Elder David A Bednar of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles and
Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Presidency of the 70 came to our mission and spoke
to us for 3 hours this week. It was the most amazing, spiritual, and memorable
experience i think i have ever had. It was the first time the entire mission
has ever gotten together in the same place at the same time. That in itself was
cool. The spirit that comes when 250 missionaries are singing How Firm a
Foundation together is so powerful. But then when an apostle walks in... It is
incredible.
We started by taking a mission picture with them in the
middle. It was a good looking bunch. Then we all filed into the chapel to get
ready for our 3 hour meeting. My companion and I perfectly places ourselves in
the very middle of the front row. So he was standing right in front of us the
whole time. The spirit that Elder Bednar brings is so amazing. You just know
that he is an apostle by the way you feel around him.
The things that he taught us were not just for us as
missionaries, but for when we are no longer missionaries. After everything we
talked about he would ask us how it applies 10 years down the road. A question
that stuck out to me is when he asked how we will be able to stand after the
"scaffolding of the mission life" is taken down. He talked about what
it means to be converted. Not to just have a testimony, but to let the gospel
change to nature of who you are. There is no conversion without action. Then he
talked about Faith. How faith first requires assurance in what you believe.
That then leads you to act on your faith which brings evidence which leads to
more assurance and more action. It is a big happy cycle. :) He said with
conference coming up we should look for 3 things when apostles speak. 1. the
main doctrine being taught. 2. The invitation the give us. 3. the blessings
they promise. Then you can put that paper somewhere you will see it and work on
it.
We had an hour long question and answer session. At the
beginning he pointed out that we will probably never have the chance again to
have such a small meeting with an apostle and member of the presidency of the
70. Bednar and Robbins were both answering the questions. It was cool watching
the spirit work through them as they immedietaly gave answers to the question
that were spot on. People asked about what the biggest struggle will be for
missionaries after the mission. Their answer was following God's plan. Then
there was questions about LGBT, holding grudges, ways to show love to others,
get along with companions better, and basically anything missionaries could
think of.
After the question and answer session Elder Bednar pointed
out how quickly the 3 hours flew by, which it really did. Every hour he told us
to stand up and stretch, and it felt like it had only been 10 minutes! He
explained how there is no time in eternity, so when we are close to the Holy
Ghost, time flies because we are close to eternity. The way the said it blew my
mind.
They both closed by bearing testimony. When Elder Bednar
said "as an Apostle of the Lord, I bear witness that he lives," he
looked right at me as i sat on the front row. It was like the spirit hit me
with a lightning bolt. I knew what that man was saying was true. It is hard to
describe. But the way an apostle bears witness is like nothing else.
After the meeting ended we had a chance to go up and shake
his hand. As we looked into his eyes you knew that he was looking deep into
your soul. I did my best to look back into his soul. He is amazing. That is all
i have to say. Friday was the best.
So besides that it was a pretty slow week. Every single one
of our appointments fell through. We went to Sushi as a zone though. That was
fun. And i went on an exchange with one of the missionaries in the zone. He is
from South Carolina. I will send some pictures.
That is all i got. If nothing else, know that God loves you,
is aware of you, and his apostles are called of God to help us. They are
amazing.
Love you all,
Elder Gage Black
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