ngaia anne

Today I will talk about the basics. Sometimes the basics are treated as what they sound like; boring, menial and a waste of time. For example: brushing teeth is basic to good health, and very easy to do, but also easy to overlook. Another one, practicing before playing any sport can be boring or difficult. But there is a reason for them. If you haven't practiced your dribbling skills in basketball, you will lose the ball every time (speaking from experience). If you brush your teeth halfheartedly, you will lose your teeth (don't worry, not speaking from experience). If you haven't read the scriptures daily, your testimony will weaken. If you pray halfheartedly, you will lose the power promised from it.

We invite people every day to read, pray, and keep the commandments. If they haven't read and haven't prayed, you can see a trend on how they are keeping the commandments as well.  I guess that we can see this in our own lives as well. I know that my prayers need improvement, that in the past I have skipped reading or done it unwillingly. But that is where the gift of repentance comes in to help us change. I invite all of you (as I will invite myself) to look at the basics and how strong they really are. Also read 2 Nephi 4 and think of all the good that Nephi did and how he still felt that he really was a fallen soul. Should help to know that prophets feel inadequate too (President Hinckley often spoke of how he felt unfit to be the prophet also)

Kiribati phrase: "ngaia anne" which basically means "that's it".  There is this old lady named Tekunrerei that is very catholic that says that phrase when we teach. Basically the Kiribati version of a mini "hallelujah" which is awesome to hear when you teach.

Miss you all, God knows all of us perfectly and what we need, and will often tell us through the Spirit what we can do to feel a greater measure of peace in this life.

-Elder Farner

P.S. We went to this giant party for the mwaneaba which is like a big covered patio. I have a video but I can;t really load it, but just know that it was pretty cool!