Where is Elder Monk serving now? Is California still in an uproar from the elections? How IS Elder Monk? - I know I have been slacking on my blog postings, but I will get better.
1.) Elder Monk is still in Burbank. Transfers were last Monday and him and Elder Uceda both continue to serve together in Burbank. Dave was very happy to receive the opportunity to continue his work there because he felt that he still had more to do there. They have a few 'key' investigators that they are trying to extend commitments to and we continue to pray for there success. He will do great!!
2.) He stated in his email sent today that "things finally seem to have settled down a little after the few weeks after the election." Elder Monk also discussed that with all the recent publicity of the church it has given them more opportunities to share their beliefs. He is hopeful good things will come from these experiences.
"I would say that one of mortality's great tests comes when our beliefs are questioned or criticized. In such moments, we may want to respond aggressively – to put up our dukes . But these are important opportunities to step back, pray, and follow the Savior's example. Remember, Jesus Himself was despised and rejected by the world. And in Lehi's dream, those coming to the Savior also endured 'mocking and pointing … fingers' (1 Nephi 8:27). 'The world hath hated [my disciples],' Jesus said, 'because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world' (John 17:14). But when we respond to our accusers as the Savior did, we not only become more Christlike, we invite others to feel His love and follow Him as well."
- Elder Robert D. Hales
Though the riots and chaos in California have been tough, Elder Monk and his companion are taking all the opportunitites they are given to share the gospel to all. What great missionaries?!
3.) So, how IS Elder Monk doing...? He is really doing great!! All of his letters and emails lately have been wonderful! He has definitely adjusted to his mission completely and feels like a missionary. He continues to love the work and love the people he is serving. He also really has enjoyed serving with all the missionaries in his area and has talked about the farewell missionary testimony meetings a few times now as highlights thus far. He seems to have wonderful examples around him. The work is progressing and Elder Monk is a part of that...
His thought to me this week:
"'The Standard of Truth has been errected, no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. The Truth of God shall go forth boldly, nobley, and independant, till it has penetrated every continant, visited every climb, swept every country, and sounded in every ear; till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the great Jehova shall say the work is done'"
- Joseph Smith
"This quote was given in the very beginings of the church, when there were only a handful of members. At the time this prophesy was probably incomprehendable, but look at the church now! It has gone forth boldly, on every continent, and has almost sounded in every ear. I am gratefull for the Truth of God that we have and I pray that it will coninue to go forth."
Monday, November 24, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
"For I am not ashamed..."
As many of you know a lot of chaos has been happening in California this week due to Proposition 8. With Elder Monk serving in the Burbank area, he has witnessed a lot of the excitement that has taken place. The church has taken most of the criticism for the marriage amendment passing and has been blamed by many for the reason the vote passed. As a result, Elder Monk has witnessed some of the opposition to the amendment passing within his area.
In his email to me this week he gave me a great scripture that has helped him deal with the opposition he and the other members may be experiencing:
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...
We cannot be ashamed of what we believe in. We must stand up for our values and fight for what is right. This is the Church of Jesus Christ and we must hold fast to what is true.
Elder Monk also quoted a great talk from Elder Neal A. Maxwell that has helped him:
"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not they will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.'
"This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed ofthe gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . "
We must stand by our leaders and sustain them in all their decisions. We must stand by our values and beliefs and fight for what we KNOW to be true. This is a testing time but we must stick together and stand up!
In his email to me this week he gave me a great scripture that has helped him deal with the opposition he and the other members may be experiencing:
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...
We cannot be ashamed of what we believe in. We must stand up for our values and fight for what is right. This is the Church of Jesus Christ and we must hold fast to what is true.
Elder Monk also quoted a great talk from Elder Neal A. Maxwell that has helped him:
"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not they will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.'
"This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed ofthe gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . "
We must stand by our leaders and sustain them in all their decisions. We must stand by our values and beliefs and fight for what we KNOW to be true. This is a testing time but we must stick together and stand up!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
October is Over
Wow - I can't believe the month of October is gone already... Elder Monk has passed his 4 month mark!! Time is flying by...
So, Elder Monk is still serving the people of Burbank and loving them and the area. He has been teaching many wonderful people and even met a lot of celebrities while in Burbank.
David's past few weeks have been filled with service projects. Elder Monk and Elder Uceda, his trainer, have helped many less-active families with small projects, the community library set-up for a booksale and the local elementary school's Halloween party. The growth seen through Elder Monk's letters from his service to others is absolutely amazing... "I have really learned to love doing service. I love seeing the smiles on the faces of those people that we help and I can tell how grateful some of them are for the service. I really do love helping others and hope that you and I can always look for ways to serve, whether in the community, in the ward, or in our neighborhood." ... Charity is "the pure love of Christ" (Moroni 7:47) and through Elder Monk's letters one can see his testimony of this truth strengthen. You can see his sincere concern for the welfare and happiness of the Burbank people through his letters. He continues to grow more and more every week!
Another great verse Elder Monk shared with me this week was:
Romans 8:16-18
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
David stated he loved these verses because of the reminder that we are children of God and because of that we are heirs and entitled to receive everything that He has and to become like Him. But, he states that the last verse really stuck out to him... "We all go through suffering and struggles and times of difficulty in our lives. But our sufferings cannot even begin to compare with the glory that we will have if we endure them faithfully. Paul states that our sufferings are not even worthy to compare to the glory and reward we will recieve. That verse just makes me want to try a little harder and do a little better so I can prepare for the glory that lies ahead..." This is great advice for all - we all have struggles and difficult times in our lives but isn't that we were are here on this earth?! To be tried and tested and to be given opportunitites to grow... We all will go through difficult times, but our sufferings can not even be compared to our reward if we endure to the end. I am thankful for Elder Monk's sweet testimony and for his obedience to serve a mission. He is wonderful.
So, Elder Monk is still serving the people of Burbank and loving them and the area. He has been teaching many wonderful people and even met a lot of celebrities while in Burbank.
David's past few weeks have been filled with service projects. Elder Monk and Elder Uceda, his trainer, have helped many less-active families with small projects, the community library set-up for a booksale and the local elementary school's Halloween party. The growth seen through Elder Monk's letters from his service to others is absolutely amazing... "I have really learned to love doing service. I love seeing the smiles on the faces of those people that we help and I can tell how grateful some of them are for the service. I really do love helping others and hope that you and I can always look for ways to serve, whether in the community, in the ward, or in our neighborhood." ... Charity is "the pure love of Christ" (Moroni 7:47) and through Elder Monk's letters one can see his testimony of this truth strengthen. You can see his sincere concern for the welfare and happiness of the Burbank people through his letters. He continues to grow more and more every week!
Another great verse Elder Monk shared with me this week was:
Romans 8:16-18
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
David stated he loved these verses because of the reminder that we are children of God and because of that we are heirs and entitled to receive everything that He has and to become like Him. But, he states that the last verse really stuck out to him... "We all go through suffering and struggles and times of difficulty in our lives. But our sufferings cannot even begin to compare with the glory that we will have if we endure them faithfully. Paul states that our sufferings are not even worthy to compare to the glory and reward we will recieve. That verse just makes me want to try a little harder and do a little better so I can prepare for the glory that lies ahead..." This is great advice for all - we all have struggles and difficult times in our lives but isn't that we were are here on this earth?! To be tried and tested and to be given opportunitites to grow... We all will go through difficult times, but our sufferings can not even be compared to our reward if we endure to the end. I am thankful for Elder Monk's sweet testimony and for his obedience to serve a mission. He is wonderful.
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