Chapter 27 - Spirit War

Hello, world! I feel like it´s been a week since I talked with you. And it was a pretty packed week.

I was always told that being a missionary was difficult. I never doubted this. When I got here, I learned for myself that we can´t use words to describe how difficult it is. But then, as the weeks went by, I got better at being a missionary, almost reaching the point that I felt comfortable with the work. And so, of course, it was time for something more. I don´t know if being a senior companion alone is very hard, but being a trainer without ever having been a senior companion has been a greatly humbling experience. Luckily, Elder Buarque is a great missionary already.

In the midst of this spiritual war, I have had many oppurtunities to feel and recognize the Spirit. It is really the best feeling I´ve ever felt. We ought to seek the companionship of the Spirit everyday. He will help us through this war.

We had to ride the train to Benfica this week, and so I had a good amount of time to read the Book of Mormon. I read the stories of the people of King Limhi, and the people of Alma, both who were subjegated by the lamanites and forced to labor under heavy burdens. The people of king Limhi went up to battle several times to free themselves, and because of this many of them died. But then, in verses 13 and 14,

" And they did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting themselves to the yoke of bondage, submittingthemselves to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to the desires of their enemies. And they did humble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their God that he would deliver them out of their afflictions."

Once they were humble, they were delivered. The people of Alma humbled themselves much quicker, and didn´t have to suffer the same death before. These stories teach two things. First, humility is needed to recieve help from Heaven, and second, we can humble ourselves when troubles arise, or we can struggle alone for awhile until we chose to be humble.

This is just a little thought, but humility truly something I need a little more of. Alma the younger once asked, if we died today, would we be able to say that we had been sufficiently humble? I´m going to study this a little more this week, and I´ll let you know what I find.

I love you all!

Elder Lofthouse