Iowa City Week #5: Charity Never Faileth

My first transfer in Iowa City is coming to a close after just five weeks. Transfers normally go six weeks, but the transfer schedule got switched around because of meetings that President Jensen is involved in, so this upcoming transfer will be seven weeks long to accommodate such changes. It will be a long seven weeks with the cold weather starting to kick in, but nevertheless, I am certain that it will still be fun, exciting and full of miracles. 

Why not take a picture at a barn like this?

I am absolutely sure that Elder Scott and I will be staying together, but here are the changes that I know of thus far: Elder Chase, a trainee that serves in Coralville (the northern part of our ward), is being transferred and his trainer, Elder Zabriskie, is staying behind. Elder Zabriskie is becoming the new District Leader and will train another new missionary. Elder Jackson is being released from his current position as District Leader and his companion Elder Marte will be transferred. Otherwise, I expect that the Sister Training Leaders will be both staying, while we also expect that one of our Zone Leaders Elder Coy will be leaving. There aren't a ton of changes going on in our District and Zone, but I have faith that with whatever else may come for the missionaries around here, it will be for the good of ourselves and those we serve.

Our District, from left to right: Sisters Matley and Egbert, the Sister Training Leaders; Elders Jackson (District Leader - he is from Gilbert!), Marte, Coy (Zone Leader), Scott, Styles (Zone Leader), Zabriskie, Chase and myself.

The reason why I have chosen to call this weekly post "Charity Never Faileth" is because I learned more about how true that is in the past week. In everything ranging from our companionships, relations with members of the ward, investigators and literally everyone that we ever talk to on our missions, charity is crucial. Between trainings at District Meeting and the experiences I've had throughout the week, I've learned that charity is more than simply the Sunday School answer that most people give, meaning that it's the "pure love of Christ." (Moroni 7:47) Yes, charity is just that, but what does that really mean? The Apostle Paul wrote of such principles in 1Corinthians 13, in which he makes this point (which I will paraphrase): if we serve, teach and help our brethren and yet do all these things without truly caring for their well being, our service is all for naught. Even trying to be a friend to others is vain if we don't actually have a desire to listen to their problems and help them out. Charity is surrendering all manner of pride, walking in someone else's shoes, erasing any manner of judgments and then showing that you truly care for that person. 

Elder Scott's latest work of art. He painted this for a recent convert and his wife.

I plead with you all to look inside yourselves and see if there are any negative feelings towards those you come in contact with daily. If so, do your best to erase such feelings and be a true friend to them. It won't just impact their lives; such conduct will also transform your own measure of happiness and love as well.

Now I've seen everything!

Otherwise, not much happened this week even though we were able to stay busy. What I mean is that we did not necessarily find any new investigators or have any particularly noteworthy experiences, but at least things are still going well with Tim, Mark and Minnie. Tim actually attended Sacrament Meeting with us after we had attended the non-denominational church he goes to - Veritas Church, in which veritas is the Latin word for "truth" - and he had a good experience with Fast & Testimony Meeting. He was very appreciative of us as always, and we'll be excited for our future lessons with him. We also went to the temple this past weekend! 

Elder Scott and me after our session at the Nauvoo Temple.

That was a particularly awesome opportunity as always, especially since I once again learned how important it is to keep covenants. Going to the temple frequently is certainly something we can do to keep those covenants in mind, so I encourage you to try to attend the temple as often as you can. Our ward also had an online missionary work fireside last night, which I thought was very good. For all of you who actively use social media websites, try to do everything you can to share the Gospel with your friends online. Do so with thoughtfulness, wisdom and within reason, though. For more on how to be a better online missionary, read or watch this BYU Education Week talk by Elder David A. Bednar.

Well, that was my week! I love all of you!

Scripture of the Week: 1 Nephi 13:10-12 (With today being Columbus Day, I thought this would be a fun scripture to share with you all.)

Missionary Advice: Do you know someone who may be interested in attending Church with you? If so, consider giving them a tour of your local meetinghouse! The missionaries in your ward would love to help you out with that as well.

 Haters gonna hate.