Elder HJones: It Shall Be Given Unto You

As I have been on the mission I have learned a lot about the importance and the blessings that come from prayer. And this week our prayers were answered.

Last week I talked a little about Bastian, how he was super ready for baptism, but his mom didn't give him permission to be baptized. We prayed all week that she would soften her heart and give us permission. So this past week we talked with his mom again, because por supuesto I am NOT GONNA GIVE UP ON HIM! So we first talked to Bastian a little. In the back of my head I knew I needed to talk to his mom afterward about baptizing her son. As the lesson ended, I knew that Satan did not want me to talk to her. My head was filled with thoughts of doubt, that she would not change or give permission. I thought that I could talk with her next week, or another time would be better.  But I knew I had to, so I disregarded all those thoughts and asked to talk with her a little bit.

We testified about baptism and the blessings that we receive from it. We talked about the Atonement and how baptism is a way that we accept the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We followed the Spirit, and our prayers were answered! Her hear was softened and she gave us permission to baptize her son, so we have a date to baptize him for this Saturday!! Such an awesome experience!

And we also found some awesome people this week!

This week was awesome. A testimony builder that God listens to our prayers and answers them. He softens that hearts of the people to listen to our message! People are prepared, we just need to find them!

This experience really strengthened my testimony about prayer and the Spirit. That God listens to each one of us, and will answer our prayers. Reminds me of a scripture in 3 Nephi 18:20 

20 And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.

God hears our prayers. Ask and you shall receive.

Elder Jones

This dog followed us to church and decided
to take a 3 hour name during the meetings.

Elder ZJones: Servants of the Lord

There was a ton of rain this past week--not something I really look forward to! haha It can be hard to teach and help investigators when it is rainy. Nobody likes or wants to come to church when there is
rain. Thus, we had no investigators in church this past week, but one.

We baptized Lautaro this past week and he came to church to be confirmed and to receive the Holy Ghost. It was such an amazing experience to see how happy he was as well as the happiness it brought to his family. We are hoping to continue to help his sister to know the importance of baptism and to be baptized in the following week(s).

We had Ward Conference this week. One thing that I liked and remembered was the importance of the first two and great commandments: to love the Lord with all our hearts and to love out neighbor as well. As we serve and as we teach, we are able to show the Lord of our love to him. My dad said to me that we can´t accomplish the second commandment without accomplishing the first. It is a way that we show our love to God. We can show Him in the way that we serve through our thoughts, actions, and desires. I know that as we strive to become more like him and serve to love Him,
we will be happier and receive His help in all things.

Chilean Torta Frita

During Personal Study this past week I studied in John 15:1-16. I learned a lot, but want to share one thing with you.

1. I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

As we know, as servants of the Lord, we are the branches. We help Christ in all things. He is the Center and Nourisher. We are only here to help support Him and hold the fruit. We cannot receive the fruit and do things by ourselves. It is only through Christ, our Vine, that we are able to receive  blessings. He needs us to. So as we put our efforts in a well, to nourish and help the fruit grow, we can prepare the fruit (people, converts, less active members) to be picked and ready for the husbandman, our Heavenly Father. He wants everyone to come back to him and a great
responsibility is our duty in His vineyard.

Have a great week. I know this gospel is true and the Lord can help us be great servants in His work here on the earth.

Elder Jones

Elder HJones: Remember Him

So we had transfers (cambios) and just as I had assumed, I am staying in Paipote. I will continue working with my companion Elder Estes and finish his training. He is super awesome and I am super excited to work with him another next transfer. 

There is a scripture that really describes the mission. It is found in Helaman 12:3,

3 And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him.

I have seen this a lot in the mission. We, as missionaries, experience many difficulties and trials to help us grow. We go through hardships so we can remember Him, so we can trust in Him. This past week our baptism fell through. Because he was under 18, his mom made the decision that she didn't want her son to be baptized. It was hard because I was super excited to see Bastian get baptized. We have been working with him for a while and have really become friends.

But, like in Helaman 12:3, we don't understand everything. Sometimes we are a little prideful, caught up in our own success. And without the help of God through trials we will never truly be successful.

Les amo! Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: Staying in Jardines

We have transfers this week. I am staying in Jardines again but receiving a new companion. Elder Marquez is heading to a new area about 3-4 hours distance from my area. I am receiving a Chileno names Elder Rivas. I served with him in one of my past districts. I am excited to work with him and know that we can get a lot of work done here in this area!

This week I was reading in my personal study and found this scripture that I like.

Words Of Mormon 1:7
And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will

The Lord works in us to fulfill His purposes. He puts His trust in us and wants us to help Him with His will. We know His will is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. As His disciples and members of His church, we can help him fulfill His purposes. He knows all things and he can help us know the things that will help us become more like him and progress to live with Him someday! Have a great week!

Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: The Blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ

Con Pte. Resek

I feel like every topic that I share, it is very similar to that of Hyrum's every week! haha

This week we had interviews with President Resek. I love interviews. It is a time that we are able to talk about the mission, our lives, and our invesigators. It is a time I really feel the love Presidente Resek has for each and every missionary.

During the interview we talked about one of our investigators. I asked for help on how we can help them progress. With time during the interview he said that everyone here needs the atonement, and that we need to share with them the importance of the atonement. He said "Don´t go a day on the mission without teaching about the Atonement!"

Conferencia de Zona

I thought about it and it is something that has stuck with me since. Jesus Christ and His suffering and His gift of eternal life needs to be the base of everything we teach. All of us use it everyday and every week.

A way that we can show our love and the importance of the Atonement to us personally is to share about it with others and share how it has helped us personally and in our lives. I know that as we help others, everyday, know the importance of the Atonement and Jesus Christ and help them apply those things in their lives and in their families, it will bless their lives and the Lord will see that the Atonement is of importance to us and will then bless us!

Have a great week!
Love, Elder Jones

Elder Shepard trying to impersonate me

Elder HJones: Testimony

I don't know what it is. I feel like I have received more rejection in the past cambio with my greenie, than in all the rest of my mission. I have learned so much from the trials and difficulties in during this cambio. And I am always growing. This week was kinda slow. But we did find some awesome people yesterday. We started knocking doors in a place called Las Tomas. A place where there is a lot of poor and humble people. We found some awesome people that are super ready to hear the gospel. 
We are working hard, and I know that we will find success. We will reap what we sow.

I have the wonderful opportunity to share my testimony every single day. I testify to others what I believe and know to be true. Through sharing my testimony, it grows. It isn't enough to just read in the scriptures, or pray, or to go to church every Sunday. We need to be willing to share what we have, sharing it with others who may not have it. When we share our testimony, it strengthens our testimony. When we are fearful and keep it to ourselves, we lose it.

Just like the parable of the talents.

If we always strive to strengthen ourselves and do something more, we will receive more. If we share our testimony, we will receive more, our testimony will grow. But if we keep our testimony to ourselves, we will lose it.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is true. Everyone needs the opportunity to hear the message of this wonderful gospel. Never be afraid to open you mouth and testify the truth.

Love, Elder Jones

Elder CJones: Mejorar is Mejor que Cambiar

"Mejorar es Mejor que Cambiar"  -Elder Kemish Hidalgo

What a week! I have to say that I really love the mission. The spirit that comes from the work and the joy that comes when the people turn their lives to Christ is amazing!

This last week we had a baptism for Maricruz. She has been excited and nervous for her baptism but afterwards she told us that it was amazing and that the blessing of the changes in her life have been a miracle in her life.

We will be now working with her two kids, Junior and Esmeralda, to get them to be baptized and join their mom. They are a little rebellious, like every teenager, so we will be inviting them to activities and talking with them. We will also go and spend time with them so they can feel of the Savior's love.

We are starting a new program here in the ward. The missionary work here is really suffering at the moment and so we are working with the bishop and the leaders of the ward to help us with the work. We are hoping that the changes that were made in General Conference and the words of the prophet will change the hearts of the members. Please remember to pray for them.

I hope you know that I love you all!

I know this church is the only true church on the earth and that we have a true and living prophet!! I invite all to study the Book of Mormon and the testimony it gives of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and I promise, those who study and pray with an intent to learn and understand, will receive a testimony of the truthfulness of the book!

--
Elder Corom Jones

Elder HJones: The Atonement

This week I saw the Atonement of Jesus Christ in action. It's real. Nothing is more powerful than this love that Christ has for us.

We have an investigator that is experiencing some really difficult times. Last week, he was involved in a car accident. I don't know all the details of the story, but he hit a motorcycle driver and the driver didn't survive. He is struggling a lot. We were able to pass by his home and teach him, give him words of comfort. We taught the Plan of Salvation and about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It is only through the Atonement can we be healed. The Atonement is helping him, carrying him through this trial. 

I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ can and will carry each one of us through our difficulties and trials. I have seen it in the mission and continue to see it.

Have a super awesome week! Elder Jones   

Elder ZJones: Zone Conference This Week

We had many miracles this week. Veronica and Adrian got married!! Veronica was then baptized. It was such an awesome experience to see how much it affected them and their family. Her parents then invited us to stop by and teach them. We are hoping to help them to receive the joy of baptism and this gospel. Luana also finally got baptized this week. The Lord really helped us this week to prepare them to be baptized and now there are many more ready to receive the gospel this month.

We had zone conference and talked about characteristics of baptizers and the ways we can be better at inviting and teaching to baptize. Elder Marquez and I have started applying these things to help us more in our area. We have seen the Lord help us more and more in our area.

Have a great week and love you all!!
Elder Jones

Elder CJones: General Conference April 2018

General Conference is always my favorite weekend of the year, the weekend where the worries of the world and of whatever is going on in life can melt away and we can hear the words of our prophet and apostles!

I would have to say that this conference was one of my favorite conferences that has taken place. I know that what we heard is true, I know that we have a living prophet on the earth!! I know that Book of Mormon prophets testified of this conference!!

Jacob 5:70-77

And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent his servant; and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him, and brought other servants; and they were few.

And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come.

And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things.

And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard; and the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingly; and the wild branches began to be plucked off and to be cast away; and they did keep the root and the top thereof equal, according to the strength thereof.

And thus they labored, with all diligence, according to the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard, even until the bad had been cast away out of the vineyard, and the Lord had preserved unto himself that the trees had become again the natural fruit; and they became like unto one body; and the fruits were equal; and the Lord of the vineyard had preserved unto himself the natural fruit, which was most precious unto him from the beginning.

And it came to pass that when the Lord of the vineyard saw that his fruit was good, and that his vineyard was no more corrupt, he called up his servants, and said unto them: Behold, for this last time have we nourished my vineyard; and thou beholdest that I have done according to my will; and I have preserved the natural fruit, that it is good, even like as it was in the beginning. And blessed art thou; for because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit of my vineyard.

For behold, for a long time will I lay up of the fruit of my vineyard unto mine own self against the season, which speedily cometh; and for the last time have I nourished my vineyard, and pruned it, and dug about it, and dunged it; wherefore I will lay up unto mine own self of the fruit, for a long time, according to that which I have spoken.

And when the time cometh that evil fruit shall again come into my vineyard, then will I cause the good and the bad to be gathered; and the good will I preserve unto myself, and the bad will I cast away into its own place. And then cometh the season and the end; and my vineyard will I cause to be burned with fire.

This work is true and I know that we are preparing for the Second Coming!!

--
Elder Corom Jones

"Easter is the day that changed EVERYTHING."
-Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf

Elder ZJones: We Have a Living Prophet

Chilin' between conference sessions

Wasn't General Conference awesome!! Everything about Conference increased my testimony especially in knowing the love that our Father in Heaven has for each one of us and the guidance of the Prophet that we have in this world. There have been some changes made to better move forward the work of the Lord in His last days, and this pertains to every single member of His church. With the changes in the Priesthood, Ministering, and seven new temples on the way, the Lord is preparing to take a big step forward and help us prepare the world for His gospel and His coming!

I like the verses in Mosiah 8: 16-18 which talk about prophets.

16 And Ammon said that a seer is a revelator and a prophet also; and a gift which is greater can no man have, except he should possess the power of God, which no man can; yet a man may have great power given him from God.

17 But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known.

18 Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings.

Like it says in the last verse, the Lord, through our faith, is providing miracles and blessing for us a members, received from his leaders, that we can to to better bring forth his work this day!

We have two baptisms planned for this week. Veronica, is going to get married this week as well, which is a great step towards entering the temple and making those sacred covenants with God. We are planning to baptize her this Saturday. Luana is also excited to be baptized as well. I know that they are ready to make these commitments with God.

Everything is good here. As a district we had the challenge to invite 100 people to be baptized. And we did! We invited 50 people to be baptized. My testimony has grown on the importance of inviting and helping everyone know the importance of their baptismal covenant with God!

Thanks for everything! I know that we have a prophet here on this earth who leads and guides us and as we follow and listen to his words, we can receive all the blessings the Lord has promised us!!

Elder Jones

Asado

Elder HJones: Conference Miracle!

So Saturday morning, the first session of General Conference, I was with three new gringo missionaries. We had to switch up a little, so the gringos could watch conference in English. We went to lunch with a member and were waiting for a collectivo (taxi) to take us to the stake center. We waited for a while. Sometimes it takes a very long time to find two seats in a collectivo and we were waiting for four!! because the new missionaries didn't know where the stake center was.

At 1:00 p.m. we were still waiting and a little late so we said a quick prayer together on the side of the road. We prayed to find a collectivo so we could go and watch the beginning of conference. Literally, ten seconds later we saw a collectivo come. A man jumped out, which opened up FOUR seats. Then, the collectivo drove past and we were able to take it. When we got to the stake center, we were just in time to participate in the solemn assembly and watch everyone and to be able to sustain President Nelson as a prophet of God.

My testimony grew a lot! That first, through prayer. We will receive help from God. And second, that God NEEDS us to sustain the prophet. He needs to know if we are willing to follow his called servants and live the words they speak.

So conference was a great experience. A lot of changes! But it is indeed what God wants and needs. I was also able to fast, and pray that my questions would be answered, and they were! Throughout the conference I found answers to my questions. My favorite talks were Elder Uchtdorf and President Nelson about personal revelation. (and of course, Elder Holland is always fire).

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is church is true. I am so grateful for the opportunity  I have to warn, to help, and to save people in these last days!

We are planning on having two baptisms this week for Pia and Gian. Super excited to see them make this life-changing disicion. We also have some investigator that could use some prayers: Rocio, Marcos, and Fresia. Thanks so much!