Good afternoon!
Last week was pretty good. We have a lot of investigators now, many of them with baptismal dates. I hope someone gets baptized. Sounds like a few of them aren't co-habitating. We're still teaching Alma and Antonio. They didn't go to church on Sunday but we had a really good visit with them a few days ago. We watched the Restoration DVD and then testified with all our hearts that they need to sincerely pray to know if the Book of Mormon is true. Our invitation to people sounds easy enough: read, ponder, and pray about the Book of Mormon to know if it's the word of God. And then, when the Holy Ghost testifies that it is, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of God? Sound simple but it's amazing how many people don't actually give it a try. It's as though once we leave the house everything we just taught goes out the door with us. Often when we run into people on the street that say they have a copy of the Book of Mormon but they don't believe any of it I ask them if they've sincerely prayed to know if it's true. I've never had anyone like that ever honestly tell me they have. I am convinced that as soon as a person sincerely follows Moroni's promise all they can do after that is either accept the truth or choose to reject it. There's a reason why we've been counseled not to move on to the second lesson until those we teach have kept their commitments to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. Alma and Antonio seem to be sincere enough. They pay attention.
We're also teaching a man named Guillermo who wants to be baptized on the 29th, another man named Armando who committed to be baptized that same day, and we were just referred to a man named Javier who already accepted an invitation from some other elders to be baptized September 4th. So we're being blessed with many people that seem to have been prepared.
I think my Spanish is healing from my 6 months in the office. Elder Colón is helping me out a lot. When I slow down and teach simply I speak a lot better. I don't struggle much when it comes to understanding people.
I had a really good study the other day about doing what is right even when everyone around you is doing otherwise. I was pondering about the youth in our area. A lot of these kids are raised in an environment where crime, immorality, and drugs are as common as anything else. There are a lot of streets in Compton and Paramount where people can only park on one side of the street so that the cops can have more room for drug trafficking. I've already heard two of the members of the stake presidency here talk about staying out of gangs. A 17-yr-old in Long Beach just got sentenced to 255 years in prison (yes, 255). I believe that there are many people here that are capable of rising above the norm here. A lot of the Samoan people that I've met in the church used to be gangsters. I knew an ex-crypt member that got sealed in the temple last year. Anyway, I was reading in the Book of Mormon and I came across Mosiah 17:2 which says: "And there was one among them whose name was Alma..." Alma was an immoral priest of Noah before he believed in the words of Abinidi. There's also the example of Abish (Alma 19:16-). She and her father were probably the only Lamanites in their community that were already converted to the Lord before Ammon came around. There's also Aminadab (Helaman 5:35-41). He's an example of an inactive member finally finding the courage to do what he already knew to be right. And there's Nicodemus (John 3:1 and see footnote a). He was stuck with the Pharisees but he had enough courage to visit Christ in secret, to stand up for Him in court, and to bring myrrh to His sepulchre after His death. All these people were examples of people standing up for righteousness in a community of wickedness.
Elder Colón and I went to a meeting with the stake president here with President Bubert and the Assistants. That was interesting. We just discussed the missionary work going on in the wards here in the Long Beach Stake.
For my birthday I was on exchanges with and elder named Elder Sutton. We tracted a lot and we found a family named la familia Lara and we taught them. Elder Colón got me a cupcake and he lit it and the elders sang Happy Birthday. Thaks for the card the cash and the license! You sniff farts too Hannah. Funny thing is that I really don't look a day over 16. Or at least that's what everyone says when I tell them how old I actually am.
Here in the Long Beach Zone I have to privilege to see many black people get baptized. The Long Beach 7th ward is definitely the most diverse english ward I've ever been to. As zone leaders we try to go to every baptism the elders in the zone have.
I have not inquired about my bike yet, but I am planning to take care of that before my next e-mail. Fear not, it shall get home.
Love you and don't get trunky!
Love,
Elder Tyler J. Lewis
Thursday, August 26, 2010
August 10. 2010 (Email)
Hello!
As far as I know September 12th sounds like a fantastic day to give a homecoming talk!
We had some neat experiences last week. Wednesday night we weren't having much success finding people to teach and we ran out of plans by about 8:00 p.m. While we were driving I received a distinct impression that we should go to an apartment complex on a street called Vermont. I've rarely received impressions that specifically before. I told Elder Colón and we turned around and went to the complex I was thinking of. We knocked on the first door and right away a mexican man answered. After we invited him to learn he let us into his home. His name was Jose Saucedo. We had a powerful lesson with him. When we shared the message of the Restoration with him he felt the Spirit and he recognized it. He said that he felt peace and that it gave him goosebumps. When he gave the closing prayer he mentioned over and over again that he felt peaceful. Jose gave us his phone number, asked for the directions to the church, and even set a baptismal goal for later in the month. Unfortunately he's a truck driver and he's hard to catch. He should be home again tomorrow though.
We also found a couple people named Antonio and Alma. They're in their 20s and we had a great lesson with them too. Alma said that she's never been baptized and that it bothers her. Antonio hasn't been to any church since he was a kid. They didn't go to church on Sunday but that afternoon I felt like we should go and invite them to a baptism our ward would be having later that evening. They came! The baptism was their first exposure to the Church and it went well. We're going to see them again this evening.
I'm enjoying the Mexican food but I'm also running a couple miles every morning so I think I'm actually losing weight. I think I'm floating somewhere around 133.
Elder Colón does not go home the same day as me. He already knew Spanish so he was only in the MTC for three weeks. He goes home the transfer after me with Elder Collier.
Gracias por todo! Hope all's well! Sounds like you're all doing good and being good. I hope you had a happy birthday Mom! Good luck on your pending half-marathon Dad! And I hope you enjoy Young Woman life and all that implies Hannah! And how's my dog?
Love
Eder Tyler J. Lewis
As far as I know September 12th sounds like a fantastic day to give a homecoming talk!
We had some neat experiences last week. Wednesday night we weren't having much success finding people to teach and we ran out of plans by about 8:00 p.m. While we were driving I received a distinct impression that we should go to an apartment complex on a street called Vermont. I've rarely received impressions that specifically before. I told Elder Colón and we turned around and went to the complex I was thinking of. We knocked on the first door and right away a mexican man answered. After we invited him to learn he let us into his home. His name was Jose Saucedo. We had a powerful lesson with him. When we shared the message of the Restoration with him he felt the Spirit and he recognized it. He said that he felt peace and that it gave him goosebumps. When he gave the closing prayer he mentioned over and over again that he felt peaceful. Jose gave us his phone number, asked for the directions to the church, and even set a baptismal goal for later in the month. Unfortunately he's a truck driver and he's hard to catch. He should be home again tomorrow though.
We also found a couple people named Antonio and Alma. They're in their 20s and we had a great lesson with them too. Alma said that she's never been baptized and that it bothers her. Antonio hasn't been to any church since he was a kid. They didn't go to church on Sunday but that afternoon I felt like we should go and invite them to a baptism our ward would be having later that evening. They came! The baptism was their first exposure to the Church and it went well. We're going to see them again this evening.
I'm enjoying the Mexican food but I'm also running a couple miles every morning so I think I'm actually losing weight. I think I'm floating somewhere around 133.
Elder Colón does not go home the same day as me. He already knew Spanish so he was only in the MTC for three weeks. He goes home the transfer after me with Elder Collier.
Gracias por todo! Hope all's well! Sounds like you're all doing good and being good. I hope you had a happy birthday Mom! Good luck on your pending half-marathon Dad! And I hope you enjoy Young Woman life and all that implies Hannah! And how's my dog?
Love
Eder Tyler J. Lewis
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
August 3rd, 2009 (Email)
Hello!
Sounds like you all had a lot of fun in Flaming Gorge!
Things are going good over here in Long Beach. Last week Elder Colón and I went to 4 Zone Leader Training meetings with all the zone leaders in the mission, the Assistants and President Bubert. The Church has put out a bunch of new material for all of the missions worldwide to start focusing on. They're trying to hammer a bunch of stuff into our heads from Preach My Gospel such as the Doctrine of Christ, the role of the Spirit in conversion, seeking personal revelation from prayer, the Book of Mormon, and church attendance-- and a bunch of other stuff. Each meeting was about 6 hours long. It was like an amazing mini MTC experience. It was fun getting to hear from President Bubert so many times. I feel like I've already had 6 Zone Conferences with him. I pretty much have. So even though my time working with him will be short I already feel very familiar with him and how he does things.
Elder Colón and I are working with a couple people in Compton that are preparing for baptism. I almost forgot how big of an issue co-habitation is with the spanish-speaking community. Everybody's living with their novios and novias. So we're trying to help some people become esposos and esposas. Did you know that "esposa", the spanish word for wife, also means handcuff? (same with husband.) So that gives you somewhat of an idea about how some people view marriage here. So we're helping a couple people learn how to live the Law of Chastity and the Word of Wisdom so they can get baptized.
I'm going to get fat again. I've had a lot of rice, orchata, carne asada, jamaica, tortillas-- all that good mexican food. So good!
Hey, next time you go to the temple I challenge you to study King Benjamin's address in Mosiah chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5. Over one hundred elements of the temple can be found in those scriptures. At the very beginning of Mosiah chapter 2 the verses direct your attention to the temple. Everyone's gathered around the temple to listen to King Benjamin, with their families and their tents pointed toward the temple. So what the Book of Mormon's trying to do is say "Hey! Now start thinking about the temple!"
Well, I hope things are going well up there. I'm glad to hear Mom's leg is getting better. Sorry you can't run the half-marathon. Good luck Dad! And I hope you had a happy 12th birthday Hannah!
I'm planning on shipping my bike home. I don't have a car so I'll definitely need that. The office has some sort of a system set up-- I think it'll cost me about $50 to ship home. Right now my bike's still in the Assistants' apartment and it will probably stay there until I call the office to figure out how to ship it home. And yes, September 7th's the day. See you then!
Love,
Elder Lewis
Oh, a couple more things I was supposed to tell you. (Mom's questions)
My apartment is fine-- no cockroaches. We're in car and we get 1250 miles a month as Zone Leaders. And Elder Colón is an awesome Elder. His Puerto Rican accent is a lot of fun.
I have to go now-- there's other elders waiting to use this computer.
Cuídense!
Love,
Tyler
Sounds like you all had a lot of fun in Flaming Gorge!
Things are going good over here in Long Beach. Last week Elder Colón and I went to 4 Zone Leader Training meetings with all the zone leaders in the mission, the Assistants and President Bubert. The Church has put out a bunch of new material for all of the missions worldwide to start focusing on. They're trying to hammer a bunch of stuff into our heads from Preach My Gospel such as the Doctrine of Christ, the role of the Spirit in conversion, seeking personal revelation from prayer, the Book of Mormon, and church attendance-- and a bunch of other stuff. Each meeting was about 6 hours long. It was like an amazing mini MTC experience. It was fun getting to hear from President Bubert so many times. I feel like I've already had 6 Zone Conferences with him. I pretty much have. So even though my time working with him will be short I already feel very familiar with him and how he does things.
Elder Colón and I are working with a couple people in Compton that are preparing for baptism. I almost forgot how big of an issue co-habitation is with the spanish-speaking community. Everybody's living with their novios and novias. So we're trying to help some people become esposos and esposas. Did you know that "esposa", the spanish word for wife, also means handcuff? (same with husband.) So that gives you somewhat of an idea about how some people view marriage here. So we're helping a couple people learn how to live the Law of Chastity and the Word of Wisdom so they can get baptized.
I'm going to get fat again. I've had a lot of rice, orchata, carne asada, jamaica, tortillas-- all that good mexican food. So good!
Hey, next time you go to the temple I challenge you to study King Benjamin's address in Mosiah chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5. Over one hundred elements of the temple can be found in those scriptures. At the very beginning of Mosiah chapter 2 the verses direct your attention to the temple. Everyone's gathered around the temple to listen to King Benjamin, with their families and their tents pointed toward the temple. So what the Book of Mormon's trying to do is say "Hey! Now start thinking about the temple!"
Well, I hope things are going well up there. I'm glad to hear Mom's leg is getting better. Sorry you can't run the half-marathon. Good luck Dad! And I hope you had a happy 12th birthday Hannah!
I'm planning on shipping my bike home. I don't have a car so I'll definitely need that. The office has some sort of a system set up-- I think it'll cost me about $50 to ship home. Right now my bike's still in the Assistants' apartment and it will probably stay there until I call the office to figure out how to ship it home. And yes, September 7th's the day. See you then!
Love,
Elder Lewis
Oh, a couple more things I was supposed to tell you. (Mom's questions)
My apartment is fine-- no cockroaches. We're in car and we get 1250 miles a month as Zone Leaders. And Elder Colón is an awesome Elder. His Puerto Rican accent is a lot of fun.
I have to go now-- there's other elders waiting to use this computer.
Cuídense!
Love,
Tyler
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
July 27th, 2010 (Email)
Hello!
I've been transferred. Now I'm serving in the Long Beach 16th Ward as a Zone Leader with Elder Colón. Our area covers all of Compton and Paramount and part of North Long Beach. I'm so excited! Elder Colón is from Puerto Rico. We flew to the mission from the MTC together.
Last week was a great week. Elder Cluff and I had some really good experiences. First off, Richard Conrad got baptized on Sunday. On Sunday morning we went to escort him to his ride. He invited us into his apartment and told us that he wanted to show us something. He pulled out his giant Book of Mormon and turned to 2 Nephi chapter 31 and said, "This whole chapter is all about baptism. It's really good. I understand that when you're baptized you've got to behave yourself-- you've gotta keep your covenants." At that moment the Spirit bore witness to me that he was ready to make those covenants. He came to church and enjoyed it. His baptism was a spiritual experience. I baptized him and Elder Cluff helped him in and out of the water. Bro. Conrad's countenance changed after he was baptized. He seemed happy and excited. After the ordinance he turned to Elder Cluff and I and asked, "So am I a Mormon now?" We told him, "Almost! You're halfway there! Now you just have to receive the Holy Ghost."
Elder Cluff and I also had a good finding experience last week. One night while planning a couple weeks ago I received an impression that we needed to go visit Alex. I thought it was odd because we weren't teaching anyone by that name. So I opened the Area Book and found three people in the potentials section named Alex. Then we went to go contact them. One of them lived on 4th street in Seal Beach. We went and knocked on the door and someone came from the backyard. He was a 20-ish year old guy and he asked if we were Mormon missionaries. When we said yes he got excited and invited us into his home and offered us some water. He said his name was Jamie. We told him that we came to visit someone named Alex. He asked if we meant Alice, his mom. We said yes and then he went and got his mom. When she saw us she wasn't pleased and she kicked us out of her house. But Jamie still wanted to talk with us. He said that his mom was a Quaker, his dad was a Jew, and that most of his family were atheists. Jamie really wanted to hear what we had to say. We shared the message of the Restoration with him and he received it really well. The Spirit was there and Jamie gratefully accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon. He said if he found out it was true he'd be baptized. But he also said that he was going to Hawaii for a couple weeks and so we'd have to wait until then to visit him again. So that was my first and last lesson with Jamie. I feel that he's been prepared for our message.
On Friday I went on exchanges on bike in the Long Beach 10th ward. I like being one bike. I've never served in a real bike area my entire mission. Weird.
Well, that's all I have time to tell you. I have a ton of stuff to do today and too little time to do it all. I'm going to miss the office and I'm thankful that I got to serve there as the Mission Secretary, but I'm also very excited to serve as a Zone Leader here in the Long Beach Zone.
Have a great week! I'm going to send Hannah a birthday card today so you might not get it before you go camping. And Mom I hope you start feeling better soon. I love you all!
Love
Elder Tyler Lewis
I've been transferred. Now I'm serving in the Long Beach 16th Ward as a Zone Leader with Elder Colón. Our area covers all of Compton and Paramount and part of North Long Beach. I'm so excited! Elder Colón is from Puerto Rico. We flew to the mission from the MTC together.
Last week was a great week. Elder Cluff and I had some really good experiences. First off, Richard Conrad got baptized on Sunday. On Sunday morning we went to escort him to his ride. He invited us into his apartment and told us that he wanted to show us something. He pulled out his giant Book of Mormon and turned to 2 Nephi chapter 31 and said, "This whole chapter is all about baptism. It's really good. I understand that when you're baptized you've got to behave yourself-- you've gotta keep your covenants." At that moment the Spirit bore witness to me that he was ready to make those covenants. He came to church and enjoyed it. His baptism was a spiritual experience. I baptized him and Elder Cluff helped him in and out of the water. Bro. Conrad's countenance changed after he was baptized. He seemed happy and excited. After the ordinance he turned to Elder Cluff and I and asked, "So am I a Mormon now?" We told him, "Almost! You're halfway there! Now you just have to receive the Holy Ghost."
Elder Cluff and I also had a good finding experience last week. One night while planning a couple weeks ago I received an impression that we needed to go visit Alex. I thought it was odd because we weren't teaching anyone by that name. So I opened the Area Book and found three people in the potentials section named Alex. Then we went to go contact them. One of them lived on 4th street in Seal Beach. We went and knocked on the door and someone came from the backyard. He was a 20-ish year old guy and he asked if we were Mormon missionaries. When we said yes he got excited and invited us into his home and offered us some water. He said his name was Jamie. We told him that we came to visit someone named Alex. He asked if we meant Alice, his mom. We said yes and then he went and got his mom. When she saw us she wasn't pleased and she kicked us out of her house. But Jamie still wanted to talk with us. He said that his mom was a Quaker, his dad was a Jew, and that most of his family were atheists. Jamie really wanted to hear what we had to say. We shared the message of the Restoration with him and he received it really well. The Spirit was there and Jamie gratefully accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon. He said if he found out it was true he'd be baptized. But he also said that he was going to Hawaii for a couple weeks and so we'd have to wait until then to visit him again. So that was my first and last lesson with Jamie. I feel that he's been prepared for our message.
On Friday I went on exchanges on bike in the Long Beach 10th ward. I like being one bike. I've never served in a real bike area my entire mission. Weird.
Well, that's all I have time to tell you. I have a ton of stuff to do today and too little time to do it all. I'm going to miss the office and I'm thankful that I got to serve there as the Mission Secretary, but I'm also very excited to serve as a Zone Leader here in the Long Beach Zone.
Have a great week! I'm going to send Hannah a birthday card today so you might not get it before you go camping. And Mom I hope you start feeling better soon. I love you all!
Love
Elder Tyler Lewis
Monday, July 26, 2010
July 20th, 2010 (Email)
Hello!
Well, Richard Conrad didn't get baptized on Saturday because he said he didn't feel well. So we've postponed his baptism to next Sunday. I hope he gets baptized then because I'm getting transferred a week from today. I already saw the transfer facts so unless it gets changed this week I already know where I'm going. I'll surprise you next week with that info. It's a spanish ward! :) And it includes some areas where I've already served...
I've studied a lot about the Book of Mormon lately. I read a great talk by Elder L. Tom Perry about the blessings that come from reading the Book of Mormon. President Hinckley promised that if you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you've previously read it, there will come into your life 1. an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, 2. a greater resolve to be obedient to God's commandments, and 3. a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God. An additional blessing that Elder Perry identified had to do with Moroni 10:32-- that if you will consistently and prayerfully read the Book of Mormon and abide by its precepts you will eventually be perfected in Christ. A few days ago while knocking down in Seal Beach we came across a guy that questioned our belief in the Book of Mormon. He refused to see its purpose and merely cast it aside as an attempt to add on to an "insufficient" Bible. I mentioned to him that Brigham Young once pointed out that all the docrines of salvation taught in the Book of Mormon can also be found in the Bible, so really that's beyond the point. The Book of Mormon clearly has a different purpose than the Bible. Yes the Book of Mormon teaches the doctrine of Christ clearly and plainly so as to avoid any misunderstanding, and yes the Book of Mormon establishes the truths taught in the Bible so as to lay down contention and avoid falsehood, but when it comes down to it the Book of Mormon is here to serve as tangible evidence of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Further, it is supposed to be used as a springboard for testimony and personal revelation. Yep, it's all about faith and all about the Spirit. There you go! That's it! No proof, no reliable archaelogical finds and no gold plates for you to handle. That's the idea! Theologians such as the one we happened upon object and always draw back to their dead sea scrolls and archaelogical evidence, but when it comes down to it none of that can truly convince a soul that Jesus Christ is the resurrected Lord and Savior of all mankind. That witness comes from the Holy Ghost. Eventually we're all backed up to the wall of faith. The Book of Mormon just happens to push us there faster. Sister Julie B. Beck said in the last General Conference that "the ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life." So naturally that's also what the Book of Mormon aims at.
Did I ramble? Yep.
Well, not too much is happening with our investigators. We were focusing so much on getting Richard Conrad prepared for his baptism that we didn't have too much time to go knocking or any fun stuff like that. Richard Conrad did at least pass his baptismal interview last week so he's all set there.
President Bubert is doing interviews everywhere. He interviewed me yesterday and it was good. He told me that he wants me to expire before my temple recommend expires. He said that your temple recommend indicates that you're worthy to receive guidance from the Spirit. He shared his testimony with me. He's an inspired man. I felt impressed yesterday that he is who God wants to lead this mission now and that he'll do exactly as the Lord directs.
Elder Cluff and I have spent a lot of time in Leisure World. Yesterday we taught an old Alaskan fisherman and his 94-yr-old mom. We gave some priesthood blessings. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to serve in that strange place. I've had the chance to visit some lonely people that really have needed us.
Here's one of my favorite scriptures. I was reading a talk by Elder Quentin Cook this morning called "Our Father's Plan-- Big Enough for All His Children" and it reminded me of a passage of scripture found in Helaman 3:27-30. "The gate of heaven is open unto all." More specifically, it is open unto "whosoever will." Agency is the key. Whoever really wants to be saved will be saved, because whoever really wants to be saved will come unto Christ and obey God's commandments according to His will.
Things are going well in the office. President Bubert is learning how things work here and Elder Lynn is as well. I'll miss the office. I've enjoyed working alongside my Mission Presidents, the Assistants, the Blakes, Elder Collier, Elder Cluff and the many missionaries I've got to serve. It's been a sacred experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
That's amazing that Grandpa Cox went skydiving. Maybe I'll go and do that with Mom someday. Glad to hear Grandpa Lewis is doing well. Thanks for helping me with my DL. I already have my flight itinerary so I'm getting on that plane either way. And I'm not trunky. I still have a lot of work to do here.
Have a fantabulistic week!
Love,
Elder Tyler J. Lewis
Well, Richard Conrad didn't get baptized on Saturday because he said he didn't feel well. So we've postponed his baptism to next Sunday. I hope he gets baptized then because I'm getting transferred a week from today. I already saw the transfer facts so unless it gets changed this week I already know where I'm going. I'll surprise you next week with that info. It's a spanish ward! :) And it includes some areas where I've already served...
I've studied a lot about the Book of Mormon lately. I read a great talk by Elder L. Tom Perry about the blessings that come from reading the Book of Mormon. President Hinckley promised that if you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you've previously read it, there will come into your life 1. an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, 2. a greater resolve to be obedient to God's commandments, and 3. a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God. An additional blessing that Elder Perry identified had to do with Moroni 10:32-- that if you will consistently and prayerfully read the Book of Mormon and abide by its precepts you will eventually be perfected in Christ. A few days ago while knocking down in Seal Beach we came across a guy that questioned our belief in the Book of Mormon. He refused to see its purpose and merely cast it aside as an attempt to add on to an "insufficient" Bible. I mentioned to him that Brigham Young once pointed out that all the docrines of salvation taught in the Book of Mormon can also be found in the Bible, so really that's beyond the point. The Book of Mormon clearly has a different purpose than the Bible. Yes the Book of Mormon teaches the doctrine of Christ clearly and plainly so as to avoid any misunderstanding, and yes the Book of Mormon establishes the truths taught in the Bible so as to lay down contention and avoid falsehood, but when it comes down to it the Book of Mormon is here to serve as tangible evidence of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Further, it is supposed to be used as a springboard for testimony and personal revelation. Yep, it's all about faith and all about the Spirit. There you go! That's it! No proof, no reliable archaelogical finds and no gold plates for you to handle. That's the idea! Theologians such as the one we happened upon object and always draw back to their dead sea scrolls and archaelogical evidence, but when it comes down to it none of that can truly convince a soul that Jesus Christ is the resurrected Lord and Savior of all mankind. That witness comes from the Holy Ghost. Eventually we're all backed up to the wall of faith. The Book of Mormon just happens to push us there faster. Sister Julie B. Beck said in the last General Conference that "the ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life." So naturally that's also what the Book of Mormon aims at.
Did I ramble? Yep.
Well, not too much is happening with our investigators. We were focusing so much on getting Richard Conrad prepared for his baptism that we didn't have too much time to go knocking or any fun stuff like that. Richard Conrad did at least pass his baptismal interview last week so he's all set there.
President Bubert is doing interviews everywhere. He interviewed me yesterday and it was good. He told me that he wants me to expire before my temple recommend expires. He said that your temple recommend indicates that you're worthy to receive guidance from the Spirit. He shared his testimony with me. He's an inspired man. I felt impressed yesterday that he is who God wants to lead this mission now and that he'll do exactly as the Lord directs.
Elder Cluff and I have spent a lot of time in Leisure World. Yesterday we taught an old Alaskan fisherman and his 94-yr-old mom. We gave some priesthood blessings. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to serve in that strange place. I've had the chance to visit some lonely people that really have needed us.
Here's one of my favorite scriptures. I was reading a talk by Elder Quentin Cook this morning called "Our Father's Plan-- Big Enough for All His Children" and it reminded me of a passage of scripture found in Helaman 3:27-30. "The gate of heaven is open unto all." More specifically, it is open unto "whosoever will." Agency is the key. Whoever really wants to be saved will be saved, because whoever really wants to be saved will come unto Christ and obey God's commandments according to His will.
Things are going well in the office. President Bubert is learning how things work here and Elder Lynn is as well. I'll miss the office. I've enjoyed working alongside my Mission Presidents, the Assistants, the Blakes, Elder Collier, Elder Cluff and the many missionaries I've got to serve. It's been a sacred experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
That's amazing that Grandpa Cox went skydiving. Maybe I'll go and do that with Mom someday. Glad to hear Grandpa Lewis is doing well. Thanks for helping me with my DL. I already have my flight itinerary so I'm getting on that plane either way. And I'm not trunky. I still have a lot of work to do here.
Have a fantabulistic week!
Love,
Elder Tyler J. Lewis
