November 4, 2013

Dear Friends and Family,

Well, it appears that I will be staying in Selah so I will finally have a three transfer area!!! Elder Maughan and I get along really well so I'm glad that we're doing it together. So, this week, we mostly tracted. Elder Ballard told us last Saturday that if we talked to 10 people a day (70/week) we would teach and baptize more. We took that challenge to heart and have almost tracted out our area now. We haven't really started teaching new people (and our old people are falling off), but we have the faith that something good will happen. Needless to say, we are a tracting mission still.

Speaking of tracting, one mission tradition is that we decorate our planner covers with gospel pictures. The front cover of this new transfer is the picture of the Savior knocking on the door without the handle. I guess that could be related to missionary work because we are representatives of Him and we invite others to choose to follow the example of Jesus Christ. My back picture is a picture of Jesus teaching so that is what we are hoping to see from the tracting:)

This week, I just finished the D&C and it was a really good experience. There was a lot in there that I had no idea about and little treasures of knowledge. I then restarted the BoM and was reading Lehi's dream (actually reading and not just dreaming about it;) and the chapters following when a cool thing hit me. I know almost everyone has sung "The Iron Rod is the Word of God" in Primary, but I noticed something different about it this time. In 1 Nephi 8:30 it says,

"But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree."

So we get that the word of God leads us to eternal life right? Now, 1 Nephi 13:5 says,

"And the angel said unto me: Behold the formation of a church which is most abominable above all other churches, which slayeth the saints of God, yea, and tortureth them and bindeth them down, and yoketh them with a yoke of iron, and bringeth them down into captivity."

So iron here is bad because it puts us in bondage. So I got out of this that as we read the scriptures, we will be free from bondage. So we just want to get rid of all the yokes I guess. As a childhood mentor would tell me, "Absolutely incorrect!" Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt 11:29-30) As we cling to the iron rod and come unto Christ, we can find freedom and personal peace. I love the scriptures and my heart pondereth them. Never forget to study the scriptures! They will lead you by the hand to return to your Father in Heaven. I love you all and have a merry November 4th!

Love,

Elder Coleman