A Visit, a Side Note, and a Favor

Hola mi familia y mis amigos,

Well one of the greatest parts of serving in a small mission is that word gets around quickly and it's fairly easy to visit old areas (my new area is a 5 minute drive from my first area of my mission).  I went on a drive with one of the missionaries serving over there (Elder Curbelo) and I showed him the people who I remembered teaching who he can visit.  On the back end, I convinced him to let me visit one of the families who I had taught (though only the mom and daughter were baptized).  The Mom's name is Eugenia and the daughter's name was Dona (she was actually baptized a few months before I made it to Salt Lake).  When we got there, Elder Curbelo realized it was the house of a family who he was already teaching.  Their oldest daughter had just been baptized a few days earlier.  And now the son is going to be baptized in a few weeks.  (More info and pictures in the future).  Way cool.

And on a side note: at the end of June, our mission will be splitting into two new missions, the Salt Lake City Mission and the Salt Lake City East Mission.  We will be getting a new mission office for anyone who stays part of the Salt Lake City Mission (which is what I am currently a part of).  I would recommend not sending any letters after June 15th or so because it may never get to me.  Once the mission splits then I'll have a new address to get you.  So if you plan on sending any letters then I would recommend sending it between now and June 15th. 

And now a favor: One of the other cool parts about serving in Salt Lake is that we have the Salt Lake City Temple and many other incredible and historic sites within walking distance (I can actually see the Temple, the Church Administration Building, and the Conference Center from where I'm sitting right now).  So if anyone has any connections so that we could do any cool tours of anywhere down here (especially the Temple) then it would be most appreciated and remembered forever.  What I am basically trying to do is call in any favors I have with anyone who knows anyone in Salt Lake.  :)  But remember, it will be very appreciated and you might even get a thank you note (and anyone who has written me knows that I am not the best writer/responder in the world).     

Love ya'll,

-Elder Colton

A Disciple of Jesus Christ

Hola mi familia y mis amigos,

Well they finally sent me out of Layton where I've been for six months.  Oddly enough, nearly every LDS person I know has been in my new area at some point: Capitol Hill.  Our area covers Temple Square, the Conference Center, and pretty much everything in the nearby area up to Ensign Peak.  If you're down that way keep an eye out.  My new address is:

215 E 10 Ave

Salt Lake City, UT 84103

And on that note I want to just remind everyone about one of our rules: Family and Friends are not allowed to visit.  No-one is exempt from that rule, especially all of you people at BYU.  If you decide to visit or go by our house then I will probably not receive you with open arms.  If I happen to see you on the streets by pure coincidence then I will be happy and excited to see you, but if you visit our house or try to catch us leaving our house it will be different.  

One of the odd parts of serving here is that no-one wants to talk with us, or they don't want to stop talking to us.  This part of Salt Lake has some of the most anti-mormon people in the world.  Just yesterday we talked for a few minutes with a guy who served a mission, was married to his wife and sealed to his family in the temple, and served in many a calling in the church for at least 25 years.  But when his wife and he were divorced he blamed it all on the Church and though he fully "supports" missionaries around the world by giving us pump-up talks, but refuses to change his ways.  

On the other hand, we have an entire congregation of senior missionaries (old people who are serving missions as family history specialists and the like) where all they want to do is talk with us.  

One of the things that has been on my mind recently is what it means to be a Disciple of Jesus Christ.  One of our mission "themes" is from the Book of Mormon in 3 Nephi 5:13 when the prophet Nephi says, 

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  I have been called of him to declare his word amoung his people, that they might have everlasting life."

One of the greatest gifts my mission has given me is the conviction and knowledge that I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.  Missionaries are judged by a lot of things: how many people they baptize, what leadership positions they held, and how many lessons they taught each week (to list a few).  Based off of those, I haven't been the best missionaries in the world by a long shot.  But I know without any doubt, they I have become a disciple of Jesus Christ.  He is my Savior and my Redeemer. I will forever be grateful for Him and His Atoning Sacrifice because it has allowed me and those I love to find true happiness.  

A few days ago during a moment of reflection, I finally found a answer I had been looking for.  My focus for these next 7 months of my life will be this:

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.

John 15: 8,16 - Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples...ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.

Love ya'll,

-Elder Colton

"Mawage is Wot Bwings Us Togeder Tooday" -The Princess Bride

Hola mi familia y mis amigos,

We all officially know where my priorities are.  My little brother Kevin has had quite a few shout-outs recently about lacrosse and school (ps....HE'S ALL-AMERICAN FOR TWO YEARS IN A ROW NOW).  But my older brother, Jared, on the other hand hasn't had any for his big news.

A few years from now, Kevin will be fat and no one will ever have guessed that he was good at lacrosse.  Marriages, on the other hand, are the type of thing that last and don't get forgotten (theoretically).  

Which brings me back to my first point: I think my priorities are a little reversed considering Jared was engaged a few weeks ago and I forgot to mention that (it was a bit of an embarrassing moment to notice that as I was writing my letter today).  So without further Adieu (spelling?).....JARED IS ENGAGED TO EDEN (thankfully I met her before my mission so I don't have to sneak away to interview her).  Plus she passes the Mom test with flying colors and that is all that really matters.  And the cool part for me: they are getting married in the Salt Lake Temple in August so hopefully I'll be able to go.  Take that all you people who serve in cool places like Brazil or Taiwan....I get to go to my brothers wedding still.

And speaking of getting married in the Temple: Marcos was baptized this past weekend.  He has been married to a member of our Church for about 3 years and she has been teaching him the restored gospel of Jesucristo (Spanish for Jesus Christ) that whole time.  (Unfortunately not all of their family members are supportive and have stopped talking to him and banned their children from doing the same).  But Marcos couldn't be more incredible.  He and his wife want to be sealed in the Temple (one of the main reasons he was baptized in the first place) so that there isn't of the "til death do you part" business.  Everyone deserves to be with the ones they love forever. And being married in a Temple by someone with the proper authority from God is the only way that is possible.  So now Marcos is well on that track (see picture below).  

ps. who says Hispanics can't smile :)

Love ya'll,

-Elder Colton

Quitting Smoking

Hola mi familia y mis amigos,

 

Obviously my younger brother is my favorite sibling because he gets the most shout-outs: CONGRATS TO HIM FOR SCORING HIS 300TH CAREER POINT IN LACROSSE.

 

Two weeks ago as we were visiting the Camacho's, we met a women named Susana.  The majority of her family are members of the Church but she has never been baptized because for 40 years she smoked half a pack each and every day.  The other times she has tried quiting she has either failed terrible or nearly died (her body had a melt-down from the lack of nicotine mixed with the drug the doctor had given her and she was rushed to the hospital).  But as we were talking with her we shared this scriptures from the Book of Mormon (Ether 12:27)

 

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I makeweak things become strong unto them."

 

As we did it touched her and we began to explain about a one week stop-smoking program that we teach as missionaries.  Though doubtful at first, she explained that she truly did want to quit and that she had no better time than now because she had just resigned because of a surgery gone wrong that prevented her from working.  We began the program last Friday and as of now, Susana is still completely smoke free.  Her entire life has changed because of it.  She's preparing to be baptized sometimes soon (an opportunity she never thought she would have).  After 40 years of chain smoking she is not completely smoke free. 

 

If you know anyone who smokes who wants to quit, let me know or talk with the missionaries near you.  They will help. 

 

Love ya'll,

-Elder Colton

"So It's Against Church Insurance Policy to Allow Women to Drive?"

Hola mi famila y mis amigos,

Unfortunately we don't have a lot of time today because we're going on a tour of the air force base (yes...even missionaries can have fun every once in a while).

So a few days ago we (my two companions and I, along with a few sister missionaries) were sitting in a meeting with our stake president, President Bitton (in a second I'll explain the organization of our church so you know who he is).  He was trying to guilt us into giving our car to the sister missionaries because two of them are riding bikes now.  We, of course, would have graciously and gratefully given it to them with no hesitation whatsoever, except that our mission president assigned it to us and it would be against church policy to allow the sisters to drive it.  As we explained that to him he remarked, "so it's against church insurance policy to allow women to drive?" 

Anyways.  A single congregation in the Church is called a "ward."  Each ward, which has between 100 and 400 members, is headed by a "Bishop," who is a member of the congregation who serves for a few years in a non-paid position.  They still have their normal jobs and families but sacrifice an incredible amount of time for those years as a Bishop.  Somewhere between 6 to 10 "wards" make up a "stake."  Each stake is headed by a "stake president," who serves without being paid just like a "bishop."  For example, anyone from back home who knows the Ernst Family might know that the husband is a stake president right now.  Each stake president is supervised by a member of the "Quorum of the Seventy."  They are overseen by Apostles and Prophet. 

Hope you have a good week. 

Love ya'll,

-Elder Colton

That College Thing...

Hola mi familia y mis amigos,

 

MY BROTHER'S GOING TO WEST POINT.  Isn't he going to look dashing in his new uniform.  Maybe he'll actually learn some discipline and get good at something while he's there.  (And remember ladies, he is still serving a mission, he just needs to wait the two years required by West Point before they will let him go, so hands off or I'll hunt you down personally). 

 

And speaking of college, one of the people who Elder Rasmussen and I taught and baptized about six months ago is debating on whether or not to transfer to BYU.  That would be legit having someone I taught at college with me. 

 

Love ya'll,

-Elder Colton

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

Hola mi familia y mis amigos,

And this is a continuation from my letter a few weeks ago.  This is another little exert from mormon.org about the Book of Mormon (my time is limited so this makes explaining it easier).  

Since its publication in 1830, the Book of Mormon has blessed the lives of millions through its powerful message about Jesus Christ and His gospel.

The Book of Mormon testifies that Jesus Christ did indeed live on the earth and still lives today as our divine Savior. It’s a second witness affirming the existence of Jesus Christ and the truth of the Bible. The account of its origin is as miraculous as the other events surrounding the restoration of the Church.

In 1823 Joseph Smith was visited by a heavenly messenger named Moroni just as angels often appeared to Apostles in the New Testament. Moroni told Joseph about a record of the ancient inhabitants of the American continent that was buried in a nearby hill. He said it contained the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and was written on thin metal sheets of gold. Joseph translated the book into English. The book was named the Book of Mormon after Mormon, the ancient prophet who compiled it.

Translated and written in the same scriptural style of the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon tells us about the struggles of the righteous people of that time who were trying to live God’s commandments. Just as sometimes happens today, they were often made fun of and persecuted for their beliefs. A particularly inspiring section of the book recounts Christ’s visit to the American continent soon after His resurrection. He invited the people to feel the wound marks in his hands, feet and side. He blessed and healed them, performed miracles, and gave twelve men the same authority as His twelve apostles whose works are recorded in the Bible. The effect of His visit was so profound that for nearly 170 years the people lived in peace and righteousness.

The reason the Book of Mormon is so important to us and to me is because it brings me closer to Christ.  It is also the proof that everything you've read in these letters are true.  It shows that this really is the Church of Jesus Christ, not just "the Mormon Church."  I know it's true and I'm so grateful for it.  

Love ya'll,
-Elder Colton