Easter

Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.

The Gate

   One of the things that we have to do as missionaries is give up most contact with our family and friends at home. We get to call our families on Christmas and Mother's Day and email them once a week. It's a difficult thing to do, and for some, more difficult. For me, it's been a tremendously hard thing. In the months before coming on my mission, I was closer to each member of my family than I ever have been. To leave that behind -
   It's been hard to say the least.
   And as such, I'm looking forward to the day I go home and get to see all of them. I'm looking forward with anticipation the warm, loving embraces I'll give to and receive from each one of them.
   The one I'm looking forward to the most, however, is the one I'll share with my dad. Don't get me wrong; I love every other member of my family and the friends that will be there. They each mean so much to me. However, my dad is still my hero, even at 21-years old. I wish that I could talk to him daily about my life to gain his insight. I miss laughing with him, spending time with him, eating his amazing home-made ice cream, and more. That will all come again one day, but it will have to wait awhile longer.
   This morning, I was thinking about that during my studies (I was admiring my newly-acquired picture of the prodigal son and his father). As I was thinking about that, I stumbled upon a reference to this scripture and the light bulb turned on!

41 O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot deceived, for the Lord God is his name.

   That has absolutely nothing to do with embraces, fathers, family, or anything which I just talked about. So, let's do an exploded view of it. Let's take it apart, shall we?

I made this myself in Windows Paint. I know, it's awesome! Click to make it bigger.
(And I just checked the preview. On my screen it still goes way too far out!)

   I hope you can read that. I didn't want to make it too big to dominate the page.
   So, the question is posed, "Why does Jesus Christ employ no servant at the Gate?" I thought about it for awhile and could come up with only one satisfactory answer:
   To wait for us. Jesus Christ wants to stand there at that gate to personally welcome us home. Not to guard it nor polish the pearly material. Not to stand with a clipboard to make sure we're on the list before entering. He could have someone else stand there to do that while He attends to a million other things.
   No, none of those things suffice. In my mind, there is no other reason for Him to be there than to await our arrival. Like the father who saw his son when he was 'yet a great way off' and ran to embrace him, like my father will be waiting for me at the airport in a few months, Jesus Christ waits for us at the Gate.
   And it is my personal conviction that He waits to run to us, embrace us, tell us that He loves us, walk with us back the the gate, and welcome us home.

   Now do you see the connection between the scripture and my thoughts?
   Well good!


   He's waiting!
 

How Great the Importance

   I've been staring at this page for awhile now, yet I still have no idea how I want to start it. I've always been terrible with opening lines. I'm sure my AP English teacher laughed when she read one of my essays that began with, "I hate opening sentences. And that was it."
   Or something close to that. It was 5 years ago.

   As missionaries, we are to focus our thoughts on the work that is laid out before us. Thoughts can distract us easily and it's often a battle to stay focused (at least for this Elder).

   I have to admit, though - this week, my thoughts have been very far away. Why? Two words:

   My Sister.

   Let me show you why.

   This is my sister, Starley. She's a year-and-a-half older than I am. In August last year, she returned home from her mission just as I was hitting the halfway point on my own mission. 

   This coming Saturday, she is going to marry her high-school sweetheart for time and all eternity.

   I've been thinking quite a bit about her this week and I'm sure that I will be for the next few days. Thinking about it is as close as I'm going to get to it - I will still be here, in Fort Bragg, serving my mission.

   Now, at this point, I could take my blog down different paths. Hopefully I'll take the path less traveled.

   And that should make all the difference.

(Did you catch that pro Robert Frost reference? I'm awesome.)

   My sister is one of the most important people in the world to me. She's done so much to mold, shape, and change me. She's one of the most influential people in my life. Don't get me wrong, I love all four of my sisters and I never could nor would pick a favorite. I would gladly die (or live!) for any of them without a second thought. However, Star here has had the biggest influence in my life of all four.

   It kills me inside to know that I won't be there for her sealing (wedding), but... it's okay.

   First off, it's not about me, but her and her soon-to-be husband. I love her and I'm so excited for her to be taking this next step in her life. I wouldn't want her to wait a moment longer than she needs to.

   Second, I'm doing something important, too.
   I was reading my scriptures and once more stumbled upon this long-loved scripture in 2nd Nephi:

8: Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.

   As I earlier, I'm here in Fort Bragg, serving as a missionary. As such, my first and foremost responsibility is to testify of the reality of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are many who don't know of Jesus Christ, or don't understand Him. Even tonight, I taught a man who sees no point in Jesus Christ.

   He is real, though. He is there. And He does have a point. He is the point. It's just as that scripture says: There is no person who can dwell in the presence of God except through Jesus Christ. My job is to declare just that.

   I know for myself that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior, the very Redeemer of the world. It didn't come over night, though. It came over time - I had to show God that I wanted to know. I prayed, I studied the scriptures, I attended and participated in Church regularly. I did my part and God did His. I can truly say that I know. 

   And you too can know - it's all up to you. You have to tell God you want to know, show Him that you deserve to know. 

   My sister is getting married in a few days and I wouldn't miss it for the world.

   Except to tell someone that Jesus is the Christ. Hopefully, I'm praying, that that knowledge will change people's lives.
 
   It's changed mine. Forever.

Mini-Reunion

   Sometimes, the Lord just makes your day. Did you know that?
 
   About 8 months ago, when I was yet a wee-young missionary, I interviewed a man for baptism. I'm not going to talk about what we discussed, but during that 45 minutes of talking with him, I had one of the most spiritual experiences of my mission, let alone my life. It truly was a sacred experience that I'll treasure for a long, long time.
   His interview went well an he was soon baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Everything was good. I saw him a few times after that, but not too many. Soon afterward, I was transferred. I went on my way as a missionary, called a to a different place to continue preaching the Gospel.
   Last week, however, something cool happened.
   My companion and I were headed over to a member of our church's home to have dinner with them. We had both been there before, so I was rather shocked to find a different lady answer the door than the one who lives there, although she seemed familiar. She said, "Hello!" but then stopped and stared for a moment. Then a question - "Elder Nuckles?!"
   I knew that I knew her from somewhere. I couldn't place her, though. I started to open my mouth and then she said, "I'm Matt's wife! And he's in here! Sister Brown is my mom!" With that, it all clicked.
   I poked my head in the door to see Matt, the man I interviewed for baptism, sitting on the couch with their son. I was so excited. I ran in and talked to him. It was so good to see him! After so many months, to see him and know that his testimony is still strong and that he is still active in the church! It was really a day-maker. That's all I can say about it. It was just... great!
  
   I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true and that it is indeed Christ's Church, led by Him. I know that He loves us and cares for us and that He wants nothing except our eternal happiness, to live with our Father in Heaven once again.
  

Knowing Christ

   Today I was working with a new missionary, Elder Van Wagenen. I like this missionary! He's a good guy. He's picking up missionary work quick!

   We were out tracting (knocking on doors) in the blazing October Vallejo heat. (Shouldn't it be cold by now? Anyway.) We were speaking with a young man at his door step and I asked him, "Do you feel like you are close to your Savior?"

   He contemplatively looked up and rolled the question around in his mind for a moment. He soon responded with, "Eh. Close enough." I carried on the conversation, but I don't remember what was said. Soon, we parted ways and Elder Van Wagenen and I carried on with our work. 

   Some time later, Elder Van Wagenen started asking me questions about the young man. We talked about him for a moment and I didn't think too much about it. But after the conversation, he stunned me with a rather... well, prophetic statement: If you think you know Christ well enough, you barely know Christ at all.

   It completely caught me off guard and I thought to myself True story.

   It got me thinking. What exactly defines 'close enough'?

   Can you ever do enough to be close enough to Christ?

  

   No, you can't ever be close enough to Him. Ever.

Fellowship of the Unashamed

Thank you, President Eyring, for this amazing quote about being a disciple of Jesus Christ:

I am part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made; I am a Disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tainted visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity, I don't have to be right, first recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast, and my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder in the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, and paid up for the cause of Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He returns for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear.

That is all. :)

Surprise!

   Growing up as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, you always here stories of missionaries who find that one golden, prepared person who is just ready to hear about and accept the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I've been a missionary for for 14 months and 11 days as of right now, and I had one of those experiences today.
   Come, gather around friends, and let me tell you about it.
    Two weeks ago, Elder Russell and I were out with a member, headed to a lesson. Which ended up falling through. We tried a few more people in the neighborhood, but nothing. We were on our way home, feeling somewhat dejected (and I felt somewhat guilty for not getting much done while this member drove us around). As we drove, I felt as if we should go stop by a less-active member's home, Stephen (who has been trying to return to activity). I didn't much want to, but nonetheless, we went.
    Stephen let us in and it turns out his fiancée, Tessa, (did you know that there's a difference between fiancé and fiancée? I just found that out) was there, as well. We proceeded to teach them about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a pretty good lesson, although nothing to exactly write home about (or in this case, blog about)!
   Until today.
   Fast forward to this morning at 11:45. A different member went to pick up the couple and bring them to church. I was standing at the doors of the chapel, greeting people as they walked through the hallways. I heard my name and turned my head to see who was calling me. I saw Elder Russell, head and shoulders above the crowd, frantically beckoning me to where he was. I made my way through the crowd to find him standing next to Stephen and Tessa. I was excited to see them, but I wasn't prepared.
   I said hello to them both, but before I could even shake their hands, Tessa said to me in the most excited voice, "I read the whole book!" She was gripping her copy of the Book of Mormon like she'd never let it go and then continued, "I know that every word is true. I want to be baptized!"

   Whoa. I didn't know what to say. I just stood there for a few seconds and then said exactly that: "Whoa." I couldn't leave it at that though! So, I threw my hands up in the air in a 'touchdown' pose and said, "That's AMAZING! I'm so excited!"
    It was crazy. I couldn't really believe it. Usually getting people to read the Book of Mormon is like pulling teeth, yet here, she went ahead and read the whole thing! Just like that! It really confirmed my testimony that the Lord truly does people to receive the gospel. The scriptures even talk about this:

"...the Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word." (Alma 16:16)

   It's true. He does. I'm a witness to it because I saw it today. I love Jesus Christ and I love His Gospel. It's the best!

Blank

Sometimes, you have a ton of great blog posts. You're really excited to share these with the world. You just can't wait, really.

You're so eager to share them with the world that you just can't wait to post them to the world! you know for a fact that you're about to change someone's life.

And then, the moment you've been waiting for! You click the new post button and...


Bam. You forget. You lose. Oh well.


That's happened to me a lot recently. While I'm out teaching the world with Elder Russell, I constantly get all these amazing ideas that I want to post as a blog, how I'll relate it to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and then it'll just be awesome.

And, you know, right now, I've got nothing.

However, I promise you that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer. Both Him and our Father in Heaven know us and love us as individuals. I can only promise you that because I know it.

And that's what you get today, Friday, September 23rd, 2011.