"Rich Blessings Are In Store" (I Am a Child of God - Hymn No. 301) - May 23, 2022
Spiritual Thought
From our earliest days in primary we are taught the words of "I Am a Child of God". Typically this is one of the first songs we learn and children eagerly look for opportunities to sing it. I wonder, however, if the words of this song sometimes become so commonplace to us that we lose sight of their meaning. Our prophet, President Nelson, has repeatedly implored us to remember our divine identity and the future which can be ours if we choose to accept it.
Think for a moment about what exactly we declare each time we sing "I Am a Child of God". Each an every person on thus earth possess a spirit which dwelt with and was created by God Himself. We learned at his feet, desired to return to him, and shouted for joy when a plan was presented which would allow us to do so. Inherent to this plan, indeed essential to its success, would be a period of testing and trial when we were physically distanced from our Heavenly Father. This period would require us to endure all manner of heartache, sickness, and despair. Some of us would be required to endure disease and immense physical pain. Others would pass through mental illness and limitations. And still others, too many of them, would face this experience largely alone as grappled with broken homes, shattered relationships, or outright rejection. Worst of all, however, we would he required to be tempted and tested. Far too many would fall to sin and thus be unable to return to our Heavenly Father's presence. Surely our Heavenly Father must have wept knowing there would be some who chose to reject him and deny themselves of the blessings he desired to bestow upon them.
The promise given to us is one which is difficult for many to comprehend. It is nothing less than everything our Heavenly Father possess. Every person carries with them the spark of divinity. We have a divine nature and eternal destiny. We are not merely the result of some great cosmic accident. Nor are we merely just another piece of nature placed upon this earth. We are the children of the king. Our inheritance is our Father's kingdom and our destiny is a throne. My prayer and invitation is that we will allow our divine nature and destiny to be the defining characteristic of our lives. As we do so we will come to realize the comforting, ennobling, and ultimately exalting power such a principle carries with it.
I am a Child of God
Rich blessings are in store
If I but learn to do his will
I'll live with him once more
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Weekly Update
This week has been one of the busiest and best weeks of my mission. If I am ever a young men's leader and want to tell a story that will make the young men decide to serve missions there is a good chance it will come from this week.
The highlight was being able to attend Edgar's baptism. You may remember that Edgar is a sixteen year old young man who we were teaching in my last area. We met Edgar ten days after he came to the United States. It was obvious he had been prepared to hear the Gospel and was ready to accept it. Elder Allen and I put Edgar on date and taught all the lessons but then were transferred out of the area. Hermana Berkabile and Hermana Haertling are now in the area and did a great job planning and carrying out the baptism. Edgar told us he has been reading the Book of Mormon every day and feels like he is having a conversation with the Savior. Edgar brought his entire family to his baptism. When he saw me he excitedly came up to me, pointed at his family, and said "I'm being a missionary just like you." He then told me that, because he will have the priesthood soon, he wants to baptize all of his family members very soon. He also said he wants to go on his own mission so he can teach others about how good the Book of Mormon has made him feel. Edgar is a very special young man and I am humbled I was able to be the Lord's hands in introducing him to the Gospel.
We were able to have a lesson with Alan this week where his girlfriend joined from Mexico over video call. She explained her concerns with baptism and we were able to testify of the importance and blessings of baptism. Alan called us yesterday morning and asked if we could meet after church. When we went to his house he told us he had decided that baptism would help him be a better husband some day even if it is not what his girlfriend wants right now. He told us he wants to set a goal for baptism as his act of faith his girlfriend will become comfortable with his decision. We asked if he had a day in mind and he said June 4th. We are excited for Alan's decision and know the Lord can provide a way. Please pray that his girlfriend, Anna's, heart will be softened so that Alan can be baptized.
Clotilde and Enrique are also getting baptized this Saturday. The Lord has prepared so many people in this area to accept the Gospel. I am excited to be able to serve here and watch his plans unfold.
I hope you all have a great week!
Elder Payne
We had an all-mission p-day last Monday. The APs
showed up wearing shirts with President Johnson's face on the back. The
best part was how funny President Johnson found them. When he saw what
they were wearing it was the hardest I've seen him laugh.
Elder Underwood and I were at the church one day this week. We were going to do some service afterwards. For some reason Elder Underwood decided to change into service clothes before we left but I didn't. We were saying it looked like he was dropping me off at the MTC.
The view of the Layton temple from the YSA elder's balcony.
On exchanges with Elder Marchman. We were companions a while back so it was just like old times.
The whole district after Edgar's baptism. We aren't having any district councils this transfer so we called this district council instead.
We were in a lesson with Pati and Jairo and got on the topic of the Old Testament Tabernacle. Jairo asked me to get something down from his mantle. I didn't quite have the vocabulary to understand what he was asking me to get but apparently he owns not one but two humongous shofars. I told him he should go outside and blow them every morning to wake the trailer park and he liked that idea.
With Edgar and the Hermanas.
With Elder Allen and Edgar.
Zone service at the Centerville Cemetery.
Multi-district council.
This is another inside joke I need to explain. For some reason Elder Burgoyne has started calling me "The Duck". I don't know why but it's caught on and now everyone calls me that. Because he's a really odd guy he also put a poll in the chat with both Spanish zones for which Elder would be best with kids. Like I said, don't ask me why, I'm just telling you the facts. I was the winner of that poll. Now people think I'm going to have about twelve kids. To be fair, that might not be too far from the truth. Long story short, Elder Burgoyne found this stuffed duck so we took a picture of me holding it like a baby and sent it into the Spanish chat.
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