Prayer

March 5, 2017

Hey Everyone!

What a great week full of fun things and also last times! I got to say goodbye to a lot of people that I will probably not see again at least for a long time or maybe not until we all go together to the next life haha. Oh well, I am excited to see my old friends (you all) soon as well.

This week was a pretty long week with a ton of appointments and a lot of amazing experiences. But one of them stood out above the rest. Yesterday we were driving with our branch president (like a preacher, someone who is basically in charge of the church) and I have done this maybe 10 times since I moved to this area. Every time in the car we have great conversations about life, advice, and helping other people. Anyway we were talking and the topic changed to two people in our area who the Branch President had prayed for really sincerely, that they could get married. He said he had prayed for these two people diligently and that his prayers had gone unanswered. Contrary to what many people believe, I am usually, at least as a missionary, not a very bold person. I do crazy things, but when people have doubts I usually try to like help them work through their doubts and tell them mine too. But for some reason in regards to prayer I am not that way. So I can't perfectly translate the feeling of the words that I said but it was something along these lines. "President, I know that God hears your prayers and answers them, and you do as well. So, why are we having this conversation?" Of course, it was a little more polite but after I said that I wondered, why did I just say that? After I said that he was kind of quiet and then he said, yes I do know that.

I don't fully understand this concept, but a lot of us are prone to believe that our beliefs are much weaker than they are. A lot of us are afraid to say that we know or believe something when we have had so many experiences that show to us that a principle is true. I like how Nephi says this:

 3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry. 4 And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. 

It is important to acknowledge often before God, ourselves, and others that we are not perfect, that we do not know everything, that we still need God and others’ help to succeed. But, at the same time, it is critical that we are confident in what we believe and that we testify to others of what we have seen, heard, and felt. I know that God hears and answers all prayers. My belief started when I was a child when my parents taught me to pray and continues until today. I hope my belief continues to grow. I know that God answers in a voice that we can understand, not in secret and not in in a way that is unknown to us. I have received those answers as a missionary but also when I needed help in college, at work, or even with my family. I do not have very much time left as a missionary, or as some people say a representative of Jesus Christ, but if I only had a chance to say one sentence to anyone that I have met in Korea or any of my friends that I have in America, it would be that I have come to know that God lives and He will speak to us. I know that is true and it has never changed and it will never change. I hope and pray for you all, none of us are perfect for praying for everyone by name daily, but you have all been in my prayers, by name. And I have come to know that those prayers will at one day be heard. 

I love you all,

Elder Coleman

Blessed are those who seek to bring forth Zion

February 26, 2017

To my friends and family,

Hey everyone! This week had a lot of ups and downs, the biggest up of course having Elder Holland, one of our church's great leaders come to speak to us here in Seoul and the biggest down learning for sure and finally getting the news that I will be returning home on March 15 instead of April 27. This news of course is great because I get to see my family a little sooner but sad news because that I only have about 2 weeks left to be a missionary. So sorry everyone I guess only like 3 more blog posts.

Anyway so today I wanted to share a short message about a scripture that has meant a lot to me in the Book of Mormon. It says this.

 37 And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be.

I think there are a couple reasons why I like this passage. The first is that this is of course talking about missionaries, those who are seeking to establish Zion, the city of peace or the kingdom of the Lord.  It says in here that blessed are they who seek to bring forth Zion, not those who bring forth Zion. In the Lord's eyes, when we seek to do the things he commanded, when we seek to bless his children, he is happy with us. The next reason I liked this passage is because it is a promise to all of the missionaries, past, present and future, that they will be blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost and eventually be able to enter God's kingdom. I am so blessed to have been given the chance to enjoy building God's Zion here in Korea. I am so grateful that I have been given the gift of the Holy Ghost as I have been doing it. And I am grateful that I have been able to learn so much from the people in Korea. It is my hope that for them, I have been at least a little bit beautiful, and even though one person cannot solve all of the cultural, political, and economic problems that the country is facing, I hope that at least I was able to publish peace in the lives of a few. I know that God lives and that he speaks to his children every single day. I know that because Jesus Christ lives and He suffered for us that we are able to have peace and one day be able to enter his kingdom. I love you all and I hope that you all have a great week.

Elder Coleman

My Angels Round About

February 19, 2017

Hey everyone!

This week was definitely an interesting one! Mainly because we got to see almost the entire mission by bus. Of course, that also means that now we have no money haha. It was definitely a week of surprises and a lot of traveling, but because of that we had a lot of time to think in the buses. One of the concepts that I have pondered a lot about is that as we live in this life, we will all have setbacks and opposition. We all want things in our life to change and to be a little bit easier or to be a little bit different. I have had that experience many times in my life, and I look back at it now and I realize that when that happened it was exactly what I needed to learn something, or to become a little bit better. So with that I wanted to tell an interesting story that happened this past Sunday. We are living in a very small branch as you know (usually around 10 people including the 4 missionaries come) So, of course I was asked to teach a lesson that I had not really prepared for at all. Anyways as I was teaching the lesson one of the older members of the ward mentioned that it was very hard for her to get to the temple (it is almost 4 hours away) and that she just wishes she had someone to go with her and to live according to the gospel. At that point one of the missionaries bore a testimony that every single trial is for our own benefit and it is silly to think that we could learn without them. The spirit was very powerful when he spoke and she seemed touched by his words. After he spoke I was prompted, or more likely forced, into telling her that she will never go to the temple alone. The Holy Ghost will always be with her and if she needs them, God will send angels to go with her. It reminded me of this promise in the D&C

88 And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.

I am so grateful that although I have not been able to see all of the angles who have helped me in my life, I have been able to see some of them and I have been able to feel others. I am so grateful that God will send angels for all of us in the midst of our trials to bear us up, and to make us strong when we are not. I promise and I know that angels have, will, and are supporting you in each of your trials. I know that God never abandons his children. And I know that if you ask, you will be given angels to help and if you watch and truly pray to understand, you will see, feel, and recognize them. I love you all, and I know that God loves you as well.

Elder Coleman