We have to understand our Duty to God

April 6, 2015

So this week was really good. I liked the talk from General Conference this weekend by Elder Michael T. Ringwood where he talked about Shiblon. I thought it was interesting how he said that his Dad, Alma, dedicated 50-70 verses to his oldest and youngest son individually... but Shiblon, the middle child, received less than 20 verses. Even Alma forgot about his middle child. And thus we see that the middle children have always been forgotten and neglected from the beginning of time until our days, haha.

(To watch any of the talks referred to from the April 2015 General Conference of the church from Salt Lake City follow this link www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2015/04?cid=HP_SU_4-5-2015_dPTH_fGC_xLIDyL1-B_&lang=eng

So this week lots of things happened. Well I didn’t end up going on exchanges to the beach area, so I couldn’t take any pictures for you guys there, but I do have some pictures.

This week we had a council with President Bonini and all the Zone Leaders and he taught us about how we have a duty to God to make this work go forward. How we have to understand this Duty. Well actually he used the word "compromisso" with the Lord... however I don’t remember at the moment how to say that in English. I thought a lot about what he said. When we don’t feel obligated to do something... most of the time, or almost all of the time, if that something is difficult, then we won’t end up doing it. However, if we feel a burning necessity, then we will live our lives around that necessity in order for it to happen. If a missionary is good but relaxed about the need to teach others about the gospel of Jesus Christ, then he will only baptize when people fall from the sky to be baptized or when some member gives a reference of someone that is asking to be baptized... which happens sometimes but not all that often.  However, if we realize our duty to God to bring other people to Jesus Christ and His gospel every week, if we really have that mentality, then everything we do in our lives as missionaries will be more effective. Our use of time, our studies, our effectiveness in lessons and our baptismal invitations. 

I also liked the 2 talks from General Conference about the Savior by Elder Holland and President Uchtdorf.  (click here to watch:  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2015/04?lang=eng&vid=4154894180001&cid=10   and https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2015/04?lang=eng&vid=4154894179001&cid=12)  I think those 2 were my favorites. Here they even had the conference in English for the Americans. Usually the Stake President brings peanut butter and jelly for the Americans to watch, but he was sick and watched at home. He’s American too, so I guess he has a stock pile of peanut butter and jelly haha. 

I’m sure Cole will like working on the other side of the road (pro shop and carts) if he gets the job at the golf course. O and I got your letter this week as well. But anyways that’s about all I got. O and yo estoy aprendiendo español tambiem. My companion is teaching me some Spanish when we have time. I can’t remember if I said that last week or not. Elder Vallo is ending his mission this transfer. He has 4 more weeks now until he will be going back to Argentina. He’s a great companion. He’s already gotten his degree in Electrical Engineering! But anyways that’s about all I got. I hope you guys have a good week and enjoy the NCAA championship! Amo vocês!! 

-Élder Udy