New Year's Resolutions

Hello Everybody!

This week has been great! I got the wonderful opportunity to see my beautiful family! I'm so grateful for the chance to talk to them! I know that they are proud of the great choices I am making. Though I loved talking to them, I know that the work I am doing here is incredibly important and I am happy that I can!

Last week, on Christmas eve, we got to go to Bryce Canyon with the Workman family for our P-day activity. It was so much fun! It was absolutely beautiful there. I recommend going in the winter because it is absolutely beautiful. Something cool that we realized was, when you are down in the Canyon, you can not see the full perspective of the Canyon but just small beautiful parts. In the the same way, when we are in the midst of trials during this life, we are not able to see the full picture. We catch small glimpses of beauty that help us push forward until we can make it to the view point of our Heavenly Father and see everything.

With the new year right around the corner, I have decided that it is important to look at things with that greater perspective. How do we do this? Through the Plan of Salvation. Joseph Smith has said, "The great plan of salvation is a theme which ought to occupy our strict attention, and be regarded as one of heaven’s best gifts to mankind." 

Proclaiming the wonderful truth and comfort of the Plan of Salvation is one of the main reasons I came out on my mission. I am committing to further my studies of this wonderful, complete plan that was created for each one of us individually to make it back to our Heavenly Family.

Seeing my own family, I take great comfort in my knowledge of eternal families. I hope I can share the great comfort that I have with others.

Have a great New Year's!

Elder Francis

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Hey all you people!

With Christmas so close, one of the most common questions I get is, "Are you feeling pretty homesick?" Hahaha though I love my family more than words can describe, I have not felt homesick in the slightest. I'm sure it's because Utah is not too different from my hometown plus we are too busy to think about it. 

Christmas on the mission is a different kind of Christmas. It's far more centered on Christ and giving to others. I feel like this is the first time in my life that I am truly experiencing Christmas as it was supposed to be. I focus nearly all my efforts on serving others and helping them come closer to Jesus Christ. I know that the Christmas spirit is real because I am truly experiencing it!

We had a baptism this week for Ethan! He is a 9 year old and is super shy. He was so nervous about being baptized but he did great! His dad baptized him and his whole family became active again. Its situations like those that make me so happy. I know of quite a few people in my home ward who are less active members and I want to be able to help them so much. Here, we have been asked to only work with nonmembers and less active families are supposed to go to the ward or our senior couple. It was hard for me to accept that at first, but I see the wisdom in it now.

I hope you all have a great Christmas! I am super excited to be able to talk to my family tomorrow! Remember to love your family, especially during this Christmas season. I am lucky enough to be able to send them packages and to receive packages from them. I also get to video chat with them during Christmas and Mother's day! I am very blessed here in Richfield, Utah!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas! Have a great week! 

Elder Francis

P.s. 

My mom sent us some matching ties for Christmas and so me and my companion wore them this Sunday.

This picture was taken at stan's Christmas party which is legendary.

Jolly old St. Nicholas

This week has gone by so fast!

We have had quite a bit of things happen. We went on exchanges with Monroe on Tuesday and I get to meet a family that has some pigs! Thursday was a blitz with the Zone Leaders so that they could do a baptizimal interview for us. It was also my first time having to do some planning for the area without help. It was really good! We have great Zone Leaders who do a good job of inspiring us to work harder.

Then, this Saturday, we had Samantha's baptism! Samantha is awesome and, even though I was only there to teach the last few principals, she was ready for baptism. It was really cool though because her whole family came to the baptism and none of them are members of the church. It was a really good baptizimal service. 

That following Sunday was a very busy day. We went to two wards sacrament meetings, stayed at one for the rest of the classes, and then had a special Christmas dinner with the Dorm branch. After that, we went over to the Dorm (the Dorm is a building for high school age kids to have the opportunity to go to high school here in Richfield) and helped in their Christmas program. Elder Lane played the piano for one of their songs and I sang Jolly Old St. Nicholas. It was not a great performance hahaha but it was good enough.

The work here is exploding! Elder Lane and I have been finding some great potential as well as started teaching quite a few people whom I genuinely think will be baptized. Untop of the already good sized teaching pool we had, we are now teaching so enough people to keep most of our days full. This, combined with exchanges, district meetings, and blitzes of the other areas means that we have absolutely no time which I absolutely love!

We have already been invited to some really awesome houses for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so I am very excited for this coming week. Work has been great with everyone so open to hearing a Christmas message, but we honestly have done much door knocking because we have been so busy.

Life is good here in Richfield! It is getting cold and I am not quite prepared for that Haha, but it will be good. 

Have a great week!!

Elder Francis

Give me this mountain

This week has been slow. We did have zone conference on Thursday and it was very good! We emphasized the importance of maintaining a good attitude during this Christmas time and using this season to proclaim Christ's message! At nearly every dinner message, we have been sharing the #lighttheworld message.

It is so important for us to remember the true meaning of Christmas. Try and do some service to those around you. I have found that, as I look outside of myself and try and serve others, I am much happier and my trials seems easier to bare.

Speaking of trials, I got extremely sick this week hahaha. I got the stomach flu Thursday night and was still recovering all day Friday. I prayed so much hahaha! Saturday morning I was still feeling kinda sick and I was seriously contemplating staying home, but then I remembered the bible story of Caleb.

Caleb and Joshua are the only two original generation of Israelites to receive their inheritance after 40 years in the wilderness. This meant that Caleb got to choose what land he wanted as his inheritance. The Anakims, the giants, were still inhabiting part of the promised land, and they still had to be taken out. Caleb, now at 85 years old, said, “Give me this mountain” (Josh. 14:12).

The story of Caleb has always been a very cherished and loved story for me because my name is also Caleb, but I also feel like it is my job to maintain the honor of my namesake. When at my lowest of low, mentally and physically, I simple said to my Heavenly Father, "Give me this mountain" signifying that I willingly accept all the challenges and trials that I am given. I have a sure testimony that Heavenly Father does not give us any trial without also giving us a way to get through it and grow because of it.

The Church is true and the book is blue!

Have a good week!!

Pictures: 

We got a new car!! It's a 2018 Nissan Rogue.

We set up a Christmas tree in our apartment!!!

This is a super decked out house that we saw.

Elder Francis

How are all you wonderful people doing?

This week has been super crazy! So I got to my new area, Richfield, and it rained for the first two days... I did not come out with any rain jackets or even a coat hahaha so we had to go buy one. It has since snowed a foot or two hahaha. Let's just say it is a little different from St.George weather.

Turns out, the Richfield stake is coveted among missionaries in this mission. There is this one man named Stan who is the best member I've ever met in my life. He is around 80 and is a Bachelor and he loves missionaries. He's what other missionaries call a "hang out" house. Sadly (well sad for my companion), I will not be hanging out there hahaha, but he is super cool and has given us a key to his home and had a fridge that is always stocked with food just for missionaries. Let's just say, I am very blessed to be serving here in Utah.

On top of that, we have three freebies which means that they will give us food for free and one of them is Papa Murphy's. I don't have to worry too much about money this transfer hahaha.

We had a baptism this Saturday for Devin (the one on the right)! I feel like I cheated because I just walked into the area and got a baptism but I am still very excited for Devin. So, Devin shared a cool story. He was extremely discouraged because it seemed like everything was working against him. He was so frustrated he asked, "God why are you doing this to me?" It was then that he heard a small voice in the back of his head saying, "Devin, be thankful." He stopped complaining and started being thankful for everything. At the end he said, "You know what, I'm thankful for you, God." Right then, he looked up and saw a cloud in the shape of a heart. That was all he needed. His faith grew and he was baptized this Sunday.

This area is so amazing and my new companion is so awesome. We get along very well and are both obedient and diligent. I know that this transfer is going to be amazing!

With Christmas right around the corner, the church has started the Light the World initiative! I invite all of you to participate this year in this wonderful opportunity to serve our fellow man and be a light to the world. 

Remember: "14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."    

- Mathew 5

Hope you all have a good week.

Elder Francis

Transfers!

Big news everyone!!

I'm going to Richfield! It's up north... and it's going to be December... I'm going to be cold hahaha!

My new companion is going to be Elder Lane (I've never met him nor do I know anything about him) and he is the District Leader so I get to be a junior companion! I'm super excited for the change and to see how everything turns out!

Elder Greenwood is staying here and is going to be to the second half of someone's training and staying as district leader. It should be good!

This past week was not super eventful. We had Thanksgiving dinner at a families house in Sienna Hills and they had this huge nutcracker display. Like over a couple hundred nutcrackers hahaha. It was really good and really filling. I didn't really get that homesick. I just kept working and I didn't really worry about it.

As far as work in the Washington East Stake goes, it was slow this week. Many people were out of town and so we only had a few appointments, but, we were able to find three solid new people to teach. It's interesting because that won't really affect me now, but I'm still really happy for the area!

I feel like I am plagued with humbling experiences and a distinct lack of luck wherever I go, so, hopefully, Washington East will start growing exponentially as soon as I leave hahaha! 

I know that President Smith is a very inspired man and I trust so much his decisions regarding my new companion and area. I am so excited to be a missionary! Of course, I am very nervous to see what my new companion is like and what the area is like, but I will not let anything stop me from doing missionary work!

Elder Greenwood and I took quite a lot of pictures this week so I hope you enjoy that. I won't be getting my new address until tomorrow (I have a two and a half hour bus ride tomorrow) so you'll have to wait for next week to get it.

In the words of my hero Nacho Libre, "Life is good, Really good." 

Elder Francis

Happy Thanksgiving

Hey all you people!

This past week has gone by so fast! Though I absolutely love time going by fast, I do hope that I am able to learn and grow as much as I can within this time frame.

We had a baptism for Dan this last Saturday! Dan is 65 years old and has been meeting with missionaries for the past two and a half years. He has been on date for the past 8 months Haha! As you can tell from the picture, he is also like 6'8" and the person baptizing him was shorter than me! Dan's story just goes to show you that you should never give up on people and that everything will work out according to God's timetable.

Dan shared a cool story with us at his baptism. He explained the first time that he knew that this church was true. Dan had been asked by a member of the ward to help do some gardening work at the Temple grounds. He accepted but was fearful because he had not been able to get sleep the past few nights because of terrible pain in his shoulders. The pain was so unbearable that he could not even lift his arms over his head. When they got to the temple, the temple curator pointed at Dan and said, "You're tall. You trim that large hedge over there." The hedge was taller than Dan. He accepted the task, not wanting to tell anyone about his problem. He started by trimming the sides of the hedge until only the top was left. This was the part he feared most. He slowly lifted his arms to start trimming the top of the hedge. Before he knew it, his arms were completely over his head and he was able to reach the top of the hedge. There was no pain. 

He finished the gardening with a firm realization that this temple was truly from God for only God could have healed him. His shoulder never bothered him again. The only reason he wasn't baptized then answering there is because he did not feel he was yet worthy. While standing as a witness for Dan's baptism, I knew that he was not only worthy, but prepared to make that loving covenant with his Heavenly Father.

Also on this Saturday, we stopped by a young girl who we've been trying to talk to for a while. This time, she was home and we were able to talk to her about who we were and asked if she was interested. She said, "Yeah I really want to be baptized but my mom isn't home right now." I was shocked hahaha! Not only did this young girl answer the door, but she has been wanting to be baptized! The Lord has truly prepared people for us to meet and help. We have an appointment with her for this week. Her name is Lizzy.

I might have mentioned last time, but Elder Greenwood has been increasingly pessimistic. Now, anyone who knows me knows that I was never the most optimistic person, however, since I've been out on my mission, my optimism has soared! This leads to a problem though because Elder Greenwood does not agree with my hope filled ideas. In fact, just last night he explained that I needed to lower my expectations. He also described that I should not be so worried about being efficient and effective and worry more about just being diligent. I would like some advice on this. Elder Greenwood is not only my trainer but also my District Leader. I try to humbly accept meaningful council that he gives me, and I know he is truly trying to help me become a better missionary, but I'm confused with the council. Any suggestions or advice from those more experienced than I would be much appreciated.

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving! Remember all the wonderful blessings that Heavenly Father has given you!

Elder Francis

Companion exchanges

This past week went by really fast! However, most of our appointments canceled and we were not able to find anyone new to teach hahaha. Elder Greenwood has been getting progressively more pessimistic. I wish that we could just have a really good week so that Elder Greenwood could see that there are actual, tangible blessings for striving to be exactly obedient. Is that a selfish thought? Maybe, hahaha but oh well!

This past Saturday, we had our first official companion exchange. Last transfer's exchange was kind of weird because the Zone Leader exchanged with us but he was in a trio so he just tagged along with Elder Greenwood and I for a day. It was good and I learned a lot, but I had grown more and more desperate for a break from Elder Greenwood. Being together every hour of every day for three months is a little much. Even if you love someone, being together for that long, you'll notice many different things that annoy you.

Because of this, the exchange this transfer was a refreshing relief! Because Elder Greenwood is the District Leader this transfer, we went on exchanges with the zone leaders again, but this time we went on an actual exchange. I got to stay in our area with Zone Leader 2 Elder Andrew. It was amazing! It made me realize just how much Elder Greenwood has been "babying" me. I got to plan the entire day out by myself (one, because we didn't have any lessons and two, because Elder Andrew didn't know the area at all), I got to control who we called and who we texted, and I got to lead the conversations in door contacts on top of a whole lot of other things!

It really made me realize how little Elder Greenwood trusts me, whenever he is around, and that I am actually capable of running the area without someone more experienced. I know, for sure, that the Lord helped me be confident and sharp to know where we should go. Since we had no appointments, we spent the whole day finding. It was a grind! We knocked on so many doors, most of which didn't answer. We talked to many different people, none of which were against hearing the Gospel, but also who weren't really ready to hear it either. 

I learned so much and, even though Elder Andrew didn't really give me a whole lot of advice, I came out with many different things I want to work on and with a renewed sense of confidence in myself. This, however, sprouted a new problem. Though I feel much more confident in my abilities in being guided by the spirit, Elder Greenwood still won't let me use this confidence. He is a great missionary and is very obedient, but he is very set in his ways and refuses to even consider any of my ideas. 

I understand his point of view because I am far less experienced than him, but, if I am ever going to train, I would do things a little different. I think one of the best ways to learn is to jump right in. Though you may stumble for the first few steps, you pick it up a lot faster than just trailing behind someone who already paved the way. Elder Greenwood is great, but I definitely get frustrated with him sometimes. 

I am learning to love him though, and the more I learn about him, the more I am able to see him as Heavenly Father does. He has great potential. He didn't grow up in the most favorable circumstances and he is going through something with his friend back home that is causing him some heartache. The problem is, whenever I try, even a little, to help, he gets super defensive and shuts me down. It's those times that are the most frustrating for me because he will then refuse to listen to nearly any advice, suggestions, or opinions I give him.

So yeah, those have been some of my thoughts this week. Also, it's been getting fairly cold down here! I wasn't expecting it, but it was 35°F this morning! This is where my Idahoan blood is helping me hahaha! I'll wear my short sleeved white shirts outside without a jacket and be completely fine. If it gets any colder, though, I might have to switch to a long sleeved shirt hahaha.

Hope you all have a good week. Also know that I love getting all of your emails and, just because I don't have time to respond, don't think that I'm ignoring you or don't love you!

Elder Francis

I took this picture on someone's back porch.

Be Thou an Example

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)

For most of my youth, I was constantly told that I needed to be good because many people looked up to me as an example. One specific example of this was during my struggle going to mutual. Mutual was very hard for me to find interest in and want to attend. I always felt I could be doing something better than sitting around and planning for an hour and a half. I would complain to my parents and they would say something along the lines of, "Mutual is where the Lord needs you to be, plus you have to set a good example for your friends and siblings."

I always hated that response hahaha. How could I be an example to anyone? I was, and still am, so imperfect. I didn't understand why anyone would ever even look at me as an example, especially when there were so many better people around me. Honestly, during my youth, I was not very kind to myself. I didn't think I was anything special and I felt like I was either an average guy or below the average, but that question kept coming up. How was I even capable of being an example to others when i didn't even think of myself as very good? 

Now, I am on my mission and I am serving the Lord every day. When I visit members, they often say, "We are so glad to have missionaries that set a good example for our children and members." I again begin to wonder, How can I be an example? Sure I am doing far better than I was, and I am truly serving the Lord, but I am still so far from perfect. I always think that if anyone should be an example, it should be Christ... and then it dawned on me. It hit me why, throughout my whole life people might have seen me as an example. It was, and is, because of the Light of Christ that they are able to see in me.

I am far from perfect. In fact, I am far from even being considered great Haha. However, following Christ and trying to live what He's taught has given me something that I didn't even realize I had. I started to display Christlike attributes. I attest this to no strength or power from myself, but all through the witness of the Holy Ghost. When others need to see someone who can help them know what they can do to get back on the right track, I'm glad that Heavenly Father was able to use my imperfect example to guide them.

I, as well as so many other wonderful members and people, have been a light set on a hill. My good works have been manifested to others, through the Holy Ghost, so that they can see the example of Jesus Christ through me. I am so grateful to be able to help others, even if it is just a little bit.

The reason I share this experience is for all those faithful members and latter-day saints who painfully feel as I did. They feel that they are nothing special. They feel as though their many imperfections can never be used for good. They feel that they can't help others because they might not be able to even help themselves. It is those times that you must turn to Heavenly Father. He will show you, little by little, the amazing help that you have given others. I have found no greater joy than blessing the lives of others, and no greater sorrow from not being able to help others.

To all those who have their lights, no matter how dim, set on a hill, just know that someone may be searching diligently for a light to follow... and your light may happen to be the only thing they can see. I leave with you all my sincere true testimony. I know that Jesus Christ is a living example of how we all should live. I know that Jesus Christ often uses the lives of his faithful saints to impact and help all those searching for him. I promise that, as you continue to do what you know is right, you gain greater joy and comfort than anything else in this life. I write this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Francis

I love to see the temple!

This week has been full of miracles, hard work, and interesting situations.

Yesterday, we met a man who is a devout atheist. It was interesting to hear his position but I felt incredibly bad for him. It was kind of funny though because he said, "If you knew all that I did, you would feel the same." Hahaha I just smiled and said, "Thank you for sharing your beliefs. In the same way that we will do research about your religion, please read this to learn more about ours." And then I gave him a book of Mormon Haha!

Another interesting thing that happened, we have begun teaching someone who is from a polygamous family. It is a very interesting situation but it seems to be going really well. It is so important that we, especially as missionaries but also as members of the human race, don't judge others because of any situation, action, or circumstance that happened to them. I continually keep an open heart and want to teach everyone who is willing to listen!

Speaking of cool people we are teaching, we are teaching this woman from the heart of China. It is so interesting to teach someone who has absolutely no idea, or even any thoughts, about God. In our lesson with her this week, we were trying to see how her testimony in a loving Heavenly Father was coming. She said that it has been very hard for her to feel that way just because the concept is so abstract for her. Although, she is the most studious and commitment keeping of any of the people we are teaching.

One benefit to working in 11 wards is that we are invited to 11 ward parties every holiday Haha! We attended four different Halloween parties this week... one of the hardest things we have to deal with, is trying to remember all of the ward members we've already met Haha. Imagine an entire family who you had dinner with once two months ago coming up and talking to you like you were good friends and then we are panicking because we are trying to remember their name. Then, they ask you how that person is they told you to go visit. Yeah that was about 50% of the encounters we had at those parties hahaha. However, at one party, I was asked to participate in a Hot Dog eating contest! I took third Place, so, I guess you can say I'm ready to go pro.

We were able to visit the temple today. As I have been out on my mission, I have loved and enjoyed so much both going to the Temple and going to church. My heart is filled with joy whenever I get the opportunity! Every sacrament meeting I just can't stop myself from smiling! At times, I have to calm myself down because I get giddy with happiness hahaha. This is coming from the guy who used to fall asleep nearly every sacrament meeting, even when it was at 1 o'clock!

A mission changes you. I've been out for about two and a half months and I don't desire the same things I did back home. My life has changed and it is because I have consecrated my whole self to Christ. I know it doesn't make any sense, but put all your trust in Christ. Give him everything. Understand that, without him in your life, you can never know what true happiness is. I know this to be true, because I live it. I can honestly and openly say, I have never experienced true joy until this time in my life. Don't get me wrong, my life has been great. I have a loving family and amazing friends... so try to imagine how much better your life could be when it is centered on Christ. I love Him and I am so thankful that I can help others love him to.

Ya boy,

Elder Francis 

Members are the foundation of this work

Hey all you people!

This week has been pretty slow... I'm not sure what it is, but nearly all of our appointments keep cancelling on us. We still have been working hard, and the Lord has blessed us with three new people to teach this week. I don't know if they have a whole lot of potential at this moment, but I'm optimistic!

Elder Greenwood was called as the new District Leader for this transfer which has been a great learning experience for me! I get to go to all of the trainer meetings and see what it is like to be the district leader. Odds are that I will be a District Leader at some point within my mission. Nearly every elder gets that opportunity in this mission at some point.

We are teaching this married couple, Fred and Kim, and they are somewhat of an enigma. They go to church every Sunday. Fred has read the entire Book of Mormon. They watched all of general conference. They're pretty much living all of the commandments. Yet, they refuse to get baptized! I'm at a loss here. I don't know what we can teach them to help them realize that Baptism is essential for salvation! They are progressing, just very slowly. We're planning to teach them about temples and eternal marriages next to see if that sparks some interest.

"Nothing in missionary work happens until you find people to teach" the question is, what is the most effective way to find people to teach. Let me tell you what the answer should be: members. Referrals given to us by members have a higher likelihood than any other to continue not only to baptism, but to temple covenants. Why do I emphasize this? I think of my family back home. In the nearly 20 years we lived in that house, we gave the missionaries maybe one or two solid referrals. From personal experience, it's easy to think that you are already doing enough, that there is not more you can do. Sadly, that is not true at all.

We have met many, many, many members here in Utah. There is a discernable difference between those who actively try to get to know their neighbors and prepare them for missionaries, and those that think they are doing enough. So far, in this area, out of the 16 people we are teaching, maybe 3 of them were found through member referrals. I know that may seem like a lot, but, in Utah, that is terrible. Most of the people we are teaching should come from members having prepared the way through friendship and love.

Now don't think that I am just a bitter missionary who is complaining that I don't have more work to do hahaha. We have plenty of work to do! Every moment of every day has work for us to do. We are constantly busy. This past week has had far more time spent trying to find people to teach rather than actually teaching. It's slow, but steadily increasing.

I hope this next week is as amazing for all of you as I know it will be for me!

Elder Francis

This is mine and my companion's haircut which we got last p-day. He asked for a little off the top and the sides and they shaved his head hahahaha. 

I have sinned a grievous sin

O  wretched man that I am! How could I have forgotten something so simple and yet so epoch-making! I forgot to tell my mother that p-day would be on Tuesday instead of Monday... hahahaha. I got like four emails yesterday asking if I was alive because I hadn't sent anything out yet. Man, what a mistake. Well, I am alive and this week is transfers that's why we have p-day on Tuesday.

This past week has been pretty crazy, well kind of Haha. About two thirds of our appointments canceled and we weren't able to find anyone new to teach all week... but we had a baptism for Annie on Saturday and we spoke in Church on Sunday!

So,  Annie is a cutie. We were teaching Annie before I actually got out into the field but she has only had the first two lessons. She is just 10 years old which means that you have to teach the lessons very differently than you would to an adult (especially the law of chastity lesson haha). I've also had conflicting emotions. I was taught in the MTC to teach people and not lessons, or to teach the lesson that they need when they need it and not to make it a checklist type of deal... the problem with that is there are some things I can't imagine a ten year old needing to know about. For instance, the law of tithing and fast offerings... I felt like I just taught the lesson to check that one off rather than teaching it because she needed that at that time.

I've digressed, hahaha. Her baptism was amazing. We are asked to take as little part in the program as possible... but the grandma (who has full custody of Annie) asked us to do nearly everything hahaha. My companion, Elder Greenwood, baptized her, I gave the talk on baptism and I was a witness... luckily her grandpa confirmed her so that was the one saving grace. She also had special permission to get confirmed right after her baptism (converts usually get confirmed the Sunday after). It was a good experience and Annie was so nervous, she also really did not want to take pictures Haha.

Sunday, we were asked to speak in sacrament meeting for about 15 minutes each. We were both assigned to speak on meekness and then the bishop gave us two general conference talks to speak on as well. Elder Greenwood's was "Meek and Lowly of Heart" by elder Bednar while mine was "Teaching in the Home—a Joyful and Sacred Responsibility" by Devin G Durrant... as you might have noticed, my conference talk is not really focused on meekness... in fact, it doesn't mention even the word meek once in the talk hahaha. It was somewhat difficult to speak for 15 minutes about a topic that didn't at all correlate with the talk I was given. I ended up focusing on what we can do in the family to be better and somehow loosely tying that to the fact that we have to meekly accept Heavenly Fathers will.

I decided that this email would be a little different from my others because I normally don't send so much information on day to day life (mostly because it's not near as interesting as you'd think). But, I thought you all might be interested in hearing about what I've been up to rather than the amazing spiritual realizations I've been having.

Elder Greenwood got called to be District Leader last night which is super ironic because I have been teasing him for the past two weeks that he was going to get called hahaha. Now he is both my trainer and the District Leader. I hope this gives our companionship some more responsibility so that I can feel more productive. It's not that we haven't stayed busy, I just don't feel we're doing the most efficient job. Especially in Utah, there are a lot more behind the scenes efforts we have to do to make sure things run smoothly. On top of recording any contact with a non-member or less active, we have to report nearly every contact with a member so that we are able to remember what they asked us to do and even just who all we have talked to.

The work is hard and discouraging, yet, I feel I have one of the easiest missions out there hahaha. I get fed every single day of the week. Nearly everyone loves us and treats us like celebrities. In fact, there are times where we've gone to visit a home and they say "this is the first time in 5 years that we've had missionaries come over" nearly everyone we meet is willing to give us a hand, foot, and leg if we need it Haha. Our teaching pool is incredibly high when compared to other state side missions, which means we should be staying busy and active most of the time. Overall, I haven't had to deal with a majority of the problems that you hear about with other missions. Does this mean that I was sent here because I couldn't handle a different area? Possibly, but I don't think so. I was sent here to lift all those around me (member, non-member, and missionary alike) and I intend to do just that. Whenever I feel low, I just ask, "what can I do that someone else needs right now?" My feelings of inadequacy leave nearly immediately.

I am so grateful for the wonderful blessings I have received while I've been out and for the amazing blessings I recieved before I came out. My whole youth life I questioned how I would be blessed for my strict obedience to all the commandments. It was frustrating when those around me, who blatantly broke them, seemed to be happier than I was... now that I am out on my mission, I see just how much following those commandments helped prepare me spiritually for this amazing work that I get to do.

Sorry for the long email, I tend to ramble on when writing Haha.

Have a good week because I know I will!

Elder Francis

The Church is True and the Book is Blue

Howdy Y'all!

This conference yielded some more big changes! 2 hour church!!! I want to share with you my initial experience with this new change.

Serving in Utah, I have heard all sorts of ideas for what was going to be announced, but nearly everyone said 2 hour church. When I first heard that, I even turned to my companion and said "That is an apostate belief" Hahaha! I thought there was no way the church would shorten church. We, the members, can get such valuable needed information from the 3rd hour of church, I didn't see us benefitting from change. Oh how wrong those thoughts were!

Right as they announced it in conference, I felt of its truthful divinity. This is a higher, holier law. It is the beginning of the division between the wheat and the tares. Those who are faithful to Jesus Christ will accept this council and magnify the teachings in their home. I can see many people just coming to church and not following through with what is supposed to happen at home... that kind of practice will lead to personal apostasy. I encourage all of you to strengthen your families continually.

Now that the church has released official study guides for the family at home, it has never been easier to teach your kids, and loved ones, the important doctrinal truths found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Don't take this as a new excuse to be lazy on Sunday. As I have been going through Jesus's teachings, I've found an interesting correlation between then and today. Jesus, unlike the teachings in the law of Moses, taught principles that needed to be applied within the body while a lot of the law of Moses taught things that needed to happen without. In a similar sense, going to church for three hours was an outward showing of obedience while teaching in the home will be an inward change of obedience. That is why this has been referred to as a Higher Law.

Along with the change to Sunday activities, President Nelson also spoke on the importance of using the correct name of the restored church of Jesus Christ. I love what he said, and I'm paraphrasing because I don't have his exact words, "Whenever we omit the name of Jesus Christ, Satan gains a victory". What a powerful statement! If that doesn't encourage the importance of using the correct terminology, I don't know what does! 

President Nelson truly is a loving Prophet on the earth today. Each time he speaks, I listen to every word he says for I know it is directly from God. This general conference has been an amazing experience and I am so glad I got to be on my mission for it. We had a good amount of the people we are teaching watch it as well. I hope that, as they listened to President Nelson, they were able to feel the magnitude of his calling and the importance of a modern day prophet.

Other than that, this week was incredibly long. We were able to find four new people to teach (two families with two non-member kids) one on Monday and one on Tuesday. The rest of the week was incredibly long and painful. Nearly every one of our teaching appointments canceled and it seemed like no one was ever home. Even the houses of the members we were trying to visit weren't home... sometimes the work is just slow hahaha.

It was a great way to end the week, even if the rest of it wasn't too great. I know I will be blessed for our obedience and diligence. I also know that not every day is going to yield good results. The work is rough but I am tough... well through God I am tough hahaha. I have relied on him for so many things. 

"7 Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things."

Jacob 4:7

I know this principle to be true because I have lived it! All things are possible through God... All things. Not just the spiritual. Not just the ones related to church. No, all things. Rely on the Lord thy God, and he will give you strength.

I know that Jesus Christ's church is on the earth today and that I am a part of it. There is no doubt in my mind that true and lasting happiness comes from within His church. I pray daily that all those around me may be able to realize this divine truth.

I love you all. Have a great week!

Elder Francis

Another day another Doug

You know, I'd love to be able to send you all amazing stories of powerful conversions or amazing miracles or prayers being answered... but nothing has really happened yet hahahaha.

This week, similar to last week, we spent more time finding than, I assume, anyone else on the mission. We have come to the realization that, even if we have a list of people with potential, 80% of them aren't interested and 90% of them are never home hahaha. So, Elder Greenwood and I have decided that it is best to go through the members if we want any actual progress with pretty much anyone. It's funny how we will go to a members house and, after sharing a spiritual message and getting to know them, will ask if they have anyone they think we should stop by, and they will usually say no. However, when we come by and ask them about a specific person they'll say something along the lines of "Oh yeah we have been working with that person for the past month now, I think they are ready to have missionaries". Sometimes members need a little help in thinking of people they know...

We did have a cool miracle happen but I'm not exactly sure yet if it will actually go anywhere. So we went to dinner last night with the Allen's and we had planned to go on splits later that night (it was the ward mission leaders idea) with brother Allen and someone else from the ward. Anyway, at dinner, there was this man named Felix. He told us that his car had broken down on the side of the road and that the Allen's had taken him in and fixed his car. He is trying to travel back to Missouri to be with his family but doesn't have enough money for the trip. So, he was able to get a job here. Now I considered that to be a miracle for this man's life, but another miracle happened that he doesn't know about. You see, we talked with him at dinner and he was not interested. His wife and kids are members and he has had the missionaries before so he wasn't interested in having us come by. We understood and so we left on our splits. I went with brother Allen and we got back almost 30 minutes early... this gave me a great opportunity to talk to Felix! 

So I just started talking to him getting to know him, and then he broke down into tears. He explained that he has been searching for something missing in his life and I explained that I can help him find it. We set up an appointment for today to come back and talk to him some more. I consider this an even bigger miracle. Heavenly Father, in his infinite wisdom, caused so many events to take place so that Felix would meet us... now I know this is premature to think that because we could meet with him today and he could say "wow I'm actually fine I was just too polite to say no" or some other excuse hahaha, but I love to be hopeful rather than pessimistic.

So yeah, that was the highlight of the week. It was another brutal, grueling week. However, I have never been more happy in all of my life. Those of you who know me (which should hopefully be everyone reading this hahaha) know that I wasn't the happiest person on the planet hahaha. Well, now I'm pretty happy! The work is hard, the days are long, the sleep is sweet... but its funny. Each morning I'll wake up a little before my alarm. This used to cause me anxiety because I knew it was time to get up, now it causes me frustration because it is not time to get up! I'm excited for each new day because I know and believe that anything can happen! It's like every morning is a type of Christmas and I can't wait to see what the new day will bring!

Zone conference was this week as well... I have heard such great things from Zone conference and yet I feel like my first one wasn't that great. We weren't really edified and uplifted but more just talked at. I was still able to take some good notes and take some things away that I want to work on, but it was almost 7 hours long... and it felt like I only got 3 hours of actual information. Maybe I am just too prideful and unwilling to accept the counsel of others. Either way, it wasn't as great an experience as I had heard.

This next week is going to be great! I mean I don't have any real appointments I am excited for... but I have a good feeling about it! I'm so excited for General Conference, I don't think I've ever been this excited for something in my whole life!! 

Well that's probably enough for now, I'm sure you all love reading these long essays of an email that I send home hahaha. I'm just too excited to stop talking about it! Hope you all have a great week.

Elder Francis

All Mission Meeting

How's everyone doing?!?

This past week we had the amazing opportunity to hear from President Ballard at an all mission meeting! This doesn't happen very often, usually once a year so I was incredibly lucky to be in the field at this time. President Ballard's message was so inspiring and so helpful that I want to share one of the major things he talked about.

We are at war for the souls of all mankind!! He emphasized this about four times within his talk so you know it's important. This was somewhat of a rallying cry for us missionaries. This is a war and so we should treat it as such. We should be actively, anxiously engaged in the work we should do. We need to treat every moment as an urgent need to save as many people as we can. We need to be bold. We are past the point of gentle pleasantries and proddings. The Lord has assigned us here because it is time to HASTEN the work. Not do the same work that has always been done.

And how do we hasten this work? Members. It is our job to lift, strengthen, and encourage the members to friendship every person they come into contact with. No one has an excuse not to love their neighbors. I understand that there are plenty of busy people, and it's easy to say "oh I'm too busy to go over and meet the new neighbors" or "I have to watch my kids, I don't have time for this and that". Its times like those that Satan is winning this war. There are so many people who don't know the truth because they simply know not where to find it.

Now I don't mean to chastise anyone in this email list hahaha. No, I'm sharing President Ballard's message so that all of you will rally behind a good cause. Each member needs to be missionary minded... that is the only way missionary work will progress. President Ballard said that the world is so different now than it ever has been. Because of this, and because Satan is throwing everything he has at us, it is now that we must rally behind what is the second greatest commandment. Love thy neighbor.

This love includes missionary work for if you truly love someone, you will want them to experience the great overwhelming peace and joy that only the Holy Ghost can bring. If your ward is not missionary minded, talk to the bishop. If your stake is not missionary minded, talk to the stake president. This is God's greatest work on the whole Earth today. Love your neighbors whether they be members, inactives, or nonmembers. 

My goal isn't for everyone to go out and boldly proclaim to all their friends that they need to go to church and repent of their sins hahaha. No, my goal is that you will continue being faithful later day saints but that you will pray earnestly and with real intent for missionary opportunities each day. I can promise you that every needful thing, anything that you are struggling with, whether it be finances, family issues, health issues, anything, God will bless you for putting other's souls first.

Remember, we are at war. It is not time for us to work ourselves so that we may prepare for the war... no. It is time for you to take up your sword and trust in God that any of your weaknesses will be made into strengths with his power.

Alright hahaha, now that I've given my spiel, I finally found someone new to teach who might actually have potential of progressing!!! I am so excited!! And guess what, we got it from a member referral! Hahaha all of the knocking on doors and member visits haven't been in vain!! Well... most of them haven't yielded any success either... but I trust that Heavenly Father will bless me for my hard work even if it is not as efficient as I would like!

I hope you are all doing great and know that I love every single email I get and that, if I don't respond, it's not because I hate you but that I just don't have enough time to write everyone.

With best wishes,

Elder Francis 

St. George is hot!

Hello all!

This past week has been rough Haha! We had two of the people we are teaching move out of our area and they were on date for baptism so that was pretty sad. We are teaching about 7 people now but only one of them is progressing... it's pretty frustrating Haha. We've been spending around four hours each day just trying to find new people to teach and have so far found no one. I know that the Lord is currently softening their hearts and that someone will be willing to listen to us.

Utah is very different from every other mission out there. All of the non-members we run into have either had all of the lessons before and are not interested in having them again, or have very firm beliefs in a different religion. It's interesting how many part member families there are where one spouse is a member and the other is a Baptist or Protestant. I've found out that it is nearly impossible to progress, or even get people to want to progress, without the help of the ward members. They are essential in the conversion process.

If I can give all of you one word of advice, help the missionaries more. The Lord has revealed a new way of missionary work, at least in America, and it involves the entire ward being missionary minded and looking for what they can do.

We visit a lot of members homes, just trying to get to know the leaders and with dinner appointments. I always try to share a scripture or a spiritual thought wherever we go because I realize how important it is for them to help us and how they usually need a little prodding Haha.

I'm working hard, harder than I have ever worked in my life. It feels good to be constantly doing something but it is easy to get discouraged with the lack of progress we have made. We have been promised that the field is white already to harvest, but I'm pretty sure my field is still a little green and needs some more watering hahaha. I'm praying daily, no, multiple times a day, to try and find more people to bring into God's loving arms. I want so desperately to help everyone, but so few are actually accepting my help...

In a more personal sense, I've nearly finished the Book of Mormon for the first time on my mission! I have a lofty goal of finishing it 12 times while I am out... the math adds up to about 10 pages a day, which is doable but not easy. I don't want to abandon the other works though so I begin my personal study by reading a chapter of the New Testament and D&C. I absolutely love the scriptures! I don't know why I didn't read them more in my free time back home because they are so amazing! I encourage everyone to set aside even 15 minutes a day to devote to studying the Book of Mormon. The wisdom and truth in that book will help you find the answer to any question you have been looking for.

I want to share a scripture that I love sharing with members. D&C 18:10-16

10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.

12 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.

13 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!

14 Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

How great will be your joy if you continue to help the missionaries and bring others into God. I Love you all and I encourage you to stay faithful and remember how important you all are. Each of you can make a difference. Each of you have already influenced my life so much that I know you are already influencing so many more.

Elder Francis

Hello from St. George Utah!

I'm finally here!!!

So we took a shuttle from the MTC to the mission office in St George... it was long hahaha. But, once we got there, things happened fast! So we had about an hour of orientation and then they gave us our trainers.

I am in the Washington East area which covers the whole stake here and is in between Washington and Hurrican (we are just East of St. George)... there are 11 wards. Hahaha each ward is about as big as my ward back home so about a hundred to two hundred people. That means that there are 11 ward mission leaders I need to know, 11 bishops, 11 elders quorum presidents, and 11 relief society Presidents. And that is on top of learning the names of all the people I am teaching. Hahaha it is a lot to take in and I don't know if I'll have it all down with this transfer.

Anyway, so when I got my trainer, we went right to work. We had a dinner appointment and then three lessons. I later realized that this was busier than we usually are. We are only teaching about 8 people and so we are trying desperately to find some more. This meant that the last week has been mostly going to members houses (mostly the before mentioned leaders) and seeing if they can give us any information or referrals. It's a lot of talking and so my people skills have been put to the test! Turns out, I'm not great at talking to people hahaha but I'm not terrible either. We were able to get a lot of information that should be helpful in finding some new people to teach.

Utah definitely has a different culture when it comes to missionary work. We are either treated like angles sent to bring love to everyone or treated like the plague and avoided at all costs. It's funny though because the first group of people not only sees us as angles but expects us to be angles... meaning they expect us to be perfect basically. It's kind of a lot of pressure at times to not disappoint their extremely high expectations, but then I remember that I only care what God thinks of me and I've been trying my absolute best so he shouldn't be disappointed.

One thing that's been hard for me is that we are not allowed to teach inactive members. The first presidency told my mission President, President Smith, that we can only teach non-members or part member families... it makes sense because if we were to teach inactive,  members that is where all of our time would be spent. Plus that should be the members responsibility with the ministering program. It's hard for me because I want to invite all to come unto Christ but I feel like I am being limited in that sense.

Another thing that's been hard for me is how many children we teach. My mission is one of the highest baptizing in the nation and that is because we teach and baptize so many kids. Once they turn 9 they need the missionary discussions to become baptized, so a lot of part member families or inactive parents want their kids to be baptized and so we have to teach them. It's been hard for me because I have a lot of trouble teaching complex doctrine to little kids and because it's way harder for me to assess their needs and get them to open up.

Other than those it's been pretty good! I feel like I am more in tune with the spirit and I have a better understanding of the Gospel than I ever have in my life! I am still so far from perfect and that is blatantly evident when I try and teach lessons.

My companion is Elder Greenwood and he is pretty great! He is hard working which makes me extremely happy, but there are still a few things that I've decided I'll try not to do when I am no longer a trainee. We have plans for every moment of every day, but I feel like they are not the most efficient use of our time sometimes. I'm still new though so I'll have to see how it turns out. He is a little quieter which means there are some awkward silences at times and then I feel like I need to take charge and guide the discussion which then I feel like I'm stepping on his toes as the trainer. It's a hard dynamic that I still need to get used to.

Our mission President is fairly lenient rule wise. He goes by the white handbook which doesn't give very specific rules at times which means pretty much any music that invites the spirit is good.

So I am doing great and everything is good! I am working hard and get super tired but that is normal. Have a great week!

Elder Francis