The Sites In Sight

Just want to extend a warm invitation to all those who have not had the awesome opportunity to visit the sacred and moving historic sites. Such as The Smith Home where the prophet of the restoration of Christ's full gospel saw God and Jesus Christ, the Hill Cumorah where the Book of Mormon was uncovered, and the Grandin Building where the Book of Mormon was published. We have amazing guides there that help answer any of your questions about the Mormon faith. Take advantage of the end of Summer and beginning of Fall to take in the wonderful, peaceful, spiritual experience that it is. I have found that it is a great get away from the world and all the "noise" that envelops it. Especially the truly Sacred Grove, behind the Smith Farm is a place of refuge for many that come to it with purpose. For me, knowing that I am standing in a place where God and my Savior have been makes the grove more sacred than just any ol' forest or park. I hope you all take the chance to experience it for yourselves and to not just take my word for it.

For more information about the sites email me at paul.erwin@myldsmail.net or message me on facebook by clicking on the link to the left.

Revelation = VITAL!

These past few days have been quite spiritually rewarding. To start off we had a special visit from Elder Pearson of the Seventy. He came to get an update on the online proselyting work that is being done. We each stated our name, how long we have been an online missionary, what we have seen work so far, what we would like to see change, so on and so forth. We each shared ideas and it turned into a wonderful discussion. Elder Pearson closed with his own remarks about us being a special mission. We have been given opportunities other mission areas do not have. We have the internet as another source of missionary work and even more so the availablity of the historical sites, where both God and His Son appeared to Joseph Smith. What a privilage to be here!

He then directed his remarks towards how the Holy Ghost and revelation cannot be seperated. For example, we as missionaries desire those that we teach to repent, to change their lives around. As they do so they are given the amazing experience of having the Holy Ghost near. Why do we want them to have the Holy Ghost near, so that the doors of revelation are opened to them, they recieve answers to their questions and solutions to their problems. He expoounded much more on this subject and it blew me away. We desire the Holy Ghost, not just to "feel good", we desire it because we unknowingly want personal revelation. We know that when the Holy Ghost is with us we have a sense of being whole, problems seem to "fix themselves" or "coincedences" seem to happen. But they are not coincedences, it is you acting upon the still small promptings of the Spirit.

He said many more things that are too personal to mention, but I could feel his spirit and sincerity. I know he is disciple of Christ. He was inspired and in tune with the Holy Ghost to be able to recieve the revelation that we needed at that time. Not only from that experience have I been spiritually fed but also from today and also (happily awaiting) tomorrows Zone Conferences with our Mission President, President Christianson. What an inspired servant of the Lord. He discussed about recieving revelation through church attendance. We take part in the sacrament and renew promises to God, which is to be more like His Son in word and deed. What is VITAL to those that attend church for the first time or for those coming back to church after not having attended for a time is the geniune love of the members of the church. We need to care for one another to ensure that not only the person you befriend but you as well have a meaningful and spiritually filled Sunday. This is nothing new. We have all taken on the promise to be examples of the Savior. What a wonderful past few days and I cannot wait to be even more stuffed with inspiration tomorrow!

A Matter Of Discussion

Well, look-e here! My companion and I just made a facebook group to discuss gospel topics and a means of asking and answering questions in a legit setting rather than through comments. Take a look, join, comment, DISCUSS. Hopefully this new idea will help in our efforts to reach out to all you web users with ease. Thanks for checking out my blog and just because I'm starting a discussion board doesn't mean my poor blog will be neglected. Enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/crumsey3#!/group.php?gid=141723359195969&ref=mf

A "Change" Of Plans

Just in case any of you were wondering, I made it to Victor unharmed and with all my luggage. Let me explain how transfers work in the mission field. Each designated area around the world has a mission President who has juristiction over that area. He is called upon to recieve revelation for the missionaries that he watches over. When a transfer starts to come to a close (transfer = 1 1/2 months - 6 weeks) the mission president gets together with his assistants (who are also fellow missionaries) and starts the process of changing around missionaries to be with different companions and possibly in different surrounding areas. When this happens they make some changes on a giant board that has all of our pictures on it and who we are currently with. After those changes are considered they kneel in prayer and ask the Lord if it be right. (Also note that during this time they have been fasting - going without meals, to be more focused on spiritual matters rather than physical and showing a sacrifice for an increase of spiritual promptings.) So for about a week (the last week of the current transfer) they do this.

The time had come when we recieved phone calls that Sunday night of who and where. I was told that I would be going to Victor with a certain missionary that was not doing so well. I was chosen to be the one to "cheer him up" in a sense. I was not to fond of the assignment and to be completly honest a little angry. I was able to talk to one of the assistants and he explained to me that he knew it was a calling from the Lord.

As I pondered over this through the night and into the morning I began to realize that maybe, just maybe this was a test from the Lord, to use my talents and abilities that would help this elder out. I became content and through prayer and contemplation was reassured that I could do it. This lasted throughout the rest of my preperation day (Monday) and into Tuesday morning, right before transfers. I had been reading over my patriachral blessing which was a great comfort to me to see what God knew I was capable of.

In the middle of reading the phone rang. It was the assistant I had talked to the previous day. He told me I would still be serving in Victor but that my companion would not be who I was told it would be. Later, as I arrived at the chapel where we were to meet for a transfer meeting my mission president, President Christianson, pulled me aside and explained that he was grateful that I accepted the responsibility that WAS going to be mine, but because of that additude he and the Lord knew I would do anything asked of me. "And that was enough." Because they both could tell that they could trust me with whatever assignment that was given me is why my president was prompted in the middle of the night to make some changes.

This will always be an experience that I will cherish forever, seeing that the Lord does certain things to just see how we will react. He saw that I had subjected to all things and that is what He needed to know. Wow... what an increase of testimony on the power of inspiration and revelation! He truly does know all and has a plan for each of us, even in the most smallest of settings. This is the Lord's work and gospel. It is true. Now I need to follow the Lord's call for me to be here with my new companion Elder Campbell and do what we were sent here to do. And so, the gospel goes forth.

Three More To Go...

Well, another transfer down. So, I got the call last night. "Elder Erwin, you're going to Victor." I'll be serving in Victor, New York for at least the next month and a half. I not only have heard many great things about Victor, but I have also been able to visit some of the families there as well. What a wonderful place to be called to! I'm excited to see what this new area brings and all the many things the Lord will be teaching me as I go through my third to last transfer. Change is good. We all can learn a lot from the small to the drastic changes in each of our lives, which most often happen everyday. What a perfect example to fit in with the theme of my blog "Changing Me". With change comes growth, growing into who God made us to become. This truly is His work and there really is no greater cause than this!

"Your Home Away From Home"

I seemed to have been in a trance yesterday. After posting my most recent blog I started to zone out as I listened to the choir. I scanned the room around me and while looking at all the people that were in it, only me and my companion were those that I knew for certain knew the restored gospel. We both have the Holy Ghost with us, that constant "good" feeling surrounding us. My mind wasn't racing like it was before I pulled up my blog. I felt the peace I normally feel in a church meeting or while studying my scriptures, how I feel when I pray even. I pondered over this for a little while and it struck me. My blog, for me, had turned into one of the many safe places I could run to. It became a sanctuary.

We all have our personal sanctuaries. Whether it be the house we grew up in, a park, a loved ones grave, our bedroom where we kneel in prayer, or in this instance a blog. Anywhere that uplifts and inspires us to Think, Be, and Do good is a sanctuary we can go to to be more in tune with the Spirit of God. Not only can you have that cherished feeling of His Spirit with you but, with the right heart and thoughts, you can open a window of revelation that helps you make decisions, recieve promptings, and recognize blessings. Our literal Father In Heaven wants to help us, wants to be with us always. His promptings come in small simple means, but we must be focused and at peace to recognize all the loving messages He is giving us every day. What are some of your sanctuaries I wonder?

Be Believing

"One of the most trying times in the history of the Church, both in terms of its impact on the Church generally and in the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith personally, occurred during the winter of 1838–39. The Prophet, who bore the brunt of the persecution in that period, had been imprisoned in the ironically named Liberty Jail. . . .

"In one way or another, great or small, dramatic or incidental, every one of us is going to spend a little time in Liberty Jail—spiritually speaking. We will face things we do not want to face for reasons that may not be our fault. Indeed, we may face difficult circumstances for reasons that were absolutely right and proper, reasons that came because we were trying to keep the commandments of the Lord. We may face persecution, we may endure heartache and separation from loved ones, we may be hungry and cold and forlorn. Yes, before our lives are over we may all be given a little taste of what the prophets faced often in their lives.

"But the lessons of the winter of 1838–39 teach us that every experience can become a redemptive experience if we remain bonded to our Father in Heaven through it. These difficult lessons teach us that man's extremity is God's opportunity, and if we will be humble and faithful, if we will be believing and not curse God for our problems, He can turn the unfair and inhumane and debilitating prisons of our lives into temples—or at least into a circumstance that can bring comfort and revelation, divine companionship and peace."

Jeffrey R. Holland, "Lessons from Liberty Jail," Ensign, Sept. 2009, 26, 28

Autumn Was On It's Way

I just recently added the "Mormon Channel" widget to my Blog. I hope this will be something that will be used by many. It's a great way to listen to the prophets and apostles of the church and even the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I'm slowly learning how to work this Blog and make it the best that I can for all of you! So as Autumn makes its way in, the season of change. Please feel free to suggest and advise me on how I can make this Blog the best it can be. I won't have it for too much longer so I want this temporary Blog to have a the best longest lasting impact I know it can make for all of you. Go ahead and ask questions as well amd those that feel confident enough can answer them, especially during the times that I am not able to be online. Thank you all for your support and you are all great. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true and He desires all of us to enjoy the blessings of it!