Elder and Sister Brent H. Nielson of the Seventy
Tuesday devotional, October 17, 2017
Sister Nielson:
- We tour many missions. All missionaries say it is harder than they expected. Are you homesick, overwhelmed, or unsure? You are normal. Your Heavenly Father is proud of you.
- My own life experience — I was not athletic so I decided to walk. I walk a lot. My children challenged me to run a 10K race with them. My initial goal was to run a bit and then walk, run a bit and then walk, etc. Once I got into the race, there was no way that I was going to let myself walk. I ran the whole distance. Hard? Yes. What did I learn? 1) I knew very little about running but I knew enough to keep going 2) Everything I had done in preparation helped me 3) I wasn’t the best, but I wasn’t the worst. I could do enough. I used every skill set I had. 4) I wasn’t running alone 5) I was fearful at the start, but I became more determined the longer I ran.
- We are actually running a relay as missionaries. Be prepared to take the baton!
- D&C 123:17 cheerfully do everything within your power, then stand still and see the salvation of the Lord
Elder Nielson:
- We love you. You are joining an amazing army. We baptize about 25,000 new converts every month.
- We have great leaders. I thought they were wonderful before I got to work with them every day. Now I say they are better than I ever could have imagined.
- D&C 52:9 Saying none other thing! Be a “faithful echo” of our prophet and the apostles.
- Specific things I have learned from our apostles
- #1 Elder Neil L. Andersen – his visit to our stake in Idaho was about us, our children, their names, the work was not about him, but about us. John 13:35 if ye have love one for another, this is the true test of the true church of Jesus Christ. Be quiet about yourselves. Stop talking about yourself. True disciples are turned outward and love others.
- #2 Elder David A. Bednar – he told the story of Dan Jones who never prayed that his circumstances would be changed, but that he would be strengthened to deal with his circumstances. Elder Nielson said he couldn’t change the cold weather in Finland. I prayed that I would be able to adapt to my circumstances. I was cold in Finland and hot in Philippines. I prayed that the Lord would make me equal to my challenges. New missionaries usually complain about the weather in their new area. Older missionaries don’t even notice.
- #3 Elder Jeffrey R. Holland – remember Lot’s wife (a talk), we need to be forward looking, never backward looking. Satan wants us to doubt , to vacillate, to hesitate, to look over our shoulders. Doubt your doubts before your doubt your faith.
- #4 Elder Russell M. Nelson – He is always quick to observe. He always sits on the edge of his seat (the youth Mormon was also described as quick to observe). When you are looking for those you can help, you quit worrying about yourself.
- #5 Elder Boyd K. Packer – faith and fear are incompatible. Faith causes fear to disappear. Jesus always emphasized faith. Fear is not a Christ-like attribute.
- #6 – President Thomas S. Monson – whom the Lord calls the Lord qualifies. He was 36 years old when called to be an apostle. When you are on the Lord’s errand, you are entitled to His help.
- 1 Nephi 11:35-36 an ominous warning — Don’t fight against the apostles of the Lamb.
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