Week 77 (4/13/220) Holy Week

It was not until Friday that the speaker for our daily devotional reminded me that it was Holy Week, but it is relevant for some of what happened, so we will get to that. 

Speaking of our daily devotional, we had a nice couple that the Hewlett's know address us on Tuesday. He had previously been a Mission President, so we figured that was why he had been asked to speak...up until she ‘fessed up to being President Nelson's daughter! They talked about conference, with the insights that come from what is apparently a Nelson family tradition of meeting all together (all 300 of them, or however many there ate) to discuss it with President Nelson afterwards. Of course, they had to do their family meeting over zoom this time.  But it was a cool insight into the life of our Prophet. 

Also Tuesday, I finished the Old Testament, a project I started a little under 7 months ago. Of course, at the time, I had intended to be done with all of the standard works by now, but still, reaching Matthew felt like a big milestone. I took a day off on my chronological reading, and then started Matthew on Thursday. Like I said, I was reminded Friday morning that it was Good Friday and that Easter Sunday was nigh...well, the thought came to me that I was reading the life of the Savior, what better time for it? So, being only a few chapters into Matthew, I made the rash decision to read all four gospels by Sunday. 

Friday I finished Matthew, both Mark and Luke passed before my eyes on Saturday, and Sunday concluded the task by reading John. As I read the final words and closed the book, I called my companion and together we partook of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. What could be a more special experience! As I read, it was not that anything was new, I am familiar with the stories. But my heart burned within me. 

I know that the Savior lives. Jesus walked the earth, was tempted, overcame, healed, taught, was betrayed, crucified, and laid into a tomb. And He rose again to become the first-fruits of them that slept. He lives and reigns today as the Christ, the Only Begotten of the Father. 

What a privilege to have recorded for us these precious insights into Jesus' life and ministry. And how superficial they really are! As John says, had they written all that Jesus did and said, the whole world wouldn't be able to contain the books. 

The feelings of awe I felt from reading of my Savior made me wax a little poetic, so here, for your viewing pleasure, are "The Beatitudes" and "The Place of a Skull". 

The BeatitudesBy Elder Adam DeFord

 Blessed" said He, in Galilee

To those who gathered 'round

"Are spirits poor, and hearts that mourn,

Their comfort shall be found

"Blessed the meek, who mercy seek,

Cast bread upon the sea (1)

Blessed the pure, who peace implore

Their Father they shall see"

Hunger blessed, and thirst addressed,

By Living Water's draught (2)

The crowd amazed, upon Him gazed,

Not like the scribes He taught (3)

"Blessed are ye, midst calumny

When evil doth defame (4)

Who shine your flame (5), be not ashamed,

To wait upon my name" (6)

Matthew 5:1-12

1. Ecclesiastes 11:1

2. John 4:10 (10-14)

3. Matthew 7:28-29

4. Teachings:Joseph Smith, 444

5. Matthew 5:14-16

6. Isaiah 49:23

The Place of a Skull
by Elder Adam DeFord

Creation's dawn brought tumult, change,

As Word hewed rock and hill and fen

Like a living symphony

Nature flowed from Creator's pen

One hill masterfully was carved

With a solemn stony gaze

Hewn craters, the earth's lenses rough,

A skull's witness all its days

Rocky eyes watched father climb

His son behind, 'neath wood was bowed

But despite his empty hands

The father bore the heavier load

The wood was laid, as was this

Son of promise, hope fulfilled.

Alter and now funeral pyre

Sacrifice upon the hill

The hill was first to see the ram

And pleaded in its earthen heart

The angel said what stone could not

The scapegoat, then, played the son's part

Ages past before the scene

Played again before its eyes

A witness to atonement made

None could stop Golgotha's cries

"If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out"

"Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost...and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent"

(Luke 19:40; Matthew 27:50-51)

 I find that when no words can express how I feel, poetry makes a pretty good approximation of capturing my emotion, at least for myself. The complete works of Elder DeFord will be available for purchase as soon as I find an Editor who doesn't mind a rich harvest of ego and a famine of talent. 

The work is still relatively slow, but we were able to drop off a copy of the Book of Mormon to someone, and to teach a couple of others. At the same time, we have been able to bring comfort to some, who, while not being interested in our message, have really been struggling during this trying time. We all have the opportunity, when the world grows dark, to let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify God. That is how we may be missionaries! Few indeed may wear the nametag, but His name is carved in the fleshy tables of all of our hearts. 

It was probably a unique Easter for many in the world: mine was definitely different from any previous Easter, although I did boil an egg and drop it in some Kool-Aid to dye. A member family came by and dropped off food for our Easter meal, so we felt loved and taken care of. But an absence of all the traditions gave more time to consider the Savior, which I enjoyed. And I needed the time to finish John, so all was well! 

Remember, He is risen, as He said!

Elder DeFord

Week 76.1 (4/9/2020) Luke 24.5

Contrary to popular belief, I am still alive.

Did I already start an email with that phrase? Probably so. Well, forgive me for my vain repetitions. 

I actually really intended to write an email yesterday, during my winding down period of the day. However, around 7:30-8 I sat down to do a little family history and didn't realize how the time flew until my bleary eyes saw 11:30 swimming past the retinas, at which point I promptly put myself to bed. 

Lots of fun things have been happening, including zone conference, finishing the Old Testament, starting the New Testament, President Nelson's daughter addressing us, deep cleaning the kitchen....but if I were to tell you all the details now, how bored you would be reading my mailer on Monday! Plus, suspense may keep you involved 

We did get to drop off a Book of Mormon today. I wrote my testimony on the inside front cover. When we dropped it off, the lady assured us that she had a church family with no intent of changing. We assured her that our only intent was to bring her to Christ, which is true and appeased her. Little does she know that we bring her to Christ, and He brings her to His church. Luckily, we are very welcoming, so she can go ahead and bring her church family with her! We are supposed to call her Sunday to read with her, which I await with anticipation. 

Well, still here, heart is still pumping, haven't wasted away in the last month (although I don't think I am developing a very good tan). Started my fast several hours ago, and am excited for the spirit and the opportunity to participate with my brothers and sisters worldwide. 

Elder DeFord

Week 76 (4/6/2020) Conference!

Howdy,

What an absolute treat we had this weekend, to hear from Prophets and Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ! As the different members of the Twelve stood to speak, I couldn't help but think that they were all looking particularly young and vibrant. It wasn't until the Sunday sessions when I realized that in all actuality, they probably still are getting older, but I could see the Spirit as it sustained them and renewed their bodies. Each one truly carried a mantle of power. 

There were so many great talks given. Alongside themes of restoration and revelation, repentance and remembrance, I thought that there was a powerful emphasis on runity, both in the church and in the home. Usually I think it is spelled "unity", but that would have ruined the alliteration. Joy D. Jones and Jean B. Bingham gave, I thought, just absolutely wonderful talks. As I listened, the thought came to me that if the family is the fundamental "unit" of society, it would also be fundamental to the "unit-y" of society. I also particularly liked Elder James R. Rasband's talk (it was fun to have two Elder Rasbands speak, huh?) on the mercy of the Savior. Truly He has repaid that which we cannot! Elder Renlund's talk was also, I thought, especially poignant. From both, I loved the thought and quote "The Savior loves to restore what you cannot restore...and He loves to permanently mend even shattered hearts". 

And the privilege to participate in a solemn assembly and Hosanna shout! Why, I felt anything but solemn! This truly was a historic conference! And I think we can all take President Eyring's counsel to make it "memorable" by the effort we put in to live by these teaching and seek the guidance of the Lord. 

Honestly the rest of my week was overshadowed by conference. For anyone with a hankering for the Elder DeFord's statistical report, I am only 27 pages away from finishing the Old Testament (I was in Isaiah just a couple of weeks ago), I have attached over a thousand sources in Family Search, and I eat about a fourth of my daily calories in peanuts every day. 

Don't you wish the church statistical report gave you fun facts like that?

Love,

Elder DeFord

Week 75.4 (4/4/2020) WOW

In the words of President Nelson, that first session was "magnificent"! It is hard to choose a favorite talk, and we are only one 5th of the way through! Everyone excited for a solemn assembly and Hosanna shout? Really, just, wow.  It is an amazing time to be alive!

Week 75.3 (4/3/2020) Excited for Conference

Well, the subject line says it all. We get to watch it from our apartments on our tiny phone screens. It is going to be awesome!

Week 75.2 (4/2/2020) AP Human Geography

I remember, back in my freshman year of high school, Mr. Bacon made a big deal in our AP human geography class about the different economies of the world, and one was subsistence agriculture. These people, with rudimentary tools and skills, could grow only enough to survive. 

Well, sometimes it seems that even though "the field is white and already to harvest", our sickles are meager tools indeed! Yet the harvest is great, for though we reap with phone calls and quick testimonies, the real wonder of the work is the Spirit of the Lord God, and He can do His own work. 

In other news, contrary to popular belief, and the rumors caused by my radio silence yesterday, I am still alive. Makes me think of when it would go around the internet that a certain celebrity had passed away, when in reality they were alive and well and confused about why everyone thought they were dead.  

Well, that is probably enough jokes to assure you that this is really me. Love y'all!

Elder DeFord

Week 75.1 (3/31/2020) At Last, Some Fulfillment

Dear y'all,

Today didn't feel like an eternity, thank goodness. In fact, it felt really good. We had the opportunity to teach one of our investigators over the phone. He had been going through a hard time, but he said that it was exactly what he needed to hear. We also called a lot of other people, a couple of who even answered the phone...and one or two didn’t even hang up on us!

The Crowley elders had to drive to Lake Charles to pick up a new car, and they stopped by on their way back to drop us off some Cane's! Who would have thought that I would be able to enjoy my favorite restaurant even in quarantine! 

And tonight I gave myself a haircut, for the third time. 

So, life is good. Aaaaand I'm still alive. 

Week 75 (3/30/2020) Dejavu?

The curtains fall on a scene of pestilence and plague, a world on lockdown, fear running rampant.

End of Act 1.

My family has been largely kept abreast to the events surrounding my quarantine, but for all of my avid readers, not to worry, you didn't miss much. 

Each day sort of mixes with every other, but time continues to pass, more or less. I do a lot of studying daily, from the Bible and the Book of Mormon, principally. I have been putting quite a bit of time into my family history work-I might as well participate in the work of salvation somehow, since it is going pretty slow on this side of the veil right now! That being said, we have had some good contacts over the phone, and scheduled some times for lessons. Of course, nobody has picked up the phone at the scheduled time, but that is essentially what happens when we schedule an in person lesson too, so I am not too buggered about it. 

President Hewlett has been holding daily zoom devotionals for us, so far we have heard from him, his wife, one of the missionaries, President Ross, and President Hewlett's son's former mission president, who called in from Utah, which was pretty cool. And I am sure they have a good speaking roster lined up for this week as well. 

Well, I feel like that generally recaps my quarantine, week feels-like-eternity but is actually just week two. Or three. 

Anywho, catch y'all later, but don't catch Corona!

Elder DeFord

Week 74.4 (3/28/2020) Phone Calls

Dear one and all (or, three, as the case may be) 

The trouble with phone calls is that most people don't really seem to want to talk all that much. And a lot of answering machines. Sometimes I think I might as well just recite a scripture every time I leave a voicemail, at least they might listen to it and be blessed. 

I discovered something cool today-family search, in light of 200 years of the restoration and Saints volume 2, has included a function where you can see the temples in which your ancestors were endowed and sealed. It was while looking at this, along with my pedigree chart, that I realized that both of my grandfathers were converts to the church...something I am sure I knew, but had forgotten. 

I am interspersing my scripture study by reading some of the books in our apartment library. My first selection was a gospel look at near-death experiences...it is fascinating, although of course teaches nothing not already alluded to in our standard works. 

We have begun our fast for the world in this troubled time. Hopefully every time my stomach grumbles it will cure some lucky soul. 

Have faith and be believing!

Elder DeFord

Week 74.3 (3/27/2020) Patriarchal Blessings

Funnily enough, I didn't actually read my patriarchal blessing today. However, during one of my prayers, I was praying very earnestly about my desire to improve, yadeyadeyade, when I phrased something in a certain way that mimicked wording found in my patriarchal blessing. This could have been mere coincidence, if it were not for the almost immediate witness from the spirit that my answer was to be found in that section. Along with this answer to my current prayer, I found that the perspective granted by this revelation also helped me to answer prayers offered over several years about the nature of the phrase which was now used to answer my prayer. Certainly it is only part of the meaning, but it is an inspiring feeling to know that God is aware of me and is still answering prayers that I myself had forgotten or set upon a back burner! Truly He is so very aware of us in even the smallest things. 

Each day in quarantine continues to be characterized by a flash of insight here, a flash there, but in light of our Prophet's invitation to #hearhim, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn!

Speaking of prophetic invitations, I hope everyone saw the world wide fast for this upcoming Sunday. What Elder Hancock and I have been doing is encouraging members to share the video President Nelson released on Facebook and invite their friends to participate. After all, we are all effected, so we should be able to rally in faith despite differences in denomination! 

In other, less important news, I have eaten a pound of peanuts this week. I know, gasps all around. Who am I, and what did I do with the real Elder DeFord? Well, no worries, peanut butter still isn't my favorite, but the nuts themselves are pretty good. Plus they are way cheaper than other nuts, so there we go. 

In response to dad's question, I did get and fill out a census form, which has been sitting on my counter for about a week now waiting for us to take it to the mail. It will be fun for some genealogist down the line to see that I have a random residence in Welsh Louisiana in 2020. Although, the old census records seem to have much more information than this new one. Ah well, I guess my great great great great grandsons will just have to live with the info we did write down. 

Still here, still alive, a minimum of 16 days left in quarantine, assuming that Louisiana doesn't extend my jail sentence. 

Lots of love,

Elder DeFord

Week 74.2 (3/25/2020) Further Bulletins as Events Warrant

I don't think I spelled warrant right....maybe I did. 

In any case, the subject line is misleading, since events really don't warrant this email. But then, I suppose that Calvin's bulletins resembled my own rather closely. Instead of "I'm going outside now" it is, "I'm still not allowed to go outside". 

In the language of fairy tales, Elder DeFord continues to live happily ever after. 

And all the temples are closed, so that is kind of crazy. Seems like a day can't go by without some sort of announcement. 

Well, lots of love, plenty of prayers, call all your friends and tell them the church is true...you won't see them for awhile anyways, so if they don't appreciate it, at least they will have some time to cool down before you see them face to face again. 

Didnt Washington also have a stay-home order passed?

Sincerely tired of quarantine,

Elder DeFord

Week 74.1 (3/24/2020) ........

Quarantine day #waytoomanyalready

The new Book of Mormon video is sweet. I never imagined Alma having that low of a voice. 

Cabbage is a great food. Speaking of food, I need to put my beans in to soak so I can make soup tomorrow...

Really tired of reading the scriptures. Love them and all, but enough is enough. 

I have a lot of admiration for Enos, but I run out of things to say in a prayer after about 15 or 20 minutes...

Still haven't caught the covid. Everyone else still alive? Good stuff. 

Love,

Elder DeFord

Week 74 (3/23/2020) The Ol' Switcheroo

Howdy y'all,

This will be a short one, as our partial self-isolation of last week morphed into full quarantine this week. We are still allowed to go grocery shopping, but that it about it. 

We did have a great lesson with the H__ family before they told us to stay inside, though. They are a sweet part-member family that is excited to learn and improve. Unfortunately, we can't go meet with them now...this is all a little frustrating, as a missionary. 

But we will make do, and the Lord will do His own work. 

The subject line: the APs sent out an email yesterday with the names of everyone getting transferred, telling us to pack because transfers were getting moved to Monday. And my name was on the list, so I started to get ready. The APs then called a couple of hours later and told me that plans had changed and that I wasn't getting transferred at all. There are sometimes when I would like to be a fly on the wall on Presidents office, and find out what is actually going on in there! In any case, I am staying, and I am glad. I like the area, and me and my companion get along great. Or, rather, my companion and I. 

How is being stuck inside? Wonderful, probably. I get to work on my goal of reading the standard works, so that is nice, I guess. 

I hope everyone is safe and has food supply and toilet paper. 

Love,

Elder DeFord

Week 73.2 (3/22/2020) Surprises Continue

Well, during our zoom meeting tomorrow, President told us all that transfers would be very minimal. However, I guess that "minimal" still includes Elder DeFord, as I have been told to pack up to be transferred. I have not yet been told where I am going, so that will be forthcoming. 

Honestly pretty frustrating, one-and-done-ing two areas in a row, plus getting transferred in the middle of our quarantine season. 

In answer to some of mom's questions, you can get a bluetooth keyboard, but I have actually emailed from my phone my whole mission, and it doesn't bother me. I type pretty quickly with just me thumbs. The sister who got paralyzed was a greenie, her and her trainer were riding 4 wheelers (against the handbook) and she crashed pretty bad. 

Yep. Well, that is pretty much all the new news, but I will keep y'all posted about where I get transferred to. 

Elder DeFord