Consistency is so hard. I've been battling it my whole mission, really my whole life. I'm not close to mastering it but this conference taught me that it's time to be serious with it, I think our personal integrity is closely linked to consistency. The greater lesson I learned is to follow my heart. Elder Hubbard (from my MTC group and one of my best friends out here) made a comment about how the Holy Ghost is a "feeling". Thanks to his Utahn accent I was taught another lesson when I first heard that the Spirit is a "filling". Both are absolutely right. I know that the Holy Ghost fills us to completion. I know that despite our weaknesses and desires for imperfect things our hearts are pure. By our feelings we can know how to move forward when we are guided by the Spirit and when we have honest and sincere self relfection. Our feelings lead us to feel successful and at peace or anxious and hopeless -the heart is our greatest compass. I'm trying to implement this into my missionary and personal life (because really they are the same).
Dawid is incredible. Before our lesson with him this past week read a pamphlet about the plan of salvation. We planned to talk about this during our meeting but he seemed to already know and agree with all of the principles. We could tell he wanted to talk about something else but were unsure of what. We brought up this life and talked about baptism again. This was just what he had been wondering about. He asked about the requirments for baptism and so we explained the need to have faith in Christ, repent, have hope that the Book of Mormon is true etc. but this all seemed to be obvious so he kept asking "what else?" So I went right for it and brought up following commandments and we started teaching about the word of wisdom. He's told us before that he is trying to quit smoking. It was exactly what he'd been looking for. At first he seemed a little hesitant but then he accepted it all. He went on to ask about life after baptism, if we have to continue to live according to these commandments. We acknoledged that we do. He then started asking about missions and how they work. His questions showed that he is really considering the implications of baptism and what kind of change this will have in his life. It was incredible to be there with him. He seems to like all that we've said but still needs a spiritual confirmation and he hasn't studied the Book of Mormon or prayed to find out and he knows he needs to to receive an answer. It turns out he's only 19 (I keep forgetting univserity students are my age). He is just awesome, he wore a white shirt to the meeting and in his closing prayer thanked Heavenly Father to be sitting in a circle among disciples of Christ. He is a sharp guy and I hope he receives and notices his answer soon.
My love for Poland conitues to grow. Seeing the concentration camp last week, visiting the solidarity museum today, and being a part of the Independance Day parade last Tuesday instilled a Polish pride within me.
We also met Piotr this week. He is athiest/agnostic and we had an interesting conversation. All of his arguments reminded me of things I heard in high school. People are afraid to trust their feelings. We are quick to accept apparent "facts" from the experiments of others but our own personal experience may seem less trust worthy. I've noticed that so many lack a personal relationship with Christ. My confidence in my faith comes because I have come to know Christ, now I am still on that path but I don't fear because I know God will lead me. If we have a personal relationship with our Savior it doesn't matter, which is church is right or which argument because your personal knowledge of Him will help you find truth amidst the confusion. I know that the Holy Ghost accompanies me in my missionary work and in my daily life. He sends me feelings of love, provides peace, and helps me make decisions to help me become a better self. If you want to be free from the confusion of the world, come to know Christ.
with love,
Starszy Kimball
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