Welcome to the Jungle

     I've arrived at BYU! Orientations are behind me, and on Monday I'll begin classes. This evening I'll be attending a banquet for the DeLyle and Laurie Blomquist Scholarship this evening. They have generously paid for half of my tuition, which has been a huge blessing to me. Tomorrow I'll be going to my Young Single Adult Ward -- the 144th -- for the first time! Interestingly, I'll be attending on campus, instead of a separate building. That's similar to the MTC, where our sacrament meetings were held in the same place as people met for classes during the week. 

     So, what exactly was orientation? Let's start on Thursday. In the morning students registered, and were distributed among different colored and numbered groups. I was in Yellow 11! There were around 30 of us, though some people came and left during the two main days of orientation. We toured around campus, stopping at several places. At each stop, we had a brief seminar, learning about topics ranging from BYU's online services, to campus safety, to the various services offered at our library. We heard from several great speakers in the morning, such as the President of BYU, Kevin Worthen. His commencement speech was stirring -- and it was apparent from the way he choked up near the end of his talk. Just as good was the next day's devotional. 

     The theme was a familiar one: "Begin with the End in Mind." He talked about the effort and blessings required to get into BYU, combining two familiar scriptures: D&C 6:10 and D&C 8:4. 

10 Behold thou hast a gift, and blessed art thou because of thy gift. Remember it is sacred and cometh from above--  

4 Therefore this is thy gift; apply unto it, and blessed art thou, for it shall deliver you out of the hands of your enemies, when, if it were not so, they would slay you and bring your soul to destruction.

We were also given a terrific method to tap into our potential. There are four steps: 

1. Find your identity and your purpose. 

2. Unleash your potential. 

3. Make decisions based on moral truth, not circumstance. 

4. Choose your love, and love your choice. 

     I loved the discussion on truth and circumstance -- decisions based on truth hinge on what's right and wrong, while decisions based on circumstance only care about the end result that I desire. There was also a lot of discussion about finding our identity, and being empowered by it. For instance, he advised us that we often fail to understand what we are capable of. If we put ourselves out there and do our best, we'll often surprise ourselves with what we're capable of. It was all very inspiring, and helped develop my love for this college and it's main aim: to enter to learn, go forth to serve, and more important than learn -- become. 

     As a sidenote, each freshman class at BYU receives their own ice-cream flavor. My class' flavor is salted caramel pretzel twist. Though a bit too salty at first, it's actually quite scrumptious. 

     In short, I love my roommates, my school inspires me, and things are going well. Riding my bike is fun, I met a Korean from my last ward, and we're going to work out together. 

A Few Lines

Come, sing with me;
For time is fleet,
And seasons pass the quicker!

Come, dance with me:
For life is brief;
And soon it will be winter.

Pain

I think a lot about what I feel -- what I want to feel, what I don't want to feel, what I think I'll feel, and what I used to feel. I also think a lot about what I hope others are feeling, and what I fear is plaguing their heart. I think about the things that change people, that have the power to mold the future.

As a result, I spend quite a bit of time thinking about pain, and its place in our lives. 

In particular, last Friday I was thinking about the people I love who have never experienced the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives. My heart ached as I thought of those whom I loved, who have never experienced the level of healing (see my upcoming piece on hatred) or forgiveness that I had. My stomach dropped and refused to breach as I wondered if people I cared about would ever understood what I did -- if they'd ever get to feel that sincere joy I feel almost daily. 

My thoughts turned to my mission, to teaching others about the gospel, and how it applies to our lives. One major application is the way it deals with pain. I thought about the ways that Jesus Christ and His gospel deal with pain, and I thought about why we need that. In other words, I tried to figure out some of the ways that the gospel enables people to endure pain, or to avoid it. 

As I thought, I came close to articulating that, "the gospel of Jesus Christ helps us to avoid pain in our life." I never finished that thought, because I could instantly feel that it was not only inaccurate, but counterintuitive. Pain is a necessary part of life. Jesus Christ taught moderation and balance; not extremism and chaos. The things we experience in life are meant to harmonize and form a grander whole, not tear each other apart and fade into nothing. That means that pain is far more integral than I give it credit for. 

So, what does the gospel offer then, in regards to pain? If it can't erase it, then what does it do? I've realized that the gospel offers us something unique, and invaluable: it allows us to decide what type of pain we let into our life. 

For example: if a person strives to repent daily and practice forgiveness of self and others, they will quickly find the amount of guilt, regret, and shame in their life dwindling. 

If one follows the path of self-improvement and growth outlined by Jesus Christ, they will find that their self-esteem will grow, and insecurities shrink. Service pulls us away from self-pity and self-indulgence, while lessons in humility prevent disastrous hubris. Through living the gospel of Jesus Christ, I have been able to transform crippling pain into the kind of manageable pain that inspires growth. When individuals die, my pain is that I'm separated for a short while; I know that I'll see them again, and I'm confident in my knowledge of what lies beyond this life. My pain is not existential despair, or doubt, or worry over their condition, but instead it's the ache of saying goodbye to a friend when moving away. 

Of course, while the gospel path has helped me heal, helped me grow, and helped me transform negative pain into (long-term) positive experiences, it still refuses to shield us from pain. In some ways, I feel certain pains even more intensely. 

Most of the time, I hurt on the behalf of others, people who don't know what they're in for. It might sounds pretentious, but I worry about other people's futures, because they lack the safeguards I have, they don't have the clarity, the surety, the promises I have, and I worry because all around me I can see people who tell themselves they're happy even though they're not. Not by a longshot. I want my friends to be happy, and I want to help them, but there's nothing I can do. It's like reading about a disaster across the world. Aside from token remarks, there's not really much I can do but watch the flames ascend.   

However, I wouldn't trade that pain for the world. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I want to live with my heart on my sleeve, no matter how many injuries it accumulates there. That's better than receding from the world. If I want to make a change, if I want to help people through their pain, I have to experience a part of it. I'd rather share others' burdens and sufferings than steer clear. Pain matters; just like you and me. 

Legacy Post: It Works for Me

I believe this was my final letter on my mission. Reading my remarks again, coupled with that final terse farewell, laced with the promise of reunion, my heart swells once more. Make sure to read through everything; I may revisit my concept of tugging on the heartstrings again sometime soon. 

"It Works For Me"

Greeting

     As we take the sacrament, there's a kind of... spiritual pressure. The Spirit of the Lord is here as we partake of that holy ordinance, and I pray it will be present as I present my remarks. When I first came to this ward, I commented that my youngest brother -- the one I haven't seen yet -- was so cute one could put them into their eyes and not be hurt (a unique Korean expression). Now, I'll go home and find out if I was right. If I get hurt, I'll let you know. 

The Path I've Learned

     Today I'd like to share just one of the precious truths I've learned from doing missionary work. This valuable truth is that when we look to Jesus Christ, gospel living works the best for us. In the gloomy world we're currently living in, this fact isn't always clear. Have we, like doubting Thomas, ever cried out, "Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" (John 14:5)? And yet, the Light of the World replies: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) Remember what Christ said, shortly before His death: "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14:18) This promise was repeated in the Doctrine and Covenants: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you." (D&C 6:32) Jesus is in our midst: the way of life is before us! Shall we not walk therein and rejoice? Well, then how can we know if we are on the right path -- Christ's path?
"One way is by asking the right questions—the kind that help us ponder our progress and evaluate how things are working for us.
"'Is my experience in the Church working for me? Is it bringing me closer to Christ? Is it blessing me and my family with peace and joy as promised in the gospel?'" ("It Works Wonderfully!")

From my point of view,  my experience in the church -- my experience on my mission -- is really working for me! Every day I feel like I'm growing closer to Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. You can enjoy those same blessings if you focus on Jesus Christ and His gospel! 

The Gospel Road -- Joy

    "This beautiful gospel is so simple a child can grasp it, yet so profound and complex that it will take a lifetime—even an eternity—of study and discovery to fully understand it."
As a matter of fact, "living the gospel doesn’t need to be complicated.
"It is really straightforward. It could be described like this:

• "Hearing the word of God with earnest intent leads us to believe in God and to trust His promises.
• "The more we trust God, the more our hearts are filled with love for Him and for each other.
• "Because of our love for God, we desire to follow Him and bring our actions in alignment with His word.
• "Because we love God, we want to serve Him; we want to bless the lives of others and help the poor and the needy.
• "The more we walk in this path of discipleship,the more we desire to learn the word of God."

Blessings that Work

"And so it goes, each step leading to the next and filling us with ever-increasing faith, hope, and charity.
"It is beautifully simple, and it works beautifully.
"Brothers and sisters, if you ever think that the gospel isn’t working so well for you, I invite you to step back, look at your life from a higher plane,and simplify your approach to discipleship. Focus on the basic doctrines, principles, and applications of the gospel. I promise that God will guide and bless you on your path to a fulfilling life, and the gospel will definitely work better for you." (It Works Wonderfully!)

Focus!

Just as Jesus Christ commanded through Joseph Smith, "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." (D&C 6:36) Wouldn't a life without fears and doubts be truly joyous? When we follow the path Jesus Christ shows us, our life can be like that. It can be like that right now! Don't wait! "God will take you as you are at this very moment and begin to work with you. All you need is a willing heart, a desire to believe, and trust in the Lord." (It Works Wonderfully) 

Testimony 

This church is the church that Jesus Christ established, again restored. Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, and the scriptures revealed to us through him are a great strength to me. In closing, I'd like to quote a few of those scriptures. From the Doctrine and Covenants 6th Section, we read:

13 If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God,which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation.

 14 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou hast done; for thou hast inquired of me,and behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been  so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time.

 15 Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these things that thou ma yest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth;

32 Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you.

 33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.

 34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.

 35 Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.

 36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.

 37 Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

     That was my last talk in Incheon 2nd Ward. The Spirit was really powerful as I delivered it, and it touched a lot of members. As I sat on the stand, I experienced a feeling I've only had a few times on my mission: a full heart. I had a thought related to what makes us feel that way. When we feel like our heart's about to burst because it's so full, I think it's because of bacon, or it's because of our heart strings being pulled. Bear with me for a moment as I walk you through this imagery. Our heart strings being pulled is what makes our heart yearn and ache, and the reason it's that way is because it's our bonds with other people that make up our heart strings, and when those bonds undergo a big change -- such as a farewell or a reunion -- those bonds are pulled. Sometimes bonds break, and sometimes they're forged, but it's those relationships that affect our heart deeply. 

This week was filled with lots of last appointments and goodbyes, and I think most of my pictures didn't turn out very well because my companion doesn't know how to work my camera too well, and it's a piece of work, but I know that regardless I'll carry these memories with me forever. Nothing could have changed my life like my mission has, and I have gained so many valuable bonds and learned so many irreplaceable lessons that I am forever changed. Missionary work works. Or, in the Korean word used in that talk, it is beneficial. It is advantageous. Don't pass it up; the gospel is everything, because love is everything, and God is love. I love all of you and can't wait to see you in person. Sorry for the short letter; but I'll make it up 10 fold when I see you.

Love,

Elder Austin Lynn

Pictures:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/75ahzaa6yr0smww/AAAagfr8XTJC2L0bRnidIY-ea?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p9bihwfbo05slnl/AADlOKsSvPiouJuzuDW5TF50a?dl=0