The Gift of Discernment

This week was pretty amazing. We had exchanges with the zone leaders who are pretty chill guys. I had an awesome day with elder Jarvis and felt like I could tangibly feel the spirit in our lessons, to a greater degree than normal. At the end of the day we were sitting at Crumbl waiting to switch back and i asked Elder Jarvis about miracles, he talked about how we'd seen a bunch of miracles today, and I was pretty let down. I guess the sign seeking part of me wants miracles that are greater than someone answering the phone or an inactive member letting us in. 

The next day Elder Christensen and I had a crazy experience. We were doing some stop bys and felt pretty guided to stop by this home (I say that because I was like let's go to this big party in the park and talk to people and Elder Christensen said let's stop by first, normally he's not very opinionated). The person we were looking for was not there, but the person living there allowed us to share a message. We taught the restoration and she went inside and got us some sparkling water. She came back out and relayed a lengthy story about how she was working at a hotel and a return missionary who was staying there for the summer selling alarms asked her out. They started dating and she started going to church with him and meeting with the missionaries. The day before she was supposed to be baptized, she was struggling and opened the Bible and pleaded with God to reveal to her if she shouldn't get baptized. She felt like she shouldn't. She finds out that her family had been praying for her to not get baptized and she continues to have very tangible spiritual experiences that lead her to develop a strong relationship with Jesus Christ and become a pastor at her church. It was a pretty compelling story. She had cancer and was healed by being prayed over, the doctors were amazed by the miracle. She saw people receive sight and all sorts of things. Anyways after this experience, my companion was pretty shook up. I was rather excited. We got her number and set up a time to meet again, but my companion was really nervous. We talked a little and came home and he talked to President Richardson. President Richardson told the story of Parley P. Pratt and the manifestations of evil spirits in the context of D&C 50. Anyways, this is the second time that I have been in a situation like this, and both times my companion has been pretty distraught at the absence of the Spirit. I felt the tangible absence of the Spirit too, but I've also felt peace and a desire to learn more so I can help teach them. My patriarchal blessing speaks of the gift of discernment as my primary gift. I've never felt a real manifestation of this gift until realizing today that the gift of discernment has blessed me throughout my mission and throughout life. Even though this experience was a little unconventional, I felt like God was giving me a miracle, something that would fortify my faith as I begin this next phase of my mission.  The Church is true. 

-Elder Dahl

Faith: A Principle of Action and of Power!

We had zone conference this week which was awesome like always. Sister Richardson talked about consecration, you can't be like the savior if you're casual in your discipleship. Give your heart, and He will give you power. President talked about how the law of a fallen world is entropy. So we must have momentum-- positive slope-- because everything will naturally deteriorate if we aren't making progress. Putting off the natural man requires yielding up our stuff and our hearts. It was incredible. I'm so grateful to have such wise mission leaders who emulate their understanding. The next day, I gave a training on faith at district council. I've been studying the Lectures on Faith and am in awe of the depth of the gospel. Here's a quote:

Were this class to go back and reflect upon the history of their lives, from the period of their first recollection, and ask themselves, what principle excited them to action, or what gave them energy and activity, in all their lawful avocations, callings and pursuits, what would be the answer? Would it not be that it was the assurance which we had of the existence of things which we had not seen, as yet?— Was it not the hope which you had, in consequence of your belief in the existence of unseen things, which stimulated you to action and exertion, in order to obtain them? Are you not dependent on your faith, or belief, for the acquisition of all knowledge, wisdom and intelligence? Would you exert yourselves to obtain wisdom and intelligence, unless you did believe that you could obtain them? Would you have ever sown if you had not believed that you would reap? Would you have ever planted if you had not believed that you would gather? Would you have ever asked unless you had believed that you would receive? Would you have ever sought unless you had believed that you would have found? Or would you have ever knocked unless you had believed that it would have been opened unto you? In a word, is there any thing that you would have done, either physical or mental, if you had not previously believed? Are not all your exertions, of every kind, dependant on your faith? Or may we not ask, what have you, or what do you possess, which you have not obtained by reason of your faith? Your food, your raiment, your lodgings, are they not all by reason of your faith? Reflect, and ask yourselves, if these things are not so.

We are exercising faith all the time! Faith is the only way action comes about. If someone is lacking motivation, they are lacking faith. Having faith in God requires 3 things: First, The idea that He actually exists. Secondly, A correct idea of His character, perfections, and attributes. Thirdly, An actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing, is according to his will. 

Faith is a principle of action and of power! 

Ether 12:16:

Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles wrought them by faith, even those who were before Christ and also those who were after.

It is the principle by which the world was created. I love President Nelson's talk, "Christ is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains." He explains 5 things we can do to increase our faith.

First, study. Become an engaged learner. Immerse yourself in the scriptures to understand better Christ’s mission and ministry. Know the doctrine of Christ so that you understand its power for your life. . . .

Second, choose to believe in Jesus Christ. If you have doubts about God the Father and His Beloved Son or the validity of the Restoration or the veracity of Joseph Smith’s divine calling as a prophet, choose to believe and stay faithful. . . .

Third, act in faith. What would you do if you had more faith? Think about it. Write about it. Then receive more faith by doing something that requires more faith.

Fourth, partake of sacred ordinances worthily. Ordinances unlock the power of God for your life.

And fifth, ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, for help.

We had a friend come to church! Small success but I'm grateful. Love you guys! 

-Elder Dahl

We Heeded Them Not

I had exchanges with Elder Peterson this week! It was super fun to hang out and learn from him and his example. Nobody that we're teaching seems to understand the importance of coming to church, but we're working on that. The ward is really beginning to trust me, it's pretty cool to see. I was asked to speak yesterday and it was the first time in my life that I went over my allotted time. Sometimes my growth is gradual enough that I don't notice it until I have a big moment of realization. I spoke on Elder Bednar's talk, "But We Heeded Them Not." It was one of my favorites from conference-- it's so important to stay close to the Word. To hold fast! What a scary world we live in-- read the Book of Mormon if you haven't yet. I testify that that book is a miracle and one that will change your life. It will make you a happier, more Christlike person, it will give you desires to serve and love those around you and to become a better human. This transfer is moving quick! Jesus Christ is the only sure foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall (Helaman 5:12.) The future looms large. I hope I'm doing enough now to be prepared for the mists of darkness ahead of me. Make good decisions! 

-Elder Dahl

We Will Prove Them Herewith

I'm so grateful for the numerous tender mercies I've received. I love my companion, I love the ward, I love my district and I love my mission president. There are a few things I don't love as well, but I'm grateful for opposition's incredible power to increase my ability. The most amazing people are formed through intense adversity. I have been richly blessed, but I'm grateful for the things I've lacked that have shaped me! We are getting better at finding people to teach, hopefully I gain some tips from exchanges that will allow me to step into a higher gear. I want God to be able to trust me with his children.

And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them (Abraham 3:25.)

One of the principle purposes of mortality is to prove that God can trust us! Trust us to keep our covenants and be responsible with greater power and intelligence. The natural man truly is an enemy to God (Mosiah 3:19.) What is the natural man? A man who is governed by his environment, who only performs the way he does because of his circumstances. You must become able to stand firm amongst the shafts in the whirlwind, even when they come from those you love! I think I've become more like Peter on my mission. 

Will you also go away? To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life (John 6:67.)

There is nothing without Him! Whatever is keeping you from Him is keeping you from joy. I can testify of his love and his character! I love Jesus Christ!

 
-Elder Dahl