I Do Not Know the Meaning of All Things

Another transfer-- I miss Apple Valley a lot. There were a lot of members there who inspired me. But change is constant. I'm in Princeton now with Elder Whitesides. Since I've been here, the work has really picked up. I'm praying more and feeling the spirit almost constantly. I've been out a year now-- normal life seems distant. I'm learning to focus on improving myself regardless of the extrinsic factors. My new apartment is brand new-- it's the nicest apartment I've ever seen. Which is weird because this area is a little more remote. Tender mercy I guess. My new district is all elders, and they're an interesting group of guys. They're all from Utah including my companion. I've only met a few members here so far, but they seem nice. I'm excited for the challenge and new experience that transfers bring. We have about 130 active members out of 400ish. So a lot to be done! One of our friends decided to be baptized at the end of next month so we have a lot to teach her! We've had a long chat with one of the members. He's one of the most active members and loves to teach with us. He is an incredible example to me of being converted to Jesus Christ. He shared a story about a guy that had a conflict with Brigham Young in a business deal. Brigham allegedly said, "I guess I won't see you at church anymore" and the guy says "if it was your church then you definitely wouldn't, but it's not your church." I'm so grateful that God continues to reach out in love, even amidst so many imperfect servants. Jesus is the Christ, and God loves his children. I'm so grateful to be a part of the church today! I love President Nelson, and testify that he is a prophet of God. I love you guys! 

-Elder Dahl

The Powers of Heaven

Last full week of the transfer. I'm so grateful for everything I've learned, but it's hard to leave. Elder Christensen and I are able to teach and testify rather effortlessly, which unfortunately makes the quality of our companionship study deteriorate. There's not a lot to talk about-- we're pretty in sync. It's been hard for me to deal with people who are so guarded. We talk to so many people, but nobody wants to share their religious beliefs. Lots of apathy and nihilism. If anyone has tips let me know. I've been trying to shift my focus this week, to just leaning into being more accountable to myself and measuring my progress. It's hard being imperfect. I feel like a good missionary, but I want to be a great one. I want people to want to talk to me. I want all of Minnesota to feel the Savior's love through me. As a man thinketh, so is he. I don't think about missionary work enough. It's hard to only worry about this and put everything else on the shelf. I hit one year this week. It's crazy to see how far I have come and how far I have to go. 

Doctrine and Covenants 121:34-36

34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—

36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. 

Chosen for what? To receive all that the Father hath. To become heirs of the most high. High expectations. The Savior makes it possible. Grateful for my faith and my experiences, I know there is more for me to do. Grateful for you guys-- become more this week. 

-Elder Dahl

The Hand of God

This week was good! As this transfer comes to a close, I've been pretty amazed at seeing God really work through me. There have been so many small and simple things that have culminated into substantial growth here. Growth in myself, growth in the area, and growth in the people we're teaching. I can testify that when you are preparing yourself, God will utilize you whether you're looking for it or not. It's been really tough for me to have grown in understanding so much, yet still make mistakes. It's hard not being perfect, yet desiring it with your whole soul. I find a lot of peace in the mercy of the Father which is possible because of the mediator Jesus Christ. I love him! He makes me want to be better. I've been so blessed to have wonderful real life examples of the power of Jesus Christ to make good men and women into great people. I'm grateful for my early exposure to the gospel and wish I had been more diligent in applying the power of daily repentance into my life. I love having a living prophet, I know that God is not a big fan of uncertainty, of doubt. He wants us to seek and to find. I miss you guys! Strive to become better this week for me.

-Elder Dahl 

Through It All

We had zone conference this week which was awesome. I'm so grateful for mission leaders and their inspiration. It always brings the spirit which is nice to be the recipient of instead of the bearer. It's a lot of effort for me to teach by the spirit, but learning is so much easier. Something President said was you become a product of your environment unless you are intentional about your course. I know that that's true. It's so easy to get caught up in doing whatever the majority is doing. I've seen how fast spirituality decays when it becomes inconvenient. I've also seen how incredible and firm people can become, if they choose to. Agency is the key. There's a great loneliness that comes from always being intentional and obedient above all else. I wish Lehi would have written about all the people who held fast to the iron rod and lost family and friends and jobs. I'm amazed at how many people make that sacrifice every day. Mortality! What a time of trial. I'm so grateful for my savior and his influence on me. It is a wondrous gift to have an example of perfection in the midst of a fallen world. I'm so grateful for the friends and influences I've had that have helped me become better and have stuck with me when I've messed up. Time keeps moving; I take advantage of it some days better than others. Grateful for my testimony, my family, and the prophet Joseph. I love you guys! 

-Elder Dahl

So Long As Time Shall Last

Don't have a bunch of time but this week I've been thinking a lot about miracles. It's a term that's thrown around pretty casually out here and it's always bothered me. I guess I have a pretty high standard for intervention from God. It's taught very clearly that miracles are wrought by faith, which is a profound statement to me. Because wouldn't the miracle being wrought eliminate the faith of the individual? Because they now have a perfect knowledge of at least something. I want to experience breathtaking, unexplainable miracles. And I feel like I've seen a few, but I'm continuously striving for more faith. It is so important. A foreboding prophecy from Moroni: 

35 And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased?

36 Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?

37 Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain.

"All is vain." It's not enough to just go through the motions. I pray that all is not vain and that we may develop the faith necessary to receive miracles and appearances of angels. Keep moving forward! I love you guys.


-Elder Dahl

Stripped of Pride

As we've been continuing to teach somewhat difficult people, I've been realizing once again how powerless I am. I can't move up God's timetable for these people. I just have to take them where they're at and show them the next step. I wish I could just give them the right things to read or watch and then they would be totally ready, but the Spirit does the converting. It's pretty difficult when I spend a bunch of time and energy on a lesson that is supposed to help them understand and apply a gospel principle, but they don't understand. Having an open mind is one of the most admirable traits a person can have I think. It's been good though. The days are fast; the weeks are faster. My new district is pretty rough, so Elder Christensen and I decided to just stay in our area and hang out with the members. They are pretty sweet. So we'll see how that goes today. We're going mountain biking and eating at Costa Vida with the elders quorum and then playing games with the youth. We get fed all the time and have plenty of joint teachers. I can't complain. There are a few things that could be better, but overall I'm feeling good. I'm proud of my friends who are serving in much more temporally difficult circumstances. It's nice to have the comforts of the states. I'm not excited for the winter again though. Lately I've been missing comedy shows, like Seinfeld and Nathan For You. I've been telling Elder Christensen what I can remember, but it's not a lot. Remember the Savior as you interact with those around you, pray for missionary experiences. God loves you and so do I!

-Elder Dahl

Poor in Spirit

We had transfers this week. I was pretty nervous that because I'd gotten along with elder Christensen so well, I was due for a more uncomfortable situation that would help me grow. I wrote to President and asked him to stay. I love the people here-- I finally feel like I'm able to be a force for good, in the members' lives and in the lives of those we're teaching. Our friend Ed is awesome. He's hopefully getting baptized the end of this month. I've never taught someone like him before. He's so earnest and humble-- he's willing to accept new ideas and see things in different ways. We haven't gone over the commandments yet, but I'm excited for him.

In the gospel of Luke, the Savior is recorded quoting Isaiah,

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

He then says,

This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

I've been thinking about this a lot. I guess since I believe the gospel is for everyone that as a missionary, I'm called to teach everyone. But the Savior, in announcing his messianic role, specifically states that he is to preach the gospel to the poor. Whether that be poor in spirit or in temporal things, I am beginning to understand it is an essential qualifier to making covenants with God. If you are unwilling to listen or act on a missionary's invitation, you will be unwilling to respond to the gentle tutelage of the Holy Ghost. Until you are stripped of pride, you cannot cast off the chains that are hindering your progression, because these changes can't be done by our own power. It's impossible! We need the Savior. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Unfortunately, as a missionary, I come across relatively few people who are poor in spirit. To those who aren't, I've decided my role is to love, and hopefully, over the process of time, they open their hearts. It's hard to see people who are so certain of something that they blind themselves. I'm grateful for the light and knowledge that I've received as I've diligently sought. I love the scriptures and more importantly, I love the prophets. Seek to do good! The world badly needs goodness. I love you guys!

-Elder Dahl