Merry Christmas y'all! 

Can't believe Christmas has already passed. It's really crazy. I remember when I got here and it was Halloween and then Thanksgiving and now Christmas. So insane. It has gone by so fast. 

This week was kinda weird with Christmas and all. It didn't just feel like Christmas since I didn't get to watch It's a Wonderful Life like my family normally does on Christmas Eve. I missed the traditions but that's just what Christmas on a mission is like. 

This week we did a good amount of service. I was on exchanges in a town called Elgin. He and I are both greenies haha and we went around to do some service tracting. We went around asking people if they wanted service and I was surprised that people didn't want it haha. They all just rejected us and didn't want FREE help. Like who doesn't want FREE help? But anyways I guess thats what normal tracting is like. 

But Christmas turned out to be pretty fun. It was my first and probably my last Christmas in the country 😂. We went to our stake president and bishop's house for a little bit. We spent some good time with them and it made Christmas a lot better. We were able to talk to some of his extended family and his son on a mission. But Bishop's son is a senior in high school and so he and I are kinda tight haha. We play basketball together on p days and he calls me Jimmer. So ya it's kinda funny. But then he showed us in his room a signed Jimmer jersey which I thought was pretty cool cause Jimmer is a stud hahaha. 

But not much else happened this week. We got 6 people to sacrament meeting! That was a super big accomplishment since we haven't had anyone come in a long time! It was super cool to see them hop on the zoom link or come in person. So that was a blessing. 

Oh ya I forgot to mention. I spoke in sacrament meeting. All four of the missionaries in the Columbia ward were first asked to sing together and we all didn't really want to haha. We all don't have good voices and so it woulda been bad haha. But we met with bishop on Wednesday and he told us that we were gonna speak rather than sing. I was grateful cause I'd rather speak than sing. All four of us spoke. I had to speak on how Light the World is helping the world for the Second Coming. But it was actually way awesome. I love speaking. 

Here's a quick little spiritual thought for yall this week, its in Matthew 7:24-27

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

We need to be like the wise men. We need to HEAR the word and DO it!! We cannot be like the foolish man that HEARS the word and DOESN’T follow it. The only difference is the ACTION. They both HEAR the word yet only the wise man takes action and DOES what he is asked to do! 

I hope y'all had an amazing Christmas and have a wonderful New Year! Love y'all! 

ELDER JONES 

Merry Christmas

This week has been super good! We have been super busy with service and with teaching opportunities! We have been working with an excommunicated member this week. We went over for service twice for him this week. We have been thinking about getting him back into the church and rebaptized. We talked to the bishop though and he's been excommunicated a couple times in the past. So he said it might be a process for him to actually come back but we're starting the fellowship and service and teaching process. I'm hoping that we can help him get back into following the commandments and such. 

We have been meeting with members more this week and this next week we are meeting with more members. It has been awesome meeting with members and getting to know them better. I've been getting to know the members a lot better and it's fun getting to know them. We are ushers in church and some of the old ladies in the ward told me that I was their favorite hahaha. That's good I guess. 

And I chipped a freaking tooth this week. I can't believe it. The second time as a missionary. I was eating some leftover texas roadhouse that we had. I was eating ribs and I bite down and I hit a tiny bone. Didn't think much of it. Then we were at a member's having dinner and I start feeling the tooth and think something is different with the tooth. I get home and I look and I saw that I fetching chipped a tooth. And it's the front tooth too. It's not too bad but ill have to go to the dentist hopefully this week or early next week and get it fixed. Idk how that happened cause I've never chipped any teeth in my life besides these past 3 months I've chipped two. Gotta be kidding me. 

I just get super excited when our lessons actually go through and we can actually teach them. There's a lot of people that I talk to on Facebook that don't care. They just flat out reject it and I'm like come on! This'll help you! But nope. But I make sure to let them know that they can always reach out. 

I just want to be the best missionary I can be. I am doing my best to learn and grow and teach. I just can't wait to be in Panama. I enjoy being here and getting to know the members and the people here. It has really has been awesome but I'm anxious to get to Panama.

We did have zone conference this week and it was really good. I enjoyed the counsel that we received from President Monson and it was awesome. It was a little tiring and long but it turned out awesome. We did get counsel on what to do better as a zone and I want to be accountable and obedient to his counsel as he is presiding over the mission. But he told us to focus more on members than on Facebook finding. He said that we should have at least 1 member lesson a day and put them before Facebook. So that's one thing that I thought was super important because we have been doing it the other way. 

But I'm doing well and enjoying the mission a lot! I am super tired all of the time but loving the work! 

Love you tons!

MERRY CHRISTMAS 

ELDER ABRAM JONES 

Christmas Time is Here

Well y'all. It's the Christmas season. But it doesn't feel like it at all. It's weird. Like we don't have a Christmas tree or any decorations at our apartment. We only see them everywhere. There's no snow here either. It gets cold in the morning then after it's like 60 so it doesn't feel anything like Christmas. But the only thing that makes it feel like Christmas is Light the World. It's been way cool doing it as a missionary. Focusing on the people we are teaching when doing the light the world activities has just been awesome. 

Not too much has happened since Wednesday. Besides the thing that this week has gone by really slow. There's a new guy that's getting trained in our district and so it's nice not being the brand new greenie anymore. But I'm still a greenie. 

We met with this guy that I found on Facebook. This guy is literally the greatest, his name is Kendal. He started reading the Bible last year and he is just so cool. He has so many questions and we are able to answer a lot of them which is so awesome. So it's a blessing that we get to teach him, can't wait to see how much he progresses. 

On Friday we had a ward Christmas party. And the elders were asked to be a part of the carolers. And we were absolutely terrible. We are all tone deaf and don't know how to sing at all and so we brought the whole choir down haha. But it was still fun singing Christmas tunes. We also got to meet Santa which was a bonus cause I've never seen him before in real life so that got me really excited. Turns out he has a southern accent. But he's still jolly and fat like I imagined. Santa is a cool guy. 

Here's a spiritual thought for this week: 

John 14:18  "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you"

Jesus Christ will never leave us comfortless. He has overcome the world so that we don't have to. Jesus Christ is always there! Especially in hard times and times that don't seem promising at all, Jesus Christ knows EXACTLY what you're going through and so He won't leave you comfortless. He is ALWAYS there!!

Love y'all! Remember to keep Christ in Christmas!!

ELDER JONES

Steve

We made the news on Thanksgiving

This week was pretty solid. A really good time. It was THANKSGIVING!! can't believe it's already been Thanksgiving cause yesterday felt like Halloween! But Thanksgiving was really solid. We went to our stake president's house and had dinner. We got banished to the little kids' table. I'm used to getting put on the little kids' table so I was fine with it haha. It was a good time, we played cover your assets and that was a really fun time. 

Bacon Doughnut. For reals!

We didn't have too much happening this week. I had exchanges this week since my comp is a zone leader. So I went on 2, they were both really fun. One of them was Thursday to Friday. This past week has been fun. We passed out service flyers twice. One of them we put in mailboxes and we didn't know that doing that was a federal offense. Yikes! So we got a call from USPS telling us we can't do that so ya it didn't turn out well. So we did some more and I think we have some pretty solid service opportunities. 

Well, y'all are wondering what the title of this email is all about. Well, Steve is a snake. We found him doing service on Tuesday. So we put him in a water bottle and later that day I scared some other elders with it and it was the funniest thing ever. I don't have a video but man it was hilarious. But Steve was my friend this week and we let him free and he's safe. So don't worry bout him haha. 

Spiritual Thought (kinda-ish):

We met with a recent convert this week, David. He had some questions and wanted to meet with us and so we talked. He told us he wanted to read from the Book of Mormon more. We told him that we study an hour a day and this is what he said in return. 

"If I can't read the Book of Mormon and the Bible for an hour a day that's a [dang] shame". I would put in the actual word he said but y'all know what I mean and it wouldn't be good for me to swear as a missionary. But ya that is just awesome cause he shows an example of the importance of reading the scriptures!

Anyways. Love y'all and happy (really late) Thanksgiving and Merry (really early) Christmas!

God's Plan

 

Well. Another week gone. 

Felt like I just wrote an email. But here we go again. 

This week has been full of good things. From Monday night to Tuesday night I had exchanges. I was companions with another greenie. Crazy how they put us both together for a day with only being in the field for like 3 weeks. It went well and we had a good time. And I finally got to drive which is so nice cause I haven't driven in months.

This week was just full of doing service and we had a couple awesome teaching appointments! Service is always a good time. We were able to hand out service flyers in a neighborhood and so I got a little bit of the tracting experience. It was a good time doing that. Yet we were in a little sketchy neighborhood but still, good times. 

We met with a less active member this week. He hasn't been to church in 25 years. He was so personable and just so easy to talk to. Well after 25 years of not coming back to church, he wants to come back. Like really wants to come back. So we just talked for like an hour and a half and it was just so cool. Idk how to describe it but man I just know I'm here in South Carolina to help him come back to church. It's all part of God's Plan! He even set his own expectations on when to come back! Can't wait to help him come back to church.

Well, President Nelson's message on Friday was just the best. It was awesome being able to hear from a prophet who gives us specific and direct revelation that God wants us to hear and do today! So cool being able to see him pray for us and just hear of his love. It was so awesome. So y'all can just watch it again cause it's amazing. 

Anyways, idk what else to say. Just a lot of working and serving and staring at a computer screen all day. But missionary work is awesome. 

Love y'all!! 

ELDER JONES

Third Week

This week has been pretty good! I did have a terrible migraine on Monday night after we played basketball and had dinner. After a lesson, we went home at 9 and I went to bed right after. I couldn't sleep so my comp gave me a blessing and it helped a TON! I was able to fall asleep and the next morning I didn't have a headache.

We did more service this week. More painting which was fun. Our friend, Patricia, has a ton of questions. So we were able to answer a ton of the Bible questions she has. I hope we can help her progress.

We have been able to teach a bit this week too. We taught a lady named Angela. She wants her cousin to learn about the gospel with her so we are gonna meet again next week its exciting. We also had a first lesson with a woman named Chasity. The question she has was how she knows which denomination is the right denomination and I was so pumped when she asked that! So we're hoping to teach her the restoration this next week, hopefully with her fiancee. I'm so excited!! A lot of teaching is over the phone and stuff which I'm not used to, but I hope that I will. 

This week I had interviews with my mission president, President Monson. He is nice and asked about Facebook finding and my Spanish and just getting used to the mission life. It was a good little convo. I then talked to Sister Monson and she's awesome. She just asked some get to know you questions and she's an awesome person. Needless to say, interviews went well. 

On Thursday we went and had dinner with Boesl family. They are such a cool family. Just their warmness and kindness made me feel at home. We had baked ziti and it was good stuff. We played basketball with their son on Monday. It was a good time. It's cool to be on the other side now as a missionary and see how awesome families are.

On Saturday we were at the church doing some Facebook finding and our bishop called. He wanted us to get to his house so we could have pancakes. So we got over there and had some good pancakes and then just talked with him. Bishop Edwards is like the coolest guy!! 

A couple days this week it POURED rain. I've never seen it rain for that long that hard. It was pretty awesome.

I love being a missionary. I love sharing the gospel with others and giving others the light they're lacking in their lives. I love sharing the love Jesus Christ has with others.  Even though it's not Panama it's awesome being here and having the experiences I'm having here. Cause I know the Lord needs me here for specific people! I love this gospel.

LOVE YOU TONS!! 

ELDER ABRAM JONES

Unforgettable

 

Well, it's been a good week. 

It started off a little rough. I was pretty homesick on Monday, just missing the fam and being at home. Yet I was able to call my family on Monday night and it helped a ton haha it was really good to see them. 

Honestly the days just mold into one another. We do so much and so it kinda just goes and goes. We do a lot of stuff on Facebook. A lot of adding people and it is hard. We try to find people and add them and then message them about the gospel yet people just leave me on read (I'm already used to that cause I would get left on read all the time at home 😂). But it's a lot and a lot of people just don't want to hear from missionaries haha. Some guys thought I was a guy from state farm I thought it was funny cause it happened with two guys in a row hahaha. 

We had a lot of meetings this week. We had a zone conference on Tuesday,  it was like 5 hours long on zoom but I'm used to that because of the MTC hahaha. It was really good though, I heard a lot of stuff that I needed to hear. 

We were able to do service this week for a lady named Patricia. She is awesome! We went last week to help with her yard and this week we painted a room in her house. Good thing I have some experience from work haha shoutout to elder Moore! Haha. It was sweet cause she started talking to us about the things about her church that she doesn't like. Like pastors getting paid. And not willing to help or serve. And not caring about her problems. And not having a personal relationship with God. My comp and I were able to give her a Book of Mormon and share our testimonies with her. It was such a cool experience! 

We had a baptism this week for a guy named David. My comp and I had 2 lessons with the guy. One over the phone and the other was going over the baptismal interview questions. He got baptized on Saturday and it was a cool experience. From the other missionaries, we heard that he had a problem with nicotine and tea but it was awesome to see him progress so much in a week and stop doing those things. It was so cool seeing him be baptized and see how excited he was. I was able to participate in the confirmation and that was so cool!!

This week has been really good! I really hope to find and teach more people this week and I know it'll happen!! I love being a missionary. It's the hardest thing I've done before. I can tell it's gonna be the hardest 2 years of my life. But it will be worth it. 

Jesus Christ has overcome all things and because He has, we can!! Jesus Christ is living! He is our Savior and He loves us!! 

Thanks for your prayers and support!! Have a good week y'all!!

Y'all Boys

 

Well well well - - -

It's my first week in South Carolina. First time being on a plane and it's the farthest I've been away from home. Well, I flew out Wednesday at 6 am, had a stop in Dallas then flew to South Carolina. I got here and just chilled in a stake center from like 2-7, it was kinda boring and I was not used to the humidity and so it was killer hot. We stayed in a hotel that night, I was in the same room as Elder Teller (an elder from my MTC district) so that was hype. 

On Thursday we got assigned our trainers. My trainer is Elder Weiss from Gilbert Arizona. He's a pretty cool guy, he's pretty chill and he and I got along pretty well. This week we were able to do some service, have dinner at a member's house, go to a wars Halloween party, and a couple other things.

We met with a member that is actually in a band. It's called the moth and the flame. So go check it out haha they came out with a song the other day so go listen to it haha. 

We were able to attend a baptism and it was such a cool experience. The guy that was being baptized had a stroke and so he was paralyzed on his left side. He was in a wheelchair and all and it was so cool to see how eager he was to be baptized. 

On Saturday we were invited to go play some golf with the elders' quorum presidency and at first, I was a little hesitant. We went and for the first bit, I was wondering why we were wasting our time golfing not on a p day. At about hole 3 or 4 I remembered a story that my MTC teacher Hermana Nelson shared with our class. She shared that on a normal day she and her companion went to a friend's house and spent 4 hours with them making food. She had the same feelings I did of not wanting to do it since it seemed like she was wasting her time. But for her, they ended up gaining so much of their trust they were able to create a connection that allowed this family to invite others into their home and share more about the gospel with them and their friends. I remembered this and then I was able to enjoy myself. I was then able to talk more openly and have a good time and create a bond with the members in the ward. It was a good time. 

Well, this week has been good, way different than what I thought it was gonna be like and something like I've never done before. And it's awesome but just a little bit stressful so I'm doing my best. 

But I did finish the Book of Mormon yesterday!! I finished it in 20 days and it was such an amazing experience! My testimony grew so much in Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon! It is the best book!

Hope you all have a grand week!!

ELDER JONES

p.s. I was able to see elder Denning from high school on Saturday and it was hype (and yes I forgot a tie.. a rookie mistake).

Elder AJones: Week Number Two

One great thing about Home MTC is to get a Friday night visit from
missionaries I know and love: Elder Matthews and Elder Lucero

Wow.

It has been such a good week of the MTC.

This week started off great. On Tuesday, I got my reassignment and I couldn't be happier. I got reassigned to COLUMBIA SOUTH CAROLINA!!! I'm so excited to be able to serve and teach the people of South Carolina. I know the Lord needs me there and I'm so very willing to go. An Elder and an Hermana from my district are also going to South Carolina and they're both awesome!

Meet my District

This week flew by. It's crazy how fast time flies by in the MTC. Just constantly busy with classes or studies or trying to learn Spanish. But it is honestly so much fun. My district is just getting better every day. We just have a good time in our classes and it's so much fun getting to get to know them better every single day.

This week my companion, Elder Rees, and I taught our first lessons. They were in English so that was a relief. We taught a woman named Aubrie. We gave two lessons, one on Thursday and one on Friday. Might I say teaching is so much harder than you think it is. It's completely different than giving a lesson in Priesthood and teaching someone who doesn't know literally anything about the gospel. 

The first lesson we taught was on the Family: A Proclamation to the World. It went terrible. We didn't share any scriptures or anything. And we only brought up Jesus Christ-like once!! So ya it wasn't good like at all. But then on Friday we decided to teach her about the Restoration of the Gospel and Joseph Smith. We followed a lesson plan from Preach My Gospel and I just have to say WOW. The lesson went great! The Spirit was so strong and it was amazing to testify of Jesus Christ and of Joseph Smith.

Here's a quick quote from President Thomas S. Monson, "There is absolutely nothing in this world that will provide more comfort and happiness than a testimony of the truth [of the Restored Gospel]."

This week has been amazing. I've learned so much and I have felt happier than ever. I can testify to the words of President Monson. I'm so happy to be a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am so happy to be able to serve the Lord every day. It is an amazing feeling.

Hope you all have a great week! 

Elder AJones: First Week of Home MTC

Me with my companion Elder Rees

Hola everyone!!

I've only been in the MTC for 3 days but it truly has been an amazing experience!! The days are full and I am constantly busy doing things, whether I'm in class or trying to memorize words and phrases or studying Spanish or the scriptures.

My typical day this week looked like this: 

6:00 - Wake up, exercise, shower, eat breakfast

7:00-8:00 - Personal Study

8:00-9:00 - MTC workshop 

9:00-12:00 - Class

12:00-2:00 - Lunch Break

2:00-5:00 - Class

5:00-6:00 - Companionship Study

6:00-8:00 - Dinner Break

8:00-9:00 - Language Study

10:30 - Bedtime

It has been absolutely crazy, my days haven't been this full in a very long time and it's nice to be busy. By the end of the day, I'm completely exhausted but I feel accomplished. 

My companion is Elder Rees from Orem, Utah. He is honestly such an awesome person. I know everyone says their companions are awesome but I'm telling you this guy is so cool. In our first class of the MTC, we were put in breakout rooms with our comps to get to know them a little bit. And it was a little awkward. I'm kinda awkward when I don't know people, I kinda just let them lead the discussion. And I'm telling you it's more awkward trying to get to know a person over zoom than in person. Well, when we talked a little bit and I first thought that it was gonna be a long 6 weeks. Then we had companionship study the next day. It was honestly so awesome. The Spirit came and we were able to learn so much from each other and the Spirit helped us become friends so fast. He has such a strong testimony of the gospel and he is the companion I need for the MTC, especially since he's pretty much a master at Spanish. He had Spanish immersion since like 2nd grade and he took the AP Spanish test and passed it as a sophomore. Man, he's just the coolest guy. My district is pretty cool as well. It's awesome how fast we have already grown as a district in getting to know one another.

Learning Spanish is hard. High school Spanish has helped a little bit but it is still so hard learning all the new gospel words and phrases. But the gift of tongues is real!! I was able to memorize the missionary purpose in English and Spanish in about a day.. the English one took me like 5 minutes!! The Spirit really does allow us to learn and grow.

I want all of you to know that the mission is SO AWESOME!! It has already been so hard and exhausting but spiritually rewarding. I love getting up in the morning and the first thing I do is put on my tag. It is so cool that I have this opportunity to serve the Lord. If anyone is thinking about serving a mission... DO IT!! You won't regret it!! 

I know this gospel is true. I know that we have a living prophet on the earth today and he gives us revelation from God for our day!! I know the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, are written for us, to help us through these days. I know Joseph Smith was the prophet of the Restoration, that he translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God. I invite you all to read the talk "God's Compelling Witness: The Book of Mormon" by Tad R. Callister. This talk really helped solidify my testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. I know this church, La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días, is the only true church on the earth today. 

I'm so happy to serve the Lord, it has already been so awesome and it's only the third day.

Preparation Day with your sibs

Elder EJones: Homecoming

 COVID-19 made for a bitter-sweet return home.

Airport Parking lot hug from Dad

On the way home to see family

Siblings

Missionary brothers finally together after nearly 4 years!

Elder EJones: Sons and Daughters of Christ

I am doing really well!!

This week has been a good one. We have been able to find lots of good new people to teach. The Lord has blessed us this week to find more people and help them have desires to come unto Christ. We also had a great Sunday. 5 of our investigators came to church. It has been the most we've had in this area, so it has been a week full of blessings.

Well, this week I was able to experience a mini general conference I guess you could say. This week in my personal study I was able to read about King Benjamin and his talk to his people. (I guess you could say devotional because it was probably as long as the ones we used to watch on Sunday nights jaja). But I really learned a lot from what I read. One thing I never really made the connection is how he talks about covenants. Covenants are key in our journey to eternal life. That is one thing people don't understand lots of the time. When we are baptized we need to do it in the way that Jesus taught us. Some of those ways are only found with the knowledge from the Book of Mormon, that is why it is key to our conversion and religion.

1. By immersion

2. For the remission of sins

3. By someone who has the authority (priesthood) of God

4. Preceding the receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by those who have the authority (priesthood) of God.

5. Making a conscious covenant with our Father in Heaven.

King Benjamin taught in Mosiah 5:5-9

And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been spoken by the angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God.

And now, these are the words which king Benjamin desired of them; and therefore he said unto them: Ye have spoken the words that I desired; and the covenant which ye have made is a righteous covenant.

And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.

And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.

And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ.

He explains what the covenant means to us. To be obedient to God's commandments in all things that he shall command us. That means being willing to do His will not ours when He commands us. To willingly take upon ourselves the name of Christ. One of the ways I like to think of this is how do we truly stand up for Christ? (Do we say personal lunch prayers in groups when we go out to eat, or do we say them vocally?).  And to be obedient to the end of our lives. If we can't be obedient to the small things, we can't to the little things. If we cant obey a celestial law here, what makes us think we could there. It made me think a lot and realize how much more I need to do and give to be able to become who God needs me to be.

We had cambios, but my comp and I are staying. We work well together. Sometimes he makes me upset when he goes slow, or doesn't want to contact, but it'll be a better cambio I will make sure of that. For now all is good but here is the question. What will come first to Bolivia:

a. The CoronaVirus

b. Paro 2020 (jaja)

Elder Jones

Elder EJones: 3 Types of Power

Well, it has been quite a week. To carnival with the assistants, to a multi-zone conference to well another week in the mission. I have learned many things, and one of those like you is repentance. I have come to realize the need I have to repent, for the things that I do, and don't do. I feel like many times I feel like it's necessary, but don't feel like it is something that big in my life because I am not making HUGE mistakes. But that in itself is a huge mistake. Nothing impure can enter into God's kingdom. So each day gives me a need to repent and to become better. I read in Enos this week and he explains it best:

And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins.

Sometimes we have to wrestle before God BEFORE receiving the remission of our sins. Maybe if I don't feel like I am wrestling before God, I'm not repenting good enough. From not following a whisper of the Spirit, to judging others. I need to repent every day. And with that, as I do, I can feel the importance of the sacrament more each week as I not only think of being better but apply each day and each hour. 

This week I had a thought come to me about the power of God made manifest into our lives. I thought of the 3 types of power that the Lord can give to us. 

1. Faith in Jesus Christ

Faith in Jesus Christ in one thing that many people have. It is a firm belief in Christ that leads us to actions to follow Him. Lots of times we believe that faith is to just believe in God. It's much more than that. It is to do HIs will. To accept His will as hard as that can be. its a power that can be made manifest by those who are not members of the church. If we believe in Christ, we can work miracles through the power of our faith. But if we don't know how to believe in Christ, or act on that belief we cant see the power of God through miracles.

2. The Gift of the Holy Ghost

This is a gift only given to people who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ. And it made me think. We are only given the gift of the Holy Ghost after we have become members of His church. We know as directed that a confirmation follows those steps in order. Confirms the person a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Uses the wording “Receive the Holy Ghost.” The power of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in itself is a gift. The gift to have the companionship of the Lord to always be with us as we keep our covenants with Him. It also allows us to develop the gifts of the Spirit. And how can we develop these gifts if we don't have the constant presence of the Holy Ghost in our lives given by the proper authority. We are truly given power to bless others and receive personal blessings and power as we live worthy to our covenants. 

3. The Priesthood

The priesthood is the ultimate power that God can give to HIs children. A power that is made manifest not just to worthy men who hold it, but to all worthy males and females who are true to their covenants. This is the very power of God the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ. Through power and authority it can be used from giving blessings of comfort and healing, to dedicating graves, to guiding a whole nation across the sea. It is an eternal power.

Each power is special in its own way. And I have come to notice that as we see the manifestation of more power given to us, less and less are worthy of them. The power of the Holy Ghost and the Priesthood are given only to worthy members of the Lord's church. it's amazing to me the blessing I have to be a member and to know of the true power that the Lord gives to us. It's not just faith in Christ, nor the power of the Holy Ghost. Its faith in Christ, the gift of the Holy Ghost and holding his eternal power of the priesthood. 

It has been a rough week with people coming to church. (we had church at 3:00pm yesterday because there was a stake conference before in our building) It's been the hardest for us in this area. But we have been able to see the progress in our investigators as they are reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. Pray for Gloria, Yyari, Eva, and Olga so that they will understand the purpose and need of the Book of Mormon and the authority of God on the earth today.

Elder EJones: We Are Trapped Inside

Well, there is not much to say. I am here because we are going to be trapped inside on Monday and Tuesday for Carnival, so that will be boring. There is nothing better than sharing the gospel, being stuck inside for carnival or being sick isn't fun. This week has been good. We have been able to find lots of new investigators. My companion doesn't really like to contact, but that is how we find new people. I love to contact, it's fun to meet new people, and hear their excuses haha. But I am working with him so that we can work harder so that the Lord can lead us to those ready to hear the gospel. 

We have had a good week this week. It has been one of lots of working to be able to find more people to teach and help come unto Christ. Right now we have some good investigators, but it's been hard for them to find answers. Today we are going to fast with one of them, Yyari, so that she can find her answer. She is reading in the Book of Mormon, she comes to church, yet she is missing something. So pray for her that whatever she is missing, we will be able to know what and help her. 

Elder EJones: I Have No Doubts

 Hello!!

This week has been a good one. It has also been a hard one. We were able to participate in the baptism and confirmation of Nicolas. He is a 9 year old from a part member family. He is super cool. 

I have been able to learn a lot this week and feel the love of the Lord in my life. it has been hard because we are teaching lots of people, but I feel like their progression is just being stopped. Some are keeping their commitments, but have not yet found an answer. Others have lots of doubts that keep them from progressing and seeing the eternal perspective. And others are simply not keeping their commitments. Today I was able to listen to a talk that really helped me to understand how we can find those answers. 

We have an investigator right now who is struggling with the hard questions. She has also been listening to the Jehovahs Witnesses to find an answer. And there is nothing wrong with that. That is in fact how Joseph Smith began to search to find an answer. But it is also stopping her progression. She wants answers to the hard, secondary questions. Who is Jehovah? Why doesn't the Bible talk about the Book of Mormon? But this morning I listened to the following by Elder Lawrence Corbridge:

Begin by answering the primary questions. There are primary questions and there are secondary questions. Answer the primary questions first. Not all questions are equal and not all truths are equal. The primary questions are the most important. Everything else is subordinate. There are only a few primary questions. I will mention four of them.

1. Is there a God who is our Father?

2. Is Jesus Christ the Son of God, the Savior of the world?

3. Was Joseph Smith a prophet?

4. Is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the kingdom of God on the earth?

I heard someone say recently, “It is okay to have doubts.” I wonder about that. The Lord said, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”27 I have a lot of questions; I don’t have any doubts.

I love that. "I don't have any doubts."  The goepel is perfect. But we are all so imperfect. But as we trust in the Lord and seek his guidence, He will give us the answers to the questions that we need. Those are not always the answers that we want, but they are the right answers. I know that the Lord lives and loves us. His plan is perfect for all of us!!

Elder Jones

Elder EJones: Learning

A Cadi in Bolivia!

What a week!!

We've finally been able to be back to normal, and getting our area back to where it should be. We have been working with lots of references recently, lots of part families, because they are the ones that are progressing. I have been able to learn a lot this week in my studies and as we leave to teach and serve the people.

Haha honestly it's been a good cambio of patience for me. Lots of waiting on my comp. He just takes a long time to do things. Like get ready in the morning, or talks for a while when we have places to go, or walks slow haha. But I'm learning to be more patient and to love him more. We get along well.

The week I learned lots. Since I've gotten the Conference Ensign a few weeks ago, I have done my best to read a talk a day in my personal study. I want to be able to better follow the counsel of the modern prophets and apostles of our day. This week I read the following by Elder Walter F. Gonzalez...

He talks about how his wife had a tumor and had to undergo surgery to be able to heal. She wrote the following in her journal about how she felt...

“On the surgeon’s table I bowed before Thee, and surrendering to Thy will, I fell asleep. I knew I could trust Thee, knowing that nothing bad can come from Thee.”

I love the way that she explains it.

First, we have to surrender all to the Lord and His will. Though we think we may be right, He ALWAYS knows better than us. He really does know our needs.

Second, we need to trust in the Lord. That doesn't mean that we will always be comfortable with what he asks us to do, and that may be the point. He asks us to do things we aren't comfortable, or familiar with. He asks us to push ourselves, and to trust that He will make us better.

Third, know that no bad thing can come from the Lord. He will only make us better versions of ourselves. He loves us enough to knock us down, so that we can get up stronger. He always knows the better way.

I know that the Lord loves us. I have been able to feel it more than ever here. We just have to give Him all, and trust in Him, and we will receive the knowledge of His perfect plan for us.

How did this get here??!

Elder EJones: I Love to See the Templo

We had cambios this week and I'm here again in Santa Cruz, in the center of the city, an area called Pirai. I'm excited to be here, it's good to be back in Santa Cruz. I am with Elder Canseco, he is from California. I said bye to my comp Elder Tebbs, and Elder Thurt who I trained this week...it's been so fun to be with them. And also Elder Dawson left last week to go home because he is still sick.

This week we talked to a guy who is the husband of an investigator that we have. She really wants to learn more, but he . . . not so much. He asked how is it that Jesus was a prophet, and I shared with Him this scripture that I read last week...

Matthew 21:10-11
And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

It made me think as I read it to him. Jesus was and is a prophet. He is THE prophet. Imagine living in His time and teaching and testifying of the Living Prophet, the Son of God. And in the same sense we have the opportunity to testify of a living prophet who testifies of Christ. I am so grateful that I was born in a time when the world wasn't in apostasy, when we have the direction of living prophets and apostles.

Well the title of my email today is I love to see the temple. That's because we flew today to Cochabamba and then to Santa Cruz, and the whole time we were looking for the temple...and we found it. The first time I've seen a temple in the last year and a half, it was the best!!!

Elder EJones: Learning Through Parables

We have cambios next week. I kinda already know mine. Not so sure about everything, but President Stanford already told me. We had a zone conference this last week and he was talking to me during the break and told me I would be going back to Santa Cruz, but I'm not sure where or with who. So I'll know for sure next week.

Well, this week has been crazy. First my companion got salmonella and was in bed sick for a few days. We were able to leave on Monday, then the next few days he was throwing up, and letting all lose. So we weren't able to leave a lot. So...I have been able to study lots in the New Testament and about Jesus Christ. I think it is cool - say coincidence - but I'd say something the Lord wanted me to learn this week.

First off in my personal study, I learned about the parable of the sower. He has 4 sets of seeds that all fall in different ways. Some are able to grow, and others not. I thought about the meaning of each one and how we can see it now in our day. We had interviews with President Stanford this week and we talked about that same parabola. We talked about how we baptized people here in our mission, but the retention of members is something that is kinda hard. He said that though people may be baptized, they also may fall away, and sadly it happens a whole lot. We have to decide which of those 4 types of seeds we are...and work to become better. And then yesterday we were in Sunday School and we talked about the vision of the tree of life. We talked specifically of the 4 types of people who he sees either partaking or not in the fruit. And it made me think of the parabola again, and I made this connection...

1. The seeds that fell by the wayside and devoured up by the birds are like the multitudes of people who made their way directly to the great and spacious building. Not giving their roots time to grow, or time to grab onto the iron rod.

2. The seeds that fell into stony places were scorched and with no root died. Like the multitudes of people who commenced holding to the iron rod but after the mists of darkness came, were lost.

3. The seeds that fell among thorns were choked up after growing, and eventually died. The multitudes of people who made it all the way to the tree of life holding fast to the iron rod, but became ashamed of what they did, and fell away, and were lost.

4. The seeds that fell into good ground, were able to grow and brought forth fruit. Those who held fast to the iron rod and partook of the fruit without being ashamed of what they did. Despite the mist of darkness and scorning they stayed to the "Love of God"

Well that is my insight for this week. I hope that this week is a good one, I know it will be. I know that the gospel is true. It is our job to be like those good seeds who bear fruit, and like those who held firmly to the iron rod!!