ST AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA
COMPANION: ELDER ANDERSON
zone leaders
We teach some pretty interesting things, you know. We teach some unpopular doctrines. We teach that there is right, and there is wrong. We teach that there is truth. That God speaks. That He intervenes. We teach some major things. Sometimes when I approach people, I ask, "Do you believe?"
COMPANION: ELDER ANDERSON
zone leaders
We teach that man can stretch forth his hand and command the sun and the moon to stand still, and that they must obey. Do you believe?
We teach that there are commandments. They are not subject to personal interpretation. They are not determined on a case-by-case basis. They do not fade. When they are impossible, they remain commandments. Daily prayer. Daily scripture study. Weekly church attendance. Weekly family home evening. One year supply of food storage. A monthly fast. A generous fast offering. An honest tithe. 100% home/visiting teaching. And yes, a full-time 2 year mission for every priesthood holder. Do you believe?
We teach that there is a prophet on the earth. We believe that he is only a man, with weaknesses and imperfections. He, like we, is a sinner. But he is also the chosen mouthpiece of the Lord. We teach that when he speaks in the spirit of his office, he is infallible. This teaching applies not only to him, but to the other Brethren as well. Do you sustain? Do you believe?
We teach that the Book of Mormon answers every question. Do you believe?
We teach that every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess. We teach that things will get better, bolder, richer, lovelier, and not worse. We teach men to hope. Do you believe?
We teach that the Atonement cleanses every sin and sorrow. We teach that there is nothing you can do that cannot be completely and perfectly cleansed by the Atonement. We teach men to release their guilt, for it has been bought and paid for. We teach men to always
forgive. We teach of a mighty Master who is mighty to save. Do you believe?
We teach that God has a plan, and that everything happens for the best. Do you believe?
We teach of a glorious destiny for all mankind. We teach of power and authority and honor. We teach of exaltation and foreordination and the elect. We teach of keys and visions and visitations and prophecies. We teach that things did not stop in Malachi's Jerusalem, nor did they cease forever at Golgotha. We teach they continued beyond Paul's Rome and John's Patmos. We teach they continued beyond Palmyra, past Independence, further than Nauvoo, and broader than Salt Lake. We teach that even the lowliest deacon has access to the ministering of angels. Do you believe?
We teach of mighty works. We teach that the field is white, and ready to harvest. We teach that men walk on water, split seas, move mountains, the mouths of beasts are closed and cities taken into heaven. We teach of water bursting from stone and bread falling from heaven. We teach of the mighty and the miraculous. Do you believe?
Have you heard the call of the Lord,
The whispering in your soul,
The word of the Lord in your mind
As you commune with his Spirit
Which guides you and makes you whole?
Do you believe? Can ye feel so now?
It is a deadly heresy to think of signs and wonders and miracles and glory are a thing of the past. It is the heresy of every age. The wicked priests of Noah accepted and quoted and claimed to uphold the ancient records of scripture even as they tortured and burned the
living oracle of God. The Sanhedrin used "the Law and the Prophets" as the fount of their authority even as they crucified our Lord. The evil lawyers of Ammonihah, the anti-Christ Sherem, the doubting friends of Job, the treacherous Laman and Lemuel, the whining Israelites... All recognized, and all professed, the miracles of times long-past. They give unceasing lip-service to the prophets ancient even as those living are crushed and martyred beneath the stones they throw.
Abhor a dead religion. Revolt against perished faith. We believe that NOTHING has ceased. We believe in a total restoration, we believe that if revelation and miracles and wonders slack it is because of our lazy devotion. We believe in something special. Lord, I believe.
And that belief makes us men. That belief takes us from infancy and dependency, from the whining and the natural, to be men and women of God. Because we believe, we do not fear. Because we believe, we do not falter. Because we believe, we become disciples of the ultimate Man. The Son of Man...
Do you fear the force of the wind,
The slash of the rain?
Go face them and fight them,
Be savage again.
Go hungry and cold like the wolf,
Go wade like the crane:
The palms of your hands will thicken,
The skin of your cheek tan,
You’ll be ragged, and weary, and swarthy,
But you’ll walk like a man.
I love this Church. I love this gospel. It is magnificent. It is true. It makes men. It makes them more.
This week was pretty standard. I love the area. The ward is family to me as much as if we shared a bloodline. We're working. We're waiting. We believe.
Lord, I believe. Help Thou my unbelief... I know it is true. I hope to live closer to the magnificent privileges such a knowledge affords me.
I love you all, of course. Thank you.
~Elder Jorgensen
Excerpts from Letters Home
To Mom:
I would not have made it if I had been allowed to go [on my mission] when I first applied. Thank goodness for President Sabin seeing through my arrogance.
I have not yet needed any special treatment from anyone. Miracles. But thank you for your advice on pride. I do need to let go of doing things myself. Daddy DOES act young. He is wonderful.
I like to hear that I am missed! Makes me feel loved. I am at the Greer's house. They are wonderful. I miss my family, but I am happy. This is brief. I love you. Do you know? Do you know I love you so, so so much. Do you know home is my happy place, your education to me is woven into the taproot of my testimony, the girls are the joy of my life, Daddy is my example, the family is my heaven and home my hope. I am so grateful for my family, for my angel mother. I love you,
I like to hear that I am missed! Makes me feel loved. I am at the Greer's house. They are wonderful. I miss my family, but I am happy. This is brief. I love you. Do you know? Do you know I love you so, so so much. Do you know home is my happy place, your education to me is woven into the taproot of my testimony, the girls are the joy of my life, Daddy is my example, the family is my heaven and home my hope. I am so grateful for my family, for my angel mother. I love you,
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Patience patience patience. Must be patient. I have been humbled on that today. I will be better.
No we do not bother to call it rain if it sprinkles. If you can walk from the car to the house and still have dry spots on you, we say, "Well it isn't really raining yet."
Christmas will be fun. I was a little surprised at Mother's Day when so many people were there running in and out. However you would like to handle the call is good with me. I left more than 14 months ago. That is a long time. But a good time. We're at kind of a tough spot here. 14 1/2 months will be halfway time-wise. So it has been a LONG time and there is a LONG time left. Best not to think. Best only to feel, to labor, to love. So very much do I love. I had no idea how to love before. It was not that I was unwilling... But I was completely without direction in my love. Now my love has purpose, intensity, and direction. It is a magnificent power. I love to love, for sure.
Happy Monday mama. Next week is transfers so Pday will be Tuesday. We'll see if there's any more madness in store. I hope to stay. There is more to do here. I love you!
~Elder Jorgensen