March Madness Mission

Well week 1 of this transfer is in the books already! Elder Cannon (Mr. Muscles) is awesome. He adds a sense of energy and excitement to the work, he's a great fit! Plus I like to eat, and he likes to cook so it works out pretty well.

Well this week flew by. We had 4 at church! Al and Joanne, Nikki and Cesar. They all loved it. We were even able to get Al and Joanne along with Cesar to stay for the Gospel Principles class which was a HUGE blessing. In fact I had even prayed specifically for that. It was a miracle indeed. The lesson was on Prophets in preparation for General Conference. The Spirit was so strong, and it left Al balling. They both are progressing day by day. Joan expressed a concern regarding Joseph Smith and how the Book of Mormon is adding to the bible and about how in the bible it tells us not to do that. We let her know of first the importance of voicing that question. We then left her with a really good cliff hanger to get her ready for next lesson. "Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon" will be the topic of our discussion. We are so ready!

We also want to do all we can to get as many members there as we can. Members are key to conversion. President Kimball taught how our investigators need to come in a "Unity with the Saints". And I also saw the truthfulness of this message as we found Cesar our New Investigator! He is a 33 year old single guy who lives with his mom. We found him tracting week 6 of last transfer. He is a believer who has been doing some soul searching and wants "more". And he found it. We taught him this past week about Jesus Christ. We were able to do some HTBT and also invite him to church. And he came and stayed for all 3 hours! The Elders quorum did a great job at fellowshipping!

Anyways, as I have been studying the Book of Mormon daily I have been drawn towards the brother of Jared. Aside from the Savior there is probably not a person in all of Holy Writ who had as much faith as the brother of Jared. This is a great lesson of how we can acquire a blessing from the Lord.

As we go to the Lord seeking divine intervention he will always require us to act first. He has given us a brain, the ability and COMMANDMENT to "act, and not be acted upon". Faith is a principle of Power. The Lord told the brother of Jared you can't do it this way, you can't do it that way, you shouldn't do it this way, and you shouldn't do it that way etc…but he then put it back on the Brother of Jared. He said “ How would you do it". One of the greatest blessings I have acquired will here serving a full- time mission is the eternal truth that we are the creative source behind our own lives. We are the sons and daughters of a creator. I have a testimony that while we are here in this preparatory state, he expects us to create. To get in condition first as the brother of Jared did (Repentance) and then act, then account to the Lord for the blessing. He first was chastened by the Lord, and then according to his acts the Lord remembered mercy.

Next week we will be combining both A1 and A2 into one. So that should be really exciting. For the first couple months we split the ward with 2 other Elders so that should be good. I love you all and please remember to do those things from day to day that will have Eternal Consequences.

Love, Elder Judd