Moroni's promise

 Speaking a little about the importance of Moroni’s Promise, we were knocking on doors and when we crossed the street, a couple of guys contacted us. One spoke English and told us that he felt in his heart that he needed to talk to us. At first I was thinking that he must be a golden contact, but he soon got into bashing on our doctrines. He questioned our belief that we can become Gods, and how there is no physical evidence of the Book of Mormon. The scriptures support all that we believe, but he wouldn’t listen. He then remarked how the scrolls that the Book of Abraham were taken from were translated by Egyptian scholars and that their translation was different than Joseph Smith’s. He doubtingly asked, ¨Would you believe people who actually know Egyptian, or a so called prophet Joseph Smith. ¨ I simply told him that I trust a prophet of God, Joseph Smith, and that I have asked God if the Book of Mormon was true and God, Himself, told me that it was true; therefore, I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church of God here on the earth. I have absolutely no doubts. I love how anybody who really wants to know the truth can simply ask it of God and He will manifest the truth unto him or her. It is incredible and no other church in the world invites people to do that. I know the Book of Mormon is true and that it testifies of Christ and of His church. It is so true!  

Everything is well in Zion, pues.

THOUGHTS

This week I was reading about when Alma the younger had the visit from the angel. When he was out for the count he was racked with terrible THOUGHTS, but then he THOUGHT about how his dad had taught him about Christ. Thoughts are so powerful. His focus on eternal things led him to recover his strength and be healed. Everything starts with our thoughts. We can all have incredible days if we think of Christ a little more (always remember Him) and we can fulfill our potential and baptismal commitments much better, which simply allow us to have the spirit with us more! Every good thing cometh of Christ! I know He lives!

Happy Easter

Well, in this Easter season, I just want to bear my testimony that I know that Jesus Christ lives! He truly in the Son of God. There are times in my life when I feel like I cannot go any further, but I am lifted by His strength. His burden is light and He is humble and willing to take our burdens. Everything can be fixed through Him. It is just so true, because I can feel it! I love my Savior so much. He lives!

It's what we believe and how we act....

(I met Elder Buswell when he was working here in Logan at Great Harvest.  He received his mission call to Mexico, Mexico City Northwest - John's mission!!!!  After meeting him, I knew he and John would be instant friends.  They ended up in the same zone when Elder Buswell first arrived in Mexico City - thought this would be a good picture for the excerpt from John's email this past week.)

I keep kind of stepping back and looking at what I am and where and why and it is just sooooo weird, or different, than what I would’ve been doing if I wasn’t on a mission. We are two white guys who live in Mexico City and we’re going around trying to talk to people about Jesus. It is the most awesome thing in the world!!! I guess we need to be different from others to make a difference. It’s not the skin color that’s the difference, or the height or weight, it’s what we believe and how we act to demonstrate the faith in that belief.

Amazed!!!!

I am just so amazed at the spirit and its role in our lives. I was thinking about it the other night and I figure it must just be soooo incredible for the people we teach to feel the spirit for the first time. The feelings the spirit invites into our lives are just so amazing. Sometimes, as members, we take that relationship for granted. The people we teach must just love it. I’ve seen people change everything just to feel those same feelings again and sometimes we, as members struggle to change the little things to have the spirit with us more. I love the spirit and it truly is a great comforter for me. It is worth changing everything to be able to have those feelings all the time. I so grateful that President Tervort has taught us so much about the importance of the spirit. He told me once that most people just talk about ¨God, Jesus Christ, and...the other guy.¨ The spirit’s role in our lives is just as important to us as God and Christ’s role. We need the spirit for guidance in following the commandments of God and to even know He exists, we need the spirit. For the Atonement to take full affect in our lives, we need the purifying power of the Holy Ghost to cleanse us. I love being a missionary and feeling the spirit every day, but I love even more helping other people feel the spirit. It is incredible. The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored by a prophet of God. The Book of Mormon is true. Thomas S Monson leads the church today as a prophet. God loves us, we are His children and Jesus Christ truly suffered for us that we might live. I know all of this with all of my heart, because the Holy Ghost has born witness of these truths to me many times. I love you all so much!!! Thanks for everything you do and all of your prayers for me!

new area

Welp, I was transferred today. I’m now in the area Victoria 2 in the Zone, Cuautepec! I’m with Elder Layton from Draper, UT (or maybe it was Elder Draper from Layton, UT. I’m still not quite sure - ha ha.). He seems cool beans. Half my area is flat and the other half is a sweet mountain!!! There are a lot of vochos (Volkswagen bugs) because they can make it up the mountains best. It is cool, because, no matter the color, all vochos can be taxis. What a dream come true, no?

Heavenly Father is a friend. He’s the best friend that we can have.

The church is true. Jesus Christ lives and loves us! I know that he truly is mindful of us when we feel low or sad. He has passed through all of that before and truly does understand us. The Book of Mormon testifies of that and I have had so many great witnesses of the truth of Christ’s atonement from reading that sacred book. Sometimes we don’t understand the ¨why¨ part of everything, but we can feel calm if we just tell God how we feel and move on trusting in His all-knowing power. One time I just expressed myself to my loving Heavenly Father that I didn’t really get what was happening, but that I was going to keep trying my best and doing all that I could. I felt really peaceful and I truly felt the love of God. Heavenly Father is a friend. He’s the best friend that we can have. I love talking with Him. Prayer is powerful and cleansing. Heavenly Father listens and understands our hearts! I love you all!