June 11th, 2012

Hello!!
While big events unfolded for you all, the same thing happened here in good ol' oregon. we set a baptismal date with a man named Stephen. We tracted into him like the second day we were here, but come to find out the missionaries had met him before and introduced him to Family History work. Well for the past few months he has been going to the family history center at the stake center every week, and has found out some really great stuff. a lot of his ancestors have been members of the church. two weeks ago we went in to the family history center after district meeting to meet up with him and find out more about his history work he has been doing. We walked in and were talking to him for a few minutes, and one of the consultants at the center walked over and stephen introduced us by saying "these are the guys who are gonna help me get baptized" and so the consultant said "oh really, i'd love to be there, when is it?" so stephen turned to us and said "yeah, when is it guys?" haha....so he is preparing to get baptized on the 30th of june. It was really cool. we were planning on setting a date the next day during our lesson with him, but the family history consultant did it for us haha.
Yesterday in church was another great miracle. we had two new investigators come to church with a member family. (the members were incredible, they introduced them [michelle and raja are their names] to the bishop and the relief society president) and sacrament meeting was so so great. there was a member of the stake presidency there and it just so happend that the high council member speaking didnt show up so there was a slot open for speaking,well the member of the stake presidency got up and said "i felt very prompted to speak from the spirit to raja and michelle" IT WAS SO SO AWESOME!!!!!!!!! He spoke about the restoration and his decision to join the church. it really was the greatest thing ever. its not every day that happens. after the meeting michelle and raja went up to him and gave him a huge hug, it was a tender moment. the spirit definitely bore truth to them yesterday =)
This past week I have done a lot of studying on two things. Joy, and Prayer. I have one thing that i wanted to share with you. I read Alma 31 and 32. I find the comparison of the prayer the zoramites say and the one that alma says very interesting. As the scriptures describe the zoramites prayer:
22 Now, from this stand they did offer up, every man, the selfsame prayer unto God, thanking their God that they were chosen of him, and that he did not lead them away after the tradition of their brethren, and that their hearts were not stolen away to believe in things to come, which they knew nothing about.

23 Now, after the people had all offered up thanks after this manner, they returned to their homes, anever speaking of their God again until they had assembled themselves together again to the holy stand, to offer up thanks after their manner.

24 Now when Alma saw this his heart was agrieved; for he saw that they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods.

theirs was a prayer of pride. And i love that it says "they returned to their homes, never speaking of thier god again..." and i found myself asking the question "how often do I pray for something then not do my part". as president Hinckley says "get on your knees pray as if it all depends on the lord, then get on your feet and act as if it all depends on you" Alma's was the opposite, he was praying for the success of his fellow servants, for the welfare of his enemies and for strength through the enabling power fo Christs atonement.

36 Now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words, that he aclapped his bhands upon all them who were with him. And behold, as he clapped his hands upon them, they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

37 And after that they did separate themselves one from another, ataking no thought for themselves what they should eat, or what they should drink, or what they should put on.

38 And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of aafflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in bfaith.

They immediately set to work. Knowing that their trust and faith in the lord would provide the way. And look what happens. "the Lord provided for them..." I know you already know all of this haha, but it was an exciting thing for me to recapture. I just love the scriptures and all they teach. It is also a great comfort for me to know that Heavenly Father wants to answer my prayers. He loves us so much. I know he does. All we have to do is turn to him in faith, and he will provide for us just as he did for alma and his brethren. Miracles are ours to be seen. =)

I hope you all have a great week. Know my thoughts and prayers are with you all! I love you all.

love, Elder Haydn Nelson