War Chapter Knowledge (LOCKDOWN: Days 43 to 49/42+)

Ogamba ki mukwanos ne makka! 

(friends and family!)
Not a super busy week, which is alright, but I do like it to go fast. Probably a side effect of being a runner. Nonetheless I will update y'all on my adventures or lack thereof haha
Togende! (Let's go!)

July 19, 2021 Mon
Today was P-Day! I hit 19 months today fyi. I talked to makka, swept, chatted with Reese, then we both went to get haircuts. We really needed haircuts, but what we got may have been pretty drastic. Reese got his hair buzzed and I decided to join him. Reese now looks like an MMA Fighter and I look like I did when I was 8 or 9. I haven't had a buzz cut since that time, until now.
After haircuts we got cleaned up, I put on my Souvenir Shirt and aviators which turned me into a guy who is selling 5 Kilos of "Mexican Sugar," so I looked pretty dope (budum chh!)
We went with Musungo and Lubwama (who both yelped upon seeing our hair or lack thereof) to town and while there we met up with Gumbato & Cates, Mutheu, Soluka, & Faapeasolo. We played a lot of pool which was a lot of fun, then Reese, Lubwama, Musungo, and I hit up the Rolex Joint which is OH so good. Got the "Spicy Diana" and that was SUPER good.
After that deliciousness, we ended at the apartment. Reese and I did some prepping for Zone Conference tomorrow, where we are giving a training for Jinja (Our) Zone and Kampala North Zone over Zoom. Should be good!

July 20, 2021 Tues
Today we had Zone Conference, and I was nervous for it. Throughout Personal Study I tried to prepare and calm myself, which eventually did happen and I felt ready for Elder Reese and my Training.
The Conference was from 10am to 1pm and was pretty good. Our training went great, the other trainings by the other Zone Leaders and the Sister Training Leaders were great, and the Trainings by Sister and President Chatora were great. All a good time.
After Zone Conference, Reese and I had this BIG conversation about nice food which made us hungrier and hungrier and no longer in the mood for Matoke and Rice, soooo . . . we went to Java House and both got Bacon Cheeseburgers which were just as delicious as those magical words sound. We grabbed em, headed back to the apartment, and watched The Best Two Years, followed by Devotionals, working out, and finishing the day.

July 21, 2021 Weds
Today Elder Reese and I listened to a few Devotionals, went to the Chapel to use wifi, called a couple Referrals, had a lot of conversation. We grabbed an early Matoke Dinner, headed back to the apartment, made more conversation, listened to another Devotional, set up a lesson for tomorrow and that was about it.
Reese and I didn't have a ton, but today was still fun. We had a good time Chattin n stuff, we get along great and have a lot of funny conversations.

July 22, 2021 Thurs
Today was pretty chill, not much going down. We went into town to get something before going to the Chapel to use wifi. While there I ran into Sister Osikal! Who was in my first District after coming back to Uganda, she's home now and it was really good to see her!
We were at the church for a while, when we left we decided to hit up Rolex Joint for dinner. I got the Triple S (Sweet, Spicy, Savory) and it was pretty good stuff. Once back at the apartment we tried to have our lesson, but the guy didn't answer, ugh! So went and worked out, showered, relaxed, slept.

July 23, 2021 Fri
Today was weird. Reese and I had to do a small exchange in Lugazi today because Elder Mea has been having some bodily pains that have been getting worse and had to go to the hospital.
BUT before we could go to Lugazi we had to get a permit to drive there because of COVID Restrictions, and getting it took about 2 hours!
Finally we were off and the drive was awesome. We passed through Njeru (1st area assigned when in Uganda in 2020) so I saw some familiar places and distant memories. Along the road to Lugazi there was so much green! Green Plains and green forests, parts of it didn't even feel like Uganda anymore. So even though the drive is about an hour, it’s super enjoyable in my opinion.
I had to stay in Lugazi with Elder Nakaabele while Elder Reese took Elder Mea to the hospital. So I talked with him and got to know him a bit and it was a nice time.
A few hours later Reese and Mea came back and unfortunately Mea is going to have to go home because of his Illness. Sad to hear.
After that Reese and I had a nice drive back to Jinja, relaxed and listened to devotionals.

July 24, 2021 Sat
Today was a little busy. We met the Walukuba Missionaries for Pork for Lunch today which was really fun, I laughed more than I ate. Lubwama was a riot, and everyone laughing together was too much to handle, in a good way of course.
Afterwards we went to the Chapel. The Chapel's wifi opens up Facebook 100% so I am able to get and send messages there. I also see the amount of friends of mine either In a Relationship or that Got Engaged or Married grow on a daily basis, it’s kinda weirding me out haha!

July 25, 2021 Sun
Today we didn't have much. We had Sacrament, listened to Devotionals, went to the church, tried to contact some Referrals and did some planning. Wifi wasn't working so we came back to the apartment, watched The Fighting Preacher and relaxed.
Lubwama made dinner for all of us tonight which was pretty good and played Phase 10 afterwards. Winner was Lubwama, but he chose himself to do Dishes, what a Saint! Really didn't have a lot today, but hopefully that'll change!

Okie dey, soooo this week I wanted to share something I have begun to do a better job of, that is "Likening the Scriptures unto myself."
And the part of the scriptures I want to liken is from the War Chapters in The Book of Mormon.

It is from Alma Chapter 58. In this Chapter Helaman, the Captain of the 2000 Stripling Warriors, is continuing a message to Chief Captain of the Nephites Moroni.

Helaman tells that he and his Army, as well as Gid and Teomner (Other Captains in the Nephite Army) and their Armies, were seeking to retake the city of Manti from their enemies, The Lamanites.

But there was a problem, in verse 2 it says "And they were so much more numerous than was our army that we durst not go forth and attack them in their strongholds."

So what would any Good Captain do? He asked the Government for reinforcements, Helaman and his army recieved some, but only a small amount, especially when compared to The Lamanites who received more forces daily.

Because of their lack of soldiers and reinforcements they began to fear, so in reaction Helaman says, "Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people. Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him. And we did take courage with our small force which we had received, and were fixed with a determination to conquer our enemies, and to maintain our lands, and our possessions, and our wives, and our children, and the cause of our liberty." (Verses 10-12)

So with their newly found resolution, Helaman and his armies went and pitched their tents near the city, and Lamanite spies were sent to see how strong Helaman's armies were. Verse 15 says, "And it came to pass that when they saw that we were not strong, according to our numbers, and fearing that we should cut them off from their support except they should come out to battle against us and kill us, and also supposing that they could easily destroy us with their numerous hosts, therefore they began to make preparations to come out against us to battle."

But Helaman and his armies saw them begin to prepare, so they devised a plan.

Gid and Teomner each would take a small portion of the armies and hide off to the side in the Wilderness nearby. Gid and his group on the right, Teomner and his group on the left. Helaman would have the larger portion of the Armies would remain in the place the Lamanites had seen them.

The Lamanites came out to battle Helaman and his portion. When the Lamanites were about to attack, Helaman commanded his portion to retreat, and the Lamanites pursued them.

While the Lamanite's army was out of Manti, and after they had passed by Gid, Teomner, and their forces, Gid, Teomner, and their forces went to the City of Manti and slayed the few guards that were left behind and took Manti.

Meanwhile, the Lamanites pursuing Helaman and his portion of the armies realized they're getting kinda close to Zarahemla, the Capital of the Nephite Nation, so they decide to go back, but first sleep because they'd been running all day. While the Lamanites slept, Helaman took his portion in the night and began their journey back to Manti.

By the time the Lamanites got back to Manti the next day, they saw that it was 100% back under Nephite Control. They were filled with fear and ran away.

They gained Manti by Stratagem and in verse 33 it says, "we trust in our God who has given us victory over those lands."
And in verse 40 Helaman speaks of the Soldiers who he has fought with, "But behold, they have received many wounds; nevertheless they stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free; and they are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day; yea, they do observe to keep his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments continually; and their faith is strong in the prophecies concerning that which is to come."

Alright, let us liken.

The Nephites were few in numbers while the Lamanites were numerous.
Those who believed were few while those who didn't belive were many.

Sometimes you maybe in situations where you are a part of the religious minority. A situation where people may not only disbelieve, but seek to insult or hurt you because you believe.

They may even see that you are few in number and think to themselves, "Now I can tell this person how they're wrong and stupid for believing" or "Now I can show them how their standards keep them from having fun." A lot like the Lamanites in verse 15.

But did the Lamanites win?
No
Why?
Because the Nephites did 2 things.
They Planned and Trusted in God.

If you may be faced with people trying to tear down your faith, make a plan what you will do to stand strong against their words.
If you may be tempted by others to go against your standards, make a plan what you will say and do to overcome those temptations.

Next, remember what the Nephites did when they were afraid. They poured out their souls to God for strength and support. They prayed for help and made sure they were worthy of it.
And what happened?

They got the strength they needed.

Was it easy?
No

Verse 40 says they received many wounds, but it also say they were stand fast or trusting in the Liberty God gave them and were strict to remember Him. And they were blessed because of it.

Even if we believers are small in number, we still can overcome anything and anyone that the adversary can throw at us as we are prepared with a plan, then Trust in God. Mbyogedde mulinya lya Yesu Kristo, amiina.

Alrighty, I hope y'all emjoyed this email and have a great week! I'd love to hear from you so send me something!
Qwagala mukwanos era makka gwange!
(I love you my friends and family!)
Elder Bradford