The Balm of Gilead

This week I've been trying to focus on improving my teaching. Teaching in English is nice because I can communicate clearly but it's easy to let your skills stagnate. Our friend Mai is deaf, so I've had to learn how to explain very very simply and clearly. We also ran into an Amway guy who is trying to recruit my companion. My companion thinks he's getting help with his future career and that this guy is interested in the gospel. It's super funny. He even asked president for approval to leave our area to go to a business meeting. I'm super excited for that haha. 

It's so important to learn the needs of the people we teach. Someone said that the "gospel answers the questions of the soul." Unfortunately most people are not very forthcoming about what the questions of their souls are. I think the ultimate question is "how do I find joy in this life?" My ward is a powerful testimony that it is only through the gospel of Jesus Christ. There's a family in our ward whose son committed suicide 2 years ago, yet they have joy. There's a couple who were engaged but the week before the wedding, the fiance got kicked in the head by a horse, and he was in a coma for 6 months and then was paralyzed from the neck down. They are married have two kids and have joy. There's a family whose mom refused to get the vaccine and died from Covid. Joy is a choice. It's sometimes excruciatingly difficult, but it's possible. Life is a fiery crucible where happiness can be forged. In studying the character of Christ, we learn that He always looks to reach out to others even when he is himself suffering. After Jesus fasted for forty days and was tempted by Satan we read:

"Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him" (Matthew 4:11.)

It's logical that He would need a little pick me up after such a trying experience, but we learn in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible that that was not what happened. 

"And now Jesus knew that John was cast into prison, and he sent angels, and, behold, they came and ministered unto him (John)" (JST, Matthew 4:11)

Jesus was tired. He was hungry. Probably spiritually drained. Yet he still has the ability to turn his focus outward and receive that strength that only comes from knowing someone is even more tired than you. Our ward gets this. They are amazing and an incredible example to me of the whole point of church. They serve and minister and love. I'm so grateful I get to learn from them! I love the gospel, and Joseph Smith for restoring it! Happy Valentine's Day you guys!

-Elder Dahl