Week 61

8-19-19

Things I've learned the past 3 weeks

Well as you know this has been quite the different experience so far on my mission. But, that being said, I have definitely learned a whole lot. Number one thing that I've learned or rather acquired has been having patience during my afflictions. As you are well aware I am not one to just sit down. I like to be moving and doing something visibly productive. The biggest thing that I have struggled with this transfer is the opposite if that. I have finished the book of Mormon almost twice now. AMD the second time around I noticed something very interesting that really stuck out to me in Mosiah 24:13 and 15.

13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort,

15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

As each day went by I noticed myself being more spiritually enlightened. Not only this but this "burden" of sitting inside all day felt lighter. It has been quite the experience. Both spiritual and temporal. I have learned a lot in both aspects.

The next thing I have learned a great deal of is self control. As you know, I am in a Facebook mission. One thin that I have found difficult towards the beginning and is now getting easier is Facebook. When you are sitting down for hours a day with nothing to do, it gets a little frustrating to just read and read and read. Dont get me wrong, I love the scriptures and all the knowledge they give us. But hours a day is a different story. So an occasional temptation would pop up and say, "just hop on Facebook really quick. It wouldn't be a big deal because you've been reading and studying so much today. You deserve it." And that is the selfish, lazy and idolatrous natural man! Something kind of crazy to think about! Lazy is a pretty easy one to explain. It's a lot easier to scroll on Facebook than it is to study and learn. Selfish is a bit different. I am here on the lords time and no one else's. Not mine and definitely not my companions. So with that being said, how can I take time out of studying how to become more Christlike to something as mindless as scrolling a stupid app? Especially on the Lords time. And the last thing, idolatrous. That one is a little interesting isn't it? In th is case why would a phone/Facebook be idolatrous? Well here's why. And idol is something that you put first before God, correct? Or things of God, such as commandments scriptures, promptings etc. If I(we) are putting this app or any other form of mindless entertainment in front of these Godly things, are we not being idolatrous? It really made me look back and think of how much mindless time I have wasted and how much I need to repent! 

One of the biggest things I have learned though, is that mindlessness IS of the devil. We are to avoid all slothful (lazy) activities. Because they turn into mindless activities. When we are doing mindless things, the gap for temptation greatly increases. And it begs the questions, what can I change in my routine to become more like minded and not mindless? To me, it is something that everyone member or not has room for improvement. Or in other words, how can I spend my time more effectively? 

The last thing I've learned would have to be my ability to study the scriptures. I am absolutely no where near perfect but I am getting better. I am more easily able to discern what the spirit is trying to convey to me when I read. And also ways to make the best of my situation. Such as always having a positive outlook and not getting mad! In first Nephi and part of second, every time Laman and Lemual get to the point of wanting to kill or harm Nephi they start with a little bit of anger. And they wont become better because they are too prideful. So I have had to be humble and accept my circumstances, do my best to work as effectively as I can and also to be happy no matter! 

This has been the hardest part of my mission this far. Not because there is too much work and rejection. But because there is the exact opposite of that. There has not been a time in my mission or even my life where I have done as little as I have in the past 3 weeks. And that is why it is so hard. But it is a good reminder that I will never be like this out of choice. I want to be a hard worker not just because that is how I was raised but also because that is how I feel fulfilled.

Love you mom! Hopefully this has something useful for the boys or anyone else you know! Tell everyone I said hi! Especially Colson and Brock because I might not get to talk to them. Love you! 

-Elder Tolman