November 1st, 2020 "Light Abounds" HMTC Week 3

(Hello everyone! Apologies for the late email - I've been adding a couple of people to the mailing list steadily and I was waiting on one more. Feel free to email me tomorrow as well, if you'd like, and I'll get back to you all as soon as I can! Thanks - and cheers!)

 

皆さん！

 

What a week it's been! How has everyone been? Staying safe and warm, I hope? For us here in the Decker home, Christmas has already begun in full swing! My family is already decorating the whole house with garlands and gnomes galore. The scent of cinnamon seems to hang on the air, and lights of every kind brighten even the darkest corners of the house. And as preparations continue to unfold, each new decoration placed is another little spark of joy that brightens the home... and our hearts. And it's fun to step outside my room at the end of a day of class to see the railings decorated with festive cheer - red and white a proclamation of the tidings of the seasons.

Now, the Spirit of the Lord is now joined by a new spirit - the Spirit of Christmas.

 

It's honestly amazing how everything has been shaping up! Christmas is my favorite holiday for a myriad of reasons - family being among them. That's why I'm extremely thankful that my family is celebrating Christmas a little bit early so that I can celebrate with them before I leave for Japan. I'm really looking forwards to spending time with them, laughing, and just enjoying the spirit of the season together. It's a beautiful time of laughter and joy for us - and I'm grateful for the opportunity to spend one more Christmas with them before I head out!

 

But as for this week... unfortunately, it was fairly uneventful. I wish I had more to report, but honestly this whole week has just been nose to the grindstone. The speed is picking up, for sure! We're learning five new phrases each day related to different aspects of the Gospel, as well as new vocabulary (I'm setting a goal for ten words a day to try to stay ahead!), and learning about the Gospel itself, as well! This week has been focused on speaking the language confidently and clearly. I had a good conversation with one of my teachers during one-on-ones where we talked about using the sentences we already can create to go step by step to a goal. I realized that in English, I was relying on my ability to ramble with a direction to get to an end destination, if that makes sense. Because I'm trying to teach in a completely new language... I can't exactly do that, right? So I've been working hard at making sure my lessons go step by step to an end goal, explaining everything... and asking more questions! I mentioned this before, but I need to learn how to teach by the Spirit, rather than explain. And that comes through testifying of truths that I know to be true.

 

Overall, though, our district continues to grow closer and closer. Seriously. We're all basically best friends at this point - probably because we spend so much time together. Baxter長老 mentioned that if there was something to have an opinion on, he would be able to take a stance and argue about it - no matter what it is. So Greene長老 came up with a seemingly bizarre debate topic - whether cake should be eaten with a fork or a spoon.

 

That was a mistake.

 

The lines in our district have been drawn. The banners of cutlery have been raised, and there is no going back now. Neither side is willing to back down, and it seems war is soon to be upon us... 

 

...or something like that. I think there's beautiful symbolism in it, though. :)

 

But other than that, this week has been pretty good! Can't complain about anything too much. It's been a lot of fun to be able to have an excuse to study the things that I love for hours on end every week. It's tons of fun!

 

This week's spiritual thought comes from the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon - specifically, the story of King Lamoni and his father. As Ammon and King Lamoni were journeying to the place that Ammon's brethren were imprisoned, they happened upon the caravan of King Lamoni's father - a literal king of kings. As they talked, King Lamoni's father mentioned that King Lamoni had missed the feast he had held for his family earlier - and demanded to know the reason why.

 

But as he turned to see the Nephite standing next to him - the king's sworn enemy - he knew immediately why.

 

Furious that his son had believed the words of the Nephites, the "sons of a liar", he immediately turned back to his son and demanded that he prove his loyalty - strike down Ammon where he stood, and return to their home. 

 

If he failed to obey, he would lose everything. Land, possessions, his kingdom and his subjects, even family... it would all be gone. And as such, King Lamoni found his heart torn. Not only did he face the fury of his king, but he faced the fury of his father. And not only that, but his choice seemed impossible - save himself and his kingdom, or continue to stay faithful to the Gospel?

 

And not only that, but King Lamoni had just learned about the Gospel but a few days prior. Was he willing to stake everything he knew on something new?

 

King Lamoni made an impossible choice - and yet, somehow it wasn't as impossible as it seemed. He knew Heavenly Father would bless him and protect Him. His life had been irreversibly changed for the better - and he knew, without a doubt, that the Gospel was true. He knew that Heavenly Father loved Him.

 

And he knew that if he believed... He would be delivered.

 

Somewhat shakily, King Lamoni stepped forward, heart brimming with fear... and courage. His words are recorded in Alma 20:15 - 

 

"But Lamoni said unto him: I will not slay Ammon, neither will I return to the land of Ishmael, but I go to the land of Middoni that I may release the brethren of Ammon, for I know that they are just men and holy prophets of the true God."

 

King Lamoni trusted in the Lord for deliverance - and though the king of the land still remained angered, he instead drew his blade against Ammon, for he was the one that had converted King Lamoni. But Ammon was protected by the Lord, and the ensuing fight was short. With a broken arm and pleading for his life, the king of all the land asked what they wanted in exchange for his life. The two, in turn, simply asked for the release of their brethren, that King Lamoni become a sovereign ruler, and for them to go on their way. And this left a lasting impression on the king - who had surely thought his throne was to be usurped. But most of all, as he gazed upon his son, he realized how much he loved King Lamoni - and that through his testimony, through his defiance, the king of all the land learned that his son had found something special - something beautiful. He had found peace - and he had found joy.

 

My brothers and sisters, how often do we find ourselves at crossroads like these? There are times where our faith truly is tested - times where it seems that we must choose between the impossible and the unfeasible. What do we do in these times? What should we do? What can we do? 

 

In times like these, we must stand firm in our testimonies. And if we don't have any... then now is as good as time as any to find one. Act in faith. Read the scriptures, and then kneel before Heavenly Father and ask if He is there. Listen in a quiet place for the quiet voice of the Spirit - and I promise you that if you act in faith, you will be able to receive an answer. And Heavenly Father will answer your prayers in the way that will not only be the most effective... but the one that will leave the most lasting change within you.

 

I believe that within the heart of that king of kings burst a feeling of love for his child - a feeling sent from one who could only have felt that feeling before Themselves. One that could only be understood by one who feels that not only for King Lamoni... but for the king himself.

 

It could only have come from a Heavenly Father.

 

I know that He lives. I know that He is watching over us, and knows each and every one of us. After all, we lived with Him before this life - and we talked with Him and learned about Him. We loved Him... and He loved us.

 

And if He loved us then, why would He not love us now?

 

And only as a loving Father would do, He has done everything in His power to help us to become the best people we can be. He sends us trials to help us grow - but none that we are not strong enough to handle, and never any that we cannot handle with help from others. And in the midst of darkness and sorrow, when times seem more than we can handle, and life rears its ugly head in all of its horror, terror, sorrow, and fear... He will be with us every step of the way. He has sent us a Savior - Jesus Christ, who suffered for all of our sins so that He can offer to us in our darkest moments in life... a guiding hand. 

But He will only ever offer it. We have to act and choose to grasp onto it. I promise that as we do, He will guide us through. And along the way, Heavenly Father will continue to bless us and care for us - granting encouragement, strength, and wisdom, as long as we look to Him sincerely, with the intention to act and continue to step forwards, until the day where we break free past the mists of darkness to find our Heavenly Father, with open arms, waiting for us to come back to His embrace.

 

I know They live. They live, and they love each and every one of us. They want nothing more than to see us happy - truly happy - and do everything in their power to help us to do so. They have granted us the Atonement - which allows us to be forgiven of our sins and move forward. They have given us the scriptures - the Bible, and through revelation to Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon. They guide us and direct us to become the best people that we can be - and help us to become more like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, so that one day, we might be able to, in the end, return to their loving embrace.

 

I love Them with all of my heart - and if I can help others to feel even a small part of how much They love each and every one of us... then everything I have ever done will have all been worth it.

 

Thanks for bearing with me in the long email this week! Not much to report this week, but I've had a lot of really cool things that I've been able to learn and grow from this week, and so I want to be able to share as much as I can with you all. I'm still loving the MTC, between my district, my teachers, and the Spirit that has so completely enveloped my heart and spirit - and I can't wait to see how much more I can learn and improve before these next nine weeks are done!

 

But for now, enjoy your week, everyone - and keep on keeping on! You guys are all amazing! I think I'm going to go enjoy a nice cup of hot chocolate and help decorate the house a little more. It's that time, of the year, anyways!

 

Cheers,

Elder Decker | デッカー長老