04 Feb 10 - 10 Feb 10

February 10, 2010 1:40 PM

So another week has gone by without much to talk about. A couple of days ago my comp and I got in trouble because one of our investigators was practically suicidal. I got this ominous feeling when he called saying that he needed to talk to us ASAP. So we went over there and he wasn't home. We were over at his house for practically the whole evening. Then, when we get into our house he calls. So we immediately go over to his place. By the time we get there, it's like 9:10 pm or so.

So there's beer and alcohol all over the place. He was really drunk. He starts going into his life story (by the way, I find all this out later from my comp cause I don't understand Spanish). He came over to America to find a job to support his family. While over here, he falls in love with someone else. So he calls his wife to tell her that she should move on with her life. His wife in turn tells him that their 15 year old kid is not really his. In the meantime, the woman he falls in love with is actually married. She leaves her husband to be with him for a bit but then leaves him to return to her husband.

So this guy is distraught, drunk, and thinking about ending it all and it's almost 10 pm. We're supposed to be in at 9 and in bed by 10:30 pm. We calm him down a bit and head home.

It's like 10:40 when my Zone Lord calls. He basically tells me in not so many words that this guy wasn't worth in and that we should have just let him be. They called the AP's on us to tell them that we blatantly stayed out after curfew (9 pm) and that we should never do that again. He also told me to repent.

So the next morning I ask my companion what he thought about last night (because he's the one that drove and talked the whole time) and he told me that he felt terrible that we did that.

So I don't know what would have happened to this investigator had we not shown up. All I know is that right now, he's not dead. I felt prompted to go there. And I felt good once we left. The scriptures tell us that when we sin, we feel guilt and remorse. I didn't feel either of those so I didn't repent about visiting that investigator. Of course I repented for everything else I screwed up on because I screw up a lot. But I know that what I did was the right thing. I'm not going to turn away from that.

So the point that I'm getting at is that those what have the gospel in their lives and follow it will never have to worry about what this man is going through. The gospel is happiness! The gospel is love! Heavenly Father gives us commandments for our good and when we follow them, we are then blessed. It's a win-win situation. It's like there's a hot stove in front of us. We're told not to touch it. So let's say that we don't touch it. Well because we didn't touch it, now we're going to get treated out to ice cream. We didn't get hurt and we get a treat!? Hoorah! But for those who don't follow the gospel, the negative things that happen to them are the consequences to their actions. I touched the stove and I got burned and it HURTS!!! This stinks...

So I know some of you are thinking, "Well, what about those who follow the gospel and yet bad stuff happens anyways? Explain that one Mr. Smartypants." All right, I will. For one, you can tell who's following the gospel or not. Step One: Check to see if you/they are happy. That's it. And I'm not talking about painted smiles and plastic masks. I'm talking about genuine, the "real deal" happiness. No material possession can give it to you. Only the 100% goodness of the gospel can.

So are you/they happy? If the answer is no, then there's a reason you were burned. Sorry. But if the answer is truly yes, then rejoice! For ALL things that are wrong is this world WILL be made right in the next. I guarantee it. Heavenly Father wants us to grow. Heavenly Father wants us to come closer to Him. But (I'm sure) most of all, Heavenly Father wants us to rely on Him. And trust in Him as well. I KNOW that Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us. I KNOW that He is always willing to help us so long as we let Him. I KNOW that this gospel is hope. For there are too many things wrong with this world.

Don't turn from Christ. If you know someone who has, steer them back towards Him that gave his life for everyone. The Resurrection conquers physical death. It's a free gift to all. Repentance conquers spiritual death. That we have to work on. If we don't then the Atoning blood of our Savior means nothing. Have Faith. Repent. Take the sacrament worthily. Endure to the end. I don't want to hurt my Heavenly Father. I don't want to make it to the Celestial Kingdom knowing that I didn't do all that I could to live there with everyone else.

You're my family. You're my brothers and sisters. I want to spend the rest of eternity with all of you. Do you feel the same?

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.










The time is now yours to bear your testimony as the Spirit directs. We will end the meeting at five after the hour.

Just kidding.

-Elder Garcia