Blessings From Our Patriarchal Blessings

Hey Everyone,

This week we taught Mike another lesson. It was very powerful and it is amazing how the Spirit directed our lesson. Before the lesson Elder Fleming and I talked at length about Mike and how we should proceed teaching him because of his history and background that he's shared with us. I won't share his personal details but know that he has had many struggles with family members and those he loves. He also is very worried about making promises with God because he feels he will just disappoint Him. Elder Fleming  and I took all of this information we had learned and we prayed for Mike and how to teach him. 

Once we were at his home teaching we first addressed his concerns about letting God down because of mistakes or sin. We assured Mike that God loves all of His children, even when we sin and fall short, but He still needs us to make promises and covenants with Him. We taught about repentance and the Atonement. We used scriptures and stories to teach Mike how much God loves him. As Mike continued to express to us throughout the lesson the concerns he has about his family relationships I decided to stop talking and start praying for more guidance on how to help Mike, and had Elder Fleming continue for a minute while I prayed and really sought what the Spirit directed me to say next. 

As I prayed, the words "family history" and "sealing" immediately came to my mind. I was then prompted to pick up my phone (which is difficult to do during a lesson because we want to be present and not on our phones) and the Spirit directed me to go to the Church website and look up General Conference talks. Once there I went to "topics" and scrolled all the way down to "sealing". There were two conference talks from Apostles that caught my eye. Elder Renlund and Elder Cook. I first clicked on Elder Cook's talk, and while it was a great talk the spirit said, try again. I clicked on Elder Renlund's talk and the title is: "Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing" (April 2018). The first statement said: "When we gather our family histories and go to the temple on behalf of our ancestors, God fulfills promised blessings simultaneously on both sides of the veil." The first line of Elder Renlund's talk says: "Family relationships can be some of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences we encounter. Many of us have faced a fracture of some sort within our families..." Immediately the spirit said, have Mike listen to this talk. 

With a pause in our teaching, I faced Mike and told him that I had been directed by the spirit to share with him a talk from an Apostle of the Lord. Elder Fleming agreed to move forward and so the three of us sat around my cell phone and listened to Elder Renlund's amazing talk. Elder Renlund shares a story of the Pratt brothers and a falling out they had. Parley wrote a letter to Orson and apologized and attempted to make things right, but Orson didn't answer and Parley gave up. As time went on Orson was asked to compile a family history of the Pratt's and decided to reach out to Parley and he asked for his forgiveness. Family history turned around the pain these two brothers had for one another. 

Throughout this talk, MIke was very attentive and contemplative. When the talk ended the spirit was so thick in the room and I gently asked Mike if he was interested in doing his Family History. With a very humbled heart he said yes, absolutely, he wanted to know more about family history and how to compile and research his family line. I can testify to you that God leads us as missionaries in our efforts to share the gospel of Jesus Christ on this earth. Elder Renlund's talk was so profound and he explained so much better than we could the blessings of Family History. I challenge each of you to pull Elder Renlund's talk up (April 2018) and listen to his words and learn for yourself that sealings are healing. 

Our next step with Mike is to show him the family history library and when it's open and how to access the computers. We will work with our ward mission leader to guide us through this process. 

We weren't able to teach Crystal this week but will follow up with her. She has an ultra busy schedule. 

Elder Fleming and I spent several days doing service this past week. We moved two families out of their homes and spent an afternoon at Hillcrest unloading donations from cars and taking them to the sorting house. 

This week the Hastings family from Hodge Park ward came and took Elder Fleming and I out to lunch. Kara (my investigator from my last area) came with them. It was great to see them and hear how well they are doing. Kara is progressing in the gospel and does want to be baptized. I am happy for her and for the Hasting's family. They are some of the greatest people I know. 

The ward family is feeding us well and we are enjoying getting to know more of the families. We spent many hours visiting members, less active members and even placed a Book of Mormon with a neighbor (Jamie) of a ward member. Jamie is interested in hearing a message about Jesus Christ so we hope to visit her this week and share one. 

Yesterday was our Ward Conference and President Smead spoke. Since I served in his ward a few areas ago I spent a few minutes catching up with him. He is a great man with a good family. 

This week Elder Fleming and I were invited by the bishop to his home for youth night with the Priests. We made s'mores around the firepit and Bishop Cato asked the young men to have a debate over white chocolate vs. milk chocolate. And, to debate how to pronounce the candy Reeses. It was some of the best conversations and debates I've been around. The Priests really had strong opinions and I was impressed how well they expressed them and respected their quorum members. What a fun night being able to express what you believe and why and then having the bishop wrap up the evening tying everything together. 

This week I spent every single day studying my Patriarchal Blessing combining my scripture study as I felt nudged. I have read my blessing every day. Each day I learn something new. I have seen glimpses into my past, present and future through my blessing. I am understanding my responsibilities and the eternal importance of family. I am understanding more of the knowledge and information received in my blessing. I have experienced a deep, meaningful study of my personal book of scriptures just for me. I challenge each of you to take one full week and focus on your Patriarchal Blessing and see how it can change your outlook on life, how it can inspire you to do better and be better, and to enjoy the blessings found within. 

Elder Mortensen 

Pictures and Videos this week:

A very happy puppy video

Lunch picture with the Hasting's and Kara

Me at the KC sign

Elder Fleming and I at one of our service days moving a family 

Last zone conference picture with President and Sister Ames and me in the back