Impressions

A week ago last Friday we had our weekly ATS meeting. This meeting is our opportunity to report to our supervisors what we are doing or talk about things of concern. We had a few items to talk about and then I told them of a thought I came up with. 

I had discussed this thought with Diane just the day before while we were taking our early morning walk. I need to mention here that we walk every morning, bad weather or not. During these early morning walks we discuss work or seminary or the Oma and Opa Show. As we discuss these things, almost always we receive revelation that helps us. We are amazed how the Lord reveals so much to us those short 15-20 walks. The walk that morning was no exception.

In the meeting, I presented the idea of Diane and I going to a stake that is not using webcasting and does not have an technology specialist.  For their next stake conference, we would do a trial run or a real webcast for them.  This, hopefully, would allow the Stake President see the value of using technology to bless his members.  I told them that I had found a stake that met those conditions. 

Our department supervisor then told us that just the day before, he was told by his supervisor that they he was interested in Diane and me doing just that same thing. They had several stakes in mind where it was of great importance.

We had a similar experience a few weeks before. We had an idea for an upcoming newsletter that would require a poster for each country in Europe in each country's language. We went to the public affairs office to see if they already had posters made. It just so happened that they were in the process of having the posters approved. 

These situations have made us mindful of how the Lord works to fulfill His desires.  Not only were we prepared by the Lord to do something for Him, but he also prepared a way to do it.  In this case, the same revelation was given to those in position to cause it to happen.  Obviously, this reminds us of 1 Nephi 3:7, "...the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

St Martin in background.

Saturday, by invitation of our friends, Elder and Sister Skoubye, the four of us traveled to Mainz. This is the birth and death place of Johannes Gutenberg, who first printed the Holy Bible on a printing press with movable type, making the Bible more readily available to the people. What an enjoyable day. First we visited two churches – St. Martins (or Mainz Cathedral) and St. Stephans.  We were very fortunate to enter St. Martins as they were in the final minutes of a mass.  That was fascinating to watch with great singing by a combined youth and adult choir. Shortly after that an organ concert began. We listened to the first song. What a powerful sound the organ is even in a huge cathedral! 

After the mass, we walked around looking at painted wall murals and stone carvings of previous bishops or honored leaders. Many were shown praying, reading the scriptures or just looking forward. In each, either in the background or facing the person was Christ dying on the cross. I understand that this illustrates their focus on Christ and conveys their commitment to worship Him. I have a difficult time understanding why someone would want to think or be reminded of a suffering, dying Christ. When I think on Christ, I envision Him as He is now - glorified, extending love and, with open arms, inviting me to be with Him. I am sorry and grateful that he suffered and died for me, but that is not who He is now.

Right after mass.

Notice Christ on the cross in front of bishop.

Walking up to St. Stephan

Famous for stained glass windows by Marc Chagall.  Organ pipes to the right.

We started up seminary again. Our first day back we had all but one student. That was wonderful. Speaking of seminary, this year I have gotten so much more out of the Book of Mormon. Obviously, that is the book of scripture we are teaching in seminary. It is also the only scripture we cover in our ongoing senior missionary class that we attend each week. That class, with all those seasoned Elders and Sisters, has provided very insightful understanding of the Book of Mormon. In addition to all of that, the Book of Mormon is what I’m reading for personal scripture study. I reference my reading with the Church's institute manual. It has been wonderful.

Wednesday night seminary was fun. We taught the kids how to use the features in Gospel Library app and about LDS Media. That evening, my testimony was strengthened in the fact that the Lord has prepared these spirits to come forth at this time when technology can be used to hasten His work in an accelerated way. 

We showed them several features from that app - how to make notes, bookmarks, notebooks, tags, save quote references, linking, and other things. Every once in a while, I’d hear, “That is so cool!” or "Wow! I didn't know that." However, there were a couple of times that I forgot how to do something, but before I could find the answer, they had already found it and did it themselves. I am sure that I was more amazed at their skills than they were of ours.

We are hearing more and more that other senior missionaries are helping the younger missionaries to teach their investigators. How wonderful is that? Diane and I had one of those opportunities a week ago with a man from Nigeria. The sisters were teaching him about the restoration. Periodically we would intervene with a scripture or an example. This seemed to help him understand a little more clearly what he was being taught. At other times, he would veer off topic. We would quickly respond to his comments and bring it back to the discussion and hand it back over to the missionaries.

The missionaries do a great job teaching, but they don’t have the experience we older people have in understanding and dealing with other people. I believe this makes for a great team; each bringing their abilities together to effectively teach and be understood.

One more observation that I have noticed. There is a new member of the church who is struggling in finding employment. I felt so certain that once he was baptized that the Lord would shower down blessing on him and bless him with employment, but that just has not happened. I was reading in the Book of Mormon this week, how the people of Alma were suffering under the rule of wicked Amulon. Things were not easy for them, so they would pray for help. Then Amulon made a law preventing them from praying.  In response to that, they continued to pray, but in silence.  

It was recorded how the Lord strengthened these people to withstand their burdens. In Mosiah 24:14-15 it says of the people of Alma, “…and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.” I have always thought that to withstand one's burdens, meant to be given physical strength. I now understand that it can mean strength of attitude or strength of comfort. 

As I was talking to the unemployed member, he told me how being unemployed seems to be pulling him down, but somehow finds the ability to remain hopeful and encouraged. He also expressed how he receives strength in knowing that the Lord and the church members who know him and love him give him support.