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: Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?

Hello from Bermejo, Bolivia!

This week has been good. I was able to study this week a talk given by Elder Matthew L. Carpenter from October General Conference 2018 titled, "Wilt thou be made whole?"

He talked about how the Lord loves us and knows us. He knows us better than we know ourselves and has a plan for us. He is the one who can help us as we turn to him and seek for his guidance.

Heavenly Father knows [our]:
1. physical struggles
2. physical pains due to (illness, disease, aging, accidents, birth disease)
3. emotional struggles (anxiety, depression, mental illnesses)
4. injustice or abuse
5. weaknesses
6. temptations

He knows how to heal us and to strengthen us. He will always be there for us, as we turn to him. "We must not delay, we must act today"

I know that the Lord will bless us as we do our part. I have been able to see that as a missionary. In the life I live as a representative of Jesus Christ, in the lives of the members, and investigators here. The Lord is waiting for us to turn to him. He waits with open arms because He loves us!!

* * *

So here is the coolest thing that my last companion, Elder Calkins, showed me. He told me that his grandpa always gave out smiley face buttons to people and told them to smile. Later, Elder Calkins's mom found this in his grandpa's scriptures, this verse marked like this: 

2 Nephi 9:39

O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be Spiritually-Minded Is Life Eternal.

Spiritually Minded Is Life Eternal = SMILE

It's way cool!!! I have learned to love the Book of Mormon. I love how it allows us to have a surety that God lives, and the Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He lives and loves us. I love the Book of Mormon. It is the most important thing that I have. I was thinking the other day of the game plan..."If you could save anything in a fire what would it be?" THE BOOK OF MORMON!!

Love you all!!

Elder EJones: Slow

This week was very slow.

Slow to find new people to teach.

Slow to find those and work with those who are progressing towards baptism.

Sometimes its like that, longs weeks, and slow weeks. Good weeks and bad weeks, there is opposition in all things, there needs to be. My companion and I talked about that this week. That there needs to be opposition. That God exists. And because He exists, so does the devil. And we as human beings have the ability to use the gift of agency. The gift that God has given to all of us freely. That's why it is called "free agency" its been given freely, and although it is free, the consequences to our choices are not.

This week I was able to study General Conference, Book of Mormon style. I studied this week the teachings of King Benjamin. He teaches and testifies of the Lord Jesus Christ, and prophesies of his divine identity as the Son of God. e highlighted the phrase, "salvation cometh through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ" That is the ONLY way that we have to be able to receive "all that the Father hath"

I know that the Lord works with us. He is here in our lives as missionaries and manifests his spirit unto us. This work is hard, but I wouldn't like it any other way.

Elder ZJones: General Conference!

 

The weekend of General Conference are always ones to remember. It is always a great time to feel the spirit and change things in our lives so that we can become better members The Church of Jesus Christ. I loved all the talks. One phrase that I liked from President Oaks's talk was, "Start with the end in mind." As we do things, we should think about the consequences and what will come to pass. We should look at what we want to achieve, see us achieving it, and do everything possible to do it. As we rely on the Lord for help to guide us and give us the direction that we need to make it to the end, it will come.

As I listened to the prophet, I felt the spirit testifying to me that he is God´s Prophet here upon the earth and that he does talk with Him. President Nelson is His mouthpiece. As we follow his words and listen to his counsels, we will prepare our families and our lives to receive His blessings!

Elder Jones

Corner Canyon!!

Elder EJones: The Feeling of Christmas

You know that feeling when you go to sleep and it feels like Christmas Eve--- because you get to watch General Conference the next day? Well, it happened, and then I woke up to realize that it was April 6th, it felt like Christmas, but it like literally, was Christmas.

I know that prophets and apostles are called of God. We need them to lead and guide us so that we can learn what the Lord wants and needs us to know. I liked what Elder Christofferson said. "The Lord allows us to work with Him in the vineyard." We are here to help the Lord bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. He needs us in the work, just as we need him.

Love you all,
Elder Jones

Elder HJones: A TEMPLE IN ANTOFA!!!!

This is a very happy missionary!

Hyrum's reaction

 So this past week was definitely one to remember!!

I still cannot believe that they announced a temple in Antofagasta!
We went nuts when they announced it. A huge blessing from God! We are all super excited!!

We also had consejo de lideres in Antofagasta on Tuesday. I was awesome. We talked a lot about the Book of Mormon and about Joseph Smith. I learned a ton. Throughout my mission my testimony and love for the Book of Mormon has grown so much. I always feel so good when the people that we tech read it and gain their own testimony that it is true! he Book of Mormon works miracles!

I loved ALL the talks during conference. But some on my favorites were by Elder Uchtdorf, Elder Holland, Elder Oaks. But they were all so good.

Right now, we are working with a couple people that could use some of your prayers. Sandra and Julian. Sandra has so many problems with her husband, so wants to finish things with him. So she is trying to get closer to God. Julian is her son. We are always working with Naldi and Ruben. They need a testimony that this is the true church on the earth. And Sebastian. He was a miracle on Sunday. We found him on Sunday morning and he was preparing to go to church with us. It was crazy because we stopped passing by his house because he wasn't progressing. But then we found him in the street and he was walking to church. So he attended the first session of General Conference with us and then watched the baptism that we had right after. He's super awesome. He was baptized  like 2 years ago in la iglesia evangelica. Asi que vamos a ayudarlo entender mas de la restauración para que entienda la autoridad.

Happy noise!

Elder EJones: Let Us Be Faithful

This week was good, and yes, it was incredibly fast. I've learned a lot with my new companion, and right now were working with 3 investigators that are progressing really well. Erika and her daughter Madaley have come to church about 4 times, and have a fecha por el 13. So please pray for them. They come, but need prayers so that they can really feel that the message that we are giving to them is true, and that it testifies of Jesus Christ as our Savior. The other that we are teaching is Yolanda, shes from Venezuela and is 14. She is also progressing really well and has lots of help from some members that are helping her to progress.

I CANT WAIT FOR CONFERENCE. Literally, my comp and I have been talking a whole lot about it and how excited we are, and how slow this week is gonna be, and yes we did like conference before it was cool, if you know what I mean. And now everyone wants to join the bandwagon when we are the real originals. But yes, I've already noted some questions, and yes some predictions as well, I'm amazed at how many rumors we hear about conference here in the mission.

I like a part in PMG that says, "al crecer su propio entendimiento el la expaicion de Jesucristo, aumentara en usted el deseo para compartir el evangelio." I know that that is true! As we learn to love and live the teachings of Jesus Christ, we learn to love him more. We learn what it was that he really did for us. He suffered, bled from every bore, a pain that was hard for the Son of God to even bare. He was mocked, spit upon, tempted and more. In Alma 7:11-13 it talks about what He did for us and I found a few things he suffered PAINS, AFFLICTIONS, TEMPTATIONS, SICKNESS, INFIRMITIES, WEAKNESSES, SINS, AND TRANSGRESSIONS. Sometimes, I don't even realize all that He did for me. He was then crucified, He experienced physical and spiritual death. Nothing that we will ever face in life will ever come close to a portion to what He did for each one of us individually. I know that He loves us, and that His atonement was and is eternal.

I think of all the things that we taught this week in our lessons was faith. But too many times we don't understand faith. Its not only to believe, but to act. To use what we do know, and to act upon that.

Nephi explains, "Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him."

We don't just have faith, we have faith in Jesus Christ. Faith that he is the Redeemer of the World and our Savior. He loves us, and wants us to follow him. This week we are working with three investigators, Erika, Madaley, and Yolanda. Pray for them that they can and will exercise their faith in Jesus Christ, so that they can receive all the blessings that the Lord has for them.

Love you all,
Elder Jones
(and a little too excited for general conference)

Elder HJones: Priesthood Power!!

So this week was pretty interesting. It was both hard and funny. Sometimes, I am just really confused and don't know what to do. But I know that God has all the answers, asi que vamos a seguir adelante para que podamos recibir las respuestas (but as we press forward we will receive the answers).

Our zone here in Vallenar has always been the zone that doesn't have success or baptize. In December we had 15 baptisms. That is the most that Vallenar has ever had! So many missionaries come here without faith, but I want to change it so bad. We finished this month with 11. We had like 10 set baptisms, but they all fell through. Every single one of them. AHHHH. So we are kinda confused. Our zone is obedient, we are always fasting and praying together, we don't know what else to do to break the ice here. But I know that God has the answers. So we are going to do our very best to receive revelation to receive them. I am learning a bunch here. Im happy to be here and I know that answers and miracles are around the corner.

I had an awesome experience this week. A sister in another branch asked us to go the hospital to give a priesthood blessing. We went and it was in the ICU. The place were the people are really bad and close to death. It was really humbling to walk in. I felt a different spirit. We were able to give a blessing to the sister. It was special to do the blessing to her. She was crying and she was praying, thanking God for sending us to her bedside. She had so much faith. She knew that the power and authority that we have really does come from God and that it works. We finished and when we walked out of the hospital my heart was filled with love and joy. I felt the love that God has for each one of us. I am so grateful that God has placed His power here on the earth, It really does bless others. I am grateful that God has called me as an instrument to hold His priesthood and bless the lives of others!

Super excited for conference this weekend! I am super excited to be able to hear the words of the prophet and know more about what God wants for us!

Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: Many Have Come Unto Christ

GENERAL CONFERENCE!!

I am super excited and know that the Lord will be preparing us with the changes that He will be making! I have some questions already in mind that I will be writing and looking for the answers during conference!

Everything is good here! We have had a couple tough weeks lately. During the week we find a ton of people who have the desire to learn and want to come to church. Yet, as we pass by on Friday and Saturday we either can't find them or they don't want to go. It is hard because, you know, if we don't get people to church, they can't feel the Spirit in church and won't progress. So we are praying a lot about that and will be working hard to commit the people to go to church.

This week we will be working to help a kid named Antonio to come to church. He is 27. He wants to be baptized and has been to church before. We will see what happens. Other than that we will try to pass by those who we found last week to help them progress.

Blessing: On Sunday, we were out working and heading back the our apartment. As we were walking and contacted, everyone was rejecting us. We saw a family a street in front of us. We started singing (as a joke) "Families can be together forever!" jaja We went and contacted them and they were very receptive. We invited them to church and they want to go. They have 4 small kids and they are excited to go to church as well. It is the Garcia Family(Finally a last name that is common,jaja). Pray for them that they will progress.

In this month, we baptized 227 people in our mission! Everyone is super excited!

My Companion is awesome, Elder Candela. And he doesn't speak with the theta! He lost it while serving his mission. He will try to cook me some Spanish food.

Have a great week!
Love, Elder Jones

Elder EJones: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year--Until October

My companion's name is Elder Calkins. And this week was good. We did lots of contacting and are working with lots of investigators that are progressing pretty well. There were 4 of our investigators at church, so that was good, and are working with three right now that could possibly be baptized the next Saturday, or one of the days of Conference. So pray for Erika, Madaley, and Yolanda.

I honestly can't wait for conference. I bet if you asked my companion, he'd tell you that I've probably told him how excited I am for it everyday like 100 times. But really, I'm so excited to be able to hear the words of Christ's living prophets and apostles that receive direct revelation from Him to guide us, so that we can receive all the blessing that he has to offer to us as mortals on this earth.

This week I really liked something in the last talk from President Nelson. In district meeting, we talked about the importance of the Holy Ghost in our lives, and that through him we can receive the revelation that we are looking for. I liked in his last talk when he said, "The Lord impressed upon my mind the importance of the name of His Church, even the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." I love that we receive the same spirit, the same time of revelation as do the prophets and apostles, an impression, a thought, or maybe just a feeling. But maybe its that we don't act on them as much as we should, and we aren't recognizing them as we should.

Love you tons,
Elder Jones

Elder EJones: Take Note

This week was full of ups and downs. First off, we invited a friend to watch conference and he said he would. So long story short, we didn't see him at the conference so when we had our appointment we asked him why he wasn't there. Turns out he was there!! He just walked in late and didn't see us. SO we got really excited! Turns out, he also had notes from all the Sunday morning talks so we were able to talk and testify of prophets!!

This week we also had a couple of friends that just kinda stopped listening to us, didn't want to read the Book of Mormon, or listen to our message. So that was kinda rough. I'm learning to be happy even if people reject the message we have.

We had a multi-stake conference this Sunday and got to hear from stake presidents and our mission president. They talked a lot about sustaining the prophet, living as examples, and living to show that we sustain the prophet. As we live to sustain the prophet, we live and are example and representatives of Christ. All of us should share the gospel and live as example to all those around us! I know this is Christs Church and that he calls prophets today!!

Love you all,
Elder Jones

Elder EJones: Prophets, Apostles, and Revelation

Conference in the Bishop's Office!

This week was a great week!!

General Conference was amazing. I was able to watch it in English with five other American missionaries in the bishop's office of one of our church buildings. It's amazing to me how the Lord is fulfilling his promise in the Book of Mormon to share His gospel with all people in their own language. I loved learning about taking upon us the name of Jesus Christ. It is our job to take upon us His name, and to become one in Christ. Love Him, defend Him, and serve Him by serving others.

This week was funny because in one of our lessons to a family they had me read a couple scriptures in English because they thought it was so cool. I also had the opportunity to give a priesthood blessing with my companion. This strengthened me to know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ, that it is the same Holy Ghost who testifies to all that these things are true. And that His gospel is true, no matter what language we are speaking.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's church and through His prophets we receive His word.

He loves us.

As we learn to put Him at the center of our lives and in our hearts, President Eyring said, He will write His name in our hearts.

Let us not forget that He lives and loves us, and through Him we can do all things.

Elder ZJones: I love General Conference!

I loved General Conference and there were so many things that I learned.

I learned more about the importance to take upon me that name of Christ and His Church. It is the way that we show Him that we do love Him and that we know that this is His church. Especially as a missionary when everyone asks if we are Mormons and stuff. I know that as we testify that we are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, they will feel the spirit and know that this is His Church.

Now we have the great chance to continue to study there words to grow spiritually throughout the next 6 months!

This week we did baptize Jeremias and Adaluz. It was awesome that the Mom, Annabella finally was able to agree to this and the kids were super happy. I am grateful for the spirit for helping us this week. A lot happened this week. Monday we had Meetings. Tuesday we were working in another area with the Zone Leaders and learning from them. On Wednsday we had a mission activit/ Party for reaching our goal of more that 150 baptisms this past month. On Thursday we had the baptisms. Friday was normal and Saturday and Sunday or course the highlight of the week! So a lot happened and many great things! We were super happy!

Have a great week!

Elder Jones

Elder HJones: GENERAL CONFERENCE!!

So this week we had the wonderful opportunity to listen to General Conference!! It was really uplifting and I learned a lot. I also felt the great love that God and Jesus Christ have for each one of us. One thing that I learned during conference is that God trusts us. He trusts in the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He gives us responsibilities and new revelations because He trusts in us and knows that we will follow Him. But of course, it's up to each one of us if we will follow Him. He trusts us and He wants all of us to return to Him.

This week we worked really hard to find new people and to get people to church. We found some awesome people and a family that is really receptive! But we weren't able to get anyone to go to church with us. It's always a different feeling when you walk into the church and you don't have a friend with you. So this week we are going to work really hard to get people to come to church with us!

This past week God blessed us with a miracle. We baptized Jeannette, the mother of two of our recent converts. It was a great experience. God is so good.

Have a great week!

Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: Hyped for General Conference

So yesterday before church, as we began to look for those who planned to come to church with us, it was raining. I was riding my bike and saw a man in the street. I looked up from the muddy street to say hi and when I did, I slipped and fell right into the mud! Haha. It wasn't that funny at that moment though.

This week was good. We were able to find those who we are preparing to receive the blessings of the Restored Gospel and to be baptized. This week, Jeremias and Adaluz will be getting baptized. Pray for them and their Mom, Annabella, that they will stay firm in this decision.

We are also working with Jeremias, Cielo and Sarita. They are part of a part member family. They came to church and are excited to learn more. Also we found Emiliano and Lucia. They came to church as well which was awesome. We are excited to be working with and helping them.

This week I had my interview with Pte Resek. We talked about some of the people that we are teaching and I asked him how we can help them, and he gave some suggestions. He said that he had a lot of expectations for me and talked with me a little about his purpose as a mission president. We are always talking about baptism and stuff but he said that his purpose is to help us grow spiritual that after the mission we will be strong and firm members of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. It was a good interview.

This week I am super excited for General Conference. It is a chance that we have twice during the year to listen to the Prophet speak and give us the exact counsel that we need for the next six months of our lives. I know that if we listen and give head to his words, the Lord will help us understand his words and the counsel that He is giving us.

Have a great week!

Elder Jones

Elder HJones: Conferencia de Zona

Things are really good here in Copiapo. I am learning a lot and growing a lot.

This past week we baptized a girl named Pia. The week before we baptized her little sister, and this week was her turn. It was kinda a miracle. In the beginning, she didn't want anything to do with the Church, then after she went to Church, she wanted to get baptized. When we taught her on Sunday the commandments, she didn't agree with the law of chastity. So the next day, we taught her better. We explained it a little more and explained the blessings that come when we live it and she accepted to live it. It was way awesome! The Spirit is the teacher! So she was baptized this past Sunday!

My area is good. This week we have to focus a lot on getting people to church and finding new people. Its something that we don't have much of right now. So we are going to improve a lot on that this week- to find more people to teach, and to get people to attend church with us.

We are teaching a family right now and they are cool. A single mom with her 3 kids. They were going to come to church but they didn't. But please pray for her. Claudia and her family!

My companion is good, too. He is improving a lot! His Spanish isn't that good, so he doesn't really like to talk that much. He is a little bit nervous and scared when he talks. But I understand that, that was exactly how I felt when I started. So I am trying to help him open up a little more so he can have more confidence in himself. We get along really well and we are having a lot of success!

The weather changed a lot. Now it's super hot!! Super, super hot. During the day the sun is so strong. All the people here think that I am Latino. Everyone thinks I am from Argentina because my skin is darker. It's pretty funny. And at night it changes. Sometimes it's warm, but sometimes it's cold.

So, this past week we had zone conference with our mission president. It was really awesome. We talked a lot about the things that we learned from Elder Christofferson and the changes that we are making in the mission to have more success. We talked about the many blessings that Elder Chrisofferson gave to our mission, if we are obedient and faithful.

One thing that Elder Christofferson said was that we have the "right and power" to teach in the name of Jesus Christ. And he also told us that we are on the right path. The way that we are working as a mission is the correct one. And if people don't support us "no importa" (or, it doesn't matter), keep doing it!

And I am super excited for General Conference. After hearing the words and power from Elder Christofferson, I am super ready for General Confernce. And yes, we will be able to hear all the sessions. And in English too!! VAMOS!! I am super excited for the opportunity that every single one of us have to listen to the words of the living prophets and apostles during General Conference. I know that they are servants called of God. Listen to their words and teachings. The things that they say are the things that God wants us to hear! 

Que tengan una buena semana!!

Elder Jones

Elder EJones: Week 2

Me and the mango tree in front of my pension

This week has been a week of lots of learning and lots of progressing.

First off, I learned that I can't understand a word that anyone here is speaking. So I'm learning to trust in the Lord more and more, and to rely on the Spirit more and more as I do all I can to listen and to learn Spanish.

I also feel much better than I did. Last Tuesday I was up and running back to normal, thanks so much for the prayers. I've been feeling good health wise, but the language is hard. It's hard to understand what others are saying, and I'm learning patience to be able to speak the language and understand it.

The food is good. Lots of rice and potatoes and chicken. Things are good with my comp. He doesn't speak much English, so I help him with English as he helps me with Spanish. I'm learning how to have patience as a companion, to overcome our differences, and trust in the spirit to guide us. Elder Reyes is a great companion.

The heat isn't too bad . . . it's the humidity that is killer! haha.

This Sunday was great! We had ward conference and the coolest part to me was to be able to sustain President Nelson. This is something I'll be able to do this Saturday, as well. And I was abler to focus more. I am just grateful for the same gospel and Spirit no matter where I am. We did have a couple friends come to church, but as many as we invited actually came when we went to pick them up.

I've learned this week a lot about patience. That I need to be patient and things will work out. Especially with learning and understanding Spanish.

This past week we met lots of people through contacting. The people here are really receptive to listening and allowing us to share messages with them. This week we found two new friends to teach, Andrea, and Jose. Both are learning so much. Andrea is going to school and is receptive to what were teaching, and has a baptismal date for the 27th of October. Jose is learning a lot, and has been really receptive to it all, he has a really good understanding of the Bible, and everything is just clicking with him to why we have and need the Book of Mormon.

This week has been hard, but I'm learning. Can't wait to continue to be able to preach this message of Joy and love that the Lord has for us. And I CANT WAIT for General Conference. I know that prophets and apostles are called of God!!

With Love,
Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: Behold the Man!

We had a super week! We baptized Analia this past Saturday, which was a great experience. She
wasn't feeling well but still came and had the faith to be baptized. It was awesome Sunday to confirm her a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. I know that this is His church and it has everything that we need.

I read a talk this past week by Elder Uchtdorf, called, Behold the Man! He talked about Jesus Christ, His suffering, His Resurrection, and His life. He talked about all the things that he has done for us and is doing now. There are many in this life who see His as he is, but they don´t behold Him. There is a difference. Faith is more than seeing, but acting on our answers and what we need to do. When we behold Jesus Christ, we will get to know him more as our brother and as our friend!

We are trying hard in finding a family who are always gone when we pass by. I know that prayer can help us receive what we need.

Have a great week! 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