October 30, 2017 Overcoming the World

Hey everyone!

Lunch at our favorite Mongolian grill,

called Ghengis Grill.

Elder Ure and I had a pretty good week! This week was pretty busy. We had three different exchanges with different sets of zone leaders on three different days. I feel that doing so many exchanges each transfer keeps me on my toes and helps me to keep working hard and helps me to avoid just “going through motions.” Trying to help some of these younger missionaries, helps me to make sure I give my best effort as we are out talking to people, teaching and finding. I’m also able to learn a lot from them.

With Elders Baldwin and Baxter on exchange.

He’s got some pretty long arms

Our ward had the Halloween trunk-or-treat, chili-cook-off activity this past weekend. Pam came to the activity and had a great time and was able meet a lot more members. She even brought her own candy to pass out to all the kids with us. It was fun! She fit in well with everyone and is getting more and more comfortable with everything.

On Saturday, the Sister missionaries in our ward had one of their investigators get baptized. Pam came to observe the baptism, to get an idea of what hers will be like soon. She even drove our other investigator Dorothy to the baptism. It’s the coolest thing when you have your investigators fellowshipping each other and helping one another out. While driving back home, Pam was expressing some nerves and uneasiness about her baptism and if she’s ready, but Dorothy assured her that she is ready! It’s been up and down this week with Pam, one day she’s unsure about everything, then the next day she’s committed. We hope to help her feel that she is ready! We will be seeing her again tonight.
Pam then also drove Dorothy to church on Sunday, which was cool to have them both there.

We also had one of our Ghanaian investigators, named Kwadwo come to church yesterday. We met him three or four weeks ago and have been teaching him quite a bit. We have some solid members of the ward from Ghana that befriended him really well.

Another exchange with Elders Smith and Nielsen.

So we had 3 investigators at church, and of course the service was bit different than usual. The bishop of our ward got released and we now have brand new bishopric! So there were testimonies given by the former bishop, the new bishop, and their wives. Our investigators enjoyed church though!

As for our lessons with Dorothy, she is making great progress on living the word of wisdom. It’s cool to see her, as she has made effort to quit smoking, she is able to understand everything we teach much better. The scripture D&C 89:18-19 is so true; “And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures...” Dorothy’s understanding has increased rapidly since she has been trying to follow the Word of Wisdom.

I’ve been reading through some of Elder Neil L. Anderson’s Conference talks in preparation for his visit to our mission in a couple weeks. I really enjoyed his talk from  this last April, which was about “Overcoming the World.” Here are a few things he said as he defined what it means to “overcome the world”:

“Overcoming the world is not one defining moment in a lifetime, but a lifetime of moments that define an eternity.
Overcoming the world means treasuring the greatest commandment: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.”
Overcoming the world is keeping our promises to God--our baptismal and temple covenants and our oath of faithfulness to our eternal companion.
Overcoming the world will always mean that we will have some beliefs that are ridiculed by the world.
Overcoming the world is being less concerned with our online connections and more concerned with our heavenly connection to God.
Overcoming the world is remembering, even when we are discouraged, the times we have felt the love and light of the Savior.
May we each try a little harder in our efforts to overcome the world, not excusing serious offenses yet being patient with minor slips and falls, eagerly hastening our speed and generously helping others.”

There is so much opposition in this world, and so many things that we have to overcome. I’m grateful for the Savior and the heavenly help that He can give us as we strive to  overcome the world. I recommend reading through this talk!

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Elder Jeremy Duvall
Washington DC South Mission