O-15: Mercy and Justice, February 12th, 2024

Hola a todos!

Como están? Espero que muy bien! Como fue la semana? El musical, Oklahoma? Todo bien? Divertido? Chévere? Bakan? Qué bueno.

Earlier this week we were out doing contacts. That is when we are out walking in the heat knocking doors and talking to people. Anyways we were walking down a street and a truck turned down, so we stepped off to the side to let him pass. And the guy stops right beside us and rolls down his window and starts speaking pretty decent English. Tells us he lived in New York for 30 years and recently returned back to Chile 3 years ago. And that soon he is going to return to the states for reasons I won't mention. Anyways brother tells us that he wants to meet with us before he leaves, could be to practice English before he heads back. But the cool thing is, about 2 weeks ago I called him along with other people and was one of the few that responded, and the phone call reminded him of us. So that was a little miracle this week!

On Wednesday we had our interviews with our mission president. When I got in the room, he sat me down and started by saying the gringo missionaries that have more then 6 months in the mission will have their interviews in spanish. So I had to only speak Spanish, but he responded in English. I feel like things went pretty well. We talked about mercy and justice a lot. He said if mercy overpowers justice, like if there is too much mercy, then bad things will happen. And he didn't say this but the same goes the opposite way. Too much justice and little mercy... bad things will happen. So we need to find the right balance, and the way to do that is follow the promptings of the spirit to know when to use justice and when to use mercy. (And of course using both aspects with love). We talked about how I'm more of a timid person, so when I start being more justice like people will be more open to listen and take it seriously. So I'll put that to the test this week. To see all this mercy and justice we looked at the example of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. There are countless times where we see him being merciful, and that is often an image we create him to be in our minds. But sometimes we fail to see the justice side of him. He came at a time when the Law of Moses was in full swing. And he came to put an end to that law and establish the new and everlasting law. So he had to be radical, he had to catch the attention of everyone, he had to be strong and powerful and grounded. We are talking about our Creator, the Master of the wind and seas, the Son of the Living God. Not only about the Meek Shepherd, the Humble Teacher and the Advocate with the Father. Both sides are equally important, and both things, justice and mercy, are a part of Gods very nature. So that is giving me motivation to be less timid as I'm striving to be like Jesus and God. Anyways after our interview I ask the other gringo missionaries who've just passed six months if their interviews were in Spanish... and nope I was the only one. I was getting tested apparently. So who knows if I passed or not haha.

It still amazes to this day how much people trust and confide in 18-22 year old young men.

- a 56 year old guy got dumped by his girlfriend and is asking us advice.

- a older couple is struggling with the idea of marriage and is asking us for advice.

- a mother concerned for her daughters salvation asks us to help.

- an old man sick and close to dying asks what he needs to do to feel safe and secure in passing from this life to the next

- and more.

It's just proof to me that the gospel of Christ can help everyone in qualquier situations! It can be applied to so many aspects of life, it's incredible.

I went on an intercambio with Elder Cayulef, he is from Argentina. I went to his area and it was nice to have someone else lead out for a change. It was a pretty eventful exchange, when we were coming home at night there were qualquier firetruck and firemen right near the house a couple houses down, a roof had collapsed. And then later that evening (they live with two other elder) one of the Elders fell and cut right above his eye and on the opposite side if his face near the hair line. He need stitches in both. So that was wild!

Spiritual thought: so we were in a friends house and they had their TV on. And an ad for the new iPhone or something and at the end of the ad it said you can find peace through the phone. It makes me sad that the world is finding artificial means to obtain peace. There is no lasting peace in worldly things. We read in Isaiah 9:6 that "6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. He is also the Son of God which would make God the King of Peace. Entonces, through them we are actually able to obtain peace. Through music that praises them, through scripture that prophecies of Christ and worship them, through prayer to give thanks, through acting on Christ's infinite Atonement, and more! These are ways to find peace in this world of turmoil.

Question of the week: how can you better turn to Christ foe peace when you feel tempted to look for worldly sources?

I love you all! Have a great week!

Elder Spencer