Power to Accomplish Greater Good

Hello my magnificent family,

I have had a wonderful and difficult week. This week we focused on the Atonement. I had been asked to give a talk in the mandarin branch and to sing in the Tri-Valley YSA Ward. Those are the two groups that we are serving in now. My talk was about applying the Atonement in our lives. I learned greatly from my preparation in this talk. I decided to talk about the Fall since I wanted to make sure that we had a greater understanding of our need for an Atonement. Then I spent time studying and pondering on how to apply the Atonement. At first I thought of honesty. We must be honest with God to allow him to know the depth of the wound we have otherwise He can't treat it in a way for us to fully heal. Then I thought of seeing what Jesus Christ asked us to do to apply His Atonement. That is when I came across the scripture 2 Nephi 31: 9-16.

" And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.

And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?

And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.

And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying:

He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me.

And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved."

In these few verses are written the doctrine of Christ which is also the way to our applying the Atonement. In verse 9 it teaches us that the example of Jesus Christ

"showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate..." Then Jesus Christ invites us to follow Him. How do we follow Jesus Christ? The fourth article of faith teaches us the way: "

We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Second, repentance. Third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. Fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost." The first thing we must do to apply the Atonement in our lives is have faith. Believe and act upon the things that we have been taught. I have thought a lot about how the plan of our Heavenly Father is a plan of empowerment. At the end of our Heavenly Fathers plan we are to become "perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)

For us to become stronger we need to workout. For us to become more spiritual we need to read the scriptures, say our prayers, attend church, etc. For us to become like our Heavenly Father we need to work on attaining His attributes. Each week during sacrament meeting we look at how our lives went the week previous.

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness..."

Then as we are shown our weaknesses we should ask how we can overcome them. "

...I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27) After having faith in Christ and believing that Christ will be able to atone for our sins we decide to make goals to change during the next week. As we do this our Heavenly Father blesses us with His spirit which then sanctifies us and helps to burn away desires we have for evil and build within us an even greater desire to do good.

This is when our actions are necessary.

"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward."

We must act upon our desires. Heavenly Father even helps us to know a little more of our true nature in the last verse. He tells us that the power is in us! We have the power to change, we simply need to act upon that power. If we do not act upon our desires then the Lord teaches us,

"But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned" (Doctrine and Covenants 58:27-29).

I have been hit this week with a knowledge of my own guilt as I have found that I have difficulty at times in accomplishing these tasks. My faith is not always applied and so I do not change during those times. Yet, I have decided this week to try a little harder in bringing souls unto Christ and applying the Atonement in both theirs and my life. I know that as we have faith and apply the Atonement we will be given the power to accomplish greater good than we have ever imagined. I know that the doctrine of Christ is true. We must first have faith, repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and then endure to the end. Only then will we be able to receive of the blessings our Heavenly Father desires to give us. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sincerely,

Elder Christensen

Charity is a State of Being

Hello my stupendous family,

I love you all. I have been able to learn a great deal from the past weeks about the Atonement and I enjoy the process of receiving revelation. It is a difficult one at times since it requires great effort and yet it is one of the most rewarding. I have learned that this is true of all things that require work. They require great effort and yet they are the most rewarding. I

think of the scriptures and how they teach us of the importance to have Charity. What makes Charity so great? What makes Charity so important? Charity is more a state of being. For us to be full of charity there are certain traits that we need to have, certain laws that we need to live up to. God is described as being love. God is love. Thus, love is a state of being that has been attained by our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. If we want to be like Them then we need to be Charitable.

"And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." (Moroni 7:45)

The more that I think of the attributes of Christ, the more I realize that they cannot be a part of anyones to do list, they should be a part of our to be list. Jesus Christ did not simply act humble, He was humble. Jesus Christ did not act virtuous, He was virtuous. The attributes found in chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel are all who Jesus Christ was. He was not just playing a part. Just like Him we must be sincere and make each principle a part of us. Since these principles are not a part of our natural character we must change or repent. Through the process of repentance our natures are changed and we become more and more like our Heavenly Father. Yet only through the Atonement of Christ are we able to repent and come unto Christ and be sanctified by His spirit.

Why is Charity so important? Because it involves the greatest change. Charity requires the greatest effort and yet it is the most rewarding attribute we can attain to in this life. We must choose to fill our lives with Charity so that we will be able to be as our Father in Heaven is. God is love. I would invite you to ponder more upon this subject. I testify that through the Atonement of Christ we are able to change our lives for the better, so long as we trust wholly "upon the merits of Him who is mighty to save." (2Nephi 31:19) Through coming to know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we are given a desire to become more like Him. I have found this working in my life. I know that charity never faileth and that Heavenly Father will help us to receive this gift as we change our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sincerely,

Elder Christensen

I Trust that Jesus Christ will keep His Promises

Hello my amazing family,

This week has been a challenging one. I was able to fast this week for humility and love. On Sunday I was shown a little bit more of what those two things really entail and I found that part of love is patience. I have a great need to be patient and long-suffering.

"And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." (Moroni 7:45)

Thus in my desire to love more I was shown more attributes necessary to love others. I am now going to work on many of these attributes. With regards to humility I have been shown areas in my life where I am not humble and where I have been, or still am, proud because of my abilities or experience. Yet I have seen a great change in the way that I view the difficulties ahead of me now. I see these weaknesses and have decided that I have a desire to overcome them. Since these weaknesses have been a great habit in my life I see that I cannot change on my own. I have decided to call upon the Atonement of Christ to be my strength. I have never had this perspective before and so I will need to act on faith. I have faith that through the Atonement of Christ I can be cleansed of sin and live a higher level of righteousness.

I believe that Jesus Christ will help me in my weaknesses because of the scriptures.

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27)

I now strive to do as this scripture directs and trust that the promise in this scripture is real. I have come unto Christ. He has shown me some great weaknesses that I have. Now, I have the decision to either humble myself and have faith in Christ or, I decide to be proud and deny the power of the Atonement. I desire to have faith! I trust that Jesus Christ will keep His promises. I already know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know that the priesthood of God was restored to the earth. I know that this church is the one and only true church on the earth today. I now seek to build my faith and know with even greater assurety that Jesus is the Christ. I know that He lives. I know that He loves us and has the power to help us through any trial in our life. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sincerely,

Elder Christensen

To Communicate with Those Whom I Feel Are Family

Hello my beautiful family,

This week we found a new investigator. When we told our leaders they were very excited since it is the first investigator that has been found in a while. We are excited and he seems to be solid. We talked with him about the blessings of the gospel and of the truth. After our lesson and sharing of scriptures he thanked us for the peace that we brought into his life. We then helped him to see that the peace he felt was the spirit of the Lord testifying to him of the truth found in our words. We also testified that he could find that same peace through his personal reading of the scriptures. We left him an English Book of Mormon and Bible. He is chinese but he has decided to work solely in English from now on. I am grateful for this blessing from the Lord. Just after watching General Conference on Sunday afternook there was a program on BYU-TV that was titled "A Bridge To China". Elder Christensen and I were drawn to watch it. I would encourage you to look it up online if you can. It is AMAZING. I felt such a great love for the Chinese people fill my heart and soul as I saw that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir had asked a group of students from China to sing with them. As I was able to see the culture and the beauty of China again I felt a pulling at my heart to return to the land where I had grown up. I love China and it's people and I am greatly blessed to be able to serve among their people here in America. I know that as I continue to learn the language my ability to communicate with them will grow. This has been my desire ever since I was little, to communicate with those with whom I feel are my family. I know that I have been blessed through travelling all of my life. I feel a greater appreciation for all cultures and I desire to make peace with each and everyone of them. I love the people of the world and I know that they are all children of our Heavenly Father. I know that this is true. I know that God lives and loves His children. I know that there is nothing we can do to exempt ourselves from the healing power of the Atonement. General Conference was amazing and I know that we have a prophet on the earth today. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know that the scriptures are true. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sincerely,

Elder Christensen

We Desire to Share it With All That We See

Hello my incredible family,

I love you all and thank you greatly for your many letters of love during my birthday weekend. I have received two packages so far. One with the camel and Jelly Beans :) and the other with the awesome ties that you bought for me :D I am now waiting for the other two.

I love being able to serve a mission. I have continued my study of Jesus the Christ and it has been bringing me closer and closer to the Savior as I study the scriptures referenced and am inspired by the spirit as to their meaning. I love being able to learn of the Savior because that is who He truly is. Our Savior. The one called to be able to lead us out of bondage into a new life filled with the spirit and a knowledge of who we truly are. This in turn brings us happiness and joy that is far beyond any we could find through the world and we desire to share it with all that we see. When we are born again in Christ we are given a desire as the sons of Mosiah who could not bare that "any soul should endure endless torment..." (Mosiah 28:3) How do we then become born again in Christ?

I have been studying a book given to each of the missionaries in the mission about addiction recovery. The mission president invited everyone to do so and I decided that I would take on the challenge. We had a meeting on how to help our investigators overcome addictions and through the meeting we learned that if we wanted to understand the process of true and lasting repentance we only need to study the Family Services Addiction Recovery Program book. I don't really remember the title. But the first step to recovery is being Honest. When we are painfully honest with ourselves we begin to see ourselves as we truly are.

Moses was able to do this after seeing God by admitting that "I know that man is nothing". From Jesus the Christ it references a scripture in Revelation that talks about how out of the mouth of Jesus Christ will go a sword. This led me to think of the scripture where Nephi tells his brothers "the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center." (1 Nephi 16:2) Being honest with ourselves is hard and painful because it cuts us to our center and we know that we truly are nothing without Jesus Christ. But there is the special promise. It is only without Christ that we are nothing, but with Christ we can accomplish everything. I know that the Atonement of Christ can help us out of any trial that we have in our lives. All that we need to do first is accept that we need Jesus Christ. This will then prepare us to follow Christ to the end and enable us to trust wholly and completely in Him. I know that Jesus Christ lives and I know that He loves us. I know that through Him we can be saved. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sincerely,

Elder Christensen

The Work of the Lord is the Way to our Eternal Happiness

Hello My wonderful family!

So I am with Elder Christensen and I have had a little too much fun with a companion who understands all of my jokes :) It has been a tough week for us both but we have done our best to thrust in our sickles with our might.

When I got here I was shocked again to see that the Area Books were in similar shape to both Cupertino and Fremont before I left. We have been taking time organizing. I am the only Chinese missionary, right now, who has been to all three areas of the mission and I think I know why. Whenever I move I find that there isn't much organization and so I clean and organize everything. Then once it is all in place we are able to start again and work to do the Lord's work in the way He desires.

We are serving in both a chinese branch and a Singles Ward. It was interesting to be at church for about 7 hours on sunday since the services and meetings for each overlap. I am excited for these areas though. There is great potential here and we have been thinking hard and pondering what we can do to find both Chinese and Singles in this area. It is difficult since tracting is already not very effective and yet only about 10% of the houses we could tract are Chinese or Single in almost any given area. This makes tracting even less of an option in our finding efforts. It has been a similar story with street contacting and so we are thinking of how to really involve the members in our area. This is the only other option.

We have thought of a few ideas that will help to increase the amount of teaching we have each week and give members the opportunity to invite friends to lessons. That is the most effective finding tool we have, members referrals. Through the members we will be able to give investigators "an immediate support system" in the words of President Hinckley, and help members also see the fruits of their labors. This will enable the members to be more excited about missionary work as the spirit fills their home. I know that the work of the Lord is the only way to our Eternal happiness. Through the work of the Lord we are able to achieve our deepest desires and give others the same opportunity. I know that Jesus is the Christ and I am very grateful for the opportunity to be in His service. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sincerely,

Elder Christensen

Ke Lao Shi the English Teacher

Hello my AMAZING FAMILY,

I love you all soooo much. I am excited to here that the Steeles are doing well. I hope you gave them a hug from me to them ;) They are wonderful missionaries. Well let me tell you of how small the world can be.

I don't know if you remember Linda. She is a woman that was baptized the first weekend I came into the mission field in Cupertino. She is doing well and is from Beijing China. Well, couple weeks ago we met a woman from Hu Bei China who was able to come with one of our members to church and even attend our English class here. She said that she really liked church and wanted to come back. This week at church she came by her self and later told us that she has a friend who would like to learn from the missionaries. She called her friend and was talking with her about how she had an English teacher named Ke Lao Shi. Her friend was suprised and started to describe... me. It turns out that Zhang Xi Feng (the woman from Hu Bei China) is very good friends with Linda (the woman from Beijing China). I couldn't help but laugh because when I first saw Zhang Xi Feng I thought about Linda. It was wierd and funny. Anyway, we set an appointment with Zhang Xi Feng so that we can start teaching her about the gospel. Pray for her.

On Sunday night I felt that we should stop by a woman named Sunny. We knocked on her door, introduced ourselves and talked for about 30 seconds. She then invited us in and we were able to sit down and have a great discussion with her. She has a teenage daughter that doesn't speak to her very much. She feels that she is not growing spiritually. She wants to know how to help her family. We assured her that everything she is now looking for is found in the message of the gospel which we share and that we would love to be her guides and friends in helping her find what she is looking for. The spirit was strong in our meeting and she is certainly ready to hear the message which we have to share.

I know that these blessings have come because of our efforts over that past months. These two wonderful women have been prepared by our Heavenly Father to be taught the gospel. Unfortunately, I am being transferred before my ability to help these sisters more but I feel that I have done my part in laying a foundation for this area to build upon. I know that this area will be blessed through continued efforts of the missionaries here. I know that this work will press forward and move on. I will be going up to Pleasanton to be companions with Elder Christensen again :) It will be interesting this time since we won't have a third part.

I was able to talk with David this week and he is doing very very well. He is making his own work through potting plants in different styles and selling them. He says each time he makes one someone wants to buy it. He sounds so much happier and stronger. His confidence has grown. He told me that he compares the teaching of the missionaries now to mine, Elder Egbert, and Elder Christensen's teaching. I felt so happy after talking with him. He said that he has a plant for me so I am going up to meet him today. I am sure it will be a joyous reunion. I know that this gospel is true. I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ heals our lives, mends our broken hearts, and fills us with confidence of a better world. This faith in Jesus Christ brings hope into our lives. I know that Heavenly Father lives and loves us. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sincerely,

Elder Christensen

I Love Being Able to Read Through the Scriptures

Hello my favorite family in the whole wide world,

I am excited to read your letter. It looks like a lot has happened. I have had a few cool experiences this week that would like to tell you about. Elder Ng and I went on two exchanges this week. One with our Zone Leaders and the next with another set of Chinese Elders. With the Zone Leaders I was given the opportunity to see that I was not the only one with questions and struggles. We were able to work together. As a companionship we served each other and complimented each other in the good things that we did. Through the rough times we were able to talk about what to do to overcome our challenges. I know that we learned a lot. That day we also met quite a few people that we might be able to start teaching in the next couple of days.

Next I was with Elder Thackery. I don't think either of us had laughed so hard on our missions before. He and I knew just about every movie that the other talked about. His family has seen "The Ghost of Mister Chicken," "How to Frame a Figg," all of the pixar movies, Abbott and Costello, and even "Totoro". It was so much fun to quote movies back and forth and know what we were talking about. I am so used to quoting movies but only one Elder so far has been able to tell me all of the movies that I am quoting. Aside from that it was a good day. It was one of those days where everything seems to go wrong and yet you just need to go with the punches. We were able to find a couple of other good potentials that day too. It was a great experience and now as Elder Ng and I are together again we have a new fire to go and do the work.

I have also continued my study of "Jesus the Christ" and it has been amazing. I love being able to read through the scriptures and see how all of the words testify of Jesus Christ and His ministry. I have read to chapter 4 so far (It takes a while to read all of the scriptures James E. Talmage cites.) and have already seen a great difference in the growth of my faith. I know that Jesus Christ lives and that He was ordained from the foundation of the world to be our Savior and Redeemer. I know that Joseph Smith was able to see our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the Sacred Grove. I know that through that sacred experience we now have the Book of Mormon, a living prophet, true priesthood authority, and many more blessings. I know that Thomas S. Monson has been called of God to be our guide today. I know that the Spirit has great power in the convincing of men and the protection of ourselves. Through our living lives consecrated to our Heavenly Father we are able to have the Spirit with us always. I know this to be true. I am excited for the future of this area and I know that Heavenly Father will guide us to those that are ready as we strive to listen to the sacred promptings of the Spirit. I love you all. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sincerely,

Elder Christensen

Greater Light has come into my Life

Hello my amazing family,

"Savior, may I learn to love thee, Walk the path that thou hast show, Pause to help and lift another, Finding strength beyond my own. Savior, may I learn to love thee -- Lord, I would follow thee." (Hymn #220)

This week I decided to start my study of "Jesus the Christ". I have learned greatly of the Pre-mortal existence of our Savior and of His mission here on earth. I know that Jesus Christ was called and chosen to be our Savior. I know that through His sacrifice we are able to be cleansed of sin "after all we can do." (2 Nephi 25:23) Through our faith and showing that we desire to live the way that Christ lived we are able to receive fully the gift of healing promised to us in the Atonement. We are sanctified by the power of Christ, thus enabling us to be filled with the Spirit of the Lord. The Spirit then brings with it power, comfort, and many other gifts to be found as we continue to use our faith in attaining specific blessings.

I have studied a lot about the Savior this week and I have felt a greater light come into my life. I know that the same must be happening with our mother as she decided this year to study the life of Christ in greater detail. I have also learned more this week of the great opportunity and blessing it is to be able to choose. We have the gift of Agency to enable us to decided with to be a captive of the devil or to be free, "through the great Mediator of all men..." (2 Nephi 2:27) As we make correct choices and live the laws given to us line upon line and precept upon precept we are given higher laws and greater knowledge that help us to progress. If we make choices to allow the devil to take control of us then we end our progression since we fall subject to the consequences of our disobeying the law. Because we are unable to follow that one law there is no law to progress to.

It is as though you are on a trampoline. Each jump you move higher and higher, but if we decide to move off of the trampoline and jump on the hard ground we move no higher with each jump and eventually are too exhausted to jump any more. Our own strength isn't enough to keep us going through eternity. We must rely upon the power of our Savior Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the light. "And now my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that htere is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness." (Alma 38:9)

Because of the things that I have learned this week I was able to find a hymn that I will study, memorize, and use in my everyday life. Whenever I am hit with hard times, whenever I feel it is too difficult on my own, I will simply remember the words of the hymn used above.

"Savior, may I learn to love thee, Walk the path that thou hast show, Pause to help and lift another, Finding strength beyond my own. Savior, may I learn to love thee -- Lord, I would follow thee...

Saviour, may I love my brother As I know thou lovest me, Find in thee my strength, my beacon, For thy servant I would be. Savior, may I love my brother -- Lord, I would follow thee." (Hymn #220)

"I know that my Redeemer lives, Triumphant Savior, Son of God, Victorious over pain and death, My King, My Leader, and my lord." (Hymn #135) I leave you this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sincerely,

Elder Christensen

I'm Grateful That I Can Learn

Hello my amazing family,

I love you all so much and can't wait to read the book that you have left me ;) Let's just say it will take a little while. I am so happy I have the opportunity to be on a mission. I am grateful that I can learn it is just hard sometimes to learn so much at once. I feel that my brain isn't making connections as it usually does and so I am not learning as quickly as I would like to.

Jennifer still hasn't come back but I have heard that she has attended the ward in Ghana. I am excited for her and pray daily for her safety and continued desire for baptism and growth in the gospel. I know that God lives. I know that God loves His children.

It was wonderful to see the pictures of Tanner and Ali's wedding. Happy day. I got to thinking a little while ago about the wedding and thought, "wait isn't Elder Garn the temple president in the Mesa Arizona temple?" It brought back good memories of Hong Kong and the testimonies that he bore which helped me. I hope you said hi for me :) I know that the Atonement is real and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sincerely,

Elder Christensen