Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Charlotte Ford's Baptism
January 28 2014 "I Am Ready and Excited For Change"
Well we just found out about all the
changes that are going to be
happening in our zone for transfers, it
is tomorrow. My companionElder Wardle is leaving as well as almost half of the zone. So with
the change I will be taking over the zone with a number of new
missionaries that I will need to get to know as well as a number of
new leaders in the zone. It will be exciting and fun! I'm ready for
another challenge. I am so grateful for being able to be back with
Elder Wardle for this time because before he came here as you may
recall from my former letters I was having a tough time with some of
the people around me. Now after being with someone that knows what's
going on and is a good missionary I have had sometime to get back on
my feet. With the "brake/break" if you would call it that I feel rejuvenated
and healed. I now understand the importance of brakes/breaks when you are in
the rough or working hard. In the scriptures it talks about how God
rested on the seventh day of the creation. From that we can learn that
one he rested/took a break and two he WORKED the other six.
Yesterday we had a phenomenal evening
where we were able to teach a
couple that wanted us to come over and
tell them about the Book ofMormon as well as another family who the father of the family wanted
to take the missionary lessons, both were great. The couple had been
searching for a church that fits what they personally believe so went
to Google and searched about religious groups and Mormon.org came up
and requested for us to come over. They moved here from Michigan and
the reason they came here was because they prayed together to know
where they needed to go after selling a business and received an
answer that they should be here. This was the first time meeting with
them so we invited them to be baptized. It's always nerve racking to
do so but it was so good that we asked because the husband thought
that you have to go to church for years before being considered the
opportunity to be baptized as well as once you are you have to be a
preacher and start knocking doors. So we were able to work through
their concerns. Second lesson was with someone who has been coming to
church for about 15 years without anyone inviting him to be baptized
and taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ and invited him as well to
baptism. He mentioned that he is still praying to know if it's true
but isn't sure what is holding him back from being baptized.
This week Charlotte Ford got baptized.
She looks and acts just like
Elder Wardle's grandmother, from what
he says. The baptism was greatand a lot of the people showed up to support her, including her son
from Washington. She wants to serve people and get involved in
genealogy which is great because there are a lot of people that
specialize in that in the area I serve.
Went to the Gilbert Temple open house
on Wednesday and wow it is
magnificent! It's still open to the
public till Feb 18th for anyone togo and see the inside. It is the largest temple the church has built
in 17 years and you can tell because you can see it from miles away.
The couple that gave us a ride down were very interesting people as
well. The husband is a helicopter pilot and 3 years ago was on a
flight by himself and crashed. Told us that a number of things
happened that day that were different than normal and the way he
crashed by a transmission failure he should have died for certain. His
legs don't work completely but for the most part. He said through his
whole experience he came to understand the power of prayer. I am
trying to get his written copy of it to keep. Anyways back to the
temple, you need to see it if you are nearby, if not there was a
special on the news here and a camera crew was able to go through and
televise it so look for that. Fantastic!
Well I better get going seeing how your
time is so precious and your
life is in a constant hustle, for those
in the cold trying to findwarmth. Best of luck and be safe. I miss you and love you all!
Love Elder Leonhardt
Sent from my iPad
Friday, January 17, 2014
January 13, 2014 " This is why I am serving a mission"
This week was fantastic and packed with
lots of things, hopefully you
will think that all of this was
exciting because for me it was.
We taught a number of people this week
from many different backgrounds
and histories. Duncan is an elderly man
in his 70/80's who is a bible
scholar but doesn't like to contend. He
just had a triple bypass heart
surgery and was walking around without
being sore 5 days later. He
said it was by the grace of God. I
agree. We taught about the
restoration of the gospel to him and he
understood all of it and had
bible verses memorized about it. It was
intersecting to teach another
person that is scripturally sound.
Then taught a new lady named Charlotte.
She is in her 80's and was
found by another elderly man of the
congregation who took flyers of
a joint concert of a Catholic Church
and a LDS Church. He invited his
neighbors to come when he found
Charlotte outside the house. She went with
them and then came to church 3 times
and now she wants us to teach
her. In the lesson she explained a
little more of her background where
she remembers going to the Salt Lake
Temple visitors center and seeing
the tabernacle. She remembers a lot of
it like it was yesterday. Her
whole life she was searching for a
church that held high standards and
was not centered on money. She said
most of her friends back in
Washington wouldn't go to church with
her anywhere. So when she was
planning on moving she prayed that she
could find a church and friends
that fit her standards. Now she is
preparing herself to be baptized on
Feb. 1.
Taught another family about temples as
they are going to see the open
house of the Gilbert Temple. The father
is the only one that is apart
of the church but the others have gone.
We shared a video about
temples and talked about it and the
importance of temples in the Old
Testament as well as now. They loved it
and are even more excited to
go and take a look at it on the inside.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Talk "Humility in Accepting the Atonement"
My talk on Sunday 12/29/13
Humility In Accepting The Atonement.
Opening remarks.
Thank Bishopric and all those who support Elder Wardle and I.
Pray that the spirit will teach us both what we need to learn.
Speaking on humbly accepting the atonement.
1st story is Enos and his inquiring of The Lord.
Enos 1:4-8
Soul hungered, knelt down, supplication (the action of asking or
begging for something earnestly or humbly, because of thy faith.
Richard G Scott talked about humility as "to be teachable. Humility
permits you to be tutored by the Spirit and to be taught from sources
inspired by the Lord, such as the scriptures. The seeds of personal
growth and understanding germinate and flourish in the fertile soil of
humility. Their fruit is spiritual knowledge to guide you here and
hereafter."
I am amazed at other examples of humility in the Scriptures such as
John the Baptist declaring of the Savior, “He must increase, but I
must decrease.” Think of Moroni pleading with us not to condemn him
because of his imperfections, but to thank God that He made Moroni’s
imperfections manifest so that we can learn to be wiser than Moroni
was. Nor should we forget the exclamation of Moses, who, after
experiencing the greatness of God and His creations, acknowledged that
“for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had
supposed.” Moses’ recognition of our total dependence on God is the
beginning of true humility. (“To Walk Humbly with Thy God”)
So how can one know if they are humble? Marlin K. Jensen of the 70
said “if you think you have it, you don’t.” Try to develop humility
and be sure we didn’t know when we got it, and then we would have it.
But if we ever thought we had it, we wouldn’t. (“To Walk Humbly with
Thy God")
An English author John Ruskin’s adds his thoughts that "the first test
of a truly great man is his humility. I do not mean, by humility,
doubt of his own power. … [But really] great men … have a curious …
feeling that … greatness is not in them, but through them. … And they
see something Divine … in every other man … , and are endlessly,
foolishly, incredibly merciful.” End quote (“To Walk Humbly with Thy
God”)
As Jesus Christ was teaching some lawyers and Pharisees about humility
in Luke 14:11 He stated "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be
abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 14:11)
Humility is the characteristic that will allow us to be more effective
tools in the hands of The Lord, to bring forth His holy work.
When we have done wrong or have been wronged it is our own humility in
submitting to The Lord in prayer that we need His help to get us
through that will help us feel the cleansing power of the atonement.
That is our act of faith, and we must continue in faith, that he can
carry "the transgressors prayer to God, to the offended party in
apology, and, where necessary, to his priesthood leader in
confession?" (“To Walk Humbly with Thy God”)
Our prayers to The Lord shows Him of our desire to be perfected and to
take upon ourselves of His will, setting aside our own. The perfect
example of this is Jesus Christ, who set the example while performing
the atonement in Gethsemane. In Matthew ch 26:36-44 He exclaims 3
times "Oh Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:
nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Truly humbling ourselves before The Lord will always drive us to say
"thy will be done." "And because who we are does affect what we do,
our submissiveness will be reflected in our reverence, gratitude, and
willingness to accept callings, counsel, and correction." Then we must
accept the atonement into our lives to transform us into a better
being this day than the last. (“To Walk Humbly with Thy God”)
Our salvation depends on believing in and accepting the Atonement.
Such acceptance requires a continual effort to understand it more
fully. The Atonement accelerates our course of learning by making it
possible for our natures to become perfect. All of us have sinned and
need to repent to fully pay our part of the debt. When we sincerely
repent, the Savior’s magnificent Atonement pays the rest of that
debt.3 (The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope)
We can accept the atonement through Priesthood ordinances as described
in D&C 84: 20 As stated " in the ordinances thereof, the power of
godliness is manifest"
We are commanded to remember the singular events of the mediation,
Crucifixion, and the Atonement by partaking of the sacrament weekly.
In the spirit of the sacramental prayers, we partake of the bread and
water in remembrance of the body and the blood sacrificed for us, and
we are to remember Him and keep His commandments so that we may always
have His Spirit to be with us. (The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope)
We must always be striving to receive and prepare for the next
priesthood ordinance by daily scripture study and prayer. As there are
numerous blessings, both seen and unseen, waiting for us to simply act
with a willing and humble heart.
We can then look to the ultimate blessing of the Atonement--to become
one with Him, to be in His divine presence, to be called individually
by name as He warmly welcomes us home with a radiant smile, beckoning
us with open arms to be enfolded in His boundless love. How glorious
this experience will be if we can feel worthy enough to be in His
presence! The free gift of His great atoning sacrifice for each of us
is the only way we can be exalted enough to stand before Him and see
Him face-to-face. The overwhelming message of the Atonement is the
perfect love the Savior has for each and all of us. It is a love which
is full of mercy, patience, grace, equity, long-suffering, and, above
all, forgiving. (The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope)
What a message to carry to others that are around us who are searching
for direction and hope. That is why I am on a mission to give that
hope to those found and unfound brothers and sisters who need the
message that our redeemer lives and his arm of mercy is extended
always. Like the prophets and apostles have done going out like the
servant in the parable of the great supper "Go out quickly into the
streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the
maimed, and the halt, and the blind. Go out into the highways and
hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."
(Luke 14:23)
Testimony
In closing I go back to the beginning with Enos to pray that you and I
will use the atonement to know we are prepared to have the experience
Enos so desired as we approach the day we are reunited with our Father
in heaven
"For I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and
shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and
he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place
prepared for you in the mansions of my Father." (Enos:27)
I humbly say in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Humility In Accepting The Atonement.
Opening remarks.
Thank Bishopric and all those who support Elder Wardle and I.
Pray that the spirit will teach us both what we need to learn.
Speaking on humbly accepting the atonement.
1st story is Enos and his inquiring of The Lord.
Enos 1:4-8
Soul hungered, knelt down, supplication (the action of asking or
begging for something earnestly or humbly, because of thy faith.
Richard G Scott talked about humility as "to be teachable. Humility
permits you to be tutored by the Spirit and to be taught from sources
inspired by the Lord, such as the scriptures. The seeds of personal
growth and understanding germinate and flourish in the fertile soil of
humility. Their fruit is spiritual knowledge to guide you here and
hereafter."
I am amazed at other examples of humility in the Scriptures such as
John the Baptist declaring of the Savior, “He must increase, but I
must decrease.” Think of Moroni pleading with us not to condemn him
because of his imperfections, but to thank God that He made Moroni’s
imperfections manifest so that we can learn to be wiser than Moroni
was. Nor should we forget the exclamation of Moses, who, after
experiencing the greatness of God and His creations, acknowledged that
“for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had
supposed.” Moses’ recognition of our total dependence on God is the
beginning of true humility. (“To Walk Humbly with Thy God”)
So how can one know if they are humble? Marlin K. Jensen of the 70
said “if you think you have it, you don’t.” Try to develop humility
and be sure we didn’t know when we got it, and then we would have it.
But if we ever thought we had it, we wouldn’t. (“To Walk Humbly with
Thy God")
An English author John Ruskin’s adds his thoughts that "the first test
of a truly great man is his humility. I do not mean, by humility,
doubt of his own power. … [But really] great men … have a curious …
feeling that … greatness is not in them, but through them. … And they
see something Divine … in every other man … , and are endlessly,
foolishly, incredibly merciful.” End quote (“To Walk Humbly with Thy
God”)
As Jesus Christ was teaching some lawyers and Pharisees about humility
in Luke 14:11 He stated "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be
abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 14:11)
Humility is the characteristic that will allow us to be more effective
tools in the hands of The Lord, to bring forth His holy work.
When we have done wrong or have been wronged it is our own humility in
submitting to The Lord in prayer that we need His help to get us
through that will help us feel the cleansing power of the atonement.
That is our act of faith, and we must continue in faith, that he can
carry "the transgressors prayer to God, to the offended party in
apology, and, where necessary, to his priesthood leader in
confession?" (“To Walk Humbly with Thy God”)
Our prayers to The Lord shows Him of our desire to be perfected and to
take upon ourselves of His will, setting aside our own. The perfect
example of this is Jesus Christ, who set the example while performing
the atonement in Gethsemane. In Matthew ch 26:36-44 He exclaims 3
times "Oh Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:
nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Truly humbling ourselves before The Lord will always drive us to say
"thy will be done." "And because who we are does affect what we do,
our submissiveness will be reflected in our reverence, gratitude, and
willingness to accept callings, counsel, and correction." Then we must
accept the atonement into our lives to transform us into a better
being this day than the last. (“To Walk Humbly with Thy God”)
Our salvation depends on believing in and accepting the Atonement.
Such acceptance requires a continual effort to understand it more
fully. The Atonement accelerates our course of learning by making it
possible for our natures to become perfect. All of us have sinned and
need to repent to fully pay our part of the debt. When we sincerely
repent, the Savior’s magnificent Atonement pays the rest of that
debt.3 (The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope)
We can accept the atonement through Priesthood ordinances as described
in D&C 84: 20 As stated " in the ordinances thereof, the power of
godliness is manifest"
We are commanded to remember the singular events of the mediation,
Crucifixion, and the Atonement by partaking of the sacrament weekly.
In the spirit of the sacramental prayers, we partake of the bread and
water in remembrance of the body and the blood sacrificed for us, and
we are to remember Him and keep His commandments so that we may always
have His Spirit to be with us. (The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope)
We must always be striving to receive and prepare for the next
priesthood ordinance by daily scripture study and prayer. As there are
numerous blessings, both seen and unseen, waiting for us to simply act
with a willing and humble heart.
We can then look to the ultimate blessing of the Atonement--to become
one with Him, to be in His divine presence, to be called individually
by name as He warmly welcomes us home with a radiant smile, beckoning
us with open arms to be enfolded in His boundless love. How glorious
this experience will be if we can feel worthy enough to be in His
presence! The free gift of His great atoning sacrifice for each of us
is the only way we can be exalted enough to stand before Him and see
Him face-to-face. The overwhelming message of the Atonement is the
perfect love the Savior has for each and all of us. It is a love which
is full of mercy, patience, grace, equity, long-suffering, and, above
all, forgiving. (The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope)
What a message to carry to others that are around us who are searching
for direction and hope. That is why I am on a mission to give that
hope to those found and unfound brothers and sisters who need the
message that our redeemer lives and his arm of mercy is extended
always. Like the prophets and apostles have done going out like the
servant in the parable of the great supper "Go out quickly into the
streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the
maimed, and the halt, and the blind. Go out into the highways and
hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."
(Luke 14:23)
Testimony
In closing I go back to the beginning with Enos to pray that you and I
will use the atonement to know we are prepared to have the experience
Enos so desired as we approach the day we are reunited with our Father
in heaven
"For I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and
shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and
he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place
prepared for you in the mansions of my Father." (Enos:27)
I humbly say in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
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