WEEK 7 - Houston Just Got A Huge Problem
A lot has happened this week. I don’t know how to illustrate any of what I have experienced, but I’ll try my best.
The week began with the sharing of a special day with Hermana Dana. What preceded was an extraordinary fast and testimony meeting on Sunday. I was able to share my testimony, quoting from Paul in 2 Corinthians 1, “5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. 8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us… 24 for by faith ye stand.” and I related that through Jesus Christ, there can be tough days but never, ever bad days. This is something my branch president, President Shumway, often related.
On Tuesday I had the opportunity to hear one of the best devotionals in my entire life. The following were my notes and inspirations from it, and please–proceed with caution because some of what I have written is coming straight from my thoughts and impressions and may not be completely formulated ideas that reflect my current state of mind. I’m glad that the Church culture has begun to change. I’m glad that we are abolishing rumors, empowering inclusivity, and fighting to call out prejudiced teachings, members, and histories–but we can do better. Why do we praise the little boys in primary when they can put away chairs at a quickened pace? Why do we praise the little girls in primary when they can clean the tables and throw away trash with grace? If we are all equal within the Church, which we are aside from some exceptions of power, why is there this clear distinction of assigned gender roles, embracing traditionalism beginning once a child steps foot in primary? This traditionalism can rather quickly turn into inequality, as assigned gender roles are inherently unequal. We are all equal in God’s eyes. God loves each of us no more than the other, no matter what gender, race, social status, gender orientation–yes, gender orientation–religion, or any other worldly descriptors. We are all His children. So why then, does a father conduct Family Home Evening? So why, when the missionaries, ministering sisters and brothers, the bishop, or the stake president, does the father of the house decide who will say the prayer at the beginning of a spiritual discussion? Is it the same reason we tell the little boys how strong they are after picking two chairs up at once? I’d venture to say yes. The truth is, within a home, both man and woman have authority to choose what happens in their Family Home Evenings. Both wife and husband have the power to choose who will say the prayer before a spiritual discussion. Temple Presidents, Mission Presidents, Stake Presidents, Bishops, and Quorum Presidents hold Priesthood keys, and that is it. Aside from the President of the Church, the Apostles, and Jesus Christ, these are the people who have been commissioned to direct the work. Everyone else is equal. In a ward council meeting, it is not the Elder’s Quorum President who presides, it is the Bishop, and neither the Elder’s Quorum President nor the Relief Society President is in charge. Both are equal, with equal power within the meeting. So let us teach the little boys that their power is just as equal as the little girls. Let us not gender strength within the Church, for we all have the opportunity to be strengthened by the Lord. President J. Annette Dennis began her talk with Helaman 5:11, “And he hath power given unto him from the father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls.” We are his angels. I have chosen to serve, and I choose to stay. Satan knows us all. He knows what I am doing while I am on my mission, and he knows whatever you are about to do. He has had a millennia of experience. The Lord can protect you from the fiery darts of the Adversary, but only if you let Him. Helaman 6:37, “And it came to pass that the Lamanites did hunt the band of robbers of Gadianton; and they did preach the word of God among the more wicked part of them, insomuch that this band of robbers was utterly destroyed from among the Lamanites.” She continued with Helaman 5:51 and 52, “And as many as were convinced did lay down their weapons of war, and also their hatred and the tradition of their fathers. And it came to pass that they did yield up unto the Nephites the lands of their possession.” Missionaries converted the most wicked through the Power of God. When the word is taught with the Spirit, anything is possible. And every one of us is given Priesthood authority, just as these scriptures say. Everyone has Priesthood Authority even, and especially, sisters. Dallin H. Oaks talks about the Priesthood and women within the talk, “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood.” God loves His daughters just as much as He loves His sons. Any person that has covenanted with God can use His power. Period. Full stop. President Russell M. Nelson speaks of this in “The Everlasting Covenant”. Likewise, he speaks of how women flow with the Priesthood in “Spiritual Treasures”. In the General Handbook it says that “men, women, and children” have access to His Priesthood power. If you are endowed, a single mother, and someone says to you, “I’m sorry you don’t have a Priesthood holder in your home”, that is simply incorrect. There is no other Church that endows women with Priesthood Power, directly from God. Although some women of other faiths may be in Priest positions, women within our Church ALL can have authority and power. All of the men of our Church also have this same ability, and all men can be ordained into Priesthood offices. No other church does this. But, as President Dennis stressed, DO NOT EVER disparage people because of their beliefs. We have additional light to offer, from His restored Gospel, to these already enlightened people. In so many faiths, there are so many incredible people. But, there is something different about our faith: our restored truth. At this point in the devotional, I was floored. Everything was exceptional, powerful, and moving–I knew Hermana Dana was eating it up. Then, she began to speak of covenants. A covenant with God is a plea to our Heavenly Father that we WANT a relationship with HIM. Through covenants, we will never tire His patience of love as we enter and re-enter our agreements with Him. Covenants are the key to all of this power. You don’t understand what you have access to. Do not live beneath your privileges by not asking for, renewing, and living your covenants with God because you will be blessed. President then provided so many more resources about women in the Priesthood and the power we gain from covenants that we keep. “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation” by President Russell M. Nelson, “Overcome the World and Find Rest” by President Russell M. Nelson, “Accessing God’s Power Through Covenants” by Dale G. Renlund, “A Plea to My Sisters” by President Russell M. Nelson, and “Daily Restoration” found on the Church’s website.
I then had to say goodbye to a lot of my district the day following Tuesday, but I know all of them will be extraordinary missionaries. That Thursday was extremely tough for me. It was the last day in the MTC. I didn’t think I would be sad, but there I was saying farewell, for now to some of the greatest friends I have yet made. Although it hurts, I know that I’ll see them all someday soon. That Friday was equally tough. Spending Thursday night bawling my eyes out and packing was not fun, but waking up at 3:30 AM was horrendous. We made it to the airport and on our flight that took off at 8:20 AM and I was off to Houston. Once we landed, I met the Mission President’s wife, Sister Richards, and the AP’s and they took us into the city to a park called Hermann Park. They then told us, “alright, open your mouths and go preach the Gospel”, so we did. I ended up handing out several Book of Mormons within the hour that we were there and it was the greatest feeling in the entire world. This was the first day of the rest of my life. As we drove around Houston, it felt as if I was living out True Stories (1985). The only thing I was missing was David Byrne. I got to the Mission Office in Sugar Land, Texas, a city just outside of Houston, and met my trainer Elder Elmer. He talks extremely fast, and his Spanish is faster than most native Spanish speakers–it’s insane. Friday ended with a climactic conclusion of unpacking my bags. I then woke up bright and early–actually not bright at all, just early–to work out at 6:00 AM. We studied throughout the morning, went grocery shopping, and then I knocked on my first door. I was on an “exchange” with another group of missionaries because Elder Elmer is a District Leader and had a meeting. The first door swung open, the man, Sam, said “I need Jesus, get in” and we were then teaching him all about the Book of Mormon. The day continued just like that as I met more and more people, falling in love with everyone that I met or saw. I made a goal to talk to every single person, and I was doing it. Even, and especially, if they only spoke Spanish. By the end of the day I had met people from Honduras, El Salvador, Cuba, Africa, Mexico, Vietnam, India, Columbia, Uruguay, and so much more. The anthropologist in me was going crazy. I also got chased by two dogs that were trying to rip my leg off on my bike. There was also that. Sunday was the same. Full of love, full of the Spirit, and full of joy. I had the opportunity to go to a baptism as well and Elder Elmer invited one of our friends, Carlos, to come and I was able to really bond with him–even though my Spanish could use some work. I could do this for the rest of my life.
So that was my week. I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you got a little bit of my experiences through this email. Love and miss you all.
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HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM:
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WEEK 7:
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