Week Sixty-Six: Can I go up?

Dear People,

Our golden investigator, Chang-eun: "What is going on?"

Elder Brown: "It's called testimony meeting, anyone who wants to can go up and bear their testimony about something."

Chang-eun: "Does everyone have to go up?"

Elder Brown: "Haha no, only if they want to."

Chang-eun: "Can I go up?"

Elder Brown: "          "  (the sound of me being speechless)

He gave a lovely testimony about how he's been praying before he starts work recently and has noticed a huge difference in how his day goes. He also talked about how the we've been texting him scriptures and even though he honestly has no idea what they mean, he feels that they contain truth and wisdom. His testimony more powerful that anyone else that went up day. 

It's so humbling to meet people that are as prepared as him.

Speaking of being humbled to meet spiritually mature people, last week I had a cool experience that I didn't have time to write about.

I was riding a train to somewhere and sat down next to an older woman who immediately started asking questions about Jesus Christ. After a lot of conversation she told me that she was Buddhist. It was obvious that she was devout and lived what she believed. She talked a lot about the most important principle I have learned on my mission.

She expressed her frustration with religions that contend with one another especially with Christians who persecute Buddhists and she shared a very important analogy and I'll paraphrase:

"Everyone is aiming for the same destination. You and I are both traveling to Daejeon and we both happen to be going by train, but if you had chosen to go by airplane that wouldn't be wrong, it would just be a different route. Some people are going by car, some might be walking. Some routes may be faster and some may be slower but they can all lead to the same place."

This analogy is full of truth but one thing is missing. It's so true that every human is aiming for the same destination. We crave lasting happiness and peace. Whether we know it or not, every decision we make is made because we are hoping it will lead us to that destination. The truth that is missing from the analogy is that we don't have a diverse selection of routes to pick from.

 "And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can [reach the destination they seek]. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ. . ." 2 Nephi 31:21

"And this is the means whereby [we reach our destination]. And there is none other [lasting peace and happiness] than this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can [feel completely clean] except the conditions which I have told you." Mosiah 4:8

I struggle so much and feel hypocritical to testify of Jesus Christ sometimes because I am barely learning to repent and be humble. But I really do know that He lives and is the only route that works. I know the plan of salvation is real. I know that when we break commandments we feel really bad and when we resist temptation we feel really good. Every time. It always works. If you have time to pray for me please pray that I will feel really bad when I make mistakes and really good when I resist temptation. 

Life is so good with Jesus Christ.

Elder Brown

Week Sixty-Five: I can transfer suddenly

Dear People,

So on Friday we were meeting with an investigator brother Jung along with his two nieces that he introduced to us and at the end he made a comment to them about how I am going to be in Gwangyang until October. I corrected him and said that that's just when I go home, but I will probably transfer in February and I can transfer suddenly before then. He was pretty sad about that and said he would cry when I left. (we're pretty close) 

Two minutes after they left we went to the clerks office to watch some smartphone training videos and I got a call from President Madsen:

President: "How are you doing? Are you happy? Is everything going ok down there?"

Elder Brown: "... Yes..."

President: "Great, how fast can you pack?"

Elder Brown: "By tonight"

President: "Great, you're coming to Daejeon tomorrow"

We went immediately outside to tell Brother Jung, who had barely left the building. He bought us chicken.

​So now I'm in Daejeon and my new companion Elder Choi Ho-jin and I are "technology assistants" which means if there are problems with the smartphones we get blamed. Needless to say, I'm psyched. I'm in my element. The possibilities that arise from this God-given technology are spiritually energizing. We are to go where the people are. The people are on their phones. In one of the training videos Elder Bednar mentioned how people don't go knock on their friend's doors to tell them to come out and do something, rather they message about it beforehand and then wait outside the house in their car and text: "here"

My new companion, Elder Choi, has been the assistant to the president since my fourth transfer or so and his calling was only changed to technology assistant this transfer, meaning that he was assistant for like seven transfers. I don't know what I was expecting when I found out I would serve with him but he is not what I was expecting. I've learned the power and importance of "simple". He doesn't have elaborate study plans, he doesn't have intricate routines for mornings and nights. He just recognizes the most important task at hand and accomplishes it without getting distracted.

I didn't realize how complicated I had made my life in Gwangyang. The peace I felt the first night here was an obvious contrast.

We have one investigator who is super golden. I say that about everyone who has the slightest curiosity about religion, but Chang-eun really is golden. He found the church online and just showed up at church a couple weeks ago. On Sunday we taught an overview of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he asked the YSA member we were meeting with about his baptism. We are making daily contact and he is talking about the peace he is finding.

The mission is doing a 58-day read the Book of Mormon and memorize The Living Christ challenge. It is going to be great. I love the Book of Mormon. It is so dense with truth. I cannot get enough of it. I want to wallpaper my room with it, be able to look at it all on one plane and connect everything with lines and colors. It really is a record of God’s dealings with His children in ancient America. It outlines the plan of salvation and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come. We can draw nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other way.

I know my Father lives and loves me too.
The Spirit whispers this to me and tells me it is true,
And tells me it is true. 

He sent me here to earth, by faith to live his plan.

The Spirit whispers this to me and tells me that I can,
And tells me that I can.

I love you,

Elder Brown

​A member buys tights for all the missionaries every Christmas.

​I know it's green but what else is about it?​

Week Sixty-Four: Chistmas

Dear People,

Gwanyang has on average about 40 members each week, for the last several months we have been trying really hard to push it up to 50 with is when we can get a bigger building. The week before Christmas Eve 49 people came and so we really wanted to make Christmas eve push our average over. President Ahn committed each of the members to invite someone to church and they followed through. 

We spent this whole week preparing for the seventeen people who the members, Elder Jackson and I had committed to come to church. On Saturday night we exercised some faith and set up all 74 chairs we had in the building.

On Sunday morning, not all the chairs were filled, but almost. We had 20 nonmembers show up making 66 total.

So yeah, we're getting a new building!

Lot's of spiritual experiences and growth this week, we actually have investigators with some potential right now so hopefully stories to follow. Sorry my emails have been really lame recently, I'll be better. Maybe.

-Elder Brown

I finally got to make lemon squares.

This guy occasionally walks through the Suncheon shopping center dragging a cross and preaching calls to repentance through his loud speaker. I love the expressions of the people looking at him. 

We got to talk to right before I took this video. He said he really likes our church's Bible videos. 

Week Sixty-Three: Sorry

Dear People,

Sorry literally no time at all.

But I love you and the church is true and stuff.

Gwangyang branch is on fire with Christmas spirit. Every seat in the chapel was full last week and this week it will overflow.

Merry Christmas.

Elder Brown