Week 16

 "A great and marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

 Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my word.

 Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.

 Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God.

 Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.

 Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion"

 Zion is my life, and this call extends from eternity to eternity.  I'm praying for patience and charity this week.  We get to listen to Chrsitmas music starting November 1st until December 31st, and in California, you really gotta be dreaming for a "White Christmas".  So excited for a palm Christmas-tree.

 Elder Pendleton and I had frequent inventories to better our relationship, so we could work together and so I wouldn't be so angsty.  He told me to "go with the flow", and I really needed to hear that.  I haven't decided why God chooses to give me certain trials, but I realized I don't need to.  He doesn't "give" trials, but he doesn't always intervene either.  I need to go with the flow, and let the Lord take control.  I will have different struggles with different companions, but that doesn't mean it was a mistake.  That doesn't make me a failure.  The work will continue to move, because it's not me pushing, the Lord is pushing, He just happens to use my arms every once in a while.

 "...the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song...", so I must let Him push, and I must sing His name.  I've been studying a lot about the ministry of Christ, and being able to compare all the gospels side by side, along with the prophecies of the Old Testament, I see the purity and purpose behind His miracles and teachings.  Along with the inspired translation by Joseph Smith, the message of Christ's church is simplified and simplified again.  

 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it"

 "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen"

 Like the disciples of old, I have the privilege of this call, to cry repentance and salvation to the children of men, to deny of myself and to give my life to the Lord.  It may seem hard, but any good thing is worth working for.  Things might get me down, but never for long.

 "In the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer. … There’s some good in this world … and it’s worth fighting for"

 

 Elder Gneiting