Week 21: New Transfer.... Ready for Christmas!

Hola todos!

So last week in district meeting we played two truths and a lie to get to know each other, and I mentioned that I could solve a rubik´s cube, so one of the elders let me use his 2x2x3 cube (which I had never seen before) and said to solve it like a 3x3, but it´s completely different, but I solved it this week :). 

We´re starting our Christmas campaign this week after Thanksgiving (which I will be celebrating alone :(...). Our President organized for us to receive enough pass a long cards to give out 75.... EVERY DAY!! :s. We´re also going to be getting together as districts and zones to sing in choirs in parks every weekend until Christmas, and it´s going to be super fun!

This week´s been full of miracles. We found a less active that has never been home before, and got his number and an appointment. The same day, we went to visit another less active (who is now evangelical) and she told us that her pastor told her not to listen to us anymore :(. But we´ll probably drop something off at Christmas anyway :D.

I was reading about Aaron, and thought about him and his brother Ammon, and the conversation they had in the prison. 

Ammon: Hey brother, wow, you look terrible.

Aaron: Yeah, it´s been rough. No one wanted to talk to us, but it´s all for the Lord, right?

Right.

How did you let us out?

Oh, this is Lamoni. I baptized him, his queen, and all of his servants, plus a bunch of his citizens this week.

..... Oh....

So often in missionary work we make comparisons between our work and others, but WE SHOULDN´T. (this applies to any other aspect of life, too).

Then a few chapters later, I found something I´d never noticed. After destroying the city of Ammonihah, many of the Lamanites remembered the words OF AARON, and were converted, and went to live with the people of Ammon.

Every good thing you do counts.

Also, in this section both of the kings--when converted-- shared their testimony with their people but established religious tolerance. Thought it was interesting...

We were able to teach a lot of less actives. 

Our new investigator asked me if I was from Ukraine.... Never got that before :). Another first-- we knocked on a door, and the guy who came out gave us the cross, and left :S. 

The Flia Ortiz let us in again, and we had fun chatting. There is so much love in that house, but she is very sensitive when we share things about the church.

Speaking of the church, there was a baptism from the elders yesterday, and I got to lead the music, and my comp got to give another talk (she also spoke in sacrament meeting :)).

Also, the husband of a member who is generally inactive also came to the church. 

Yeah!!

As I said, a week of miracles.

I´ve really been able to feel closer to the Spirit this week, and feel the excitement of the work.

Love you all so much!

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!

Sister Tova S Biesinger

Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission

Week 13: Pictures!!! And "Learning About the Atonement"

Kinotos --the fruit​

 Tip for preparing for a mission-- make a plan of salvation kit and a kit for teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, because if you wait until your mission you don´t really have that much time :D. But I´ve been putting mine together because I realized when Hma Walters left that if Hma Conceicao didn´t have a kit we´d have to teach with out it --and it´s so much more fun**--

This change has been good, because I´ve had to talk more as the person in charge, and this has put me out of my comfort zone. Unfortunatly there are still times when I look ¨lost¨ as my companion puts it, but it´s been a lot better, and I feel more like I´m using my own words in the lessons rather than the words from the book. 

This week I tried to move on from studying the attribute of faith to hope, but faith kept popping up** Naturally, this led to the following set of scriptures: GEn. 14:26-36 ´´JST,  Eph 2:8-9,  James 2:19-26,  1 Peter 1:7-8

Last Friday we had a meeting with Elder Packer from the Area Presidency, and he showed us the video of two people trapped on an escalator. Sometimes, in our missions --or our lives-- we get stuck, but only because we don´t move to change something. 

He also shared something that I thought was cool about Family History. Through family history, the Holy Ghost can testify of the divine nature of the family. That put so much more meanin into what we did when we helped the new member with her family history, and made me want to fill out my ¨Mi Famila¨ booklet. 

This week we were able to contact SO MANY PEOPLE*** We have a lot of new investigators and are working to get the members involved in helping them come on Sunday. 

When we were contacting one of our new investigators, the kids ran in to tell her we were there, and then came out and said ¨She said she´s not home.¨ :D I never thought that would actually happen to me, but it has.

Hma Conceicao is teaching me portuguese along with spanish. They really are similar. I can introduce myself and sing Silent Night :D.

Beautiful scripture--Jacob 6:5-6.

We had an awesome lesson with Elizabeth in the library, and she was able to understand the Plan of Salvation. Next step.. baptism** :D

Guess what happens in Jacob ? People repent, and then go and PREACH THE GOSPEL*** What is it about repentance that relates so closely with sharing the gospel with others? Then I read in Enos --I tried to read it with my friend´s perspective, because it´s her favorite part of the book of mormon, and it was soo cool. After he received a remission of his sins, he prayed that others could receive the same joy, and then he acted on his prayer.

Funny story-- you know how we´re not supposed to greet the men with a kiss? Well there was a man this week, and when we explained this to him and I was shaking his hand, he said ¨Oh, so I´ll just kiss your hand instead.¨ and before I could take my hand away, he bent over and kissed it. :O. We´re still considering whether or not we should go back and teach him :S.

Amazing talk from today-- If Ye Lack Wisdom, with the beautiful teaching that although the internet is amazing --I couldn´t imagine my mission without hearing from my family weekly-- ¨One should not roam through garbage¨. He then quotes the scripture that we should study by faith, and I´d never applied the scripture in that way. When we study by faith we can discern the truths from the falsehoods of this life. 

Have a great week***

Sister Tova S Biesinger

Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission

"The Object of this Life is to Learn"

There's an amazing article by Jeffrey R Holland called "A School in Zion." In it, he quotes Brigham Young who said, "The object of this life is to learn."
What do you think about that? Did Heavenly Father really send us down here just so we could learn?
If He did, what are we supposed to learn?

seek learning even by study and also by faith  ~D&C 109:7

What does that mean? To learn by faith.
Perhaps He's telling us to learn with the thought of Him on our minds. Perhaps He's saying that any study can be applied to a gospel principle.
It's a question that I haven't found a solid answer to. Maybe there isn't a solid answer.
Maybe it's just the idea of keeping our secular learning joined with our spiritual learning.

After reading the quote "the object of this life is to learn," I was reminded of something I learned in my college class. The best way to learn something is to teach it. You're 80% more likely to remember something you've taught over something you've read.
Think about this with the gospel. The best way to learn it is to teach it. That may be why there is such a great focus on missionary work.
I know that as I teach I have learned more effectively. I have also felt the spirit more strongly when I'm teaching or participating.
Heavenly Father will bless you as you teach or as you "study by faith." He sent you here to learn, to experience. He wants to be with you so that He can guide you through your trials.

"In school the lesson comes before the test. In life the test comes before the lesson."
Let Him help you through your test. It won't be easy, but He will make it easier.

Simple Missionary Moments

In case I didn't let y'all know, my family has moved across the country! Exciting, right? So I couldn't work for my dad anymore, because he had to get a new job :). Thus, I got a job here at a Health Care Manufacturing Facility.
It's pretty boring, but it brings in the bucks. (random tidbit, did you know that a dollar became known as a "buck" because a male deer's hide would be bought for $1 back in the day?)

So now that we're not in Utah, and I'm working with a bunch of people that aren't LDS, I get a lot more missionary opportunities than I used to. Here are a few of them:

I was working at a machine with another person (say his name was Aaron), and he needed to remember something later. So Aaron turned to me and said, "Hey, if I forget this later, will you call me a *******." I said, "I won't say that word, but I can remind you."
"Oh," he replied, "Then you can just call me a *****." (word that was basically the swear word)
I smiled at him and said, "But then I'd think of the word that I wasn't saying."
He looked a little confused, and asked me, "Then you've never come close to swearing?"
I thought about it for a moment, and then realized I could say, "Nope, never."
"Hm." Then we both went back to work.
It was nice to not only share my language standards, but to be able to realize that I'd never broken them. There are a lot of four-letter words floating around at my work and I sometimes think them, but as I try to block out the thoughts the words never seem to come to my mouth.
My brothers are nice, and have stopped "fake cussing" around me as well.

At my work, when people finish with jobs at their station, they'll come over to my station and help out. One of these people was making small talk with me, and relationships were brought up.
"Do you have any kids?" he asked me.
"No, I'm not married."
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"Nope, I haven't found the right guy yet."
"Oh, so you have standards?"
That threw me. I thought that everyone had things that they wanted in their partner.
So I responded, "Yeah." Then I thought, what the heck! I'll share a brief testimony! "That's what my parents did, and they're happy together, so I guess it works."
"Oh." Then we both went back to work.
It's been really eyeopening to see how people outside of Utah view relationships and marriage. A lot of people say things like. "You're married? That's too bad. Then you'll need a divorce when you want out." I'm so happy I wasn't raised with those ideals. I hope that through sharing my testimony with that one person they'll realize that there's something more they can get. (
(side note: Pres. Packer's talk and the movie "The War Room" go very well together and talk a lot about the heavenly part of marriage.)

Finally, a couple weeks ago our ward (or local congregation) had a fast for less active members to feel the spirit again, for strong families to move in, and for missionary experiences. The next Monday, at work, the second thing anyone said to me was "So what exactly is a Mormon?"
It was AWESOME!
I basically said that Mormon's are Christians, but here are some things that make us different... . Then I outlined the Apostasy, Restoration, and Book of Mormon. It was short and I don't think they understood what I was saying (I need to work on that :S) but it was cool!

So if you want to share your belief of Christ or your standards, just think, "Tova can do it, so I can definitely do it!" :D. It's been such an amazing feeling to be able to be an instrument in God's hands. I get the feeling described in the blog description-- "This is the joy of truly penitent seeker of happiness."

42 Evidences of the True Church of Christ

I just finished this amazing book called "The Greatest Quest" (by Blaine and Brenton Yorgason). It's about a group of college students during WWII (one of whom was an atheist), who look through the Bible to see what elements were involved in Christ's original church. They came up with 15 points at first, but over the years, they found 42 "evidences" that would identify a church that had the same blueprint as Christ's.
Their reasoning for wanting a church that mirrored Christ's from Jerusalem was the principle that Christ is perfect, therefore his church would be perfect. (see also evidence #32)
I really enjoyed following them as they visited different churches and honestly tried to figure out if their teachings went along with the list they'd compiled.
Although this book is a novel, it's based on a true story.

I'm personally going to go through my Bible and highlight the verses they picked out, and identify how my church applies those 'evidences.'

There are many other deep questions, answers, and spiritual discussion, but here are the 42 points they found and the scriptures that supported them:
(Note, I don't mean to violate any copyrighted material, and I don't claim any of this as mine)

1. The Godhead consists of three separate and distinct beings-- God the Father, his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost
*Genesis 1:26-27; 3:22
*Matthew 3:17; 28:19
*Luke 3:22
*Acts 7:55
*1 John 5:7

2. God the Father, as well as his Son Jesus Christ, who is a resurrected personage, both have bodies of flesh and bone and spirit
*Genesis 32:30
*Exodus 33:23
*Luke 24:39, 41-43
*John 20:17; 21:13-14
*Acts 7:55-56
*1 John 3:2

3. Jesus is the Christ, the literal Son of God, the Messiah, and the only perfect person upon the earth-- and not only a great teacher.
*Luke 9:35
*John 17:4-5
*Hebrews 1:6-7
(there are many other scriptures supporting this point, but they only had a few listed(

4. Jesus Christ, as revealed in the New Testament, is Jehovah, God of the Old Testament
*Exodus 3:14
*John 8:58
*Isaiah 43:11
*Hosea 13:4

5. The Holy Ghost is a distinct personage of spirit and is the third member of the Godhead.
*Matthew 3:15-16
*John 14:26; 16:13-14; 20:21-22
*Ephesians 1:17

6. The Holy Bible is the word of the Lord insofar as it is translated correctly. It is the record of the Jews and will be joined with another record in the last days (these days) to relate God's word to his people. This second record will come from a descendant of Joseph.
*Ezekiel 37:15-17
*Isaiah 29:18
*Revelation 20:12-14

7. Jesus Christ is recognized as the head of his Church,
with other officers named, beginning with a foundation of apostles and prophets, and including teachers, saints, elders, evangelists, bishops, deacons, priests, and high priests.
*John 15:16
*Mark 3:14-15
*Ephesians 2:19-20; 4:11-14

8. Officers in Christ's church will be "called of God." They will receive their authority through "the laying on of hands." On cannot call himself to the ministry
a. College degree or license insufficient
b. Royal priesthood will be known as such
c. Bishops and leaders are to marry and to have children
*Acts 19:25
*Hebrews 5:4, 10
*1 Timothy 3:2; 4:2-3

9. Members of Christ's church will be "workers," and will be called "saints." In addition, women will be included in activities and leadership.
*Proverbs 12:4
*Romans 1:7
*Ephesians 4:12
*1 Corinthians 11:7
*2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

10. There will exist within the church separate entities for each of the groups of members. Adult and youth organizations will exist. This point stands to reason, if Christ is concerned with helping each individual from that person's own level of understanding.
*Ephesians 4:11-14

11. Christ's church will believe in the "virgin birth" of Jesus Christ but will not believe in the "immaculate conception" of Mary.
*Isaiah 7:14
*Matthew 1:19-20, 23
*Luke 1:26-31, 42

12. Christ's church will believe in immortality and eternal life, and in a heaven and a hell. After the resurrection, we will be assigned to different places according to the judgement. The first resurrection will be fore the righteous and will commence 1,000 years before the second resurrection.
*John 3:16-17; 5:28-29; 14:2
*1Corinthians 15:20-22, 40-42
*1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

13. The Savior's church will honor Sunday as the Sabbath, with the understanding that the resurrection transpired Sunday morning, the first day of the week-- and thus replaced Saturday as the Sabbath.
*Hosea 2:11
*Matthew 28:1
*John 5:18
*Acts 20:7
*1 Corinthians 16:2

14. Officers as well as members of Christ's church will receive continuous revelation from God.
*Amos 3:7
*Matthew 16:13, 16-19
*Ephesians 1:17

15. Members of the Lord's church will be payers of tithes and offerings
*Malachi 3:8,11
*Luke 11:42
*Hebrews 7:4-5

16. Members of the church will regularly partake of the Lord's supper. The sacrament represents the flesh and blood of Christ and is partaken of in remembrance of him.
*Matthew 26:26-28
*Acts 20:7
*1 Corinthians 16:1-2

17. Members of the Lord's church will experience miracles, such as visions, tongues, and prophecies. In addition, the church will practice divine healing. When members of the church are sick, elders of the church will anoint them with oil and heal them.
*Matthew 9:18
*Mark 6:5; 16:17-18
*Acts 5:12, 16
*James 5:14-15

18. Church leaders will teach that the resurrected Jesus Christ will come again to the earth in the last days. This "second coming" will be greatly anticipated.
*Job 19:25-26
*Matthew 24:30
*Acts 1:11; 3:19-21

19. Members of the Lord's church will be persecuted for their beliefs.
*Matthew 5:10-12; 24:9
*Luke 6:22-23

20. The church as a whole, as well as its members, will be recognized for their "fruits"-- as will the prophets who lead them. The church will esteem honesty, virtue, and wholesome activity.
*Proverbs 15:4
*Luke 6:43-44
*2 Corinthians 9:10
*Philippians 4:17
*Hebrews 13:18

21. The church must provide salvation for all of God's children, not just those who receive the gospel while living on the earth. It will practice baptism for the dead.
*Mark 16:16
*John 3:1-8
*1 Corinthians 15:29

22. The church will build temples similar to the one Solomon built, which was destroyed and built again at the time of Christ. These temples will have unique purposes, including baptism and other ordinances. Temples will also be holy places, contain the Holy of Holies, and be used by members as places of worship.
*Isaiah 2:3
*Malachi 3:1, 7

23. Christ's original church was organized by him and named after him, and his church today will also be named after him.
*Acts 4:10-12
*Ephesians 1:22; 4:11-14; 5:23-24

24. Specific authority to function in the administration of the church is called "priesthood." It is obtained through ordination by one having the power to so ordain.
*1 Samuel 13:9-14
*Mark 6:7
*John 7:16; 20:21
*Acts 19:2-5
*Hebrews 5:4-6, 8-10

25. A higher priesthood authority is required to bestow the Holy Ghost than to baptize
*Matthew 16:19
*Mark 1:7-8
*Acts 8:15-18; 19:2-6

26. The church that Christ originally organized did not baptize infants since the prerequisite for baptism was (1) a capacity for repentance of past personal sins, and (2) a personal belief in the divinity and teachings of Christ.
*Mark 10:14-15; 16:16
*Acts 2:38; 8:12

27. The church is to send out missionaries (in twos), to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ
*Mark 6:7
*Luke 10:1

28. The church will have a welfare system to provide for the poor and the needy within the church. Members are to provide for themselves and their families first, and then receive help from the church.
*Deuteronomy 15:11
*Psalm 9:18
*Isaiah 14:30
*Mark 10:21
*Luke 18:22
*Romans 15:26

29. The church will have a law of health. Alchoholic beverages will not be used by members of the church.
*Ephesians 5:18
*1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:9-10

30. The church will be one that is restored to the earth. Christ's original church experienced a great apostasy or falling away, but his church will be returned or restored again in the last days.
*Jeremiah 31:31-34
*Acts 3:19-21
*2 Thessalonians 2:1-13
*Revelation 14:6-7

31. Christ's church will believe in being saved by the grace of Christ through exercising faith in him. In other words, it will teach that when we repent of our sins and forsake them, the atonement of Christ will cleanse our sins.
*Matthew 7:21-29
*Mark 16:15-16
*Luke 6:46-49
*1 Timothy 4:10
*James 1:22-25; 2:14-26

32. The church will preach only the true gospel of Christ, with no variations. It will neither add to the meaning of Christ's teachings nor takeaway from them--even though current revelation will provide insight into them.
*Matthew 5:19
*Galatians 1:6-9
*Ephesians 4:5
*Hebrews 13:8-9

33. Christ's church will espouse a pre-earth life, or a pre-existence, such as that taught by the Orthodox Jews. Included in this teaching will be the doctrine of fore ordination and not predestination. God the Father will be recognized as having created the individual spirits of all people.
*Genesis 1:26-31
*Job 38:4-7
*Ecclesiastes 1:4-5
*John 17:5
*Ephesians 1:4-5
*Hebrews 12:9

34. The church will believe in the "original sin" of Adam. Nevertheless, it will teach that Christ atoned for Adam's sin, and that we will be punished for our won sins, as Adam's sin has already been atoned for.
*John 1:29
*Acts 24:14-15
*Romans 5:6-19
*1 Corinthians 15:21-23

35. Christ's church will teach that the gathering of Israel, in the last days, will be literal.
*Isaiah 5:26-30; 11:12-13; 35
*Jeremiah 3:14-18; 31:10

36. Members of the true church will respect the beliefs of others and will allow all people to worship as they choose.
*Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2
*2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

37. The church will be subject to the laws of the land, regardless of the type of government in power in that land--thus rendering to Caesar that which is his, and to God that which is his.
*Matthew 22:21
*Mark 12:17
*Luke 20:25

38. Is should be recognized that, while perfection is to be sought by each member of Christ's church, the members will have human failings and will make mistakes, and they will thus need to grow and learn--line upon line, precept upon precept.
*Isaiah 28:10
*Ephesians 4:11-14, 28, 32

39. After repentance, baptism by immersion is essential, as is receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. A person performing these ordinances of baptism and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost must be duly authorized to perform such ordinances.
*Matthew 3:13-15
*John 3:5
*Acts 2:38, 41; 22:16

40. The Savior's church will have an unpaid ministry. This lay ministry will be called "by revelation," even as the apostles called new members to their quorum following the resurrection of Christ.
*Amos 3:7
*Micah 3:11
*John 10:13
*Acts 1:22-26
*1 Corinthians 9:18
*1 Peter 5:2

41. Satan is a real spirit being and not a figment of people's imagination.
*Job 1:6
*Matthew 4:10
*Mark 1:13; 8:33
*Luke 13:16; 22:3, 31
*John 13:27
*Acts 26:18

42. The Holy Ghost will bear witness of the truthfulness of the Savior's plan, when it is presented. This is the one sure way of knowing which, if any, of the churches belongs to the Savior.
*John 16:13-14
*1 Corinthians 12:4-12
*Galatians 5:22-26
*Ephesians1:17

Missionary Work-- Sacrificing our Music, or Sharing our Music?

I've heard it said that it's not a sacrifice unless it's hard.
I was very touched by this story of a young man sacrificing one of his greatest treasures in order to answer his call to serve.

"In Search of Treasure" (Thomas S Monson)
Benjamin Landart ..., in 1888, was 15 years old and an accomplished violinist. Living on a farm in northern Utah with his mother and seven brothers and sisters was sometimes a challenge to Benjamin, as he had less time than he would have liked to play his violin. Occasionally his mother would lock up the violin until he had his farm chores done, so great was the temptation for Benjamin to play it.

In late 1892 Benjamin was asked to travel to Salt Lake to audition for a place with the territorial orchestra. For him, this was a dream come true. After several weeks of practicing and prayers, he went to Salt Lake in March of 1893 for the much anticipated audition. When he heard Benjamin play, the conductor, a Mr. Dean, told Benjamin he was the most accomplished violinist he had heard west of Denver. He was told to report to Denver for rehearsals in the fall and learned that he would be earning enough to keep himself, with some left over to send home.

A week after Benjamin received the good news, however, his bishop called him into his office and asked if he couldn’t put off playing with the orchestra for a couple of years. He told Benjamin that before he started earning money there was something he owed the Lord. He then asked Benjamin to accept a mission call.

Benjamin felt that giving up his chance to play in the territorial orchestra would be almost more than he could bear, but he also knew what his decision should be. He promised the bishop that if there were any way to raise the money for him to serve, he would accept the call.

When Benjamin told his mother about the call, she was overjoyed. She told him that his father had always wanted to serve a mission but had been killed before that opportunity had come to him. However, when they discussed the financing of the mission, her face clouded over. Benjamin told her he would not allow her to sell any more of their land. She studied his face for a moment and then said, “Ben, there is a way we can raise the money. This family [has] one thing that is of great enough value to send you on your mission. You will have to sell your violin.”

Ten days later, on March 23, 1893, Benjamin wrote in his journal: “I awoke this morning and took my violin from its case. All day long I played the music I love. In the evening when the light grew dim and I could see to play no longer, I placed the instrument in its case. It will be enough. Tomorrow I leave [for my mission].”

Forty-five years later, on June 23, 1938, Benjamin wrote in his journal: “The greatest decision I ever made in my life was to give up something I dearly loved to the God I loved even more. He has never forgotten me for it.”

(David Archuleta's experience on his mission (1 hour long Live Q&A))

I'm so excited for my own mission. I don't have a brilliant career I'm leaving behind. However, I hope that I will be able to leave a legacy behind me.

MISSIONARIES!

I recently had the awesome experience of having my oldest cousin leave on her mission! 

Now, what a missionary for the Church does is leave home for 2yrs for boys, and 18 months for girls. They live there life totally for other people-- inviting them to come to Christ, and serving them.

In 2012, Pres. Monson changed the ages that men and women could leave for their mission: boys could now leave at 18 (before it was 19), and girls could leave when they were 19 (previously 21).
After this, there has been a HUGE increase in missionaries in the field. Here is a news article from the Church about it, and about the lives of some missionaries in New York, NY.

I personally am preparing for my mission. You need to pay for it yourself, so I am saving up my money. I'm also doing my best to live a life that would make my Heavenly Father proud of me, and that sets a good example to others.

The message of the missionaries (and of the church) is that through Christ you cam make it to Heaven, and be with Heavenly Father again. Even if you're imperfect, Christ has performed the Atonement for us, and we can change.

I'm going to end by sharing this poem (again):

After All We Can Do 

By Robbie Pierce  I had been in that hole for a very long time- 
In the dark and the damp, in the cold and the slime. 
The shaft was above me; I saw it quite clear, 
But there's no way I ever could reach it from here. 
I could not remember the world way up there, 
So I lost every hope and gave in to despair.   
I knew nothing but darkness, the floor, and the wall. 
Then from off in the distance I heard someone call: 
"Get up! Get ready! There's nothing the matter! 
Take rocks and take sticks and build up a fine ladder!" 
This was a thought that had not crossed my mind, 
I started to stack all the stones I could find.   
When I ran out of stones, then old sticks were my goal, 
For some way or another I'd climb from that hole. 
I soon had a ladder that stood very tall, 
And I thought, I'll soon leave this place once and for all! 
I climbed up my ladder, a difficult chore, 
For from lifting those boulders, my shoulders were sore.   
I climbed up the ladder, but soon had to stop, 
For my ladder stopped short, some ten feet from the top. 
I went back down my ladder and felt all around, 
But there were no more boulders, nor sticks to be found. 
I sat down in the darkness and started to cry. 
I'd done all I could do, and I gave my best try. 
But in spite of my work, in this hole I must die. 
And all I could do was to sit and think, Why?   
Was my ladder too short? Was my hole much too deep? 
Then from way up on high came a voice: "Do not weep." 
And then faith, hope, and love entered into my chest 
As the voice calmly told me that I'd done my best.   
He said, You have worked hard, and your labor's been rough, 
But the ladder you've built is at last tall enough. 
So do not despair there is reason to hope, 
Just climb up my ladder; I'll throw down my rope. 
I climbed up my ladder, then climbed up the cored. 
When I got to the top of it, there stood the Lord.   
I've never been happier; my struggle was done. 
I blinked in the brightness that came from the Son. 
I fell to the ground as His feet I did kiss. 
I cried, "Lord, can I ever repay Thee for this?" 
He looked all about. There were holes in the ground. 
They had people inside, and were seen all around.   
There were thousands of holes that were damp dark and deep. 
Then the Lord looked at me, and He said: "Feed my sheep," 
And He went on his way to save other lost souls. 
So I got right to work, calling down to the holes, 
"Get up! Get ready! There is nothing the matter! 
Take rocks, and take sticks, and build up a fine ladder!"   
It now was my calling to spread the good word, 
The most glorious message that man ever heard: 
That there's one who is coming to save one and all, 
And we need to be ready when He gives the call. 
He'll pull us all out of the holes that we're in 
And save all our souls from cold, death, and from sin.  
So do not lose faith; there is reason to hope: 
Just climb up your ladder; He'll throw down His rope