Well, another week gone and wow, it was incredibly fast and furious. Here's the scoop:

 

We had transfers this past week. Talk about a process! BUT we got all the missionaries home that needed to go home, all the new missionaries here that needed to come here, and ALL the missionaries to where the needed to be without a problem. Thank goodness!

 

I don't have a lot of time to write this week but I wanted to include something I learned from my personal study this past week:

 

I had the opportunity to go on a split Thursday morning and during my studies I found this scripture in Helaman. It's Helaman 15:7-8. As I pondered on what it read, it really came to me that the process for long lasting conversion doesn't require completing a lot of difficult tasks. It simply takes a deep desire: desire to recognize that your life isn't where it needs to be, desire to put aside our "pet sins" as President Beck has referred to them, desire to stand up for truth against opposition, and desire mixed with bravery to test the scriptures and follow the true path of Jesus Christ. I have seen this during my own mission experience. The Recent Converts that I know and are active today followed these criteria. And they are characterized as "Firm and Steadfast" in the faith. Now my question to you is, what is required in order for us to maintain such characteristics? Check out the scripture and study it out. I know it will help you reflect on your position and on the things you still have yet to gain.

 

Well, I'm sorry it is so short this week but, like President Beck says, time is not our ally. Have a great and safe week and until next post, iHasta Luego!

 

Sincerely,

Elder Klemme

I really don't have much to talk about this week but rather would like to share some thoughts I've had over this past weekend. I hope that this message helps someone who reads it.

 

I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had this past weekend to watch General Conference. I remember growing up that Conference weekend was always something to be excited about. I got to hang out with church friends in between sessions, eat out with my parents, and listen (which was a little bit harder when I was young :)). This weekend brought back some memories of those experiences and made me grateful for parents who taught me the importance of General Conference while I was young.

 

I tried something a little  different this conference go around. I decided that the only notes I would take would be a 1 line topic statement for each of the talks. I think, more than anything, it will make me appreciate the Conference Ensign. Generally, I was able to feel and be taught by the spirit.

 

I particularly liked the 2 talks by President Uchtdorf: the first on Simplicity and the second, given at the Priesthood session, about pride. I also enjoyed Elder Christoffereson's talk on living a consecrated life and Elder Nelson's talk on member/full-time missionary work. I noticed a common thread in all the talks. Each one was connected to obedience and missionary work. Two things, I feel, are essential principles in today's day and age.

 

Something that really touched me this conference however was the overwhelming sense of gratitude that came from each on of the brethren. Elder Holland's and President Monson's talk on gratitude really made me reflect on my life up to this point and my mission experience as a whole. I cannot adequately explain the feelings that I had and that I continue to have as I ponder deeply of the blessings I have received throughout the years.

 

We had the opportunity yesterday to watch General Conference in the mission home with President and Sister Beck. It was an incredible experience to be able to watch General Conference with two people I have come to love very much. It made me reflect on those days of sitting in our ward building in Missouri with my parents watching conference and feeling of the eternal love my parents have for our leaders.

 

Now, up to this point, this post has seemed very sentimental. But, here is the point that I'm trying to make:

 

Power to overcome the adversary comes as we heed the inspired council of our leaders.

 

My dear friends, I have a testimony of the truthfulness of The Restoration. It is an event that cannot be proven by man, only by the spirit. God is wiser than any mortal man will ever be. His ways are not our ways. We are all living part of his great and eternal plan. For that reason, he calls and inspires ordinary men like you and me to lead and guide us on our journey back to the Father. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. Nobody can or will convince me otherwise. The sacred experiences I have had while studying those sacred words have brought me closer to my Savior Jesus Christ. People may mock our message, argue how "false" it is, preach how deceived we are...but they will never take the message into their hands and try it out themselves. Fear of stepping outside the box, fear of breaking tradition, fear to put their trust in God....fear...the antithesis of faith. My friends, I am a representative of our Savior Jesus Christ, called by God, to strengthen the feeble knees and bring lost sheep into the true fold of Christ. There is no other way, there is only one truth. I know this church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Church of Jesus Christ restored again in our day. It's purpose, to help us "come unto Christ" (Omni 1:26). Our reward, eternal life in the presence of God with our family. There is no other substitute, there is no other way. I know this message to be true and I cannot deny it. Christ lives, he is our Savior, he loves each and every one of us, and his arms are stretched out still. I encourage all of you to read The Book of Mormon, pray about its message, and put your trust in Heavenly Father that he will lead and guide you to the path you are looking for. Come unto Christ and take part of the blessings of his gospel is my prayer in the sacred name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

 

Sincerely,

Elder Klemme