Week 13 - Gratitude is the best Attitude

Hello Everyone! 

What a wonderful time of year! Im super excited for this years Christmas Initiative by the church encouraging the members to serve 25 ways in 25 days! Its truly an inspired message that I encourage everyone to take a look at this Friday to see the full video on www.Mormon.org   It's truly a message that no one could get offended with you sharing it with them, since its all about the Savior and the service he gave to us! 

This week has been pretty interesting! Weather wise its been very moderate temperatures...(or so the locals say) But this week it rained on us and had pretty bone chilling wind! And its definitely a lesson to be learned in all this. Throughout the week it seemed as though its been one of our slowest weeks, but the Lord definitely blessed us! 

At the end of the week we can now say that this week was our best week so far in the 3 months we have been in this area! Its all because we have been being obedient, and would work as hard as we can. And over the course of the transfers we have turned this area into a very prosperous area, which i'm confident many of the people we are teaching will come around and be baptized in the Lord's time! We will be having my first baptism this next 

Saturday the 26th at 6pm with our investigator Oredi! So thats something to be way excited for! And we also found some super awesome people that we are going to start teaching! 

It will be interesting seeing what comes of transfers this Saturday as either one of us (Me or Elder Candland) could be moving to a different area. I know that its in the Lords hands though! Its a real testament looking back on this week, since it would be really easy for a missionary to just go back to the apartment because its raining hard, and 27 degrees outside but when you show Heavenly Father your here for Him and not yourself.. amazing miracles happen!

The thought I would like to share comes from the scripture I Ponderized this week   

( yeah remember when we all use to do that)

 I have been ponderizing the scripture Jarom 1:11 "Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence; teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was. And after this manner did they teach them."

There were a few things that really stuck out to me in this scripture. One of which was the fact that the prophets,  priests, and the teachers all labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence. When we think about missionary work we always want it to be fast and quick but reality even the members of the church in the Book of Mormon had to try for a long time with persistence just to get people to make progress. 

I would encourage us all to remember that the invitations we extend to those not of our faith, will get rejected. The pattern will always be there! but that doesn't mean we quit on them! It means we continue to be that good friend, neighbor, and if they use their agency right they will come to know its true! 

The other interesting perspective I saw from this scripture was the part where they encouraged to believe in the Messiah as though he had already come. This made me think about us as members of the church. We need to have the mentality of living a life that is consistent and ready for as though the Messiah has already come to gather his fold! 

I know this is His church and I testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ applies to each and every single one of us! What Joy this brings to me to know that we can receive forgiveness from any situation we go through and that comfort is available to all of us because of His grace! 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! BE THANKFUL

#LIGHTOFTHEWORLD

Keep Smiling

Love Elder Gerrard

Brrr... I am not in Vegas anymore!

Week 12 - In a moment of dispare

Hey Everyone! 

What a crazy week! In case any are wondering what a election is like for a missionary..it basically means all the plans you thought you had that day become plans that you don't have anymore haha

But luckily our investigators wanted to meet with us enough to schedule for a different time this week so that was awesome! 

As far as our work Elder Candland and I are really trying to be escalator missionaries, which essentially means that we aren't just focusing on one investigator and then get them baptized and then realize that we have no one to teach now haha so instead we are going up the stairs with them and then going down to grab more people and its been awesome! The work is hastening here in the United States and truly the world. 

I pray that the members can understand that the missionaries need the members to start planting seed of the gospel more so than ever, because thats how the Lord needs ​​us! We have our usual two investigators that always without fail ask questions that you never see coming so its fun to go home and study up to understand doctrine of the Gospel that you thought you knew pretty well enough to answer questions, but nope. There is never enough! which is awesome! Because do we ever really know everything when it comes to this Gospel?  By this Saturday we will find out if our investigator Oredi will be baptized or not so thats way cool! We are shooting for the 26th of November! So its amazing and awesome to be a missionary! 

I have a few thoughts and insights from this week that I would like to share with you all.

The thing I would like to direct peoples thoughts to is the beauty of how the Lord works with his children. If we look closely there is a beautiful, but simplistic pattern that can be seen in many many different things. For example the pattern of the Plan of Salvation. Since Adam and Eve we have been leaving somewhere great, out into the world or wildness of some sorts so that we can be guided and led to a promised land! Which is the exact same pattern we see with Lehi, Moses, our Savior, and even us as we left God so we could come back just like Him and to be with him forever! The pattern I would like to focus on is the pattern of Faith.

I won't lie to you all and say that this week was perfect. In comparison to my other weeks in the mission this one wasn't bad, but it felt a tiny bit off. I wondered to myself what was going on. While I pondered this subject I came to some very powerful insights. One thing that has made a pretty big impact on the mission is simply the end of daylight savings! You would never think right! That daylight savings affects the missionary work, but its true! When the sun goes down. No one wants you around haha so I believe as we have been trying to do missionary work during the hours of 6-9 I have allowed myself to doubt that anything will happen. And I was right! Nothing happened. 

Thats because without the faith then of course nothing is gonna happen. Since I'm not trying to make anything happen, nothing will happen! I'm grateful for Church, because within that building you can receive answers from any single person. And my answer was faith. I pondered this concept and realized that what I underwent is what we read about in Jacob 5:70 "And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent his servant; and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him, and brought other servants; and they were few." 

We will labor diligently in the vineyard and only a few other servants will be brought back to the Lord with us. 

Then it opened up to me to ask the question: what will happen to us when darkness and the workings of the adversary will surround us so much so that there wont be anyone to turn to? Just like while we are out trying to meet people at night and its dark, cold, and empty. I imagine as we get closer to the Saviors second coming we will experience a much similar experience where it will become just us in that dark environment surrounded by the adversaries workings! There will only be a few that will truly be ready to take it and it all comes down to our faith. 

Do we believe something can happen? In the Bible Dictionary "Miracles" it states, "Miracles are a part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If miracles cease it is because faith has ceased." I am indeed appreciative of all the thoughts and words of encouragement that I receive from everyone and its amazing to see how inspired what you wrote to me was what I myself have been thinking about or needing to hear! One of the only places we will always be able to go to for refuge is and will be the Temple! 

This week is going to be awesome, because I chose to believe its going to be!​

Keep Smiling

Elder Gerrard

Week 11 - Marvelous Work and Wonder

Hello Everyone,

So we all have heard those crazy stories about what happens to missionaries right? you know..The missionaries save a cat out of a tree, have to run away from vicious dogs, or even the kind that the Fire Department shows up, because the fire alarm was set off? 

Sooo yeah everything was just going all good as I was cooking my pasta for lunch in the stake center, using a metal mixing bowl as a pot when i look over and smoke is billowing out of the microwave! So I quickly call for help and fan as fast as i can, but it was too late the fire alarm tripped and then we had to wait for the Fire department to come and investigate the situation.. once the Fire Engine comes whaling down the street they pull out all geared up. One guy already pull his ax out of the truck with his mask on when they find out what caused the smoke.. My companion wanted to warm his snickerdoodle in the microwave, but he left it in there for like.. I don't even know 1min? so the cookie turned absolutely black and burnt and well it tripped the fire alarm.. It was probably the funniest thing ever because it was all thanks to a homemade cookie from Mama Candland haha I felt bad for Elder Candland! Because it was super embarrassing for him. So lesson learned.. If you want a warm Snickerdoodle you better watch it.. especially with the holiday season.. snickerdoodles should not be treated lightly.

My Heart is indeed humbled and sincerely grateful for the blessings our Father in Heaven pours out upon us when we align our will with His and gain His trust to be His tool.

This week we have been able to find 4 new investigators all in whom we will be teaching hopefully this week, and its all because of two things. Two very simple things. 

1. Obedience

2. Praying specifically for answers and particular blessings

One of my favorite sections about Missionary work in the Book of Mormon in Alma 31:24-35. The prayer that Alma offers is one that I have been emulating in our area. For our investigators. And from doing these things and having no fear to talk to everyone that comes in our path we have been happier. And the work truly has become what it's supposed to be a joyous time. And as I have prayed for charity and love for those that I have been teaching.. Its true as it says in Alma 31:31 " O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength , that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people." I love these people. They are the Lord's sheep. and because He loves them I must love them. And I know this is his work. It changes lives. So pray to let it change yours. I just love the Hymn 219, Because I have been given much, I particularly love the third verse which states, "Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord, I'll share thy love again according to thy word. I shall give love to those in need; I'll show that love by word and deed: thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed."

I'd like to share my thoughts that I have had this week concerning the relationship that exists between us, our Father in Heaven, and our Savior Jesus Christ. After talking with one of our investigators He proposed an interesting question to me concerning the relationship that we have with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. 

For a little back ground context this investigator is a major in linguistics, and so is his wife so every word I say is important haha. He wanted to know if we essentially worship two Gods because Jesus Christ was the God of the Old testament and the Book of Mormon, but yet we also worship our Heavenly Father. However we as a church worship one God that being Heavenly Father. So how does this all work? Well It all ties back to the beautiful plan of salvation that our Heavenly Father has created for us. Jesus Christ is the great mediator. And the more I have thought about this the more amazing and wonderful and deep that has become as I have studied. 

I first love this quote from Jesus the Christ that states," What other man has lived with power to withstand death, over whom death could not prevail except through His own submission?...He literally gave up His life." What a powerful statement to take in. Jesus Christ could have lived forever. He was the only one stopping himself from living forever. He had the power to get down from the cross and walk away. But the Savior fulfilled the plan which He himself said he would do. He stated,"I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." (John 17:4). He was submissive in the moments within the garden in which every other man would have turned inward and backed out, but he turned outward and did it for us. For Heavenly Father. To fulfill his work to bring to pass the Eternal life and immortality of man. So that we could know our Father in Heaven (John 17:3). 

Finally in 1 Cor 15:28 "When all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all." Jesus Christ had the power to do anything and everything He created our world under the direction of our Heavenly Father, but when its all said and down ALL glory will be to him. This is why we chose Jesus Christs plan because we would gain our agency and all glory would go to our loving Heavenly Father.. Ultimately our comprehension of this relationship will be minuit in this life, but i'm grateful for my Savior and Heavenly Father and when we become one with them we experience what the Nephites and Lamanites experienced in 4 nephi 1:15-17.

We carry a tremendous message I implore us all to go out and share a simple truth with someone this week!:)

Love to all

Keep Smiling

Elder Gerrard

Be your own kind of Beautiful

Elder Candland and his burnt Snickerdoodle

Who doesn't love a Lama?