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First, I would like to recognize this day that we have to celebrate. I consider myself extremely blessed--I feel more than I deserve. In the mission I have enjoyed all the learning that takes place, the things that I get to share with people and the things that I get to learn. One of the things I've learned a lot about is the nature of God and the relationship that we, as imperfect as we are, can have with Him. This knowledge that I have been able to receive has been through scripture study and application, true. But, a verse in 2 Nephi 32 grabs my attention, when it says the scriptures, (written through the Holy Ghost) will TELL you all things that you should do, and 2 verses later, the Holy Ghost will SHOW you all things that you should do. So there I am thinking, well I've never seen visions or dreams of the Holy Ghost telling me what to do. I tied it to a verse that is found one chapter before in chapter 31 that is the words of Christ saying "do all those things which you have SEEN me do." Well again, I've never seen Christ do anything. But, I realized that the Spirit always testifies of Christ. When we hear or read something through the Spirit, it is as if Christ wrote or said it. And then I realized, that can also apply to sight. When I see things: Examples, people's actions of charity, love, patience, diligence, kindness, and the Spirit testifies to my heart of those actions, I AM SEEING A REPRESENTATIVE OF CHRIST do those things. And He did only the things His Father had shown Him or told Him to do. Then I was sitting and thinking, "Who have I seen as this example to follow? Have I seen Christ through the actions of someone else?"
With the flash of illumination to my mind, I saw the loving, warm, and familiar smile and face of my dear earthly father, KT Yocum. I would like to thank him for his example and diligence, which I have observed my whole life. And as a consequence, it led me to a better understanding of my relationship with my eternal and Heavenly Father.
Dad, thank you. For all you have done, all you do, and all you have left to do. Thank you for representing HIM, and bringing me closer to Him. Happy Fathers day! Thank you for your diligence, hard work, love, prayers, worries, and light you bring to my life. I love you, and miss you, and hope to make you proud.
This week was awesome, we got to go to Asuncion this week for Elder C's verification and got to see all the other trainers and trainees. Good stories and good times.
It made work a little hard. We had basically half a week to work because going to Asuncion basically took 3 days out of our week, thanks to how far away we are. But it was fun, and it didn't stop us from finding miracles.
Two things I really want to focus on this week and talk about. One is LA (I don't care how tired you are about hearing about this guy capo ite).
It was 2:35 on Sunday. We were in our house/chapel with President waiting for L to have his interview to receive the priesthood. I was nervous. We told him to be here at 2:30 and it was weird because usually this guy is an hour early to everything, "just to be safe." His cell phone broke so there was no way to contact him.
There were weird vibes in Yobai this day. Two people died on Saturday, both due to alcohol poison, and in a small city like Yobai, everyone knew and for a lot of people it was family. Around 2:40, L pulls up on the little red bike he uses to get around. He comes into the house, and after a warm hug he tells me this story. He said that one of the people who died was his cousin, and the other his nephew. The funerals were today and there was a lot of people in the streets doing what they do in South America for funerals. He told us he had thought to let us know that he wouldn't be able to come to church today and so started biking around to find us or President. After a time without success, he thought about what he should do. He knew he was planning on getting the priesthood today (something he has been very excited for) and said he thought about the apostle Paul, then Nephi, and then Joseph Smith. He though of their trials and the things Satan tried to put in their way to slow down their spiritual progress. He said a scripture came to his mind that is found in the New Testament: Let the dead bury their dead, come and follow me. "I decided to come to church," he told me.
I was able to confer upon him the Aaronic Priesthood and that same Sunday, watch him pass the sacrament in the while shirt and tie I had given him the week before. He then bore powerful testimony of the priesthood, how humbled he was to work with it, and the dedication and relationship with God he hopes to grow and develop. The lesson we had after with him about temples--and that through priesthood power, can help those who died without this knowledge meant a whole lot more to him, I think.
It has been incredible seeing the spirit work within him.
The other thing I would like to talk about is the light and darkness I've seen exist in the world. The love that I have developed for the light has made me realize a truth that I would like all people who can say they at some time have seen the light of Christ and the goodness of God, and those who want to increase their light to think upon.
It is not enough to just have this light. It is not enough to only receive that light. It is not enough to live the gospel for yourself, especially in this day and at this time.
I realize now that Christ's line of "ye are the light of the world," did not come by way of a comforting line or something for us to enjoy and think about. It came by way of commandment.
The world is a dark place. Many sit in darkness, many are in pain, many are alone, and many, many people see darkness in themselves, because they have not allowed light into their lives. But where is their hope? Read the Bible dictionary definition of "faith". This hope has to come from those who have the light, and testify and share it.
The work of Satan is to darken the world. He works at it every day, and all he needs is for good people who have that light, to sit by and do nothing. It is not enough to sit and enjoy the light and do nothing. Ye are the light of the world, and by way of commandment are told to let that light shine and share it with our brothers and sisters, wherever they may be.
When we do this, our joy is really, and truly "full"
Be bold, be strong, and be a bearer of the light.
I love you all! I´m grateful for your light and love, and prayers.
With all my love in return,
Elder Parker John Yocum
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