Elder Thurber's Missionary Blog: Path of Exaltation, Conversion (May 25th and 18th, 2015 Updates)

Path of Exaltation (May 25, 2015)

Brothers, Sisters,

I wish I could jump into my screen and pop out of yours to tell you how being a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the best thing that's ever happened to me! I just love being a missionary. This week's flown by, with two zone conferences and working in the Lord's vineyard. This week's crazy, too; we're going to Palawan on Wednesday.

Elder Thurber teaching how to plan with grids at Zone Conference

Elder Wilson and I have taught all of the 200 missionaries how to plan with grids so that everybody can receive exaltation, which is President Ostler's new vision for us. You may be thinking that missionary work is all about baptisms. But truly, that's aiming lower than God's expectations, because, like Edward Dube's mom said, "Look ahead at what we still have to do.” Going for baptism is only for salvation. Planning for the temple is planning for exaltation.

After showing his vision, the missionaries divided up into 5 groups for 5 classes. So we've taught planning for exaltation 10 times now to missionaries.

Question: have you ever heard of the New and Returning Member Progress Form? That is what we're using right now as a mission. We have four indicators - baptism, fully active, temple preparation, and temple ordinances. President Ostler would like for each companionship to have an indicator occur every week, especially in our area. It's difficult, because the people need to have a clear vision of the temple, and the ward needs to coordinate with us. But, from all the reports I've been getting, the wards love it! They're trying it.

Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. 2 Nephi 32:3

Missionaries love to feast on the words of Christ, but they need something for the road, too.

Eating with the Hiatts at Zone Conference

Shoot, I have to get going. Time flies on wings of lightning.

out,

Elder Thurber - Philippines Manila Mission

#BecauseHeLives

HeLives.mormon.org

Mon 5/18/2015 3:03 AM

Conversion (Mon 5/18/2015)

Dear All,

The chaos continues! Our area's really shooting for the stars! We had 8 investigators at church last Sunday, and full support from a loving ward, led by our awesome ward mission leader. Along with working in our area every day starting at 6, we've been meeting with President Ostler and stuff and discussing Zone Conference. It'll be epic! I'll tell you more next week.

One of the things President Ostler sent out to prepare for the conference was a talk by Elder Scott entitled "Full Conversion Brings Happiness." He quoted Marion D. Romney, who once said "Converted means to turn from one belief or course of action to another." Adding on, I've been thinking about how conversion works with money. Why do we ever convert money? Well, because some currency won't be useful, depending on where you're going to. American money doesn't mean much here in the Philippines.

I've been thinking that we, as children of Heavenly Father, have intrinsic value. But what is that value truly converted into? When we know our destination, we must be converted to be of any worth there. If heaven is your goal, you must change yourself--leaving behind what you once were-- and understand this eternal yet misunderstood truth: "We are saved by grace, after all we can do." Elder Scott taught this in his talk, which I'd encourage you to read.

(Elder Scott's talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2002/04/full-conversion-brings-happiness?lang=eng )