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 HJones: I Can Do All Things Through Christ

This week was really good. A little slow because my companion was sick the whole week. But we pushed through and he survived.

On Tuesday, we had a zone conference with Presidente Ferriera and it was really awesome. I always learn so much from him and he always teaching with so much love and power. We also received transfers this week. And I am leaving! After 10 months in Copiapo I am leaving to a city 2 hours south called Vallenar. It's really green and the smallest zone in the mission.

I am going to miss all the people in Copiapo. I had 10 months in Copiapo and I am going to miss all my converts and the members. But that's alright. God needs me in Vallenar. Y vamos a hacer todo lo que Dios quiere que hagamos!

One of the things that we teach the people here in Chile is that we all have difficulties. It is part of our lives here on earth. We are here to be tested, to fail, to use the Atonement, and to improve. But the only way that we can improve and progress is if we use the Atonement of Jesus Christ and look to Him. Though Christ we can do all things. Even if things seem impossible, they are possible through Christ! 
 
Philippians 4: 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Con mucho amor, Elder Jones

Elder HJones: Hay Oposición En Todas Cosas

This week I learned a lot about opposition. I learned even more that Satan is real, and he doesn't want us to be happy. He does everything in his ability to make us miserable, like himself.

We were planning on having a baptism this past Saturday for a 15 year old girl named Tiare. She is super awesome. Friday night, the day before her baptism, she called us. She told us that she was leaving for vacation the next morning (the morning of her baptism) and she wouldn't be able to be baptized. This was hard. So hard. We were so excited to see her get baptized, but it didn't work out. But she returns in March, and we are gonna work with her when she gets back.

Throughout the mission I have seen Satan at work. More then I ever have before. He is real, and he knows that the message we have is true. That our message brings happiness and exaltation. And he uses any method to hinder our progression, whether it be friends, vacations, or fear. But if we build our testimony in Christ, we cannot fall.

Helaman 5:12--
And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God,that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo,because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

And this week, I also learned a lot about love and the importance and the blessings that come from love.

One of the hardest parts about the language is when people make fun of me. The other day, this investigator in another area (I was on intercambios) kinda made me angry. We were talking with him and I was speaking wrong or I understood wrong. Well, he started making fun of my Spanish, thinking that I didn't understand, but I did. I felt like an idiot. I try so hard with the language, then people bring me down.

But I learned amor (love). It is only through love that I can help personas venir a Cristo (come unto Christ). So even if people laugh at me or compare me to their 5 year old son, all I can do is laugh at myself and love them.

Yesterday we had two investigators in the church. They are really awesome. One is a nine-year old boy named Ismael and he is super awesome. He wants to get baptized really bad. 

Have a great week!

Love, Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: Staying on the Path and Holding to the Rod

We had a baptism this past week, listened to the Prophet speak, and had interviews with President Resek. So let's just say that it was a full week with many miracles and blessings from our Father in Heaven. Cristian's baptism this week was awesome and I had the opportunity to confirm him on Sunday. Though we have only taught him for three weeks, I have seen his testimony increase, his love for the Savior grow, and his progress in truly coming unto Christ. Baptismal days are the best days! You get to see those that you have taught make a promise with God that can help them for eternity.

Interviews went well with President Resek. He asked me to so a practice with him in Spanish about baptism. In the beginning I couldn't believe it, but it turned out pretty well. Practicing the lessons have helped me out so much! Even though I don't enjoy them, they do pay off.

Today I want to share something I learned in the scriptures. Every time I read 1 Nephi 8 I learn something new. In 1 Nephi 8: 24-28 it says:

24 And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.

25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.

26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.

27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.

28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.

When I thought about these verses, I realize that our progress on the path doesn't end once we get to the tree. I have always thought that once we get to the tree and eat the fruit its over and we are saved. But there is more. Once we eat of the fruit, we still have temptation, the pride of the world, and the darkness around us. There were many that were ashamed after they ate the fruit and wondered off towards the building and were lost. I learned that once we make it to the tree there is no exploring. We either stay or go. It's our choice. We have to continue to endure and eat of the fruit. We can't, at anytime, step away from the tree or all that we went through to get there can't lead us back. We need to determine where we are in the vision.

And if we are at the tree and can feel of His love, we need to stay there and not go exploring. We will still face trials and temptations, but we need to continue to eat and invite, then we will be saved.

Have a great week! Love you all!

Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: Sometimes We Walk in Darkness

El Campo

The one big thing that I learned this week is sometimes we walk in darkness to receive something great in the end. This past week I had my interview with Presidente Resek. We talked about our investigators, area, and companionship. We talked about things I have learned and things I can work on. It is a time when I can truly feel the love that the mission president has for each and every missionary.

One thing that we talked about is found in 1 Nephi 8.

7 And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste.

8 And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies.

9 And it came to pass after I had prayed unto the Lord I beheld a large and spacious field.

10 And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.

In the beginning, Lehi found himself in a dark place. There was darkness a around him and he didn't exactly know where he was going. He traveled for hours but continued to walk. Would you continue to walk? This shows a lot about faith. Continuing to walk though we don´t know the outcome. But after these hours, through much prayer and looking to the Lord, Lehi receives happiness.

Presetando servicio

This is the same with us and with my investigators. Many times, before we receive the great gift in the end, we have to walk through darkness, and this can feel like forever. This could be things in our
family, job, school, and decisions. All of these things can create darkness around us. But as we understand that the Lord can help us press forward, continue walking, we can receive happiness.

With the Escobar family having many problems, we helped them understand this concept this past week. Iris, an new investigator, is having difficulty in the idea of baptism even though she knows the  church is true. But I know that the Lord will help us when we ask Him. It may take time, but in the end we will be happy.

I am feeling this right now at this time in my mission. But I know that the Lord is here to help me. It may take months for me to see the results, but when I see them I can
thank Him for these blessings.


I am praying for you all! Have a great week!

Love,
Elder Jones

End of the day

Elder ZJones: Hard Things Makes Us Great

I have learned so much throughout my mission. With investigators and just generally in our lives, Satan is trying to get us!! I see this constantly with investigators when we start to teach and they are feeling the Spirit and coming to church, the adversary works even harder on them. They, as well as us, start to experience harder things, whatever it may be: with our job, our family, our friends, and our actions. I thought of the scriptures and the many times it has happened:

Nephi: He continues to be bothered and bullied by his older brothers for being obedient.

Job: He loses everything, family, home, wealth and still stays true to the Lord.

Captain Moroni: Many times, the Nephites forget the Lord. The Lamanites continue to attack and kill his people.

Jesus Christ: Everything He did, all the good He did, people found ways to criticize Him. He was tempted by Satan, killed by His own people, and is still rejected today

Everyone experiences these things. When we choose the right and are following the Lord and Satan tries harder and harder to catch us and take us as far away as possible from Him. But we have to have faith and hope. We need to rely on the Lord daily and frequently so that when the adversary comes, we are ready.

One family we are teaching, the Escobar Family are struggling right now with work, their home, getting married, and doubts. Please pray for them that they may have hope and feel of His love so that they can turn to the Lord for Help.

Thanks for everything! Have a great week and find someone to serve.

Elder HJones: He Will Carry Us Home

It's only the beginning of December but we already had a Missionary Christmas Conference. About 70 missionaries in my area and another gathered together to "celebrate" Christmas. We had a big meeting with our Mission President, exchanged gifts, and ate food. It was really fun! I was able to feel a little bit of the Christmas spirit even though there is no snow or cold.

We have a recent convert that is struggling. After baptism she stopped coming to church, and just stopped really everything related to the gospel. She is having many doubts and struggles, and doesn't know if the church is true anymore. I was reading a conference talk this week by President Uchtdorf called, "Yearning for Home." One thing he says is, "No, following the Savior will not remove all of your trials. However, it will remove the barriers between you and the help your Heavenly Father wants to give you. He will direct your steps. He will walk beside you and even carry you when your need is greatest."

Throughout the short time I have been in Chile I have experienced many trials. We all have trials, doubts, and struggles. But God WANTS to help us. He WANTS us to come home to Him. And He will direct our steps, walk beside us, and even carry us home.

I know this church is true. I have felt the direction and hand of God in my life. And I am grateful to be a representative for Him.

Love, Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: Adversity is an Opportunity for Growth

Mucha Tierra

It has been a crazy week.

Last Sunday, my first companion and trainer, Elder Mason Oakes, was hit and killed by a drunk driver after being home for just two weeks. It was a difficult thing to hear and has been in the back of my mind since. I want you to pray for his family as well as his cousin's family because I know that they really need them right now in their lives.

Tennis

I was reading in "Our Search for Happiness" by M. Russell Ballard, and he wrote:

"Thus illuminated by the light of faith, adversity becomes a vehicle for growth and death becomes a doorway from one phase of eternal existence to another."

Many times our hardships and trials can seem difficult and hard. But for the Lord, it is His plan. Many times we might not understand His Plan for us or, especially, for others. But God know us all individually and perfectly. He knows what we need and what will help us grow. We can use this as an advantage in our life that can help us grow or we can choose to be angry, which is a way to weaken us. I see this a lot in the mission. Rejections, companions, the language. Everything is hard. But it wasn't supposed to be easy. As we use the Lord to lift us and guide us, those things can help us grow in ways we might not understand, but for God it is right.

Thanks for your prayers. Love you all and let the Lord in this week!

Mi nombre en japonesa