"Which has wrought a mighty change in our hearts" (Mosiah 5:2) - June 12, 2021

 Spiritual Thought

 After delivering his timeless address, King Benjamin questioned his people on whether they believed the message which he had taught them.  The response to his inquiry is recorded in the book of Mosiah: "And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." (Mosiah 5:2).  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is one of change.  Each of us are fallen men and women and, as such, will inevitably be unworthy of the magnificent standard we strive for.  However, the beautiful reality that we celebrate is that Jesus Christ offered Himself as the perfect and infinite sacrifice for all.  The infinite depths of the price he paid reach to each one of us, regardless of how far we think we have drifted from Him.  Because Jesus Christ descended below all things, each of us is provided with the opportunity to grow and progress into the divine beings we were intended to become.  The beautiful reality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that it not only cleanses us from sin but it also provides the means whereby we may grow into something far greater than we currently are.  The mistakes and failings of the natural man need never be permanent.  I invite each of us to draw upon the changing, ennobling and exalting gift extended by the Savior Jesus Christ.  That each of us will more earnestly strive for such "a mighty change in our hearts" is my prayer.

 In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 

 Weekly Update

 Hello everyone,

First, a quick note.  I am able to read emails throughout the week but can only respond to them on P-day.  I will do my best to respond to as many as possible.  However, if I do not respond to your email please accept my apologies.  I would sincerely love to hear from any of you.  Please know that your message is appreciated and will be read even if time prohibits a response.

After having completed my first full week of MTC training I can report that I have been spiritually fed and mentally drained.  My drained feeling is not the result of any failure on the part of my MTC teachers or my companion but is the result of spending far more time in front of Zoom than I previously thought I was capable of.  Many of you will already know or could have guessed that I do not do well sitting inside in front of a computer screen for extended periods of time.  However, the Lord always provides a way and I can honestly state that I am enjoying my MTC experience and have been spiritually uplifted each and every day.

The highlight of my week came when Bro. Mannewitz was able to arrange for two different individuals from his mission to join us during language study.  The first was a woman named Soeur Rojo (Roo-dzoo).  "Soeur" means "sister" in French.  Many Malagasy people use the French word for sister in a church setting rather than the Malagasy word which would be "Rahavavy".  Soeur Rojo is from a town in the southern tip of Madagascar called Toliara (Too-lee-ahr).  She moved to the capital city of Antananarivo a few years ago and is currently serving as the primary president in her ward.  

The second opportunity occurred this morning with a brother named Tommy.  I assume that his full name is  much longer and more complex (most likely consisting of a seemingly inordinate number of vowels) but certain Americans who are not yet fluent appreciate the simplicity.  Elder Fergus and I were able to talk with Tommy for much longer than I was able to speak with Soeur Rojo.  He is an incredible young man.  He is nineteen years old and plays the piano in his branch each week.  He is preparing to serve a mission.  Elder Fergus and I were each able to give a spiritual thought in Malagasy.  Tommy also gave his own spiritual thought in English.  At the end of our meeting Tommy offered the closing prayer and prayed for a temple to be built in Antananarivo.  Afterwards, Bro. Mannewitz said that nearly every prayer a Malagasy offers includes a plea for a temple to be built.  Additionally, each ward and branch in Madagascar fasts every other month for a temple to be built.  I am profoundly grateful for the proximity to the temple each of us enjoy and earnestly pray for the members in Madagascar to have access to those same blessings.  As temples begin to reopen for proxy work I ask each of you to take full advantage of the blessings of the temple.  Please drink deeply and as often as you are able from each of the ordinances of the temple.

Brother Mannewitz told us that most missionaries will make brownies for less active members and investigators from time to time.  Apparently the Malagasy name for brownies is "mofo kadradraka"  (moo-foo  kah-jah-jah-kah) which means "cockroach bread".  That name doesn't sound very appealing but Tommy said that his favorite American food is mofo kadradraka. 

Our Malagasy training begins in earnest this upcoming week.  I am excited but also intimidated by beginning to learn the language.  When Malagsies speak Malagasy it sounds beautiful.  Hopefully one day I will sound as good as they do.  

I hope each of you have a great week,

Elder Payne

 

We went to the zoo for P-day.  This is in front of the Fossa (foo-sah) which is one of the classic animals of Madagascar.  Madagascar doesn't have any of the traditional African animals (Lion, Leopard, Giraffe, Elephant, Zebra, etc.).  Because of that, Fossas are the apex predators on the island.  Their Malagasy name translates to "hunter of lemurs".  Lemurs are another classic animal on Madagascar.  If you have seen the Madagascar movies, King Julian is a lemur.  Most Malagasies view Fossas as death omens.  If a pregnant woman sees a Fossa she has to immediately go through a week-long ritualistic cleansing to avoid a miscarriage.  Sorry for the long explanation.

With my P-day companion, Elder Payne.  I swear, missionaries these days just look younger and younger

Elder Payne was tuckered out after P-day.  Poor little guy.  Those first few days can be brutal!

My spiritual thought I shared with Tommy

MTC workout.  It's important to stay motivated while exercising.  Elder Uchtdorf makes a fantastic gym buddy!  He never even broke a sweat!

In class with Bro. Maguet

Elder Fergus and I made the mistake of asking how to say "Happy Birthday" in Malagasy.  This is the answer.  Let's just say that I think they have a different birthday song because they don't have time to fit it all in.

With Tommy