Elder HJones: "Joy is a Gift for the Faithful"

So this morning I was reading THIS TALK by Pres. Nelson, entitled "Joy and Spiritual Survival." And I found something that stood out to me. It says:

"If we look to the world and follow its formulas for happiness, we will never  know joy. The unrighteous may experience any number of emotions and   sensations, but they will never experience joy! Joy is a gift for the faithful. It  is the gift that comes from intentionally trying to live a righteous life, as  taught by Jesus Christ."

I can testify of this as I have seen it on the mission. I have worked with people who changed their lives to experience the joy that comes through the gospel. And I have also worked with people who only want to experience the emotions and sensations of the world. Like Pres. Nelson says, "Joy is a gift for the faithful." And it truly is, joy enters our life if we are faithful.

This week we are working with Wilson and Ana. They both have felt the Spirit and know that they need to get baptized. But fears and doubts stop them. Pray that they can overcome them and that we can help them experience the joy of this gospel.

Con amor, Elder Jones

Elder EJones: The Waters of Baptism

And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.

This week Elder Reyes and I had the opportunity to baptize sisters. It was cool to witness the power of baptism and the Holy Ghost in the lives of those that we teach. baptism is the gate in which we enter to receive the blessings of Christ in our lives. To learn to be a light, and to represent Jesus Christ at all times. The gospel is true and Christ is the way.

Love you,
Elder Jones

P.S. Random side note...so Elder Reyes and I sang "Peace in Christ" this week at the baptism. Elder Reyes sang a verse in English; I sang another in Spanish; and then we sang together. It was pretty cool even though the both of us cannot sing. The first counselor in the bishopric was there and he was sick, with his whole body hurting. The next day, in sacrament meeting, the last thing he said after all the talks was that he went to the baptism in pain. Then, looking directly at me said, (in Spanish, of course," "But the elders sang a musical number and one of them had an amazing voice and in the moment he started singing my pain went away." It was kinda cool to hear that.

Elder HJones: Conference with Elder D. Todd Christofferson!

So this week we had the awesome opportunity to have a conference with Elder Christofferson! It was an awesome experience. One thing that he taught that I really liked, one of the last things that he said while he was bearing his testimony, he said that Jesus Christ is at the head of this Church, and that He guides it "actively and personally." I believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints isn't just directed by thoughts and impressions that are received by prophets and apostles (though they can be), but that Jesus Christ personally guides our prophets and apostles and directs them in everything they do.

We also had two baptisms this week for Valentina and Vanessa. It was super awesome. And this next week we are planning on baptizing Pia. In the beginning, she didn't want anything to do with the gospel. But she attended Church and the baptism of her sister and now wants to learn more!!

I know that this is the true Church. I know that this Church is guided by Jesus Christ and that He calls prophets and apostles that hold His power to teach and guide us and help us to follow Him.

Con amor, Elder Jones

Elder CJones: 3 Weeks Left

"I observed that they were also among the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God. Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men."

-Doctrine and Covenants 138:55-56

The mission is awesome!! I have been thinking this past week of all my experiences that I have had here in Mexico and I would not give it up for anything is the entire world! I know that the mission will and can change the lives of so many people!! I know this Gospel is true!!

I wish I had a little more time to write but time is short!! The church is true and it is the only source of true and eternal happiness!!
--
Elder Corom Jones

Elder ZJones: The Gospel All Around the World

My new area will be: Lujan

Transfers are this next week. And I will be leaving. I have been in this area, Jardines, for the past six months. I have learned to love the people, the members, and my companion here. I am grateful for my time here and know that the Lord is blessing the people. I am now going to an area called Lujan. It is more city than my other area. My new companion is Elder Oviedo. I don´t know anything about him, but excited to work with him and get to know him.

We had an awesome blessing this past week. We were walking in the street and a family was pushing there car because it wasn't starting. They asked for help and we helped push it to their home about five streets away. As we started talking with them we learned that the mom is a member and has not been to church for years. But they have three children ages 18,16, and 10. They have a lot of faith, want to come to church, and want to learn more. Pray for them, the Familia Ojeda, that as my companion teaches them they will go to church and progress.

This week I thought a lot about the gospel and where it is today. It is in all parts of the world. There are missionaries in all those areas who are bearing testimony of Jesus Christ and of the eternal blessings that we can receive. The blessings of the gospel are available to everyone. Anyone can receive the same blessings. We have different paths and ways that we can receive it, but in the end, the blessing of eternal life can be the same.

Have a great week! Love you all!

Elder Jones

Elder HJones: Families Can Be Together Forever

It's my Familia!

This last week I had the awesome opportunity to talk to my family! It was so cool and probably the best Christmas present! As I have been on my mission, my love for my family has really increased. As I have seen broken and hurt families on my mission, my love and gratitude for my wonderful family grows.

The gospel is centered on families. The purpose of this life is to have a family and eventually live with them for forever in righteousness. I am so grateful for the message that I can share to people in Chile: that families can be together forever through Heavenly Father's plan and that families that are broken can be healed.

New Year's Eve Dinner with the Bishop

The work is going pretty well now. We are working hard and trying are best to help people come unto Christ. We have two baptisms planned for this week. One on Saturday, for a 14 year old named Fernanda. And one for Sunday, for an 11 year old named Gianmarco. These two are great investigators and I am so excited to see them get baptized this week!

I won't lie, the mission has been hard. My area has been hard. Arica has always been a place in the mission that is "difficult" to baptize. But God is blessing us. We are working hard and trusting in Him. And we are starting to see great things happen! Thank you so much for your examples. I am super grateful for my family. God has blesed me A LOT.

I am so grateful for this gospel. It is perfect. We can be happy and live with our families for eternity.

Love, Elder Jones

Christmas Eve

My after-Christmas hand-delivered package!!

Elder HJones: Walk With Faith

This week was pretty wild.

Presidente Ferreira came to our area and we had zone conference. It was really good, except I really didn't understand much (haha). We also had interviews with the President. It went really well. I really felt the love that he has for me and he really encouraged me to lose myself in the work.

We also had an earthquake...which isn't too exciting because I am in Chile because apparently, here in Chile, we get a lot of them. It was in the middle of the night and I had just woken up and everything was shaking. It wasn't that bad. Lasted about 30 seconds. The scary part is that I sleep on a bunk bed made to hold an 8 year old, so it was shaking like crazy!

I was also able to play soccer with some kids during the week. It was really fun. But all the kids told me that I needed to practice more because I am terrible.

We eat a lot. We have a momita who cooks for us for part of the week. Members feed us the other days of the week. We also walk a lot. A lot of people have cars in Arica, but most people walk around, which is nice because we can talk with people. Arica also has a lot of taxis and buses. So sometimes, when we have to travel a little ways (like on Pday), we take a taxi.

This week I really learned about faith. It was kinda a tough week. I felt like I worked really hard, and there wasn't much to show for it. And whenever we made appointments with people, they never happened. It was hard to really teach people this past week. But it really helped me learn about faith. Sometimes I don't see the end results, but  I know God always does. I don't always understand why things don't work the way I want them to, but God does. And I know that having faith is really important because through faith we can do all things.

A lot of people yell at us and try to convince us that we are wrong. But I know that the Gospel is true. I know that Jesus Christ lives and atoned for me and for you. And no matter how many people try to tell me otherwise, I have a testimony. And I am so grateful that I can represent Jesus Christ and help bring people to Him.

Love, Elder Jones