Revelation

Dear Family and Friends,

 

Another week in Alamo! I got sick on Saturday and that hasn't been very fun but I've been able to keep working and get stuff done too. There was a big archery event on Saturday put on by the Apachito family and people came from all over the state to participate. The prizes were custom made belt buckles and bracelets and a whole bunch of other stuff. Obviously I didn't get one but if I had been able to participate i.e. not a missionary for a day, I'd like to say I would have gotten one. Anyway the Baptism that we had when I first got here was for Angelita and she played a big role in planning and putting everything together for it so we went to support her family for a bit.

 

To move on to more important things, revelation is something that we receive in the moment. I have often times tried to get answers and revelation in a moment by asking and then by trying to listen for a voice in my head telling me what I needed to know, or by opening a scripture to read exactly what it is I am searching for. Yes these are some ways to receive revelation. I think though, that these only last for a little while. By that I mean that it's pretty easy on our part and doesn't take much effort so it's really nice. When we really learn how to receive revelation though, then we are accountable for that knowledge and we have to put in the effort to get it. For me that meant asking, wondering, pondering, waiting, waiting, and acting. I don't really know how to describe it better than that and the revelation that we receive is always individual so it would be considered a Pearl of Great price to only the person who it is applicable for. I think though, the big thing that is applicable to everyone that I came across was, "Wo unto them that are at ease in Zion". Zion is the state of a man's soul as Brigham Young said. There is so much to learn and so much to do in God's kingdom. I think I am finally truly understanding what Henry B. Eyring taught in conference. It takes consistent and regular connection with the spirit in order to receive the answers that we are seeking in the moment that we need them. Otherwise we get knocked back and things seem to go down the toilet according to the plan that we have made. In retrospect of my relatively short life up to this point I see many times when God tried to tell me something and I didn't really 'hear' so I had to suffer through some things that I would not have had to if I had been ready for the counsel he gave. Receiving revelation is tough. It can be exhausting really. And to be honest when we receive it then we have more to do than we did before. So what makes it desirable? If we don't receive it then we cannot make progress. If we don't receive it with gladness then we Will not progress, or in other words we will most likely choose not to. It is desirable because it helps us to make it back to God. Without revelation we would not have the plain simple truths of the Gospel. I hope this makes a little sense. I have struggled to put this to words.

 

In short I am so thankful for prophets who have dedicated so much to receive the revelation necessary for us to know these truths of the gospel. I am thankful for the scriptures that take us two seconds to open and read and then we are filled with eons of knowledge and wisdom from the creator of vast universes. More importantly that those revelations are all a perfect example of just how much our Father in Heaven really loves each one of us. I'm thankful that I have such an ability to read and learn so easily especially the words of God. The quote from Mark Twain stands out in this aspect "The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read." I don't think the best form of worship is emulation. I think the Only kind of true worship is emulation. Emulation of Jesus Christ who was the perfect example. Anything short of that is hypocrisy and is not acceptable before the Lord. I know that the Lord wants more from us than we think we can offer. But I also know that the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, through faith in him, gives us access to limitless power and potential. Let us not forget the reason for which we are here. Let us continue faithfully in magnifying our office to which we have been appointed, then stand cheerfully to see the arm of god to be revealed. I hope that you are all well and enjoying all the beauty that this life brings. Look outward and serve to be filled with the love of Christ.

 

Ayoo' Aniinishn

 

Elder McGarry

 

Out to see some petroglyphs on the Res.

Buckles and Bracelet from the Archery Shoot

 

 

 

Weaknesses and Goals

Dear Family and Friends,

 

This week was all over the place. Out in Alamo we have to drive for two hours to get to civilization, and we had two meetings in Albuquerque and Los Lunas NM. That took some serious time away from teaching but we still had one of our best weeks since I have been here. I think time management and staying focused played a big role in that. We also had members that helped us out a couple times during the week so effective planning was also important. All of these things you learn about and don't really know until you try them out in real time. The work is progressing and we are finding new people to teach. One girl Samantha is going through a separation and when we talked about baptism and explained it and asked her what she thought she said "All I can think about is what you said about being able to forget the past and start new." That is the privilege that all of us have each week. To work through our pain and sorrow or weakness and sin and become truly healed, able to be pure and comfortable.

 

My focus last week was on weaknesses and interestingly, that was the biggest focus in Zone Conference last Friday as well. I find it refreshing to know that the spirit teaches and bears witness in more than one testimony. That is the whole premise of the Book of Mormon if you think about it. Anyway, I think it applicable to talk a little more about weakness but this time more in a sense of overcoming weakness. Ether 12:27 is a well known scripture. I think many of you could nearly quote it. But briefly I'll paraphrase it by saying, weaknesses are necessary and even a gift from God to help us be humble and are given so that we can become stronger. So how do we go about making our weaknesses stronger? Pray, certainly. Ask for help, definitely. But more importantly act! Oliver in Doctrine and covenants thought he had to do no more than ask and he would be given a great gift. But the Lord told him (D&C 8:2-3) to "study it out in your mind and in your heart" and he will then confirm the truth or the path to improve. That means setting Goals! I looked at goals in the Topical Guide to the bible and it just refers you to two other things. Any guesses?.... Objectives and Perfection. Wow, I thought. Goals are referred to as a path to perfection. So if any of us hope to obtain perfection we need to be perfect at setting goals. That doesn't mean right away or that all of our goals will be attained. But it does mean that we need to try. So for me it is a pattern that goals + objectives = or lead to perfection. Don't worry, I'm not going to make this into a math equation.

 

A very important insight personal insight came to me yesterday. We were talking to a less active member Junior, and inviting him to Family Home Evening that we do each Monday night at the little Alamo Chapel. We were talking about church and what he missed and what we had done (Weekly Planning) earlier in the day. The pattern that popped into my head was Spiritual Preparation > Planning > Goals/Objectives or Focus = or lead to Physical manifestation. Ok Last "math equation" format. This isn't really a new concept either, but it was another witness from the spirit that this is a true principle. I know that when we are in tune with the spirit we will see our weaknesses, But we will be spiritually prepared to accept them and then the spirit will guide us to set goals to overcome them. As we set those goals and act to reach our objective, or in other words as we stay focused on God's plan for us, then we are able to become a physical manifestation of the image God would have us show. That is what it means to take Christ's name upon me. I think if we are to always remember him as we have so covenanted to do then we are so guided by the spirit in each choice that we make. We don't always know the pattern but God will reveal it to us and I consider this a great revelation in my life. I know that God answers prayers and he does speak to his children. He loves us all and I send all of my love and prayers for each of you.

 

Ayoo' Aniinishni 

Elder McGarry

 

Exchange with Elder Jones​, first time trying real Indian Bread for both of us :)

With Mike, He is going to get Baptized on the 27th (As long as he doesn't drink coffee)