Elder EJones: He Lives

This week wasn't that different from last week. We started the new cambio so we are working towards our new goals. Sometimes, I feel like they're hard to reach, but I know it all depends on our faith in the Lord and our personal worthiness and diligence. We are agents unto ourselves and the Lord is relying on us as missionaries, but as all of us as members of His Church, to help others to see how important the gospel is and to live and show it.

The Lord literally gave everything He possibly could to atone for us and we must be willing to sacrifice to allow others to feel and share that love.

This week I marveled at how much most of the world looks at the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Lots focus mostly and only on the death of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary. But as we remember and know, the Atonement of Jesus Christ started with His suffering in the garden of Gethsemane, then his physical death on the cross, and ended with his resurrection.

I love the scripture found in Matthew 28:6-7

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

Christ lives. Yes, He died, but He did live again. He not only lived again, but He lives again. He lives so that we too can live again. He lives to love, to guide, to comfort, to console, to succor. I know that He is the only person who can understand us completely. I am grateful for His sacrifice, His willingness to submit to the will of the Father. His love for His Father in Heaven, and for us.

May we remember him not only for Easter and for Christmas. But...as we remember to but the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the center of our lives everyday. Always being willing to take his holy name upon us.

Love you all,
Elder Jones

Elder EJones: Obedience Brings Blessings

This week in our English Class, we talked about obedience and the importance of faith, repentance, and obedience. As I thought more about obedience and the importance it is I thought of this...."Sometimes we may obey at first as something we have to do and not something we want to do, until we obey because we want to and not because we have to"

I know that as we strive to be obedient to all of the Lords commandments we will be able to see all of the blessings he has for us. We receive blessings when we are obedient!!

21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.  (D&C 130:21)

Love you all,
Elder Jones

Elder EJones: First Three Days in the MTC

These first three days in the MTC have been one for the books. It has already been such a great week of learning and finding out my purpose a missionary. Our purpose is simple--to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them to understand and gain a testimony of Jesus Christ and his atonement. To help them learn the the gospel and first principles of the gospel, Faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end!!

Things are so great here!!

My companion's name is Elder Dawson and he is from Wyoming. We get along really well!! Our whole District does!

It's funny because we have a district of 14 Elders, 12 of us are going to the Santa Cruz Bolivia mission, and we were all supposed to go to the Mexico MTC, but were here in Provo. But there's a reason were here, so we gotta find out why, and do our best to learn our purpose and to help each other to grow spiritually and mentally.

We all get along super well and literally, all 14 of us go everywhere together and it's so great to already have that bond after only being here for a couple of days. The food is pretty good I guess.  The schedule is good and there's so much class and stuff we have to do and sitting down for hours a day isn't the funnest thing in the world. P.E., or our exercise time, is really nice because it gives us time to let loose after sitting in a room for hours. Most of the Elders in our District all play some type of sport so were all connected there, too.

Our District leader is Elder Jeppson and Elder Dawson and I share the same room with him and his companion, so that's good, were all trying to do the best we can to adjust to the schedule and learn Spanish.

They have a program here that's called SYL or "Speak Your Language." It is a way for us as Elders and Sisters to try to speak our language as much as we can, especially when were not in class. It's crazy because all of the Elders in our District have Spanish backgrounds so were already picking up and learning a lot faster then I think most Elders would learning a new language. But we help each other out a lot and that's really great. I've actually been really surprised (haha) because I haven't felt homesick at all these past days, and maybe that will change, but the connection, fun, and spirituality we have all together in our district is the coolest thing and so I think that's helping us out a lot.

Being a missionary didn't feel real until I got here and put the name badge on!! It's humbling to have my name right by the name Jesus Christ, and to be a personal representative of Him and His gospel. I know that His gospel is key for us and for our eternal salvation. Jesus Christ loves us so much and did the will of the father so that we might repent, grow and become like him. I know that He lives, and want us to learn and grow. And as we put in the effort to learn from him, He will bless us. I know He loves us!!This week has been crazy, but one of the best of my life!! The Lord loves us no matter what we've done. But as we put our trust in him and are wiling to change he will always be there to help us!! The gospel is true, and the Book of Mormon is the word of God!!

Love you guys,
Elder Jones