An Island Zoo (October 10, 2016)

An Island Zoo

O)t P-day on Palawan in Taytay. Pretty cool. It's pretty cool. 

One thing I was worried about was that Taytay would be lacking in many of the amenities I had become used to in Manila. But actually, it isn't really. We've got running water, electricity, and a pretty good selection of food and also a department store, so I'm not really lacking. 

There are not nearly as many people... I think the entirety of Taytay is 6,000 population or so... but there are a lot more animals!

The tricycles here in Taytay are different than on manila. These trikes look like space shuttles! If you are reading this on the blog, my mom has a picture of one that she can probably post for you. They are a lot bigger here. There are hardly any jeepneys. When there are, they don't travel around town, they're just passing through. Shuttles generally take you from Taytay to another location in Palawan. 

There are some interesting animals here. One is the carabao, which is sort of like a cow, but both males and females have large horns, and the horns go back towards the neck rather than straight up and out. They often have a species of white bird with them. My companion tells me they are friends. Apparently, when the carabao step bugs come up out of the ground, and the white birds like that. There is also a type of large lizard here called a tuko, because that is the sound it makes. I've not yet seen one...
There are monkeys, dogs, cats (very few), native variety of chickens, a native variety of skunks(!), scorpions(!), frogs, normal lizards, all sorts of bugs (I've seen a HUGE beautiful butterfly. that was cool), pigs, goats, and... I think I've said them all. 

Rice here is local. I like it.

We watched general conference in Tagalog... that was excruciating... not because it was bad, but even though I've been here a year, I could only get a general idea of what was being said in each talk. The translators have to speak fast, and still struggle, because it just takes longer to say things in Tagalog than it does in English. Like, for instance, if I said:

Through the love of God, we can become free from the burden of sin

it would be 

sa pamamagitan ng pagmamahal ng Diyos, tayo ay maaaring maging malaya sa pasanin ng kasalanan.

16 syllables to 34 syllables. It's a lot more organized than it seems though. It's an amazing language.

The little kids were outside catching grasshoppers. Then, to make sure they didn't run away, they tore off the back legs and wings...

They fed them as well...

Then placed them on the back of a very young, and very squeamish little girl who destroyed them by screaming shaking and running.

I felt bad for the little guys.

The people here are even nicer than they are in Manila. It is a newly formed branch, so they are still trying to figure things out. But I'm happy to serve with them. It's really cool to see the growing church!

That is about it for the time I have...

Next week,

Elder Streeter

A New Adventure and a Conference (October 3, 2016)

A New Adventure and a Conference

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

I'm being transferred. Generally I shouldn't know yet, but...

I'm going to Palawan. To Taytay. That means I'm going to the far north of Palawan.

The members there have just recently formed into a ward.

It will mean that I have really been sent to one of the farthest reaches of the mission...

I'll admit, I'm a little nervous. I'm also disappointed, because that probably means I'll be watching General Conference in Tagalog, which, though I can speak it well enough, is far from fluent! Yes, just so you know, because of the time difference, General Conference for us in the Philippines is different from you guys. We see it the 2nd week of October. So, I have not actually seen any of it yet, but I'm really excited to. 

For those of you out there who haven't seen it, I invite you to. It is truly an amazing experience if you will open your heart and your mind to the messages. The speakers are not going to spend several hours trying to convert someone or bashing other religions. In fact, most of the time they will address their messages to the members of the church, since that is the general audience. But these are people who have undergone the trials that life has to give them and have come away without turning hard and cold, who keep an attitude of optimism and faith amidst the trials of our time, who think about Jesus Christ every day of their lives, and do everything they can to serve their God by serving their fellow men. If you listen, they will answer the great questions of the soul you have for this time. It is like having a constantly updated section of the epistles. Real, live apostles and prophets speaking to us on the trials of OUR time. I know they are servants of God, with authority from Him, who are listening to the spirit to know what they need to say to us all. You will find peace, but it is up to you. I will be going into conference with much expectation. It's going to be great. Here is a link to the set of messages:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng&_r=1 

I would like to express the greatest love to you all. But I do so humbly, knowing that no one has quite the love God does for his children. 

Have Faith.

Don't give up.

Sincerely,

Elder Streeter

A Bath for Tingle, the Stuffed Polar Bear (September 19, 2016)

A Bath for Tingle, the Stuffed Polar Bear

Welllllllllll... 

Thanks for your concern! I don't really know what danger I was in... But thanks anyway for caring so much...

I hope you guys are doing well. I think it's great that you all have striven to make Sunday a more special day. As Sunday becomes different, unique, and holy, I can make a promise to you, that the time till I come home will begin to fly. Something about having regular markers makes things go faster, but Sunday will only mark if you actually make it different, and special. 

I'm very glad to see the efforts Papa is putting forth for missionary work. Yes, I say missionary work, because it's probably difficult to share the gospel just anywhere in Italy for him, since he doesn't speak Italian, but he is seeking to do important work for our ancestors. I have a strong belief that this will help us return to Spain. As Heavenly Father sees his and all of your desires to accomplish genealogical work, he will give you more opportunities to do so. Such is the way with the Kingdom of Heaven. 

I really like that concept. It's similar to the idea of mind over matter: You can accomplish whatever you put your mind to, and when one door closes, three more open. As we strive to do the right thing, the Lord gives us more opportunities to do the right thing. So as we strive to share the Gospel, the Lord will give us more opportunities to do so. If we are really trying to glorify God with a specific talent, God will open doors and paths which will gives us greater opportunity to do so. 

Let me give an example:

One day on my mission, we had nearly ended the day, and we hadn't accomplished but 5 OYMs. It was pretty bad. As we began heading home, there was no one! I couldn't see a single person to talk to. It was pretty bad.

Well, as we were walking, I saw one person coming towards us. It's hard to OYM someone who is walking. Especially because they obviously have somewhere to be, and are trying to get there, and it's super awkward too. But I knew we needed to OYM. So I did so. 

Strangely, it was like magic. As I began talking to him 2 more people showed up, and then 3 came from the other direction, and suddenly it was as though the street that was nearly dead just 10 minutes ago was bustling with people we could talk to. They didn't come because I was talking to the man, they didn't see me and say "OOHH! I want to see what he's saying!" In fact, most of them tried to avoid us. But the fact that something so strange happened cannot be coincidence. 

Thank you for staying alert to the promptings of the spirit. I did actually lose my phone last week, and president probably wouldn't have learned about it for a while if we hadn't tried so hard to get a hold of me. 

In the mission, we like to talk about a set of three commandments that are super important. I thought this was funny, so I decided I'd let you know: we call it CPR Church Prayer Reading scriptures. These are the three most essential modes of receiving revelation. And we need revelation so badly. 

It's also CPR for a family, if they can all agree that what needs to be done is focus on God and then make a plan to do these things together as a family. 

I love you all...

I gave tingle a bath recently. It worked very well. He is extremely white and doesn't stink anymore. I'm very happy it worked. I was worried I might destroy him in the process, but there appears to be no negative effects. 

The one investigator, that I was hoping to see baptized before I leave the area, didn't come to church last week, so he's not yet ready for baptism. That's all right though, because I am sure he will be baptized. He just needs time. What it means is that from this point on all my work in the area will be completely unselfish. I will be planted seeds for the next missionaries to harvest. But Oh, how I hope those seeds will be harvested. 

I'm learning to love the people. I'm going to miss this when it's all over...

With love,

Elder Streeter

The One-Year-Mark Letter (September 12, 2016)

The One-Year-Mark Letter

This is an email for Nikolai. 

Please tell Mama and Papa sorry that I've got nothing for them this week. Hitting my one year mark in the mission has been kind of hard for me...

But hey, guess what? We're halfway there! You've basically made it. You've survived one year without me. You can survive one more. 

I've been telling my companions Elephant Jokes. They give the same savory groan everyone else gives. Do you still remember those jokes?

Why did the elephant paint his toenails red?

To hide in a cherry tree!
...................
Cricket. Cricket. 
Badum pshhhhh!

Have you ever seen an elephant in a cherry tree?

No.

They're good at hiding then!!!!!

Badum pshshhhhshshhhs!

Kris-Tyan bursts out in laughter. Nobody else does. 

Hehehe

And I'm officially out of time. 

I don't have mama's letter yet. Tell everyone I'm sorry. I'll devote more time next week. 

With love, and fond memories,

Kris-Tyan Streeter

Introducing a New Companion and Predicting a Move (August 29, 2016)

Introducing a New Companion and Predicting a Move

Well, I have received my new companion. He is a fun-loving Filipino named Elder Bernardo. He is good at English and Tagalog (of course), and he is about to hit his 1 and a half year mark. He only has six months left in the mission, or about that. Again, I'm with an old missionary! At least it means he'll make up for any mistakes I make. 

I did get better, pretty quickly, all things considered. The last few days in the area have been absolutely astounding. We had 26 lessons last week, and 8 new investigators. It blew me away! It's like my new companion has some sort of magic. We had tons of lessons with people that we had just met! Super cool. Hopefully that continues for the next 6 weeks. If it does, this'll be a short transfer.

Speaking of which, yes, by most standards, this will be my last transfer here. Now, anything can happen! I could stay here even longer! But I'm guessing that I'll probably go to a new area in 6 weeks. Just so you can be prepared if the Monday after October 5th I'm suddenly somewhere else. 

Speaking of countdowns, my year mark will be on the 11th of September. It's kind of hard to believe that I am almost at the halfway point. It doesn't feel like it!

But I won't be counting down. I'll be counting up. Counting as I help people enter the church and become active in it and prepare for the temple and enter the temple. That's what I'll count, because that is what counts. 

I'm sorry about the time, but I'm almost out of it. I emailed Audrey. I'm so happy she's been baptized. 
Do you hear that world? Audrey Bouwens has entered into a covenant with God, and that is the most beautiful thing to know of anyone! May she feel His love all her life. May we all! And may we rejoice in it.

I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the most important Doctrine in all of the history of the world.

With love,

Elder Streeter

The Wrong Guy with the Cigarette (July 25, 2016)

The Wrong Guy with the Cigarette

July 25, 2016

Sorry, I whiled away my time again this week on my email to president. The reason: we've got interviews! Yay!

My English is beginning to die to my Tagalog. I don't like it. When I'm talking I say things like: "we are very much grateful," "I'm going to learn them the gospel," and other things. I can't remember what I said exactly, but it was pretty bad!

Speaking of which, I would love it if I got some brain teasers or some math problems or chemistry stuff that I could work on during p-days. The other day I tried to remember the quadratic formula. I had to write it down and solve it backwards to make sure it actually was the same as Ax^2 + Bx + C = 0.

Good news, it was. 

Bad news, I've completely forgotten how to complete the square, so I can't go back the other way!

So maybe something to exercise my brain as well as my body. Just on p-day though. I can't get distracted other days. So don't make it too hard either, just, you know, like puzzles. Engaging, but not overwhelming or absorbing.

We taught 25 lessons this week! Wow! Work seems to be picking up. When I first got here it wasn't much. Now, as if by magic, we are teaching a ton of people. 

Which brings me to the Alcantra Family. 

We were walking one day and elder Jones said, hey, how about we OYM the guy with the cigarette. 

So I, being unafraid (I've been working on that) went right up to him:

"kumusta kayo!" (how are you!)

We started the conversation. Elder Jones continued it with the young man, who was about 18 years old, but then I got distracted by an old, drunk, bakla, who, seeing two white guys, decided he had to talk to them. I was keeping him occupied, while trying to somehow get through to his inner spirit that we have a message which can help him feel much deeper happiness than whatever he was using to find happiness at the time. 

Unfortunately, both his sexual orientation and intoxication were pampabulag and pampabingi, or things which cause blindness and deafness, but of course, I'm speaking on a spiritual level.

After Elder Jones finished with the young man, and I wriggled my way out of the 10th awkward handshake, he told me what he found out: 

His parents were both Mormons a long time ago in the province, and he basically considered himself a Mormon too, just because he had no idea what he was. He had never been baptized, though, and his family had gone inactive before they moved to Manila, and had never told the church they moved. 

Meaning: there were two inactive members that nobody knew about that we just found out about, and their son was very interested in us returning.

We have a feeling there is great things to be found with the Alcantra family. The parents, unfortunately, are very busy, but they have no opposition to teaching their children. ALL 5 CHILDREN are very excited, receptive, and accepting of the message. They are all reading, praying, and excited to go to church. They all say they remember this from their youth, and are not sure why it ever stopped. It's super cool. They have all accepted baptismal dates. We will see where it goes, but we have high hopes.

But do you know what is the best part of the whole story?

Way back when Elder Jones said to me: how about we OYM that guy with the cigarette? 

He was talking about a completely different guy than the one I spoke to. I had no idea. 

I know the spirit will guide our efforts to help other people. God's hand is in this work. 

May we make better use of our time. Remember, just because we are busy doesn't mean we are productive.

With love,

Elder Streeter

Growth...like Mold (July 19, 2016)

Growth...like Mold...

July 19, 2016

I am, as my dad puts it, burying my companion. 

I'm counting down the days till he "dies" in the mission. He hates it, so of course, I remind him on a regular basis. 

He thinks Papa and Mama were crazy. He doesn't know how anyone can get engaged in a week. He says that if everything works out with one friend he has, he might get married maybe in a year.

He's known her his whole life!

I'm trying to convince him marriage isn't that hard a decision. Important, yes, but a successful marriage has very little to do with "finding the one who's right for me." It's just not about destiny. It's about work, humility, love, sacrifice, and being centered on Christ, not as an individual, but as a family. 

But what do I know? I'm 19!

I've been in the Philippines for 10 months now. WOW!

I'm late emailing because we had a temple trip again. Good thing too, because the temple will close next month and stay that way for 2 more after it. 

But speaking of temples, it's exciting to find out that we are moving to Italy, and...

The Rome temple will be built soon! It's already under construction. If I somehow get the opportunity to go to the open house or the dedication, that would be cool. But who knows what time frame that will happen in?

Speaking of building, I've thought on progress recently.

As I watch here I notice buildings that are being built getting higher every day. At any given point a building doesn't look like it is increasing in height, but as the months go by, you notice the growth.

The same happens with all life on earth. As we watch in any instance a sprout doesn't look like much, and definitely doesn't look like it's growing. 

But if you protect it, nurture it, and give it what it needs, in a few years it is not only a tree, but it is giving off fruit that will produce more of its kind. It is full, and hard, and strong, and green, and large. It provides shade, sustenance, and support. 

Kittens slowly become cats. Puppies become dogs. A bowl of old food becomes a bowl of mold (oops!). Babies go from doing little more than staring and crying to making noises, walking, learning to shake hands and high five and wave, and doing a lot more smiling. 

Storm clouds go from being a few wisps to soaking us.

Illness begins as a funny feeling in the throat and becomes a full cough, headache, runny nose, and itchy eyes.

It's fascinating!

I love seeing growth of all kinds. It makes me wonder at the changes that can occur. 

But I love seeing it when it becomes what it was intended to be. 

When a plant gets the wrong sustenance, or is not protected, it can grow into something else, weaker, smaller, and sometimes, poisonous. Simply because it was not cared for, not planted on the right soil, or didn't receive enough rain. 

We, as people, don't need to worry too much about a lack of care. Our father loves us enough that we won't lack it coming. 

But sometimes, we do block or neglect to use it.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave the following counsel not too long ago:

“Our Heavenly Father sees our real potential. He knows things about us that we do not know ourselves. He prompts us during our lifetime to fulfill the measure of our creation, to live a good life, and to return to His presence.

“Why, then, do we devote so much of our time and energy to things that are so fleeting, so inconsequential, and so superficial? Do we refuse to see the folly in the pursuit of the trivial and transient?”

My favorite phrase there is that: "he prompts us...to fulfill the measure of our creation." 

This is what I spoke on once and will remind you again, in reminding myself. We will find happiness in becoming what we were meant to become. As children of our God, that does follow one common strain, but now I will say that for each of us it is also different. 

Though the commandments teach us to live up to our potential, some think they also quench personality. This is not true. What people don't realize is that not always do they really know what their true personality is. Hidden deep inside, people are sometimes different than they realize. 

But God sees that. Our Father sees that. 

I have found great joy in looking for it, asking Heavenly Father who I really am, and forming that vision. I have caught glimpses of me I never thought possible, I never would have guessed. But once I caught those glimpses, I never let go. 

And I have seen progress in myself. It is more fascinating than all the creations of man.

It is just as fascinating as the progress I see in other missionaries. 

I hope to see it is just as fascinating in those I love. 

I'm still here in Pasay, we did baptize sister Abegail, and we are still looking for people who are excited to hear about the Gospel. 

Remind me next week to talk about the Alcantra family. 

With love,

Elder Streeter

9

Short and Sweet (June 20, 2016)

Short and SWEET

June 20, 2016

I'm walking through the grocery store, and I see tomato sauce. They have three versions: original, sweet, and Pinoy (meaning Filipino) style.

I looked at the original. The first two ingredients were water and tomato sauce. It had 10 grams of sugar per serving. 

Then I looked at sweet. The first two ingredients were again, water and tomato sauce. It had, however, 15 grams of sugar per serving. Thus, sweet. 

Then I looked at Pinoy style.

It had 17 grams of sugar per serving. The first two ingredients were water and sugar...

I swear, they put maple syrup on their spaghetti here. I don't mind it too much, but I miss good Italian pasta. And pizza...

We are two Americans in an apartment, so we decided to try to make mac and cheese. 

It was a disaster. Why? Cheese here, even though it's expensive, isn't even real. The cheese looked like cheddar, but was really cheddar STYLE. It didn't even taste like American cheese. It was terrible. 
That, and the butter we used was margarine. We can get our hands on real butter, but that's expensive. Real cheese is nearly non-existent however. 

So if I were to get a box of that cheap American mac and cheese that tastes so good, you know, like Kraft, the kind where you just get macaroni and a packet of powder in a box, if I get some of that, it will make me very happy. Just because you were telling me that I should tell you what I want. Other than that...

Tuna. All the canned tuna here is spiced weird. It doesn't make it taste bad, but it is different. And different doesn't get rid of homesickness. 

I also found a good scripture chapter. You guys should read it. It's hilarious: Judges 3. I think Nikolai will have a good time with it. 

And about pictures. I'm really sorry, but it's hard. I am taking pictures, but very few, and uploading them is a process which is somewhat strenuous. Especially because I lost my camera cord. DON'T WORRY, THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO UPLOAD THEM. But I'm just not finding time to take pictures. There's too much to do to just spend time taking pictures of food and such. We have to talk to at least 30 new people a day about the gospel, in addition to teaching 20 lessons if we can every week. I just can't sit around taking pictures of every funny thing I see, every food I chew on, every street I walk down. It's bawal anyway to look like a tourist. And think of what others will think: He's just here to have a vacation, not to actually sacrifice two years of his life to share the gospel. I am taking pictures, I promise. It's just not going to be fast. 

And no, I don't care if other missionaries are taking more pictures than me. They can do whatever their conscience dictates. I am not condemning them in any way, but for them it's a way of life, whereas for me I have to actually actively think: I should take a picture. And I don't think about that because I'm more concerned with: Oh no, that person needs help, or, Look, there's someone who might be ready for this message.

With lots of love,

Elder Streeter

An Elephant or a Bird? (May 23, 2016)

Date

May 23, 2016

An Elephant or a Bird?

Usually I will talk about the week. Usually I will talk about what has been going on, asking questions, answering them, and tell you about stuff that I experience. But I feel prompted to send about what I have been pondering about a lot:

Many people in the world are seeking after happiness. Many people want to find joy in this world, and peace. But they all have different ways of looking for it. But often it seems that this search is manifest in an attempt to become something. 
We often hear that people are trying to make something of themselves, don't we?
So where does happiness truly come from?

The short answer is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But it is not my purpose to go into the myriad ways in which this is true. 

Now let us consider some things.

Several of the scriptures note the idea that happiness will come to those who seek happiness. It will not come in doing iniquity. It will not come if you sell it for the praise of the world. It sounds to me that happiness comes not from wickedness, but from goodness. 

The trend I see in the world today is that happiness is often intended to be found by becoming something. People are constantly trying to become what they aren't, however, and so they are brought to sadness rather than happiness. My mom said it before:

Curly hair wants straight, and straight want curly. 

Redheads want to be blonds, blonds to be brunettes, and brunettes to be redheads.

As my dad would say:

The grass is always greener on the other side. 

We seem to all be the goat’s gruff. We seem to constantly try to become what we aren't. This is a problem. 

If an elephant wants to be a bird, what will that bring him?

Sadness, of course. He will realize it is never possible. He will look at himself in pools and see how different he looks, how ugly, compared to the birds. He will be saddened by his inability to fly, his incapability to sing and twitter and live in the trees. He will be defeated by the fact that he can never be a bird. 

Perhaps his desire will grow. Perhaps he will delude himself into thinking he is a bird, imagining himself flying high above the clouds with his flock. If he becomes crazy enough, he will start climbing on trees...only to have them break. He will start singing, only to have all around flee, and perhaps in his distress and desire will finally jump from a cliff in the belief that he was meant to fly. And thus ends his life, because he never was meant to. 

So much sadness in this world comes from trying to be what we aren't. 

There are those who think they should be the opposite gender.

There are those who think they were meant to be a different color. Filipinos desire white skin and white people all want tans!

There are those who believe that we are meant to be animals, feeding our lusts because they are natural. 

There are those who believe that we aren't even meant to be. 

People try to become rich, popular, famous, movie stars, business leaders, politicians. Admirable pursuits, but none will bring happiness. 

Why? 

Because that isn't, in the vast scheme of things, what we are. Who we are meant to be!

And I watch as people devote all their time and energy to become a different sex, a different race, a different person, accepted by society, approved of the world. And I see that even as they get closer to realizing their goal they find themselves further from lasting happiness. 

Happiness will only come when you are determined to be what you are, and who you are meant to become. 

And that is why the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ is so important and brings happiness. 

For one thing it teaches us where we are from, and where we are going. For another, it tells us how to get there. 

Let’s consider some truths:

WE ARE CHILDREN OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, THE ALMIGHTY GOD, WHO LOVES US MORE THAN WE CAN COMPREHEND.

We did not come from monkeys. If we believe we came from monkeys, we believe we are destined to fulfill our heritage as monkeys: feeding our animal desires, doing as we please, ruling by who has more strength or intelligence.

But if we understand that we are Children of God, then we see what we have within us. We have that divine spark! We have a little bit of him and can become heirs of his kingdom, because a father desires to give to his children what he has. It is not about fulfilling our lusts, but living worthy of our heritage as beings who originated from the most noble of beings. We seek not to rule by brute ability, but by emulating that being which gave us life, of whom we are similar. 

He also loves us, and anyone who says differently denies all that is good and light in the world. He wants us to join him again and will do everything he can to get us there. This is his work, "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." 
The argument that we are born evil is invalid. It says that we are not children of a being who is eternally and perfectly good. It says we should just be bad because we can't help it. "Wickedness never was happiness."

The argument that we cannot be freed from our past mistakes is utter falsehood and foolishness. Forgiveness is always available, because he loves us completely. Never tell yourself it is too late. It is not too late if you are still willing to love God, like he loves you. 

THE BODY AND THE SPIRIT IN COMBINATION ARE THE SOUL. "GENDER IS A PART OF OUR MORTAL AND PRE-MORTAL IDENTITY". 

The body is something to be respected. There are many artists who have striven with all effort to make worthy representations of God and who he is. But the master artist already has. 

"God created man in his own image."

Of course, we don't look exactly like our father in heaven, but our body is the closest representation to him that we have. We should not disrespect it by marking it, by incapacitating it, in mind or body. He has given us bodies and capabilities so that we can use them, not destroy them! Why will we seek to destroy our bodies with harmful substances, destroy our minds with harmful thoughts and ideas? Why will we argue that it would be better to destroy ourselves and others? Because we believe the body and spirit were not meant to be together? If they were not meant to be together, why did God put us in them in the first place?

No, "Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy."

We should not have the false claim that a man was ever meant to be a women, or the other way around. We are sons and daughters of God. Why would he decide that the Gender which he gave you before this life is not what you are meant to be in this life? Why would he be so wishy-washy as to say that the way he created you isn't something you have to be, but you can change at will, because your lusts dictate that you should?

I will say this, the argument is brought up that perhaps that a female spirit is trapped in a male body or the other way around. 

I ask this: Is God going to be so unjust that in the next world he won't fix it?
If it really feels that way, wait for revelation, real revelation, or have the faith and patience to wait for the Resurrection, when all will be made exactly what it was meant to be. 

And if you don't believe in God, why do you believe in spirits being trapped in bodies?

WE CAN BECOME HEIRS WITH GOD, "BE PERFECTED IN CHRIST", AND BECOME LIKE GOD IN THE ETERNITIES.

With such great things in store, why will we stoop to lower levels? Why will we associate with darkness and evil? Why will we throw it away?

Many argue that perfection is not possible. This is only partly true. In this life it is not possible. Therefore, all you who strive to be perfect while still in this life, and beat yourself up because you are not: you do not understand grace. We can be perfected in Christ, in the life to come. We will achieve it, just not yet. 

But I speak also to those who decide not to try because we can't become perfect. We can become perfect in the life to come, but only if we develop a celestial attitude: one in which we continually strive to become better.

Think though, how in the worlds to come, we can become heirs with God! We are nobility, from even before we are born. We are made to rule in our own spheres in the life to come. This is what we were meant to become. 

So when we determine to become politicians, millionaires, or stars, we are not directly sinning, but if we seek to do it for the growth of treasures and praise in this life, we are not considering where we are headed. 

If instead we seek it to build the kingdom of God, which will one day also be ours, then what benefits it provides. If we are nobles in nature, why should we let ourselves be short tempered, uncaring, lustful, lazy, etc.? Why should we not strive to, over time, through effort and help, overcome those unbecoming attributes and instill greater ones in ourselves. And if we are ALL children of God, why should we treat anyone with any less respect than we deserve ourselves? We are all brothers and sisters! "We are all on the same team. We all wear the same jersey!"

So there is my spiel. Sorry to be long and preachy, but I've discovered happiness that lasts, that doesn't come and go like so much in this world. 

I invite you all to consider that you came from God. You should live up to that.

I invite you all to consider that God loves you. You should live up to that.

I invite you all to consider that God wants you to come back to him, and that you can. You should live up to that. 

Develop a relationship with God. Find out what he wants you to become. Seek his approval which will always be forthcoming, and not fickle, like the world. Seek his assurance that you are on the right track by becoming what he expects of you. 
I also invite you all to learn more about the fullness of the Gospel which I testify has been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Whether or not you have heard it or know about it, or even if you have accepted it, I invite you to learn more about it. I invite you to find out more about his plan, about where we came from, why we're here, and where we are going. And I invite you to learn about how we can return to our Father in heaven. I invite you to learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether you are a member of the LDS church or not, you can find out more of this important truth through searching the Book of Mormon with the Bible.
Some scriptures on my topic:

The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to do evil all the day long even so shall he have his reward of evil when the night cometh. (Alma 41:5)

But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure;yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head. (Helaman 13:38)

O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world? (Mormon 8:38)

Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness.Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness. (Alma 41:10)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (Galatians 5:22)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy; (Doctrine and Covenants 11:13)

and also:
Genesis 1:27
Alma 18:32
1 Samuel 16:7
2 Nephi 5:27
2 Nephi 2:25
Doctrine and Covenants 11:13

If you don't have access to some of these scriptures, you can find them on lds.org

Sincerely, with love,

Elder Streeter

A short update of packages and a new area (May 16, 2016)

A short update of packages and a new area

Answering questions:

I got the package. I didn't have to pay anything for it I think. If I did they didn't tell me. It is already opened and being thoroughly enjoyed. Yes, I can work the belt. You know tons of missionaries have that belt here? It's popular. 

I also am enjoying the pipas so much, and the Cola Cao. I've had one cup of it, and it has made my month. Yes, my whole month was made. 

Interviews are never stressful. They are always refreshing, and serve as a course correction and spiritual glasses for the future.

I am enjoying my new area, even though it doesn't like me, and my new companion is a great person and a greater missionary. I'm very happy with it all. 

We are trying to take an area which has been abused for a long time and "resurrect" it, meaning that we are attempting to make it fruitful. I've already begun to see miracles as we talk to 190 people a week. As we follow the rules and invite the spirit with our desire to represent the Lord and his teachings. 

Thanks for the funny. I can still just barely understand why a lot of those are funny. 

We have several investigators we've taught that seem very potential. There are many people, it's sad to say, who feel they have no time, need, or ability to listen to, or accept the message we have. There are many who don't believe in change, or worse, don't want to. But then you find that one:

They want to change, they believe they can. They have time to listen, and even as your heart is filled with gratitude that they gave you 15 minutes to share what you cherish, they then express their gratitude that you did so. That is when the spirit truly enters in, and edifies. 

I may have a baptism coming up. A 15 year old girl named Jancel seems to be ready, and has a testimony. If she gets interviewed this Saturday, I'll let you know. 

I'm seeing things clearer now. I've worked out some things in my life I didn't have straight, and I'm seeing the joy the gospel brings, to me and to others. 

Any news on that dictionary? Did you find it? Is it very expensive? If it is, I don't really need it. But if it isn't, it would be nice to have. 

That's all for now. I'll write more next week. 

sumasainyo,
Elder Streeter

Thoughts After Mother's Day (May 9, 2016)

Thoughts After Mother's Day

May 9…2 days after talking for Mother’s Day…

Yes, I do understand Spanish. As I look at it, I realize I understand everything, very grammatically, almost, except I forgot the "has" conjugations or what exactly, on a textbook level, it means. I'm fine with Cola Cao Turbo, I do understand, it is okay, and you should stop worrying. There's only one problem with my Spanish: though I can still mostly understand, I can simply not speak it anymore. I start trying and all these Tagalog words just get thrown in naturally. Funny. It used to be the other way around. I would speak Tagalog and randomly throw in Spanish. But that's all right. I'll learn after my mission.
I do have a Spanish Book of Mormon. When I feel comfortable with my Tagalog, like, maybe at my one year mark or further than that, I'll probably go ahead and start working out my Spanish, just enough so I have some foundation to jump from when I get home. I don't want to lose it! If for no other reason, it will be immensely helpful in family history. But of course, I also want to be able to order all that really good Spanish food I miss!

It was good to see you guys too. I'm so happy right now. GAHHH! I want to give it all away! Everyone just be happy! All you angry, depressed people, just eat the sweet fruit of the gospel already!!!!!! Hahahah!!!!

Today is voting day here. It's ridiculous, people keep telling us to vote. It sounds like there is a candidate who probably will win, maybe, and he sounds like a Filipino version of Donald Trump. Not a billionaire, but his motto is "tunay na pagbabago" or "real change!" People have all sorts of rumors about him, like he killed people and goes undercover to catch corrupt officials and cops. But there's also a ton of people who support him. His name is Duterte. I don't know much, but I'm not really concerned with politics right now. Except, of course, my own country, since it's a little closer to home. Please be aware for any out there who hold political opinions in the Philippines: I have no political disposition towards or against Duterte or any other candidate. I'm simply speaking what I've heard, which isn't much.

Hahaha...yeah, that was fun. 

Anyways, what else? Oh yes, what I want. I just remembered:

There is a stellar Tagalog-English textbook out there. IF it's not a burden, because I really should not be any burden on you while I'm here, so IF it's not a burden, I would love it. 

You can get it on amazon, it should say:
[center aligned, small font]
Hippocrene Standard Dictionary
The Philippine National Language
[center aligned, large font]
Tagalog-English
English-Tagalog
(Pilipino)
Dictionary
[then it is right aligned, small font]
Revised and
Expanded Edition
[then center again, small font]
Carl R. Galvez Rubino

---We have gotten this for him---

It has a picture of a very green countryside, with a small trail and village, very hilly. 
Only if it isn't difficult. If it ends up being very expensive, huwag na lang. 
tapos...

I don't have much more to say, one of the Filipinos in my district has been using me as a living dictionary so he can email president in English. But I do want to say about people being softer with the gospel:
I've come to learn softness, as we speak of it, is a matter of humility. 

If I am humble, I am soft, if I am soft, I am changeable. It means I will listen sincerely to every voice which suggests to me. I will honestly consider, and if it truly has more benefits than drawbacks, I will try. It means that I will open myself, and not retaliate to attempts, however sharp, harsh, or unfeeling they may be, to correct or assist us.

It means I will think no evil, but rather have charity.

It is true that the gospel itself teaches us humility. We should be willing to listen, and seriously consider what is offered us. We should never, ever, seek contention. That is not humility. But it is possible to defend your beliefs with humility. It is difficult though, because often in a confrontation of sorts we feel ourselves attacked, and then it becomes a battle of pride. No, simply avoid it. 

The thing is that the gospel does, in a sense, help people become softer, but at the same time, as is in the parable of the sower, the real softening must come before the gospel. Otherwise it falls on hard ground, or dead ears, and perishes. So in truth, that is why pride is such a sin, such a root to evils. Yes, it does lead to almost all other sins, but also, it is the prime reason that people do not accept the gospel. It is the biggest stumbling block, and the tallest mountain. And anything which would tear down the salvation of souls, anything which hinders the happiness of God's children, is in the same category as the evil one himself. 

So...

I guess what I'm saying is one of the noblest desires out there is that the gospel be in another's life. But at the same time, being softer is less often a result of the gospel and more often than not, it must be a result of the person themselves. The spirit can come UNTO the hearts of men. It cannot force its way INTO the heart. That is for each of us to do. Open yourself. 

It is sometimes said that the Lord will break your heart so he can build it the way it was intended. But often that is not his course. More often he will wait for you to make the conscious decision to break down your pride, your fear, and your cynicism, and then will help you put everything back together again, but this time in a way that will make you happy.

And to mama specifically:

DON'T LET IT DRAIN YOU! Think what a blessed privilege you have! You are the only one who knows the truth, you are the one with the opportunity to share, little by little, that knowledge with them. You said I have a cheery atmosphere. That is because there is a source of energy you can draw from, a source much greater than your own reserves. You need to use it to BE HAPPY. If nothing else THAT will stand out in this world. As people become sadder, more worried, more depressed, more angry, you must become more joyous, more peaceful, more cheery, more UNSINKABLE! Then you will stand out; then they will wonder: Why? How? The world is falling apart and she has peace...

Of course, treat things of importance with gravity, and do not make a mockery of that which is sad. But, if at the end of trials, you can find yourself still smiling, you know you've unlocked a great and amazing part of this gospel: the fact that, in the end, all that is unfair will be made fair.

All that will, in the end, pass away.
All in the end will be made right.
All that is wrong will be conquered. 
If we have patience, our reward will be great in heaven. 
I'm not sure if I'm clear, but basically, develop greater spiritual energy. Determine what it is that drains you and either build up stamina, or avoid it.

With love, 

Elder Streeter

Drinking and Babbling (May 2, 2016)

Drinking and Babbling

Anyways.  

Another interesting week. 

I have been OYMing more this week, and had some interesting experiences. 
It seems that I have run into someone who decided to try to get me to drink. 
I think they knew full well that we don't. I think they knew full well that we wouldn't. 
But they came over and just said: "If you want to promulgate your faith here, you must learn to adapt to the culture. As an ancient Chinese proverb says, 'to be one with a people, be one with what they do,' so you should just have a little shot. A little can't hurt." 

"No, brother, we don't drink."
"It's only a little bit! Come on, just let me pour you some."
"No, brother, we don't drink!"
"How can you expect to know us? Come now, it's just a shot."
"No, we were just passing by, we are on our way somewhere. We don't drink."
"Are you sure, it's only a little bit?"
"Yes, it's fine."
And we left. 

The whole time he was taking action to move a cup in front of me and to almost pour into the cup. He kind of came out of nowhere, too. We were talking to someone different, and he just comes, interrupts, and doesn't listen to everyone around him telling him we don't drink. 

But that's all right. If he was just trying to get us to leave, then perhaps that was the best way in his mind to do it. 

Or maybe he actually thought he was being kind and friendly. 
Either way, it did kind of shake me. I haven't faced this kind of stuff yet. 
I also got "Bible bashed" of a sort again. But it wasn't so heated or sharp or belittling as the last one. Turned out we OYMed someone who believed we have it wrong. He started by asking: "What is the true name of God!?" 
He proved to us, using his methods and scriptures and knowledge that it must be Jehovah, and that we believe wrong when we say Mormon was a prophet, and that eternal life, or salvation, will not be in heaven but instead on earth (which I thought was funny because it is half true and half not).
But what I thought was interesting was the fact that, in response to his question of the name of God, we first determined that he was speaking of God the Father, not Jesus Christ, and then we actually were willing, but with reverence, to give him the answer. What was amazing to me is it blew him away. He heard the answer we gave him and it seemed as though his whole world stopped for a few minutes, as though he was stumped in his process and goal. And then it wore off and he somehow put it to the side to continue to tell us how and why we were wrong. But it just seemed interesting to me, as though the name actually held some sort of power. 

Which wouldn't surprise me.

Either way, I also OYMed a crazy guy. He wanted to write stuff on my arm, the weird stuff he was just babbling, but I gave him paper instead. It's utter nonsense. All he would do is mutter and throw out random English words. 

"...sld.skfjl.s..sdlk.s......Gravity warrant...skjfls.kjslf.asldf.....Sir Robert John Roderick...ajsldfjk.sjfla..ajsld.f.jl..Jesus is LoveSex..sljdalf....aksj.ja.ksjdlf.a...a....Integrityas...asdkf........asdkjljfa... matrix......divinity truth, ...a.skd...skjfd. frame..a.skdj..a.sdj copeland"

Sort of like that. 

But it just went…
And went…
And went…
We eventually got him to stop so we could move on. 
But it was fun.

We also got some interesting fruit. There was a twin banana and a triplet banana. I was going to take pictures to send you, ‘cause it was crazy, but some hungry poor children ended up coming first. 

Anyways, sorry, out of time. 

A Week of Firsts (April 25, 2016)

A Week of Firsts

All right. So firsts:

First transfer! I am now in Pasay 5A, which is Pasay Stake 5th Ward Missionary area A. Not too ridiculous.



You are right, Pasay is huge! I'm not exactly sure, but we are pretty close to Baclaran. We go to church on Donada Street. Pasay 5th ward is pretty new, it's only a few years old now. Most people are converts in the ward. But it's all cool.

It seems, however, baptisms have been a long time nonexistent. But we'll fix that, according to my companion.
He is named Elder Jones. There are two in the mission. He is the one who goes home in 4 months and is American. But he isn't trunky. Still gets smacked in the face with the fact that he's close to dead. (“Close to dead” refers to the idea that a missionary’s time has been completed.)

First time shaking a Filipino politician's hand. Or 8 of them. Yes, here in the Philippines, elections get pretty crazy. In order to make more of a mark, candidates will go around the town shaking hands with anyone they can, in order to show they are a people person and make more of an impression.

So now I've shaken 8 hands of people who hope to lead the Philippines soon. They all were very surprised when they found out we knew Tagalog.

There are posters absolutely everywhere. Not just that, but we have theme songs for every candidate, and they are blasted from vehicles that just drive around. All day. All morning, all during studies, all afternoon, during lessons. Constant. But it's fun.

I also got Bible bashed for the first time. That wasn't too comfortable.

But we really could have done nothing. The man was an expert debater. He was so good, he proved to us that we were wrong that he was debating when we told him we'd rather not. Using his excellent knowledge and language he proved that we were wrong and that it wasn't a debate. Then continued to tell us how we named our church wrong, how we must base all faith on the Bible only, how our prophet cannot be because there are no more prophets, how our church is not international the way the true church is, and how we only think we know these things. When we told him we knew because we had asked God, he was astounded. "How did you ask him?" he said "Did you see him? And even if you said a question, how can you get an answer?" He asked them rhetorically of course. It brings to mind how it says in the scriptures: Woe unto them who deny the power of the Holy Ghost, who say there is no more revelation, and God doesn't speak to man.

I mostly remained silent. I wasn't sure how to respond. Trying to prove my point back would have been futile, and testimony would simply be twisted and profaned. He was certainly an expert at gratifying pride. Somehow, he always proved that we were wrong, no matter what we said. He would jump from one topic to another, and take our words out of context to use them against us. He chastised my poor companion, because my companion has been on a mission 20 months and couldn't pull the exact scripture that the guy was thinking of out of a hat. At first, he told us we need to study the Bible (which we do, we just don't memorize every scripture, nor the one he was thinking of) and then at the end, told us we need to search on the internet for the leader of Church of God International, or Dating Daan.

I'm not sure how I feel about the whole thing, but it definitely made me sad. I don't know why he was so hostile.

Oh well.

Time to go.

With Love,

Elder Streeter

General Conference (April 11, 2016)

General Conference

My week, and what it has been, is summed up in two words:

General Conference. 

It was amazing.

It was inspired.

It had messages for all. 

I invite any and all to listen to as much of it as they can.

I invite any and all to open their hearts beforehand, with a fervent prayer to gain from it and a desire to be enlightened. 

I invite you to consider the age that guarantees wisdom of those who spoke before you discount their words on the basis that they are of a different faith. 

I invite my family to send me some of the best quotes they find. I guarantee they are there. There's so many. There is so much to be gained. 

I say to all who read this that the best feeling in the world is without doubt the Holy Ghost and its influence. I beg that you will seek it earnestly, and be open to it. 

If you would listen to very little, then here are some suggestions (each is found at https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04?cid=HP_SU_3-4-2016_dPFD_fGC_xLIDyL1-B_&lang=eng ):

Where Two or Three are Gathered by Henry B. Eyring

The Greatest Leaders are the Greatest Followers by Stephen W. Owen

The Sacred Place of Restoration by Jairo Mazzagardi

A Child's Guiding Gift by Mary R. Durham

Choices by Thomas S. Monson

Fathers by D. Todd Christofferson

He Will Place You on His Shoulders and Carry You Home by Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Refuge from the Storm by Patrick Kearon

And There Shall Be No More Death by Paul V. Johnson

and 

Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders Among You by Jeffrey R. Holland

Only 10 suggestions out of the 37 messages. 

If you find your interest piqued by any of those titles, please go to lds.org and search them. 

I will share my favorite quotes:

"Now numbering more than one or two, a multitude of His disciples are gathered in this conference, and as promised, the Lord is in our midst."

"Those who are saddened by the loss of the joy they once had are the blessed ones. Some do not see the withering of faith within themselves. Satan is clever. He tells those he wishes to be miserable that the joy they once felt was childish self-delusion."

"He has taught us that we can forgive! Even though we may be a victim once, we need not be a victim twice by carrying the burden of hate, bitterness, pain, resentment, or even revenge. We can forgive, and we can be free!"

"I fear that too many have sadly surrendered their agency to the adversary and are saying by their conduct, “I care more about satisfying my own desires than I do about bearing the Savior’s power to bless others.”"

"Only a man who has paid the price for priesthood power will be able to bring miracles to those he loves and keep his marriage and family safe, now and throughout eternity."

"The role of father is of divine origin, beginning with a Father in Heaven and, in this mortal sphere, with Father Adam."

"Surely, I thought, if man can take the ruins, rubble, and remains of a broken city and rebuild an awe-inspiring structure that rises toward the heavens, how much more capable is our Almighty Father to restore His children who have fallen, struggled, or become lost?"

"But the Holy Ghost is different from the Light of Christ. He is the third member of the Godhead, a distinct personage of spirit with sacred responsibilities, and one in purpose with the Father and the Son."

"Only the adversary, the enemy of us all, would try to convince us that the ideals outlined in general conference are depressing and unrealistic, that people don’t really improve, that no one really progresses. And why does Lucifer give that speech? Because he knows he can’t improve, he can’t progress, that worlds without end he will never have a bright tomorrow. He is a miserable man bound by eternal limitations, and he wants you to be miserable too. Well, don’t fall for that. With the gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the strength of heaven to help us, we can improve, and the great thing about the gospel is we get credit for trying, even if we don’t always succeed."

And the two most important:

"But perhaps there is a different metaphor that can explain why we obey the commandments of God. Maybe obedience is not so much the process of bending, twisting, and pounding our souls into something we are not. Instead, it is the process by which we discover what we truly are made of."

And of course:

"May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong."

My love to all those who read this, especially my family,

Elder Streeter

When I become a Dad (April 4, 2016)

When I become a Dad

I received packages finally. I don't know why they took so long but I can make guesses. They had a Book, some music, The poem, Oreos, SUNFLOWER SEEDS, and my camera. My camera has no batteries, however, so no pictures yet. 

If I transfer it could happen any time in the next 3 weeks, it turns out. If it doesn't happen this week, it won't happen next week, and will the week after that. 

Where I'm going no one knows. 

I'm excited to hear about Grandma. I hope you guys have fun with her. 

I also noticed something. All the stuff that I learn about as a missionary could be applied to parents. In essence, parents are the missionaries to their children. I try to teach people that God loves them; parents teach their children God loves them. I try to teach people to love Christ; parents try to teach their children to love Christ. I try to teach people that that love for Christ, and faith in his power, fear of his judgment, but hope in his mercy, should spur to action, should be the driving force for us to do things, for him. And I try to teach them that, most important, there is no separation of Church and God. This is Christ's church, and none else. If the church asks our investigators, less-actives, and recent converts to act, to do something, to fulfill a responsibility, to repent, to follow the commandments—if the church asks, it is the same as God asking. And parents try to teach their kids the same things. 
I think I may hold onto PMG (Preach My Gospel) after my mission. It may help me when I become a dad. 

From,
Elder Streeter

*Here are a few pictures his companion sent:

A Rat and a Baptism (March 28, 2016)

A Rat and a Baptism

Package, nothing, although I can't possibly have information until I go up there (to the mission home) or someone else does. This means that I will get news, or lack of it, on Thursday, when we have our zone conference. However, I had been under the impression that you were going to call the office to confirm the details concerning the address and the change which may or may not have happened.

Baptisms, yes. 
Sister Maria Teresa Guzman has entered the waters of baptism and become a member of the church. I participated in the confirmation the following day. Not as the one doing it, but one of those lending authority. As a result, she seems happy, and I have had my first baptism of the mission. It is without doubt that I am happy. 

This is specifically for Mama: She would like you to try to friend her on Facebook. 
Give it a try. You may find you have more in common than you expect. If for no other reason, do so such that after my mission, when I decide to make a Facebook account, which I have already resolved upon, I can add her and keep contact. 
Back to speaking to everyone:

Extraordinary experiences? Other than a baptism?

Just that I stepped on a rat by accident. You know, one of those rats as big a hamburger. Yeah, that was a frightening experience, though not dangerous in the slightest. 
We also bought mussels from the market. Probably the shiftiest thing we've done. But it turned out to be tasty and I'm not sick yet, sooooo....

My companion does have a camera, I'll see if he can send some stuff, since he's not allowed to email me...

No security change, but you don't know how hard every terrorist attack hits me. Something about me just...
I don't know, but I'm certainly affected.

Don't need anything, except to find out about my package. That being said, I have found out about the opportunity to get carvings called temple plates, and yes, they are pretty wicked looking. If you would like one, let me know. They are 2800 peso each, I believe, and the artist will do it on any temple. It is a pop out kind of thing, not a full 3d temple, but the kind where you take a single plane and make everything as it would be if it were 3d. I don't know how to explain, but it's cool.


Weather is...
HOT
Very
And now, though it's still humid, it's dry. As in, no rain...
So I've gotten sunburned for the first time. 
But that's all right. 
Companions are still the same. They are doing fine. Elder Eteaki hates being district leader, but I have it on good faith that everyone who loves being a missionary finds being a district leader to be hard. Elder Calixto continues to be a fun loving Filipino with nearly a mission worth of experience. 
Transfers, which will likely occur to me, will be happening the second Wednesday of April, because this particular transfer was long. 
I will very likely transfer, because (1) I'm in a threesome, which is never meant to be a permanent situation, and (2) I will have been in this area for 6 months now. 
That being said, anything, and I mean anything, could happen.

Just ‘cause I'd like to share one of my spiritual insights, here you go:

That being said, the time I have spent not working, I do not feel I wasted. I have devoured Jesus the Christ (by Talmage) over the last week, and spiritual doors and revelation have opened beyond belief. I have been immensely strengthened by my increasing understanding of The Son of The Father. One particular revelation has stuck out in amazing contrast. A vital error has been corrected in my mind.

How easy it is to choose the right.
Now I do not say this to disparage all those who struggle with temptation, addictions, old habits, and so forth. I know that struggles are very real, and have had some myself.
But I realized in my studies this week a vital deception, a perilous error in my thoughts.

I had always felt quite fully, that choosing the wrong was the easier way. Otherwise, as my mind put it, so many more people would choose the right. Choosing the right requires action, whereas choosing the wrong is as easy as simply deciding not to act. Not to leave a sinful situation, not to get up in the morning, not to OYM that person. 

When we think about how much choosing the right is termed as progression, and life is like a slippery slope, we think about how simply not working is a sinful act. How not trying is a sin. Deciding not to observe all rules with exactitude, by being more comfortable, and requiring little effort, simply seems easier. 

Now of course, we've all heard the rebukes made before: in the end it's the harder way. Serving two masters leads to disgust in one or the other, and being burnt out on top of it. Choosing the right brings blessings which make it easier, etc. etc. 

But even in the scriptures it says that the curse that came upon man was that by the sweat of his brow would he eat bread. 
Hard work is called hard work for a reason, right?

But I learned recently that this is the central lie: Giving in to sin is easier than choosing the right.

And why is that a deception? What clever truth is being hidden by it?

By logic we determine that my statement that “bad is easier than good” is a lie, means I claim that it is not. But why would I say that?

Because it denies a very important truth, and one that pervades an understanding of all doctrine:
God loves us. 

To say that sinning is the easy way, is to say that Satan fights harder to obtain our misery than God fights to obtain our happiness, and that would be in direct opposition to eternal truth. 

I have yet to understand how this can be true while it still feels and seems easier to choose the wrong, but it has given me strength. God loves us, and by this we know that he has to fight at least as hard as Satan, if not harder.




From,
Elder Streeter