This week was fun! We had 3 exchanges this week so a whole bunch of time to learn and grow and spend time with our district leader and Elder Enniss. It's nice to get a break from the normal and just have someone to talk to in person haha about my life. The missionary lifestyle is demanding but wonderful and has already taught me so much. It is because I have chosen to develop these spiritual habits and make time for the Lord that he has blessed me with increased faith and knowledge of his mysteries! I've been studying the prophet Joseph Smith's teachings and this quote was impressive:
"Having a knowledge of God, we begin to know how to approach Him, and how to ask so as to receive an answer. When we understand the character of God, and know how to come to Him, He begins to unfold the heavens to us, and to tell us all about it. When we are ready to come to Him, He is ready to come to us.”
One of the most amazing things about the true church is that everyone can receive as much knowledge and light as they are willing to seek. Part of that seeking is to live and apply the previous knowledge that you have received-- remember Christ is the master teacher. He is not going to give you some calculus until you've learned how to apply the rules of algebra. However, if you are willing to learn calculus, you will gain all the power that that knowledge grants you.
My focus this week has been on increasing my capacity for personal revelation. This seeking always starts with prayer, which is an interesting commandment. We are commanded to pray always-- not just when we need something or at morning and night. But like most commandments there is a clear blessing attached to obeying this commandment.
Pray always, that you may come off conqueror Doctrine and Covenants 10:5
Pretty amazing blessing. Conqueror over what? I think temptation; I think in providing for your family-- really in anything that is in line with the will of God, you will come out triumphant.
Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you Doctrine and Covenants 19:38
This one is also powerful. Pouring out the spirit, I think, is in reference to the gift of the Holy ghost. Every person who has been baptized by proper authority has the right to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost-- IF they keep their covenants! I've spent a lot of time thinking about what it means to truly have the spirit to be with you always. I think someone who has the spirit will always be receptive to His voice, will have access to all the gifts of the spirit, and most importantly will be able to recognize all truth, because the holy ghost always testifies of truth. Therefore, if you can have the companionship of the spirit, God will unfold the heavens to you. He will not be able to withhold knowledge from you.
Pretty amazing promise!
I can testify that living in a way that allows you to always have the spirit to be with you is worth it, and I would encourage you to not let the spirit be an idle companion! Seek! Ask God for answers to even mundane questions and let your relationship with him blossom! He will pour out wisdom and blessings because that is his character! He loves to bless his children, and He loves it when we choose to get to know Him better!
Chapter 4 of Preach My Gospel is my favorite-- it offers all the logistics of how to receive revelation! Don't take all the temporal beauty and goodness of the Gospel and leave behind all of the heavenly power and knowledge. I love you guys!
-Elder Dahl
1. My first frozen lake
2. Moon picture that I would have missed if elder Enniss hadn't pointed it out
3. Choppa
4. Coping with not being able to watch top gun maverick for two years
5. Enniss and i!
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