February 15, 2016

Current Address:

Elder Truman Burgess

216 1/2 Jackson Street #3

Hancock, MD 21750

Monday, February 15, 2016:

I'll be honest.

I cannot wait for Spring.

That being said, the cold weather has brought plenty of experiences that allowed us to help those we normally never would have met, many of which had nothing to do with shoveling snow! One guy in particular is named Logan, an 18 year old. Before the past month he hadn't been to church for the past 10 years of his life, and, coupled with a tough adolescence living with his abusive alcoholic father in the back hills and his mom having left his life when he was eight, has brought him to a deep pit of sadness and unrest. Logan's dad is a dedicated smoker, smoking some three packs of cigarettes a day for the past thirty years. This has brought Logan to smoke since he was ten years old, all the way up to now where he has created such an enormous addiction that it seems nothing can rid him of his chains. The doctor told him that if he didn't stop smoking he'd die in the next 20-30 years for sure. Logan has a deep desire to change and come closer to God, but there are obstacles every turn he makes.

In one of our lessons with him this week we described the deep meaning of adversity and hardships that seem to follow our shadows wherever we go. Even when we bask in much needed sunlight, a dark shadow is destined to form behind us. Opposition is one of, if not the greatest, tests of our lives here. Each of us has a differently tuned addiction, mental disability, physical disability, or string of circumstances we have no control of. The grand test of life is what we do with the time given to us (ask Gandalf about that ;)). Repentance is the act of turning away from an inward focus and look outwards to the potential horizons ahead. Once the focus is set for the future, each moment needs to be lived individually, day by day, living with the exact time given in the situations we encounter, never forgetting that the only way to carry on is through the infinite spirit and truth of God, given by our Savior's eternal walk alongside us. No one can move to upward change alone. Only by living the lifestyle in the Gospel of Jesus Christ can we receive, recognize, and react to adversity in the most beneficial way. Optimism doesn't come from looking in the mirror all day, but by looking and being out the window.

The first thing we did to help Logan was destroy his instant rolling cigarette machine with him. That was fun. The road ahead for him is going to be a tough one since he's surrounded constantly with his addictions by his friends and father and home, but the Lord really meant it when he told us by Paul (these are some of my favorite scriptures by the way hehe):

 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:15-18)

Sometimes it can be hard to believe. Sometimes it's hard to feel. But take a leap and recognize there's a lot more to life that needs to be lived than that which is seen and that which is heard. 

xoxo

Elder Burgess <3

February 8, 2016

Knowledge is a goofy thing. Some people cling on to it with an iron grip, yet others slink it around like a stinky old fish. Most of the time in missionary work we meet those with the mentality to throw knowledge at us like teenage eggs on the Principal's windshield. But here's an example of a knowledgeable guy who expressed his life's knowledge to us on a cold mid-winter night.

Our Hancock congregation is solid in signing up and having us over for dinners. Now that it's only Elder Flandro and I in the area, our scheduled meals take us from the highland forests of Pennsylvania all the way down in the 100% stereotypical West Virginian coal town named Paw Paw. From the top to the bottom of our area is probably a 2 hour drive on the freeway vertically, opening up the wild possibilities for evening festivities. Last Monday night in particular we went to a member named Bob Summers who lives on the tail of Cacapon Mountain in West Virginia at 7:30. The dark and snowy journey to his secluded home grew the suspense for what to expect. All I had seen of old man Summers was a way too aggressive handshake and a knack to play hymns on the organ with deep drama in Sacrament meeting. Outside his warehouse home was scattered with old Subaru cars, probably the first generation, deeply sleeping in blankets of snow. As soon as we stepped foot in the driveway his door creaked open to reveal Brother Summers' funny smile as he said, "Ah. You brought a Subaru. Wise choice, my sons." And, with a wave of his hand, bid us inside. 

Stuff. Stuff and lots of stuff. everywhere. Just about anything you could imagine someone could own was piled to create a winding labyrinth of...well, stuff. When we sat down and ate his homemade pizza, he began to tell us his life story. He was the head of the computer techs that transferred all of the Church's written files into digital files back in the day, and, in the process of doing so, became great friends with the Apostles and Prophet that were in the same building in Salt Lake he worked in. Brother Summers attended the Apostle's scripture study nights, often had conversations about Gospel Doctrine with the Prophet, and acquired an enormous knowledge of all scripture. He opened up and taught us some really deep concepts ranging from how to fix Subaru cars to specifics on what happens after we die, and on to how scriptures are translated, etc. I learned a full load of widely ranged knowledge that night. Brother Summers displayed a full life given to a pursuit of knowledge that has helped him come closer to God, his family, and his friends.

One question I've pondered this week is how much do we really know? The relationship between knowledge and belief is very interesting and one I personally think people often misinterpret. In the Church we have a common saying called a Testimony, meaning in this context what you have come to know is true in spiritual things. A common expression used takes examples like, "I know this church is true", and "I know Joseph Smith is a prophet." But what does that mean to know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is God's literal kingdom on the earth? 

An Apostle in the 70's has a quote I love,"I know people who have written books on religion, yet have as much spirituality as a cedar post. To know religion is to experience religion. To know God is to experience God." Faith is a strong belief that motivates someone to act. Personally I have a strong belief that I can live with my Father in Heaven once again after I die, however I don't know that I will. I have not experienced that. However, I can boldly testify from experience that I know God is my Father, that He speaks to me, that Jesus Christ saves me from my sins and guilt, and that the Holy Ghost testifies through absolute emotion and experiences the truth of all things. I believe Joseph Smith was a prophet of God with all of my heart, and I truly know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I believe that families sealed in the temple can be together forever, even after death, and I know that the most joy I've had in my life has come from my family. Faith leads us to knowledge. It is perfectly fine to not know the truth of something, yet wholly believe it 100%. Just read the story of the Brother of Jared in the Book of Mormon. Faith and knowledge go hand in hand to direct us to enjoy the fullness of the life of love our Father sent us here to experience. In the end, the scriptures are very clear to teach us that by faith all miracles, experiences, and life shaping connections are formed. Embrace your faith and I promise that knowledge will accompany you as a witness after the trial of your faith.

Maybe Brother Summers had a larger effect on me than I thought...hehehe

xoxo

Elder Burgess