Of Presidents And Priesthood
Whattup Truegolds,
Two weeks ago, I committed to writing about something cool instead of all this lame self-introspection and improvement crap. Then, last week, I wrote the opening line of this email... and promptly proceeded to entirely forget about emails as I worked on a nerd project for like five hours. Unfortunately, this means I am not keeping my commitments, which puts me in a club with just about all of our investigators.
Anywho, apologies for that. But I guess I'm not really sorry cuz I'm also gonna continue to not write about fun stuff lol. I'm pretty exhausted in the physical, emotional, and spiritual categories. I'm no expert but I'm pretty sure that's like, all the categories. Suffice it to say that we have moved on from D&C 121:43-45 to D&C 121:6-9. (I'll give you all the opportunity of a little scripture study to figure that bit out.)
And my commitment this week is that one day... one day I will write a purely, unadulteratedly, consummately joyful email.
But not today! Today, I'm just gonna talk about some of the curious happenings this past week cuz actually it's been a pretty crazy time. Also probably a really long spiritual thought about Joseph Smith. We'll see.
Two weeks ago, I committed to writing about something cool instead of all this lame self-introspection and improvement crap. Then, last week, I wrote the opening line of this email... and promptly proceeded to entirely forget about emails as I worked on a nerd project for like five hours. Unfortunately, this means I am not keeping my commitments, which puts me in a club with just about all of our investigators.
Anywho, apologies for that. But I guess I'm not really sorry cuz I'm also gonna continue to not write about fun stuff lol. I'm pretty exhausted in the physical, emotional, and spiritual categories. I'm no expert but I'm pretty sure that's like, all the categories. Suffice it to say that we have moved on from D&C 121:43-45 to D&C 121:6-9. (I'll give you all the opportunity of a little scripture study to figure that bit out.)
And my commitment this week is that one day... one day I will write a purely, unadulteratedly, consummately joyful email.
But not today! Today, I'm just gonna talk about some of the curious happenings this past week cuz actually it's been a pretty crazy time. Also probably a really long spiritual thought about Joseph Smith. We'll see.
(Editor's Note: I have to laugh to myself because every week I read some of the emails from other missionaries and they usually read something like 'a week of miracles', 'listen to this amazing spiritual experience we had with an investigator', 'this week was completely life changing and I learned how to be a good missionary' or 'my trainer is the best missionary in our mission and we live by ourselves in a european apartment for 6 people', and then my own email reads... like this. Except for Elder Staker something louco is always happening over there. But yeah keep writing good stuff peeps it gives me hope haha)
The Presidential Election
We got new Mission Leaders! Their names are President and Sister Rollings. We had a mini zone conference to get to know them and they were super awesome. They also described the process of getting called to be Mission Leaders and their training and bro I am literally so jealous because 1: they have physical copies of the new Preach My Gospel and 2: they got a training on each chapter of the new PMG from one of the Quorum of the Twelve. Like, one Apostle per chapter. That's just crazy. Sister Rollings recounted just a little part of the training on Chapter One they got from Elder Holland and it was amazing. Also when they were talking about getting interviewed and stuff to be mission president she said that they actually extended the call to her first and said they couldn't call President Rollings if she didn't accept first, so that was kind of cool. Also apparently there's some kind of crazy secret that President told the Zone Leaders that they can't tell us but President is going to tell us this week in our interviews before transfers? Idk Elder Staker knows all the tea. But basically, it's looking to be a time of changes over here, and I'm looking forward to seeing what those changes are. Maybe I'll finally be able to buy a guitar.
Also, not related at all but I just thought of it because we use the title 'President' for the male mission leader, but the dad of our ward's Bishop asked to take a photo with me by his barbecue so that I could "show it to his American friend when I went back to the White House" and when I asked who it was he said Trump.
We got new Mission Leaders! Their names are President and Sister Rollings. We had a mini zone conference to get to know them and they were super awesome. They also described the process of getting called to be Mission Leaders and their training and bro I am literally so jealous because 1: they have physical copies of the new Preach My Gospel and 2: they got a training on each chapter of the new PMG from one of the Quorum of the Twelve. Like, one Apostle per chapter. That's just crazy. Sister Rollings recounted just a little part of the training on Chapter One they got from Elder Holland and it was amazing. Also when they were talking about getting interviewed and stuff to be mission president she said that they actually extended the call to her first and said they couldn't call President Rollings if she didn't accept first, so that was kind of cool. Also apparently there's some kind of crazy secret that President told the Zone Leaders that they can't tell us but President is going to tell us this week in our interviews before transfers? Idk Elder Staker knows all the tea. But basically, it's looking to be a time of changes over here, and I'm looking forward to seeing what those changes are. Maybe I'll finally be able to buy a guitar.
Also, not related at all but I just thought of it because we use the title 'President' for the male mission leader, but the dad of our ward's Bishop asked to take a photo with me by his barbecue so that I could "show it to his American friend when I went back to the White House" and when I asked who it was he said Trump.
I have no further commentary on that story.
Lost In Thoughts All Alone
Ok that section title is very intense but it's just the name of a banger song. I promise I'm not that melodramatically depressed haha. Specifically, it's in reference to the jazz cover of that song which I've been listening to a lot this week because it is soothing de mais. That's basically all I have to say lol I listened to a lot of jazz this week. After an extensive fiasco in which I could not get a correct answer out of anyone about what our mission standards for music actually are, I eventually learned that the rules are exceptionally succinct: use your best judgment, and follow the Spirit. So my daily reports are absolutely vibing at the moment. Also, if you ever want to know the true spirit of joy, I highly recommend 'Jump Up Super Star' by the 8 Bit Big Band in a tiny, dirty Brazilian apartment shower.
Hit me up for the both highly specific and strangely expansive list of missionary-appropriate video game jazz covers.
I'm not gonna title this part
Ok so. This week we had not just one, but a couple experiences with what are scripturally described as 'evil' or 'unclean' spirits. Dwelling on or publicly recounting these experiences in detail is a terrible idea for an uncountable number of reasons. "Well Elder Ebbert," I hear you saying, "Why are you talking about it then?" Because, disembodied commentator, I consider it worth sharing that these experiences also come step in step with concrete, undeniable testimony that the Priesthood has real, actionable authority. I'm not really gonna elaborate on this. But on the subject of the Priesthood, I would like to talk a little about he who restored it.
Lost In Thoughts All Alone
Ok that section title is very intense but it's just the name of a banger song. I promise I'm not that melodramatically depressed haha. Specifically, it's in reference to the jazz cover of that song which I've been listening to a lot this week because it is soothing de mais. That's basically all I have to say lol I listened to a lot of jazz this week. After an extensive fiasco in which I could not get a correct answer out of anyone about what our mission standards for music actually are, I eventually learned that the rules are exceptionally succinct: use your best judgment, and follow the Spirit. So my daily reports are absolutely vibing at the moment. Also, if you ever want to know the true spirit of joy, I highly recommend 'Jump Up Super Star' by the 8 Bit Big Band in a tiny, dirty Brazilian apartment shower.
Hit me up for the both highly specific and strangely expansive list of missionary-appropriate video game jazz covers.
I'm not gonna title this part
Ok so. This week we had not just one, but a couple experiences with what are scripturally described as 'evil' or 'unclean' spirits. Dwelling on or publicly recounting these experiences in detail is a terrible idea for an uncountable number of reasons. "Well Elder Ebbert," I hear you saying, "Why are you talking about it then?" Because, disembodied commentator, I consider it worth sharing that these experiences also come step in step with concrete, undeniable testimony that the Priesthood has real, actionable authority. I'm not really gonna elaborate on this. But on the subject of the Priesthood, I would like to talk a little about he who restored it.
Joseph Smith, The Prophet of the Restoration
In remembrance of Joseph Smith's martyrdom on June 27, 1844 (and just because I love his work), I did a lot of studying concentrated on him and church history. For those interested, a couple of these resources were the excellent "Road To Carthage" podcast, the “A Strange Thing in the Land” series of Ensign articles by Hugh Nibley, various wonderful artworks by Anthony Sweat, and of course the books of scripture which Joseph Smith translated and revealed.
I have distinct memories of times throughout highschool when people questioned me about my beliefs. These questions ranged from legitimate, curious inquiries which I was more than happy to answer to things more along the lines of 'aren't you guys the weirdos who believe in Joseph Smith?' usually followed by a narration of a YouTube video or some other dubious source explaining how, as a matter of fact, Joseph Smith was a lying, fraudulent, who invented a church to worship himself and marry as many women as he wanted. And, being a sniveling teenager who in all honesty did not have as strong of a testimony as I could have, I usually responded something along the lines of "oh well people can believe what they want" or "idk I don't really want to argue".
In remembrance of Joseph Smith's martyrdom on June 27, 1844 (and just because I love his work), I did a lot of studying concentrated on him and church history. For those interested, a couple of these resources were the excellent "Road To Carthage" podcast, the “A Strange Thing in the Land” series of Ensign articles by Hugh Nibley, various wonderful artworks by Anthony Sweat, and of course the books of scripture which Joseph Smith translated and revealed.
I have distinct memories of times throughout highschool when people questioned me about my beliefs. These questions ranged from legitimate, curious inquiries which I was more than happy to answer to things more along the lines of 'aren't you guys the weirdos who believe in Joseph Smith?' usually followed by a narration of a YouTube video or some other dubious source explaining how, as a matter of fact, Joseph Smith was a lying, fraudulent, who invented a church to worship himself and marry as many women as he wanted. And, being a sniveling teenager who in all honesty did not have as strong of a testimony as I could have, I usually responded something along the lines of "oh well people can believe what they want" or "idk I don't really want to argue".
I also have very distinct memories of a Church History road trip that I went on. I remember that trip for several reasons: I certainly wasn't complaining at the time about taking my dad's car and driving across the country with my sister and her cute friends for a week, and we visited a ton of amazing sacred sites out east: Nauvoo, Liberty Jail, Adam-ondi-Ahman, and others. But what I remember most of all was Carthage Jail; where Joseph was martyred by a mob. I don't remember exactly what Carthage looked like, nor what the tour guides said, but the very particular feeling I experienced there literally never ceases to return as I ponder that place. Even as I write these words, that same spirit is distinctly pressing on me.
We could talk about and try to prove Joseph Smith's claim to Prophethood through logical argument; many have tried, both in favor and in destruction of his cause. We could talk about how an uneducated, 19th century farmboy spontaneously produced 531 pages of the greatest theological discourse ever written in a little more than 3 months, with no notes. We could talk about how he also produced, from seemingly whole cloth, the books of Moses and Abraham which perfectly parallel apocryphal scripture discovered and translated more than a century later. We could talk about how his revelations- once again all from an uneducated farmboy- demonstrate an understanding of physics, astrology, and medical sciences which was not only contrary to the understanding of his time but is now supported by our modern scientific knowledge. We could talk about the eleven witnesses whose testimonies are enshrined in the very first pages of the Book of Mormon, none of whom ever denied their testimony even after many of them left the church and ceased having any motivation to uphold the Church's prophet. We could talk about how Joseph Smith, a supposed charlatan colored as caring more for money and glory than his own honor, left his wife widowed, his children fatherless, and his people refugees in their own country rather than choose to deny his testimony.
But you know what? None of that has ever been effective to the persuasion of anyone. There is only one power which truly convinces, as summed perfectly in the introduction of the Book of Mormon: "We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is His revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth." As usual, Doctrine and Covenants says it better than I can: "Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it... He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood."
It is by that power that personally, in this very moment, Joseph Smith's divine calling is beyond doubt to me. I am too keenly aware of the forgetfulness of men to promise that I will never lose this sure testimony, but let it never be said that I did not bear it at least this once. I hope that, in some small way, I can make up for my former spinelessness and defend or testify of Joseph's name; that he himself gave his whole life to testify of the name of the One. I am thrilled to be a contemporary servant with such a great man in these fullness of times. And, I suppose it is proper to end this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Closing Thoughts
Well, I can officially say that after a couple card games and some 'bearing down in pure testimony', I feel much better. Also, there's only 4-5 days left until transfers, so that's a reason to be excited.
But you know what? None of that has ever been effective to the persuasion of anyone. There is only one power which truly convinces, as summed perfectly in the introduction of the Book of Mormon: "We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is His revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth." As usual, Doctrine and Covenants says it better than I can: "Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it... He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood."
It is by that power that personally, in this very moment, Joseph Smith's divine calling is beyond doubt to me. I am too keenly aware of the forgetfulness of men to promise that I will never lose this sure testimony, but let it never be said that I did not bear it at least this once. I hope that, in some small way, I can make up for my former spinelessness and defend or testify of Joseph's name; that he himself gave his whole life to testify of the name of the One. I am thrilled to be a contemporary servant with such a great man in these fullness of times. And, I suppose it is proper to end this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Closing Thoughts
Well, I can officially say that after a couple card games and some 'bearing down in pure testimony', I feel much better. Also, there's only 4-5 days left until transfers, so that's a reason to be excited.
It's true that sometimes I honestly feel exhausted because of... certain things. But the rest of the time? I'm just hungry to get to work.
God is Good,
Elder Ebbert
Elder Ebbert
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