VICKSBURG VOLUMES: CHAPTER FIVE

The thrive of thighs in week five,

This week was hard, be we did it all through Christ. Friendly suggestion even if you feel like the thighs of Thor can do it, don't go up that hill in sixth gear. Also, if you're looking for little simple gifts of happiness, go make homemade ice cream with the folks at the rehab center or sort books in children's section of the library for a few hours. The world is full of opportunities to be happy; if we will simply look for them. These Asgardian appendages have served me well this week-- 50 miles of biking is the ultimate way to build character... and calves. SO SADDLE UP ON THEM SEATS OF SALVATION and prepare for a reflective, rambunctious, and revenant combination of wordplay as we enjoy the VICKSBURG VOLUMES: CHAPTER FIVE. 

Hope yall are doing GREAT. I would encourage you all to strive for that, "burning in the bosom" to keep warm in the snow. 

As for me, I received an elevated sense of purpose this week as I contemplated the, "why" of missionary work.

What is the doctrine behind the saving of souls?

Why do young men and women, the youth of the noble birthright, endure from door to door to, "share a message about Jesus Christ" with your family?

What is the purpose behind this great and marvelous work? 

As missionaries, we are despised and rejected by men. We are men and women of sorrows and are well acquainted with grief. Oftentimes, we will find that the people we teach will hide their faces from us; and sadly, without a second thought, we and our message are esteemed as nothing of eternal importance. 

Why?

I beg to rationalize, in the most sacred intent... that our mission is a lot like His.

To quote Isaiah,

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

But the next verse is a little, "less" relatable...

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

We may be despised and rejected, but we are wounded for nobody's transgressions nor bruised for any form of another's iniquity. The chastisement of peace rests not on our shoulders- but those of Him who, "partook his preparations among the children of men" and fulfilled all that his Father sent him to do. It is only in and through HIS stripes that we are healed; nothing of our own individual, merits, mercy, or grace. He volunteered, atoned, and fulfilled the lover's part that we might not shrink. In the ultimate expression of love, gave his life as a ransom for many, that we through him might be saved in grace and truth. Surely, our mission is similar to the Savior's but we must always remember... that his mission was much harder... and he still did everything he was sent to do.  

"If the world hates you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."

As missionaries we are in constant wonder why people would reject such a life-changing message-- but do we ever consider those times where we might in fact, even in the smallest of ways, reject Christ ourselves? Sure, we may not blaspheme nor abandon faith entirely regarding him as, "a thing of naught." But do we ever have those times where we just don't quite keep ALL of God's commandments? Where we... perchance.. leave him on hold as we retire to bed too early without accounting to God? Do we ever postpone a prompting or neglect a service opportunity? Do we sometimes find ourselves slamming the door on revelation- much like the doors closed on us representatives? Perspective. Now, this isn't to demoralize, discourage, or demean our righteous efforts in any sort of way-- but it goes to say that before we ask, "why me?" we instead first, "remember Him." He is merciful, he is loving, he is all-encompassing with his arms of endless love. He is forgiving, patient, kind, gentle, meek, optimistic... the list goes on for scriptural eternity. We slam too many doors in his face, yet he keeps knocking... We sometimes don't keep all our commitments, but he keeps extending... Truly, if our mission is like His, maybe it would be most helpful to remember that in order to accomplish our missions, we must be like Him. 

What we are offering at that doorstep is not ourselves, but Christ. If anything, I realized this week that as a representative of Him who is, "mighty to save" I am giving nothing of myself to these precious souls in the South. I am the messenger, I am the mouthpiece, and I am the instrument... but I am not the Savior. What I and every other Elder and Sister are offering when we come to your door, is a connection to Him. We are offering you complete access to the comfort of Christ through the fulness of the blessings of his atoning sacrifice. We are inviting you to, "experience the joy of redemption" and to drink from the fountain of living water, that you may be whole. 

Did you know the loving God has provided a way for you to experience guaranteed peace, through one of his most beloved gifts? That he has granted knowledge of security in salvation and an endless flow of blessings, contingent upon sacred promises? That the power of God is on the Earth today, and as such has the overwhelming influence to bring about many mighty miracles in the name of Christ? That your family can be together FOREVER through the plan of a loving Father? Did you know that you can be cleansed from sin EVERY WEEK as you renew promises made under the proper authority? Did you know that there are MORE words of Christ, available to you today, that you may receive further guidance and instruction from the Lord? Did you know that a modern-day Moses walks the Earth, and if you listen to his counsel you can live with God again? Next time you say, "not today" think about these words from President Oaks: 

As the prophets of this dispensation have told us, the missionaries’ purpose of being in the mission field is to save souls, to baptize converts, which is to open the doors of the celestial kingdom to the sons and daughters of God.

No one else can do this.
Other churches cannot do it.
Good Christian living cannot do it.
Good faith, good desires, and good reasoning cannot do it.
Only the priesthood of God can administer a baptism that will satisfy the divine decree that “except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 

Sorry y'all, just WAY passionate about the gospel. I just have SUCH  a desire to share this message with the world. Just remember next time you say no... you're declining much more than two boys from out west. THE CHURCH IS TRUE. 

In other news... you remember that beautiful pattern set by Ammon where he served the King and then taught him about the Gospel? That us this week, except instead of cleaning stables we went up to these three teenage girls who taught us how to do the, "mmm" dance and requested that I sing Baby by Justin Bieber to their fanbase of Instagram Live. If I went viral, I'm sorry in advance. 😂 BUT, the good news of the Gospel was that this series of white boys dancing softened their hearts to the gospel and allowed us to schedule a return appointment to teach them and their family how they can be together forever! 

Now if that ain't a Southern story, I don't know what is.

Well yall, that oughtta do us for this week. I love the Gospel and I love being a missionary. I hope that you all remember your purpose as children of God-- and strive for that 5G connection with the Savior. Make this week full of the remembrance of Him! Choose to be healed by his stripes and to follow him through His Gospel. Though our missions may be similar to His, we must be much more like Him is we hope to accomplish ours the same way. WE CAN DO IT THOUGH. That's the good news about the gospel- the Lord is not selfish. He wants us to be like Him, we just need his help to do it. He is the pioneer for our divine inheritance and as we follow his footsteps with faith I testify that "when he comes, we will be like him." HAVE A GREAT WEEK! ELDER BOYD LOVES Y'ALL!

From your favorite pair of Thor's thighs,

Elder Boyd

This Week's FB Post:

Whose love can compare to that of the Savior,

Whose life was paid as an unfathomable favor.

For you and for me, 

He suffered in Gethsemane,

That we as families might be,

Sealed forever eternally.

Never wondering how, but instead remembering why,

The Savior himself was the ultimate sacrifice,

Our pains and weaknesses, he willingly assumed

"Thy will be done"-- he fulfilled what his Father sent him to do.

He's been there before, and he knows how you feel-

His Atonement is infinite, intimate, and real.

And God so loved the world, that he gave his only son--

That we, through him, might return to home above.

A love so pure,

That always endures,

He suffered first

To provide a compassionate cure,

So next time you wonder,

Why is life so tough?

Or will I ever be enough?

Remember the garden...

The bread and the cup.

Remember the Saviors love.

❤

#LBRMSingingSunday

This week's Pics/Video's

Having Fun:

VICKSBURG VOLUMES: CHAPTER FOUR

And I would bike a thousand hills, and I would bike a thousand more...

Just to be the man who biked a thousand hills to come and knock on your door. 

Miracles of the week: it snowed in Mississippi, our thighs are still kicking, and the people of Vicksburg are progressing! There is goodness to be found all around, even when the doors of Mississippi are enchanted with an ancient curse to rarely open up! God is still good-, especially to the thighs. Have your muscles ever passed the point of no return? That was Hill #56 for us. But the Atonement of Christ is real for all sinners and thighs alike-- God has enabled us and our lower leg muscles to see many mighty miracles this week. So, climb aboard, the pegs are ready, and the spirit is more rampant than the Boycott Bowl in the VICKSBURG VOLUMES: CHAPTER FOUR. 

Has anyone ever canceled on you??

What is the purpose of a cancellation?

Is it worth it to bike four miles in the snow, up Mt. Vicksburg, with minimal hydration to follow a prompting?

This was the week of canceled appointments, and as such, the series of events we endured have caused me to think deeply about the metaphors of a mission. 

Sometimes in life, we purposefully get up early, bike four miles over the tumultuous hills and valleys, stretch the limit of our thighs, and exert all energy and hope into high expectations... only to find ourselves canceled on. Only to find ourselves in the position to think that all of the aforementioned processes was, "for nothing." It's easy to think that way, it's easy to be pessimistic-- it's actually natural and innate to be disappointed and to immediately assume blame for foiled planning. However, who remembers our, "p-word" from last week? PERSPECTIVE. Perspective is the solution to everything, I'm convinced. And perspective teaches us that cancellation is actually just a test from God to prove our agency to choose to be happy. We can choose to It takes an engaged, active, kinetic analysis and effort to look on the "sunny side of life."

Optimism is a choice-- which means, happiness is a conscious decision. It isn't merely a mind at rest to have a positive attitude... but something that is thought out acted upon, and maintained through consistent effort. Kind of like gardening; if we simply leave our seeds unattended, they won't grow on their own; in fact, they'll die. They must be nurtured, nourished, and actively cared for. Same with our attitudes-- optimism can be likened to such a garden. Many decisions, opportunities, and circumstances in a day represent the seeds planted in our mind-- it requires individual attention to yield an orchard of positivity. That's why positive seeds tend to be the ones that look on the "sunny side."  Every time something happens in our lives; a seed sprouts! It is up to us to determine if that seed will bring forth good or bad fruit. Positivity or negativity. 

Alma, a beloved prophet in the book of Mormon and a metaphorical guru, describes this relationship of the harvest beautifully when he states, "  

And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.

38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out." 

When we nourish the seeds of positivity they take root and eventually bring forth an optimistic attitude. Likewise, yielding to the temptation of neglect deprives our thoughts of their necessary nourishment, and results in the scorch of the harvest! We are promised such great blessings when we nourish our attitudes. Of course, it takes, "great diligence" and patience- but as our attitudes begin to grow, we will find ourselves taken up in the root of positivity, with the most precious fruits of outlook, and the orchards of our minds harvested through the seeds of eternal life. 

As is the case with most of these mission metaphors, I speak of this all through personal experience. Time after time after time again this week, our appointments canceled or rescheduled. Naturally, this could be looked upon as an exercise of patience and endurance- but when it takes four miles, the hydration of a water buffalo, and the calves of 2000 stripling warriors, the exercise can get a little frustrating. We feel inspired as we plan, we seek the guidance of the spirit, and throughout the day we depend upon the Lord to show us where to go, what to do, and what to say... so WHY would he not prompt us otherwise or direct our paths to a more successful destination? Have you ever felt SO strongly that God wanted you to do something and then you do it... and nothing comes of it? You feel like you are in strict alignment with his will and yet, your plans fall through and you're left feeling unproductive and unresponsive? To you, random citizen I quote: 

"Sometimes in response to prayers, the Lord may guide us down what seems to be the wrong road—or at least a road we don’t understand—so, in due time, He can get us firmly and without question on the right road. Of course, He would never lead us down a path of sin, but He might lead us down a road of valuable experience. Sometimes in our journey through life, we can get from point A to point C only by taking a short side road to point B."

For the sake of righteousness, our success is never on account of OUR plans... his plan is the only real plan of happiness, and enduring joy comes ONLY when our plans align with his. Promptings are actually just glimpses into the Father's plan- a constant, specific, provided way that will best help us to return to live with him again. You can do all you can to plan, but you will only be planning a "plan B." Plan A, is much better- but requires trial and error, faith, and persistence to uncover. All of these doubts about the effectiveness of our personal planning are actually just on account of a lack of perspective. If we truly saw what God saw we would never debate following a prompting; he always has something in store for the first responders to the spirit, even if the eyes of mortality can't quite see it. We truly never know what God is protecting us from, or where the other road could've to lead... but we should ever be grateful for the Father's hand and plan in our lives.    

We saw this in action this week! We biked us, "four miles" as you do... only to left with cold knuckles on a wooden door; however, just with last week, the prompting came, "you're here for a reason.... find it." So, what do missionaries do when they don't know what to do? Knock doors. 

However, this tracting session came to an abrupt halt when we felt the great need to counsel with God. Why not, eh? He probably knows better than we do, what we should be doing. We walked up to our second house and saw a name inscribed on the cement pathway leading to the door: the exact name of a part-member family we had been working with in the previous weeks. Of course, in our jaunty morning saunter, we made jokes like, "huh, I wonder if they're related" and took no thought beforehand when we were knocking the door. Well, after yet another cold knuckle and a wooden door... the prompting came with greater force, "counsel with the Lord." So we prayed. Suddenly, I knew where we needed to go... The thought could NOT be mistaken; we were being led by the Lord. It was no coincidence that that name was marked in the concrete of that house, that we would notice the familiarity, and even joke around about it. That was the family who needed us at that time. Granted, they were not close to our present location... maybe another four miles, and the steeper hills of Vicksburg away? However, we needed God to know that we would not be ones to postpone a prompting; so we went! In faith, we biked the journey, and lo and behold that family really needed us! We shared a powerful message and testimony of God's plan for each and every one of us, and as we departed from their lovely home, the thought came, "thank you for doing that for my daughter." 

If you don't think God knows you, if you feel forgotten, if you feel like God doesn't answer prayers... may this be a witness to you that God knows each of his children by name, and that he is willing to send two bike boys your way across the mountains of life to answer your prayers. No, God's plan is not convenient. It is not easy. And sometimes, it will be the exact opposite thing you think is expected of you-- but I testify that it is always worth it. Counsel with the Lord in ALL your doings, surrender your plan for His, be an answered prayer, plant the seeds of positivity in the garden of your mind, and become acquainted with the loving Gardener who loves you enough to cut you down... and send you biking another four miles. 

Well, the miracles of Vicksburg are real y'all. I have learned so much this week about who I really am and who God can help me to be. Sometimes it takes a trial of faith to see the salvation of souls, and that goes for ourselves as well! Our faith must be tried before we can not only help others but save ourselves-- the refinement of repentance and the carbon chambers of conversion are necessary obstacles in the pathway to eternal life. IT IS SO WORTH IT THOUGH. If you could only see the loving arms of the Savior awaiting at the end of the furnace... you would realize how integral the fire is to our capacity to feel and appreciate the Savior's love. I personally have felt those, "loving arms" through the people of Mississippi-- it's like God has given us a little hug every time one of the precious souls we are teaching progress. This has been a great week of learning and conversion for ourselves as well-- missions are truly the greatest. I invite you all to ponder upon your attitudes and plans-- is your plan, God's plan, or are you trying to make God's plan your plan? Be conscious this week of the potential for positivity in your orchard! Trust that God will bless you with seeds and plans to fulfill all that he has sent you here to do! The church is true, my friends. The Book of Mormon is the word of God, and for those of you who doubt the truthfulness of these things, I invite you as Alma did too, "give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, [and] behold, if it be a true seed or a good seed... do not cast it out by your unbelief!" You cant plant a seed without digging, so DIG and give the Gospel a try! I promise great fruits of eternal life as you try nourish, and harvest. HAVE A GREAT WEEK Y'ALL. ELDER BOYD LOVES YOU. 

From the man who would bike a thousand hills to fall down at your door,

Elder Boyd

This Week's FB Post:

Need a celestial degree?

Come to the Lord's university.

What if there was a place happier than Disneyland? 
A real castle where kings and queens can rule over their little kingdoms for time and all eternity together?
A sacred place where we could retire from the world, embrace the spirit, be taught of the Lord, and receive a greater sense of who we really are?

Come to the temple!

The REAL happiest place on earth, the place where eternal kingdoms are made, and the most sacred place to retire from the world, to be surrounded by the spirit, to learn the mysteries of the kingdom, and to discover our true identity.

I love to see the temple, but even better than seeing it is going inside. For those of you waiting on your someday... make someday, TODAY. Be worthy of a recommend and come get your celestial degree!

The temple is truly a holy place where we can be sealed together and as children of God, we can all embrace the great eternal truth that temples reveal...

Families can be together forever.

#LBRMSingingSunday

This Week's Video/Pics