Ah, there's our missionary, and his companion Elder Clint Earl from Tremonton, Utah.
Nice pictures of the temple, huh? Next time, I hope he sends a few more of himself!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Pictures!
Lawrence's weekly email came full of pictures this time. Although he's only in two of them, I think it gives people not familiar with the area a chance to see what Provo looks like. Or at least, a section of Provo. Days like the ones in these pictures are so nice. The snow is starting to melt, the sun is shining, and we start to see evidence that another winter is coming to an end. Featured in many of the pictures is the Provo Temple. The temple is right across the street from the MTC, and the missionaries get to go once a week. If you go at the right time, you see throngs of missionaries either on their way to, or coming out of the temple, or playing sports on the big field in front of the temple. Can you see why it's hard for family and friends living in the area to stay away?
Ah, there's our missionary, and his companion Elder Clint Earl from Tremonton, Utah.
Nice pictures of the temple, huh? Next time, I hope he sends a few more of himself!
Ah, there's our missionary, and his companion Elder Clint Earl from Tremonton, Utah.
Nice pictures of the temple, huh? Next time, I hope he sends a few more of himself!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Waiting for a Devotional
In Lawrence's latest letter, he wrote his email address. As he mentioned before, he's only allowed to email immediate family. He only has 30 minutes a week to read and write emails, so I wanted to make sure no girls were tempted, and smudged out his address. Don't be offended! Again, I know Lawrence would LOVE to get a letter from you, so send one to the address he wrote in the top right hand corner.
MTC Mailbox #91
ARG-MEN 0414
2005 N 900 E
Provo, Utah 84604-1793
2-19-08
ARG-MEN 0414
2005 N 900 E
Provo, Utah 84604-1793
2-19-08
Dear Family,
How are you? I'm sitting in the gym, right now, waiting for the devotional to start with Dennis B. Neuenschwander of the Quorum of the Seventy (I had to wait for the slide with his name to pop-up a couple of times before I could finish spelling it). Today was my P-day and I got to set up my e-mail, but Jennifer's e-mail was the only one I could remember, so ya'll have to give me your e-mails in your next letter :). Hopefully this letter and my e-mail won't overlap too much. I got everyone's letters and a package from Julie today, on my P-day, so I get to respond to everything immediately. The MTC is still awesome, seriously! :) I've been studying like crazy but I'll bet it'll pay off on my mission. I'm in intermediate Spanish, which helps me remember a lot. Elder Morril and Hermana Greenland moved up to advanced, but they were pretty good already. Hermana Greenland's uncle is my mission presient, which is kind of funny. We sing before the devotionals as a prelude and the Spirit from a ginormous crowd of missionaries is amazing. I was getting a little choked-up during the prelude Hymns of the last devotional. Jennifer, don't pull your braces off like Mr. Madrid :). It's probably painful anyways. I was right about Valentine's Day. Nobody talked about it much-except that we got heart-shaped cookies from the cafeteria. MTC food is amazing, but I've probably already said that, and I've probably already gained 50% of my weight in chocolate milk. The MTC is better than I expected, though, I don't know how Elders found time to take lightsaber or Matrix pictures. I found the lightsaber pencil like Joel has, but it's around $12, and I only get $6 a week in missionary allowance. I don't know about chocolate milk runs at BYU since I actually have to pay for that chocolate milk, but I'll go with Jennifer anyways :). Dear Elder is pretty awesome since it comes so fast so feel free to send me Deal Elder letters as often as you'd like :). If you haven't gotten my e-mail by now, there's a problem :). My e-mail now, by the way, is [sorry girls, I smudged it out! :)] but don't take my word for it. Check the return address from Jennifer's e-mail if you can. My teachers at the MTC are Hermana Higginson and Hermana Allard. I'm sleeping pretty well since we have quiet time for about 15 minutes right before we go to bed. I actually have written a few of the thank-you notes, but I haven't known any addresses, so I'll enclose a list of the addresses I need. I got a package from Julie, I don't know if you heard, full of stuff she picked up from the BYU housing fair and from around Provo. Thank you all, so much, for all of your letters of support. The MTC is very much about Christ's love and I can definitely feel your love from your letters and from Julie's package. I couldn't have asked for a better family, a better companion, or even a better place to be for two years (in the mission field and not just the MTC :) ). I want you to know that I love you and that Heavenly Father loves you. Just as I'm protected as a missionary, Heavenly Father will protect you and bless you. Something we learn more about in the MTC is that Christ really lives. Joseph Smith saw God and His son, Jesus Christ. The Gospel is true and the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Compared to these truths, what else matters? I pray that we can all remember that. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
The Missionary,
Elder Williams
How are you? I'm sitting in the gym, right now, waiting for the devotional to start with Dennis B. Neuenschwander of the Quorum of the Seventy (I had to wait for the slide with his name to pop-up a couple of times before I could finish spelling it). Today was my P-day and I got to set up my e-mail, but Jennifer's e-mail was the only one I could remember, so ya'll have to give me your e-mails in your next letter :). Hopefully this letter and my e-mail won't overlap too much. I got everyone's letters and a package from Julie today, on my P-day, so I get to respond to everything immediately. The MTC is still awesome, seriously! :) I've been studying like crazy but I'll bet it'll pay off on my mission. I'm in intermediate Spanish, which helps me remember a lot. Elder Morril and Hermana Greenland moved up to advanced, but they were pretty good already. Hermana Greenland's uncle is my mission presient, which is kind of funny. We sing before the devotionals as a prelude and the Spirit from a ginormous crowd of missionaries is amazing. I was getting a little choked-up during the prelude Hymns of the last devotional. Jennifer, don't pull your braces off like Mr. Madrid :). It's probably painful anyways. I was right about Valentine's Day. Nobody talked about it much-except that we got heart-shaped cookies from the cafeteria. MTC food is amazing, but I've probably already said that, and I've probably already gained 50% of my weight in chocolate milk. The MTC is better than I expected, though, I don't know how Elders found time to take lightsaber or Matrix pictures. I found the lightsaber pencil like Joel has, but it's around $12, and I only get $6 a week in missionary allowance. I don't know about chocolate milk runs at BYU since I actually have to pay for that chocolate milk, but I'll go with Jennifer anyways :). Dear Elder is pretty awesome since it comes so fast so feel free to send me Deal Elder letters as often as you'd like :). If you haven't gotten my e-mail by now, there's a problem :). My e-mail now, by the way, is [sorry girls, I smudged it out! :)] but don't take my word for it. Check the return address from Jennifer's e-mail if you can. My teachers at the MTC are Hermana Higginson and Hermana Allard. I'm sleeping pretty well since we have quiet time for about 15 minutes right before we go to bed. I actually have written a few of the thank-you notes, but I haven't known any addresses, so I'll enclose a list of the addresses I need. I got a package from Julie, I don't know if you heard, full of stuff she picked up from the BYU housing fair and from around Provo. Thank you all, so much, for all of your letters of support. The MTC is very much about Christ's love and I can definitely feel your love from your letters and from Julie's package. I couldn't have asked for a better family, a better companion, or even a better place to be for two years (in the mission field and not just the MTC :) ). I want you to know that I love you and that Heavenly Father loves you. Just as I'm protected as a missionary, Heavenly Father will protect you and bless you. Something we learn more about in the MTC is that Christ really lives. Joseph Smith saw God and His son, Jesus Christ. The Gospel is true and the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Compared to these truths, what else matters? I pray that we can all remember that. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
The Missionary,
Elder Williams
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Another One
Another of Chris's sisters posted this on our family website today. This picture's even closer. I'm so glad they got to see each other! Hopefully they run into each other a few more times before Chris leaves next month.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Cousins
Our cousin Chris Williams reported to the MTC earlier today. He will head off to New Zealand after his 2 1/2 week stay. When his family brought him over, they saw Lawrence! There are more than 2000 missionaries there, so the odds of this happening were pretty slim. Here are two happy Williams missionaries!
Good luck Chris! With Chris reporting, we have three missionaries in our family. The third is Robert Clark, who has been in Brazil since September. I'd better get writing!
Good luck Chris! With Chris reporting, we have three missionaries in our family. The third is Robert Clark, who has been in Brazil since September. I'd better get writing!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
First Email
Lawrence's first email was sent to us today. It was actually sent to my sister Jennifer because hers was the only email address he could remember. So I guess Tuesday is the magic day for us to expect emails.
Hey Jennifer!
Today is my first Preparation Day so I finally got the chance to set up my e-mail. I couldn't remember everyone else's e-mail so it's your job to send them all to me. I can only e-mail people in my immediate family and I only have 30 minutes to read and write e-mails so they might be short. Thank you so much for your Dear Elder letter. Hopefully you've gotten my first letter by now. That one was meant for the first day I was in the MTC but I didn't have the chance to mail it because I didn't have any stamps at the time. Elder Earl, my companion, was kind enough to loan me a stamp so I was able to send the letter. I'll probably send another letter today since it's my P-Day and since I finally got a chance to buy stamps. Unfortunately I probably bought too many so I might send extra letters just to use them up. Hopefully you won't mind that :) . Well I've been having a lot of fun in the MTC so far. Elder Earl looks a lot like Robert and every so often it throws me off. As you might have heard, I ran into Joel twice so far and it was fun to see him. Also, I keep running into Chip, excuse me, Elder Hancock because he has lunch or dinner right after my district does. Also, I'm now addicted to Purell hand-sanatizer because they have a dispenser at nearly every entrance and exit to a building. My Spanish has been coming along but so far a lot of it has been remembering what I learned in school. I have learned, however, how to pray in Spanish, and with a little help from the Spirit I'll hopefully be able to testify of the Gospel by Wednesday, which I guess is tomorrow. I ran into Elder Norton twice and even some people from BYU like my Elders Quorum president who picked up my mission call for me. He's probably on his way to San Diego by now but it should be fine. Fortunately the MTC hasn't entirely weaned us from computers just yet, as is probably evidenced by this e-mail. They also have a computer program called TALL which is Teacher Assisted Language Learning or something like that. It has a bunch of fun activities for learning the language. I hope it actually helps though, but it might be more fun that useful, unless I'm learning without even knowing it. It feels good to be typing again. My fingers feel much better now striking all of the keys. Sorry, by the way, for how long my e-mail address is but I think this is the format they wanted us to do it in, which is kind of weird since they didn't want Elder in the address. Hopefully it should be easy to remember though. Let's see, what else has been going on... Today all of the Argentina missionaries were fingerprinted and in a few Tuesdays we'll have to meet with the Argentine Consul to finish up Visa work. Who know's why we have to meet with the Argentine Consul, but hopefully, at least, it'll speed up the Visa process. Sorry if the e-mail is a little long, but I figured you wouldn't mind it too much, and I still have about 10 minutes left on my e-mail time. However, I probably won't have this much time usually, and I think they want the e-mails to be a little shorter, but whatever works is fine with me. I think I'm able to squeeze more time out of e-mail time since I've had practice typing. The food is awesome at the MTC. There's always too much to eat and they've got a pretty good selection. I've rarely gone away from a meal in the cafeteria hungry or disliking what I had (although there was one breadstick, but I think I just got the wrong one). I can have BYU chocolate milk with every meal but I've tried to restrain myself because I have the feeling I've already gained like 5 pounds in the past 7 days. Speaking of 7 days, we figured out that some time today, I'll be over 1% done with my mission. It really does go by fast. We've been having gym time nearly every day or so too. Elder Earl and I have gone running on the MTC track they have on the third floor of the gym. I guess it's something like ten laps for a mile, but it's a nice track. You can see down into the main floor of the gym where we can play basketball, volley ball, and four-square. I was kind of surprised about the four-square too, but apparently it's quite popular at the MTC, and dangerous. A few people have had their shoulder dislocated or a split lip. I might possibly refrain from playing four-square while I'm in the MTC just because I kind of need my shoulders sometimes. They've got a lot of resources in the MTC for the missionaries, which I'm sure Joel could tell you more about. Today Elder Earl and I went to the LRC where we learned how to make a study journal. A few days before we went to the TEC to teach the first lesson from Preach My Gospel. We did a lot better than we thought. I enjoyed it and the teacher we were teaching to did a good job of pretending to be an investigator. Well, I'm about out of time so I've got to end the e-mail and get ready for lunch before the computer kicks me off. I'm loving the MTC and the Spirit is really strong here. The church really is true and I hope you guys really remember that. Have a great day and I'll talk to you later, bye!!!
Sincerely,
Elder Williams :)
Hey Jennifer!
Today is my first Preparation Day so I finally got the chance to set up my e-mail. I couldn't remember everyone else's e-mail so it's your job to send them all to me. I can only e-mail people in my immediate family and I only have 30 minutes to read and write e-mails so they might be short. Thank you so much for your Dear Elder letter. Hopefully you've gotten my first letter by now. That one was meant for the first day I was in the MTC but I didn't have the chance to mail it because I didn't have any stamps at the time. Elder Earl, my companion, was kind enough to loan me a stamp so I was able to send the letter. I'll probably send another letter today since it's my P-Day and since I finally got a chance to buy stamps. Unfortunately I probably bought too many so I might send extra letters just to use them up. Hopefully you won't mind that :) . Well I've been having a lot of fun in the MTC so far. Elder Earl looks a lot like Robert and every so often it throws me off. As you might have heard, I ran into Joel twice so far and it was fun to see him. Also, I keep running into Chip, excuse me, Elder Hancock because he has lunch or dinner right after my district does. Also, I'm now addicted to Purell hand-sanatizer because they have a dispenser at nearly every entrance and exit to a building. My Spanish has been coming along but so far a lot of it has been remembering what I learned in school. I have learned, however, how to pray in Spanish, and with a little help from the Spirit I'll hopefully be able to testify of the Gospel by Wednesday, which I guess is tomorrow. I ran into Elder Norton twice and even some people from BYU like my Elders Quorum president who picked up my mission call for me. He's probably on his way to San Diego by now but it should be fine. Fortunately the MTC hasn't entirely weaned us from computers just yet, as is probably evidenced by this e-mail. They also have a computer program called TALL which is Teacher Assisted Language Learning or something like that. It has a bunch of fun activities for learning the language. I hope it actually helps though, but it might be more fun that useful, unless I'm learning without even knowing it. It feels good to be typing again. My fingers feel much better now striking all of the keys. Sorry, by the way, for how long my e-mail address is but I think this is the format they wanted us to do it in, which is kind of weird since they didn't want Elder in the address. Hopefully it should be easy to remember though. Let's see, what else has been going on... Today all of the Argentina missionaries were fingerprinted and in a few Tuesdays we'll have to meet with the Argentine Consul to finish up Visa work. Who know's why we have to meet with the Argentine Consul, but hopefully, at least, it'll speed up the Visa process. Sorry if the e-mail is a little long, but I figured you wouldn't mind it too much, and I still have about 10 minutes left on my e-mail time. However, I probably won't have this much time usually, and I think they want the e-mails to be a little shorter, but whatever works is fine with me. I think I'm able to squeeze more time out of e-mail time since I've had practice typing. The food is awesome at the MTC. There's always too much to eat and they've got a pretty good selection. I've rarely gone away from a meal in the cafeteria hungry or disliking what I had (although there was one breadstick, but I think I just got the wrong one). I can have BYU chocolate milk with every meal but I've tried to restrain myself because I have the feeling I've already gained like 5 pounds in the past 7 days. Speaking of 7 days, we figured out that some time today, I'll be over 1% done with my mission. It really does go by fast. We've been having gym time nearly every day or so too. Elder Earl and I have gone running on the MTC track they have on the third floor of the gym. I guess it's something like ten laps for a mile, but it's a nice track. You can see down into the main floor of the gym where we can play basketball, volley ball, and four-square. I was kind of surprised about the four-square too, but apparently it's quite popular at the MTC, and dangerous. A few people have had their shoulder dislocated or a split lip. I might possibly refrain from playing four-square while I'm in the MTC just because I kind of need my shoulders sometimes. They've got a lot of resources in the MTC for the missionaries, which I'm sure Joel could tell you more about. Today Elder Earl and I went to the LRC where we learned how to make a study journal. A few days before we went to the TEC to teach the first lesson from Preach My Gospel. We did a lot better than we thought. I enjoyed it and the teacher we were teaching to did a good job of pretending to be an investigator. Well, I'm about out of time so I've got to end the e-mail and get ready for lunch before the computer kicks me off. I'm loving the MTC and the Spirit is really strong here. The church really is true and I hope you guys really remember that. Have a great day and I'll talk to you later, bye!!!
Sincerely,
Elder Williams :)
First Day in the MTC
The day that we said goodbye to Lawrence, he was instructed to write to us, while the thoughts of the day were still fresh in his mind. He hadn't set up an email account yet, so it had to be hand-written. I'm pretty sure that the rest of the letters from here on out will be emailed, however. I typed up the letter, but I will also include the scanned document that my dad sent to me, in case you want to read it in Lawrence's own handwriting. It seems like he's doing great! Please notice the address written in the top right-hand corner. That one is better than the one I posted earlier. I'll remind everyone that if you want to leave a comment for Lawrence, I will send it to him. So please feel free to do so. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have, as well. Happy reading!
Dear Family,
Today's my first day in the MTC. They told us to write home our first day and I figure it helps us keep everything fresh in our minds. I admit it was hard saying good-bye this morning but I hope we can all remember the strength of the Spirit more than just the fact that we were parting. Just because we can't be together physically doesn't mean we can't carry each other around in our hearts. Though memories never replace the real thing I will keep my memories of you strong and I will keep you in my prayers. It means a lot that I'm in such a family that would prepare me for the MTC and for my mission. I love you all very much and my service throughout my mission is because of my love for you and my Savior.
Today we covered much of the administrative stuff but I'm sure Joel could have told you that. I'm getting along with my companion very well and was happy to find out that he also did Cross-Country. He's interested in doing either accounting or dentistry but I'm sure he'd be happy and enthusiastic in either. One of my District Leaders in my branch (I think that's the term) is going to the Uruguay Montevideo West Mission so hopefully China's in that mission. We got the ten-cent tour of the MTC but I think I'll still rely heavily on the map for a while. It did take me about 3 weeks to learn my schedule at BYU. Hopefully the Spirit will help me cut that time down. The one cruelty of the MTC is that almost immediately after I left the room where we said good-bye, they had us take pictures for the branch presidents to get to know us. I wasn't terribly "together" at the time as Joel may be able to find out. I also ran into Chip Hancock and Blake Hull my old Elder's Quorum President which helped me feel as "at home" as I could without actually being home. It will be hard to train myself to use their proper title as I accidentally called Elder Hull by his first name. I can't think of what else to say as my memory's strained just trying to remember all the things we went over today. I'm on the top bunk and get to practice my gymnastics going up and down from my bunk. They gave all the ladders to the sisters. I love you all and I can personally testify that this church is true.
With the Greatest Love,
Elder Williams
If you were confused by his reference to China being in Uruguay, he is referring to our great aunt China (pronouced 'CHEE-nuh', it's a nickname), who resides in Uruguay.
Dear Family,
Today's my first day in the MTC. They told us to write home our first day and I figure it helps us keep everything fresh in our minds. I admit it was hard saying good-bye this morning but I hope we can all remember the strength of the Spirit more than just the fact that we were parting. Just because we can't be together physically doesn't mean we can't carry each other around in our hearts. Though memories never replace the real thing I will keep my memories of you strong and I will keep you in my prayers. It means a lot that I'm in such a family that would prepare me for the MTC and for my mission. I love you all very much and my service throughout my mission is because of my love for you and my Savior.
Today we covered much of the administrative stuff but I'm sure Joel could have told you that. I'm getting along with my companion very well and was happy to find out that he also did Cross-Country. He's interested in doing either accounting or dentistry but I'm sure he'd be happy and enthusiastic in either. One of my District Leaders in my branch (I think that's the term) is going to the Uruguay Montevideo West Mission so hopefully China's in that mission. We got the ten-cent tour of the MTC but I think I'll still rely heavily on the map for a while. It did take me about 3 weeks to learn my schedule at BYU. Hopefully the Spirit will help me cut that time down. The one cruelty of the MTC is that almost immediately after I left the room where we said good-bye, they had us take pictures for the branch presidents to get to know us. I wasn't terribly "together" at the time as Joel may be able to find out. I also ran into Chip Hancock and Blake Hull my old Elder's Quorum President which helped me feel as "at home" as I could without actually being home. It will be hard to train myself to use their proper title as I accidentally called Elder Hull by his first name. I can't think of what else to say as my memory's strained just trying to remember all the things we went over today. I'm on the top bunk and get to practice my gymnastics going up and down from my bunk. They gave all the ladders to the sisters. I love you all and I can personally testify that this church is true.
With the Greatest Love,
Elder Williams
If you were confused by his reference to China being in Uruguay, he is referring to our great aunt China (pronouced 'CHEE-nuh', it's a nickname), who resides in Uruguay.
Elder Lawrence Williams
MTC Mailbox #91
ARG-MEN 0414
2005 N 150 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793
MTC Mailbox #91
ARG-MEN 0414
2005 N 150 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793
Friday, February 15, 2008
An Official Missionary!
On Wednesday, Lawrence reported to the Missionary Training Center! It was hard to say goodbye, but we know he is doing what he should be doing. We also know that he's going to be the greatest missionary of all time! He's only been out a couple of days, so we haven't gotten any letters yet. Until we do get some, here are some pictures from the MTC when we dropped him off.
If you want to write to Lawrence, here is his address. I know he would absolutely love to get a letter from you.
When he sends us his first letter, we will have a more concise address for you. Until then, this will get your letter where it needs to go. I'll also mention that if you want to send Lawrence a shorter message, you can write a comment on this blog, and I will send it his way.
On my family's blog, I've posted about the events leading up to the MTC. If you'd like to read about them, go ahead and visit.
Stay tuned for the first letters from Elder Williams!
If you want to write to Lawrence, here is his address. I know he would absolutely love to get a letter from you.
Elder Lawrence Williams
Argentina Mendoza Mission
Provo Missionary Training Center
2005 N 900 E Box #91
Provo, UT 84604
Argentina Mendoza Mission
Provo Missionary Training Center
2005 N 900 E Box #91
Provo, UT 84604
When he sends us his first letter, we will have a more concise address for you. Until then, this will get your letter where it needs to go. I'll also mention that if you want to send Lawrence a shorter message, you can write a comment on this blog, and I will send it his way.
On my family's blog, I've posted about the events leading up to the MTC. If you'd like to read about them, go ahead and visit.
Stay tuned for the first letters from Elder Williams!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
A Post From Elder Williams Himself!
Well, after doing a good job of forgetting to write on my own blog I finally sat down this evening and decided to write a post (after being reminded by my sister Lisa who was kind enough to provide this blog).
With the recent passing of our wonderful prophet President Gordon B. Hinckley I feel especially blessed to have been able to receive my mission call before he left for his Heavenly Father. While I'm leaving for a mission among the living, he's already left for a mission among those on the other side of the veil. I know it will always be a great blessing to be able to say I lived during President Hinckley's time as prophet. I testify that Gordon B. Hinckley was a prophet just as Joseph Smith was a prophet. Their work is the Lord's work which is the mission of this His church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am honored to be able to assist in that work for 2 years as a missionary for the church. I only wish it could be longer. I will grow more during the next 2 years than I have for the past 19. One of my religion professors at school mentioned that a mission is like a tithing of the first 20 years of my life. Interestingly enough I'll be getting home after my 21st birthday, indicating that I'll need to continue serving the Lord even after my mission.
I'm really excited to be going on a mission. For all the Savior has done for me, 2 years is the least I can do for Him. There are billions of people out there in the world who don't have the gospel in their lives and are missing out on countless blessings and unimaginable joy because of it. Every person on this Earth is a child of God and they deserve to know who their Heavenly Father truly is and how much He loves them. I get to be His messenger and share His message of love while I'm on my mission.
I know this church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, really is Christ's church and is the only true church on Earth. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ really do love me and want me to return to them. I have such a loving family and a loving ward and both have contributed significantly to where I am today. I know that without the strong spirit that both of them bring I might not be preparing for a mission right now. Joseph Smith really did see God and translated the Book of Mormon through His power. The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and it can draw me closer to God by following its precepts than any other book. I have read the Book of Mormon and I personally know that anyone who follows Moroni's advice by reading the Book of Mormon and praying to know of its truthfulness will receive a testimony of it. Throughout my mission I hope to spread these truths and my testimony of these truths and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
With the recent passing of our wonderful prophet President Gordon B. Hinckley I feel especially blessed to have been able to receive my mission call before he left for his Heavenly Father. While I'm leaving for a mission among the living, he's already left for a mission among those on the other side of the veil. I know it will always be a great blessing to be able to say I lived during President Hinckley's time as prophet. I testify that Gordon B. Hinckley was a prophet just as Joseph Smith was a prophet. Their work is the Lord's work which is the mission of this His church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am honored to be able to assist in that work for 2 years as a missionary for the church. I only wish it could be longer. I will grow more during the next 2 years than I have for the past 19. One of my religion professors at school mentioned that a mission is like a tithing of the first 20 years of my life. Interestingly enough I'll be getting home after my 21st birthday, indicating that I'll need to continue serving the Lord even after my mission.
I'm really excited to be going on a mission. For all the Savior has done for me, 2 years is the least I can do for Him. There are billions of people out there in the world who don't have the gospel in their lives and are missing out on countless blessings and unimaginable joy because of it. Every person on this Earth is a child of God and they deserve to know who their Heavenly Father truly is and how much He loves them. I get to be His messenger and share His message of love while I'm on my mission.
I know this church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, really is Christ's church and is the only true church on Earth. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ really do love me and want me to return to them. I have such a loving family and a loving ward and both have contributed significantly to where I am today. I know that without the strong spirit that both of them bring I might not be preparing for a mission right now. Joseph Smith really did see God and translated the Book of Mormon through His power. The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and it can draw me closer to God by following its precepts than any other book. I have read the Book of Mormon and I personally know that anyone who follows Moroni's advice by reading the Book of Mormon and praying to know of its truthfulness will receive a testimony of it. Throughout my mission I hope to spread these truths and my testimony of these truths and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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