a face like this?
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