1/23/2012 Elder Christensen "Strict Obedience=Eternal Happiness"

Hey there everyone! Man I have a lot to say and only about 15 minutesto say it so.... LETS GO!

This week... Well.. the cosa de mayor importancia... we set a baptismal date with a ten year old in our sector! To most missionaries this seems like something easy but this girl? Is probably smarter than I am haha. Not that that is saying

much... but anyways... At first she was really shaky... her name is Aline (Ah-leen) and she wants to be SURE that the church is true before getting baptized. We painted a big rock and wrote "Orar" on it with sharpie... she keeps it in her pillowcase which is cool! So the fecha is set for the 26th of Febrero. We have our work cut out for us and shes got to be praying constantly.

We had a leadership meeting in Maipú that was super good. It went from 10am to 5pm (ARE YOU SURE!?!?) but it was honestly amazing. President King is the man plus the classes that we had were amazing. We have excellent Zone Leaders and District leaders in this mission. Even President says that the mission is the best its ever been... All the leaders are just Powerhouses! You know what I think the reason is? Two things.... 1.) A desire to work... A desire to thrust in the sickle..... 2.) STRICT obedience to the mission rules. That right there is a recipe for success.

We had a sweet lesson on obedience in our Zone Leader Council up at Presidents house a couple weeks back and I`d like to share a little thought from that.... The lesson was called.... The transforming power of obedience... SICK. President told us a story of a missionary from our mission who went home not that long ago that made him sad... He said that in his last interview, this missionary explained that he was plenty happy without having to obey the mission rules AND that the Lord was still blessing him with success... President said that he KNOWS the Lord loves us and is going to bless us... right? The difference is, that through obedience we can receive even MORE blessings. God will ALWAYS give a commandment AND a blessing together. Thats just how he is. ... Heres a scriptural example.... SWITCH the words kingdom for state of happiness..... (DyC 88; 21-24)

21 And they who are not sanctified through the law which I have given unto you, even the law of Christ, must inherit another kingdom (State of happiness.) even that of a terrestrial kingdom (State of happiness.) , or that of a telestial kingdom.(State of happiness.)

22 For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom (State of happiness.) cannot abide a celestial glory. (State of happiness.)

23 And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom (State of happiness.) cannot abide a terrestrial glory.

24 And he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom (State of happiness.) cannot abide a telestial glory; therefore he is not meet for a kingdom of glory. Therefore he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory. (State of happiness.)

KINDA confusing but VERY true.... if we are not sanctified thorough our strict obedience to the law, we will not be able to receive the state of happiness that we really desire... Yes we will still be happy and we will still be blessed because God and Christ love us.. but, imagine what more we can do if we just OBEY. Like this missionary who had his interview with President... He had success! He was happy! But he could have gone even farther with the principle of self mastery and become more like God is. I love this church. I love the doctrine of Christ. Its the greatest. Last thing.....

DyC 78:7 For if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you.

If we want a place in the celestial world, its time we make celestial decisions... Its time we be obedient to EVERYTHING that God asks.... after all... our goal is Exhaltation. I know its tough to choose what God wants.... I know that Dad.. My dad... Will Christensen always was trying to put good principles on me... trying to teach me things that are correct... Did I want to do it all the time? Nope... Sure didn`t... I did NOT want to cut the lawn every wednesday.... I did NOT want to go to scouts and get merit badges..... but hey.... I obeyed (barely) what my earthly father asked and it has made me a better

person... I wish I could go back in time with the knowledge I have now and spend time only doing those things... the things I didn`t want to do... By being obedient to what our heavenly father asks, even when we don`t understand it, we achieve a GREATER state of happiness. Remember that in your crazy daily lives. I testify that the doctrine of Christ makes us happier. I`m living proof of it. I hope you like the new me because its a lot more obedient than it was before.... :) That’s chatter for another matter... I love you all and I hope you have a great week. Be obedient.

Chaoooooooo! Elder Christensen

Pics!! Uhhm.... Well.. I have some pics to attach but my computer is Ghettisimo. VERY ghetto.. Soo... next week? Double pics? Love you! Chao!