Words of Inspiration

This week has been a rough one as a very close family friend has passed away, but our Elder is truly being blessed by the Lord with words of inspiration that are perfect for this sad time. It has been such a good reminder to love your families a little more, and to thank the Lord for our time together as eternal families.

Jake to Dad:
Catherine is doing well, she has had good experiences with prayer so far and we are teaching her about the Restoration tonight. It will be different because she doesnt have a religious background but so long as we follow the Spirit I know she is humble and receptive enough to be touched by our testimonies. Hannah is doing well also! She has a baptismal date for Sept 8th! Her Mom is so proud of her! She called us this week as well to tell us that she knows the Book of Mormon is true! They are both in good hands at the moment. I spoke to Elder Hutchings this morning as well and he told me Hugh is struggling a bit. Theyve been having difficulty getting a hold of him this week and he wasnt at Church. I started a bit of an emergency fast for him and Id really appreciate as many prayers for him (as well as Catherine and Hannah) as possible. There are many in Cardiff watching out for him but I know Satan will try HARD to keep that man from going to the Temple in a year. The news about Tom is a bit shocking as well, however, I know it will be ok, it will all be ok. Im trying to keep my mission scripture in mind. "Trust in the Lord with all thy heart". Im in his hands and I need to rely on him. I know that adversity and affliction are for our good and if we endure it well God will exalt us on high and we will triumph over all our foes. Pray and read the scriptures. Take the Sacrament and fully apply the Atonement and everything will work out. I thought I knew the Gospel was true before I left but I had no idea. But now im SURE. Ive seen some pretty low pits and some pretty dark places her in the UK and the Gospel shines that much better above it all. I love you, you are my hero, I am so proud to be your son and to carry you name on my badge. Stay strong!

Jake to Mom and John:

This week has been good. Hannah Spence, one of our investigators accepted a date for baptism this week and has eceived her answer that the Book of Mormon is true. The date is Sept 8, a little ways off but were very excited for her, I know her mom is just beaming with pride for her! Sadly I was on exchange to Yate when the invitation was extended but we are very hopeful to invite Catherine to be baptized at some point this week! The other missionaries in this area have an investigator with a date as well, August 11. Hopefully if Catherine can attend the service she will be more interested in being baptized as well!
Otherwise we are continuing to work. We go out and tract and talk to poeple we meet and we dont have any new investigators yet but we have a handful of promising potentials.
Ive really been enjoying my scripture reading this week! I read 40 pages of the BoM yesterday and I feel like Im learning alot! For one I think I finally understand the line of prophets in the Book of Mormon all the way from Lehi to Moroni. I figure Abinadi is very likely the son of Abinadom and the brother of Amaleki who went with the poeple of Zeniff and I read the line from Nephi to Moroni this week. Ive been in 3 Nephi and Im in Ether now and my list of Book of Mormon heroes is getting pretty cramped. I finally know the names of Christs disciples in the Americas! Id never paid much attention to that before but as Ive been following the names of individuals and where they go and what they do the Book of Mormon has become much more real. Zeezrom is one of my heroes because even though he was trying to contend with Alma and Amulek at first he was humbled and rp-ented and even went on a mission to the Zoramites after that! Talk about true conversion! I got to read about the 3 Nephites yesterday as well. If any one in the Book of Mormon is my hero its them! I sympathized with them when they were afraid to tell the Savior what they wanted. I want the same! But I know that im with Alma: its not the plan the Lord has for me. I also read about the Brother of Jared this morning and hes absolutely the example of faith! Faith so strong that Jesus couldnt hide from his sight. I want faith like that!
Over the last few weeks Ive built a personal relationship with the scriptures that Ive never had before. Every day before I read I pray for a powerful witness that the Book of Mormon is true. I cant honestly say Ive ever received a strong powerful witness, but as Ive been reading it has just come alive and Ive had small, meaningful experiences. Im confident that by the time Ive finished I will be able to testify with power and conviction that the Book of Mormon is true and that anyone can pray to know it.
Im starting to catch a glimpse of some of those mountains but im not afraid! I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for i KNOW that the Lord giveth NO commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they might accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. So long as I keep fasting and praying and doing (and im fasting and praying and doing as mush as i can) everything will be OK.
I love you!!!

John- The news about Bro Stone is tough, l but I can promise you well get to see him again if we work hard enough. Keep praying every night and reading your scriptures and things will be ok. I know that everything youve been learning in Church and at home since you were little is absolutely true. Heavanly Father loves us. He loves. I love you! I miss you a lot man! I know I wont be there to see you get 6" taller or to see you pass the sacrament for the first time but just know Im so proud of you, youre an awesome kid! Keep reading books man! Dont lose the habit like I did for a while! But dont stay up too late or youll always be tired! Dont get a new brother! Keep saving up and working for the things you want and theyll mean that much more to you when you get them! Take care of mom and help her out for me! You’ve only got 8 years until youre a missionary too and it goes by quick!