Opposition is Real!

This week has been an interesting one, that's for sure. The extent that I will share about most of my experience, is simply the fact that opposition is real, the adversary is still doing his work, and we have to prepare ourselves every day to face it. That preparation comes through daily prayer, scripture study, and obedience to the Lord's commandments.

Early in the week, Elder Berry and I had lunch with the president of the quorum of the twelve apostles... from the Restoration LDS sect who converted to the church within the last twenty years or so. The man's knowledge of the scriptures is incredible, and we were lucky to get to sit down with him, as well as other Brothers in our ward who have such great knowledge. Recently, Elder Berry and I have felt this same desire to dig deeper into the scriptures as well as work more diligently to be able to reference and use them. We began reading Acts together during our companionship study, and wow is that thing loaded. Nearly nothing is more enjoyable to me than studying the scriptures.

We were able to teach a few solid lessons this week as well which is always a blessing, and Elder Clayton took me to teach a few lessons in Spanish which was really successful and helped me recognize the growth I truly have made in the language. Somehow, even though I only get to study a few days a week and use it even less in actual situations, my understanding and ability to speak has greatly improved. The Gift of Tongues is real, and the Lord is truly blessing me through this great work. I am so blessed to be able to be serving around the other missionaries in my area, but more importantly, I'm happy to be serving the people here. Through some experiences this week, I've recognized how much I care for the people here both temporally and spiritually. There are many relationships here that I truly cherish.

This week at our district council I gave a spiritual thought on Alma 26:27 and related it to some of my current studies in Helaman chapter 10. 

27 "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us."

The Lord later comforts Nephi by saying,

4 "Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.

5 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works"

If we work to serve the Lord with unwearyingness, not fear those who try to pull us down, seek the Lord's will, and keep his commandments, he will bless us tremendously. That's something I'm striving to do every day.

Elder Shepherd