Best Week in 2 transfers July 13,2015

Well things are picking up in Palmdale. The district as a whole has been improving and we had one of the best weeks in 3 months. We are all teaching many people. (with members which is a big deal). Elder Johnson and I actually had an investigator come to church and he is on date for August 7th and so set for it. We picked up 3 new investigators this week which was awesome. All of them are so cool. The closest we have towards baptism is the one for august 7th. This week we were able to offer service to a less active lady again. We tore out all the roots of a tree that were in her backyard. They were everywhere so that was fun. We also had a zone conference this week with our mission president. That went really well. We talked a lot about how to get those we are teaching to progress and how we can become those fully consecrated missionaries we all know we can be. He posed the question "do you want to be a good missionary (member for those who aren't missionaries), do you want to be a great missionary (member), or a consecrated missionary (member). In our mission we have some good missionaries, a lot of great missionaries, and a few consecrated missionaries"  I love that. He then went on to talk about what hold some of us back from reaching our true potential in the mission as well as in life. Some of those included fear, disobedience, pride and passions. These were the 3 categories he broke everything into. He really motivated a lot of missionaries which was awesome. All of those apply to us as members as well on our efforts to live the gospel 24/7 not just when being watched or on Sunday. 

Transfers are next week which means calls will be coming in this Saturday. I've been here 7/12 months so you would think I'm leaving but I got a feeling I am staying one more transfer. 

The mission is an amazing thing. In our studies and talking with our bishop (who is the head of institute over like our whole mission area) I have began to learn so much. The church has to be true. Its logical but more importantly the spirit testifies of its truthfulness. Have you ever taken an in depth thought about the holy ghost? I am fascinated with how it can truly help us. 

Lets recal an amazing story. Exodus 19:

 7 ¶And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the Lord commanded him.

 8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord.

 9 And the Lord said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the Lord.

 10 ¶And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

 11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

The most important part of this is to recognize is that he gave them 3 days not to wash there clothes that doesn't take that long but to sanctify themselves which is a little harder. There were so many people who came to hear him and that would try to do as the savior said but lets fast forward the story a little to see how many out of the thousands were able to sanctify themselves. 

Exodus 24:

 7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient.

 8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words.

 9 ¶Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:

 10 And they saw the God of Israel (Jesus Christ): and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.

In verse 9 we read that only 74 people were able to sanctify themselves. Well this applies to us today. The saviors second coming when we will gather and partake of the sacrament with him. Reference is D&C 27

 5 Behold, this is wisdom in me; wherefore, marvel not, for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth, and with Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fulness of my everlasting gospel, to whom I have committed the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim;

Read the whole chapter to see who will all be there but man would I like to see all these great men. We are given a long time to "sanctify" ourselves but are anxiously engaged in a good cause and preparing ourselves for the second coming. Ways we can do this are GOING TO THE TEMPLE OFTEN, go to church and partake of the sacrament which renews all our covenants baptism and temple, fill our home with the spirit by praying and reading as a family. When we do these things we are able to sanctify ourselves through the holy ghost. Which is a baptism of fire. Fire burns everything which is why the holy ghost is associated with fire because it is the 3rd member of the godhead and we know no unclean thing can enter into the presence of God. Thats why we know we have been forgiven of our sins if we can feel the holy ghost. 

Last thought.

It would be more important for us to get a witness from the holy ghost that Jesus is the Christ rather than seeing him ourselves. Think about this. Some will doubt if he is the Savior but if the Holy Ghost confirms to us that he is then how could we doubt we have just received a witness from God that it is his son. 

Well enough of my rant thought i would share all of that with you because im sure your all aware that the world is becoming a very crazy and wicked place and we need all to prepare ourselves spiritually. 

I love you all and im sure you are all doing great. Have a great week.

Love,

Elder Loertscher 

P.S read the scriptures often. It is one of the most important things we can do.