Kevan Kingsley Clawson's Blog, page 16

The new guys

We had some changes in the Zone: four missionaries left, and were replaced by two brand-new missionaries who will be training here.

  This is one of the local buses in St Martin. At first we thought it was a prison transport, but then it began picking up school children…

  first rainbow we have seen here…not much, but it was there!  Elder Pape (ZL), Elder Broadbent (new DL), and Elder Glover (ZL)  Elder Mills (new missionary) and Elder Broadbent (trainer)

Terri and I went on a teaching appointment with Mills and Broadbent, and we were very impressed by Elder Mills. As a brand new missionary he was well prepared and did a great job teaching! He is going to be a great missionary!

This was Elder Broadbent’s 2nd time leading a District Meeting and did an outstanding job. He is a natural leader and had no problem moving through the agenda and teaching an inspiring lesson!

  Sister Robinson (new missionary), Sister King (trainer), and Elder Broadbent Elder Lee of the FM group out of Puerto Rico, and me. He visited the island to check the status of our building, review maintenance with President Huggins, etc. We picked him up at the airport and dropped him off, ate dinner with him last night, and he and I went shopping for a few things the Branch needed.

Brother Lee is a gem! He is a former Stake President and Mission President and now works for the Church facility dept. taking care of all the church buildings in a vast area (he spends a lot of time traveling!). We had a great time sharing experiences with each other.

Misc pics

Found a few pics on my phone:

  The missionaries aboard the Amara    this was a final lunch with the Thompsons and the missionaries  Primary day at our local Church  The Thompsons and Clawsons aboard the Amara A farewell picture of the Thompsons and Sister Solomon (the RS President in the Branch)

A morning walk

 

 

 

 

Terri and I decided to get some exercise this morning–we are getting old and our joints are getting rusty, so we thought we should ‘oil’ them a little…

 this is looking back to the hill on which we live   this is Simpson Bay  We drive and park along the road, then walk across the bridge between the two sides of the bay. It is a popular place to walk because there is a good walkway. Most roads here don’t have sidewalks, and the roads are narrow, so it is dangerous to walk on the road   We live above the mast    !  there   this is one of the boats still stuck in the mud from the last hurricane

What is sin?

For those interested, here is the Sacrament talk I gave this Sunday:

Sacrament Talk St Martin 05/17/15:                 WHAT IS SIN?

I will talk about three principles: Bad thoughts, Judging others, Accidents

Bad thoughts:       If you have a bad thought, is it a sin?      No!

This might seem an odd answer given these well-known scriptures:

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28)

For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence. (Alma 12:14)

  Again, is being tempted, or having a bad thought, a sin?   NO!   WHY?

 The answer comes from answering another question:

HOW does Satan tempt us?     God has given Satan the power to tempt us.

In the pre-mortal life there was a war in Heaven. Satan and 1/3 of the host of heaven was at war with God over the agency of man. Satan was cast out of Heaven and into this earth. Why did God send Satan and those that followed him here on earth? It was so Satan could tempt us—giving us a trial of our faith to see if we would choose to do good, or choose to do evil.

** Satan tempts us by placing bad thoughts in our minds. **

 Satan does not have a physical body. God has given Satan the power to tempt us—not by force, but by placing bad/evil/negative thoughts into our minds.

  How do we KNOW that bad thoughts are not a sin?

  Because even Christ, who was perfect, had bad thoughts and was tempted!

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be with God. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, and had communed with God, he was afterwards an hungered, and was left to be tempted of the devil. (Matthew 4:1-2 JST)

(Speaking of Christ) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)

How did Satan tempt Christ? The same way Satan tempts us—by placing bad thoughts into our minds!

What turns a temptation, or bad thought, into a sin?

Using our agency to choose to act upon a bad thought leads to sin.

It is not a sin until we ACT upon the bad thought!

Example:    the thought comes to steal some candy

Just because you had the thought does not make you a bad person, or that you have sinned. It is what you do with that thought that makes the difference. If you choose to continue to ponder the evil thought and act upon it, then it becomes a sin.

 Example:    you look at a pretty woman

If you see a pretty woman and a bad thought comes into your mind, that does not make you a bad person or that you have sinned. It is what you do with that thought that makes the difference. If you look upon the woman to lust after her, it becomes a sin…you used your agency and chose to let your mind go to that evil place.

Definition of Sin:

 Sin is the transgression of divine law. A man sins when he vio­lates his conscience, going contrary to light and knowledge – not the light and knowledge that has come to his neighbor, but that which has come to himself. He sins when he does the opposite of what he knows to be right. Up to that point he only blunders. One may suffer painful consequences for only blundering, but he cannot commit sin unless he knows better than to do the thing in which the sin consists. One must have a con­science before he can violate it. (Cowley and Whitney on Doc­trine, pp. 435-36)

How did Christ deal with the evil thoughts he had?

And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:3-4)

Satan placed a thought in Christ’s mind: turn these stones to bread—a selfish request to perform a miracle for his own benefit. Christ fought the temptation by using scripture: Man does not live by bread alone, but by the word of God!

The Prophets have taught that we can do the same thing—fight bad thoughts and temptations by using scriptures we have memorized, or hymns, or other ways to train our minds to cast out evil thoughts and to focus on positive thoughts.

Accidents             If you have an accident, is that a sin?

Example:     You are distracted while driving and accidentally kill someone with your car.           Is this a sin?         NO!  

Remember the definition of sin:

Sin is the transgression of divine law. A man sins when he vio­lates his conscience, going contrary to light and knowledge – not the light and knowledge that has come to his neighbor, but that which has come to himself. He sins when he does the opposite of what he knows to be right. Up to that point he only blunders. One may suffer painful consequences for only blundering, but he cannot commit sin unless he knows better than to do the thing in which the sin consists. One must have a con­science before he can violate it. (Cowley and Whitney on Doc­trine, pp. 435-36)

We experience many problems and painful consequences to our actions that have nothing to do with breaking a commandment or sinning. These problems are just a part of the Telestial world in which we live—something we must learn to overcome and endure. They are just more trials/tests for us here on earth. But do not confuse the nature of this Telestial world (with all its problems and trials) with sin! They are NOT the same thing!

How would this example become a sin?

If you hit the woman on purpose, causing her death, then it would be a sin.

Accidents still have consequences! But they are not sins!

In order to commit a sin you must choose to sin!

Yet many of the righteous shall fall a prey to disease to pesti­lence and by reason of the weakness of the flesh and yet be saved in the Kingdom of God. So that it is an unhallowed prin­ciple to say that such have transgressed because they have been preyed upon by disease or death for all flesh is subject to death and the Savior has said, “Judge not lest ye be judged.” (The Words of Joseph Smith, p 15)

We may foolishly bring unhappiness and trouble, even suffer­ing, upon ourselves. These are not regarded as penalties im­posed by a displeased Creator. They are part of the lessons of life, part of the test. (Boyd K Packer, Conference Report, Oct 1980:29)

Judging others

One of the most common sins in the Church is judging others.

This often comes from true doctrine that is simply carried too far:

For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he follow Christ he cannot be a servant of the devil. Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil…  For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.

For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for everything which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him. (Moroni 7:11-17)

This is a true doctrine: by their fruits ye shall know them!

Unfortunately, some have taken this true doctrine and distorted it, by saying:

          If something bad happens to a person it means they have sinned or they are being punished by God for something they have done.

People often judge others who are having trials:

He must have sinned or he is just getting what he deserved!

The Jews believed this doctrine, but Christ taught this way of thinking was false!

         And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be manifest in him. (John 9:1-3)

Bad things happen to ALL people!

When bad things happen to people it does not mean they are bad or have sinned. It is just a part of the Telestial world on which we live.

Instead of judging people, have compassion on them. Instead of condemning them, bless them and help them!

Our first baptism

 

 

 

 

We had a busy week this week, and will have another next week, as it is transfers.

Last Sunday was Mothers Day, so we had the missionaries over to eat and to skype with their parents (they came off and on in the afternoon).

Monday was prep day, so we washed clothes and cleaned the house. Often the missionaries come over to use the internet to write home and/or to the President.

Tuesday is District Meeting and we met with the phone company in the afternoon (the missionaries are getting new phones here), and then went on a teaching appointment with the Elder Horton and Barlow (we are teaching a pastor who was/is a Seventh Day Adventist).

Terri has been sick this week, so we have kept to home most of the time. She is slowly getting her voice back (she had a sore throat and cough). That evening I went with Elder Horton/Barlow to see a family they are re-teaching the lessons to.

 Brother and Sister Henry with Elder Horton

Thursday evening was Correlation Meeting with Brother Reid and all the missionaries.

Friday I went to visit Victor Marlin and Brother Merchant. Victor is a faithful member of the church who is ill and cannot go to church. So I visit to pick-up his tithing, take the sacrament (at least once a month during our visits we take the sacrament), and have a lesson out of the Priesthood manual. Elder Merchant is also a faithful member that comes to church when he can. He was in an auto accident and injured his legs, so he often is in too much pain to leave home. Terri and I will be picking he and Brother Benjamin up for church (when they can) and giving them a ride home. Otherwise, he must walk quite a ways to catch a bus to get to church—which is very difficult due to his injury.

Saturday we went early to aid in cleaning the church and preparing for the baptism service for Ronald. He is the first baptism since we have come to St Martin, and will be a great asset to the Branch.

  Ronald with Elders Dayton and Broadbent just before his baptism Elder Broadbent interpreting for Brother Constant who gave a talk in French (Ronald speaks French, as do many members on the island)

That night we went with the Zone Leaders to meet with the Branch President and setup a schedule to train the leadership of the Branch (who are all very new).

Today, Terri and I talked in Sacrament Meeting. Terri spoke on the Gift of the Holy Ghost (which was appropriate since Ronald was given the Holy Ghost and confirmed a member of the church), and I spoke on Sin –what it really means to sin (you have to act against your conscience). The room was very quiet and reverent during our talks, and the spirit seemed to be very strong.

Lots of changes in the Missionaries here on St Martin:

Sister Guernsey is leaving and going to Guadelupe.
Elder Barlow is leaving and going to Trinidad.
Elder Dayton and Elder Horton are going home.
We get two new missionaries who will be trained here: Sister Robinson is being trained by Sister King (who is staying); Elder Perez is being trained by Elder Broadbent (who is being made a District Leader)
The two Zone Leaders, Pape and Glover, stay, with no changes.
If you add the coming and going, we are two short! They are closing an apartment/area here (at least temporarily). We believe the Elders will stay in the Belvadere Area and we will close down the Point Blanche apartment (which was just opened a short while ago). I may be that area will just be dormant for a while, but time will tell.

The missionaries leave Tuesday and Weds next week, and the new ones come in Weds. On Monday we will have a lunch for all the missionaries to say goodbye and plan for the new missionaries who are coming.

It all keeps us busy!

I have also been working on putting together emergency food/water kits for the missionaries (as we are entering Hurricane season). So I have been gathering food and other items to see how much they cost, and what size box to put them in, etc.

Farewells

This is the last week for two of our great missionaries here on St Martin: Elder Horton and Elder Dayton

This is me, Elder Horton, and Brother Skinner–a Seventh Day pastor we have been teaching on St Martin. As this was the last time Elder Horton would be coming to his home we took some pictures. He lives up on the hill overlooking Phillipsburg.

  This is me, Elder Barlow, and Brother Skinner

Our Tuesday District Meeting: left to right: Elder Barlow, Elder Broadbent, Elder Glover (Zone Leader), Elder Pape (Zone Leader), Sister King, Sister Guernsey

 Elder Horton (District Leader) teaches and leads the District Meeting for the last time

 

  Elder Dayton and Elder Broadbent report on their weekly activities. They have a baptism coming up this Saturday–the first on St Martin in quite a while!  Elder Pape and Elder Glover report on their weekly activities  Elder Dayton teaches the District on what he has learned during his mission. He gave a wonderful lesson about key things he has learned about baptism (how to focus on and obtain baptisms), ‘fist bumps’ (how to be and act professional), flirting (how NOT to act as a missionary), and testimony (how a powerful testimony can overcome any objections or arguments to the Gospel). It was quite inspiring.

Elder Horton giving his last testimony to the District. Elder Horton and Elder Dayton spoke at Sacrament meeting on Sunday. Elder Horton gave a great talk, sharing many lessons and experiences from his mission to the group.

We will miss Elder Horton and Elder Dayton! They were terrific missionaries. They leave early in the morning on Tuesday. We don’t know yet who we will be receiving to replace them.

St Martin Schedule

We are slowly developing a schedule and pattern (of sorts) here on St Martin. As we begin to understand our role here, and find ways to aid in the missionary work and the local members and leaders of the Branch, we find our time beginning to fill up with positive things to do.

On Sundays we support the Branch by filling-in where there is a need. Terri is playing the organ, or leading music, when those who have been called are away or sick. I aid the Priesthood when asked, to set-up the sacrament, bless and pass, and teach at times.

On Saturdays we make sure the building is open for those cleaning the chapel, and make sure the building gets cleaned.

On Mondays (prep day) we often aid the missionaries in writing home or to the mission president; and sometimes feed them or aid them in other ways.

On Tuesday we attend District/Zone Meeting with the missionaries.  I am given a few minutes each week to share some insights into how they can improve their missionary work, or how to interact with the members more effectively.

On Thursday is Correlation Meeting with the Branch Mission Leader, where the missionaries report their work in the area and coordinate with the Branch for aid with teaching investigators, etc.

In-between we do office work—keeping the mechanics of the local mission going by making sure rent and utility get paid, cars get serviced and/or fixed. Money gets to the missionaries, and various problems that seem to arise every day get taken care of.

We also go out each week with the missionaries to teaching appointments to give them support in their efforts to find and teach investigators and reactivate inactive members.

Terri continues to deal with all medical issues in the mission (there are very few—certainly not like the Congo!), and I continue to work on other mission-wide assignments that have been given me.

I’m sure as time goes on our weekly schedule will become more and more full, and our ability to give aid to both the missionaries and members will increase.

Today was Mothers Day, so we had the missionaries over for dinner and to be able to call/Skype their families. As this took some time, it came in waves, as one set of missionaries would come to eat and/or skype, then later others would come, then leave to go to teaching appointments, etc. It was a busy day.

We are excited as we have our first baptism this coming Saturday. A man named Ronald is going to be baptized. He has been ready for some time, but was waiting to be sure and to resolve some personal issues. But now he is ready and he will be a great addition to the Branch! I am really impressed with him and am excited to see his growth here.

Totally forgot to take pictures this week! But not sure how well a picture of my meeting with the Toyota dealer (who will be selling our old truck) would be to everyone… or a picture of yet another meeting with the missionaries… So while the work goes on, and we are finding our way here, not sure how many pictures we will be sharing (unlike the Congo where even a meeting could be interesting!).

Cooking is a perk

We are almost one month on our new mission, and it has gone very fast. It is very very different than the Congo, with a lot more perks: better food, better living conditions, etc. In fact, Terri has started cooking a lot more (we have a great kitchen with all the things one needs to cook great meals!), and we have had some great food:

 A quiche egg dish Terri made–wow! We are also having some great crock-pot meals that we share with the missionaries!

Our weekly schedule is filled with lots of odds and ends. Terri is busy with the medical and is over teaching English to all the missionaries in the entire mission who need it (about 25). I aid in doing office work: paying bills, inspecting apartments, dealing with car issues, etc.; and am working on the emergency supply and plans for all missionaries in the mission.

We also attend a lot more meetings, both with the missionaries and the Branch leadership, in an effort to support and aid them in their work. We try to go out with the missionaries to appointments whenever we can. We are still trying to find a schedule and rhythm to our work here, which I am sure, will come in time.

I am grateful that the small branch has a new Branch President (otherwise it would be me!), who I think is doing a great job. Both of his counselors have only been in the church about a year. The biggest problem they have is trying to get the local members to actively participate. We often have a full sacrament meeting, but the number of members willing to accept and magnify their callings is few—which makes the work load on the Branch leadership very difficult. I admire their dedication and work ethic!

Monday is a holiday and the start of the Carnival season here (not sure how long it lasts). That means lots of parties, parades, etc., which we all try to avoid. It should be an interesting week!

Breakfast, Dinner, and Ice cream

This has been an interesting week.

We had all the missionaries over for a Monday/prep-day breakfast. It was quite fun. Going around the circle left to right: Elder Broadbent, Sister King, Sister Guernsey, Elder Dayton, Elder Horton, Elder Pape, Elder Glover, Elder Barlow

On Tuesday, we had Zone Conference at the Church. We decided to try to teach the missionaries how to cook better food and to use a slow cooker, so we pre-cooked a hot meal for them to eat after Zone Conference, then as they ate we gave them the recipe and explained how to make the meal. We will see how it goes–whether or not they will be able to make the same dish at home.

  Tuesday, the Sister Training Leaders came from Martinique to St Martin. On Wednesday, during a break during their 3-day visit, we took them to the gelato store for some ice cream. The store also has an old fashioned carousel that we had to try! It is an exact copy of a carousel in Venice. In fact, every part of the Carousel store is imported from Italy – including the owner and his Gelato equipment – Carpigiani, a company my brother worked for.   They don’t look like their having any fun…   Time for some fashion shots: Sister Munafo and Sister Guernsey  The owner of the gelato store (he is from Italy, as is the carousel) had to get in on the fun too!

 

Amara and St Martin Branch

 Here is the picture of the Phillipsburg Branch (Kevan and Terri are sitting front and center!)

Left to Right: Martin Frey (owner of the Amara), Brother & Sister Thompson, Elder & Sister Clawson, local member, Elder Horton, Elder Dayton, Elder Barlow, with Elder Broadbent in front. Sitting on the boat Amara