My dear Ward Missionaries. I hope so much that your holiday season was wonderful for you and you family. I hope that you felt the love of Jesus Christ increase in your heart and homes.

Below is a picture of a tree that over time overcame the strength and hardness of a rock to eventually break through and flourish. It has such a wonderful message for each of us. That is what this life is all about. Planting seeds, it is our decision if we are planting good or bad, God like seeds or evil seeds throughout our lives.

Of course as we focus a little on missionary work, it is those friendships, those moments of acquaintance, the taking of a plate of cookies, helping with a project. Watching another’s kids, so many ways to plant seeds.

You might or might not be around long enough to see the fruit of these plantings. But I’m pretty sure that the day will come when those who eventually accepted the gospel will greet you with untold gratitude. What a glorious reunion that will be!!

I think you will all enjoy reading the thoughts of an individual that he wrote on a FB post. I hope you will fill the spirit as you read this.

Eric Andreasen. From Unblog my soul blog. 1-3-24

As I was studying the Joseph Smith history account in the preface of the Book of Mormon, regarding the appearances and teachings of Moroni to young Joseph, the following thoughts impressed upon me.

Regarding the blessings of angels ministering to us as we find in the account of Joseph, as well as how it is demonstrated in the temple endowment, we can understand:

Joseph Smith, Jr. – “If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.”- TPJS, 226-227

Russell M. Nelson – “I plead with you to seek—prayerfully and consistently—to understand temple covenants and ordinances. Spiritual doors will open. You will learn how to part the veil between heaven and earth, how to ask for God’s angels to attend you, and how better to receive direction from heaven.” (Oct. 2021, The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation)

Perhaps at times, the angels who minister to us may remain unseen, or interact with us “without disclosing their identity.” But they will minister to us, nonetheless, as we seek to live faithfully and sincerely repent regularly. And our association with them can progress to receive visitations like the many Joseph received throughout his life, if it is in accordance with God’s plan for us individually.

Back to Joseph’s account, we read that Moroni showed and explained to him where the gold plates were located and what his role would be in obtaining them, but gave the following important caution:

“…added a caution to me, telling me that Satan would try to tempt me (in consequence of the indigent circumstances of my father’s family), to get the plates for the purpose of getting rich. This he forbade me, saying that I must have no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God, and must not be influenced by any other motive than that of building his kingdom; otherwise I could not get them.”

This is an important caution and reminder for each of us as well, and may be the reason why certain blessings and spiritual gifts are not bestowed upon us, despite our earnest seeking for them. Perhaps because we still have vestiges of hidden, internal, prideful reasons we are seeking for the blessings other than to glorify God and build His kingdom. If any impure reasons exist within our desires, such things may be withheld because of the Lord’s love for us, until the time that we can more deeply purify our desires, and according to His divine will and timing.

If we were given these greater spiritual gifts and blessings, but not motivated by only the purposes to glorify God and build His kingdom, then it would allow Satan to tempt us into prideful and selfish tendencies and lead not only the loss of those blessings, but also to our condemnation for sinning against the greater light we had been given.

It took Joseph 4 years of tutoring and preparation under the hands of Moroni to reach this state of understanding and spiritual commitment before he received the plates and the translation devices. And we know the hardships he faced even afterwards and throughout the rest of his life. We may also expect, at times, prolonged periods of spiritual tutoring and preparation before we can expect to receive the higher spiritual gifts from the Lord, and also that opposition may come both during and after the receipt of such blessings.

Patient, persistent repentance and humility are required, along with increasing levels of knowledge and consecration through this process. We must continue to ask, seek, and knock as we have been commanded. But we must also deepen our humility, patience, and submission to the Lord in all that is required of us. We must remember that Joseph’s First Vision, as well as his visitation from Moroni, came as result of his desires to more deeply repent and receive forgiveness for his “sins and follies”, and to know his true standing with the Lord. He wasn’t just seeking a sign, but rather seeking for repentance, refinement, forgiveness, and to know what the Lord would have him do next.  “I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing before Him.”

Don’t give up! Joseph went back each and every year to continue his process of refinement and readiness until the appropriate appointed time finally arrived. If he had given up and didn’t return again, just because he didn’t receive the plates on the first, or second, or even third visit, what would he have missed out on?  We too, must continue on our own unique journey of growth and learning, preparation, and purification. We must continue returning to the Lord and refining our motivations and desires according to His will and purposes.

What a wonderful journey of refinement, growth, tutoring, experience, and change this divinely directed path is for each of us! It is full of ups and downs, valleys and towering mountain peaks, places of darkness and others bathed in glorious light.

May our focus be forever fixed upon He who is mighty to save through it all, and to glorify Him, and build His kingdom within our hearts and here upon the earth!

Please remember, only 30 minutes a week to start planting seeds. Ask the Lord for direction. I promise he will guide you. And Oh so important, listen to those promptings, no matter how small or insignificant they seem. Obey them. Over time, probably much time. The Lord will eventually lead you back to him.

Please let me know of your efforts. Anything you would like to share. At the very least, please let me know that you have read this message. 

I testify that the Lord loves you and all his children. He has asked us to sacrifice so very little to help them. Only 30 minutes.

Thank you for all you do.

I also love each of you and your willingness to serve.

Steve Larsen

801-380-8307