'Tis The Season 12/15/12

Dear family,

It's interesting, the things that happen to us.  Miracles abound all around us and most of the time we don't even realize them. Most of the time, we also take them for granted.  Many times, I have taken for granted the closeness that I have had with the Spirit.  I sometimes just don't realize his presence, sometimes don't want to, and other times just haven't been paying attention enough to recognize it, even if I have been listening patiently (or at least seemingly so).

We had a relative scare as a companionship this week.  Now we are four, but on Wednesday while heading home, Elder Abaroa got hit by a car.  The guy was driving slowly enough that no damage other than a bruise and some fast pumping adrenaline resulted, but to me it kind of jst threw a few things into perspective that we most of the time don't think about at all.  Elder Abaroa's fine, a little bruised on the right side, but laughs about the experience, and in particular how completely close to a break down the female passenger in the car was.

Then yesterday, I heard from one of our members about the tragedy in Connecticut.  I don't know all the details, but from what I heard there were 30 families affected.  Events like these are those that awaken a sense of the fragility of life.  Dad also commented about the almost accident with Annie and the stairs.  I also have been reminded of all of the people for whom I have attended funerals.  These tragedies bring a sense of sadness and gloom that many times we can let cloud over the understanding that we have as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

We know that it is through the Plan of Salvation put in place by our Father in Heaven that we all have the opportunity to return to once again live in a family bond that can never be broken.  We have the assurance that through living the comandments and always striving to live and be like Christ we will one day inherit the kingdom of heaven.  The whole gospel is centered on Jesus Christ and at this time of year we celebrate His miraculous birth.  While we remember His birth, we should also keep in mind, or perhaps even shift our focus, to the whole reason He was born.

We learn from the scriptures that Jesus came into the world to do the will of His Father who sent Him.  The will of the Father was that a sacrifice be made that all could have a chance to repent and return, spotless and clean, to live forever with Him in glory.  "For this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."  Because of this, Christ was lifted up, that we may also be lifted up at the last day to appear before our Father and be judged according to our works, that we might receive the reward that we merit.

This last week I had a main focus in my studies about the laws of Justice and Mercy, and this morning studied a little about mercy itself and grace.  Many claim that we are saved by grace, but modern revelation and a deeper look into the scriptures help us understand that "it is by grace we are saved after all we can do," for "faith without works is dead, being alone."  Grace is defined as being a divine help and strength, allowing us to one day obtain eternal life and exaltation--after our own best efforts.

Because we all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) we need grace to make up the difference.  Grace is only provided to us by mercy, which we only have available to us if we repent.  That mercy is there for us because of the universal and infinite atonement of Jesus Christ, and He wants us to come back to Him.  He suffered all that we will ever suffer and more, so that we would choose Him and return to His embrace.

There was a new mormon message recently put up on the Church website about an unexpected gift, which I have here included in my email.  The message found there is one of utter strength and comfort found at a moment of complete grief and condusion.

The feeling this woman had as part of her experience helped her to realize and feel the infinite love of our Saviour.  I got the chills listening and could feel a portion of what she felt as well.

In many places, the sciptures describe the arms of God as outstreched, open, and full of mercy.  He is waiting for us to come to Him, that we may feel the warmth of His embrace.

As we come closer to this season, may we remember that it is the love of God and Christ, with the atoning sacrifice and eternal life of all as the center, that is the real purpose for celebration.  I know it is true.  Through the difficult moments may we remember the words of the scriptures "Be still, and know that I am God."

I love you with all my heart.  I pray for you daily, and I want you all to know that I am doing my best to serve the Lord, even though there will always be room for improvement.  I'll be seeing you soon!

Elder Dewsnup

P.S. I will probably be here in the mission office almost all day on Christmas.  My bet is that President will want to give us Christmas as a P-Day (more or less) and have us go work on Saturday.  More news will come, but for the moment, I think I'm open to any moment of the day.

This Season 12/8/12

Hola Familia,

So, I just got the two packages yesterday and have been sharing the goodies with the other office folk.  Mom, they love your carmels.  I'll admit I stared for a few seconds at the cheater tie before I actually lifted it out of the box, but I am wearing it right now.  It's actually a pretty good color and pattern.  I like it.  The purple one too.  I really have to ration all of the goodies though, I've already gained weight being here in the offices and I don't want to keep going on with that trend.  So, I'll be rationing what I have... though perhaps not as well as I should.  Make sure there is still a jar of peanut butter and half of the candy left when we make the Christmas call.

P.S.  For said Christmas call, chances are very high (almost guaranteed) that I'll be here in the offices for that call.

Moving on.  It's transfer week.  For us that means all heck trying to get last minute transfer things done before actually getting the information of who's going where, then reorganizing all of our spreadsheets and charts to accomodate the changes.  That and I have at least seven new houses to find, certain problems in some areas that need to be taken care of, closing one house because of electricity problems that haven't been taken care of for months, and the list continues.  It's been a relatively stressful week.  And there are more to come.  Well, that's life I guess.  I've been noticing, with the sometimes unwelcome help of companions, that I don't handle certain stresses very well.  I get very quiet until I have sudden bursts, then I freak out.  I really hope that parenthood isn't just like what I'm experiencing.  If it is... I've still got a lot to learn before I can start.  Good thing that is an adventure that is still quite a ways off in the distance for me.

I've also noticed that I get distracted between the many projects that I have and have problms actually finishing them.  I get focused on one, then something happens that gets me pulled onto another one, and then two days later I find that sheet and go "aw dang, I needed to get that done sooner" then get distracted again.  Mom and Dad, I applaud you for having learned so much to deal with all of us and I'm sorry for all of the trouble and stress that I have caused.  I don't even have to worry about little ones yet.  I just get the grown ups, if not yelling at me, talking very excitedly about their property or worries or this or that, half of which I have absolutely no control over.

Breathe in, Breathe out. ... ... ... Breathe in, Breathe out.  ... ... ...

And now I feel bad that I have just vented and ranted at you all for the last few minutes.  Isn't it just great, the things you learn? ...

And now, My thoughts just took a really big turn...  I should be a lot less worried and a lot more gratefull.  many people don't even have the privilege of worrying about things as trivial as this.  They have bigger issues on their plates.  And I have something that many of them don't, namely the Gospel.  Sometimes I feel like I understand, and then something happens that makes me realize I don't know almost anything.  It's also really hard to really apply the things that one is learning.  My brain doesn't like to think of very many things all at the same time.

This week, I've been very grateful to my companion, for as much as he drives me crazy sometimes, I have really been learning a lot from him and understanding more about my purpose and the Doctrine of Christ.

It is so simple, and yet I tend to overcomplicate almost everything and am a lot more impulsive than I had originally thought.

Anyhow, so the doctrine of Christ comprises of one main thing.  That is found in Moses 1:39 "...this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the inmortality and eternal life of man."  (my apologies if it's not exactly quoted.)  With that as the main doctrine of all things, we understand that He wants us to return to Him, to live in His presence, which is where the ultimate happiness can be found in the enjoyment of eternal life.  Through the atonement, all of us will enjoy inmortality, but only a few will have the privilege of eternal life.  That and we know from 2 Nephi that "men are that they might have joy."  How? by following the Gospel.

It's interesting that the Gospel, or good news, shows us exactly how we can obtain that which God wants for us.  Through the first principles and ordinances--those being Faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring faithfully to the end--we can obtain that happiness and joy.  Also by following that, we know that we can eventually obtain eternal life, "which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God."

(The following scriptures will be roughly translated from Spanish, because I don't have my english scriptures with me.)

Elder Chase came back up north from the southern most state of Argentinea since he will be returning home on Monday and he shared with us some of the things that he has recently learned and studied about the remission of sins that I want to share with all of you.  He started us out in Moroni 8:25-26.  

        "And the firstfruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism comes by faith unto the fulfilment of the commandments; and the fullfilling of the commandments brings the remission of sins; and the remission of sins brings meekness and humility of heart; and by meekness and humility of heart comes the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter fills with hope and perfect love, a love that endureth through diligence in prayer, until the end cometh, when the saints will dwell with God."

So when we are repentant we will be baptized making a covenant with God to take upon ourselves the name of Christ, always remember him, and keep his commandments (sound familiar?). Then he took us to Mosiah 4:11 which says:

         "And again I say unto you, as I said before, that as ye have come to a knowledge of the glory of God, o if you have known of his goodness, and felt his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causes such great joy in your souls, so I would that ye remember  and always retain in memory the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his kindness and long suffering unto you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of himility, calling daily upon the Lord, and remaining steadfast in the faith of that which is to come, which was announced by the mouth of the angel.  And behold, I say that if ye do this, ye shall always rejoice, and ye shall be filled with the love of God and will always retain a remission of your sins; and ye will increase in the knowledge of the glory of him who created you, or in other words, en the knowledge of that which is just and true.

So once we have been baptized and have received a remission of our sins, all we really have to do to retain that remission of sins is to remember; that is, remember the glory of God and His goodness.  If we do this we will always rejoice, be filled with the love of God, and retain a remission of sins.

Then we went to Doctrine and Covenants 76:52.  Speaking of the resurrection of the just and those who are baptized--

         "that, keeping the commantmets, they would be washed and cleansed of all their sins, and would receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands..."

My own little side note here includes 2 Nephi 32 17, where it says that "the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost."  So in order to obtain a remission of sins, we must repent and be baptized, following which we are then sanctified by the Holy Ghost and receive a remission of sins.  Then we continued on through to the sacrament prayers found in Moroni chapters 4 and 5, where we read that we will take upon ourselves the name of Christ and always remember Him, and keep His commandments which He has given us, that we may always have His Spirit to be with us.

So, how is it that we obtain and then retain a remission of our sins?  By following the Gospel and keeping the commandments.

Something interesting about this is that if we then continue our reading in Mosiah 4, once we have retained a remission of our sins, we will no longer have desires to sin, but we will live peacufully.  It is a natural consequence of this that we will not permit our children (or investigators, or friends, or you name it) to go hungry, or naked, or contend one with another, but we will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness.  I had always read that statement as if it were a commandment, but think about it in this light.  Once we have personally obtained a remission of sins, it is a natural consequence to share it and to not let others sin, but help them to obtain the same.  That is what can come when we understand true doctrine.

I remember from back when Uncle Ralph and Aunt Mary came back from their mission in Puerto Rico that he shared something very similar in his homecoming talk.  I still have parts of my notes from that talk too, and the main thing that still sticks out to me is that he used the same quote that I have heard many times here.  True doctrine, understood, changes lives.  A study of the doctrine with change behavior better than a study on behavior will change behavior. (A quote which happens to come from President Packer.)

My mind gets blown so very often with understanding, and then I forget quickly what I have learned and have to wait until I once again am ready and listening for such understanding.  I also happened to open Dad's book As He Is this morning and he talks in one part about how sometimes we don't receive revelation because God is waiting for us to truly be listening and attentive, rather than running off at the mouth while He speaks to us or running out to head somewhere when He is trying to share important information with us.  If we are truly willing and waiting for revelation, we will receive it, but oftentimes we don't know if we are ready to receive it.  God knows when we need to receive it, and that is when He will give it, if we are ready and willing to listen.  I think that was in chapter 4.

So, among all of the stresses that I have been feeling, I have felt moments of truth and love that have made it all worth it.  The Church is true and everything just seems to work out.  I love you all and tell you that even though I have been having a rough time, I know that things will work out.  I may need to be reminded of it often, but it always does.  I always mention you in my prayers and wish you well.  Just a couple more weeks and I'll be seeing you.

Love,

Elder Dewsnup

Happy December 12/01/12

Happy December my dear family,

Sitting here in my office chair with the air conditioning blowing, enjoying (maybe) 82ªF weather with clear skies and a full sun, I think about how you are right now.  All of you for the moment in Montana, listening to the rain drizzle on the windows and the roof, at a wet 42ºF.  I wish I were there.  I like that weather better... You'd better believe it.  I'm not a fan of heat, while mine is blowing on me almost full blast.  But moving on...

The work here is progressing.  We've started teaching this man named Silvio.  I may have mentioned him last week.  He's a pretty cool guy.  He's got a few problems with the Word of Wisdom, but we've been teaching him a lot about hope and repentance.  He just drinks it all in and loves it all.  He reacts really well to ll of the things we share with him, and the way we teach has been slowly changing.

Recently, President Gulbrandsen has been focusing a lot on the talk that President Uchtdorf gave last April in the General Priesthood Session.  The theme was the why as much as the what.  So we've been changing our teaching to include more questions to help the people understand the why behind all of the whats.  For example, the main doctrine of the church found in 3 Nephi 27 tells us that no unclean thing can enter into the kingdom of God, so to teach about repentance we would read that scripture and then ask something like, "Why do you think it is important to repent?"  In some cases, we first ask "What is the Spirit teaching you?" then follow with a why question to really get them thinking more.  And then we don't always get the same answers and they are really receiving revelation themselves.

As President Uchtdorf taught, the what informs, but the why transforms.  As President Packer teaches, true doctrine, understood, changes behavior.  Many times, we just focus too much on the "what" of the gospel and we don't understand anything about the why?  The why of the gospel is what helps us change to what Dad describes as a "have to" to a "want to."  That is the key to everything in the gospel, and it is also the focus of the new teaching criteria and program for sunday school.  I'm super excited for it because it is exactly that program that will help prepare so many people for their missions now.

Well, it's about time for me to finish because I have five minutes left before we have to leave to teach.  But I love you all.  I hope the sick bug has finally run it's course through and you all will be well the rest of the season.  I want to see more pictures of the kidlets!!  Safe travels Dad!

To all of you farewell.  I'll be speaking with you soon face to face!! (through skype... but still... it'll work)

Love from,

Elder Dewsnup

Week of Celebration 11/24/12

Dear Family,

Since I couldn't join you at the table, here're my "grateful fors"

I'm grateful for the Plan of Salvation and for a family who loves me.  I'm thankful for the beauties that surround us and for the safety we have all enjoyed.  I'm grateful Sarah and Brandon, Annie-Bug and Bee-Bee made it safely to our home, even if they had a little mishap along the way.  I'm grateful for the newest additions to our family, Zayne and Royce.  I'm grateful for the gift of giving and that of sharing.  I'm thankful for a supportive, caring family who does all they can to comfort me from far away when I comment about a bad straight.  I'm grateful for the examples I have been able to observe and learn from in all my brothers and sisters and my parents.

I'm also grateful for agency.  It is something that recently I have been more able to study and understand.  Mostly, and at first, everything that I learned about came from teachings of President.  I learned some more recently that has helped me understand more about the purpose of life.

Basing my studies off of the Doctrine of Christ, found in 3 Nephi 27:13-22, I then ask a question following the guide of President Packer.  Which doctrine, if understood correctly, would change (insert name)'s attitude or behavior? (See PMG 19, quote box).  In each study that I do that way I come to understand the why a little more of each principle, like the word of wisdom, why we're on the earth, and a bunch of other topics.  We have a little bit of a reduced study time being in the offices, but I think I've finally found a way to make it more effective.  It's partly that study that lead me to several things about agency.

The Plan of Salvation is entirely dependant upon agency.  There are two eternal laws, the law of justice and the law of mercy, and those laws take effect upon us according to our own choices and decisions in this life.  The law of justice, by definition, condemns all man to eternal misery.  The law of mercy exists to give us a chance.  The law of mercy, however, will only apply to those who either cannot choose for themselves (the innocent and the youngest) and those who participate in the ordinances set in place by God.  Christ suffered for our sins and misdeeds, even our pains and loneliness, sicknesses and afflictions, just so that we would not have to suffer the full penalty of each.  Because of Him, we have the ability to repent, become clean by baptism and the sacrament, be sanctified by reception of the Holy Ghost, and continued obedience to the commandments for the duration of our mortal lives.

Such a plan provides for the tender mercies of God to apply to each one of us individually and personally.  We have it within us to choose whether or not we will return to live with God.  We are taught by the scriptures that all men who repent and become as a little child will inherit the kingdom of God (see 3 Nephi 11:37-38).  If we choose to let go of hurts and pains and give ourselves over to the will of God (which ironically is that we have joy and return to live in His presence) then we will live with God again.  

In all of the different joys and pains of life, we need to remember how much our salvation depends on us, and not on others.  It's something that is sinking in more and more as I keep going.

As we have continued trying to find new investigators, teach, and invite to come to Christ, we've hit some bumps and run into some roadblocks.  Through prayer and planning, whether in the moment or beforehand, we are able to find those detours.  They are often easy to find, but we stop one step before reaching the finish line.  Let us all press on and give that one final push in all things to be able to be together forever again after this life.

I love you all.  You are part of what keeps me going.  I've heard a saying here.  I have given up two years with my family so that others can be with theirs forever.  It is the truth.  I know it with all my heart.

Mom and Dad, happy birthdays (perhaps late, but not forgotten) and anniversary.  I know Brandon's is in December, but I don't remember the day, so Happy Birthday to you  little early.

I pray for you all and wish you all the comfort that you need,

Elder Dewsnup

--

Elder Matthew H. Dewsnup

 

Misión Buenos Aires Norte

Gral. Lavalle 1828

1646 San Fernando

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Onward, Ever Onward

FAMILY,

I'm feeling happy today.  On Thursday I had the privilege of baptizing Thiago and tonight Patricio will enter the waters of baptism!  This week has been good in that sense.  Dad mentioned to me a couple of weeks ago that when he was in the offices, it was great to balance out those frustrations with the spirituality of proselyting.  It's so true.  Dealing with situations in which less than wise people make certain rash decisions is not fun.  Also getting yelled at or complained to about such rash decisions or mistreatments doesn't make me that happy either.  The spirituality that comes when we leave the office to teach and baptize makes the day worth it.

In the differences that present themselves in the street and the challenging situations, we found a rather large group of young men our age with whom we have an appointment today.  A few days ago, we talked with a lady on the street and asked for her address.  She gave it to us and then continued.  Last night we were praying about where we should go to find new investigators and this lady came to mind.  So we went to the house and knocked.  No one answered.  So we knocked at the neighbor´s house, who said that the lady moved a few months ago and this neighbor didn't want anything either.  We tried asking her for referrals, but she wouldn't give us any.  So we tried the house across the street, at which a frustrated older gentleman came out.  He was a taxi driver who had to leave to work and we had interrupted his quick dinner.  He didn't want anything either, but he gave us the name and address of a lady down the street.  We didn't find her, but we talked with a group of about four young men two doors down who were in the front yard of their house finishing some yardwork task.  We started talking with them about Jesus and about how prayer can bring miracles and answers.  They were intrigued and invited us to come back today when their whole group of friends will be there, about twenty strong.  These are potential priesthood holders who can serve missions!!!

!!!!

!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!

!!!!

Yes I just did a wave of exclamation marks.  THIS IS SO EXCITING!  Okay, now to move on.

Patricio and Graciela were married yesterday and Patricio will be baptized tonight by his son-in-law.  It was a great wedding and Elder Abaroa made a wedding cake for them.  Don't think professional, but think of a decent cake.

Anyway.  I need to get back to updating contracts.  P-Day won't be much of a P-Day this week.  I have some things I need to catch up on that will be taking a bit of time before we go to our lesson with those young men.  I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Hugs all around!!!!

Elder Dewsnup

P.S.  When will you be doing the next family shoot?  Christmas?

This Season 12/8/12

Hola Familia,

So, I just got the two packages yesterday and have been sharing the goodies with the other office folk.  Mom, they love your carmels.  I'll admit I stared for a few seconds at the cheater tie before I actually lifted it out of the box, but I am wearing it right now.  It's actually a pretty good color and pattern.  I like it.  The purple one too.  I really have to ration all of the goodies though, I've already gained weight being here in the offices and I don't want to keep going on with that trend.  So, I'll be rationing what I have... though perhaps not as well as I should.  Make sure there is still a jar of peanut butter and half of the candy left when we make the Christmas call.

P.S.  For said Christmas call, chances are very high (almost guaranteed) that I'll be here in the offices for that call.

Moving on.  It's transfer week.  For us that means all heck trying to get last minute transfer things done before actually getting the information of who's going where, then reorganizing all of our spreadsheets and charts to accomodate the changes.  That and I have at least seven new houses to find, certain problems in some areas that need to be taken care of, closing one house because of electricity problems that haven't been taken care of for months, and the list continues.  It's been a relatively stressful week.  And there are more to come.  Well, that's life I guess.  I've been noticing, with the sometimes unwelcome help of companions, that I don't handle certain stresses very well.  I get very quiet until I have sudden bursts, then I freak out.  I really hope that parenthood isn't just like what I'm experiencing.  If it is... I've still got a lot to learn before I can start.  Good thing that is an adventure that is still quite a ways off in the distance for me.

I've also noticed that I get distracted between the many projects that I have and have problms actually finishing them.  I get focused on one, then something happens that gets me pulled onto another one, and then two days later I find that sheet and go "aw dang, I needed to get that done sooner" then get distracted again.  Mom and Dad, I applaud you for having learned so much to deal with all of us and I'm sorry for all of the trouble and stress that I have caused.  I don't even have to worry about little ones yet.  I just get the grown ups, if not yelling at me, talking very excitedly about their property or worries or this or that, half of which I have absolutely no control over.

Breathe in, Breathe out. ... ... ... Breathe in, Breathe out.  ... ... ...

And now I feel bad that I have just vented and ranted at you all for the last few minutes.  Isn't it just great, the things you learn? ...

And now, My thoughts just took a really big turn...  I should be a lot less worried and a lot more gratefull.  many people don't even have the privilege of worrying about things as trivial as this.  They have bigger issues on their plates.  And I have something that many of them don't, namely the Gospel.  Sometimes I feel like I understand, and then something happens that makes me realize I don't know almost anything.  It's also really hard to really apply the things that one is learning.  My brain doesn't like to think of very many things all at the same time.

This week, I've been very grateful to my companion, for as much as he drives me crazy sometimes, I have really been learning a lot from him and understanding more about my purpose and the Doctrine of Christ.

It is so simple, and yet I tend to overcomplicate almost everything and am a lot more impulsive than I had originally thought.

Anyhow, so the doctrine of Christ comprises of one main thing.  That is found in Moses 1:39 "...this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the inmortality and eternal life of man."  (my apologies if it's not exactly quoted.)  With that as the main doctrine of all things, we understand that He wants us to return to Him, to live in His presence, which is where the ultimate happiness can be found in the enjoyment of eternal life.  Through the atonement, all of us will enjoy inmortality, but only a few will have the privilege of eternal life.  That and we know from 2 Nephi that "men are that they might have joy."  How? by following the Gospel.

It's interesting that the Gospel, or good news, shows us exactly how we can obtain that which God wants for us.  Through the first principles and ordinances--those being Faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring faithfully to the end--we can obtain that happiness and joy.  Also by following that, we know that we can eventually obtain eternal life, "which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God."

(The following scriptures will be roughly translated from Spanish, because I don't have my english scriptures with me.)

Elder Chase came back up north from the southern most state of Argentinea since he will be returning home on Monday and he shared with us some of the things that he has recently learned and studied about the remission of sins that I want to share with all of you.  He started us out in Moroni 8:25-26.  

        "And the firstfruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism comes by faith unto the fulfilment of the commandments; and the fullfilling of the commandments brings the remission of sins; and the remission of sins brings meekness and humility of heart; and by meekness and humility of heart comes the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter fills with hope and perfect love, a love that endureth through diligence in prayer, until the end cometh, when the saints will dwell with God."

So when we are repentant we will be baptized making a covenant with God to take upon ourselves the name of Christ, always remember him, and keep his commandments (sound familiar?). Then he took us to Mosiah 4:11 which says:

         "And again I say unto you, as I said before, that as ye have come to a knowledge of the glory of God, o if you have known of his goodness, and felt his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causes such great joy in your souls, so I would that ye remember  and always retain in memory the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his kindness and long suffering unto you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of himility, calling daily upon the Lord, and remaining steadfast in the faith of that which is to come, which was announced by the mouth of the angel.  And behold, I say that if ye do this, ye shall always rejoice, and ye shall be filled with the love of God and willalways retain a remission of your sins; and ye will increase in the knowledge of the glory of him who created you, or in other words, en the knowledge of that which is just and true.

So once we have been baptized and have received a remission of our sins, all we really have to do to retain that remission of sins is to remember; that is, remember the glory of God and His goodness.  If we do this we will always rejoice, be filled with the love of God, and retain a remission of sins.

Then we went to Doctrine and Covenants 76:52.  Speaking of the resurrection of the just and those who are baptized--

         "that, keeping the commantmets, they would be washed and cleansed of all their sins, and would receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands..."

My own little side note here includes 2 Nephi 32 17, where it says that "the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost."  So in order to obtain a remission of sins, we must repent and be baptized, following which we are then sanctified by the Holy Ghost and receive a remission of sins.  Then we continued on through to the sacrament prayers found in Moroni chapters 4 and 5, where we read that we will take upon ourselves the name of Christ and always remember Him, and keep His commandments which He has given us, that we may always have His Spirit to be with us.

So, how is it that we obtain and then retain a remission of our sins?  By following the Gospel and keeping the commandments.

Something interesting about this is that if we then continue our reading in Mosiah 4, once we have retained a remission of our sins, we will no longer have desires to sin, but we will live peacufully.  It is a natural consequence of this that we will not permit our children (or investigators, or friends, or you name it) to go hungry, or naked, or contend one with another, but we will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness.  I had always read that statement as if it were a commandment, but think about it in this light.  Once we have personally obtained a remission of sins, it is a natural consequence to share it and to not let others sin, but help them to obtain the same.  That is what can come when we understand true doctrine.

I remember from back when Uncle Ralph and Aunt Mary came back from their mission in Puerto Rico that he shared something very similar in his homecoming talk.  I still have parts of my notes from that talk too, and the main thing that still sticks out to me is that he used the same quote that I have heard many times here.  True doctrine, understood, changes lives.  A study of the doctrine with change behavior better than a study on behavior will change behavior. (A quote which happens to come from President Packer.)

My mind gets blown so very often with understanding, and then I forget quickly what I have learned and have to wait until I once again am ready and listening for such understanding.  I also happened to open Dad's book As He Is this morning and he talks in one part about how sometimes we don't receive revelation because God is waiting for us to truly be listening and attentive, rather than running off at the mouth while He speaks to us or running out to head somewhere when He is trying to share important information with us.  If we are truly willing and waiting for revelation, we will receive it, but oftentimes we don't know if we are ready to receive it.  God knows when we need to receive it, and that is when He will give it, if we are ready and willing to listen.  I think that was in chapter 4.

So, among all of the stresses that I have been feeling, I have felt moments of truth and love that have made it all worth it.  The Church is true and everything just seems to work out.  I love you all and tell you that even though I have been having a rough time, I know that things will work out.  I may need to be reminded of it often, but it always does.  I always mention you in my prayers and wish you well.  Just a couple more weeks and I'll be seeing you.

Love,

Elder Dewsnup

To Life!!! 11/10/12

Dear Family,

To life, to life, L'Chaim!  L'Chaim, L'Chaim, to Life!!!

Ce-le-brate the times COME ON!!!!!!!

So what the heck, your welcome.  Glad to have you with us!

Two wonderful welcomes are being celebrated among us, and I'm sure that we'll be mentioning it a lot.  Well, there are ten months, plus a little, before I come home.  That's enough time for another surprise!!!  Just Kidding!  You wait all you need...

So, we had the auditors come in yesterday to tell us if what the things we're doing are good or bad.  I found out that I haven't been doing some things right, so I have a lot of catch up work to do.  And that catch up work is now going to be taking up the rest of my "P-Day".  It0s really hard to get all the dtuff done when everything is top priority and needs to be done now.  So I'm sorry, but this letter is gonna be really short.

We soon need to head out to begin our proselyting time, we have a full night tonight, which is a pleasant change.  We also have two baptisms planned for next week.  So as Zayne and Royce have entered into this life as new creatures, so are two of our brothers here soon to be reborn spiritually into a new life following Christ.  More details will come next week.  It's time to get moving.

I love and pray for you all!!!!

Elder Dewsnup

P.S. Chances are really, really high that I'll be here in the office for Christmas so I'll have easy access to the computers here and webcams to use for our Christmas chat.  Will you all be in the same place this year?

--

Elder Matthew H. Dewsnup

 

Misión Buenos Aires Norte

Gral. Lavalle 1828

1646 San Fernando

Buenos Aires, Argentina