We've had some cool things happen at church over the last month, so I thought I'd share some of them with you.
The villa we meet in is owned by a local man who, apparently, gives us a catered lunch about once a year. Usually he tells the leadership about it in advance. But not this year! We got to church one day and found the villa's back yard filled with tables. Rachel had to cancel the big teacher training she and the rest of the Primary presidency had already postponed once, because that was the day he'd decided to feed us all lunch! So at the end of church, all the primary children gathered in the chapel, the owner arrived, and the children sang him "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus", which he listened to happily before posing with them for pictures. Then we went out and enjoyed a catered meal large enough to feed both our congregation and the other congregation that meets in our building in the afternoon! Quite a funny day.
Then the Friday before our trip to Germany (more on that next post), we were instructed during our regular meetings by our soon-to-be-released Area Seventy, Elder Larry Kacher, and his wife. Elder Kacher said that it's likely the country of Jordan will have the church recognized soon and the church may finally own a building there. He reiterated the instructions we've all received more than once to honor the laws of our host countries by not proselytizing to any Muslims. However, he did encourage us to talk in private with non-Muslims who had sincere questions about the church. He said there are proselyting missionary couples in Lebanon and Jordan doing just that, carefully obeying the law as they do all they can to continue spreading the gospel. He said (in not so many words) that if we will obey our restrictions as we've been directed by revelation to do, then God will make ways for the work to move forward. There will be obstacles and set-backs over the years, but God works in mysterious ways. He then turned to a discussion of eternal marriage, and encouraged us to consider: what is the effect of pride in marriage? He reminded us that the greatest compliment is to be known to God as a covenant keeper, and that there is no relationship on earth more important than the one you have with your spouse. He said that Elder Packer told the general authorities a year ago "Brethren, you don't treat your wives well enough." I figured that left me plenty of room for improvement. Sister Kacher then added her own thoughts on marriage and focused on the importance of responding to criticism from anyone (not just from your spouse) with acceptance and kind words.
The next day, we had an unexpected surprise of a last-minute fireside with Elder Bruce Carlson, who had come to speak to the branch on the military base outside Doha, but some on-base schedule conflict meant he couldn't. So he held a Q&A with us instead, after a few impromptu opening remarks by his wife. Here are some of my notes from that evening:
She and her husband were sent to visit saints and humanitarian missionaries in the Middle East / North Africa region. We have some in Morocco, some working with a school for the deaf in Cairo, and others assisting greatly with a camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan. The camp was built for 8000 refugees, but now has 130,000 people with 3500 more arriving each night. Camps are organized into neighborhoods by where the refugees came from so people can find their families. He told of a 9-year-old who carried a 1-year-old sibling across the border after the family said "Go. We will find you later." Latter-day Saint charities are handing out 25,000 diapers a night there.
In response to a question about the effect that the change in missionary age has had, he said: We thought the influx of new missionaries would peak this coming July at about 75,000, but we will probably peak in October at around 100,000 and only stabilize at around 90,000. Now lots more young women worry less about a mission's effect on their chances of getting married when they want to.
He said a bit about helping children and teenagers learn to do family history. If they get involved, they'll connect with the Holy Spirit and with their heritage. This will protect them from temptation. When this appropriate use of technology disciplines the youth to use the computer wisely and carefully, perhaps the Church will be able to have missionaries use computers more on their missions to accelerate the work.I asked him if faith is always ultimately a choice, or whether we can hope for a sure knowledge at some point. He said it is given as a gift to some to know, and others have to live their whole lives choosing to believe, which sounds a lot like Doctrine and Covenants 46:13-14 to me. I think God, being perfectly just, will certainly factor the category we fall under into our final judgment.
So that's much more gospel-related stuff than I've posted in a long time, but General Conference reminded me that I had a lot to share, so there you have it. I know that God lives and Jesus is the Savior of all creation, including me and you.
The villa we meet in is owned by a local man who, apparently, gives us a catered lunch about once a year. Usually he tells the leadership about it in advance. But not this year! We got to church one day and found the villa's back yard filled with tables. Rachel had to cancel the big teacher training she and the rest of the Primary presidency had already postponed once, because that was the day he'd decided to feed us all lunch! So at the end of church, all the primary children gathered in the chapel, the owner arrived, and the children sang him "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus", which he listened to happily before posing with them for pictures. Then we went out and enjoyed a catered meal large enough to feed both our congregation and the other congregation that meets in our building in the afternoon! Quite a funny day.
Then the Friday before our trip to Germany (more on that next post), we were instructed during our regular meetings by our soon-to-be-released Area Seventy, Elder Larry Kacher, and his wife. Elder Kacher said that it's likely the country of Jordan will have the church recognized soon and the church may finally own a building there. He reiterated the instructions we've all received more than once to honor the laws of our host countries by not proselytizing to any Muslims. However, he did encourage us to talk in private with non-Muslims who had sincere questions about the church. He said there are proselyting missionary couples in Lebanon and Jordan doing just that, carefully obeying the law as they do all they can to continue spreading the gospel. He said (in not so many words) that if we will obey our restrictions as we've been directed by revelation to do, then God will make ways for the work to move forward. There will be obstacles and set-backs over the years, but God works in mysterious ways. He then turned to a discussion of eternal marriage, and encouraged us to consider: what is the effect of pride in marriage? He reminded us that the greatest compliment is to be known to God as a covenant keeper, and that there is no relationship on earth more important than the one you have with your spouse. He said that Elder Packer told the general authorities a year ago "Brethren, you don't treat your wives well enough." I figured that left me plenty of room for improvement. Sister Kacher then added her own thoughts on marriage and focused on the importance of responding to criticism from anyone (not just from your spouse) with acceptance and kind words.
The next day, we had an unexpected surprise of a last-minute fireside with Elder Bruce Carlson, who had come to speak to the branch on the military base outside Doha, but some on-base schedule conflict meant he couldn't. So he held a Q&A with us instead, after a few impromptu opening remarks by his wife. Here are some of my notes from that evening:
She and her husband were sent to visit saints and humanitarian missionaries in the Middle East / North Africa region. We have some in Morocco, some working with a school for the deaf in Cairo, and others assisting greatly with a camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan. The camp was built for 8000 refugees, but now has 130,000 people with 3500 more arriving each night. Camps are organized into neighborhoods by where the refugees came from so people can find their families. He told of a 9-year-old who carried a 1-year-old sibling across the border after the family said "Go. We will find you later." Latter-day Saint charities are handing out 25,000 diapers a night there.
In response to a question about the effect that the change in missionary age has had, he said: We thought the influx of new missionaries would peak this coming July at about 75,000, but we will probably peak in October at around 100,000 and only stabilize at around 90,000. Now lots more young women worry less about a mission's effect on their chances of getting married when they want to.
He said a bit about helping children and teenagers learn to do family history. If they get involved, they'll connect with the Holy Spirit and with their heritage. This will protect them from temptation. When this appropriate use of technology disciplines the youth to use the computer wisely and carefully, perhaps the Church will be able to have missionaries use computers more on their missions to accelerate the work.I asked him if faith is always ultimately a choice, or whether we can hope for a sure knowledge at some point. He said it is given as a gift to some to know, and others have to live their whole lives choosing to believe, which sounds a lot like Doctrine and Covenants 46:13-14 to me. I think God, being perfectly just, will certainly factor the category we fall under into our final judgment.
So that's much more gospel-related stuff than I've posted in a long time, but General Conference reminded me that I had a lot to share, so there you have it. I know that God lives and Jesus is the Savior of all creation, including me and you.
3 comments:
Thanks, Steve. That was almost as good as being able to talk with you tonight!
I felt the spirit confirm what you shared. You have all had a great example of a husband who treated his wife well. Just be like your dad and you'll do fine ( I guess that is pretty much the point of the whole Gospel: to be like Christ, our covenant father, and His Father). Grandpas Jesse and Roly were also great examples of that. How blessed we have been.
My eyes are opened more and more to the reality of what you are doing there. You and Rachel's presence, just being in their midst allows God to bless them through you and your family. You and Rachel are such a strength to those already there for the same reason. Thank you for posting.
Thanks for the post, Steve. It's always fun to hear what counsel is given from area authorities from other areas - and amazing how applicable it can be for all of us!
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