Week 103

This last week was fun of adventures!!!

The whole 일산 (Ilsan) house is now in a church video, replaying Elder Beks experience.
It was cool and we found out that the camera man wasn't a member. We had a good lunch talking about the gospel with him.

We made a Zombie Escape Room this last weekend for the youth as missionaries. We gathered clues together and darkened the whole 3rd floor and move furniture and had clues in rooms for them to solve in order to win.
We scared the leaders and had fun with the youth. There were a good amount of nonmembers who came as well.
It was so much fun! I love our youth.

And, we are having a baptism this coming up Sunday, so we are going to members homes and inviting them to bring a friend to this great event. We are so excited for him.

But my favorite thing from this last week was what I learned while having a discussion with Daniel....

GOD is the Standard of all Truth, no man is.
       - "I am not the one to choose if this is true or not" ~Daniel
       - "Why are the other church people wrong (stupid as you put it) in the way they do things?"~Me "When I asked them questions they don't answer me. Like when I ask them what about the 외경. They completely reject even their existence. Why? Just because their 목사님 (pastor) told them it was so." ~Daniel "Wow!! You know from your own personal experience that it is obvious when something is wrong. And that no man or 선교사(missionary) or John can set the standard of truth"

We all know soooo clearly from the Bible that there is only "One Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5) Meaning that God has provided the best perfect way.  But the problem now comes in discerning which is the right way. Right?

I am so grateful that I have learned who the Standard of Truth is, because then I can know how to act or which foundation I should build upon. And, I am put to ease by the fact that I know as to where my future lies and I have the promises of this scripture.

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." (Helman 5:12)

I know this is the way because of many spiritual witnesses I have received from God. Expressed to me in a way no man can.

"No wicked man could [even] write such a book as [Book of Mormon]; and no good man would [even dare to try to] write it... UNLESS it were true and he were commanded of God to do so.”

Wicked men most certainly do not set the standard of truth and it is plain and obvious that they are wrong because of their motivation and their hearts, but not even good men can set the standard of truth of what is right and wrong no matter how good they are. Only God can. And only He the keeper of truth can be the one to choose who will be His keeper of Truth, the Living Prophet. Joseph Smith was called by God to restore the truth just as Moses and others at the beginning of dispensations to bring back what was lost. And the prophets following these men were chosen by God to reveal the will of God and maintain that truth which was restored.

I am thankful for our living Prophet, Russell M Nelson, for being God's worthy spokesman.

Love this the restored gospel and I know what God expects of me because I know who is the standard of truth.

~Elder Alger

Week 102

This last week was another great one!!!! Honestly, I love my companions!!!!!!!!! They are the best!!!! I don't mind the threesome life it makes things more exciting and you can teach more people with one team if you've got the members support!!! Nothing to complain about!

This last week we had lots of teaching, almost all of them had members present as well. I love the members here, by the way!  We have many new people we are teaching and those that we are teaching are all progressing!! Some are crazy and drop us a couple days later, which just makes things exciting, Most of the others I would considered great friends to me!! They are all very nice, and it is fun to learn with them!

And, guess what?? NOW our team has 3 baptismal dates!!! Whoot Whoot!!!! Lord as has a way!!! I am finishing on FIRE!!! That is for sure!

Mercury ~ He is a student and busy everyday of the week except Sunday. He accepts what we share very, very well! And a recent convert named Hero is helping him!! Such good kids, they are all 20 years old so I am considered a big brother to them.

Brother Kim~ An 11 year old that has been learning with us. His father used to be the 서기 (clerk) for eight years, but after 8 years of doing the 서기 work during Sunday school and not doing personal study, he lost testimony and so the mom has a hard time getting to church and the kid never got baptized. But, he decided to be baptized yesterday at Sister Lee and Yee's kid baptism. It just goes to show that you never should put off your scripture study and sharing your testimony with others no matter how big you think your faith is. Eat your spiritual food everyday!! Pray, read scriptures, go to church and serve others, then share your insights!!!

(Picture of the baptism that help our little friend decide to be baptized, Elder Ostler was sooooo eager to have his first baptism even though the cutie was technically taught by the sisters.)

He saw another kid getting baptized and said that he want to get baptized after explaining to him."Hey you are keeping all the commandments and that means you qualify for baptism, and God wants you to promise with Him and be committed to following Him. And, in return and he actually will give you a special present. It is called the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It comforts you and guides you and keeps you safe. It is your companion after baptism, because God knows that it isn't easy to stay true on our own, even though we learned for ourselves. Isn't God so smart and kind!!"

Riku~ Sort of same situation as the other kid, but his father is Japanese and is gone all the time. He is almost 9 years old but still eight and he said that he would like to get baptized with the other kid. He is a shy one.

I feel so blessed to teach so many wonderful people and make lasting relationships while I am hear in Korea!!! I don't plan on ever stopping communication with all those I got to learn with!!

Fun Spiritual insight I liked from PMG and D&C
"The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of our Heavenly Father’s most precious gifts. Through the power of the Holy Ghost we can feel God’s love and direction for us. This gift is a foretaste of eternal joy and a promise of eternal life and exaltation."


D&C Section 88

"3 Wherefore, I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John.

4 This Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom;"


I am comforted by the fact that when I feel the comforting presences of His Spirit, I know that I am staying true to the covenant I made when I was 8 years old and that I am retaining a remission of my sins. It helps me to not only by guiding me in the moment and easing my soul, but it reaffirms that I am on the straight and narrow path returning home to Father! I feel a great understanding of the scriptures and mysteries of heaven by it and gives me a great sense of the grace the so fully He offers to all of us!! I am so grateful for this gift and it is a gift that was given to the early saints and is not found in any other church on earth other than here at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!!  I know the church has been restored and that the veil is ever getting thinner as we follow His prepared covenant path. Each of the spiritual gifts, gives us a better taste of heaven and we get to learn how to make heaven here on earth. Thank goodness for youth who have sincere questions that they bring to God; for that is how we got the fullness of the gospel through Joseph Smith.

Keep searching, treasure these Spiritual Gifts and never stop feeding your Spirit!!!

Elder Alger

 

Week 101

This is my last transfer and I am training a Korean. I love him. He knows Korean but he sometimes gives me the phone saying "I don't know what to say" and that is when I say, "But, you are the Korean here!!" then he concludes "I am not Korean, you are more Korean then I am."
He doesn't know anything about grammar, but is this bubble of sunshine. He is so cute! (Though he is older than me in age.)

He has very simple questions about the Gospel, but I love that he asks them and that he is earnestly searching the Scriptures. Honestly I feel like I learn more when I am teaching the Gospel because I have to know to explain it in a way that makes it click for others. I love him!!! He makes me happy when I am frustrated or twisted up in the work.

And, my other companion is a state champ wrestler from Utah. We have deep conversations about the Gospel all of the time. He has great insights from the scriptures. He is thoroughly reading through them for the first time. It is amazing how people believe what they believe in other churches because the Bible says it so clearly! Though, sometimes, we get energetic about our thoughts of the Gospel. I love him to pieces and wouldn't be surprised to see him as the Assistant to the President the next year. Such a stellar Elder!

I feel bad when I speak in English or Korean because one way or the other, I leave one of my companions out of the conversation. But I guess they both need to learn the languages eventually.

I am the busiest I have ever been on my mission, because there are so many people that we have gospel discussions with.  Even though those we are teaching are all stuck with their own specific problems, I can see them progressing and I cheer at the small successes they are having. Ilsan is a really nice place with amazing members and a mind blowing meeting house!! I can't think of a better place to finish my mission!

Yesterday, we were in the middle of talking with the mother of a Korean friend, who's family is less active (김민규), and suddenly the bishop of the other ward in the building grabbed us. He said to come in and eat with them, but we insisted on just continuing our conversation with this Sister. Then both the sister and the Bishop started to saying to go eat. So we went in. We found it was a meal for the bishops and the North Asia Area President. Honestly, it was awkward to be with all these leaders, feeling like we didn't fit in, but it was cool to get to know them. They were all very kind and welcoming.

I have this whole week packed with people that we want to meet. I spent all of Sunday evening setting up the appointments with my companions. I am not going to waste a single moment out here, in the mission field! I love the work!!!

Love you all!
Elder Alger

Me, my companions, Elder Ostler and Elder Jung, and Sena Yamaguchi

Week 100

Wowowow!!! I can not believe it!!! I only have a month and 7 days before I go home...... ahahaha! It is crazy!!!! Still weird to me that I can't extend, but I know that God has something in store for me when I get home.

But, anyways, I am loving being a trainer to a Korean Elder. It is way less stressful than training a foreigner. And, I love Elder Jung. He is always smiling and relaxed. I enjoy before and after Proselyting times when we just sit there reading scriptures with him. He has a background in the church but doesn't know anything terribly deep about the gospel so it is fun to discover new truths together. 

Honestly, we are having lots of Gospel Discussions here and I am enjoying every second. It is fun to see the hearts of those we are teaching change. It is the greatest miracle I have seen on my mission, a heart touched by the Spirit and turned toward the covenant path.

I love being a missionary and I love Korea!!! I know that God lives and that he is my Savior!!! I can't deny it!

I will Ever be a missionary in Seoul!

Love,
Elder Alger


I wanted to stay with Elder Ostler for my last transfer, or be with a native Korean. I got both!  Prayers are answered. I'm teaching Korean to one and English to the other. We are working hard, learning much, and having a great time.

LUNCH TIME!!!

Me, Elder Ostler and Elder Jung

These are granny pants, as the are known in Korea, because only grannies wear them in public. Everyone wears them for sleeping in.  They are about $2 each. I'm getting some for the fam!