Elder Jeremy Ashton Boyd: CLINTON EDITION: CHAPTER TEN

Specifically speaking, we had a great week

If a man asketh God for a hamster... will he deliver a gerbil? Or if a woman prayeth for a rock... will God come forth with a tree? Or if a certain group of missionaries was to ask a loving Heavenly Father to provide a family of four, prepared for the restored Gospel.... would he simply close the heavens? I think not. Why not, pray for specifics? Honestly; that is the theme for the week. If we ask God for specific blessings, he will bless us with specific answers. In the words of President Monson himself, "when we deal in generalities, we will seldom have success; but when we deal with specifics we will rarely have a failure." It's time to succeed through specifics! If you're looking for failure, get general! We're fixin' to be specific here in the CLINTON EDITION: CHAPTER TEN.

Let me start with an experience to prove the reality of the blessings in specifics:

It was one of those, "wow it's raining, and we're in a biking area" kind of days. For you Washingtonians back at home, Mississippi might as well be on a magic carpet ride, because it's a whole new world down here when it comes to the weather. One moment it could be a brisk summer's day, not a draft in the air... and then the next, it's as if Thor sneezed on the clouds and enabled torrential thunder downpour on the entirety of the Southern hemisphere. Well, someone released Thor's thunder thighs on Clinton this week because we were caught in a torrential twister. And in the midst of this twister, we found a great calm through prayer... we were visiting "formers" in the area when we felt prompted to stop... and pray. However, as per our theme, this time we were praying specifically-- a little too specifically some might say:

"God, lead us to a family of four who are prepared for the restored Gospel and is willing to come to church on Sunday."

We said amen, and not one door later-- three kids come rushing to the front of their house, and their father peeks out from behind and says, "we know who you are, we feel like we're prepared for your message, please come back on Sunday and teach us the Gospel."

The look on our faces could only be matched with the gratitude in our hearts. As we said our gratitude prayer following the miracle, we couldn't help but see the divine pattern in asking God for specifics in our lives. Why WOULDN'T God bless us with the exact things we stand in need of? Why WOULDN'T he want to bestow upon his children the absolute of his blessings? We just need to ask-- and I can testify that when we do, in our most specific need, he succors our specifics with specific blessings. This was a lesson we learned from Elder Stanfill:

God has reserved the rights to prayer, he is qualified to listen, and he is qualified to bless-- if we only authorize him through specifics.

Okay, now that I have said, "specific" almost as many times as our God desires to bless us-- okay, not really, but pretty close-- let's talk a bit about the word of God.

The Book of Mormon. I must say, I have never had such a strong testimony of any combination of inspired words and epic stories than I do of the Book of Mormon. Recently our mission has been involved in a, "90 Day Book of Mormon reading challenge." Now I know what you're thinking... 90 days? Well, yes-- I was once like you, random citizen, and then I realized if I can read Percy Jackson in 12 hours, the Book of Mormon should be a breeze. A nice, tranquil, relaxing, beach breezy reading. Reading the Book of Mormon has been the best of breezes and as we have been focused on it as a mission, I've been able to see the benefit and purpose for its' coming forth in this dispensation. This was perhaps one of the best Zone Conferences I've been to: (1)There was a time allotted, for heavenly things and (2) a time for everyone to share their testimony of the Book of Mormon. I was blessed to add my living witness to those borne on that sacred day, and I can truly testify with all energy of heart that I know this book is true. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that the Gospel has been restored to the earth today and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's kingdom on the Earth. But more than knowing these things... I love them... I try and live them... and I encourage others to do the same! Pray for a confirming witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon this week. Ask God SPECIFICALLY (there's that word again) if it is true! I can testify as His representative, that if you do, the heavens will be opened and you will receive your answer. The challenge is up to you... now the real question is... Percy Jackson or Book of Mormon?

We had an experience with the Book of Mormon this week-- as we were teaching one of the ladies in our area, whom I have grown to love, she was astounded at the doctrine of the fall of Adam as described in 2 Nephi 2! It was incredible to me, how spiritually thirsty she didn't realize she was, and how the Book of Mormon was able to quench even the slightest thirst. She ended up committing to reading the rest of the chapter with joy in her heart, and one foot in the well of living water! Without the Book of Mormon, we wouldn't have been able to have such an experience: I am forever indebted to how this book has changed me as a missionary and the work I have been called to do.

You know, reading the Book of Mormon has helped me realize just WHAT it takes to become like Christ. Have you ever felt denied or rejected? Have you ever mourned or wept? Have you felt betrayed in the house of your friends? I think I know someone who can sympathize. And if we, as children of God, desire to become more like Him... I think it to be normal to feel alone and helpless every once in a while. Thankfully, as Elder Holland puts it, "because Jesus Christ walked such a worrisome and lonely path alone... we don't have to do so." You are never alone in your struggles. God is watching over you. His angels are ever present. And it is those very trials and challenges that sanctify and qualify us to become like God. What an honor it is to be entrusted with sacred trials-- that we might be able to learn and grow by becoming more like Jesus Christ through our suffering.

In fact, this week God literally prompted us to feel rejected. We were counseling with Him before we headed to our next appointment, and we heard the Spirit speak, "knock on that door." OOOOOOH this is gonna be one of those, "feeling good, dunk a family of six" moments-- or so we thought... on the contrary the young man who answered the door politely asked us to, "get off of his lawn and to never tread the steps of Satan on his holy ground ever again." Not entirely sure what that means, but I guess God wanted us to have that experience. Why? Why does God permit rejection? Because without pruning... the tree of life would never grow. We were pruned, plucked, and prodded this week-- but all for the greater good of growth! In fact, I'm starting to like the way God works-- sure we may suffer for a moments time, but the reward is far greater on the other side of the orchard.

So really, what I'm trying to say is: PRAY! SPECIFICALLY! Pray specifically for the things you know God wants most for you in your life, and see what he does. If you want charity, PRAY FOR IT! If you want answers, PRAY FOR THEM! If you want a new car... talk to someone else because we're talking about TREASURES IN HEAVEN PEOPLE! And while you're praying, talk to Him about the Book of Mormon. I know that his answer will be the same answer he has given me... it's true! If you don't believe me, try it for yourself! I testify that as we strive to become like Christ; in our sufferings and our greatest rejection, and as we seek specific answers... we'll be okay! Go ahead, try it-- spend some time in the "specific" ocean, and I promise you won't drown. Soon you'll learn how to walk on water because you've become like the Savior, and then you'll come to know through the Book of Mormon, how much God and Elder Boyd love you. HAVE A GREAT WEEK Y'ALL! ELDER BOYD LOVES YOU!

Sincerely and specifically,

Elder Boyd.

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