Homecoming Report

Well, here are the notes from my talk given in Sacrament Meeting on Jan. 26th, 2014. This is my last post on this blog. I still miss the mission, but I know I'm home for a reason, and I am trying my best to adjust.

The Book of Mormon in Conversion

I pray that the Holy Ghost will be with us all as I speak today, and that He will testify to you that what I say is true.

Let's start in the introduction to the Book.

The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God’s dealings with ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel. We hear that phrase in often the church: “The fullness of the Gospel,” or “the restoration of the Gospel” but do we understand what that means?

In the Missionary Training Center, I began to comprehend in part what the Gospel of Jesus Christ really is. I began to gain a knowledge of it. However, while in the field, I came to really understand and internalize the Gospel of Jesus Christ through living it.

The Gospel is Faith in Christ, Repentance, Baptism by full immersion for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Once we have entered this path that leads each of us back to our Heavenly Father, we must press forward and endure to the end of our lives. This is the Doctrine of Christ, or the Gospel of Christ. If we pursue this path until death, we shall receive Eternal Life, the greatest of all the gifts of God. I invite you all to read and think about 2^nd Nephi chapter 31 to gain a better understanding of the Doctrine of Christ.

It was these precious truths of Faith, Repentance, Baptism, and the Gift of the Holy Ghost that were lost or distorted after the original Apostles died. And so, when the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God given to Joseph Smith, these truths were restored to the Earth. Now men could understand and follow the path that leads back to Heavenly Father. You see why the Book is so important! We needed those truths to understand why we're alive and on the Earth, and where we're going after this life. We needed to know how to return to God through Jesus Christ, and the Book of Mormon reveals that path to us.

In the introduction, the Book reads

We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost.

My invitation to y'all is the same. Will you read the Book of Mormon and ask God if it's true?

*Pause

I know it is true. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that is testifies of Jesus Christ as our Savior. I know because the Holy Ghost has testified to me that it is from God.

I want to relate to you my experience coming to know that the Book of Mormon is really from God, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ.

When I around 15, I was in seminary and Sunday School and I kept hearing that I needed to gain my own testimony of the church and of Joseph Smith. I knew I could not rely on the testimonies of others; I had to know for myself if I wanted to really continue in this church. Finally, one evening, I set aside the time and decided to really study and read the account of Joseph Smith when he saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I prayed as I read and studied, really wanting to know for myself if he did. After I had read the words of verse 17, I said a prayer aloud and asked if it really was true. My response I received came a little unexpectedly as a thought to my mind that said “Of course it is!” I sat back and reflected on that answer. I realized that I did know it was true already. I felt the Holy Ghost in the room and my heart felt like rejoicing at the answer I'd received. It was true! Joseph saw God and Jess Christ!

I have since felt the confirmations from the Holy Ghost that this is indeed the Lord's church, that the Book of Mormon is scripture from God, and, most of all, that Jesus Christ is my Redeemer and Savior. All these things had fallen into place when I first got my answer about Joseph Smith. If he really was a prophet, as the Spirit had confirmed to me, then he really translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God in him. The fullness of the gospel really was restored to the earth, along with priesthood authority to administer the gospel. And this is the Church of Jesus Christ, the only true and living church on earth, with revelation to guide us in these last days before the second coming of Jesus Christ.

So that is my story of coming to know the veracity of Joseph as a prophet of God, as well as the veracity of the Book of Mormon. They cannot be separated; the Holy Ghost will witness of one as He does the other. He will witness of Christ as he does of this great work of salvation.

In the field, I saw the effect that studying the Book of Mormon had on people, myself included. I saw it help a woman, who had not been to church for some years, to come back to church as we read with her in her home each week. It helped her face the challenges of unemployment and financial hardships. It strengthened her faith as she watched her 6-year-old nephew undergo cancer treatments and become weaker. The Book of Mormon was the tool the Lord had us as missionaries use to help her pay her tithing and get back to the temple. I got to be there when she went back to the temple for an endowment session, and I will always remember that event.

I restate my personal invitation to you all: Will you read, ponder, and pray about the Book of Mormon? The Holy Ghost will testify to you that it is from God, just as He has to me. If you have questions, do what Joseph Smith did and ask of God.

The following story is from Elder Russell M. Nelson from the October 2010 general conference.

“Many years ago two colleagues of mine—a nurse and her doctor husband—asked me why I lived the way I did. I answered, “Because I know the Book of Mormon is true.” I let them borrow my copy of the book, inviting them to read it. A week later they returned my book with a polite “thanks a lot.”

I responded, “What do you mean, thanks a lot? That’s a totally inappropriate response for one who has read this book. You didn’t read it, did you! Please take it back and read it; then I would like my book back.”

Admitting that they had only turned its pages, they accepted my invitation. When they returned, they said tearfully, “We have read the Book of Mormon. We know it is true! We want to know more.” They learned more, and it was my privilege to baptize both of them.”

I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I testify that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the Lord, and that he translated it through the gift and power of God. I know the Book testifies of Jesus Christ as the Redeemer of the world. I know Jesus Christ lives today, with a resurrected body of flesh and bone. I know He will come again, and that this is His church and His kingdom preparing for His coming.

The Final Epistle

Hi, y'all!

I guess this is it. I got the call this morning that I'll be going home. It's a strange feeling. It almost seems like the last 7 1/2 months have been a dream. It's what I worked toward for so long, and now it's gone in a flash.

Yeah, I have regrets. I probably shouldn't, but I do. However, I know the Lord has plans for me ahead. I know alot of people go less-active or have their testimonies damaged by coming home early. It will be hard, but it hasn't phased my conversion. I know what I know and I'll live it, even at the risk of having others wonder about me. Besides, I knew this was most likely going to happen. It seems I won't be getting to use an iPad out here :)

Thank you for all the support and prayers. There have been miracles here, even when I've been too blind to see many of them. There have been great opportunities for me to grow and for me to help others grow closer to Jesus Christ. And now I know what the work is like, I can help push it forward with greater haste and understanding at home.

I know this is the Lord's work. His hand is in it all. I know His desire is our Eternal Life and Happiness with our families and with Him. All Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do is for our benefit. If we can no more than desire to believe, we should let this desire work in us. The relief I've felt and joy I've felt from knowing who I am, where I'm going, and what waits after tshi life has strengthened and comforted me and given me purpose in life.

I came out as a child, but hopefully I've grown into what the Lord needs me to be: a man of God and a worthy priesthood holder.

And I've learned some things about myself. I've also learned what I can improve on. Perhaps the greatest thing I've learned is that Charity and Love are healing, and they give us the clearest sight.

I know Jesus Christ lives, and that He atoned for our sins and heals us from our pains. I know Heavenly Father loves us, and that love motivates everything He does. I know we are His children, and we have a divine potential to be like Him someday. I know that through faith, repepntance, baptism, and receving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end, we can receive all that the Father has.

I know Jospeh Smith was called as a prophet and that it was through him that Christ restored His true church and authority to this earth.

Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Brethren, Adieu.

In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Elder Murdock

General Epistle the Twenty-Third

Hello, all!

Well, I woke up with a fever this morning. It was running around 103.2 degrees. No fun. I'm still pretty under the weather, though it has gotten better. Hopefully it will be gone by the time we have dinner tonight.

This area is an interesting one. I'm not enjoying the biking. I thought it wouldn't be bad, but it seems like every time we go out on our bikes, the wind is against us; there's always a headwind. I have not biked this much since elementary school, so my legs are super sore, to the point where I can barely walk.

We visited a woman in the ward this week who has cancer. She is on medications and they have caused her to swell up and gain a lot of weight. She is shut-in, so we walked into her house through her garage. She was so kind, but you could see she was exhausted. It made me realize that there is always someone who has it worse than me, and that I should be grateful for the trials I don't have to endure.

It has been difficult to focus on the work lately. With all the health things going on, my life seems to be focused on that and not on bringing souls to Christ. I know the council to forget myself and go to work, and I want to, but I also have to maintain my kidney function if I want to stay out here. It's a balancing act for sure.

There's so much going on in my head right now, and I can't seem to organize any of it. This is definitely an opportunity to rely of the Lord as I work through it all and try to make sense of my life.

I know He will grant me revelation for my life as I pray and study and try my best to get into the work in this new area.

Remember that there is a greater picture. We are creating our own eternities with every choice and at every turn. May we each use the Atonement of Christ to change our hearts and bring us closer to our Heavenly Father and an eternity with Him. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

With Love,

Elder Murdock

General Epistle the Twenty-Second

Hello, all!

I did not write a general epistle last week, so I'll update everyone this week.

Christmas was a lot of fun. I got to Facetime my family on Christmas Eve. It was great to see everyone. It does not seem like it has been seven months, but it has. I know this next year is going feel longer.

I got to be Santa for a family in another area on Christmas morning. It was great to act the part and I had fun with it. Afterward, we went to a member's home and had breakfast and lunch with him and his family. They have a son who is about to leave the MTC for Vancouver, Mandarin-speaking. I watched a movie called "The 5000 Day Project: Two Brothers." It was really cool and got me thinking about my mission and what I want to become from it.

The evening was spent at the Eldredge's, a really awesome family who is strong in the gospel and who love sharing it. They also have a son on a mission in Pocatello, who we got to meet over Skype for a moment. We had dinner and finished the evening off by singing carols around the piano as I played it.

Skipping ahead a bit, we were at Matt and Sam's house on Sunday when we received transfer calls. I got transferred. This makes me sad, because I love Legends and the people here. Things are just picking up, too, and it was exciting.

I got to transfer meeting on Tuesday and found out who my new companion is. I'm now back with Elder Ririe, though this time we are serving in an area called Klein Oak. I've never heard of someone going to be with the same companion twice, but it just happened to us. So now I'm here in Klein Oak, adjusting to riding a bike in the bitter cold. I'm not sure why I was brought here, but I want to learn and grow from the experience, and help Elder Ririe grow, too.

My specialist appointment was on Friday. I learned that the treatment I'm on is not working, so they are considering a more aggressive medication. Odds are, I'm not going to complete a full two years out here unless the Lord sees fit to bestow some miracles on me.

It has gotten me thinking a lot and praying a lot. I've decided that charity and love are my themes for my mission and my life, because these are the reasons God does what He does for us. They should be the reason and motivation behind all we do in this life.

I have learned to love the people of my last area. Now I have the opportunity to love the people here and my companion here. I get to increase in charity as I pray for it and try to practice it. I invite us all to pray for the love of God to enter our hearts and motivate our actions.

I know this is the Lord's work. We are all a part of His plan to bring us back into the presence of Heavenly Father. We have the Savior who has made this possible, if we will follow the Gospel Plan.

I share this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

God Bless.

Elder Murdock