Becoming A Trainer

This week has been crazy. I got assigned as a trainer for our transfer this week, which will be intense, but I look forward to it. I will be staying up in Lehi, which is great. There is a lot of good work going on here and we are teaching a lot of people. 

 

It is cool to hear everyone's experiences and how no matter who you were or who you are, you can still return or come closer to Christ. Over the past couple weeks, I have been able to meet so many new people, ranging from Pres. Monson’s bodyguard, to president Hinkley’s translator, to the secretary of Elder Uchtdorf. From FBI agents to CEO's, the church brings in a wide diversity of people, and it is cool to see how the common factor in all their lives is Christ. Christ truly has the ability to touch every single person’s heart - if they are willing to let Him. 

 

Recently I have been studying some of my family history, which has been amazing. There are so many amazing stories about our ancestors and the pioneers which are just waiting to be found. Miracles are just waiting to be remembered and discovered. This week in Utah we were celebrating Pioneer Day. While pioneers are usually thought of as the ones pushing the handcarts, there are many who were pioneers in other ways. Some were the first to join the church in their family, first to attend college, or they created technology and engineering which expanded their fields. Many opened up missions in new countries and sacrificed so much for what they knew to be true.

 

There are miracles happening all the time, and this week I have been especially looking for them in my everyday life. It's amazing how the Lord's hand really is in the small details. Putting us in the right place to meet with people before they’re gone, guiding us to know which scriptures to share, and the confidence to speak to everyone. Because of that, we were able to find two sepperate people to teach in just one night.

 

There is so much to continue to learn from the scriptures and from the words of the prophets. The words of the prophets whether in scripture or modern day truly are eternal. Isaiah and John truly saw our day, Alma wished for the power (tech) that we hold in our hands. 

 

I am thankful to become an instrument in the hand of the Lord and Utah truly is a Zion, where people come closer to the Lord.

 

Elder Cluff

 

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Note from mom/Heidi about pictures: We didn’t hear from Jacob during the day on Monday, so it was a special treat to get a text and a couple pictures from a wonderful family in Lehi. Jen Goodman said, “Elder Cluff and Elder Kirby came to share a message with us. Elder Cluff is one of the absolute best! He’s going to be an awesome trainer and we are grateful he is staying here longer.”  Jen and I ended up talking that night, and she told me how her neighbor has been taught off and on by the missionaries for 2 years, and each time she feels like her questions are not answered and she stops for a time, and then tries again with new missionaries. Jen said that Jacob has been the perfect missionary for her. Every question she has had, he has been able to turn to the scriptures and help her to find the answers she has been looking for. Jen said that he has really been able to help her neighbor and all of them feel the spirit.

 

Jen also told me that she is a runner, and sometimes she sees Jacob and his companion out running. She said that at least twice, their new mission president has come and gone running with them. I was so impressed! What a great way to get to know your missionaries – to exercise with them and talk!! 

 

I am so thankful for thoughtful members who give us a peek into the life of our son, as a missionary!!

Perspective & The Atonement

Hello everyone!

This week has been incredible as always. We have been out and about knocking, calling, and talking to everyone who is open. We were able to do some service like helping people move and giving a blessing.

 

We got to do a FHE at a retirement center and it's incredible to hear how even with their disabilities and age they still work to support each other. They do it in small and simple ways, but they are incredibly loving and genuine. Everything from cards, piano, to helping put on socks, to wheeling their neighbors. They truly are an example of Christlike service. They are like the widow giving her mite in that they give all they have, and they appreciate all they have been given.

 

We were also able to speak at a youth conference to talk about preparing for a mission and what mission life is like. Some of the things I felt like were important to remember are this. First, it doesn't matter where you are assigned, what matters is you have been called, by the Lord, no less. Second, if you want to enjoy your mission and have success, prepare to work. The harder you work, and the more you set up can be directly correlated to how you feel. There is never a better night than one when you have put forth your all. And last of all, prepare to change how you see people! If you can - start this today. 

 

Something I have been pondering is: Our mindset should reflect the eternal truths we know. We know the people around us are our siblings, but do we see them that way? We know of the plan of salvation, are we living our life to prepare ourselves for heavenly life? We know about the incredible, infinite power of the atonement. Are we allowing ourselves to fully exercise it, and are we allowing others to fully exercise it? When someone has fully repented of a sin, and has moved past it, are we still holding them to it, judging them by it, or are we like God who has declared "I will remember your sins no more"? Once something is done and over with, it should remain that way. We must be careful because the atonement always looks forward. Past mistakes can be remembered in the sense that we know not to do them again but should not be a weight to hold us, or the people around us, back.

 

There is an interesting effect when crabs are put into a bucket together. They will attempt to get out but will never succeed, due to the fact they will pull each other back down. A crab will almost get out before getting sucked back in. We should be careful that One: we are not like the other crabs, preventing others from reaching their divine potential, and Two: We are not putting ourselves around others that tear us down. We are all sons and daughters of God and that is probably the greatest truth I know next to the atonement. 

 

We were able to give out some Books of Mormon, which is always cool. We have a challenge for our members in our area to pray to be in the right place at the right time and it's incredible to hear their experiences. I shared a couple examples last week, but they just keep going. Those that truly have taken up this challenge have found opportunities to help reactivate family members, share their testimony, and help people just feel loved. Members have been able to get to know, (or even just meet) neighbors they have lived by for years but have never met. 

 

During my studies, I have been blessed to have greater insight into the Pearl of Great Price. I have come to the conclusion that even if Joseph Smith had just translated the Book of Moses, he would be one the greatest prophets! Of course, we know he has done so much more than that. I would also encourage anyone reading this to do an in-depth study of D&C 4, and 2 Peter 1. Both of these chapters could be the study of a lifetime.

 

I feel so blessed to be here! There is so much work to be done, so many people to help and I feel like I'm just starting out. 

 

Elder Cluff

 

PS. Note from Mom:

I asked Jacob about speaking in 3 wards last week. He said, “We were asked to give talks in 3 wards last week. One on the Book of Mormon, one on increasing spirituality, and one on keeping commitments/covenants. It was a little scary, as I don't like public speaking that much, but it turned out well.”

 

I asked Jacob about the baptism last week. He said, “The boy’s name is Logan. He is a great kid and it was fun to teach him. He decided to get baptized out in Maryland, where he spends the summers and where most of his family lives (all of whom are nonmembers).”

 

I got a phone call this morning from his Aunt Jenn and cousin, Makena, who had just ran into him at the Deseret Book Store. So fun!! They sent the picture with him. 

Sharing The Gospel Anywhere & Any Time

Hey Everyone,

I hope your week has been as incredible as mine! This week has been kind of crazy, but very fun as well.

 

We have a lot of potential people we are starting to work with. It's interesting how the Lord works in people’s lives. There are those who want to come closer to Christ, some want to know more about the church, and others are just looking for more in their lives. Our mission president would say people are flocking to Utah and they think it's for work, or family, or even culture, but the Lord is really getting them here for the gospel. I dont think that concept is isolated to our mission but it's very prevalent here due to the number of members. 

 

This week has been busy between hours of tracting, three talks (different topics) on Sunday and a Baptism on Sunday as well. We are also starting to teach a lot of new people and hearing their stories has really caused me to reflect, ponder, and appreciate how much knowledge and assurance the gospel brings. 

 

The ways that members are finding to serve and teach their neighbors really shows that it can come in any way. Whether it's through coloring books or repelling - there are always opportunities to share the gospel. Recently in our mission, we encouraged the members to pray for 30 days to be in the right place at the right time so that they can love, share, and invite others to come unto Christ. The stories we have heard have been amazing. People are sharing the gospel on airplanes, hikes, internationally, and even giving out Books of Mormon - everywhere from at Temples to a hot tub in California. The Lord has a plan for everyone, and we are all apart of it.

 

Recently in my studies I have been studying the Books of Luke and John and it's incredible to see it from a perspective of knowing the people Jesus is teaching have a divine potential. He prepares them for Heaven’s law, shares the precepts necessary for them to achieve their potential, and lays down the reason for His ministry. In John 15:13-14, Jesus refers to his disciples not as servants or followers but as friends. He foreshadows his own death by saying "greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

 

I know Christ's perfect love can be found in everyone's life. He is the light and the life of the world. I am so grateful for my knowledge of Him!

 

Elder Cluff