Stripling Warriors

Dear Family:

Thank you so much for the pictures and the movie clip. I just barely finished reading in the Book of Mormon about the stripling warriors. What is really interesting is that it says that they had never fought before. Not until their first battle did they every truly wield a sword or weapon of war. How scary would it be to go into battle without any experience whatsoever? Welcome to a mission! I have been in Russia for over a year, and I still have no idea what I am doing. It is a miracle to me that I can even be here and survive. I am not saying it is dangerous, far from it. I am just saying it is pretty difficult to fly thousands of miles to a different country, speak a different language, and teach people about the gospel with no parental guidance whatsoever. Then you stick me in an office where I am working with visa applications, flight plans, and legal documents. I thought I was starting to understand a mission, but I just more realize that I know nothing.

Last week, we were getting a new apartment, and we were finalizing the deal with the landlady, and she started talking about points of the contract she wasn't fully agreeing with. We find out that she is a lawyer, and she wanted to make sure that she wasn't getting the short end of the deal. We have a contract that we always use when renting housing. Fortunately, we had Brother Pyoter, who is control of all of these contracts for all of the apartments being used in the mission. He was able to explain the conditions of the contract. It was good that he was with us, because I know that we would have had no idea how to explain all of these conditions.

 Then we had our first experience with a Presidency meeting. I am 20 years old, and I am already taking part in councils. In order to do this, there is a wonderful video program, like Skype, called Vidiyou, which the church uses in such cases. This way, President Gibbons can communicate with his counselors Brothers Skotskii and Tolomeev, who live on opposite sides of the mission, almost spanning the continental US. Isn't that crazy? I can't say what went on, but it was just amazing at how the church works, that even in difficult situations where the saints are so far away, the blessing of technology can bring them closer together. That doesn't mean that using facebook for eight hours in a day is good for you. J

We actually had a meeting with a man this week, his name is Oleg. We met him at English Club, and he was interested to learn more about the church. He even downloaded the Book of Mormon onto his iPad. When we met with him, he started asking questions. He wanted to know what happened before this life. He says he believes in the soul, but where was the soul before birth? He then wanted to know why we are here on the earth. Then what happens to the soul after death? Elder Harper and I exchanged glances, and then we dove right in into the Plan of Salvation. It was a good lesson, and he asked some good questions, but the lesson went longer than we desired. We hope to meet again with him this Tuesday.

So there is really nothing else that special that is happening. I feel like one of those stripling warriors. I have never wielded a sword. I have no idea how to fight, but I am called to the service. That is all that matters, when it comes right down to it. God doesn't care about your talents, skills, or abilities. He just wants YOU. That is the only thing that you can give to Him, which is yourself.

I pray for you, and hope that all is well with you. I pray for your health, safety, and comfort. We are so blessed to have this gospel, and so many people are suffering without this light. Who are we to withhold this light from our brothers and sisters? In a fireside given by the Huffakers, Sister Huffaker talked about how to help our families be more accepting of the gospel. The majority of members here in Russia are the only members in their family, and it is really hard. I sometimes think how blessed we are that we have such support. Just think of what it would be like to be the only family member that is a member of the Church, and your family doesn't agree with your decision? How hard it would be to have little if no family support? You want to share the gospel with those you love, but how? Sister Huffaker said, "Be an Example" She quoted President Hinckley, and his four-step program of praying; studying, paying tithing, and going to all church meetings. Then she said something important. We are always told "be an example", and we feel happy about our good example. She then said to think of a specific someone that these things could help. Could they benefit from praying with you? Could they benefit from a shared scripture? Could they benefit from coming to church with you?  So this is my challenge to you. Don't just be an example, but be an example to a specific person. Focus on a person, give a name, and do all you can to share the gospel. I expect results.

As missionaries giving commitments, it is to help our investigators repent, and become converted to the gospel. So I am the missionary helping you repent, and become converted to the gospel. Most commitments are in the form of a "Will you..." question, so, "Will you pray for a specific person about how to share the gospel with them, and then invite them to pray, read the scriptures, or go to church with you?' If I am correct, there is only one answer to this question, and that is "yes". After giving a commitment, we promise blessings. "I know that if you share the gospel with someone, your own faith will be strengthened, and Heavenly Father will bless you, for you are helping His sons and daughters."

I know this gospel is true, and I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father, and my Savior Jesus Christ. They have given me so much, and we can only return the favor.

Elder Hoggan

(The Siberian Messenger)