Inviting Minneapolis: An Instrument in the Hands of God

This week was better. We were supposed to have exchanges with the zone leaders, but because of "Covid" they were canceled. Tough. But ultimately I know what I need to work on. I've been grinding on finding. I want to always have people to teach because that's when I feel most fulfilled and happiest. So this week I decided to cast my net on the other side of the boat. Or at least a wider net haha. I cold called 200 random people this week. A few of them were willing to chat but then trickled out. One of them watched The Restoration video and wants a Book of Mormon! I've also been doing a lot of Facebook finding. In my dad's favorite book in the Book of Mormon it says,

And there being but little timber upon the face of the land, nevertheless the people who went forth became exceedingly expert in the working of cement; therefore they did build houses of cement, in the which they did dwell (Helaman 3:7.)

In Minnesota, we have lots of cement. I know I can become expert at working with it, but it's hard to improve when you're just complaining about how there's no wood. One of my most desired attributes is humility. I think humility means ownership. Being accountable and teachable for your stewardship. Those who are humble and take ownership don't complain. They don't blame others. They become exceedingly expert in whatever situation they are placed in. A great example of this is Alma and the sons of Mosiah. They were pretty good at destroying the church. I assume they were pretty prideful. Then they had a pretty humbling experience. An angel appeared and told them to knock it off. He says,

"Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that their prayers may be answered, and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off" (Mosiah 27:16.)

Alma then passes out and spends three days in the darkest abyss. Repenting nigh unto death. Racked with eternal torment. Pretty humbling stuff. He then decides to serve a mission! Serving a mission for him must have been some tough cement. He'd gotten really, really good at tearing down cement, but building was foreign and hard. He was "preaching the word of God in much tribulation, being greatly persecuted by those who were unbelievers, being smitten by many of them" (Mosiah 27:32.)

I think it's pretty easy to complain when people are smiting you. And I don't know if Alma was perfect, but we don't have record of him doing so. Because of humility, the sons of Mosiah and Alma became

"instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer. And how blessed are they! For they did publish peace; they did publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth" (Mosiah 27:37.)

The sons of Mosiah got good at service, at being imprisoned, at teaching the gospel. At being humble. At being disciples of Jesus Christ. The miracle of the gospel is that it can give you a foundation that allows adaptability. The gospel is the power to have joy no matter what your circumstances, because your focus is eternal. I love being a missionary. I wish I was perfect at it; I'm not. I wish I was better, but I'm so grateful for the examples and knowledge I have. I can't wait to continue to grow! I love you guys!

-Elder Dahl