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??!