He Truly Knows that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will Help Him

From Karsten Hinckley

Teaching in Thailand

We did have a family come to church this past week who are investigators: a husband, wife and their small child. They were very willing to come to church and I was thankful that they came! Over the past few days we were able to talk to them over the phone and have a phone lesson with them. This man explained that he has no money and that they would be getting kicked out of their home soon. We asked to meet with this man and his wife just the other day. He told us that he has about three more days to pay the rent or they will be kicked out of their apartment. He said that, “If only the person could wait till the 5^th,  then we would be able to pay it but they cannot wait.” He then asked us if we would give him the money to pay it and he would give us his bank card so we would be able to take out the money that we need. He really said, “You could just take all the money.” This man is willing to do a lot for his family. We explained to the man that we are not allowed to that. It is a rule of ours that we can’t do that, and he just said okay. So we talked about faith and about how he can quit smoking and how that can help him a little with his money problem. He said he would try and quit. We did tell him that, “If you look toward Jesus Christ and follow the commandments, then you and your family will be taken care of.” We asked him to say a closing prayer and what he said almost made me cry! He said, Thank you, God, for sending me these teachers and thank you for sending me this challenge so that I will be able to learn and grow from this.” That was all he said and it was the most humble prayer I have ever heard! This man does have a Christian back ground so he truly knows that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will help him! 

We Can't Realize the Love He Has For Us

From Xaviere Page

Teaching in Nicaragua

This week, an incredibly beautiful thing happened. We had been teaching this lady and her baptismal date was for the 13th. She had no money and she had lost her job. My companion told her, ´' Teresa (her name) if you are baptized on this day and have the sincere desire to follow Christ, the Lord will bless you with a job. The day after her baptism (her confirmation), she was told that a lady was looking for some help and had a job for her. She was super happy, and now she is employed. I don’t know what the Lord is going to do or when, but He is so loving of His children. We can’t realize the love that He has for us. I am striving everyday to develop this love, and to love how He does. I will never be able to love how He does, but that is my goal in life. I think a few people will see this right? To all that see this, God loves you and you are loved by others. Smile and remember: everyday is the first day of your life. What happened yesterday cannot be touched or done over again. You can only keep moving forward. 

Much Love!

All We Have To Do Is Act

From Bralan Bean

Teaching in Peru

This past Tuesday we had changes here in our mission ....before changes we decided that we wanted to go to Polvo Azules which is where you can buy clothes, shoes, cameras or whatever for really cheap. Anyway, we were there looking for a camera for Elder Gonzalez. As we were looking, I saw that a shoe store had a lot of Jordans that are really hard to find in the United States, so of course Ii had to check it out. They were really Jordans, [they]  just had a little flaw and that is why this store had them. We looked for a while, gave her a pamphlet, and then left. As we left to go look at other things, I told my companion that we should go back to the store to see if we can get her to give us a deal on these shoes. So we went back. and when we did she explained to us that the things we had told her and the pamphlet we gave her really had an impact on her. Then she told us that the night before she had a dream where she was in a font of water, she was fully submerged, and in this dream she saw two young kids wearing suits, that looked just like us. Elder Gonzalez put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Well hello, hermana, we are right here.” It was really funny, but she was definitely prepared by the Lord to hear our message.

Another experience I had ....We were playing soccer as a district, I saw a kid a little ways off playing basketball. I went over and started to play with him, got to know him, shot around, and then I started to talk to him about the gospel. He is currently looking for a church; he wants a better relationship with God. He asked how he could be a part of our church, and why baptism is important. I took him off to the side; we sat down, and I taught him about the restoration, invited him to baptism, and he accepted. He as well does not live in our area, but in the end I was an instrument in God’s hands. He knows I like to play ball, [so] He put me in the position to where I could use my talents to bring to pass His purpose. God will place people in front of us. He knows how and where and when we can help people, all we have to do is act.

Sweet Experiences

From David and Viola Ricks

Teaching in Germany

Last week we went to Stake Conference in Nurnberg.  It was really good.  We got to meet the Stake Presidency and some of the couples.  It was all translated into English so we could understand everything.   The youth choir that sang wore their helping hands vests.  They sang "Have I Done Any Good in the World Today" of course in German.  It was tender.

A sister in the ward sat next to me in the Relief Society crocheting activity.  She said her son, named Luca, age 12, was inactive and she was very worried about him.  He won't even let the Elders in with a message anymore.  He kind of calls the shots, and his single mom lets him "rule."   The Elders were awesome and did some amazing things---like juggling, the one elder knew a lot of coin magic tricks.  Anyway---during one of them he swallowed a $.20 coin accidentally!  The boy and his friend loved them, but as soon as they tried to share a short message, the boy and friend left the room.    Neat thing though----the sister talked to me today and said her son would like them to come back.  They are going to share with him the u-tube: Sainsbury's OFFICIAL Christmas 2014 Ad.  Any of you who would like to see this u-tube ad, it is just amazing and wonderful and short. 

We visited a very old man and his wife this week.  She is 88 and he is 86.  He is very sick with Parkinson's disease.  He is a High Priest and loves the church.  His wife is a non-member.  She waited on his every need--- and they were many.  It was the first time we have visited a family with limited English.  I sang my song "I Am a Child of God" in German and dad tried the best he could to get acquainted and share a short message.  It was a sweet experience.

The Season for Giving (and Riding Elephants)

From Karsten Hinckley

Teaching in Thailand

This week was really good! I was buying some chicken on a stick and some sticky rice when a guy on his motorcycle drove up to me and asked if we taught English. I said heck yeah we do and I pointed down the street to our church. I didn’t have a English card to give him so I gave if a baptismal card. We ended up seeing this guy at English and so I asked if he would come to church on Sunday and he said yeah. He speaks really good English for a Thai person. So I was able to have a good conversation with him. Anyways he came to church with his friend and I asked if we could teach them after the baptism that we had the day and he said yes. So he and his friend were able to see a baptism. So when we got to the teaching part, we taught about the Gospel of Christ, Word of Wisdom and Law of Chastity. We showed him a picture of the God head and he said that is God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost. Elder Gage and I looked at each other and were pretty amazed! Then when we taught about the two commandments he was mouthing what is forbidden while we were saying it all. So Elder Gage and I were like, “Okay, where did you learn this?” He said the internet. We asked where, and hee said Mormon.org. I was very impressed that he did that. It was revelation to give him a baptism card. He is way good! I hope we can teach him and his friend some more. His name is AAron and his friend is Fang. 

The Next Week…

This week was a really good week…We were able to teach our new investigator AAron. He is a miracle I never saw coming! We taught him the restoration and when he heard what the prophet Joseph Smith about what happened when he prayed, AAron said that he got chills! Ha that was really cool! AAron is way good! He is praying and reading the scriptures! He is a really good guy. He is about 21 and can speak English. He is planning on going to New York in a year for school... We are also teaching his friend, Fang. So pray for him, because AAron and Fang have been best friends for a long time and I would like to see the both of them get baptized and share these experiences together. 

Other than that we taught our newly baptized sister, sister Peem. She is way good. She said that ever since she has gotten baptized her and her family have gotten along so much better. She also told us that since that happened her husband has started to drink less and that is great! She just has this glow about her! You can tell that the gospel has blessed her life. It is way cool to see. We also taught another newly baptized sister, sister Boo. She tells me every time I see her that I am getting better at speaking Thai. I guess I will take her word for it. We taught the Restoration and she is so good! She has questions about what she reads in the book of Mormon so that is great! We try and answer her questions the best we can.

… I am thankful for the season of giving. [For Thanksgiving] we all gathered at our church - which I have never said is a rented building, if that makes a difference. Anyways, members from the ward all brought something to eat. Before we ate we all had an opportunity to share our testimonies with one another. After that was over we got to eat. You will never guess what I ate for my Thanksgiving dinner! Can you guess? Well I will tell you that I had my first chicken claw!  Ha! One of the members said that I had to eat it so I did. It was pretty good, considering it tasted like chicken. When we were done we helped clean up and then we were about to leave when a member gave me half a chicken to take home and eat. I said thank you and went on our way. Well, on our way across the bridge…I saw a homeless man just laying on the bridge. I looked at what I had, I thought about how much I have been given and about Jesus Christ. I gave this man the half chicken that I had received. Now I had asked this man to go to church before and he said no, but that is not the point. I still thought about how grateful I am to have food and give thanks to all that I have. I thought to myself, I will do what Jesus Christ would do. I felt happy for what I had done. This season is for giving not receiving. 

The Greatest Gift Anyone Can Receive

From Trent Winn

Serving in Michigan, USA

I would just like to say that missionary or not, Christmas is the greatest time to share the gospel.

Just think: what is the greatest gift you could give somebody this Christmas holiday? The restored gospel is the greatest gift anyone can receive over holidays! Why? Well one, because everyone in life has challenges, member of the Church or not, and the only thing that can bring true peace in the world today is the gospel of Christ. He really is Christmas. The Book of Mormon is the greatest book on this earth and is the greatest gift you can give to anyone this year! It is not anything that you buy from stores, but a gift from the heart: a gift of giving!

May we all reach out and help someone this Christmas holiday and make it the greatest one in our lives.  I know that God loves us all and works through us to help others. May we be that vessel this holiday and reach out others and share to joy we find in the Church!

Happy to Serve!

From Allison Hepworth

Teaching in Pennsylvania, USA

 The Spanish elders and the zone leaders both had a baptism yesterday, and we wanted to go to the English speaking one, but somehow missed it and ended up at the Spanish one! It was super fun! I didn't really understand much, but it was a great experience! She looked so happy, and I can't wait to find an investigator who truly desires a change in their lives! I guess I will just keep working and whether or not that happens, I am just happy to be serving our Heavenly Father who has done so much for me!

If We Ask in Faith

From Jamie Kloepfer

Teaching in Florida, USA

Serving a mission is truly life changing! And the greatest part of it all is to see others being changed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I couldn't ask for anything more:)! During this Thanksgiving season I want to especially show gratitude for a loving Savior who so willingly gave His life as a ransom for us. Serving a mission has brought about many opportunities for growth which I am certainly grateful for as well. I have never experienced something so exciting yet heartbreaking, joyous yet challenging. Though throughout it all I would not change this experience I am now having for anything! 

There was a day this last week towards the end of the evening where all of our appointments fell through. We were trying to decide quickly where we needed to be. Being somewhat new to the area I'm currently serving in, I was trying to think of any less active members that were near us. I had the thought to try and go see a family named the Armstrongs. We drove over to the street they lived on, and we parked the car to where I thought they lived. We got out of the car and approached the door and right as I knocked I looked at my companion and said "this isn't their house!" I felt somewhat embarrassed when a man opened the door and I actually started to laugh. I then said we are missionaries and we share a message about our Savior Jesus Christ. We talked briefly how families are very important. The man at the door completely agreed  with what we were saying and had us look into his house where his whole family was quietly sitting at the dinner table eating. He invited us to come in and before I knew it the little boy was running up to me with all of his batman toy figures wanting me to play with him. The family was very sweet and they all came over to the living room to hear us share with them the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I walked out of that appointment wondering if that actually happened:) it was absolutely incredible!  We had a church tour this last weekend and they came and asked many questions. Although the family is currently needing time right now to study about the Book of Mormon and know for themselves if this is true (Moroni 10:3-5) there is no doubt that God lead us to the wrong door that night to find the right people searching for truth. I know with all my heart that these people will find an answer to their sincere prayers.

 I know that our Heavenly Father answers all prayers if we ask in faith. I love this Gospel! It is indeed true and all of Gods children can come to know of it for themselves as well. I wish yall a Happy Thanksgiving this week! Remember to count your blessings:)

Love Sister Kloepfer 

Hoorah for Israel:) 

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

She Has So Much Happiness Now!

From Karsten Hinckley

Teaching in Thailand

This past week was really great! [I learned] that we need to be bold in our teaching, but not over bearing. Christ was bold, but He surely backed everything up with happiness. I know that I need to watch what I do and say every day in lessons, talking to members or just inviting. I need to take a step back and ask myself, “What would Christ ask this person or tell this person?”  I know I will try and be more Christ-like this week.

We met this girl about a month ago and she had some commandment problems, but we did not stress out about that. We supported this sister every day. We continued to teach and care. One month late, she got baptized. [The baptism was] this past Saturday and on Sunday she got the Holy Ghost. Her name is Nam. She has so much happiness now! From the first time we met to now you can see how this gospel has changed her and brought so much happiness into her life. I am so happy for this sister and her willingness to change and follow the Savior! I will strive myself to follow the Savior and help others know what He has in store for them. A goal this week I made was to invite all the homeless and needy who are begging for money to come to church. I think of Amos 3:6 I believe it is where it says, gold and silver have I none but what I have I will give thee. I know this is something that Christ would do and I know it is what one of the Apostles did. So I am going to try and do it every day. I challenge you all to try it yourself it if is possible.

God's Love is Always There

From Trent Winn

Teaching in Michigan, USA

I  thought I would share a little message and testimony. I have experienced trial after trial out here on my mission, and one thing that brings me a lot of comfort is the scripture Doctrine and Covenants 58: 2-4.

2 For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.

 3 Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.

 4 For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.

I just want to say to anyone who is experiencing trials of any kind that God’s love is always there. He never leaves you. He knows what you are going through and He allows trials to come into our lives for our benefit and after much tribulation comes the blessings. I have found that the trials that I have gone through help build my character and strength and help me be more Christ-like. I like to think of it as a star. Stars and diamonds are born under immense pressure. The same thing can happen with us. We become like diamonds and our light shines more about us as we experience immense pressures and trials. We should never give up and never stop believing. I know that there is a God of love and that Jesus is the Christ, and that one day we can inherit all that He has. That is my prayer and testimony in His sacred name, Jesus Christ, amen.

And Then The Student Became The Teacher

From Karsten Hinckley

Teaching in Thailand

This past week we have gotten to meet with Sister Booy (who was recently baptized) and teach her all the lessons over again. She lost her phone so we have no way to contact her. The other day, we went to buy some food for fast Sunday and she called us and said she was at the church. We hadn’t set up an appointment with her, so we were just a little confused. We went to the church and found her there. A member who lives across the street from the church saw her and let her use her phone to call us. We had decided to have a lesson about some of the commandments but right before we were about to teach her, we thought that watching Finding Faith in Christ was better.

We got that all set up, and then the member who lives across the street had a non member friend walk into the church! So then we decided to have Sister Booy help us teach this lady. The lady was just going on and on about how her kids are bad and how she has the dogs that bark all the time. If you ask me, the dogs sound like a personal problem. Haha. Anyways, we taught her and she is now a new investigator. A funny string of events; It all led to something good though. 

This past week I also started the Book of Mormon over again. I read everything up until the end of 1 Nephi. You can learn soooo much just from reading that. If you haven’t had the chance to do so in a while, I suggest that you take some time and read it. You will learn so much from it, I promise you. If you haven’t read the Book of Mormon yet, I encourage you to do so. It will help you to have more happiness in your life, I promise. 

If you would like to watch the video that Karsten wrote about, just click on the link below.

Finding Faith in Christ

She Needed Something More

From Cambree King

Serving in Honduras

Sometimes the miracles in the mission are hard to find, but there are truly miracles each day if we search for the hand of the Lord in our lives.

This week we taught a sister. Because we can’t knock on doors for safety, we found her through contacting with the elders. They knocked all of the doors for us and we did all of the talking. She is the sweetest lady and was very receptive. Her husband can’t walk, so he is confined to his bed most of the time. We went to teach her an actual lesson yesterday and it was incredible.

When we walked in her house, she just broke down in tears. She said that she had plans to go to a birthday party and wasn’t actually going to be there for our appointment. She explained how she has been really depressed lately and just needs something more in her life. She said she knew that in this moment she needed the peace and comfort that would come from our visit. It was incredible and the spirit was so strong. We invited her to be baptized and she has a date for baptism. At the end of the lesson, she asked if we could pray in the bedroom with her husband as a family. The spirit was incredible and these are the moments to live for in the mission.

 The Lord works miracles according to our faith. We truly prayed on where to contact with the elders and what doors to knock and our prayers were answered. It’s not easy to find people who are willing to open their door here in Juticalpa, and it was truly a miracle. 

A Life Saved, a Purpose Found

From Cariann Weiler

Serving in Idaho, USA

A woman we have been working with who hasn't been to church in quite some time recently had a near death experience. We will call her Camrie.

Camrie grew up in the church but hasn't been in years. I met her because she used to live with her active grandparents before she moved down the street. 

Camrie accidentally overdosed this last week. She had to take two different medications because of health concerns. By mistake, she took the one that she had already taken two hours before. A family member had found her and she was lying on her bed completely blue! They were able to save her life and she should be dead right now.

This woman, through her experience, has truly felt that God saved her life, and that she obviously has a purpose in still being here. Seeing a new found light in her eyes, the spirit prompted me to invite her to take the missionary lessons. She exclaimed, "Yes!" where two weeks before it would have been a absolute no. 

The work presses forward!

365 Days, Countless Miracles

From Emri Haynie

Teaching in South Korea

I hit my one year mark on my mission. My mission hasn't only blessed other people's lives, but it's blessed mine. 

Because of the choice I made to serve, it's also been 1 year since I've slept in. One year since I've eaten Mom's tacos. One year since I've driven my car, slept in my bed, watched a movie on the projector, listened to my music, updated my Facebook status, or swam in the Snake River. It has been one year since I have slept over at a friend’s house, gone to Taco Bandido, taken a road trip, eaten an Idaho potato, smelt ethanol in the air, or taken a Sunday nap. One year since I've gone to school and studied math, danced, or laid on the couch and watched TV. One year since I've been on a date. One year since I've been to my Aunt Keri's house and watched The Amazing Race. 

It's also been one whole year of not seeing my beautiful family, hugging my mom and hearing her say, “I love you.” One year since wrestling dad and calling me a wimp. One year without calling sisters and telling them stories and giving advice to each other. One year since we've all been together. 

But....

It has been 365 days of waking up at 6:30. 365 days of not missing a morning prayer, or scripture study session. One year of perfect church attendance. 365 days of walking, riding buses, subways, knocking on doors sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. One year of studying eternal truths to help others live eternally. The kinds of dates I've been on and planned for are of more importance than the onesI haven't had for a year. Sunday nights are spent on the street finding those families who are prepared and ready to start an amazing race of their own. A whole year of being tired but somehow having the energy and happiness to continue to work hard. 365 days, and who knows how many miracles!

This year I've grown closer to my Heavenly Father than I have in any of the previous 19 years of my life.

This one year has confirmed all of the things I had been taught and the beliefs I had growing up. All those times at church, seminary classes, activities, mutuals, family home evenings, all those dreaded mornings waking up before school to read the scriptures.  I now have a testimony of how important those things really are and I am so grateful for the parents and leaders who knew that before me. 

 I can't believe how fast time has flown and how much I've learned. It definitely hasn't been the easiest of rides but, just as Carlos A. Godoy said in conference, "Sometimes the best roads aren't the easiest."

 I know that this is the road that I need to be on and I am so grateful that the Lord put me on this path. I know that this Church is true. I know Jesus Christ is my Savior. I am so honored to take His place and serve others as He would. 

Guided to Go Exactly Where They Needed to Be

From Ethan Harris
Teaching in Alaska, USA

(More of the miraculous blessings he saw as he taught in Alaska last week...)

Because of the amount of woods and that being the main source of heat for Alaskans, we do a great deal of chopping wood (which is both strengthening me and wearing me out). We have been doing service for a man who has not had anything to do with church for over 30 years and he just loves us. Me and my companion felt that we should continue to help out and provide service, even though he wasn’t ready or interested in us teaching him anything. We are amazed at how, by first building a relationship, his heart was softened. He said that it’s been a while since he’s been around the Church and that he would like to come to Church and have the doctrines and principles retaught and refreshed in his mind. We also had the Elders Quorum involved in the service and this man didn’t know what to do because he was overcome with gratitude!

 We cover a island called Hoonah but, due to anti things going around, we will not be there for a while. Matt is an investigator that we teach over text and phone because we can’t see him in person due to the fact that he’s on a island. He came to Juneau for a day,  so we gave him a chapel tour of our brand new stake center. Another miracle… he brought his Ukrainian friend who, ten years previous, was an exchange student in Utah! He also has a desire to be taught and come to church!!!

 We also had a lesson cancel which always is not fun to deal with, but then we were inspired to see a inactive member. We arrived and the man was sick and needed a blessing of healing and also of comfort due to his marriage situation and other trials that he’s going through. Despite the let-down of a cancellation, we were guided to see him and that’s exactly where we needed to go.

 There has been many other blessings! I know that the Lord is mindful of each of us despite our own thoughts or doubts. He is there, He lives, and He loves us! And I know that the Lord is preparing hearts to receive this message as it reads in Alma 16…

The Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among them at the time of his coming— That they might not be hardened against the word, that they might not be unbelieving, and go on to destruction, but that they might receive the word with joy, and as a branch be grafted into the true vine, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord their God.

Inspired to Make a Call

From Ethan Harris

Teaching in Alaska, USA

This last week was wonderful to see the hand of the Lord in everything, and how we simply did what we knew we should.

During our weekly planning session, we had the opportunity to pray and seek inspiration for those that we would contact. This inspiration inspired us to focus on Lina, someone we had taught in the past but have not been in contact with for a while. For some odd reason, we didn’t have her phone number, but we had her daughter’s number.

We felt inspired to call her daughter’s number right away. [Lina’s daughter] gave us her mother’s phone number. Then she told us that she had talked about us with her friend Angie, and that Angie would like to meet with us.

Moments later she texted us and asked if we could be there in 20 minutes!  We agreed. We stopped by and met Angie, who is awesome and has a such a sincere and powerful testimony of Jesus Christ. She talks to people everywhere about him and invites them to come closer to Him. She is so interested in the powerful message that we have and she accepted the invitation to come to church.  She also told us that she would bring her granddaughter and the friend who referred us to her. MIRACLE!!!!

We also met with a part-member family. The husband is returning to church activity, he hasn’t been for ten years but is coming faithfully. The wife, who is not a member of the Church, is also coming! We felt like we should not rush the idea of us teaching her the lessons, so we began teaching from the foundation. We taught them about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and it was wonderful. Following our discussion, she asked if we could continue to teach her the "Mormon Lessons “. Her heart was softened and prepared  by our loving Heavenly Father who is mindful of everything we do!

I Pray When...

A Warm Smile and a Hand to Help

From Dominic Shaw, 
Teaching in Korea

Doctrine and Covenants section 45 verse 28 is the Lord's promise that, "when the times of the Gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fullness of my gospel."  The promise is that the Gospel itself, as restored through the prophet Joseph Smith, will be the light that leads God's children back to his presence, but I submit that we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are to be the points from which this light shines forth. It isn't hard to radiate this light.  All we have to do is continue in God by showing an interest in our fellow man (D&C 50:24).

I learned the validity of this principle here in Korea, when I met Brother Seo.  We were waiting in the bus terminal in Sacheon ( a small town in the area where we are teaching) for a bus to take us back to Samcheonpo, where we live.  As we were waiting, an 18 year old kid walked by and greeted us with a "hello" in English. This is quite common in Korea.  I decided to have some fun and see how much English he actually knew and  responded with a cheery "Hello! How are you?" a phrase most students are equipped with.  This lead to a nice little conversation in which we explained we were missionaries, exchanged numbers with Brother Seo and went our separate ways.

Later we began meeting with Brother Seo and he began attending our church because of the deep conviction he's always held that church will bless his life.  He is still in the process of investigating our church, but the point of this story however comes with what Brother Seo told me that first Sunday he attended our branch.  In explaining his reason for coming to church he said, "You were different.  I say 'hello' to foreigners all the time, but I've never received any more than a 'hello' in response.  When you asked 'how are you?' I sensed that you were different and I wanted to know more."

It's that easy.  It's a warm smile, a hand to help.  It's being a true brother or sister to everyone around us.  I promise that as we strive to treat all of God's children the way we would treat our own immediate family that the light of the Gospel which radiates from us will indeed grow "brighter and brighter until the perfect day."

A 180-Degree Change

From Carl LeCheminant,

 Teaching in Texas, USA

I would love to share an experience about finding an investigator who is particularly close to us at this time. Joe is an Active Duty Medic in the army, and at very pivotal points in his life he served with some amazing members [of the LDS Church] in his Battalion. One of which was his commanding officer who saw a lot of potential in him that even he didn't see in himself. Because of the influence of these wonderful members of the Church, and recognizing the peace they had as something he wanted, he was moved upon to come to church with his less-active wife. They approached us about teaching him the lessons so he could learn more. 

Since meeting with us he has changed his life 180 degrees and is making major decisions that will bless his life in amazing ways. He has yet to reach the waters of baptism and he is deploying within the next few months, but he is persistent on learning more and I know that as he continues to search the Book of Mormon, his life will eventually reach the point that he is hoping for.

Help from the Other Side

Brae Beck

Teaching in New Mexico, USA

I have a cool family history story to share this week.  So on Tuesday, Elder Nicholson and I went to the family history center for our weekly hour of working on our family history.  And I was reading a story about my Great-grandma Ila's grandfather John Crossley.  Let me share a portion of the story with you:

John Crossley was born in Crags, Yorkshire, England, 9 March 1814, the son of Sarah Standhaven and Anthony Crossley. John Crossley married Hannah Elizabeth Crabtree (maybe Crandall) about 1836. They had 7 children, although records for only 6 have been found. The family lived in Bradford, and Halifax. He and his family heard the Gospel from Joseph F. Smith while he labored as a missionary there. He made the Crossley home his headquarters. The Saints used a large room there for a meeting place. His wife, Hannah Elizabeth died in Bradford, 23 November 1855, of asthma. A daughter, Elizabeth, died as a child and one son died as a young man. John Crossley had a beautiful home and owned a shoe store. He was also a carpenter by trade. He later learned the trade of cobbler. When John decided to come to America, an older daughter, Sarah Ann was married and chose to remain in England. He came with two daughters, Mary and Hannah Maria, and a son, Levi. They sailed on the ship “Antarctica”, on 25 September 1863. They spent 9 weeks on the water. It seems that John Crossley left his three children in the East while he came ahead, we suppose, to make a home for them in “Zion”. It took him 12 weeks crossing the plains in the company of Captain Peter Nebeker. The three children came later, in another company and joined their father in what is now known as Bountiful, Utah.

So, the part of the story that stuck out to me was that his older daughter Sarah stayed in England.  I looked on my family tree and realized, that none of her family was on there.  So that means that they didn't join the church with her father's family.  So I started searching on ancestry.com for England census records showing Sarah Ann and her husband.  Lo and behold, I found one that  listed her and her husband Lawson Widdop, and their seven kids.  I was able to plug them into Familytree, and now I've requested their ordinances so that after my mission I can go to the temple and do their work!  Throughout this whole experience, I felt the spirit with me a lot.  It's like my "clicks" were guided to find the right information, and I know without a doubt that those cousins of mine were on the other side helping me out.  Family history is so amazing.  I'm thoroughly addicted.

Finding Joy in Thailand

Karsten Hinckley

Teaching in Thailand

I can tell you from EFFORT on our part and the members, bringing people and members into the church is more likely to happen. I have found a great joy in my work here in Thailand. Being a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ has never felt more rewarding. I love that I get to ask everyone, literally, if they want to be baptized. That work is hard but it must go on!

One Little Prayer at a Bus Stop

Trent Winn

Teaching in Michigan, USA

I had an experience where, one day, we left our apartment and ventured out on our bikes. The first person I saw was someone at the bus stop. We rode past her, but felt that we needed to stop and say hi. We stopped, shared a card, talked, and at the end we prayed with her and got a return appointment. I taught her once after that, but got transferred [ to another area].

Three months later, I got to attend her baptism. As I walked in, she threw her arms around me and, with tears in her eyes, said, “Thank you for everything! You have been the biggest part in my salvation.” It was one little contact at the bus stop, one little lesson and prayer can change a person’s life.

Remember what you say today. You might forget, but the recipient might remember it for a lifetime. I know that Satan wants us to be afraid. He wants us to fear, but as I have built my belief in God and trust in Him, it has made the difference. Just believe and all will be alright.