"1 New Message"

We know that we have been missionaries for quite some time now, but we both remember the feeling of excitement you get when you receive an unexpected text message. When you feel that vibrate or hear that chime that lets you know that someone actually cares enough about you to send you an electronic letter. We all know the feeling. It's amazing to see the effect a small message of "good news" can have on someone to brighten their day. We as human beings are in constant interaction with one another. Facebooking, Tweeting, texting, Instagramming, Pinning, and we're sure the list probably goes on (forgive us we don't know all the hip trends right now haha) But we are always in a position to make someone's day, or possibly, someone's life. How much of an impact could you make on someone today? As members of the church, in these latter days, we are so blessed to live in a time where sharing the Gospel has been made so easy. With the mere movement of our thumbs on a small glass box we can share an inspiring message with our dearest friends and family. That is what is most important. Sharing a message with those you love in a way that conveys the love their Heavenly Father feels for them. The Gospel changes lives and it can happen in the blink of an eye. So what will the 1 New Message the people in your life see? Watch this video and pray for further inspiration on how you can share the glad message that is spreading throughout this world at a faster pace than ever before! "1 New Message"

The Sweetest Treat of All

Happy Halloween! Just in case anyone was wondering, Mormons do celebrate Halloween! Of course, that doesn't mean that missionaries are looking for candy every time they knock on a door. We're generally just looking to share the treat of the gospel! The Sweetest Treat of All!

And just on a personal note, Elder Potter and I love Halloween! Some great family memories come from this Holiday. As you celebrate this holiday, please do remember to celebrate wholesomely (: 

Maybe Thinking a Little More Inside The Box...

So... our original idea, a flash-mob in front of the Book of Mormon the musical play ended up not quite working out. Fortunately, like any good missionary does, we had back-up plans! So that's what we ended up going with.

Plan B-
Interestingly enough, it turns out that we weren't the only religious group going to Times Square on Saturday! BUT, we were the first! We went to Times Square with our Zone of 20 missionaries and some friends from our local congregation, and we sang a bunch of hymns! As we did so, we had several of us go out and invite any who were interested in learning more about the gospel to do so!

The whole event was made even more amazing as a group of Mennonites appeared, going to share the gospel with others as well. A non-denominational group, God In The City, had a walk for God scheduled for a little later in the day, and they were going to be following the same path we took to get from our meeting place to Times Square! It was awesome, and hopefully helped open some eyes to the fact that there are many good people around us, looking for a strong connection with God.

We had quite a bit of fun singing some of our favorite hymns in one of our favorite places. Don't worry, pictures will soon follow.

We know that music is a wonderful way to feel the spirit, and invite all who read this to try to see what music can do to help bring them nearer to God. (See D&C 25:12 http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/25.12)

Thinking Outside the Box

In continuing the pattern of sharing the Gospel by every honorable means, we've come up with another activity of sharing the gospel. We won't be sharing it just yet, so you'll have to check in later to find out what it will be. Its something that every missionary/member has thought of and wanted to do... but to our knowledge hasn't. But do enjoy the other posts, videos, and photos until then. We were told to think outside the box... so we are going to do just that!

Come Together!

“Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together, to work together, to labor in the Lord’s vineyard to bring souls unto Him”
- Thomas S. Monson

To the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints:

This activity that we did was only made possible because of the wonderful members of the church who worked with us! Any of you who are members of the church, please, reach out to your local missionaries to assist them in the work of Salvation! Talk with your Bishops and Ward mission leaders to see how you might best be able to help them! Come find the joy that comes through sharing the gospel!


To everyone:

"If you seek truth, meaning, and a way to transform faith into action; if you are looking for a place of belonging: Come, join with us!

If you have left the faith you once embraced: Come back again. Join with us!

If you are tempted to give up: Stay yet a little longer. There is room for you here.

I plead with all who hear or read these words: Come, join with us. Come heed the call of the gentle Christ. Take up your cross and follow Him.

Come, join with us! For here you will find what is precious beyond price."
- Dieter F. Uchtdorf

These are quotes from Prophets and Apostles of God, which are necessary "til we all come in the unity of the faith." (See Ephesians 4:11-14) Come hear and heed a Prophet's voice!

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

The Atonement can be studied for decades and still be a difficult concept to grasp. Understanding will come over time as you sincerely study and seek to apply the Atonement in your life. This can be done through living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which can be found in the scriptures. For now, the Atonement is most simply shared in the words of the primary hymn "He Sent His Son". 

1. How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness?
   He sent his Son, a newborn babe, with peace and holiness.
   How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go?
   He sent his Son to walk with men on earth, that we may know.
   How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death?
   He sent his Son to die for us and rise with living breath.
   What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say?
   Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way.
   What does he ask? Live like his Son.

Where Did You Come From?

What would it mean to you if you knew that you once lived in the presence of God?

Knowing that God is my Father in Heaven (See Romans 8:16), and that I lived with Him before I came to Earth opens my eyes to help me see what God sees in me. It helps me understand how God knows us all individually, as we all lived with Him for a very long time prior to our existence on earth.

Think of that. God knows you, better than you might know yourself. (See Jeremiah 1:5)

More than that, He loves you, and wants to help you  become the best person you can become. That is precisely why he has given us commandments, to lead us in the right way that will help us be happiest.

Knowledge of the pre-mortal existence has helped me grasp what kind of God our Father in Heaven is. He has a physical body, and when we lived with Him, we only had spiritual bodies. Since He is benevolent and loving, He has provided us with this mortal experience to enable us to ennoble ourselves through the application of the atonement of His son Jesus Christ. He did this so that we could gain a body of our own, and learn to choose good over evil.

Now, it is our opportunity to choose the good and come closer to our Father in Heaven with each choice that we make. As His children, let us do what we can so that we might be children He would be proud of. Then, we may truly be "Joint heirs with Christ," (Romans 8:17) and be able to return to live with God again.