April 20, 2009

Wales has been smiling upon us the last couple of days. The weather has been perfect. We even get really hot, especially while riding our bikes, or fixing up our back garden. I enjoy riding a bicycle, especially down a hill. There are a lot of hills in this area, which makes it hard going up, but my legs are learning to get used to it. I really wouldn't mind staying here for a very long time. The ward is amazing too. I love how the gospel changes people, and continues to refine people throughout their lives.

The countryside here is absolutely amazing!! When we are riding along those winding, narrow, Welsh roads, I feel in heaven. It would only be better if we were in a car! Riding along those roads is something I thought I would only dream about. I will have to get some pictures before I leave.

I know that I haven't been able to write much the last couple of weeks, and so I have forgotten many of the stories. I usually am not very good at telling those. We will just have much to talk about in a couple of months. I have always been much better at describing things, people, and events through speaking rather than writing. In fact, that is how many of the Book of Mormon prophets are too. Nephi especially expresses that many times. One of them, however, is a really good writer. That is the quiz question for the week. Who is it? This will show who really reads my e-mails in the week.

We had an excellent Zone Conference last week. We are really focusing on Member missionary work now. I knew this would be coming. President is such a smart man. He was laying down the foundation of forever finding, and then giving us the real tools of what would help the work go faster.

I had a really great experience in church yesterday. This is my miracle for the week. A man had told us that we were great young man, but it made him sad that we were going down the wrong path. He said that he knows some about our church, and we really should look into it and fix our ways. I told him I know way more about the church than he does, but that I would pray and ask God AGAIN to strengthen my testimony. So that night, I prayed and asked God if Joseph Smith was his prophet. Specifically that. I didn't receive an answer right then and there. Yesterday at sacrament meeting, there was a speaker talking about how the Book of Mormon testifies of Christ. She finished her talk by sharing Joseph's testimony of the Savior as recorded in D&C 76. The spirit hit me in such a way that it only has a couple of other times in my life. I wasn't even looking for my answer anymore, but Heavenly Father had heard my prayer and really gave me an answer. When she quoted the scripture by saying, "and this is the testimony last of all, which we give of him, that He lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God . . .", I knew at that moment that Joseph Smith did in FACT see God the Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. I cannot deny the feeling and the impression which spoke to me in near audible words. I love to know that and to bear witness.

We have an All-Mission Conference tomorrow with Presdient Packer!! Cool, huh? We are so lucky. Then again, he is the father to our Mission President and his wife. I am very excited! I will have to tell you more about it next week.

Last of all, General Conference. It has been a couple of weeks, and so I don't remember it as well as when I had just heard it. I am excited for the Engisn to come out, but I remember a couple of talks in particular. I loved President Uchtdorf's talk in Priesthood about having the mind to work. We don't have to be brilliant, we just have to work. It reminds me of a quote, which is especially good for missionaries.

Neal A. Maxwell said,

God does not begin by asking us about our ability,
but only our availability,
and if we improve our dependability,
HE will increase our capability.
(Emphasis Added)

Another favorite was in the same session by President Eyring, about feeling a personal responsibility for each person we visit and have charge concerning.

Elder Holland's was of course a favorite, as I am sure most people would agree.

I think the one that hit me the most was by Elder Pearson. There were a lot of good talks, but this one was especially suited towards me, I feel. He talked about faith, in an almost logical way. He described it as an experiment, and photosynthesis. This is the way I often try to describe Faith to people we are teaching. Alma 32 is a perfect example. I will have to review my notes more for futher insights, but I do remember one more thing about Conference. I went with two questions to be answered, and they were both answered, on TWO SEPERATE OCCASIONS. Boy, I am sure happy for the communion of the Holy Spirit.

I love all of you, and pray for you daily. Please let me know how you all are, and any special spiritual experiences you have. I also have a small request. I was wondering if anyone had any testimony building experiences on the subject of Tithing? If so, please send me a detailed description of it. Loves from Wales,

Elder Jordan Davies