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: 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: Almost Christmas

 

It's beginning to look a lot . . .

 

. . . like Christmas!!

It's almost Christmas.

It feels more like Christmas than last year because it has been colder, and it's raining. This week we were able to make Christmas packages to give to people in our area so that they can feel the joy of Christmas.

Elder Van-Pelting

Well, my new companion is really good. We've been able to work a lot together this week and have been able to see lots of success. He likes to work and we are getting along really well. This week we've been able to talk lots about Christmas and the Savior and help people to understand the importance of always remembering the Lord, not only during Christmas. 

Well here is the kinda crazy, not so much news. I think I'm gonna get another mini-missionary for the next cambio. One of the assistants called me and told me that they were doing cambios and asked if my comp could stay with me for another 3 weeks but he leaves for his mission in 3 weeks. So he told me to look for another mini missionary or be in a trio. I will not be in a trio haha. So I guess we'll see how it goes, I'll know more for next week.

This week I was able to read in Ether 12. And I love how it is very similar to Hebrews 11, they both talk about faith in Jesus Christ. I like that all the miracles that have ever been done by the apostles and prophets is because of their faith in Jesus Christ. And as we have faith in Him, He will become our anchor and foundation so that we can be secure where we are. And we still live by faith. For our faith we too can do and see things, and come to know the mysteries of God. It marvels me to think of how much faith Joseph Smith had if he was able to see God the Father and Jesus Christ. It made me think of the scripture Matthew 17:20

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

I can't imagine His faith. But we too can develop firm faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I know that He lives and loves us. I know that as we learn to trust in Him, He will lead, guide and even walk beside us!!

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 EJones: Los Olivios

Hola,

We had cambios this week and I'm in a new area, Los Olivos. The members here are super good and helpful to the missionaries. As we strive to be missionaries in all aspects of our lives we become more like Christ. Seeking out those who don't have the message of the restored gospel, and filling the emptiness with everlasting joy and hope.

Members are just important as the missionaries. As we minister to all those around us, we will become one.

Elder Ulisses Soares gave us three ways to help those not of our faith, or those that are recent converts, or less actives.

1. They need brothers and sisters sincerely interested in them
2. They need an assignment
3. They need to be nourished by the word of God

I know that as we strive to work together we will see the hand of the Lord more in our work and in our lives, I've seen it here and know that the Lord performs miracles and loves each of us.

Elder HJones: Vamos con Fe

Ako ay si Elder Jones. ("I am Elder Jones" in Tagalog, the language in the Philippines.)

So this past week my testimony of the Restoration grew even more.

We have been teaching a lady named Ana. She is around 65 years old and many in her family are members of the church. She has doubts about the church and some in her family are of a different religion, which has stopped her from taking the next step of baptism. But my companion and I felt like we had to teach the Restoration to her again.

And when we did, the Spirit was super strong during the lesson. As the lesson went on she understood more and I could tell the the Spirit was working within her. And in the end we bore our testimonies and invited her to be baptized. Before, when we asked her to get baptized, she was always hesitant and gave excuses. But this time she said, "Yes!" And when she gave the closing prayer, she asked God that everything will work out for her baptism this Saturday! So this week we are going to work with her so that this weekend she can get baptized!

We are also working with Wilson and Brayan. Please pray that they can progress a little more to get baptized this weekend as well!

Work work work, its what we are doing. Actually, it's what makes us happy. And we are gonna keep doing it. Thanks so much for your prayers! Love you guys! Que tengan una semana bautismal!

Love, Elder Jones

Elder EJones: Cambios y Fe

Yes, I had cambios!

I'm in a new area with a new companion. My area is Los Olivos en La Colorada and our area takes in a lot more of the city. My new companion is Elder Torres from Peru. So this is my third companion in the mission, and my third companion from a Latin American country. In reality, I'm super glad that I'm getting companions from here because its helping me to learn Spanish a whole lot faster.

Well, I finally got to feel what everyone says about the mission: That it's much harder to leave the people here than it is to leave your home. I had to leave Quior 2 yesterday, and it was kinda rough. All the investigators that we had and all the converts---so hard to leave when you build bonds with them and then have to say goodbye. But it's all good. I'm doing super well I'm and super excited to be here in Los Olivos. And our house is an apartment on the 8th floor so the view is the best thing.

So this week I read a little talk in the January Liahona and I found a quote that I loved. It was from a story of a man called to be the stake president and he didn't think or feel that he was qualified for his calling. He said, "I don't think I can do this. I'm not in their league." Area authority's response: "Well, I suppose you're right. You can't do it, but the Lord can. He has the power to do His work, and if you will be worthy and work hard, He will do it. You will see!"  AND HE DID!!

Remember that! No matter how much we feel like we can't do something, trust in the Lord, and He will guide us to do all things!!

* * *
There seem to be two distinct levels of faith.

The first level is the faith to try, the faith to thrust in our sickles. The second level is the faith to do. It is more than the faith to thrust in our sickles—it is the faith to reap.

That subtle distinction between the faith to thrust in our sickles and the faith to reap will make all the difference in our lives. To live again with our Heavenly Father and to live productive and joyful lives on earth, we need to develop the faith to reap.

First, unlike the faith to thrust in our sickles, the faith to reap is not faith in ourselves. It is not the same as self-confidence or positive mental attitude. It is not even faith in our families or friends—all of which are good. The faith to reap is faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. It is faith in His power, not ours.

Faith in Jesus Christ is the first step that we take to be able to enjoy all the blessings that our Heavenly Father has for us. He wants us to be able to access his power in our lives though faith in him. Faith is a word of action. I've learned as a missionary we can't do anything without faith--and our faith must be in Jesus Christ and His Atonement!! He live!! We grow our faith by acting on our faith!!

Love you lots,
Elder Jones

Elder EJones: Happy New Year!

Where do I start?

This week was so amazing being able to see all of my family and to talk to them. That was the best Christmas gift!!

This week has been good, hot and rainy. Lots of our appointments this week fell through and so we did a lot of contacting. Literally, contacting is not the funnest especially because it's so hard to find some people that will actually be there when you say you're gonna return. And I need to remember to keep my teaching simple. Very simple. Because it's difficult to understand the gospel when you don'y know it. It makes me realize how spiritually weak I am compared to the Savior, and I can't be impatient with people, because I know the Savior isn't impatient with me.

So this week we finally got the Liahona from General Conference. Yay! And I have modified my daily reminder, the first part remains the same, but I have added another line (phrase) from this conference. So I have October 2017 and October 2018 in one....

REMEMBER TO PUT JESUS CHRIST AT THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE TODAY....BY BEING WILLING TO TAKE HIS NAME UPON YOU

I'm trying to be better and strive to live and love every moment in my mission. It's really hard sometimes to be completely focused, but I'm setting more and more goals, and New Year goals: to improve and to become the servant of the Lord that He needs me to be; to help gather Israel and do what I've always wanted to do; to be a missionary; and here I am, so I'm trying to not waste one moment.

Lots of fireworks, drunk people, parties, and not a lot of people in their houses is what happens here for Christmas and New Year's. But things are good, and my goals for 2019 are motivating me right now!!

Elder EJones: It's NOT Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

Another week down, and they just keep getting faster it seems like. Things with Elder Bello are really good!! We are getting along really well together. He speaks English and is basically fluent so the fun thing is to talk with him in Spanish and he responds in English and everyone looks at us weird in the trufis and micros and stuff haha. And yes, we are working hard and trying to find and talk to more and more people everyday.

Christmas in [summer] is something else. Eating watermelon and mangoes and things like that makes it feel more like the 4th of July here and not like Christmas. But it's really good. I think here there's lots of fireworks and stuff on Christmas. People do have Christmas trees and lights and stuff here so that's pretty cool.

The food here is good. Lots of rice and chicken so that means lots of mass, so eating less and working out more in the mornings helps to stay healthier from all the rice we eat. jaja.

This week I learned more about faith. Faith is sincere and lasting repentance. To be sincere is to have meaningful, full purpose of heart in repentance. Lasting repentance is that we continue to repent day by day, and continue to change to align our lives more with the Lord. Literally with faith we can do all things with the Lord. We have to be willing to have faith, and act on that faith to receive the answers in the Lord in his time.

I know that Christ lives and loves me. He wants me to come unto him and I can as I exercise faith in him and strive to be better daily!!

This week were were able to baptize Olga Rodriguez. She has been progressing and learning since a few weeks before I got here to El Quior 2. I have been able to see the power of the Lord work in our area with investigators like her.

The Lord is willing to bless us as we are willing to follow his example to keep his commandments. He gave the commandments,

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

As we love the Lord with all our hearts, we are willing to follow him and keep all his commandments. We can find true happiness as we do so, and true joy that we want to and are willing to share!! Merry Christmas!

Love you,
Elder Jones

Elder HJones: Vallenar

So Vallenar is different.
We don't say "difficult" here in mission, we say different. And Vallenar is really different from my last sector. We have to work extra hard here to find people that want to listen and come to church.

The church house is really far away from our area. And most people don't have cars. So to go to church people either have to walk 30-40 minutes or pay a collectivo (bus). So it's a sacrifice for the people here.  But this week we are going to work extra hard to get people to church with us.

I feel like ever since I got here Satan has put in my head that things here in Vallenar are "impossible." Many things are working against us and it's true, things here are different, but we are just going to work harder. I know that it isn't gonna be easy, this week was pretty hard getting used to everything, and I got angry a couple times, but I know that God is at the head of this work. And I am just going to trust in Him and go to work.

Con caleta de amor,  Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: Family

What a week and what a change! I'm in my new area with my new companion, Elder Burk, and we are lost! The area is huge and we are both new. We are helping our zone to accomplish their goals and to work hard in their areas. Much of the time during this past week, we have been contacting to find new people to teach because when we came there wasn't much to work with.

So we started contacting houses one by one. When we got to the third house we met a man outside. He was watering his plants and explained that his son doesn't believe in God. He invited us in and we taught his family. There are 8 in the family, but there are only 4 who have the interest in listening. The parents, Juan and Lorena, want to see a change in the family. We are teaching and trying to help them understand the importance of faith, that through faith they can see a change in the family. Two of their children, Gabriel and Ayalen, are interested in our message, as well. Gabriel does't  know if he believes in God, but wants to know. Pray for them, the Familia Vergara, that they will continue to grow in the gospel. They came to church with us yesterday and loved it!

We have the goal to find families this week. The gospel is centered in the family. Pray that as we work, we will find families that have a desire to change and accept the Savior in there lives!

Love you all! Have a great Week!

Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: Finding and Teaching

This past week we baptized three children and confirmed two of them.

We had a great miracle this past week. On Saturday we were contacting and invited people to church. At about 12, we didn't have anyone else to visit. Every one of our citas (appointments) dropped. My companion suggested we visit a man who really doesn't want anything to do with us or the gospel. He just likes to talk. But we went anyways, oh me with little faith. When we stopped by, he wasn't there. And there you go. A miracle!

Just Kidding. . . .

The neighbor was walking by and said he wasn't there. So, of course, we started talking with him. He has been to church before and his son was baptized in the Church. He is MARRIED and we invited him to come to church and to be baptized. He accepted. He didn't come this week but we will be passing by and hoping that he and his wife will progress. There names are Ever and Adaluz.

We are also trying to help the bishop's nephew. He is 16. His name is Matias. Pray for him that he will have a desire to grow a testimony and not just go because his cousins go!

Oh and Happy Halloween. It isn't big at all here. There were like 20 kids in the street! haha

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 ZJones: The Blessings of Faith

This past Sunday our faith was tested. We passed by a lot of people Saturday and they told us that they wanted to come to church. So on Sunday morning we made pancakes and left early to help people come to church. But guess what? Every home we passed by the people who said they wanted to come to Church said they had things to do and didn't have time that morning to go to church.

We were pretty bummed.

We decided to pass by the home of Marisol, Kevin, and Lautaro. This is the family we contacted a few weeks ago because we liked the music they were listening to. And, to our surprise, they wanted to come to Church! We shared some pancakes with them and they came to church. Marisol has a lot of hardships right now and she loved church. She said she wants to come next week as well. I am grateful for the Lord. Sometimes everything that we want isn't in the exact way that we want. But I know God knows best and will help us.

Doctrine and Covenants 4:2: Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

I love this scripture. As we serve God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, in the last day we will receive numerous blessings. As we have been working to find and teach, we always talk about two words, Diligence and Urgency. As we work for our Father in Heaven, these two things are important. As we are diligent in serving him, we are always thinking, pondering, and praying. We study for those who we will serve. As we are urgent, we don´t waste time. We are always looking and always preparing to serve.

I know that as we serve and are diligent and always looking for those opportunities, they will come and we can bless the lives of others. It is through our works of faith that we can serve and have the confidence that they as well as we will be blessed!

Have a great week!!!

Elder Jones

Elder CJones: Love for a Common Interest

"Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved."
- Mattie Stepanek

I am back in Reynosa, with a companion from Honduras, Elder Bueso.

This week, we worked just a few days together for some crazy changes that have passed this week. This is the last week of the Mexico Reynosa Mission, after this week it will no longer exist.

We are working with some investigators: Yaime, Manuel, Caroline, Guillermo, Natali, and Humberto.

Yaime is a young women, she is really cool and loves to talk with us. She is having a lot of problems with the Word of Wisdom, she is more of a liberal thinker, and it is making it hard for her to progress. She wants to be baptized, pray that she will be able to stop drinking and that she can be baptized.

Manuel is a really cool old man that comes to church by himself every week, he comes to all the activites as well!! We will be finishing up with him to try and baptize him this week!

Caroline, Guillermo and Natali are siblings. They love us as missionaries and they enjoy coming to church. We are working with their mom, she is a member but doesn't really have a strong desire to be active, she doesn't understand much of the church, she was baptized long ago but became an inactive. Pray that she will have a change of heart and will help her kids!!

Humberto is a reference from Temple Square. He was in Utah and visited the temple. Pray that his progression will continue!!

God really does work is mysterious ways. This last week I was thinking about the blessings tha God has given us during this time. Right now, the thing that everyone talks about is the World Cup. Even the people that don't play futbol watch the World Cup. When we went to Pizza Hut to eat this week, it was on. When we walk past homes, it is on. When we are walking in the streets, we hear screaming from in the house from the people watching. As we have been working, I thought about a quote from a movie that I saw years ago

Brock Kelley: So you think that God does care about football?

Grant Taylor: I think He cares about your faith. He cares about where your heart is. And if you can live your faith out on the football field then yes, God cares about football because He cares about you. He sent His son Jesus to die for us so we could live for Him. That's why we're here. But see, it's not just on the football field; we've got to honor Him in our relationships, our respect for authority, in the classroom, and when you're at home alone surfing the internet. I want God to bless this team so much that people talk about what He did. But it means we got to give Him our best in every area. If we win, we praise Him. And if we lose, we praise Him.

Now that Mexico is winning in the World Cup, the people have invited us to food, to enjoy the games with them and we have had the chance to meet knew people to teach and have been able to find a common interest to break the ice when talking to people.

Since I was a little kid, I remember something that my parents told me. "The Lord created everything for His benefit, and Satan changes them for his benefit." Something along those lines. I feel that God is using this World Cup to help us find new people to teach and boosting our spirits with everyone that invites us to eat.

Love you all!!

Elder Corom 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 CJones: Malos con Estrellas y un Bautismo

Baptism of Carlos

Well, this week was crazy! To say the least, we had another baptism. A little 9 year old in the ward, Carlos. His mom is a member, but his dad isn't. So, we were able to go and teach him a little and baptize him and now his little brother can't wait until the end of the year to be baptized.

Nothing much happens out of the normal during the week. Well, I guess I should say that I'm used to the normal things that happen out here, but maybe not so normal for you. Here, it is completely normal to see people carrying an M-16 or an AK-47, it's just something I have gotten used to. Here, the government is not powerful at all, so here, there are almost no laws.

Afternoon Tracting

There are so many things you can do as you study the scriptures. I have been really focused in the Book of Mormon this week. I have been interested in all the people and how they are all related and all the things happen in relation to time and other people. I have learned some really interesting things as I have been studying and making a tree . . . kind of like a family tree with everyone in the Book of Mormon--and I mean everyone! It has helped me a lot as I read and study this amazing book!

As I have been studying the scriptures, I have noticed that here in Mexico, at least where I am, there's a similarity related to the time of the Nephites right during the wars and when the Gadianton Robbers were wrecking havoc on the people who believe and started to take over the government and eventually did. The things that happen here are very dangerous and they happen at random times and random places. There are gun fights everyday and people die. We call them Malos. Malos are the people, the men that are members of the drug cartels. They carry and sell illegal weapons and drugs. Of course, the government sends the marines to take care of them, but both sides are highly skilled, so deaths are high and the area gets really dangerous.

Elder Martinez and Me

This week we invited the Bishop to a lesson with us and we talked about faith in the lesson. It was a normal lesson and he helped us testify about the truthfulness of the message. I learned one really cool thing at the end of the lesson. The bishop gave her a homework assignment to read 1 Nephi 17, about when Nephi needs to build the ship. He told her to read and think about it like this, instead of reading it like the Lord is asking Nephi to build a ship in His way, change the thought as if the Lord was asking you to build yourself in the way He asks you to. I went home and studying this chapter and I want to share this with you.

8 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Thou shalt construct [myself], after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry [myself] [in this world].

9 And I said: Lord, whither shall I go that I may find [the qualities] molten, that I may [improve myself] to construct [myself] after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?

10 And it came to pass that the Lord told me whither I should go to find [the qualities], that I might make [myself].

17 And when my brethren saw that I was about to build [myself], they began to murmur against me, saying: Our brother is a fool, for he thinketh that he can build [himself]; yea, and he also thinketh that he can [improve his worthiness].

18 And thus my brethren did complain against me, and were desirous that they might not labor, for they did not believe that I could build [myself]; neither would they believe that I was instructed of the Lord.

19 And now it came to pass that I, Nephi, was exceedingly sorrowful because of the hardness of their hearts; and now when they saw that I began to be sorrowful they were glad in their hearts, insomuch that they did rejoice over me, saying: We knew that ye could not construct [thyself], for we knew that ye were lacking in judgment; wherefore, thou canst not accomplish so great a work.

49 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto them that they should murmur no more against their father; neither should they withhold their labor from me, for God had commanded me that I should build [myself].

50 And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done.

51 And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build [and improve myself]?

I know that we can construct ourselves in a way that will be pleasing to the Lord, but we must first ask ourselves, "Are constructing ourselves in the ways of the world or in the way that the Lord will show us?" Are we like Laman and Lemuel who complain that we can't do it? Remember that with God, all things are possible.

"I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them" (1 Nephi 3:7).

We can improve ourselves as we know that the Lord has the plans for us to follow.

--
Elder Corom Jones

"And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." -Alma 32:21

Our burger and taco chef

Elder CJones: Fightin' Battles

Well, this week has been a week of contacting a lot and just trying to keep the faith through the hard times.

It hasn't been easy. I have yet to have a baptism and the zone leaders are planching people that don't have them yet. One thing that I learned this week, and have been learning for the past couple weeks, is that the people who are truly converted to the church will want to change their lives. Some people will just go through the motions but will never be baptized because they haven't had that change of heart that is talked about in Alma 5.

We had a couple more baptisms fall this week because they weren't fully committed to a life in the church. We are working with the members a lot more than before and making sure that we can be
successful in finding people that are ready to be 100% in the church. I really love teaching the people here and it's getting easier every week.

Me encanta enseñando las personas aquí porque a veces siento que cuando yo enseño con mi compañero estoy creciendo mi testimonio del Evangelio de Jesucristo. Es bien difícil escribir en Español pero, es cierto que para hablar, es más fácil.

This week has been a week of personal learning and growth. I am so grateful for this gospel and am so grateful that we can change our hearts.

There are a lot of people here that never are fully converted. A big problem here is that the people will say they are converted, but after the baptism, they become inactive and never go back to church. That is one of the things that we, as missionaries do. We go and reactivate the people and bring them back into the fold of God. We go to their homes and teach them about the blessings and doctrines of the Gospel.

Faith is one of the first things we teach because it is through faith that we can truly be changed. It is through faith we can do anything and I want to share with you what I personally have thought about faith.

In Ether chapter 12 we learn a lot about faith. Moroni interrupts the teaching of Ether and writes this,

"And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."

Our faith is not faith unless it is tried. When we show our faith, we are showing that we want to follow God. God challenges that faith to see if it really is strong and true. When we pass the test of our faith, God then knows He can bless us when we need it. But remember, He will never give us more than we can handle. When we have that faith we then know we can turn to God for anything, thus comes the counsel later in the chapter,

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

Only through faith and works does God truly make us strong.

Love you all!!
Elder Corom Jones

"Fight all your battles on your knees and you will win every time."
-Unknown (Sent to me by my brother, Hyrum)

Elder CJones: Blessings and Challenges

Well, this week, the baptism fell through. That doesn't mean we are giving up. What it means is we didn't have a service this week.

This week started out great. We had a baptism scheduled and we started more to work with the members, having Family Home Evening at their homes so the members can invite their friends and we could all work together to make new investigators and have greater success in sharing the gospel to the people here. One of the greatest things we can do as missionaries is use the members to help us find people to teach. We worked hard this week to find people to invite to the Family Home Evenings we have every night and asked every time we ate at people's homes for people that they know that we can go teach.

Tuesday was another day of working and it seems like we are blessed everyday to receive blessings from people. On Tuesday nights, we pick up our clothes from the washers and there is a lady in the ward that helps us with the clothes. As we were walking home, there was a taxi that drove by and started to honk at us, which is normal here. But as we kept walking, he followed us. We then turned and talked to him and he offered us a free ride to our house. The people here are so humble and most of them will help anyone that is a representative of Jesus Christ. Another night, we went into the 7-Eleven--that is really close to our house--to buy a jug of water and a couple other things. As we went to the check stand, we put our items on the counter. Right as we were about to pay, a man just standing there asked if he could pay for our things. We accepted and then afterwards, we asked him why. He told us that he knew that we were representatives of Christ and that we paid for our own missions and he wanted to help a few servants of the Lord. As time went on, we had some amazing experiences that really touched our hearts.

One night, it was pouring rain and we were freezing cold. We were on our way home when we felt that we needed to stop by one more house. We walked into a random neighborhood and knocked on the first door that we felt impressed to knock on. Then, the blessings flowed. A man answered the door. He invited us in out of the rain and we began to talk to him about the church. He told us that he was a member and hadn't been to church in years. We talked to him more and he told us more about the missionaries when he was a boy and how he loves the church. We began to talk about the sacrament and the blessings that come when we go to church. We then turned to the wife. She was sitting there, in the corner, really quiet and we asked if she had anything to ask. She is Catholic. She asked if we were married. We told her that we were missionaries and we can get married after we return home. She then asked if we could fix a marriage and we got a little confused. Then, it got really emotional. They both have been having struggles in their marriage and wanted to fix what was there. We shared with them the Family Proclaimation to the World and said a prayer with them for their family. We ended that night, all in tears, as the power of the Spirit was almost tangible in the room.

Anyway, to say the least, the family that was going to be baptized this week, the family Jimenez Garcia, they bailed the day of. BAILED DAY OF!! Who does that?! We will be working with them more this week to try and build their faith a little more so they can be baptized. They have their agency to choose, we are just here to invite, not to force.

This week has had its ups and downs, but our Heavenly Father has watched over us. He knows all of us personally and He puts people in our paths to change our lives. I know that through prayer miracles are wrought. But it only comes when we are looking for the answer and personally intend to follow through on the answer that is given to us. I know this Gospel changes lives in a matter of one, 30 minute meeting. We saw it happen this week. Through prayer we can change the hearts and the lives of the people around us, and even in ourselves.

-- Elder Corom Jones

 "I suppose the Church would be perfect only if it were run by perfect beings. God is perfect, and His doctrine is pure. But He works through us - His imperfect children - and imperfect people make mistakes." -Dieter F Uchtdorf