... the end 🙂❤️🇧🇴
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Home
After two years and many wonderful memories sharing the gospel with my Bolivian family and friends. .....I’m home
Monday, August 12, 2019
The End. My Last Week in the Mission: What have I learned?
Well the time is coming to an end here in Bolivia. I can`t believe how fast the mission has gone by, the people i have met, the people i have changed and the people who have changed me in the process. Just as Alma stated, "Nevertheless, after much tribulation, the Lord did hear my cries, and did answer my prayers, and has made me an instrument in his hands in bringing so many of you to a knowledge of his truth. Nevertheless, in this I do not glory, for I am unworthy to glory of myself." I know that I am not the same person spiritually I was when I left on the mission 2 years ago, and I know the Lord is pleased with the sacrifice and service I have offered to Him these past 2 years.
Here is a list of 100 things that I have learned here in the mission.
1. That it`s okay to make mistakes, but that we need to truly repent and learn from our mistakes.
2. That I, Connor Ryan deCocq, am a child of God and that my Heavenly Father loves me and personally knows me.
3.That Lucifer is an enemy to God`s plan and he will do whatever it takes to lead us astray.
4.That the Book of Mormon truly is another testament of my savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.
5. That Even in our darkest moments, Christ will never , ever leave me, but that he will always be there to comfort me.(John 14:18)
6. That the atonement of Jesus Christ is for EVERYONE.
7. That Jospeh Smith saw God the Father and his son Jesus Christ.
8. That Jesus Christ restored His church and the fullness of His gospel through His servant Joseph Smith.
9. That my savior will indeed come once more and reign on the this earth personally.
10. That obedience is the 1st principle of the gospel (Moses 5:5-6).
11. The temple is the house of the Lord here on earth and there we can receive further light and knowledge from our Heavenly Father.
12. That thanks to the condescension of Jesus Christ, He allows any desirous sinner to receive forgiveness of any sin.
13. What true charity means.
14. That no other joy compares to that of seeing a child of God, humbled to the point of repentance and making sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father.
15. That Jesus Christ is Jehovah, God of the old testament.
16. That my patriarchal blessing is my personal Liahona.
17. That exaltation is my only eternal goal.
18. That I need to be a disciple of Jesus Christ for my entire life.
19. That daily scripture study is necessary for our earthly progression.
20. Knowledge is power. (D&C 131:6).
21. That miracles still exist and will continue to exist as long as the children of God have sufficient faith .
22. That we are to be tested and to have joy in this life.
23. That this is 100% the true church of Jesus Christ here on earth.
24. I have come to understand a tad of why Christ "Wept" due to the love I have acquired for God`s children here in Bolivia.
25. That in life there are good things, better things, and best things. (Dallin H. Oaks).
26.That as long as my testimony is strong, the persecution can`t make me deny what I know to be true.
27. That music is a powerful way to invite the spirit.
28. That the most important of the Lord`s work I will ever do will be within the walls of my own home (Harold B. Lee).
29. I learned that when I teach with the spirit, sometimes I even teach myself in the process.
30. That God still talks face-to-face with his prophets.
31. That the priesthood is God`s permission given to worthy men to act in His name here on earth.
32. That the sacrament is the #1 reason for going to church every week.
33. That we always need to have the end in mind.
34. That all spirit is matter and that science goes hand in hand with the laws of heaven (D&C 131:7-8).
35. That the mercy of Christ satisfies the demands of justice.
36. That I, as was Nephi, have been born of goodly parents.
37. "That by small means the Lord can bring about great things." (1 Ne. 16:29)
38. That the fruits of the mission are manifest after one is home.
39. That God doesn`t expect us to be perfect (yet), but rather that he wants us to give our very best.
40. That part of God`s plan was that Adam and Eve would fall.
41. That I can never fully repay my Savior for all he suffered for me individually in the garden of Gethsemane.
42. That I have the same potential as all my spiritual brothers and sisters to return and live forever in God`s presence and that I can become as He is.
43. That when we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are truly in the service of our God.
44. That the harvest is great and that a marvelous work has come forth among the children of men.
45. That Moroni`s promise is fulfilled in ANY person who follows the 3 points outlined in Moroni 10:3-5.
46. The requisites for living with my Heavenly Father again.
47. How being an example for others strengthens my own testimony.
48. That if God has forgotten and forgiven it, than so should I.
49. That God listens to and answers my prayers.
50. That the most important convert from my mission has been myself.
51. That the Lord is quick to forgive, but it is us who sometimes continue to dwell on the past.
52. The Lord expects progress, not perfection (yet).
53. That nothing can replace the blessings received in the temple.
54. That the church is perfect, and the members are not.
55. That we need to look at people as they can become and not necessarily as they currently are.
56. That I, as did Peter, have to had to leave some "nets" behind in order to better follow my Savior.
57. That sometimes we receive unexpected answers to our prayers.
58. That "Bible" means books and "testament" also means covenant.
59. That we sometimes have to cling to our faith and not always what`s seen.
60. That through Noah`s son, Ham, was Cain`s curse preserved after the flood.
61. That little independent intelligences make up everything and that they can also "obey".
62. That Christ was foreordained to be the Savior before the world was.
63. That a long interaction with a high spiritual presence produces a physical tiredness/exhaustion (moses 1:9-10).
64. That all spirits desire to have bodies (D&C 138:50).
65. That the gift of tongues is real and that I am a living testimony of such.
66. That the earth was once baptized by water (i.e. flood of Noah) and will some day be cleansed by fire (i.e. end of the world) and will receive its "paradisaical glory".
67. That being learned is good if we hearken unto the Lord (2 Ne. 9:29).
68. That Thomas had to see and feel the resurrected Christ as part of the requirements of being an apostle (John 20:26 & D&C 107:23).
69. The how and why Christ is our personal mediator.
70. That we are all tempted, even as Christ was, but that yielding to said temptations is what causes sin and brings punishment.
71. That baptism is the 1st covenant that leads us back to our heavenly home.
72. That being convinced of the gospel is not enough....We must truly be converted to it.
73. That I have many weaknesses, but that`s okay (Ether 12:27).
74. That fasting produces miracles.
75. That we should always be living our lives in such a way that we are worthy to enter into the Lord`s Holy temple.
76. That the spirit world is here on earth.
77. That self-sufficiency is what the Lord expects for us.
78. That I`m really going to miss my Bolivian family.
79. That "appreciation" is an essential effective gospel teaching tool.
80. How to take initiative and be a leader.
81. How to develop Christlike attributes and happy them.
82. That the best things in life require sacrifices.
83. That there truly is no more important thing in this life other than spending time with family.
84. That do to the condescension of Jesus Christ , no one is out of reach from the redeeming power of Christ`s atonement.
85. That through faith and faithfulness, the Lord will and has bestowed many blessings upon me.
86. That in its simplicity, repentance is change.
87. How to put others interests as my first priorities and not my own interests.
88. Why Jesus Christ is referred to as the "Lamb of God".
89. How to love and see others as Christ sees them: Potential Celestial Joint-Heirs.
90. That despite the length of the race, the most important step is the first one.
91. That after over 6,000+ years, Lucifer is a master at what he does, but no power or influence is stronger than that of my Heavenly Father.
92. That the Plan of Salvation is our personal cheat sheet to return to our heavenly Father`s presence.
93. That the Holy Ghost is my daily personal guide.
94. That because my Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ was resurrected, I too will one day resurrect.
95. That faith, patience , and diligence produce spiritual miracles.
96. That will not be heaven to me if I am not there with my family.
97. That trials and tests are for our own spiritual/temporal benefit as we learn to progress in this life.
98. That God`s power comes from glory and honor.
99. How to love and teach as Christ would have if he were by my side.
100. That despite having stumbled at times throughout these past two years at times, I know that my Heavenly Father is "well pleased" with my sacrifice and missionary service.
Here is a list of 100 things that I have learned here in the mission.
1. That it`s okay to make mistakes, but that we need to truly repent and learn from our mistakes.
2. That I, Connor Ryan deCocq, am a child of God and that my Heavenly Father loves me and personally knows me.
3.That Lucifer is an enemy to God`s plan and he will do whatever it takes to lead us astray.
4.That the Book of Mormon truly is another testament of my savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.
5. That Even in our darkest moments, Christ will never , ever leave me, but that he will always be there to comfort me.(John 14:18)
6. That the atonement of Jesus Christ is for EVERYONE.
7. That Jospeh Smith saw God the Father and his son Jesus Christ.
8. That Jesus Christ restored His church and the fullness of His gospel through His servant Joseph Smith.
9. That my savior will indeed come once more and reign on the this earth personally.
10. That obedience is the 1st principle of the gospel (Moses 5:5-6).
11. The temple is the house of the Lord here on earth and there we can receive further light and knowledge from our Heavenly Father.
12. That thanks to the condescension of Jesus Christ, He allows any desirous sinner to receive forgiveness of any sin.
13. What true charity means.
14. That no other joy compares to that of seeing a child of God, humbled to the point of repentance and making sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father.
15. That Jesus Christ is Jehovah, God of the old testament.
16. That my patriarchal blessing is my personal Liahona.
17. That exaltation is my only eternal goal.
18. That I need to be a disciple of Jesus Christ for my entire life.
19. That daily scripture study is necessary for our earthly progression.
20. Knowledge is power. (D&C 131:6).
21. That miracles still exist and will continue to exist as long as the children of God have sufficient faith .
22. That we are to be tested and to have joy in this life.
23. That this is 100% the true church of Jesus Christ here on earth.
24. I have come to understand a tad of why Christ "Wept" due to the love I have acquired for God`s children here in Bolivia.
25. That in life there are good things, better things, and best things. (Dallin H. Oaks).
26.That as long as my testimony is strong, the persecution can`t make me deny what I know to be true.
27. That music is a powerful way to invite the spirit.
28. That the most important of the Lord`s work I will ever do will be within the walls of my own home (Harold B. Lee).
29. I learned that when I teach with the spirit, sometimes I even teach myself in the process.
30. That God still talks face-to-face with his prophets.
31. That the priesthood is God`s permission given to worthy men to act in His name here on earth.
32. That the sacrament is the #1 reason for going to church every week.
33. That we always need to have the end in mind.
34. That all spirit is matter and that science goes hand in hand with the laws of heaven (D&C 131:7-8).
35. That the mercy of Christ satisfies the demands of justice.
36. That I, as was Nephi, have been born of goodly parents.
37. "That by small means the Lord can bring about great things." (1 Ne. 16:29)
38. That the fruits of the mission are manifest after one is home.
39. That God doesn`t expect us to be perfect (yet), but rather that he wants us to give our very best.
40. That part of God`s plan was that Adam and Eve would fall.
41. That I can never fully repay my Savior for all he suffered for me individually in the garden of Gethsemane.
42. That I have the same potential as all my spiritual brothers and sisters to return and live forever in God`s presence and that I can become as He is.
43. That when we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are truly in the service of our God.
44. That the harvest is great and that a marvelous work has come forth among the children of men.
45. That Moroni`s promise is fulfilled in ANY person who follows the 3 points outlined in Moroni 10:3-5.
46. The requisites for living with my Heavenly Father again.
47. How being an example for others strengthens my own testimony.
48. That if God has forgotten and forgiven it, than so should I.
49. That God listens to and answers my prayers.
50. That the most important convert from my mission has been myself.
51. That the Lord is quick to forgive, but it is us who sometimes continue to dwell on the past.
52. The Lord expects progress, not perfection (yet).
53. That nothing can replace the blessings received in the temple.
54. That the church is perfect, and the members are not.
55. That we need to look at people as they can become and not necessarily as they currently are.
56. That I, as did Peter, have to had to leave some "nets" behind in order to better follow my Savior.
57. That sometimes we receive unexpected answers to our prayers.
58. That "Bible" means books and "testament" also means covenant.
59. That we sometimes have to cling to our faith and not always what`s seen.
60. That through Noah`s son, Ham, was Cain`s curse preserved after the flood.
61. That little independent intelligences make up everything and that they can also "obey".
62. That Christ was foreordained to be the Savior before the world was.
63. That a long interaction with a high spiritual presence produces a physical tiredness/exhaustion (moses 1:9-10).
64. That all spirits desire to have bodies (D&C 138:50).
65. That the gift of tongues is real and that I am a living testimony of such.
66. That the earth was once baptized by water (i.e. flood of Noah) and will some day be cleansed by fire (i.e. end of the world) and will receive its "paradisaical glory".
67. That being learned is good if we hearken unto the Lord (2 Ne. 9:29).
68. That Thomas had to see and feel the resurrected Christ as part of the requirements of being an apostle (John 20:26 & D&C 107:23).
69. The how and why Christ is our personal mediator.
70. That we are all tempted, even as Christ was, but that yielding to said temptations is what causes sin and brings punishment.
71. That baptism is the 1st covenant that leads us back to our heavenly home.
72. That being convinced of the gospel is not enough....We must truly be converted to it.
73. That I have many weaknesses, but that`s okay (Ether 12:27).
74. That fasting produces miracles.
75. That we should always be living our lives in such a way that we are worthy to enter into the Lord`s Holy temple.
76. That the spirit world is here on earth.
77. That self-sufficiency is what the Lord expects for us.
78. That I`m really going to miss my Bolivian family.
79. That "appreciation" is an essential effective gospel teaching tool.
80. How to take initiative and be a leader.
81. How to develop Christlike attributes and happy them.
82. That the best things in life require sacrifices.
83. That there truly is no more important thing in this life other than spending time with family.
84. That do to the condescension of Jesus Christ , no one is out of reach from the redeeming power of Christ`s atonement.
85. That through faith and faithfulness, the Lord will and has bestowed many blessings upon me.
86. That in its simplicity, repentance is change.
87. How to put others interests as my first priorities and not my own interests.
88. Why Jesus Christ is referred to as the "Lamb of God".
89. How to love and see others as Christ sees them: Potential Celestial Joint-Heirs.
90. That despite the length of the race, the most important step is the first one.
91. That after over 6,000+ years, Lucifer is a master at what he does, but no power or influence is stronger than that of my Heavenly Father.
92. That the Plan of Salvation is our personal cheat sheet to return to our heavenly Father`s presence.
93. That the Holy Ghost is my daily personal guide.
94. That because my Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ was resurrected, I too will one day resurrect.
95. That faith, patience , and diligence produce spiritual miracles.
96. That will not be heaven to me if I am not there with my family.
97. That trials and tests are for our own spiritual/temporal benefit as we learn to progress in this life.
98. That God`s power comes from glory and honor.
99. How to love and teach as Christ would have if he were by my side.
100. That despite having stumbled at times throughout these past two years at times, I know that my Heavenly Father is "well pleased" with my sacrifice and missionary service.
The mission has changed me. I have changed people here in Bolivia. Although they may not have been the best 730 individual days of my life, without a doubt they have been the best 2 years. See you all soon.
Love,
Elder Connor Ryan deCocq
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