A Mighty Change of Heart

This week was good and bad. I used to think I was a pretty chill guy and could get along with everyone, I've learned that that's not completely true. This week we had exchanges with the zone leaders, which is somewhat unorthodox, (I asked them to at zone conference) because I really wanted to see what motivated missionaries look like. It was awesome, Elder Farnsworth is such an example to me of someone who gets it. Someone who understands what the mission is and what it offers. I'll explain. 

People come out on the mission for a myriad of reasons, but everyone to some degree I think wants to change. Wants to be more spiritual, a better disciple, covenant keeper etc. This was among my chief desires. I had an incorrect view of how that formula is derived. In my mind it was something like righteous desires + mission = growth. I have come to realize that on the mission as well as in life there is a very important aspect I was missing. My new formula looks like this,

(Righteous desires + Faith) * mission = exponential growth. Faith is the crucible of the mighty change so many of us desire. Faith, I've learned, is work. A mighty change never comes easy, you can't just coast for 2 years and expect to become the person that knows how to work hard when things are tough and be committed for eternity. I always thought because my knowledge of the Gospel was relatively high my faith was as well. It's not the same, unfortunately. I love this scripture in 2nd Nephi 27:

For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.

The change that I desire is not one that can occur without God; no person becomes a better disciple of Jesus Christ without His help. 

For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit (Mosiah 3:19.)

And it's hard! It's hard to make that unnatural shift. To walk by faith and not by sight. My whole life I've tried to make good decisions and thought that once the decision was made that was good enough, go to college, do sales, go on a mission. But if you don't work while you're there you won't grow! You won't be nearly as good as if you take advantage of those opportunities! 

I testify of the love God has for us and His desire to help us in every step as we slowly root out the natural man inside us. I love you guys and hope you can feel peace like I have! 

- Elder Dahl

Art Thou Greater than He?

This week was pretty cool. It's been slow going in Virginia the past couple weeks, however this week we had more meals than we'd ever had! Old people love to talk! I think they mostly just want us to listen which is easy for me to do and good practice. 

One of the members we meet with weekly had his brother commit suicide this week. Every week we assign him a chapter and have him study it. This week before it happened I assigned him Doctrine and Covenants 122 and he spent about 20 minutes talking about how inspired I was and how much peace it brought him. This experience was important for me. I'm coming to realize that the average missionary is not fantastically talented and is not intended to be. I think one of the reasons why the Lord calls 19 year olds to do His work is because at the end of the day, all He needs is our will. The scriptures talk about this in a somewhat demeaning way: 

O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth. 

For behold, the dust of the earth moveth hither and thither, to the dividing asunder, at the command of our great and everlasting God.

The only thing that we can give to God that He has not already given us is our will. Ultimately, that is the plan of salvation-- to "prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them" (Abraham 3:25).

That's it. We need to become just as good as the dust of the earth:). But my point is that being an effective teacher is all about touching people's hearts. As missionaries, we talk of God and his amazing workings with the children of men, but none of it matters until we show it. Until we roll up our sleeves and start to be what the gospel depends on. Which is willing! "Willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.” 

I testify that as you choose to give more of yourself to Him he will work in you and through you, to touch your lives and others. To be there when it matters-- when life gets real and it brings you to your knees in desperation. I know that our God is a God of faith. He depends on us trusting him and taking that first step into the abyss before He and His angels bear us up. I'm grateful and humbled by my calling. There is so much growth to be had and I am painfully aware of my weaknesses, but I know in whom I trust, and I pray that you guys can feel Him touch your life as he has touched mine. 

Love you guys! 

-Elder Dahl

Be Still and Know That I Am God

This week was awesome! We had zone conference down in Bloomington which was about three hours from us so we had a fun little road trip down there. It was so nice to visit with the other missionaries and to hear from President and his wife. Now that conference is out I wanted to share a quote by Brother Lewis (my mission president is convinced that he has accepted the gospel).

 "I don’t want … your time … [or] your money … [or] your work [as much as] I [just] want You. [That tree you are pruning.] I don’t want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want … the whole [thing] down. [And that tooth.] I don’t want to drill [it], or crown it, or [fill] it. [I want] to have it out. [In fact, I want you to] hand over [to me your] whole natural self. … [And] I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my … will shall become [your will]. 

As disciples of Jesus Christ we choose to take His name upon us. This is something often repeated and I think we don't recognize how significant it is. When we take His name we are committing to do just as C.S. Lewis describes, and give our whole soul over to him. One of the struggles of the ward we're serving in is unity, it's very political and somewhat polarized. In studying unity, I have learned that it doesn't matter who you were or what you did before you came unto Christ. In making that decision you have become a new creature and begun a process that will allow the Lord to shape you into who He (and by extension you) wants you to become. It doesn't matter if you're a Jew and your companion is a Samaritan, or if your companion was faithful and you were a tax collector. I have learned that any time you ask for strength in becoming more like Christ he is so willing to use the enabling power of the atonement to bless your life. I'm grateful for all the great teachers I've had in my life especially my parents. I have a lot of time to think out here and I don't express my gratitude enough. I love being a missionary and getting to be a small part of how God reaches out to his children. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. The Church is true, and Jesus really did pay for our sins so that we could become like God. I am so grateful for Him and for the knowledge of the truth. 

I love you guys! 

- Elder Dahl

Also I broke my pinky so keep me in your prayers! 

Hold on Thy Way

This week has been powerful. I appreciate all the messages from you guys and want to let you know that I'm doing great, there is truly no earthly trial that can keep us from feeling happiness. One of my biggest takeaways from conference was how often President Nelson was quoted, "the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives." I testify that this is true, and since my focus is painstakingly clear, my joy is full :). I'm learning to just enjoy the process of the mission and being a disciple of Jesus Christ. I am struck by the stories of Christ's apostles, they were all so different (except the brothers and the fisherman, they were kind of similar) and all probably felt incredibly inadequate and unworthy. But most importantly they were disciples, they were willing to learn and willing to change! The first step to being a disciple of Jesus Christ should definitely be to learn about Him. Christ's disciples were before anything else his students. I think we often take Jesus's life for granted and overshadow it with his death and resurrection. The atonement was undoubtedly the most important thing Christ ever did, but in studying his life we learn so many brand new truths about the nature of God. He taught us that God is impossibly merciful and kind. One of Christ's most powerful qualities was his ability to instantly connect with people to cut to their souls so powerfully. This is because He knew them! He knows our thoughts and our hearts and he loves us. This speaks to our eternal worth, the person who knows the most about us on this earth is us and sometimes we don't feel love for ourselves. Remember that Christ knows you better than you know yourself, he knows all your sins and weaknesses and it doesn't change his view of you. He sees the end from the beginning, this mortal experience is such a small part of our eternal existence! He loves you, knowing the person you were the person you are and the person you'll become. 

My companion and I had the opportunity to do service for Brother Van Tassel this week! He is such a cool guy! He owns a resort out here called Birch Forest Lodge, go look it up! It helped me see some of the incredible beauty of Minnesota. The lakes here are amazing. He is super business savvy and an amazing entrepreneur, I have missed talking about finances and economics so it was a tender mercy for me. 

General conference this weekend was awesome. I am so grateful for a living prophet and all the messages that were shared. I have so many thoughts about conference but the only one I'll share with you is from Elder Christofferson.

Ours is not a religion of rationalization or perfectionism, it is one of redemption. Christ did not come for the sinless or the healthy he came to overcome our pains sorrows and afflictions. 

Being a missionary is different than I thought it would be, but I know that God can teach me in whatever way he sees fit. I love being a missionary, I love being able to see a small portion of the Savior's love for his children. Study the scriptures, learn the gospel and choose to give your whole soul to him, so he can give you eternal life which is eternal happiness. Become a student of Jesus Christ and learn from the Master Teacher. He is my foundation, the only way to salvation and I can't wait for the rest of eternity with Him! 

- Elder Dahl

Having a Form of Godliness

This week I have learned to appreciate the opportunity to work. It's interesting that in all my life I never had a desire to put forth effort, I guess it took moving to Minnesota to teach me that. I know that it is by fulfilling the measure of our creation that we find joy. This week I had the opportunity to help someone clean their house. It was a startling view of what my future could be if I refuse to clean. 

I was so blessed to have stake conference this weekend and one of the seventy spoke to us. He reaffirmed that it is our right as God's children, who have made covenants with him, to receive revelation. Not just the prophets or apostles but all of us. I often don't see God's hand in my life until I reflect in these emails. My focus this week has been consecrating my desires until they are in harmony with our Father's. He has instructed me in a way that only He can. Prior to my mission, I often filled my time with all sorts of idle entertainment. When those distractions fall away then you are forced to make clear choices about your time instead of letting the excess just slip through the cracks. 

My root desire has been to become a better man, to grow and develop the attributes I feel I need to be a successful father and provider. One of those attributes is being willing to be firm in my obedience. It is very difficult to be obedient when you cannot directly connect it to your root desire. I admire King Benjamin, whose character was perceived to be so great that Amaleki saw it fit to deliver the plates unto him even though they shared no immediate blood. King Benjamin truly understood what it meant to be a disciple of Christ. He labored all his days in the service of his people, not just two years but his whole life. He was a man whose desires were in perfect harmony with the Father's. King Benjamin speaks about obedience:

And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?

Not only has our father blessed us with redemption and therefore eternal life, the greatest of all gifts, but as we are obedient to his commandments he blesses us immediately, in a way that He sees fit to be most effective for our growth. I am eternally grateful for the nature of God and the character we learn through Jesus Christ. The knowledge we have been given is so vast, and we have need of it now more than ever. 

Seek to understand the mysteries of God because you will find that they are very pertinent to your eternal happiness and progression. Be willing to open your mind to glimpse the blessings of eternity. I have been amazed at the knowledge that has been revealed to me the second I became willing to ask. As I strive to become a better man, I invite you to choose to refine something in your life and ask the Lord to apply the power of the atonement to aid you. I know he will not leave you comfortless but that he will bear you up. I love you guys and wish you all greater happiness and peace.

- Elder Dahl

Thus Saith Our God

 

This week has been crazy! I left the MTC on Wednesday at 5:13 and flew to Minnesota! We had a pretty big travel group which was good but I was mostly sleeping. I met President and his wife right away, they were nice but I only talked to them for like 5 seconds. I met the assistants to the president and the sister training leaders and they were pretty amazing. We had kind of a kickoff training at the hotel and then I spent the night with Elder Enniss who was reassigned from Kobe Japan. We had about an hour to talk and he was super cool. He has a scholarship to play football at Utah but I told him to play for BYU and he says he always wanted to play for BYU so let's hope that works out. 

The hotel was super nice and I was beginning to relish the joys of stateside service. The next day we had some more training from President and then we drove to transfers. I met my trainer Elder Twardecki, who's from all over because his dad works for the government. He can't tell me what he does so we don't have a lot to talk about. We both worked at Subway though so we've gotten that twice so far. We drove 4 hours from Bloomington to Virginia and moved all my stuff in. Our apartment is very humble. There's at least 4 different colonies of mold growing in our bathroom so I try to shower when I'm tired and can't see that well. Ignorance is bliss. Apparently this is a tough area because we have zero investigators. We did some service and worked on Facebook finding. 

I had the opportunity to speak yesterday to the ward which was so fun! The median age of our ward is probably 70. It's hard for us to get people to invite us over and hard for people to share the gospel because their social circles are pretty small. Wish I'd known my audience a little better before I spoke about how members can be better missionaries. My favorite time of the day is personal study. The scriptures contain so much truth and as a missionary I feel like I learn much more than I ever have before. God gives us knowledge line upon line, which I think is why we are commanded to read the Book of Mormon every day. There is knowledge that you cannot obtain until you have read it several times already. The only music approved in the mission is what's on the sacred music app so I've started building a playlist to work out to. The tabernacle choir has some fantastic songs that easily fill the void of some of my premission favorites. 

The mission is quite a purifying experience and I get lots of time to ponder and feel the Holy Spirit. I love the gospel and its truths and I love becoming a better disciple of Jesus Christ. Remember the end goal has always been eternal life with our Father in Heaven. 

- Elder Dahl

To This End Was I Born

This week I graduated from the MTC. I am so grateful for the people I met and the relationships I developed. These last two days have been kind of weird because we've had a lot of free time since there are no classes. I hurt my finger playing volleyball so I spent a lot of time in workshops and reading the scriptures. This week my study focused on Jesus Christ and his atonement. Christ is a fascinating person to study. What is most applicable to me right now is how certain Christ is of his purpose. 

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice (John 18:37).

As a missionary my purpose is rather similar. I bear witness of the truth. Lately I've more practiced and learned the truth but I'm so excited to leave tomorrow and enter the field! Christ never forgets that this mortal experience is a tiny sliver of his eternal identity. I have come to know that viewing every decision through the lens of eternity is a surefire way to make sure your life is in line with the gospel. Being a missionary is hard. I want to purify my desires until they are in perfect harmony with God's. I love the story of Nephi who had consecrated his life to the extent that God gives him this blessing:

"behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will"

(Helamen 10:5).

This life is the time to become like God. That's it. The sole purpose of our existence. Choose to make covenants with Him and come to know His character. The battle has already been fought but the sides have not yet been finalized. The atonement is real, it has the power to change you no matter how far you feel you have fallen. The gospel is for everyone, and it holds the answer to every problem ever had. I love you guys and I hope you can always remember your divine potential. The veil over the earth is beginning to burst.

I love to hear from you! 

- Elder Dahl