Learning My Lessons

Right, so there was so much to that last email and i think that i read it to fast........ So let me talk about my life then i can talk about yours. My life is good. I'm learning a lot of lessons on the evils of self righteousness. For some reason i feel that i have these lessons all the time and although i feel like I'm 'learning my lessons' there is always a new lesson to learn and deeper understanding to gain, a different perspective to see and such. So Being with Elder Jankowsky has been a quite humbling experience and just recently the Lord granted me a bit of an insight to how i have been acting... When i was a child i distinctly remember in elementary school misbehaving and the teacher telling me to change my behaviour card. then i remember sitting back and mentally beating myself up for acting stupid. i didn't want to do it, i hadn't planned on being naughty, in a moment of distraction i stopped thinking and acted on impulse. this is how most of my schools years went. That is how i felt the other day. Why was i acting like that? Did i have any idea what i was really doing? What message i was sending? so what brought this realisation? In a recent letter i received a friend told me about how some people close to her were attacking her for her beliefs. It really got me upset. Why would people do that. It is totally unfair to do that. How can someone become so bitter against something that is so good? Then the answer came loud and clear. Maybe not completely applicable to this specific case but i feel that the answer that came was a cause of similar results. Self righteousness. Not necessarily a 'holier then thou' attitude but more of a judging condemning attitude. Such as 'You do not do what i know is right, therefore you are a sinner.' That is not what Christ taught. Christ taught us not to judge but to love and pull out our own 'beams'. I have pondered this question for a while. 'God holds us accountable for the knowledge we have and what we do with it. Does spiritual confirmation play a factor in accountability concerning following spiritual truths?' For instance will a person be held less accountable if never received a spiritual witness that it is right before God to live the Word of Wisdom? So then who are we to judge if a person has ever received a spiritual confirmation concerning a truth. It is interesting how Alma (Senior) counselled the teachers and priest of the newly organised Church of Christ to 'teach nothing save it be faith and repentence' not hellfire brimstone and damnation. I feel and have noticed that people for the most part always make the best decision in their own view, according to their knowledge. So how can we expect someone who understands nothing of spiritual sanctity and Family importance to abstain from sexual intercourse until they are married. Especially since all they have ever been taught mocks the very idea. How can we expect a person who does not have an understanding of the fallen and carnal state of man to accept whole heatedly Christ as their Redeemer. We can't. Of course people must feel the spirit and act in faith and then gain a testimony, but to have an enduring testimony which doesn't shrink or go away in the face of temptation and its ugly brother persecution a person must understand the principles of the gospel on an intellectual and spiritual level. If they do not then they will not have any reason to continue to fight up stream. motivation comes from aspiration. So then why would we be motivated to live the life of a disciple of Christ with all that it implies if we did not have a hope to receive a fullness of joy? I feel it all goes back to the Quote from Joseph Smith 'We teach them correct principles and they govern themselves'. Knowledge is power. Power to act and choose the more excellent way. Why is it power? Because it provides the motivation and the vision to see through, and endure valiantly through the temptations of life. Where am I getting with this? It is not our place to judge. It is not our place to condemn others because of the knowledge we have. There is always the solemn reminder 'unto him who much is given much is required'. Our responsibly then is to 'waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light the hidden things of darkness wherein they are made known unto us from heaven' (D&C 123:15) To teach and to instruct in a loving manner that thereby we can give people the power and motivation to return to their Father. With out love all other efforts are for nought. (For if i have not charity i am nothing. and am as the sounds of tinkling brass) Everything in this existence responds to love. Pure love casteth out all fear and then infuses faith and confidence. Brigg if there is any other advice i can give it is to love as Christ loves and teach with all diligence. Then you will have the greatest possible influence on your Argentinean brothers and sisters and the Spirit will guide your words and back your testimony.

Anyways

We had a great week. Did alot of teaching! Super happy. So Ben and Monique are solid as ever. We went over the baptism interview questions with them this week and heck i would pass them. It is so cool to see conversion take place. it seems at first that every one begins investigating almost casually and doesn't really know why. then there is a change (usually soon after they agree to be baptised) and it all becomes very real. They recognise and relish the Spirit. Their minds are enlighten and they begin to see life from a whole new perspective. They repent without invitation and seek to improve their own lives. Basically they become new creatures. It is cool I love it!

Brigg My timberland shoes have really served me well. they are 'Sunday' style shoes but are hiking appropriate. I would say bring bare minimums for the MTC then buy the majority of your stuff in the Field. You will probably find that they have a different style and dress standard there so you will want to fit in. For every day use just get a plain watch that you would wear running or working out. leather bands are not a good idea. (sweat really makes them mangy). And above all else be ready and excited to adjust. dont be surprised to live in a one room flat. and bring a brand new set of scriptures. dureable big ones to study and maybe a mini quad to take teaching. make sure that your study scriptures are not all four in one. that makes it hard to flip back and forth compareing scriptures. also being a person hard back Book of Mormon. I have two and they are my favorite :)

DAD STOP GETTING HURT! It sounds like there isn't going to be anything left of you when I get back. take up knitting or something productive like that. (on second hand maybe not you might hurt yourself with the needle thingys)

Hey Sheldon!! it was good to get your little note on Kassidee's letter. I kept hearing about this little brother that i have it was good to get a bit of evidence that he really did exsist.

Mom please know that your emails letteres and packages are better then anything i might receive from any girl.

Thanks for the package. Honestly I don't have any Christmas requests. I'm just happy that ya'll love me enough to send me something

Love,

Elder Solomon

ps my prayers were heard!! They are now selling Reeses Peanut Butter Cups in English Stores!!!!!

Funny Feeling

I have a horrible confession to make. I think I might be the worst son in the world. I completely forgot the significance of yesterday. I woke up thinking, 'today is important... but why' I knew that it was some one's birthday but I just couldn't remember who. So I just decided it must have been a girlfriend from years past or something then put it out of my mind. Well I think I had a guardian angel around me for the remainder of the day constantly trying to get the attention/remembrance that she deserved. Yesterday was Remembrance Sunday. Its a bit like Memorial Day for us. It was a day to honour those who had served in the military and remember those who had died. I really felt something special as our Bishop talked about families being reunited. I remembered Grandpa (who also seems to be on my mind alot) during the two minute of silence that we had in sacrament meeting. Well after church we went and had a roast dinner and trifle ( Dad you're drooling) at a less actives home and we happened (unplanned but inspired) to watch Together Forever which is a church video about eternal families made in the 80's. Again I was struck and felt the solemness of the idea and the joy of the prospect. Well finally we taught one last lesson (with Ben and Natalie) in the evening and we began just talking about life, death and Gods intervention. I was sharing all my infinite wisdom (it took about ten minutes) and during it all I talked about how our Heavenly Father used the opportunity to teach me some very important lessons and how through it all I gained a testimony and understood the importance of having an eternal perspective. You would think that by this time it would click in my thick head what day it was ( I actually mentioned in the lesson that I had this funny feeling that that day was significant but I just couldn't remember who's birthday it was). Well it was not until got home that i received a call from Bishop Nichols. His wife had been on Face book and say moms status and then learned about London. ( I don't tell everyone.... in fact I don't tell most companions about it) Well he just called to see how I was doing and if i was having a good day and then we talked about it a little bit. After the phone call I was surprised and a bit confused. I didn't understand why the normal gut wrenching heartache typical of this time of year was absent. I kept wondering if there was something wrong with me because I wasn't feeling to sad or empty. While I was thus pondering my own words came back to my head from the earlier lesson with Ben and Natalie about eternal perspective and then the stupid tune from the eighties movie ran from one ear to the other 'We can be together forever someday. we can be together forever some day.' Then I learned that the very result that I have been desiring for the people of England has been realized in my life. Through living the gospel and learning the teaching of The Church of Jesus Christ restored again on the earth but most importantly through the Atonement of Christ I have been healed spiritually and emotionally. All that was unfair about the event had been made right. All the grief and pain had been 'swallowed up in the joy of Christ'. All despair was replaced with a brilliant hope and a calm assurance that families can be together forever. I hope to prove faithful.

Anyways missionary update. The work is great!! Ben finally was able to come to church and fit right in! I was so proud that whenever someone threw out a scripture he could find it on his own. I was also so proud of the Recent Converts we have a good handful of them now! The Investigator class (gospel essentials) is getting quite full and it seemed like whenever any of them would open their mouths they came out with the greatest answer. I think the best was when our WML asked Ben and question and he answered it by refering to a scripture story in the Book of Mormon... SO GOOD!! Well after church we had a Ward Missionary Training Meeting which was awesome then they set apart six new Ward missionaries. It was amazing! Some really great things are going to be happening in the Basildon Ward and it is all because the Lord is pouring out blessings and the Ward members are full of Faith...

I love the experience that the Lord is blessing me with right now. I'm so gratefull for all the wonderful people I get to meet and I'm so gratefull for the person the Lord is helping me become.

Love You all!

Elder Solomon

Brigg Loved your email!

Sheldon Congrats bud!!!

Dad i had fish and chips today.... it was great plenty of salt and vinegar

OK OK

Hey,

All is well in the life of Elder Solomon. We just got done having an amazing Zone Meeting. Because our Zone Leaders are doing so bad the Lord has really blessed this Zone with some good District Leaders. The both talked about diligence and obedience. I love how different principles and different terms mean different things inside the gospel then they do out side the gospel. I learned the the strongest motivating factor behind a diligent missionary and an obedient missionary is Love. love for the Lord and love for the people. think about it. If you only were obedient because 'any blessing we recieve is by obedience to the law by which it is predicated' then we would not be obedient when we don't understand why. Does that make sense? Also with diligence. A missionary who truly loves the Lord will make the most out of the short time he has been given to serve Him. A missionary who loves the people he serves will be as effective and efficient as possible because he want to give the oppurtunity for someone to be baptised and recieve a remission of their sins to as many people as possible. I love love:)

Had a bit of an manic week. So on Friday we realized that we had nothing to do on Saturday so we decided to surprise the Romford Elders and just show up sleep with them and then go finding with them the next day. Well be did that. Had a horrible cold night sleeping on the hard dirty floor, but the next day me and Elder Thompson had a great time in the Town Center talking to people. will the time came and we headed home. An hour and a half later when we got back I realized that the car and flat keys were missing......

yup i pulled a 'Bright-one' Unfortunatley the lost and found at the train station was closed for the weekend and out renting agents were also closed for the weekend. We didnt want to pay for a lock smith so we tried to break in. We were unsuccessful in that endeavour so we got a few members to help us and got a ladder and tried all the windows (we live on the second story). again we were unsuccessful. So here we were homeless. Unfortunately it is against church policy for us to stay at members house unless we have like a contract so we had to travel back to Romford to stay the night. We got a lift back to Basildon Sunday morning and went to church in the same cloths that we had been wearing for three days now. Church came and went (It was the Primary Program totally awesome) then we found ourselves carless homeless and plannless again. so we wandered around. went to an appointment and found a Book of Mormon and a note in a plastic bag at the gate. (they were not intrested anymore) Later in the evening Bishop picked us up and brought us home for dinner. (He is an angel) then drove us to Grays where we again slept on the floor. this morning we got our keys and finnally got everything sorted. ( i was very gratefull that i had the blanket Kassidee mde for me through it all, a real life saver) it was a humbleing experience. made me really gratefull for grandpa and the mission he served.

Well im going to carve pumpkins and wait for my companion to return from his day out with his visiting Austrian friends.

Love

Elder Solomon

The coat

'One night a number of years ago, a newly called missionary named Elder Swan and his Japanese senior companion came to visit our home. Fortunately I was home, so I invited them in. When I greeted them at the door, my eyes were drawn to the coat that Elder Swan was wearing. Without thinking, I said to him, "That sure is a nice coat you are wearing!" However, it wasn’t a new coat, and it was rather faded. I assumed that the coat was one that a previous missionary had left behind in the missionary apartment.

Elder Swan immediately responded to my words, and it was completely the opposite of what I had been thinking. In halting Japanese he replied, "Yes, this is a good coat. My father wore this coat when he served as a missionary in Japan over 20 years ago."

His father had served in the Japan Okayama Mission. And when his son was leaving to serve a mission in Japan, he had given his coat to him. This picture shows that coat that two generations of Elder Swans wore in Japan.

I was touched when I heard Elder Swan’s words. And I now understood why Elder Swan wore his father’s coat while he was proselyting. Elder Swan had embarked on his mission having inherited his father’s love for Japan and its people. '

Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita

Of the Seventy

I have asked mom to send me your old mission winter coat that I decided not to take with me because of vanity. I have changed my mind for two reasons. The above quotation is one of them.

Love,

Elder Solomon

+1

Elder Jankowsky, Natalie Harrison and me.

Dearest all,

I LOVE BAPTISMS! It is amazing how my perspective has changed as i have gone through the course of my mission. Baptisms have become sacred event now where I truly recongnize the power of Godliness manifested and feel the Holy Spirit of Promise seal the convenant. I Love watching the Atonement work in peoples lives and change them into 'new creatures' The church is so true!

This week Natalie Harrison was baptised. It was a great event she had many friends and family come and they all enjoyed it. Elder Jankowsky baptised and I confirmed. One of Natalies close friend Ben (who we are now teaching!) described it great when he said. 'i just feel so overwhelmed'. The Spirit of God like a fire was burning! Luckily there was no out of the ordinary happenings like someone cannon balling into the font. Natalie bore her testimony during the service, after the ordinance. a couple of highlights that she said were.

' i'm sure you all are thinking Natalie has lost the plot, but let me tell you i have never been more sane or thought so clearly before in my life'

'the first time i read the Book of Mormon it was like a light coming into my life'

'i have experienced and i know that being cleaned from sin is to be healed spiritually'

these are a few examples of conversion. a second highlight of the week is that Lizete, Natalie and Varan all we extended callings to be ward missionaries. Natalie has really taken this seriously and has already begun teaching (not talking to but setting appointments and teaching) her friends. Also I was blessed with the oppurtunity to bless the sacrament with Varan for his first time. That was cool.

Brothers and Sisters the Church is true and is lead by Jesus Christ Himself, The Saviour of the World, the Only Begotten of the Father, and the Author and Finisher of our faith

So Transfer News!!!! are you ready??? We both are staying in Basildon......................................................................................

................................................................................................................... yea.

so the news took me completly off guard. I was expecting a new companion and was really excited to implement changes that otherwise would be difficult because of the status quo. Well looks like the Lord is trying to teach me courage and integity. Good news though is that because Elder Jankowsky goes home in 5 weeks I will have to be here in Basildon for another transfer after that which means that I'll be here for Christmas!!!!!! YEA!!

Well pray for us that we can find new people to teach cause we have baptised them all!

Love Elder Solomon

Add to the list of things to send me... Dad's old winter coat from his mission. I gave my new winter coat to a missionary from Brazil ( he and his family don't have any money).

P.S. Brigg there is a stupid misused quote that goes around from Spencer W. Kimble. He was at youth conference in Brazil I think talking about how young men need to lock there hearts before they go on there mission so that they do not 'fall in love' on there mission. in it he said something along the lines of 'lock your heart so that no one can get in and if you already have a girl in there lock her in' I have seen in the short time i've been a missionary that the best course to take is to yes lock you heart from any affections but dont leave anyone in there. You can not serve the Lord with all your heart if you have someone 'locked' in there. You can not reach the full potential the Lord has for you as a missionary and for your life if you keep one foot in the field and one at home. It can not be done. I'm sure you don't need this advice but i strongly feel this way because right now I'm haveing to suffer the consequences of a companion who only has one foot in the mission.

P.P.S Sheldon congrats!!! You little stud you :)

+2 for Jesus

Me and Elder Jankowski with Charlie and Lizete Mendes

Hello one and all!,

It was good to get an email from dad this week. Tell you what pops you're still my hero. Most people in the world would here that story and say oh man that is so cool and car case and the bad guy ended up in the hospital! but it made me sick even to just hear the summarized details. You are me hero for being so involved in the disgusting causilties of the war with sin. You and I are on to different front lines. Luckily I get to pass over the one who have lost their light and serve as a medic. As a missionary I begun to learn how to really put my self in other peoples shoes and really try to experience how they feel and what they think when they go through certain things. You are my hero for standing valiantly and letting the hopeof the gospel shine through your life. It would be so easy to become pessimistic and cynical not to mention turning to atifical cover-ups to get over the emotional baggage that comes with you job. Thank you for being a good example of a tue disciple of Christ and loveing and respecting the Atonement properly enough to use it in your life. And thanks to mom for putting up with you.

I have decided that true Latter-day Saints are truely amazing people. I know of no other people who volunteerialy are streched so very for to there limits and yet do it with a happy countenance. It is amazing to think how much reponsibility most LDS people hold at work then turn around and manage a happy family based on the highest (and might I and unpopular) moral standards and turn around again and give of their time and talents to strength and stretch the kingdom of God. I really hope that I will be able to fit into such a wonderful profile.

We had an excellent week! This weekend Lizete and Charlie Mendes we baptised!!! it was one of the best baptismal services that i have ever attended. Lizete was the one from African that just walked into church one day. Do you remember that? She has progressed at a solid pace all the way through her baptism. She invited all of her friends and family and in all we had about 30 people who were not of our faith there. It was great. Elder Jankowsky, Elder Paul, Elder Krebs and I sang a special musical arragement of 'Love one Another' Elder Krebs sang one of the versus in Portugese (which is the native language of Angola where Lizete is from). It was so touching. Well I baptised Lizete and saw her out of the font then Elder J. got in to baptism Charlie and when i was getting out i said to Charlie 'hop on in' not really thinking of how a nine year old boy would take the direction. Next thing i knew he cannonballed into the baptism font!!!! It was so funny! so i got dressed as fast as i could and i bore my testimony while everyone else was getting ready. I had to draw the analogy of Peter acting in faith and jumping out of the boat onto the water to walk to Jesus. I love the principle of faith. Yesterday at sacrament meeting I confirmed them both. I love being a missionary! Baptisms are the best. Natalie Harrison is prepareing to be baptised this coming Saturda. She came to the baptism this weekend and had a jolly ole time. Natalie is great because she does all her own research. we tell her what we are going to teach her next and she studys Preach My Gospel on the internet. So all our appointments ever consist of is us checking for understanding. Also she has studyed our missionary rules. Now I'm not saying that I am disobedient in any way but she is constently reminding us if we do something wrong it is so great. So Lizete and Natalie both were studying with the Jehovah's Witnesses before we taught them. Lizete invited them to come to the baptism. they did but refused to come in for the service. afterwards Natalie recongnized them and told them that she also was getting baptised into the 'Mormon Chruch'. The look on their face was priceless. Don't get me wrong I love all men and I understand that these people are not bad (just indoctrinated) but it is so funny to see how some people harden their heart when they feel the spirit.

I know that the work we are engaged in is divinely inspired. I know that the kingdom will roll forth until it has filled the world. Already the sun does not set on missionary work in the Lords kingdom. I know that Christ directs this work and I know that all who are willing can quallify to be instuments in His hands. I know that the Lord specifically is guideing my mission. He is aware of my and my weaknesses. I'm forever grateful for the patience He has for me and the strength and encouragement that He gives me.

Take Care,

Love

Elder Solomon

Press Forward Saints

9 Walnut Close

Laindon, Basildon

Essex ss14 2ds

There, Happy?!

OK it was so good to get your email. I love how at the beginning you told me how boring and mundane your life is then proceed to tell me all these wonderful things that have been happening. I could not help but note in Nana's email that Jel and Ryan built some new steps at the pond at the Cabin. HOW EXCITING!!!! I always found it difficult to take that awkwardly big step from the top of the bricks to the pond edge. I was always a bit nervous cause if I did it unbalanced I would end up head first into that crystal clear blue water staring at the equally surprised goldfish and blue gills. Sheldon's Dive competition and Brigg's mission call were cool too ( i guess). So that's a bit amazing. Sheldon are you on a club or something or was QC invited to a USA Dive meet? Synchronised diving always amazed me. Think about it two men in perfect harmony gracefully falling into water striving for complete unity in their splash. (the Chinese were always the best weren't they?) So i was thinking about it. Preston served in North America (kinda), I'm on a island near Europe (which is part of the EU) and Brigg is going to South America ( I still don't know where Salta is and why the heck you are speaking French) So Sheldon you might have to prepare yourself to go to either Asia or Africa. In all honesty I can see you serving in the Oriental, you would be so good for those cute little squinted eyed geniuses. You'd probably bring one home with you, marry her and have freak little children that win the Olympics at age 15. (I'm so excited for the Olympics!!!) Brigg exciting news!!! Your going on a mission!!! for 24 full months you get to serve the Lord with all your heart might mind and strength!! Please learn before you go the lesson that took me to long to learn 'The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that hearkeneth to council is wise' Proverbs 12:15

OK So who wants to hear about BasVEGAS? Its rocking basically. Lizette and Charlie are super good totally ready for baptism this weekend oh yea!! Lizette found some unfavourable junk on the Internet but she is still good as ever. She has asked that I baptise her. I feel so honoured, it is such a privilege to administer a saving ordinance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a child of God. Natalie is doing fantastic. Baptism can not come soon enough for her, she is like a sponge that just can't soak up enough of the gospel. Gospel Principles class is great. everyone that we teach gathers in there and we have a lesson. well they all are use to having 100% of the missionaries attention so in the class they all seem to be fitting for our attention and approval. Its like that in every ward. Oh the joys of a mission. We had a leadership meeting this weekend which was great. President Patch and the Assistants focused their trainings on D&C 123 which was really touching for me.

Well i love you all and wish you a happy fruitful week. Feast on the words and be filled!

Peace and Prosperity

Elder Solomon

ps i get to call early in december before Brigg ships off!!!