Elder Richardson's LDS Mission Blog: February 2016

Sunday, February 7, 2016

We Thank thee O God for a Prophet February 1, 2016

We Thank Thee O God For a Prophet
Robert Richardson <rrichardson@myldsmail.net> Feb 1 at 11:23 AM
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HEY HEY HEY Everybody!!!!
So this week was awesome!!! We had the opportunity to hear from Elder Rasband, from the quorum of the twelve apostles, live twice! It was so awesome!!!! He is an awesome teacher! Our first opportunity to listen to him was Saturday. We all got to shake his hand and then Elder Blooth the area seventy addressed us. He talked about his experience when Elder Rasband was the president of the seventy and they had a conference with all 330 seventy. When he entered the auditorium and turned to Elder Blooth and said 'HEY RANDY!' He talked about how impressed that made him of him. After he spoke, Elder Zwick of the first quorum of the seventy spoke to us. We were really scared of him because he has changed a lot of stuff in the mission before hand but he gave an excellent talk. He talked on simplifying our lessons and talked how teaching is not speaking. He said sometimes we are the ones that prevent the spirit from coming in our lessons and how sometimes we need to allow silence to be in our lessons. He talked of an experience just recently when He was taking a family friend not a member through the new provo city center temple. They were in the chapel of the temple and he was about to speak about the temple but he felt she needed the silence. She then spoke of the spirit and said it is true! He also spoke of a time when his son, who is special needs and has difficulties speaking was able to accompany his brother in Thailand for the last three weeks mission. His other son as a missionary in Thailand only had one baptism. His special needs son committed 2 families and baptism and was able to witness them baptized just before he left. He talked about that it was the spirit that did the work. After Elder Rasband Addressed us and spoke how this was one of the few weeks he doesn't have an assignment for a stake conference and how President Nelson was inspired to send him to Baton Rouge Louisiana of all places in the world. He didn't know why the lord wanted him here but he knows it was of inspiration. He also spoke of the Love President Monson and said that he is the most loving man he knows. When President Monson asked where he was going for the weekend he said Baton Rouge Louisiana. President Monson said tell the missionaries that i love them. He spoke on a very simple topic. He related his talk back to Blooths and spoke on the importance of a name. He said to makes sure we know the first and last name of all who we teach. He said they will feel loved using those. He said you can also pray, fast, study for, put in the temple prayer role, with a name. It was really good. He also talked about his 2010 april general conference talk when he was assigned to watch president erying assign missionaries. He talked about how he is now authorized to do that with his call to the quorum of the twelve and what he has learned from it. He spoke of the importance of the call and how the Lord accepts our efforts. He said that willingness to serve shows our love to the savior. He also spoke of complaining of an area or companion is mocking the lord. He said not only do our presence in these areas help others but they shape ourselves as well. He spoke of an experience he had as a mission president when he sent a missionary who was having a lot of success in his area but he moved him to Connecticut in his last area. When they were giving go home testimonys the missionary mentioned how he loved his mission except that area. Elder Rasband spoke of how that hurt him. A year later another missionary was in that area when that missionary got a call from a lady who went through a tramatic experience and she went to grab the bible but ended up being a book of mormon with the previous years missionary name and number in it. She took the lessons and was later baptized. He spoke that the lord may have us be harvesters, toil the soil, be sowers. He spoke that sometimes the missionaries who didn't have the right purpose coming out may need the success and harvest where those who did are in need to toil the soil. It made me think of my experience in Algiers going to Lafayette and having success, and then coming here and having to work to get things going. I am so grateful for the plan that the lord has for me. For these experiences that the lord has needed me to have these experiences to shape me into what the lord wants. At the end he bore a powerful witness of the Savior. He said that he and the rest of the quorum of the twelve are no strangers to the voice of the Lord. It was a powerful testimony.

The next day on Sunday he spoke at english ward our primary and youth attend so we got to attend that as well. He spoke of the message of the book of mormon and spoke of the scripture in 3 Nephi 11: 14-15 how the multitude went forth one by one to feel the nail marks in his hands feet and side. He then went to 3 Nephi 17 and talked about how the Savior invited all you had infirmities to come forth and then he had the children come forth one by one. He spoke of how all have infirmities and how all 2500 came forth to be healed by the savior. He spoke of being healed by the savior for all and then he left a blessing that those in the congregation will be able to have their load lighten with the help of the savior. It was an amazing talk. We were able to introduce one of the members we visit to Elder Rasband and shake his hand again. I am grateful for the opportunity we had to listen to a Prophet, seer, and revelator.

We also had some awesome experiences On Sunday we realized that we had not made our goal in new investigators so we went out and contacted to try and make our goal to find someone to teach. We saw a huge group of hispanics that looked like they were partying and drinking. I am not going to lie, I try and avoid contacting in those groups.... As we were walking away the spirit was so strong into saying YOU CAN'T WALK AWAY FROM THEM! I soon found myself walking toward them! I started asking them if they knew about the book of mormon? One of them came up and said he was member and was baptized in Honduras! He even gave the whole Restoration lesson to his friends and about the experience of Joseph Smith. His brothers also talked to us and told us they had never been baptized into the church but their whole family had and there uncle is a bishop in Honduras. I am so grateful for the guidance of the spirit to help us find these lost sheep. It was definitely an interesting lesson because the member was completely drunk! HAHA

We also got to see Omar and his wife Alli and talked about the book of mormon and how it can change their life. It was a powerful lesson. They were so receptive. We also saw a bunch of others last week who we usually see.

We also have been helping people with family history. We got to help President Ottinelli find names. Word got our about my talent. HAHA. We have a ton of appointments this week because Pres Ottinelli changed the 5th sunday lesson at the last minute to Family history and had me help out with that. HAHA! It happened again like the Westbank.

I know this Church is true. It is the only thing that can bring peace in this world, and offer salvation and exaltation to all those who believe and act on it. The Book of Mormon has the power to change to course of someones life. If any of yall who receive these emails feel there is something missing from your life, whether you are a member or not, read the Book of Mormon. It has the power to change your life. It has the power to bring you to the house of God to be worthy to receive blessings to enable us, or for those who have passed, to walk back to the presence of the Father, and to Kneel on an alter with family or in behalf of your ancestors who have passed through the veil to seal those we love to us for time and all eternity. The gospel is the same established by Jesus Christ in the meridian of time. Like the ancient times, God reveals his word again! I love yall so much!
Elder Richardson

We Thank thee O God for a Prophet Feb. 1, 2016

O My Father Jan. 25,2016

Come, All Ye Saints of Zion
Robert Richardson <rrichardson@myldsmail.net> Jan 19 at 12:21 PM
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HEY ALL YALL!!!!
Sorry Emails are a day late. The libraries were closed for MLK Day. It was a crazy last week. We were so Busy which is really good. We have seen many blessings finding less actives and part member families. We were able to find a couple of less actives you live on LSU. We were able to see Karen and Daberto, the friends of Micheal and Alejandra. Karen's mom is a member also. He was very open and wants us to come every week. We also were able to meet with Juan and Carla. We shared the Family Proclamation with them. They really liked that. They told us how many religions have been allowing gay marriages and it has confused them.

We also saw Maura and Miguel. We shared with them the Proclamation also and asked if they wanted to make it a goal to attend the temple. They said they really wanted to. We also have been visited Alfonso, a member with some needs that we have helped a little bit. We went by Omar lopez's house and he wasn't home yet but we shared with his cousins and a family friend the restoration and they really liked it.

We also had the opportunity to have a multi stake regional conference that was broadcast from Salt Lake to the South East Area. It was really good. Elder Rasband, Elder Hales, Sister Reeves, Elder Whitney spoke. A lot on what was talked about was the temple and the importance of the temple in our lives. It was really good.

It has been awesome seeing many miracles and seeing how this area used to have nothing and to where it grew in a matter of months. I have definitely been grateful for the help that the lord has given us here.

So my spiritual thought today comes from the end of the Book of Mormon in Moroni chapter 10 verses 32 through 33

32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

It is interesting that Moroni's final plea for us is to come unto Christ. After witnessing the evil of the Nephite nation which ultimately lead to their destruction Moroni's final plea is to Come unto Christ. Grace is what allows us to become better each day. He makes up all the difference. As we partake of this wonderful gift that came to us because of our Savior we will feel the peace and love that comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we come unto Christ through repentance, charity, church and temple attendance, and studying the scriptures we will feel the love of the Savior and partake of his goodness that is offered through the atonement. One of my favorite talks on the Atonement of Jesus Christ is Bruce R. Mckonkie's The Purifying Power of Gethsemane. I invite each of yall to read it. I am so grateful for our savior and for the opportunity we have to start over. He is there to lift us from our burdens and to give us rest.

28 ¶Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The Church is true. This is indeed Christ's church restored to the earth. He still speaks to his prophets today as he did in the old testament. Thanks all yall for all that yall do!!!

Elder Richardson

The Purifying Power of Gethsemane. Bruce R. McKonkie.

I feel, and the Spirit seems to accord, that the most important doctrine I can declare, and the most powerful testimony I can bear, is of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. His atonement is the most transcendent event that ever has or ever will occur from Creation’s dawn through all the ages of a never-ending eternity. It is the supreme act of goodness and grace that only a god could perform. Through it, all of the terms and conditions of the Father’s eternal plan of salvation became operative. Through it are brought to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Through it, all men are saved from death, hell, the devil, and endless torment. And through it, all who believe and obey the glorious gospel of God, all who are true and faithful and overcome the world, all who suffer for Christ and his word, all who are chastened and scourged in the Cause of him whose we are—all shall become as their Maker and sit with him on his throne and reign with him forever in everlasting glory. In speaking of these wondrous things I shall use my own words, though you may think they are the words of scripture, words spoken by other Apostles and prophets. True it is they were first proclaimed by others, but they are now mine, for the Holy Spirit of God has borne witness to me that they are true, and it is now as though the Lord had revealed them to me in the first instance. I have thereby heard his voice and know his word. Two thousand years ago, outside Jerusalem’s walls, there was a pleasant garden spot, Gethsemane by name, where Jesus and his intimate friends were wont to retire for pondering and prayer. There Jesus taught his disciples the doctrines of the kingdom, and all of them communed with Him who is the Father of us all, in whose ministry they were engaged, and on whose errand they served. This sacred spot, like Eden where Adam dwelt, like Sinai from whence Jehovah gave his laws, like Calvary where the Son of God gave his life a ransom for many, this holy ground is where the Sinless Son of the Everlasting Father took upon himself the sins of all men on condition of repentance. We do not know, we cannot tell, no mortal mind can conceive the full import of what Christ did in Gethsemane. We know he sweat great gouts of blood from every pore as he drained the dregs of that bitter cup his Father had given him. We know he suffered, both body and spirit, more than it is possible for man to suffer, except it be unto death. We know that in some way, incomprehensible to us, his suffering satisfied the demands of justice, ransomed penitent souls from the pains and penalties of sin, and made mercy available to those who believe in his holy name. We know that he lay prostrate upon the ground as the pains and agonies of an infinite burden caused him to tremble and would that he might not drink the bitter cup. We know that an angel came from the courts of glory to strengthen him in his ordeal, and we suppose it was mighty Michael, who foremost fell that mortal man might be. As near as we can judge, these infinite agonies—this suffering beyond compare —continued for some three or four hours. After this—his body then wrenched and drained of strength—he confronted Judas and the other incarnate devils, some from the very Sanhedrin itself; and he was led away with a rope around his neck, as a common criminal, to be judged by the arch-criminals who as Jews sat in Aaron’s seat and who as Romans wielded Caesar’s power. They took him to Annas, to Caiaphas, to Pilate, to Herod, and back to Pilate. He was accused, cursed, and smitten. Their foul saliva ran down his face as vicious blows further weakened his pain-engulfed body. With reeds of wrath they rained blows upon his back. Blood ran down his face as a crown of thorns pierced his trembling brow. But above it all he was scourged, scourged with forty stripes save one, scourged with a multithonged whip into whose leather strands sharp bones and cutting metals were woven. Many died from scourging alone, but he rose from the sufferings of the scourge that he might die an ignominious death upon the cruel cross of Calvary. Then he carried his own cross until he collapsed from the weight and pain and mounting agony of it all. Finally, on a hill called Calvary—again, it was outside Jerusalem’s walls—while helpless disciples looked on and felt the agonies of near death in their own bodies, the Roman soldiers laid him upon the cross. With great mallets they drove spikes of iron through his feet and hands and wrists. Truly he was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. Then the cross was raised that all might see and gape and curse and deride. This they did, with evil venom, for three hours from 9:00 A.M. to noon. Then the heavens grew black. Darkness covered the land for the space of three hours, as it did among the Nephites. There was a mighty storm, as though the very God of Nature was in agony. And truly he was, for while he was hanging on the cross for another three hours, from noon to 3:00 P.M., all the infinite agonies and merciless pains of Gethsemane recurred. And, finally, when the atoning agonies had taken their toll—when the victory had been won, when the Son of God had fulfilled the will of his Father in all things— then he said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), and he voluntarily gave up the ghost. As the peace and comfort of a merciful death freed him from the pains and sorrows of mortality, he entered the paradise of God. When he had made his soul an offering for sin, he was prepared to see his seed, according to the messianic word. These, consisting of all the holy prophets and faithful Saints from ages past; these, comprising all who had taken upon them his name, and who, being spiritually begotten by him, had become his sons and his daughters, even as it is with us; all these were assembled in the spirit world, there to see his face and hear his voice. After some thirty-eight or forty hours—three days as the Jews measured time— our Blessed Lord came to the Arimathaean’s tomb, where his partially embalmed body had been placed by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea. Then, in a way incomprehensible to us, he took up that body which had not yet seen corruption and arose in that glorious immortality which made him like his resurrected Father. He then received all power in heaven and on earth, obtained eternal exaltation, appeared unto Mary Magdalene and many others, and ascended into heaven, there to sit down on the right hand of God the Father Almighty and to reign forever in eternal glory. His rising from death on the third day crowned the Atonement. Again, in some way incomprehensible to us, the effects of his resurrection pass upon all men so that all shall rise from the grave. As Adam brought death, so Christ brought life; as Adam is the father of mortality, so Christ is the father of immortality. And without both, mortality and immortality, man cannot work out his salvation and ascend to those heights beyond the skies where gods and angels dwell forever in eternal glory. Now, the atonement of Christ is the most basic and fundamental doctrine of the gospel, and it is the least understood of all our revealed truths. Many of us have a superficial knowledge and rely upon the Lord and his goodness to see us through the trials and perils of life. But if we are to have faith like Enoch and Elijah we must believe what they believed, know what they knew, and live as they lived. May I invite you to join with me in gaining a sound and sure knowledge of the Atonement. We must cast aside the philosophies of men and the wisdom of the wise and hearken to that Spirit which is given to us to guide us into all truth. We must search the scriptures, accepting them as the mind and will and voice of the Lord and the very power of God unto salvation. As we read, ponder, and pray, there will come into our minds a view of the three gardens of God—the Garden of Eden, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Garden of the Empty Tomb where Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene. In Eden we will see all things created in a paradisiacal state—without death, without procreation, without probationary experiences. We will come to know that such a creation, now unknown to man, was the only way to provide for the Fall. We will then see Adam and Eve, the first man and the first woman, step down from their state of immortal and paradisiacal glory to become the first mortal flesh on earth. Mortality, including as it does procreation and death, will enter the world. And because of transgression a probationary estate of trial and testing will begin. Then in Gethsemane we will see the Son of God ransom man from the temporal and spiritual death that came to us because of the Fall. And finally, before an empty tomb, we will come to know that Christ our Lord has burst the bands of death and stands forever triumphant over the grave. Thus, Creation is father to the Fall; and by the Fall came mortality and death; and by Christ came immortality and eternal life. If there had been no fall of Adam, by which cometh death, there could have been no atonement of Christ, by which cometh life. And now, as pertaining to this perfect atonement, wrought by the shedding of the blood of God—I testify that it took place in Gethsemane and at Golgotha, and as pertaining to Jesus Christ, I testify that he is the Son of the Living God and was crucified for the sins of the world. He is our Lord, our God, and our King. This I know of myself independent of any other person. I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears. But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God’s Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way. God grant that all of us may walk in the light as God our Father is in the light so that, according to the promises, the blood of Jesus Christ his Son will cleanse us from all sin. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

Come, all ye Saints of Zion Jan. 19, 2016

Redeemer of Israel Jan, 11 2016

Faith of our fathers
Robert Richardson <rrichardson@myldsmail.net> Jan 5 at 10:20 AM
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Buenos Dias all Yall!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!!! I AM SO FELIZ FOR 2016. So i will be staying in Baton Rouge. For all those who don't know my address in Baton Rouge it is 10023 Siegen Lane Apartment C Baton Rouge 70810. Some people have had problems sending stuff or didn't know we moved. It was an awesome week. It was a little slow with the Holidays still. A bunch of people canceled on us... Oh well. We did some finding. Those who said they were interested gave us fake addresses. HAHA. Thats ok. We were able to stop by Alejandra and Micheals. They were busy but we were able to see how they were doing. They are actually reading the book of Mormon as a family!!!!!! We also have been trying to meet with a less active in the branch, Wendy, who would not let us in! GUESS WHAT! She let us in finally!!!!!!!!! We have been doing a lot of roster work lately but we have been blessed to be finding less actives by going to appointments or going to walmart. People who are not even on the roster. I am so grateful for the miracles that the Lord gives us each day; allowing us to find those who are lost. \

We also had the opportunity to do service and also go to branch temple night. It was awesome and now I finally have it memorized in Spanish. I never thought I would be able to do it! HAHA! I was also able to finish reading the book of mormon in the Celestial Room.

In the scriptures we read of many men and women who kept the faith and helped preserve the faith for generations later Men and women like Adam, Eve, Moses, Elijah, paul, Lehi, Sariah, Nephi, Captain Moroni, the mothers of the stripling warriors, Mormon Moroni, Joseph Smith, Emma Smith, Lucy Smith, And countless others who have blazed the trails for us to be partakers of this great work. In Jude 1:3 we read : I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

May we be true to the gospel and the sacrifices made by our forfathers who have brought forth this gospel. Faith of our Fathers Holy faith, We will be true to thee til death.

I miss yall so much!!!!
Elder Richardson

Faith of our Fathers Jan,5 2016

Come Let us Anew

Buenos Dias All Y'all!
Hope yall had a very merry Christmas.
It was a very nice Christmas being able to talk to the family. We were able to spend Christmas at the mission home with a bunch of missionaries. It was really fun. We went Caroling with the Mission President and other missionaries in that Neighborhood. We also went caroling as a district with the Ottinellis before they left for Orlando to our investigators and less actives we visit.

We were able to see Micheal and Alejandra and Karen and Daberto. We showed them Joy to the World. It was a great lesson and then after they asked if we could sing Oh esta todo bien "come come ye Saints." It was really cool. The spirit was really strong.

We were able to do some finding in the outskirts of our area in smaller towns and we were able to find a couple of pockets of hispanics.

This week we have the opportunity to celebrate New Years. May we each take the time to reflect on the past year on the good memories we had. May we take the time to think of things to improve on in the coming year. May we use New Years as a time to use the atonement to help us change our behavior and attitude. May we try and enjoy the moment more, visit the temple more, read the scriptures more, and most importantly make time for what is most important. Said President Monson, "Stresses come in our lives, regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can, but should not let them get in the way of what is most important-and what is most important usually involves the people around us." Dieter F. Uchtdorf said "love should perhaps be spelled T-I-M-E" May we make time for the gospel and our family. May all y'all have a happy New Year!!!!
Elder Richardson