WORDS MATTER !!!
- Elder Denny Blodgett
- 3 hours ago
- 7 min read
We had three Multi-Zone Conferences this week and it is always fun to see all the missionaries, in the entire mission, over a four-day period of time. Even though we are exhausted come Friday evening, I love seeing their faces and how they interact with each other. President and Sister Campbell do a great job in speaking on various topics, the AP’s and Zone Leaders do their break-outs, and then we have some lunch and play a game or two. We drive between one to 2 1/2 hours to get to the Stake Centers where the zone conferences are held. That is the part that is not fun. We are now up to 183 missionaries…..with three leaving this Tuesday and 12 new arrivals on Wednesday. After next week, we will have over 190 missionaries as the Missionary Department prepares for July 1st when the Ghana Accra South Mission will be created. At that point in time, the boundaries will change for our mission..... along with the East and North missions. We will also lose about 90 missionaries that will go to the South Mission. Eventually, our numbers will grow again….but it will be sad for those that are moving on to another mission. But that is just the evidence that the church is growing and missions are added and boundaries are changed all the time. I have learned that it does not matter where….. or which mission…..just as long as one is in the service of the Lord. This is His church and we go and serve where we are called.
I wanted to share a few thoughts and a story Sister Campbell shared with our missionaries this week. Once in a while in a mission, there can be a little contention or a few companionships that don’t get along. It is difficult when missionaries come from all walks of life and different cultures. The majority of missionaries get along and serve well with each other and learn so much from each other.....and they learn to love each other and are very sad when their companionship is changed. But there can be difficult situations. Sister Campbell's comments centered around, “Let Us All Speak Kind Words To Each Other”. She gave a wonderful presentation and I won’t be able to share it all, but I do want to address a couple of thoughts.
It says in James 3:8-10…..”But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” What is James talking about here? Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave his thoughts…..”Obviously James doesn’t mean our tongues are always iniquitous, nor that everything we say is “full of deadly poison”. But he clearly means that at least some things we say can be destructive, even venomous – and that is a chilling indictment for a Latter-Day Saint. The voice thar bears profound testimony, utters fervent prayers, and sings the hymns of Zion can be the same voice that berates and criticizes, embarrasses and demeans, inflicts pain and destroys the spirit of oneself and of others in the process. Elder Rasband has said, “Unfortunately, words can be thoughtless, hasty, and hurtful. Once said, you cannot take them back. They can wound, punish, cut down and even lead to destructive actions. They can weight heavily on us.”
There is nothing new here. We all know that words matter…..President Nelson taught us that on several occasions. “We cannot support Satan with our verbal assaults and then think that we can still serve God…..how we speak to and about others at home, at church, at work, and online rally matters. Today, I am asking us to interact with others in a higher, holier way. Please listen carefully…..if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy that we can say about another person…..whether to his face or behind her back…..that should be our standard of communication. The Savior’s message is clear…..His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire…..no matter how difficult the situation. True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers…..How we speak to and about others really matters.”
Sister Campbell shared a story entitled “The Tale of the Feather Pillow”. I know this Blog is long, but I would like to share this story.
"In a small village, there lived a young woman named Florence, who loved to gossip. Every day, she would gather with her friends and spread rumors about her neighbors, never considering the harm her words might cause. One day, Florence gossiped about the local baker, claiming he used spoiled ingredients in his bread. The rumor quickly spread, and soon, the baker’s business suffered greatly. Feeling guilty, Florence went to the village chief for advice. The wise chief handed Florence a feather pillow and told her to go to the top of the hill, cut open the pillow, and release the feathers into the wind. Florence did as she was told, watching as the feathers scattered in all directions.
When Florence returned , the chief said, “Now go and collect all the feathers.” Florence protested, “that’s impossible! The feathers are scattered everywhere.” The chief nodded and replied, “Just like your words, once spoken, they cannot be taken back. They spread far and wide, causing harm and mistrust. Think carefully before you speak, for words have power.”
From that day on, Florence was mindful of her words, choosing to only speak kindly. She spoke no more gossip. The village slowly restored its trust in the baker, and Florence became known for her wisdom and kindness.
As Elder Uchtdorf told us in general conference, “When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following:
STOP IT !!!
It was a very nice presentation by Sister Campbell and the message was received loud and clear. It is something we can all work on in our own lives. Words Matter ! We sing a beautiful primary song that teaches our little children this verse…..
“ Jesus said love everyone, Treat them kindly too.
When your heart is filled with love, others will love you”.
The one message I have learned here in Ghana.....loud and clear..... is that it is much easier to be kind than to be mean and gossip about someone else. I have said this many times before, but the people here love one another…..and they treat strangers (like us) as friends.....and are the kindest people I have ever met. I want to be better…..and kinder.....and serving here is teaching me to be more like them. I will never, ever forget their kindness and beautiful smiles.
Who is this guy and why is his hair so white and his skin so pale? Look how close she is standing by me.....at her age, I'm sure she has not seen many men that look like me.
The little ones and their innocent faces. I just can't take enough pictures of them.
Another hesitant little one.....who is this funny looking man and why is his hand trying to touch me?
I will always remember this scene ...Jill talking with our new convert...and security guard, Gilbert.
This is Jill going out to deliver meals to our security guards.....three of them....She does this every other week.....Sister Beeson of the East Mission does it the other weeks.
Early on I talked about Momo. It's like our Venmo, except no Bank involved. I give money to her and she sends it via her phone to where I want it to go. And they all sit behind these "yellow boxes with bars".....as if no one could rob them. Pretty funny, but very effective for moving money.
The traffic is like any other large city.....but slower and people walking among the cars in case you are thirsty or hungry. Or maybe you want to buy some towells? Pretty crazy.
When we get out of the city it is nice to see the countryside. Very peaceful and pretty.
They begin to build and when they run out of money, they stop until they can get more money. Sometimes it may take years to finish.....and so we see a lot of buildings like these just waiting to be finished. It is a country of unfinished projects. What is interesting about this video is what is across the street from the unfinished buildings....with the dirt roads.
Zone conference and the Winneba Zone singing a song.
We feed them well at Zone Conference because many do not eat well on their own from what they get off the street. And they don't like to cook in their apartments.
Another Zone Conference and the food line.
Jill loves the market and the fruit here is delicious. We do have to soak it in bleach when we get home to make sure we do not eat something we should not have. Once cleaned.....very good.
Another road to a beautiful LDS Chapel. I call this the "big truck graveyard".....which is where these large trucks and vans go to eventually get fixed. The road is amazing.
We have to laugh at the traffic jams we find ourselves in.....we just keep creeping along and eventually a path way will open up.
I like to get videos of Jill interacting with the missionaries. We are getting a Zone Conference set up and when the missionaries first arrive.....they love seeing old friends and companions.
She has her drink, takes a sip, and then she is ready to meet and greet.
This just shows you a typical day at the office when the missionaries come in for training.
Elder Kalubi and Elder Marchant.
Sisters Jonqueiro, Onwuka, Nagalula, and Archibald. Elder Tavana and our man Patrick.
Sisters Lesa, Gwidibira, Salimo, Sister Campbell, Sisters Padi, Indayi, Stambuli, Nagalula, George, and Bennett.
Elder McLean.....great missionary.....this is his last Zone Conference as he goes home next week.
This video is about a school that the Church provided humanitarian funds to completely remodel and build it to a place where these children could learn.....without getting wet and sitting out in the sun. They also provided computers.....Sister Waterfall was in charge of getting this school remodeled. This is their "transformation story".....their journey of growth and hope.
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