Week 3

Family,

From your letters it seems like you all have been so busy! haha it was awesome to get to sit down and read about your experiences on the trek. Some even brought tears to my eyes and I remember the short walk we took at Martin's Cove a while back. I cannot wait till I can go and experience that someday with you all again. As always, thank you so much for your letters, they are very inspiring and help me strive to be the Missionary the Lord would have me be.

This week in Santa Gertrudis was pretty rough. 3 of our wonderful progressing investigators dropped us out of no where, They were all so solid so it was a complete surprise. One was named Kristen, she is a single mother and I believe she is only 20. Anyways she was super golden but her family sat her down and said that if she was going to Church it was going to be with them at the Catholic Church. Its sad because I know she knows what she is doing is wrong. She even told us that she knew that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was God's Kingdom once again restored to the earth. I swear my heart broke. I love these people so much, its just so hard to see them fall away because they simply won't put God first.

Aside from that we had Zone interviews with President Trayner up in Robstown this week. It was an amazing experience to be able to sit down with him and discuss questions that I had. One was about why I was sent to Santa Gertrudis? I mean I am the only greenie above the border patrol checks and the only one who teaches in English almost 50% of the time. He said he doesn't know why he did that because most new missionaries are trained in the valley so they can develop Spanish. All he told me that was in the next few weeks I will know why I was sent here. He said that there is a family waiting to be taught and all Elder Porter and I have to do is remain diligent and we will find them. I love President Trayner so much and he has really helped me here in the northern part of the mission. Really pondering of some of the huge blessings of being trained in the North has helped me. I realized that since I speak a lot in my native tongue I can really get a grasp of how to teach and really become a Preach my Gospel Missionary. Because other greenies have to do it in a language they don't understand so I really am grateful for that. Anyways I got assigned to speak in Zone conference next month on our potential as sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. Here is what I have written so far so let me know what you think :)

Sometimes we as members of the Church and we as missionaries fail to appreciate the divine potential within us. We allow Satan to put us down. We accept his judgments, as well as those of others that tend to put us down. We tend to look in the mirror and see all of faults. We don't often pause long enough to observe and recognize our divine potential and our personal growth. All too often, we unknowingly engage in theadversary's tactic of putting ourselves (and others) down. Remember that Christ came to pick us up, not put us down! We should follow Christ's example. You were not meant to be average! You were meant to be great! The seeds of greatness are within each of you. The question becomes, what will it take to open up your seed of divine potential to allow you to reach the greatness you have been sent here to accomplish?

Your Heavenly Father knows of your greatness. He alone knows of your divine potential. Your mission is one of the greatest times when He can help you discover that greatness and potential. Now, for the forest fires. In the mountainous forests of the western United States many varieties of pine trees grow. One of the most impressive is the lodgepole pine. It is noted for its height and straightness. Unlike other pines and trees, the lodgepole has the amazing ability to grow amazingly straight from the forest floor below towards a sliver of light in the canopy of a forest. Amidst the heavy growth around it, the lodgepole can grow to a height of 50' and still be only 5 inches in diameter! When mature, it can reach in excess of 70 feet in height with a diameter in excess of more than two feet. No other pine can do so much with so little light. It is through these adverse conditions that the lodgepole grows tall and straight. The lodgepole pine is notable for another factor. The lodgepole pine produces cones which do not open at maturity. Its cones are sealed shut by a resinous bond between the cone scales. The trees allow the cones to remain on the tree for years without falling to the earth, as do other pine cones. The lodgepole knows that its long term survival and propagation is predicated upon one thing: fire. For many, a forest fire, is the most dreaded event a forest can undergo. For the lodgepole pine, however, fire is essential. You see, the pine cones of the lodgepole do not open up until they are heated to temperature between 113 and 140 degrees F (45-60 C). Such temperatures melt the resin and release the seed. In nature, only forest fires generate temperatures of this magnitude within a tree's crown. Often we are like the lodgepole pine cone. We need heat (often caused by trials, tribulations, pressure and challenges) to reach our potential. When feeling challenged or overwhelmed, we sometimes seek to counsel the Lord. While we often ask the question, "why me?", our question should really be, "why not me?" Sometimes, we even think "I don't think that I can." As a forest fire unlocks the future of a young lodgepole pine to restore the forest, so too, fire (the Holy Ghost) brings forth new and greater life within us when we are faced with challenges. President James E. Faust, has shared these insights into the refiner's fire and the cleansing effect of the Holy Ghost in our lives:

"Into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful. The thorns that prick, that stick in the flesh, that hurt, often change lives which seem robbed of significance and hope. This change comes about through a refining process which often seems cruel and hard. In this way the soul can become like soft clay in the hands of the Master in building lives of faith, usefulness, beauty, and strength. For some, the refiner’s fire causes a loss of belief and faith in God, but those with eternal perspective understand that such refining is part of the perfection process.

In our extremities, it is possible to become born again, born anew, renewed in heart and spirit. We no longer ride with the flow of the crowd, but instead we enjoy the promise of Isaiah to be renewed in our strength and "mount up with wings as eagles" (Isa. 40:31).

The proving of one’s faith goes before the witnessing, for Moroni testified, "Ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith" (Ether 12:6). This trial of faith can become a priceless experience. Stated Peter, "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 1:7). Trials and adversity can be preparatory to becoming born anew.

A rebirth out of spiritual adversity causes us to become new creatures. From the book of Mosiah we learn that all mankind must be born again—born of God, changed, redeemed, and uplifted—to become the sons and daughters of God. (See Mosiah 27:24-27.)

President Marion G. Romney, speaking for the Lord, has said of this marvelous power: "The effect upon each person’s life is likewise similar. No person whose soul is illuminated by the burning Spirit of God can in this world of sin and dense darkness remain passive. He is driven by an irresistible urge to fit himself to be an active agent of God in furthering righteousness and in freeing the lives and minds of men from the bondage of sin." (In Conference Report, 4 Oct. 1941, p. 89.)

The feelings of being reborn were expressed by Parley P. Pratt as follows:

"If I had been set to turn the world over, to dig down a mountain, to go to the ends of the earth, or traverse the deserts of Arabia, it would have been easier than to have undertaken to rest, while the Priesthood was upon me. I have received the holy anointing, and I can never rest till the last enemy is conquered, death destroyed, and truth reigns triumphant." (Journal of Discourses, 1:15.) (James E. Faust, The Refiner's Fire, April 1979). My dear Elders and Sisters, often our challenges and trials are brought about by our own foolishness and weakness and occur because of our own laziness, carelessness or transgression. Sometimes, they come because of our lack of vision and faith. Regardless of the source they can, and must be overcome! This week, I'd like to invite you to think positive thoughts about the work, your companion, the members in your area, the people you meet each day, and even about you. I finish with two more thoughts to consider. The first comes from a secular author with great insight into our divine potential. The second from President Eyring. Take both to heart and strive to live their principles this week.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." (A

Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles", Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3)

"Don’t worry about how inexperienced you are or think you are, but think about what, with the Lord’s help, you can become." (Henry B. Eyring, "Preparation in the Priesthood: "I Need Your Help"", Ensign, November 2011). May your thoughts be raised heavenward this week and may you be given insight into your potential as a son or daughter of God is my prayer. As you reach heavenward, you will lead even more to Christ. We cannot rest in this work--reach your potential! Doubt not, fear not! We are on His errand, we are entitled to His help.

K so that's all i have so far. I realize that it needs some work but I got a bit of time. The fun part will be translating it into Spanish. Love you all so much. You are always in my prayers :) Have a wonderful Week!

¡Con un fuerte abrazo y mucho amor y éxito! 

Elder Sanderson