Periodic Tests


My beloved Elders of Israel,

First know, you are in my prayers. I pray for your success and that you will learn from failures. As you know Thomas Jefferson developed the invention, the lightbulb. It took time and effort. It's important to have a vision, a goal, a direction and this is the direction of my email.

Five years ago the apostle, Elder David A Bednar said...

"Periodic tests absolutely are essential to learning. An effective test helps us to compare what we need to know with what we actually know about a specific subject; it also provides a standard against which we can evaluate our learning and development. Likewise, tests in the school of mortality are a vital element of our eternal progression. Interestingly, however, the word test is not found even one time in the scriptural text of the standard works in English. Rather, words such as prove, examine, and try are used to describe various patterns of demonstrating appropriately our spiritual knowledge about, understanding of, and devotion to our Heavenly Father’s eternal plan of happiness and our capacity to seek for the blessings of the Savior’s Atonement."

We have the answers, through scriptures and living Oracles of the Priesthood but the thing we need to ask ourselves isn't "is the Bible there to be "true" but does the content move us forward? The same is said for the rest of the scriptures. Those that seek to contend with us, are they attempting to move us forward to God or be right? Do not let stagnation of being right halt us. We are being tested and we need to move forward in our hearts as the pioneers did in the flesh. 

The other thing I want you to focus on as a missionary is what precept are you abiding by or working on in your mission? Daily, weekly, monthly etc... Find your focus. Find it in prayer and fasting. Apply it in your tracking, and teaching. When you pray for your investigators do you discuss their welfare with the Lord and ask a blessing or do you blindly ask for a vague request without purpose. Angela will attend the people you pray for, but be specific. You have the Priesthood of God.

Brethren, again, you guys are awesome. Thank God for your calling. We have been blessed because of it and we truly sustain it through prayer and fasting. We love you so much. Say within yourselves, let the storms come, for my God and angels are with me, in spirit and prayer!

Guys, work hard and talk to your Father daily. He will hear you as he has done in the past and will in the future.

Nathan Bingham 

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