Come, Listen to the Prophets Voice!

Hello! 

This last Thursday, we had the wonderful opportunity to attend a broadcast as President Nelson,  Elder Holland, and their lovely wives, spoke to the people of England and Ireland! It was a wonderful broadcast, especially as a missionary, because I was able to attend two sessions. One for the public, and then a special broadcast just for the missionaries! 

They were wonderful broadcast, full of the spirit! It was wonderful to see the prophet and Elder Holland in an environment where they could show more of their personality. They are funny people! The whole environment, even though more relaxed than General Conference, testified to me the truthfulness that President Nelson is a prophet of God. 

I am so grateful to hear the prophet of God. It was a great experience on Thursday to listen to the prophet. It motivated me to do better, and to refocus my mind on the fact that we are the true and living church of the Living Christ. It was a good reminder of what it means when we say "living church", and that we have a prophet who receives revelation from the Lord as to how He wants His church to be run. 

I remember President Nelson saying in the missionary broadcast, "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I am an ordinary person, just with an extraordinary calling." I loved that! It helped me to reflect on what it is to be a missionary. There are times that I look at myself and think I'm underqualified, that I'm not a good teacher or good with words or socializing. I think, "How could an ordinary person like me be an effective teacher and missionary?" It's important for me to remember that it's not me who is the teacher. The Lord will qualify those he calls, and I have been called of Him. As for teaching, I may be a bad teacher, but with the Holy Ghost, he can take the truth of the often jumbled words to the hearts and souls of those listening. I don't need to be a scholar. An ordinary person with the help of the spirit can be a great teacher. 

I had to rely on this thought as we continued on our teaching. We are currently teaching two wonderful women. They are progressing well in the gospel, and are each taking their own steps, and discovering for themselves the truthfulness of the Lord's message. It has been difficult for me, as we've had a few lessons recently where I left feeling like I didn't do a good enough job, and that they left the meeting more confused than having their questions answered. I prayed for help. Yesterday we had a lesson with Natacha, and it was wonderful! We Skype in Sister Paixão from Wigan, and had a very powerful and spiritual lesson. I definitely know that I have to rely on the spirit to be an effective teacher. 

I'm grateful for the words of the living prophet! 

Invitation of the Week

Read the talk "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives" by President Nelson. These are the words of the prophet, be abiding by them cannot lead us astray. 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives?lang=eng#title1

Love you all! 

Elder Burns

England Manchester Mission

Springwood, Suite G5

Booths Park

Chelford Road

Knutsford

England WA16 8GS

United Kingdom