Wow, wow, wow! This week has just been chalk full of work! So like I told you I changed areas. I'm now in Barrio Central in the Estaca Durango Mexico. I'm with my darling companion Hna Cortes!
Monday we went preaching in the afternoon because we didn't have Reunion de Districto.
Tuesday was our Zone Conference! I already knew what was going to be taught, but I tried to participate and remind the zone leaders if they forgot something. It was a good conference and what was left of the day we spent walking and talking and meeting strangers ;).
Wednesday through Sunday Well, I don't really remember many details because it was all basically the same. It was days filled with a lot of work. They baptized the people they had and they didn't have new investigators, so we have been working hard to find new investigators this week. I think we have found a couple potentials! The only hard part is getting them to go to church. We had two people go to church, but sadly they were not our new investigators. But, I think this week we are really going to see some progress!!
This week I have been thinking a lot about 'Diligence' for many reasons. One is because I am nearing the end of my time here in the mission. Another because I want to endure to the end - not only in the mission, but for the rest of my life. The only way to truly endure to the end is to perfect our diligence in life. I've always loved the words of President Eyring from the video "La Expiacion y La Obra Misional". This talk was written for the priesthood holders, but it applies to everyone. He says: "From the cross on Calvary, the Savior announced, “It is finished.”11 Then His spirit left His body, and His mortal remains were placed lovingly in a tomb. He taught us a lesson by what He did in three days in the spirit world, before His Resurrection, which I remember whenever I am tempted to feel that I have finished some hard task in His service and deserve a rest.
The Savior’s example gives me courage to press on. His labors in mortality were finished, but He entered the spirit world determined to continue His glorious work to save souls. He organized the work of the faithful spirits to rescue those who could still be made partakers of the mercy made possible by His atoning sacrifice. Remember the words from the 138th section of the Doctrine and Covenants:
“But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead.
“And the chosen messengers went forth to declare the acceptable day of the Lord and proclaim liberty to the captives who were bound, even unto all who would repent of their sins and receive the gospel.”12
Whenever we remember Him, it becomes easier to resist the temptation to want a rest from our priesthood labors. We must have remembered Him today, and so we are here to learn our duties, determined to do what we are covenanted to do, in all diligence. And because of His example we will endure to the end of the tasks He gives us in this life and be committed to do the will of His Father forever, as He was and is.
This is the Lord’s Church. He called us and trusted us even in the weaknesses He knew we had. He knew the trials we would face. By faithful service and through His Atonement, we can come to want what He wants and be what we must be to bless those we serve for Him. As we serve Him long enough and with diligence, we will be changed. We can become evermore like Him."
I know that diligence is not easy from personal experience. It takes a lot of practice and dedication. However it is the only way to become what our Heavenly Father wants for us. As Henry B. Eyring taught, the Lord never rested. He kept working with all diligence for the salvation of our souls. Even after He had done the hardest thing known to man. The least we can do to repay Him is act in all diligence when He calls upon us. Act in all diligence in our families, in our callings, in our service to one another, in our spiritual growth, in sharing the gospel, and in our covenants. The Lord has high expectations, but it is because He knows what we can become. He knows what we are capable of and He knows what is waiting for us after this life. However, just as Henry B. Eyring says, we have to learn our duty here on earth and act with all diligence so that what He wants becomes what we want. I know its not easy to always do what God wants and I know that it is not easy to get up every day and go to the battlefield. Sometimes our natural man takes control. However, we must learn to have that endurance in life. Just like an athlete needs to build up endurance, we also must build up endurance, but spiritually, so we can always be doing the Lord's will - always be on the Lord's errand. I know we have so many imperfections and things to change, but the best thing we can do is just start where we are and work from there, work with diligence and I know that we will all get to where God wants us to be. So I invite you to act with diligence in all aspects of your lives, to always be doing what God wants you to do and not the world. So that you won't only be 'Sunday' Mormons but 'Everyday' Mormons - people that the Lord can trust and that have integrity. If you do it, I promise you that you will find more peace, direction and happiness in your lives and be able to receive the blessings you are looking for in this moment.
I love you all so much!
Have a great week, be diligent!
Love,
I will miss you Los Maldonado!
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