The year of the mission- SSDD January 1, 2018 Week # 23
Christmas was great we woke up at 430 and went and surprised the other Elders. We opened presents and such, Elder Krummenacher and I made a super huge breakfast that was fantastic, and we hung out for a bit. Then we Skyped with the fams later that night which was weird but cool to see that everyone really is alive haha.
This past week has gone by soooo fast, but we've done a ton of stuff. We're teaching a group of five friends, Samuel is one of them, and this week we are extending baptismal dates for the three who don't have one. We really just grinding this past week in lessons, contacting and finding less actives. But I had the opportunity to confirm Roman a member of the church, which was so cool. The spirit was so strong (after I got over the nervousness) and he was the happiest I've ever seen him. He has a super strong testimony, and will go on to be an amazing member in the church.
This past week we had the opportunity to help our investigator Rafael realize the difference in between Pleasure and Happiness while teaching the Word of Wisdom. It took a little bit before he realized it but we asked him if he wanted true happiness or just momentary pleasure... and he answered. He wanted happiness and so he committed to follow the Word of Wisdom! While doing this and studying I had a couple thoughts come to mind.
The mission changes you, before you even realize it. It changes your way of thinking, it forces you to better every aspect of your life as you strive to embody characteristics of Jesus Christ. In this new world you begin to realize things, your perspective opens to new aspects and closes to some, and your views change as you begin to learn more, understand more, and become more. In the mission field it's really helped me to start anew molding the person I want to be, whereas before I was content with who I was, and its really showed me that the principles of the gospel are unchanging and definitely are the best way. It just took a little experimenting before I realized it. I read this from Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage and nothing has ever made it more clear to me the difference;
Pleasure Versus Happiness.—“The present is an age of pleasure-seeking, and men are losing their sanity in the mad rush for sensations that do but excite and disappoint. In this day of counterfeits, adulterations, and base imitations, the devil is busier than he has ever been in the course of human history, in the manufacture of pleasures, both old and new; and these he offers for sale in most attractive fashion, falsely labeled, Happiness. In this soul-destroying craft he is without a peer; he has had centuries of experience and practice, and by his skill he controls the market. He has learned the tricks of the trade, and knows well how to catch the eye and arouse the desire of his customers. He puts up the stuff in bright-colored packages, tied with tinsel string and tassel; and crowds flock to his bargain counters, hustling and crushing one another in their frenzy to buy.
“Follow one of the purchasers as he goes off gloatingly with his gaudy packet, and watch him as he opens it. What finds he inside the gilded wrapping? He has expected fragrant happiness, but uncovers only an inferior brand of pleasure, the stench of which is nauseating.
“Happiness includes all that is really desirable and of true worth in pleasure, and much besides. Happiness is genuine gold, pleasure but guilded brass, which corrodes in the hand, and is soon converted into poisonous verdigris. Happiness is as the genuine diamond, which, rough or polished, shines with its own inimitable luster; pleasure is as the paste imitation that glows only when artificially embellished. Happiness is as the ruby, red as the heart’s blood, hard and enduring; pleasure, as stained glass, soft, brittle, and of but transitory beauty.
“Happiness is true food, wholesome, nutritious and sweet; it builds up the body and generates energy for action, physical, mental and spiritual; pleasure is but a deceiving stimulant which, like spiritous drink, makes one think he is strong when in reality enfeebled; makes him fancy he is well when in fact stricken with deadly malady.
“Happiness leaves no bad after-taste, it is followed by no depressing reaction; it calls for no repentance, brings no regret, entails no remorse; pleasure too often makes necessary repentance, contrition, and suffering; and, if indulged to the extreme, it brings degradation and destruction.
“True happiness is lived over and over again in memory, always with a renewal of the original good; a moment of unholy pleasure may leave a barbed sting, which, like a thorn in the flesh, is an ever-present source of anguish.
“Happiness is not akin with levity, nor is it one with light-minded mirth. It springs from the deeper fountains of the soul, and is not infrequently accompanied by tears. Have you never been so happy that you have had to weep? I have.”—From an article by the author, Improvement Era, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 172, 173. (J. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, Pg. 247-248).
I bear my testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, of Jesus the Christ, our living Savior who understands us, and of the Restored Gospel. I know at times it's hard to stay focused on our real purpose on this earth, but I know that there isn't anything more important. Keep God the Father and His son Jesus Christ in your minds, and hearts, and try your best to have a relation with them through prayer. Don't be discouraged, when an answer doesnt come immediately THESE THINGS TAKE TIME TO UNDERSTAND JUST KEEP TRYING. I share these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
As we roll in the new year I hope we can all focus on rolling into it as a new person, or at least with a refreshed desire to improve. Let's focus on finding the true happiness over a temporary pleasure and watch the way it changes us, and the quality of our life!
Pleasure Versus Happiness.—“The present is an age of pleasure-seeking, and men are losing their sanity in the mad rush for sensations that do but excite and disappoint. In this day of counterfeits, adulterations, and base imitations, the devil is busier than he has ever been in the course of human history, in the manufacture of pleasures, both old and new; and these he offers for sale in most attractive fashion, falsely labeled, Happiness. In this soul-destroying craft he is without a peer; he has had centuries of experience and practice, and by his skill he controls the market. He has learned the tricks of the trade, and knows well how to catch the eye and arouse the desire of his customers. He puts up the stuff in bright-colored packages, tied with tinsel string and tassel; and crowds flock to his bargain counters, hustling and crushing one another in their frenzy to buy.
“Follow one of the purchasers as he goes off gloatingly with his gaudy packet, and watch him as he opens it. What finds he inside the gilded wrapping? He has expected fragrant happiness, but uncovers only an inferior brand of pleasure, the stench of which is nauseating.
“Happiness includes all that is really desirable and of true worth in pleasure, and much besides. Happiness is genuine gold, pleasure but guilded brass, which corrodes in the hand, and is soon converted into poisonous verdigris. Happiness is as the genuine diamond, which, rough or polished, shines with its own inimitable luster; pleasure is as the paste imitation that glows only when artificially embellished. Happiness is as the ruby, red as the heart’s blood, hard and enduring; pleasure, as stained glass, soft, brittle, and of but transitory beauty.
“Happiness is true food, wholesome, nutritious and sweet; it builds up the body and generates energy for action, physical, mental and spiritual; pleasure is but a deceiving stimulant which, like spiritous drink, makes one think he is strong when in reality enfeebled; makes him fancy he is well when in fact stricken with deadly malady.
“Happiness leaves no bad after-taste, it is followed by no depressing reaction; it calls for no repentance, brings no regret, entails no remorse; pleasure too often makes necessary repentance, contrition, and suffering; and, if indulged to the extreme, it brings degradation and destruction.
“True happiness is lived over and over again in memory, always with a renewal of the original good; a moment of unholy pleasure may leave a barbed sting, which, like a thorn in the flesh, is an ever-present source of anguish.
“Happiness is not akin with levity, nor is it one with light-minded mirth. It springs from the deeper fountains of the soul, and is not infrequently accompanied by tears. Have you never been so happy that you have had to weep? I have.”—From an article by the author, Improvement Era, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 172, 173. (J. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, Pg. 247-248).
I bear my testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, of Jesus the Christ, our living Savior who understands us, and of the Restored Gospel. I know at times it's hard to stay focused on our real purpose on this earth, but I know that there isn't anything more important. Keep God the Father and His son Jesus Christ in your minds, and hearts, and try your best to have a relation with them through prayer. Don't be discouraged, when an answer doesnt come immediately THESE THINGS TAKE TIME TO UNDERSTAND JUST KEEP TRYING. I share these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
As we roll in the new year I hope we can all focus on rolling into it as a new person, or at least with a refreshed desire to improve. Let's focus on finding the true happiness over a temporary pleasure and watch the way it changes us, and the quality of our life!
I love all of you and hope you continue to be thankful for all of the very many blessings we have.
Today we took a little hike and here's what happened lol
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| Elder Battys district New Years Day hike |
Elder Tyler Layne Batty
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