Looking to the Future with Faith

May 18, 2018

Missing last week’s group email because I was without time I wanted to write quickly today to give an update and a little thought about what’s going on here in Brazil! I’ve been able to accomplish much over the past few weeks. We are racing towards a busy part of the transfer as this last week of our unusual five-week transfer rushes to a close. We have special visitations in the mission that we are preparing for, a new group of missionaries coming in, and MANY missionaries leaving, including one of my good friends, Elder Garlick. Also this time of the year is very special for my brother and some of my friends back in my hometown and throughout the country as many are in preparation to graduate.  We may enjoy these moments, their celebration of our accomplishments, our hard work, and what we have been able to succeed. But after the parties are over, after the events have been held and the banners come down, we may think: “What next?” President Gordon B. Hinkley asks in a 1997 discourse: “Now, what of the future? What of the years that lie ahead?”  (See Look to the Future’, Gordon B. Hinckley October 1997 General Conference)

Do we sometimes have these thoughts? It could be simple questioning, to have a personal and healthy inventory within ourselves of what we need to do next is natural. Setting goals, looking forward, and planning ahead are essential at points in our lives. However, we may receive these thoughts as well after accomplishments. Finishing school, terminating a job, meeting standards and accomplishing goals may trigger a “What Next?” phase. I recently was talking with a friend about to finish high school. In our conversation my friend mentioned she was “Nervous and uncertain” about what lies ahead. One thing I do know is, if we are found on the Lord’s side, we may find comfort in our late prophets words following his same question of “What of the years that lie ahead?” those being: “They are promising indeed.”

And promising they are. Our Savior guides us in the sermon on the mount: “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself…But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” ( See Matthew 6:33-34)

The eternal secret to being prepared for the future is to always be found on the Lords side in all things. This may include our daily doings today of reading our scriptures, praying to our father in heaven, and keeping the commandments of the Lord. We may find security in our future when we make wise investments as well. Investments that we may make are not limited to just those of the financial realm. We may make good investments of time, talents, work, spirituality, finances, and emotions to better prepare and develop for our future.

We have great hope to look to the future as long as we are doing what is right. One

promise of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a “Sure Foundation” (See Jacob 4:16-17) one that

we cannot be “Washed away, tossed to and fro, or beaten down” if we build upon it. This

is the promise we have, and the promise I give as well with my testimony that our actions

combined with our faith will build our future and will fulfill the promise made by

President Thomas S. Monson that truly “Our future is as bright as our faith” (See “Be of

Good Cheer”, President Thomas S. Monson April 2009 General Conference)

Have a great week, continue to “Look to the future” through obedience, and love one another.

-Elder Matthew Arscott

Photos

1 Elder Cuvelier heading out

2 Middle of the work rush selfie (ft. Bloodshot eyes)

3 Aqua-man that guards my desk

4 Tag pic at district breakfast

5. Mission office staff meeting....in the car...

What is Maturity?

May 5, 2018

Good Morning Family and Friends,

I am happy to be getting back to all of you after a very busy two weeks. I didn’t find time to be able to write last, and as always I only have to report that all is well here in Curitiba. We have helped a few over the past two weeks to grow closer to our savior, made some new friends as well, and been able to spread the masters love to more corners of the earth one person at a time.

This past week I was pondering about our Judgments that we make and the source of some of our choices. I came to a thought about “Maturity” with Lloyd Newel explains:

“It’s fair to say that the world would be better if people were a little more mature. We hear of conflict and anger on our roads and in our homes, we know of dangers and discord around the world, and we wish more people would “act their age.” But that doesn’t necessarily mean we need more senior citizens—in fact, most would agree that maturity is not merely a matter of age or even experience. A person may be old in years and not very mature; on the other hand, we are often surprised by the maturity of young people. Yes, maturity is more than years. 

So what is maturity?

Maturity is exercising good judgment: it’s knowing when to speak up and when to keep quiet. Maturity is doing the right thing even when it’s not the easy thing. Maturity is balancing time and resources wisely and putting first things first. Maturity is humility: it’s being willing to say, “I was wrong” and “I’m sorry.” Maturity is keeping your word and living up to your responsibilities. Columnist Ann Landers is credited with this definition: “Maturity is the ability to stick with a job until it’s finished; to do a job without being supervised; to carry money without spending it; and to bear injustice without wanting to get even.”

That which inspires us to do good, to help others, to be better, to think beyond the here and now, could be called maturity. Indeed, maturity covers a wide description of positive qualities. Many of these qualities are taught in the school of experience, but as the students in that school, we determine how effective the curriculum is. No, maturity is not just “acting our age” but acting according to our better natures, according to our innate sense of goodness. Maturity is not an inevitable part of aging but rather a choice. Anytime we choose to do the right thing, to be responsible and dependable, to help and not harm, to lift and not be little, we choose to be mature. And with that choice, we are also choosing a good and happy life—for ourselves and for the world around us.”

May we as well continue to strive in our spiritual growth forward, and in doing so, exercise better judgment, turning more mature along each step, with each mistake, and through every trial is my prayer, In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Until next week,

-Elder Matthew Arscott