Greetings!
My apologies, this email has been delayed for quite some time. My mind has been consumed with the daily rigors of missionary work. The recent happenings of my life have been unpleasant, but I have learned lessons I shall not forget.
About two weeks ago I was admitted to the hospital on account of illness received from intense heat, lack of water, and a good amount of stress. The work has not been progressing very well and the investigators we did have seemed to slip through our fingers despite our best efforts. In reaction to the lack of success, I thought, "Well... it's because I'm just not working hard enough." I began to work harder than I had before and went to unhealthy lengths to try and help our area progress. Alas, nothing happened. I began to doubt myself, my ability to speak the language, and the ability to help others feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. I became angry. I worked harder and yet less efficient until I eventually ended up in the hospital. After being released from the hospital I had blamed myself for not being strong enough to overcome the trials in which I had been given. As trials began to heap themselves upon me I began to slowly give up. I slowly convinced myself that God had given up on me. I felt desperately and utterly alone.
This act of selfishness heavily affected the work. As I looked inward instead of outward it presented itself in my lack of ability to do the most basic of tasks. I had forgotten my purpose in coming to the mission. It had never been about baptisms or miracles, People coming to church or investigators reading the Book of Mormon. My mission was about inviting others to come unto Christ. I forgot the whole point of it all. Its not about meetings, activities on a Wednesday night, numbers and statistics, or even baptisms. It was about Christ. That he died for our sakes, rose on the third day, and ascended into heaven. That he is waiting for you. I did not come to the Philippines to convince people to join my religion. I came to tell them that there was hope, that there is light beyond the vail, and to invite them to act on it. To invite them to draw near to the Savior through covenants. If so, amazing. If not, that’s ok too. Christ wants all of his children to feel his love, especially those who don't want it. If I can't baptize anyone but I can make a few people draw even a inch closer unto the Savior, then I have accomplished my purpose.
I had forgotten that it is not in our strength that allows us to overcome our trials but in the strength of the Lord. It was in the strength of the Lord that Moses parted the red sea, that Stephen preached against the Pharisees in the Sanhedrin. I, however, want to focus on the story of Elisha. The king of Syria, desiring to beset him, sent an army of men upon Elisha and his servant. His servant, probably being no older than a deacon or priest said
"Alas, my master! how shall we do?" (2 Kings 6: 15)
Encompassed on all sides of the city by the great hosts of their adversaries, this young man felt fear. He felt enticed by Satan to doubt the Lord his God. The prophet Elisha, however, did not feel as intimidated. He knew where he had placed his trust, and it was not a foundation that could be shaken. Elisha's response to the youth was simple and profound,
"16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."
They that be with us? They were just a boy and a old man, and not necessarily fighters at that. Yet, Elisha knew that it was not just them on that battlefront. He knew that God does not suffer His children to face their trials alone. As Elisha prayed, the young man's eyes were opened and he saw,
"Behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha"
In our lives we were never meant to go through our trials alone. We were never meant to lift up the weight of our sins and carry that burden. The Savior has already done that. The heavy lifting has been done. While we run through the valley of the shadow of death we shall not fear evil for we run with chariots of fire, and they light the way before us. Remember the words of a hymn.
"Fear not, though the enemy deride;
Courage, for the Lord is on our side.
We will heed not what the wicked may say,
But the Lord alone we will obey."
May we not fear the enemy and remember in whom we have entrusted our souls. In Jesus Christ, the Savior of all mankind. May we lean on him for strength when we have none left. I know he will not abandon us because he did not abandon me. He stood with me throughout it all, I just couldn't see it. I invite you all to carefully observe and record the Savior's presence in your own lives and to find solace in the understanding that He is with you. That he will not leave you alone. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Wilhelm
My apologies, this email has been delayed for quite some time. My mind has been consumed with the daily rigors of missionary work. The recent happenings of my life have been unpleasant, but I have learned lessons I shall not forget.
About two weeks ago I was admitted to the hospital on account of illness received from intense heat, lack of water, and a good amount of stress. The work has not been progressing very well and the investigators we did have seemed to slip through our fingers despite our best efforts. In reaction to the lack of success, I thought, "Well... it's because I'm just not working hard enough." I began to work harder than I had before and went to unhealthy lengths to try and help our area progress. Alas, nothing happened. I began to doubt myself, my ability to speak the language, and the ability to help others feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. I became angry. I worked harder and yet less efficient until I eventually ended up in the hospital. After being released from the hospital I had blamed myself for not being strong enough to overcome the trials in which I had been given. As trials began to heap themselves upon me I began to slowly give up. I slowly convinced myself that God had given up on me. I felt desperately and utterly alone.
This act of selfishness heavily affected the work. As I looked inward instead of outward it presented itself in my lack of ability to do the most basic of tasks. I had forgotten my purpose in coming to the mission. It had never been about baptisms or miracles, People coming to church or investigators reading the Book of Mormon. My mission was about inviting others to come unto Christ. I forgot the whole point of it all. Its not about meetings, activities on a Wednesday night, numbers and statistics, or even baptisms. It was about Christ. That he died for our sakes, rose on the third day, and ascended into heaven. That he is waiting for you. I did not come to the Philippines to convince people to join my religion. I came to tell them that there was hope, that there is light beyond the vail, and to invite them to act on it. To invite them to draw near to the Savior through covenants. If so, amazing. If not, that’s ok too. Christ wants all of his children to feel his love, especially those who don't want it. If I can't baptize anyone but I can make a few people draw even a inch closer unto the Savior, then I have accomplished my purpose.
I had forgotten that it is not in our strength that allows us to overcome our trials but in the strength of the Lord. It was in the strength of the Lord that Moses parted the red sea, that Stephen preached against the Pharisees in the Sanhedrin. I, however, want to focus on the story of Elisha. The king of Syria, desiring to beset him, sent an army of men upon Elisha and his servant. His servant, probably being no older than a deacon or priest said
"Alas, my master! how shall we do?" (2 Kings 6: 15)
Encompassed on all sides of the city by the great hosts of their adversaries, this young man felt fear. He felt enticed by Satan to doubt the Lord his God. The prophet Elisha, however, did not feel as intimidated. He knew where he had placed his trust, and it was not a foundation that could be shaken. Elisha's response to the youth was simple and profound,
"16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."
They that be with us? They were just a boy and a old man, and not necessarily fighters at that. Yet, Elisha knew that it was not just them on that battlefront. He knew that God does not suffer His children to face their trials alone. As Elisha prayed, the young man's eyes were opened and he saw,
"Behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha"
In our lives we were never meant to go through our trials alone. We were never meant to lift up the weight of our sins and carry that burden. The Savior has already done that. The heavy lifting has been done. While we run through the valley of the shadow of death we shall not fear evil for we run with chariots of fire, and they light the way before us. Remember the words of a hymn.
"Fear not, though the enemy deride;
Courage, for the Lord is on our side.
We will heed not what the wicked may say,
But the Lord alone we will obey."
May we not fear the enemy and remember in whom we have entrusted our souls. In Jesus Christ, the Savior of all mankind. May we lean on him for strength when we have none left. I know he will not abandon us because he did not abandon me. He stood with me throughout it all, I just couldn't see it. I invite you all to carefully observe and record the Savior's presence in your own lives and to find solace in the understanding that He is with you. That he will not leave you alone. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Wilhelm
week 31
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week 32
week 33
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week 34
