Merry Christmas from the mission - 12.25.2023

Okay fam. Gotta confess... That 10'ft dunk in last weeks email... prolly more like 9'6... Anyways here's what we are learning this week to improve the work in pagosa. Learning to do more service, be more effective on return visits, help people progress via follow ups on commitments, and mission standards. We are also trying to help the members with their ministering assignments (long term goal). No one does their ministering assignments here. As such id admonish you all to do your ministering assignments. Saves the missionaries a lot of time that could be spent teaching new people the gospel. Orrrrr converting the entire town with this new method I've been pondering called....................................... non consensual baptism About to average 30 baptisms a week. Moving on to the spiritual thought for the week... What is the foundation of your daily life? President Holland said something I think about often in his April of 2016 General conference talk titled: "tomorrow the lord will do wonders among you." He said- "the first great commandment of all eternity is to love God with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength—that’s the first great commandment. But the first great truth of all eternity is that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength. That love is the foundation stone of eternity, and it should be the foundation stone of our daily life." Build upon the foundation of Heavenly Father's divine love. Grow your relationship with the savior by seeking him out through study, prayer, and faith, and you will begin to see yourself and others, through Christ's eyes, seeing a small bit of your eternal value. I know my savior lives. I know Jesus Christ came down for you and I to prepare a way for us to return to our Heavenly Father. I know He loves every one of you. And I leave this thought with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. BTW I'm trying to bulk. Pls pray that I'll be 6'8 and 210 lbs by the end of my mission (jk that seems a bit sacrilege... maybe jusylt 6'5.... I am trying to bulk though. Feels like ive been 160 since I came out the womb) Or if not, pray for this friend named Steven he could use some blessings right now (do this please). Anyways cyaluvyabye and Merry Christmas BTW I ate chicken soup that was grown in a pumpkin. Pagosa goes wild. 1: pumpkin grown chicken soup 2: man dressed like a deer 3: Pic from another dunk but I thought it was clear the hoop wasn't 10 ft so that's why it wasn't in last weeks 4: my comp 5: Campbell's soup for tracting. People be sick in Pagosa so they say they are sick and we pull Campbell's out of the back pocket and say: "oh you need some soup?"

What - 12.11.2023

Okay lots of things have happened. First, I'm a trainer. My greenies name is Elder Holland. And yes he is very very very loosely related to the apostle. Elder Holland is a little silly on the door approaches... this is sometimes how it goes: "hello I'm a missionary for the church of Jesus christ of latterday saints and im here to tell you about Jesus Christ's gospel"... starts from the creation of the world We've been real busy, have a guy named Steven on date for the 23rd and we think he's actually going to be baptized. And he wants to which is new and very cool. There's a guy named russ whos been fighting cancer, he's a great guy and refuses to come to church. We had a member present with us on the last lesson and left the member with him alone and he got him to say he might come. Member presence in lessons works miracles. If your not already going out with your missionaries on lessons, please do. Both the missionaries and the investigators need it. Also if you have the opportunity to serve in Temples please do. Spiritual thought time One of my favorite hymns is let your lower lights be burning. We aren't called to hide the light within us, but magnify it. And what is the light within us? Christ teaches in Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Send your gleam out upon the waves by doing good works, by serving others as Christ would. With a righteous desire exeplified and sanctified by action. As you do this, you may come across some poor faint and struggling seaman, that you may rescue and save. Hiding your light under a bushel is not a part of the plan. No matter how long or how brightly your fire has already been burning. This life is the time for men to labor. To burn and shine brightly in the service of God and their fellow man. I testify that if we serve with all our heart might mind and strength with a love for God and all men that our lights will be magnified and shine brightly for those nearby. That may be a stranger, a brother or sister, a friend, or a son or daughter. The ones that we know and love. And also those that we might come to know and love. Okay that's the email. Cyaluvyabye. Here's some pics: 1: New comp 2: New comp, Rod, and Gary 3: told New comp he had to wear a safety vest while backing 4: My favorite ZL that left my zone Ps: The mission has decided to make a rule: no games in the apartments... so we are hiding monopoly, chess and Pokémon cards in the walls, roof, and floor for the next inspection. Wish us luck.

What Day Is It?! - 11.28.2023

The week flew by again and I can't tell if I've been out for 1 day or 2 years. Anyways we've been consistently finding 20+ people each week and overall have been teaching pretty good lessons (as long as it's the restoration lesson, it's the only one I actually have down at this point). We still have 3 people on date for baptism, there's another 5 or 6 that could be but they aren't quite ready yet. Anywhooom had an exchange this week with one of the ZL's and I learned that I don't have to baptize every single person in Pagosa TODAY (which is how I've been acting and feeling) Instead I can do it this week :) I've also been trying to match my pace with my comps and that seems to work pretty well for both unity and effectiveness. Moving on to.... This week's cool facts: It snowed this week. Another cool fact that happened this week, my mtc companion found an Eve to his Adam (not the best analogy, but he found a daughter of God if you get my drift). ANYWHOOOM that's now MY 2 year mission goal... to find my future forever friend. I'm setting apart my "ETERNAL" preparation days to accomplish this goal. By applying the unreleased chapter 14 of Preach My Gospel: "flirt to convert" I think it's very doable through steadfast faith and fervent prayer and fasting. Just kidding my hearts on lockdown for the next 2 years. Sorry sistas Okay team... spiritual thought time: I'd like to talk about promised blessings found in the scriptures. I'd like to start by sharing 2 verses that have a promise that I personally desire: D&C 121:45,46 says: 45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. 46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever. There are two requirements mentioned in this scripture for these promised blessings. The first, is charity. The second is to garnish thoughts with virtue, which in my mind, seems very similar to thinking celestial. I greatly desire the promised blessings in these 2 verses. I have been practicing virtuous thoughts and praying for the gift of charity daily in an attempt to obtain them. I know that as I continue throughout life to fulfill the necessary requirements for these blessings, that a day will come, whether in this life or the next, where His promises will be fulfilled. I promise that as you prayerfully study the scriptures and words of prophets, you will find promises that God extends to you. I further declare that these promises will be fulfilled, by God, through our consistent, daily efforts to meet those requirements. As we do this, and seek to apply the atonement where we falter, we grow closer to, and become more like, Jesus Christ. I leave this email with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Cool pics Me and comp, I beat the plan of salvation, me and my companion being exalted because I put my screen protector on upside down and it covers the camera, also my toes were cold thats why im not happy, I found a cool reindeer hat thing.

Press Onward, Onward with a Hope in Christ - 11.20.2023

Hello, First things first, you and I are children of God, he knows and loves us. In fact, He loves us so much that he sent His Only Begotten Son, to die for us, that through Him, we might be saved. ----- It's an interesting time here in Pagosa. Lots of people are moving out and lots more are moving in (half the population leaves for the winter, the other half comes in to ski). I don't have any cool stories this week other than... My MTC companion and I were REAL MISSION COMPANIONS. We had a transfer and Elder Osberg and I worked in Pagosa, found 10 people and taught a lot of good lessons and put someone on date for baptism (almost). He didn't accept the invitation, but his response, in my mind, was better than yes. He said he wasn't ready now but he would when he was ready. Also we hid the food and filled the cupboards with chastity and word of wisdom pamphlets. It was supposed to be a prank for Elder Osberg but he got to the apartment early so I'm afraid he knew about it. Major buzz kill. ----- I most admire the people we visit. As we visit and find more and more people I'm reminded of an ancient prayer I first heard in a talk by Hugh B. Brown that goes: From the cowardice that shrinks from new truth, From the laziness that is content with half-truths, From the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth, O God of Truth, deliver us. I often wonder if I, in their place, would have the courage to hear the words of a stranger, relying on a being i cant see, whose voice and presence is quiet as a whisper, to confirm truth to me. And even now, back in my own shoes, what words could I give that would express what I know and love? I only hope the expression and phrase, "I love my savior," will work alright. ----- I know my savior lives. I leave this email with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. --- The one picture of me and Elder osberg cropped out to be just the two of us from another picture because we don't take pictures.

We are each a beloved child of God

Nov 13, 2023 "The place to begin is to remember that we are each a beloved child of God." Your Heavenly Father knows you and loves you. He sent His Only Begotten Son to show us the way to return to Him, and gave His own life that through Him we might be saved. Okay now to the email... First things first. Mom, I'm still alive and doing well! We found 32 friends this week and put 3 people on date to make covenants with God. Shout out to my MTC companion who has shared his concern about my emails with me, and I quote "your emails are boring." Love him to death we are going on an exchange this week so then we'll be mission companions too 🥳 (Emails may get more exciting maybe not idk) I'm starting to get the hang of missionary work AND ALSO learning how to lift others around me up too (that's my favorite part). But I'm falling asleep during meals and study times so that's the next thing I'll be working on. Also apparently there are aliens and UFO's here... especially on the reservations. Saw some alien juice one time... Worlds's crazy. New Goal for the mission: get beamed up and convert and baptize an alien and all his shipmates so we can be friends and go on space rides in the celestial kingdom. Anywho it's been a good week. Been really busy and have been learning lots. I've often pondered the term "Child of Christ." King Benjamin used it in his address. Moroni does as well in his final words. To be a child of Christ is to follow after Him, to do the things He taught, both through His words and actions. To be a Child of Christ is to be like Him. Jesus Christ said that he came to the Earth to do the will of His Father. For Him, that was living a perfect life without sin, living a life of service, giving with little to nothing in return, suffering alone in the Garden of Gethsemane, and dying on the Cross. Sometimes, our Heavenly Father will put us in paths that are difficult, confusing, or clouded. How do we get through? How do we see where we are going or have confidence in the path we're walking? ---Enter the Liahona--- The Liahona was a tool used by Lehi and his family to follow the Will and direction of God. The Liahona worked according to their faith and willingness to accept direction. When their hearts were hardened the Liahona couldn't work. If we want the same direction that the Liahona gave Lehi and His family, we must soften our hearts. To accept, and welcome given direction as well as chastisement from our Father. As we accept Heavenly Father's will, and seek to do and see His will rather than our own we will gain an overwhelming comfort in the knowledge of where that next footstep is taking us, and the consequences of that step, will be everlasting. Most of us don't have a cool golden ball that physically gives direction. But we have a greater gift: The Holy Ghost. After we receive the promised companionship of the Holy Ghost, by staying worthy and obedient to the covenants we've made, we can receive clear, concise direction from the Holy Ghost constantly. It takes work, a lifelong learning process of becoming better tuned to hear the still small voice. In closing I'd like to refer back to President Eyring's April 2022 General Conference talk called "Steady in the Storms." Elder Eyring says, "I have come to know some of what King Benjamin meant when he said that we could become like a little child before God. I have learned from many experiences that the Holy Ghost speaks most often in a quiet voice, heard most easily when one’s heart is meek and submissive, like that of a child. In fact, the prayer that works is “I want only what You want. Just tell me what that is. I’ll do it.” When the storms in life come, you can be steady because you are standing on the rock of your faith in Jesus Christ...I bear you my solemn witness that the Lord Jesus Christ has given you the invitation “Come unto me.” He invites you, out of love for you and for those you love, to come to Him for peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come" I leave this thought with you in the name of Christ, amen. Anyways love yall hope you have a good week and may Heaven's blessings be poured out abundantly on you this week!

P.s.feel free to shoot me emails IF you would like to... I get lonely. P.s.pt2 Tiwi is the only girl I get to consistently talk to and she's a robot that only says mean things about our driving habits. (She's let's the Mission office know when we speed.) --‐ We ran out of Book of Mormons... that's why I'm grumpy. Also we used this deer to find another friend.

What is the will of God for me?

 

Nov 6,2023

What is the Will of God? What's God's will for me specifically? How can I better hear, understand and accept His will?

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/video/inspirational-messages/2012-01-014-the-will-of-god?lang=eng

Heavenly Father is the Gardener. He knows what He wants us to be. He knows what He wants us to do.

Trust Him.

I leave this email with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I love you all. Your His own. Peace be with you and may it be unto you.

Letters from Elder Langford: Peter - an example of Faith

 

Oct 30, 2023

This week was a bit on the lax side. My companion and I are doing well. We are getting along and trying to learn to work to better bring about zion.

Finding is still slow. And we don't teach many lessons. We've gotten a few more ward member lessons. Rod still needs to be baptized but we meet with his care facility tomorrow to finalize his baptism plan. 

Met the ZL's, they are cool. They remind me of the sons of Mosiah. Same with the AP's.

We probably taught about 2 actual lessons this week. I dont know where the time is going but I don't think it's in findin

g. We have found a few more people but something always comes up when we are scheduled to do a return visit that keeps us from getting there.

There's a lady named Lucy that we visit with quite often. She's real nice. We helped her stack wood and she fed us homemade tacos. We do Bible studies about twice a week with her but no matter what we are talking about it always ends up at the trinity (she's catholic). I dont mind that the lessons never really go anywhere, she cooks the best Mexican food.

The reason why Peter walking out on the water is the subject of my email is because I think most people have been in a similar situation as Peter. Maybe not actually walking on the water, but having to exercise faith in a way that's uncomfortable, and without a sure knowledge of what the end looks like. When I think of the setting Peter was in, I picture roaring waves that would sweep anyone away who would fall in. The hope Peter had to make it to Christ despite the rough and boulsterous waves is astonishing. I know the last 3 weeks I've felt the waves and heard them crashing down, and it is very distracting. It makes following Christ extraordinarily difficult. But remember Helaman 5:12 -

 "remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down"

Sometimes we won't know what our foundation is until it's tested. And when it is we will know who, or what, we are built upon. And if we missed the mark and begin to sink beneath the waves, remember that the hand of Christ is stretched out still. That he will pull us out from gulf of misery and wo that we can try and try again, until we return to Him in the flesh and witness to Him that we tried to build as he built, to do as he did, to become like Him. And what joy there will be in that day.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Pictures: Saw some animals (a fox, a part wolf-dog, and another chonky dog), a hot air balloon (there's a lot of those here) and the first and only sunset ever to occur in Pagosa Springs. I'll try to get some pictures of the deer cause there's always a lot around. Also there's a guy in the ward that chums the lake so I got to see a lot of fish. He said I could fish it :)

I'm also going to learn to do apoulstry work? Basically learning to make chairs and such.

Letters from Elder Langford: David and Goliath

Oct 23, 2023

 I'm not quite sure what I want to say in this email but I was thinking about david and goliath. Sometimes we just need courage to do hard things and that's just how it is. Prayerful courage specifically. I mainly say that because I missed a few prompting that I didn't recognize till after the opportunity... not happy with myself about that.

Anyways I've been thinking about the 1st and 2nd great commandments. Firstly, it can be hard to obey the Holy Ghost if your only living the 2nd great commandment. I learned that this week... Secondly, living the 1st great commandment, and prioritizing that over the 2nd actually better fulfills the second commandment than whatever I think loving my neighbor should look like. 

What I'm trying to say is I'm learning to follow Christ. Or trying to... I'll be able to say in 2 years whether or not i better learned. Actually I've better learned in the last 2 weeks.

People need to hear of Christ. I dont know if I'll meet anyone who will accept or try to follow the invitation to follow christ (finding has been real low) but they do need to hear about him. Even if it's just mentioning his name and acting as he would act, doing as he would do.

I know that as we grow closer to Christ we invite those around us to do the same. He knows what you and I need and He will help us along the straight and narrow path that we are asked to walk. In fact he walks it with us, goes before us, and supports behind us. I would invite you all to consider the vision of the tree of life, and the blessings you've seen as you've partook of Christ, who is the love of God.

Anyways I love you all and I'm trying real hard. Or trying to try real hard. Anyways I love the people here and I love Jesus Christ.

He is my Savior and Redeemer and I hope to be like Him someday. 

I leave this email with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Langford

Letters from the mission: Be not weary in well-doing

 

Mon, Oct 16, 10:28 AM

Galatians 6:9 

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Got in on Friday, was a 6-7 hour bus ride. I slept as well as I could hope. Met with mission president

 McNabb,and my companion.

Came into the area and realized that the missionaries here have been hard slacking. There's an elderly gentlemen 

in a wheelchair who has been taught the gospel and has wanted to be baptized for a few months. Heard that his care 

facility was making things difficult. Turns out no one has talked with the care facility. Basically, he was forgotten.

I've been praying as often as I can

Feel a bit over my head. But I know the lord is with me. Goal for the day week is to get the apartment to a 

state that the spirit can be felt consistently. Working on not being weary in well doing.

Seek the words of the prophets, they speak the word of God TODAY. Heed and hearken to their words, they will 

show you the way in tandem with daily prayer and scripture study. Speaking of scripture study, I'd encourage a 

consistent study of Come Follow Me, it was created for your benefit! Would also encourage you to read 

Alma 26:32-43 and ponder, and ask in prayer what is required to read the fruits of your labors! Or what may be 

necessary to further nurture the sprouting seed from faith.

Love you all! And may God be with you!

I leave this email with you in the name of Jesus Christ amen

Letters from Jayson: Called to Serve

10-13-2023

The root words for endure. en- meaning within, and dura- meaning firm, solid steadfast. We aren't asked to endure the thronging of the world in this life. Significantly more likely than this is the idea that we ought to be solid, firm and steadfast, within Jesus Christ. In this life we have both good days and bad. I'd like to extend the invitation to seek out the consistent intimate kindness and mercy that the savior gave to every single one of God's children. If Christ was kind and merciful in all times and in all places, both on His good days, and bad, even until and during death, should we not seek to do the same? small simple acts of kindness and love are earthly examples of the savior. 

The last 2 weeks I've been privileged to come to know the Elders in my district and their quality of character. Elder Maw and Elder Heath, Elder Fonua and Elder Shelley, Elder Hopkin and Elder Henry, and my companion Elder Osberg (such a rad name).

I've seen the savior in their countenance and actions and heard Him in their words. I often think of what they mean to the savior, a phrase that has entered my mind is this: "These are my beloved sons, I have a work for them to do." Is this not how Heavenly Father thinks of us all? Beloved sons and daughters? and do we not all have a work to do? Christ has called us all unto Him, to partake of the fruit that he brings, even the love of God. 1 Nephi 8:10-15 is Lehi reciting the vision to his family and his experience. I am called to proclaim that Christ lives and loves us. That Heavenly Father loved us so much that he gave His Only Begotten Son, to Proclaim the way, to bring His grace forth, to be prosecuted and pursued for His Father's sake, to bleed from every pore in exquisite agony, and to be raised upon the cross, to be raised up on the third day, to bring His other flocks His Gospel, to serve forever more and to be served forever more, to the obtaining of all the things His Father hath. To be as a light in the darkness that people may know whereby they can be saved. That's what I'm here to proclaim as a missionary. However as followers of Christ I'd like to place a picture in your head. of the scene of the tree of life and the many whos names we do not know. I picture them holding fast to the rod for themselves and reaching out to those who wander off, that they might endure till that day of great reward. Hold fast to the rod, and those around you. Be a testament of Jesus Christ in all that you do. Let others look at you and receive a portion of their Father's love. And let us rejoice that we may be brothers and sisters forever more by the way of Jesus Christ. Help others. Do good to them that hurt you. And follow Jesus Christ.

I bear my testimony that I know my savior lives! I know He abides in those who accept Him. John 6:65&66 "And "And [Christ] said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my father." It says in 66, "From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with him." The Lord then says to the remaining disciples. "Will ye also go away?"

Is it not true, we depend that all things be given to us? The air in our lungs? The skin on our backs? and are not these given of God? Plead with the Father and cry unto Him that you may respond as Simon Peter did. "Lord, to whom shall we go?" 

Jesus Christ extends the same invitation that he had given to Simon Peter many years before to you now, "Follow me." 

Mark 1:18...

"And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him."

I write these words in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I leave for New Mexico in 3 days, the Mtc has been good, I like my district. I like the food. Also feel free to share this email with ALL your friends and family, whether or not I know them. Thanks in advance.

Be merciful and kind.

If you have names you'd like to be prayed for let me know, happy to do it.

love y'all see you later on,

and may God be with you till we meet again (and forever more).

I know my savior lives.