A Good Example of "Think On Christ"

Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light

"I'm On the Up and Up"

I started the book of Helamen today in the Book of Mormon and I was pretty impressed by the Nephites that were righteous. Their reaction to how some of the prideful people in the church treated them.

“33 And in the fifty and first year of the reign of the judges there was peace also, save it were the pride which began to enter into the church—not into the church of God, but into the hearts of the people who professed to belong to the church of God—



34 And they were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction.


35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.”

- Helamen Chapter 3: 33-35 (emphasis added)

So we see that when we are faced with persecution what better time to increase our connection with the One who understands us, the One who sees us for who we really are. We can find true consolation in our Maker.

Below is a section of lyrics from a song that really helps illustrate find peace of mind as I count the many blessings God has given me:

"You never cease

To supply me with

What I need For a good life

So when I'm down

I'll hold my head up high

Cause you're the reason why

I'm on the up and up"

(Relient K - "Up & Up")

Let us all hold our heads up high and look to our loving Father in Heaven.

"Think On Christ"

"If thoughts make us what we are, and we are to be like Christ, then we must think Christlike thoughts. Let me repeat that: If thoughts make us what we are, and we are to be like Christ, we must think Christlike thoughts." - President Ezra Taft Benson

There was a little crippled boy who ran a small newsstand in a crowded railroad station. He must have been about twelve years old. Every day he would sell papers, candy, gum, and magazines to the thousands of commuters passing through the terminal.


One night two men were rushing through the crowded station to catch a train. One was fifteen or twenty yards in front of the other. It was Christmas Eve. Their train was scheduled to depart in a matter of minutes.


The first man turned a corner and in his haste to get home to a Christmas cocktail party plowed right into the little crippled boy. He knocked him off his stool, and candy, newspapers, and gum were scattered everywhere. Without so much as stopping, he cursed the little fellow for being there and rushed on to catch the train that would take him to celebrate Christmas in the way he had chosen for himself.


It was only a matter of seconds before the second commuter arrived on the scene. He stopped, knelt, and gently picked up the boy. After making sure the child was unhurt, the man gathered up the scattered newspapers, sweets, and magazines. Then he took his wallet and gave the boy a five-dollar bill. "Son," he said, "I think this will take care of what was lost or soiled. Merry Christmas!"


Without waiting for a reply the commuter now picked up his briefcase and started to hurry away. As he did, the little crippled boy cupped his hands together and called out: "Mister, Mister!"


The man stopped as the boy asked, "Are you Jesus Christ?"


By the look on his face, it was obvious the commuter was embarrassed by the question. But he smiled and said, "No, son. I am not Jesus Christ, but I am trying hard to do what He would do if He were here."

And that, my friend, is what it means to be a Christian, even on Christmas Eve. It's a matter of impersonation. [American Opinion, December 1971, pp. 13–14]

(A devotional given by President Benson in October 1983)
http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=6893

"Oh, you know. Just pondering the importance of families."

Interesting how revelations and ponderous thoughts that have nothing to do with what you’re studying come about. I was reading this morning in Alma (I’m getting closer and closer to the end). It’s the war chapters where it’s just one major war between the Nephites (followers of Christ) and the Lamanites (those who rebel against God). I’ve been reading battle after battle, then I stopped to think about what I read and my thoughts turned to home. Now, don’t misunderstand me. That doesn’t mean I’m trunky (homesick).

I reflected back on the past. All growing up, before my mission, I had adult figures (such as my parents and grandparents) that were always trying to teach me things. Whether they are life lessons or just simple skills that could one day be useful if I was to ever be in a fix. I went back in time to instances where we would either be working out in the yard, cleaning the house, or running errands a grown up would deem it an appropriate time to teach me a little trick that they learned or “something to always remember”. Back then I had the attention span of a fly. It seemed that no matter what they were trying to teach me it just didn’t matter to me. I was pretty stubborn and selfish and thought I knew enough. The mission changed all that.


It is true that when you move away from home for two years you miss home. It’s a fact. For me, I do more than just long to be home, I yearn to make up for chances I’ve missed out on. We all have so much to learn from those who have seriously “already been there” and “done that”. I started to look forward to the days that I will be able to spend with my Dad, working out in the yard. He was teaching me more than just “how to work hard”. I’ll spend more time with my Mom, in the kitchen, learning how to make my own dinner rather than pull it out of a microwave.


The one thing that I absolutely cannot wait for is to get to know them. Really pay attention to their life story. Find the similarities that are there and being able to understand one another. We have so much to learn from our parents and grandparents, focusing more on their testimonies and spiritual experiences. I know I already have a good relationship with my parents and grandparents but there is room for major growth. The relationship I have with them can become more impacting. That is not to mean impacting my life alone but also their lives forever. I am grateful for families and more specifically grateful my mission taught me the importance of families.

Allow Me To Introduce Myself...

My name is (Elder) Paul Erwin. Elder is a title given to me as a missionary (or teacher) for Christ church here on the earth. I was called by a prophet of God, Thomas S. Monson, to live here in the Rochester, New York area. While here, I introduce myself to everyone I meet and seek out those who are prepared to receive the message I have for them. I have been living here for almost a year and eight months (20 months). It's been an amazing learning experience being here. I have met so many wonderful people who, now, have also changed their lives for the better.




Now, I'll let you get a glimpse of who this Elder Erwin is. I love Art. In return I have a very unique imagination that has amazed me time and time again with characters, creatures, settings, and stories that I try to bring to life. I am striving to become an Illustrator through my schooling and while pursuing that authoring a series called "The Adventures of Corn Ladyman". I love to walk and ponder life (including all that God has given me). I obsess over Music, it has a strong power in this world, bringing out the best of emotions, but also the worst. It has definitely been a driving force in my life. Last of all, I have fallen in love with Love. I love Love. I adore the feeling of being loved and spreading my own love. This causes me to (without a doubt) love my family. I love the peace and protection from the judgments of the world that I feel when I am with my family. My love has spread further to my friends. My friends, in some aspect have become my "family". I always yearn to be with them because they look past the faults and weaknesses and focus only on the positive. The greatest thing about Love that I love is that both groups (family and friend) only desire my happiness with no thought of anything in return. That is true Love, and I love it!



That is me. A changing me. A "me" that never would have been if it were not for this golden opportunity I have been given from my Father in Heaven to be able to go to an unfamiliar area and to show my love to the people here. Love them so much to desire other people’s salvation with no thought of reward. I love this work and being a part of Christ true original church restored in this day. And I would love to see you there.

The Welcoming of All Welcomes Has Finally Welcomed Itself!

Hey everyone! Now don't be scared. This is not an alarm. You are now looking at my latest and (hopefully) greatest idea to get you (the reader) more involved. I have to admit though, I am DEFINITLY not the first to come up with this. In fact I'm probably the last of all missionaries that are "Internet Missionaries" to make a Blog. As some may say, I'm "a little slow on the times." (Or whatever the saying is.) I want to welcome you all to my blog, where (so none of you get confused... or chew me out) it will be a "live journal" of the goings-on in the life that is Elder Paul Erwin. Feel free to comment as much as you please.

I hope that this will be a great way for all of you, whether you be in New York or Utah to follow me (if you so choose) throughout the last stretch of my mission. It is my hope that this will be a means where people from all over may be able to see just what a LDS missionary's life is like. I hope that it will open up a whole new area of questions (or in my case, questions period) that will help spread the very thing that has made my life such an amazingly happy one. What am I refering to? You might ask. Well, it is the answers to the PURPOSE OF LIFE, where we find that FAMILIES CAN BE TOGETHER FOREVER, and the knowledge that I am not alone , there is ONE THAT UNDERSTANDS ME. This is all from one source, The Gospel of JESUS CHRIST, my Savior, my teacher, my friend.