The Fallen

This last week I had some time to think and I found myself inspired to write a poem. I hope it helps you see a little into the state of the heart and soul in sin and the feelings that the atonement brings.

The Fallen

Fallen,

into darkness.

Oh great my despair!

Death, he had got me,

caught in his snare.

Fallen,

to the depths.

Cold and surrounding,

into the abyss,

my soul drowning.

Fallen,

my heart.

The crime committed.

Unto the darkness,

my soul submitted.

Fallen,

a light.

So brilliant, warm, and bright.

Just out of reach,

the will to fight.

Fallen,

a hand.

Extended toward me,

tender and scarred,

who was I to be freed?

Fallen,

my knees.

Guilt and tears,

into thine hands,

I commend my fears.

Fallen,

my pride.

now meek and humble,

"Suffer me Lord,

that I do not stumble!"

Fallen,

the weapons,

of my rebellion.

Into the earth,

I will bury them.

Fallen,

His love.

For me He died.

A sinner like me,

who else would have tried?

Fallen,

the blood.

Spilt from every pore.

With cries of agony,

He opened the door.

Fallen,

below all.

Oh how bitter that cup!

For me and for you,

He drank it up.

Fallen,

His eyes,

upon my face.

"For you my son,

sufficient,

my grace."

Yielding My Heart to God

     This last week we had transfers and my companion, Elder Hughes, went home. My new companion is Elder Fonseca from Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Last Saturday we had the baptism of Hazlly. She was a young woman who had come to church before years ago but for some reason had never taken the missionary lessons. We found her about a month ago and invited her to go to church with us. She said that she had loved going to the church before but had never been baptized. Across the street from her lived a member who she knew very well. The member across the street helped us take her to church and supported her all the way towards baptism. It was a great experience and the young woman was very excited for the baptism.
     Ever since the conference with the new mission president and his talk about spiritual power, i have been pondering and searching the scriptures more on the topic and taking from the lives of the prophets of old ways that I can obtain more spiritual power. Today I read a scripture that is found in
Helaman 3:35
"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."
     For they did "fast and pray oft and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility." How many times do we take fasting and prayer for granted? How often do we selfishly use these gifts and tools that God has given us for our own benefit and not for the salvation of others? These things I have asked myself and wonder how I can procure that kind of love and devotion towards the work of salvation and the cause of righteousness. I hope that these desires may work in me unto faith and action. I pray that I might better yield my heart to God as to receive the sanctification and purification of the Holy Spirit.

Hasten the Work

     This last Friday I had the opportunity to meet our new mission president, President Brown. It was very nice to see and meet his family as well. A very large difference between them and President and Sister Russell but, I believe that they are inspired and have been called of God to preside over this great mission at this time. I know that the Lord is hastening His work and that He is preparing us for an even greater work among all the children of men. I know that the Lord has inspired His prophets to call this man as our mission president. I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. I know this is His work. May the Lord bless us and refine us so that we may be as the great missionaries of olden times, as Paul and Peter and Ammon and Alma. I know that we are His disciples and that He has called each one of us to work in His vineyard. May the Lord always manifest unto us His Merciful hand forever and ever.

"Behold, I will hasten my work in its time." D&C 88:73

True Faith

     I recently encountered a man who was looking for God and the truth in his life but for some reason had not found it yet. We taught him the restoration and told him to pray about it. A few days later we came back and he said that he had prayed about it but he had asked God to give him a sign if it was true. This morning I found myself reading in the 32nd chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon. On this occasion, there was a multitude of people who, because of their exceeding poverty, had become humbled unto the reception of the Word of God. Alma teaches that those who humble themselves before God without being compelled to be humble will be blessed, but then he goes on to say-

"Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe. Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it. And now, how much more cursed is he that knoweth the will of God and doeth it not, than he that only believeth, or only hath cause to believe, and falleth into transgression? Now of this thing ye must judge. Behold, I say unto you, that it is on the one hand even as it is on the other; and it shall be unto every man according to his work."

     How many of us do ACT in Faith? and how many of us to wait for a sign? for if we have faith our acts are unto our benefit and blessing for we truly believe without seeing. We humbleth ourselves without being compelled to humility. Act upon the Faith which you have and God will manifest himself unto us through His mercy and grace.

Faith to be Healed

     As I ponder upon the rich blessings which the Lord doth bestow upon the children of men in all His mercy and grace, I come to a knowledge of the truthfulness of His word and law. For unto every man it is meted unto him according to the observance and obedience which he pays. Our Heavenly Father sees fit to bless every man according to every righteous desire. Our faith and diligence are demonstrations of that love and righteous desire that we have. This last week I found myself in a situation in which my faith and desire to serve God and obey Him played a huge part in the miracle which I beheld. Finding myself sick with fever and with body pain, I found my will to keep working diminishing until I finally said, "I can do no more". As I prayed to God that He might deliver me from this illness which kept me from doing the work I had been given, I was prompted to ask for a blessing from my companion. As my companion blessed me I felt strength fill my muscles and bones.

     With renewed energy and strength I continued on giving gratitude to God. After an hour or so I began to feel the same effects again and I felt my body begin to give in. I prayed "Lord, why dost thou not heal me completely now?". Having completed our work as much as possible I retired home. The next morning I then saw the miracle a full recovery from an illness that could have lasted me weeks or months, gone in a day. I have yet to understand exactly why the Lord waited to heal me completely until the following day. But I do know that it was His power by which I was healed. I know that God has given His power and authority unto man and that it is held and maintained by the men of the Church of Jesus Christ restored upon the Earth. It is with this same power I was healed and for the faith and desire to serve Him that was exercised.

A Righteous Father

     This week I would like to dedicate this weekly blog to my father, Benjamin Lim. In my time here in Nicaragua I have had much retrospection. All my life my father has been a constant figurehead and rock in my life. Even though worldly values and opinions change my father has never changed his faith nor his duty to God. As i grew i saw my father do many things for me in service. Never murmuring or complaining. During my swimming career of 11 years, I can count on one hand the number of meets and competitions he missed. Every morning for 4 years my father woke up extra early to make breakfast for me and my brothers before seminary. For 6 years my father woke me up and made sure I was at my priesthood leadership meetings. During many years he was in everything, a part of everything. Never wavering. For many years I have always looked out into the world for comfort and for love, what I had never realized is that my true comfort and love came from within the walls of my very home. In sickness, health, trial, an recognition, he was there, my father. To my greatest example, teacher, and bestest friend in the world, I dedicate this day. I love you Dad.

"Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto (my father), behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men."

This is Jonathan. His father baptized him! It was a nice experience to have this father baptize his own son.

Farewell President & Sister Russell

This week we had Multizone conferences with President and Sister Russell. Things were very emotional as they said their final goodbyes. I know that even though I sometimes questioned the reason for the things President would do I know now that this man was truly called of God to preside over this great mission. As a result of President and Sister Russells leadership the Nicaragua Managua South Mission is the most successful of all Central America. I know that as I trust God and His servants I can know that my obedience towards them will bring me blessings both temporal and spiritual. I am grateful that I was sent to this mission at this great time to reap the fruits of this great harvest. I know that the Nicaraguans have been prepared for this time and that God is working among them. I love this work and testify of its divinity. I know He is at the helm and we can be powerful instruments in his hands to bring to pass much righteousness.