Follow the Prophet

Hey! 

Another great week here in Tacna! Hno Miguel was baptized! SO CUTE! We are so happy for him! He and his family have made some serious changes- Their little 6 year old girl had what we call real repentance. Every time we came she normally spent the lesson pulling our hair or pulling things out of our backpacks or "playing" with the scriptures... but this last week when we came to visit she would reverently pull out her scriptures, sit at our side and wait for the lesson to start. During the baptism I looked over at her, trying to read the hymn book and quietly mouthing the words. Oh my heart. 

This week I have been pondering a lot about the past general conference now that we are almost in October. A question came into my head- How have I responded to the prophets call? Since his talk in April, I have been trying to more earnestly seek personal revelation, specifically with writing down the promptings I receive as I pray, but last change things got pretty busy. One night rushing to get to bed, I quickly said a prayed and jumped in bed... the next night, similar experience and I completely lost the habit. And I found this in my personal study:

 Jacob 6:5 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts.

6 Yea, today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts; for why will ye die?

7 For behold, after ye have been nourished by the good word of God all the day long, will ye bring forth evil fruit, that ye must be hewn down and cast into the fire?

8 Behold, will ye reject these words? Will ye reject the words of the prophets; and will ye reject all the words which have been spoken concerning Christ, after so many have spoken concerning him; and deny the good word of Christ, and the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit, and make a mock of the great plan of redemption, which hath been laid for you?

Do we listen to conference with  full purpose of heart", with the intention to repent, or in other words make changes? General conference talks are not the same as TED talks. It is not meant to just be an edifying experience, where we feel good- wow I learned something new- and the next day act the same way.  As I personally pondered my efforts. I was impressed by the meekness and instant application of Pres. Nelson and Elder Eyring on how they responded to the prophets call:

In general conference six months ago, President Russell M. Nelson described his response to President Thomas S. Monson’s invitation to study, ponder, and apply the truths contained in the Book of Mormon. He said: “I have tried to follow his counsel. Among other things, I’ve made lists of what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, what it fulfills, what it clarifies, and what it reveals. Looking at the Book of Mormon through these lenses has been an insightful and inspiring exercise! I recommend it to each of you.”10

President Henry B. Eyring likewise emphasized the importance in his life of President Monson’s request. He observed:

“I have read the Book of Mormon every day for more than 50 years. So perhaps I could have reasonably thought that President Monson’s words were for someone else. Yet, like many of you, I felt the prophet’s encouragement and his promise invite me to make a greater effort. …

I hope to go into this next conference with a different perspective. What is he asking me to do? and What impedes me from following the counsel of the prophets? 

20 And now, my brethren, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err. And as the Lord God liveth that brought Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and gave unto Moses power that he should heal the nations after they had been bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes unto the serpent which he did raise up before them, and also gave him power that he should smite the rock and the water should come forth; yea, behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved. 

The Pres. Nelson is speaking very clearly. He outlined every step to follow, and yet sometimes for the easiness of the way... I stopped. It was easy to say yes to the prophet leaving my home for Peru, but pulling out a notebook when I was tired at night... for some reason I found hard. But I am excited to start again, and learn more from the prophet this conf! Love you all!

*THere were two photos from this week that mom couldnt get to upload on to this page