Talk on Sunday

Here is the talk that I gave. Feel Free to give it to the sister to put on the bulletin board and also give a copy to the Young Women and Relief Society Presidents. I am also going to develop pictures and send them to you today.

My name is Sister Evans. I was baptized into the church on September 28th, 2008 and was confirmed a member of the church on October 19th, 2008 because... they forgot. I have been a member for four years now. I joined the church because of how I felt in Young Women. My leaders were phenomenal. I truly appreciate all that Sister McGee and Sister Hilton did for me. They were so kind to me. My first time walking into the church building was for Mutual. At that time our young women program was pretty small. But I instantly felt important and loved. I am so grateful for the girls and for their strength and courage to follow the Savior. I am also extremely grateful for this church in helping me to realize my divine potential and divine worth. I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan which if you know me, explains my sarcasm and also explains my emphasis on the love that Heavenly Father and Christ have for each and everyone one of us. Living in Detroit it is very easy to lose sight of one's eternal perspective. It is difficult to even believe in yourself or your capabilities. I am sure that my life was extremely different than most people here in this room. However, we are all here on equal footing. What brought us here? What keeps bringing us back each Sunday? This month is March Madness in sports you know? It is also Spring Break, why don't we get a break from church? Can I also just say 8:30 A.M. is pretty early? Nevertheless we are here.

I came to church not because I was told that we have to give a talk, nor am I here because I am a missionary, I came to church because I want to partake of the sacrament. I have burdens and I sin all of the time. I am so not perfect. I need the calming effect of hymns, prayers, and the Priesthood. At the Davis’ home, where we live, the Priesthood is ever present. In my home in Detroit my family is not members of the church so I do not have that presence. At church I am surrounded by those who do have the Priesthood. But what does that have to do with Airplanes? It doesn’t. What does matter is the ordinance of the sacrament which gives us access to the Atonement that allows for us to receive the grace of Jesus Christ. He is why we are all here. WE need Him because without him we cannot return to Heavenly Father. Coming to church helps us to be completely focused on our Elder Brother. Coming to church is but one way that we can keep our minds centered on Christ.

A girl in the Centreville Ward asked me and my companion, “Are we Christians”? She said that another girl asked her that question and she said: “No, I’m a Mormon, I know it, I live it, I love it.” We replied: “Oh yes, we are Mormon but we are especially Christian. We then asked her in confidence if she had been reading the Book of Mormon. In Preach My Gospel it reads: “A central purpose of the Book of Mormon is to convince all people that Jesus is the Christ.” By reading the Book of Mormon we become closer to Christ. We learn about Him, we grow in our faith in Him, and We follow His example.

When I was younger it was extremely difficult for me to pray. I knew that I was supposed to pray after all I wanted to be the girl version of Daniel. I wanted to pray even when it was against the law and be thrown into a den of lions and play with them. However, I feared praying because I worried that if I prayed and God didn’t answer that it would mean that He wasn’t really there. In the Bible Dictionary under “Prayer” it reads:

“As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them.”

In the last few years I have been able to get over that fear and I know that God is my Father and Christ is the Savior. I know that they love me so much. Through prayer I have come to know that Christ is my Savior, He did indeed exist, and He died for me. He knows my name and He knows my character.

When I made the decision to go on a mission, I was nervous. I didn’t have family to lean on for support, I did not know anything about the missionary training center, nor do I like talking to people a Triple Whammy. I had nothing to compare a mission to. Going on a mission also implied, unbeknownst to me: I would enter the Holy Temple and receive my own endowments and I would need to by church clothes that would be appropriate to a missionary. I thought, oh I will figure this all out in the 3 weeks that I have between the end of the semester at Brigham Young University- Idaho and going to the missionary training center. Then I realized there is no such thing as modesty in the shopping centers in the city, I have to set-up the appointments to interview with both my Branch President and Stake President, actually have the interviews with them, buy temple clothes and then go to the temple, buy missionary supplies, pack it all away, write and give a farewell, etc. I am so grateful for my wonderful Relief Society Sisters and my Adopted Mormon parents (the Owens) for being my saving grace. They were so kind. The countless hours they spent with me and preparing me can never be made up. I leaned what it meant in Matthew 25: 34-40

“34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

I was the recipient and I know that they were the hands of the Lord. I am grateful for my Savior in sending such wonderful people into my life to allow for me to learn to develop a lasting, eternal, relationship with my Savior.

Now all of that was my introduction of myself. Now, Brother Holdaway asked me to speak on how we can all prepare for Easter. We can all do this by:

 Coming to church and accessing the Atonement and Grace of Jesus Christ through partaking of the sacrament.

2.      Studying the scriptures and learning about Christ, increasing our faith in Him, and following the examples that He sets before us.

3.      Praying to Our Father in Heaven to know that Christ is our Savior, ask if the Atonement happened.

4.      We can prepare for Easter by serving other. Easter is a happy message! Why not share it with the world? The Lord is Risen. In Preach My Gospel it says: “Your good works will help people recognize you as a servant of God….”

I hope that helps. I apologize if my message seemed too lighthearted but I know that laughter heals the soul.  

I would like to end by bearing my testimony, I know that God is my Father in Heaven and I know that Christ is risen. I am so grateful for Him. I know that the Priesthood, which allows for us to do sacred ordinances like the sacrament, has been restored. I am grateful for leaders who hold that Priesthood. I am grateful for the prophet Thomas Spencer Monson and I am excited to see him in a few short weeks. I am grateful for Christ showing us the importance of the Priesthood. I am grateful for the resurrection which allows for us all to be resurrected. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ.

Lesson, Young Women, Less-actives, and My Talk

On Friday we had a lesson with the Angert’s. Sister Angert is less-active and her husband is not a member. This was our third lesson with them. He had been really closed off to us; however, we have been praying really hard for him to open up. In the training program for this week we have been working on asking inspired questions which is one of the things that we both study with. My studies have been immersed in learning to “trust in the Spirit.” The lesson with the Angert’s was so amazing! Heavenly Father really does answer prayers and He does bless us when we do our part. We asked inspired questions and he opened up to us a lot.

On Sunday we went to Young Women to do a “Preach My Gospel Blurb” and we focused on “Our Purpose.” Afterwards we stayed for the lesson and it was wonderful. Sister Neary talked about forgiveness and showed the Mormon.org video about Chris Williams. It was so great. I do not forgive myself very easily. I learned how not forgiving hinders the Spirit from being there. I gained a renewed determination to forgive and forget.

This week has been a busy week. We are still trying to meet the members of the ward and ask them the revelation question while getting to know them and also strengthen the less-actives and new members.  We have not had a lot of success with the less-actives. On Wednesday we had dinner with a family. The parents are active; however, the children are not. Their twenty something year old son has not been active since he was 16 and their daughter, who is 17, has not come to church. On Thursday we met a member and it just broke my heart. He’s a less-active and he has a teenage daughter who is not a member. We called them and no one answered so on Thursday we were near their home so we went over. Well, the father answered the door and he said that he was no longer interested in the church. We asked about his daughter and he said that she is not interested either. Sadness. Saturday we went over to another less-active man’s home and he said he wants his name taken off the records. My heart ached for these people. What could have happened to make someone say that they want their names blotted out? I just could not handle it. My poor companion didn't t know what to do when I just burst out into tears after that. The Plan of Salvation is a plan of happiness, why wouldn't someone want that? After I cried, I prayed for peace to come to my heart and Heavenly Father answered. I am so grateful for my Father in Heaven.

On Sunday we also had to speak in sacrament on “How We Can Prepare for Easter.” It was great to bear my testimony of the resurrected Lord. I am grateful for His Grace and Love. The knowledge that because of His Resurrection I can be resurrected feels my soul.

Love,

Sister Diamond Evans

Mosiah 15:18

Week of Adventure

This week has been a crazy week!

On Monday we had a lesson with David who lives at the formers house and told us to come back on Monday. It turns out that although he looks like a twenty something year old, he is only 17. However, he is a father of a two-year old. It is because of this life experience that he wants to meet with us. He wants to learn how to be a better father (than what he was raised with). He has had so many trials in his life. It is so sad. We also taught him on Friday. He has been so prepared. He is just so great. He goes on tangents though. He talks about the most random things: rabbis and rabies, nuclear weapons, King James and his suspected double life, etc. it is so comical how we try to relate rabies and the gospel but we do it and it always turns into the amazing spirit filled lesson.

On Tuesday we realized how big our ward boundaries are! From the Bishop’s house to Sister Fisher’s house (Relief Society President) we drove for an hour. Needless to say we learned how to plan more effectively. However, we still drive 40 miles per day. We still have 14 days to go this month and we are down to a little less than 300 miles. If you are good at math, you know that we are in trouble. The members here are so busy but we are trying to set up splits/ exchange a day so that we do not drive. Too bad here there are no sidewalks for us to walk. Craziness. I am so grateful that Sister Hansen so loves. She loves me even though I am so absent minded, even though I forget names and places, even though sometimes I forget what I am doing and when I am doing it. She is so forgiving when we go 45 miles in one day and have to walk for two hours and still go 40 miles. I love her so much. She is a bit crazy and has road rage like no one I have ever seen but she has no trouble leading in a lesson nor does she mind asking investigators to do hard things. She has such a strong testimony of God and the Atonement. She knows who she is and she knows the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She knows that God is a God of miracles. Oh, I just love her so. Heavenly Father has been so good to me.

On Thursday we volunteered at a member’s home. Her basement houses four elderly women and we got to play games with them. We played hang man. First off, her house is HUGE. There is a woman named Joan from England. When I told her that I wanted to have her accent she responded: “I don’t have an accent; everyone not from England has accents. You have an accent but no not me.” She is so cute and super funny. She said that we were cheating when we were playing Boggle because we got more words then her. Then she started cheating. She “found” 50 words but unfortunately they did not connect to each other and she came up with all of these words with the letter “E” but we did not have an “E” in the game. So funny. I love serving so much.

On Sunday we had dinner with the Taylor’s (a young couple0 and then found out that Brother Tim Taylor served in Detroit ten years ago 2001-2003. So cool. He actually lived just down the street from us when we lived on Schoenherr. They lived in the apartments on the other side of Schoenherr. After dinner we went to a member’s home. They are a cute older couple, the Cannon’s. Brother Cannon retired 26 years ago from the position of Top Assistant to Chief Justice Berger. No big deal. He literally has met every president and top government official you would know. He is so great. He went on and on about the coolest experiences he has had in the 16 years that he was in that position.

Spiritually I have never been better. There is something about not knowing what you’re doing and how to help the area that allows the spirit to be so abundant. I have been lifted so much by the angels who are truly guiding this work. It is so fun. I love it. The work is hard but we are working so diligently to try to increase our investigators while getting to know as many members as we can. We scheduled to see 25 members this week but were only able to see 10 because no one was home but those 10 members were so wonderful. They really want to help us in this work. We committed each of them to continue to pray for revelation and also to see who in their area needs service. I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for stretching me and getting me out of my comfort zone. I am not perfect but I am grateful for the sacred responsibility that I have to train and to whitewash. It is humbling but I am so excited to continue to see the miracles. I am doing my best to help President Riggs in this great work.

Love,

Sister Diamond Evans

1 Nephi 8: 24

Transfers, Great Falls, and Miracles

This week has been a great week! On Tuesday I got the call confirming that I would be transferred and training! On Wednesday the day before transfers we had a wonderful lesson with a woman that we met a few days before. She is so prepared! She is truly seeking for truth. On Thursday I met my new companion, Sister Hillary Hansen from Vacaville, CA. She’s great. She is super funny.  We whitewashed the Great Falls Ward. Both of the missionaries that were in the area left so neither of us have been in this ward. Can you say adventure?!

The past four days have been so miraculous and amazing. When we entered the area on Thursday we realized two very important things: Our area is huge and we have no idea what we’re doing. We cover four cities: Parts of Vienna, Great Falls, McLean, and Dunn Loring. Our area borders another mission! We are literally near the borders of Maryland. This area is also super well-off. The homes are HUGE. Also, Sister Hansen didn’t actually realize that we were in fact going to an area that I knew nothing about. So we have been spending a ton of time getting to know the area and the members. It has been so fun. We have laughed a ton, and cried, and laughed. 

Heavenly Father is so aware of us. He knows our weaknesses and He knows how to strengthen us. Four distinct miracles:

1.       On Thursday night when we got into the area the previous sisters already had a lesson planned for us. We met this wonderful family. Sister Hansen got to teach the Restoration with me. She was great. Although she wasn’t very confident she did get to bear her testimony with such power. It was so amazing to see.

2.       On Friday we were tracting again and we came to a house were a family was having dinner (we could see them eating from the outside). She was very timid and didn’t think we could knock. But I could remember Sister Russell always telling me whenever I was timid: “Our message is way more important than anything that they are doing.” So I told Sister Hansen that and we went up bravely and knocked.  A man came to the door and said to come back on Monday!

3.       On Saturday we went to check on a former. However, when we got to the house a man answered and said that she had moved. We told him who we were and he asked us if we were Christian. We got to teach him the Restoration (in about five minutes) and he invited us to come back on Monday when he was off of work.

4.       On Sunday we went to visit a member but went to the wrong house and we got to teach the woman who answered the Restoration in one minute and she invited us back as well.

The members have constantly told us that this area is one of the hardest areas because not many people are humble. But we have some really great potentials to check on and are really excited to work with the members. We have a ton of finding ideas to implement in this area and I am so excited to show Heavenly Father and President Riggs that we can do this. 

Love,

Sister Diamond Evans

James 2:18

Slow Week, Training, and Transfers

This week has been a very slow week. We only had four lessons. Many of our investigators dropped us. We only have one progressing investigator. So we have spent a ton of time tracting and visiting members.

 On Tuesday we had a very comical day. Tuesday is our biking day. It was like 30 degrees and super rainy. My bike decided not to work (the gears would switch without me moving them and going uphill was so difficult because the gears kept switching).  Then it started raining so hard and the brakes stopped working. At the moment when I was so frustrated, I said a prayer and then a sister from the ward called and said that she knew that it was our bike day and asked if we needed a ride! I am so grateful that Heavenly Father answers prayers.

On Friday we had training with President Riggs and I went into the training with a question in my mind. “Transfers are next week and I am certain that I will be transferred. I am sad to leave because I do not feel that I will leave the area better than I found it. I do not feel that I did everything that I could. There is only one investigator and we still haven’t figured out how to help him progress enough towards baptism. Can you help me to feel comforted and know that everything is okay and to know that this area will be taken care of”? During the training President Riggs read Moroni 4:3 and he did it with a new light:

O God, the Eternal Father, I ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that I may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that I am willing to take upon myself the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given me, that I may always have his Spirit to be with me. Amen.

I don’t know why but it hit me so hard. It’s okay. We always make mistakes. No one is perfect.  That is why we have the Atonement. I know that this area will flourish. Things will happen.

With the impending transfer on Thursday here are some of the things that I have learned from Sister Russell:

1.       Sister Russell is a very bold missionary. She has no problem telling people the significance and importance of keeping commitments. If someone doesn’t read I get sad but I need to do more. Reading the Book of Mormon is the only way to know that Joseph Smith was called as a prophet, etc.

2.       Sister Russell is so good at talking to everyone. I, sometimes, get so timid to walk up to people who seem to be busy doing something. But she is so great at just walking up to people talking on a phone, or whatever. It’s great!

3.       Sister Russell is also phenomenal at doing How to Begin Teaching and the Preach My Gospel style invitation. I am not so good at that. I always just go straight to teaching. But I have been able to learn how to be better because of her.

4.       Sister Russell is also good at keeping member visits to the fifteen minute allotment. I am not so much. Not that I like to talk and talk to members but sometimes they like to talk and I am just too polite to end the conversation.She does not mind letting them know that we need to leave. I have been a lot better at it now.

I am grateful for all of the wonderful things that I have been able to learn from my companions.

Love,

Sister Diamond Evans

Moroni 4:3