Hey my Family,
This has been another fantastic week in the Florida,Tampa Mission for me. The weather is so perfect I don't even want to think about what I am going to experience when I get home. Time keeps flying by and I don't like that. I feel like I have only begun my mission here and I am still learning like I am brand new. But I think that my companions will dissagree with me because I do most of the talking when we go out to work.
I had a lot of good experiences this week. I went on exchange with an elder named Elder Forbush. hah he is a goof. I love it. We taught a part member family the Taylors, in our ward and they are the hardest people to teach because they are all doing their own thing. So we decided to play a game with them so they all were engaged in our visit. We played Mafia and we applied it to agency and how we need to choose to follow Jesus Christ instead of listening to the evil spirit who leads us to captivity and death. It was a lot of fun. Actually that lesson was the same day as valentines day so we went to a yogurt shop and enjoyed the success of the lesson.
We had a great lesson with Mia and set up a calender with her so she can know what to expect all the way up to her Baptism on the 10th of March. She went to the hospital on Saturday and I am worried about her so we are going to try and visit her.
We followed up with this guy named Billy who we found knocking doors. He is Baptist and very friendly and open to talk. We taught him the restoration and I felt the spirit so strongly. He has committed to read the Book of Mormon and he wants us to come back. We are working on setting a baptismal committment on the first lesson with investigators.
One funny thing happened as we taught geoff. Geoff is a very inteligent man who catches all detail. We decided to teach him about the plan of Salvation and to let Elder Elizondo Start off the lesson. So he did, but as he was explaining that we were with god in the beginning and we could either choose his plan or the devils; he forgot to mention the part about those who chose satan plan not recieving bodies or exaltation. So geoff was confused saying that if we all go to heaven despite which plan we choose( satans of gods) than what does it matter which plan you choose? We spent a good moment trying to explain. When we finally figured out what was missing we all laughed. Geoff said, " Now it makes sense.... that is an important peice to leave out." So it is so funny how leaving out one little sentance makes the whole plan of salvatioin a mess.
Jo(83) came up to us on sunday and asked us if she could be baptized. I was happy but with the situation of her possibly not being accountable was troubling my mind. So we went over to talk about it with her and invited President Summerhays to come. We were a little late and when we arrived at her house President was outside with her helping her pick up leaves and bagging them. That is the type of man President Summerhays is. he is so full of love and spirit. After talking with her President said he would have to ask some one from Salt Lake. so We will see if she needs to get baptized or not.
I Love this work and the time I have been able to spend in the service of My god. Its great and I feel good when I do it. Take care everyone and have a great week. I love you.
Elder Spencer Larson
Monday, February 20, 2012
same old same old
Hey Dad Kris and Anni and Davo,
So I am doing good here in Philippines, I Hope you are also doing good in our country. It sounds like you guys had fun with the scones and the snow, Snow in Tagalog is Niyebe, I am not sure if that is spanish too, there are a lot of spanish in tagalog, and winter is Taglamig. Hope you enjoyed last weeks vocab list, ha I thought it was a good one.
I am healthy, and just bought a basketball so now we can play basketball in the mornings. Yes!!! Nothing new really is going on. We got a new zone leader Emergency transfered into our house, we are roomates with the zone leaders, the last zone leader had something going on he wasn't telling anyone............. and thats all you need to know. Haha
So this week, on wednesday we had our appointment with Larissa (20) but then we had an unexpected missionary exchanges with MTC here in Manilla, they do this for the missionaries there, at the end of there MTC experience a couple days before they leave, I was assigned with 3 other Elders, So it was me taking care of 3 new guys, and here is the great part, THEY DIDN"T KNOW TAGALOG!!! They were from Pakistan, all of them, and one spoke pretty good english, the others tried but mostly stuck with Obdub, or Snubgub, whatever they said there language was, is was weird. Any way so we were on our way to Larissa, then we got a text saying she couldn't continue with our appointment, she went somewhere with her fam, Crap. Sorry for that big dissappointer. so we went to our next appointment which was to sister Mimi (19 or 20) a new convert, and we shared with her about faith, which is one of my favoritest things to talk and teach about. It's what keeps me together, and helps me in my stupidest times. So I did all the talking which was fun! I am not used to it, but I like it, I have always had companions who are way better at me in the language cause they are all from here. So that was a cool fun experience, then the other 3 shared there testimonies, and that was a hoot, cause the first 2 did it in their Snubby Dubby language, and the other elder translated into English, Then I translated, Kinda, In tagalog, so we had like 2 lines of translation, crazy huh, that's what we call the gift of tounges, God deffinetlely helped us out there.
So that was cool, then I took them to a member family, and that was fun. The Racaza family, they are one of my favorites here. The kids are all basically Ward Missionaries and help us out a lot, there are 6 of them. And when we went there, Nany Racaza was so surprised to see us, them more surprised to see all the Bombai's ( that's what they call Indian's here) with me. Ha she said she had a major nose bleed, which means she really had no idea what the junk they were saying. but they were good and fun and tried to comunicate with her, then the one who is good english sang a hymn how great thou art, nice one.
So, crap, that Larissa cancelled on us, but we stopped by the brother who is member who works right close to her, and gave him a Book of Mormon and 2 pamphlets, the Restoration and Plan of Salvation, she apparently was very happy to recieve them and we haven't set up a return appointment yet. Hopefully she reads those wonderful readable things.
So thats pretty much my week, we did teach a lot of other people but I am runnin out of time, so this will be all for today. Hope you enjoyed my week, hehe, that sounds funny. Lets all hope tagalog gets easier, I feel like sometimes it gets harder a few days, then easy all the sudden. But I am trying hard, and Loving it here.
I hope you are all happy, and I hope your job is great Dad and also yours Kris, Making the best of it and all. And Kids, I hope you are enjoying the Niyebe (snow) it is fun, and you can through it at other people, you can't really do that with rain. Ha Hope you are enjoying and loving life, cause it is meant to be loved, and cried, and laughed, but mostly just loved.
Love you all,
Love
Elder Benjamin L. Larson
So I am doing good here in Philippines, I Hope you are also doing good in our country. It sounds like you guys had fun with the scones and the snow, Snow in Tagalog is Niyebe, I am not sure if that is spanish too, there are a lot of spanish in tagalog, and winter is Taglamig. Hope you enjoyed last weeks vocab list, ha I thought it was a good one.
I am healthy, and just bought a basketball so now we can play basketball in the mornings. Yes!!! Nothing new really is going on. We got a new zone leader Emergency transfered into our house, we are roomates with the zone leaders, the last zone leader had something going on he wasn't telling anyone............. and thats all you need to know. Haha
So this week, on wednesday we had our appointment with Larissa (20) but then we had an unexpected missionary exchanges with MTC here in Manilla, they do this for the missionaries there, at the end of there MTC experience a couple days before they leave, I was assigned with 3 other Elders, So it was me taking care of 3 new guys, and here is the great part, THEY DIDN"T KNOW TAGALOG!!! They were from Pakistan, all of them, and one spoke pretty good english, the others tried but mostly stuck with Obdub, or Snubgub, whatever they said there language was, is was weird. Any way so we were on our way to Larissa, then we got a text saying she couldn't continue with our appointment, she went somewhere with her fam, Crap. Sorry for that big dissappointer. so we went to our next appointment which was to sister Mimi (19 or 20) a new convert, and we shared with her about faith, which is one of my favoritest things to talk and teach about. It's what keeps me together, and helps me in my stupidest times. So I did all the talking which was fun! I am not used to it, but I like it, I have always had companions who are way better at me in the language cause they are all from here. So that was a cool fun experience, then the other 3 shared there testimonies, and that was a hoot, cause the first 2 did it in their Snubby Dubby language, and the other elder translated into English, Then I translated, Kinda, In tagalog, so we had like 2 lines of translation, crazy huh, that's what we call the gift of tounges, God deffinetlely helped us out there.
So that was cool, then I took them to a member family, and that was fun. The Racaza family, they are one of my favorites here. The kids are all basically Ward Missionaries and help us out a lot, there are 6 of them. And when we went there, Nany Racaza was so surprised to see us, them more surprised to see all the Bombai's ( that's what they call Indian's here) with me. Ha she said she had a major nose bleed, which means she really had no idea what the junk they were saying. but they were good and fun and tried to comunicate with her, then the one who is good english sang a hymn how great thou art, nice one.
So, crap, that Larissa cancelled on us, but we stopped by the brother who is member who works right close to her, and gave him a Book of Mormon and 2 pamphlets, the Restoration and Plan of Salvation, she apparently was very happy to recieve them and we haven't set up a return appointment yet. Hopefully she reads those wonderful readable things.
So thats pretty much my week, we did teach a lot of other people but I am runnin out of time, so this will be all for today. Hope you enjoyed my week, hehe, that sounds funny. Lets all hope tagalog gets easier, I feel like sometimes it gets harder a few days, then easy all the sudden. But I am trying hard, and Loving it here.
I hope you are all happy, and I hope your job is great Dad and also yours Kris, Making the best of it and all. And Kids, I hope you are enjoying the Niyebe (snow) it is fun, and you can through it at other people, you can't really do that with rain. Ha Hope you are enjoying and loving life, cause it is meant to be loved, and cried, and laughed, but mostly just loved.
Love you all,
Love
Elder Benjamin L. Larson
There was no escape
Hello everybody,
Let me tell you guys what in last 4 days because my last e- mail wensday. On thursday we taught Bruna and her Uncle who is Sergeo That live in front of our house, it was a little akward at first because we see them almost every day, but they try not to notice us but this time there was no escape for them. We taught the resturation and accepted our invists and they are marked for baptism the 17 of march along with Patricia and sheila.
I love you all and hope you guys have a good week.
Elder Stephen Larson
Let me tell you guys what in last 4 days because my last e- mail wensday. On thursday we taught Bruna and her Uncle who is Sergeo That live in front of our house, it was a little akward at first because we see them almost every day, but they try not to notice us but this time there was no escape for them. We taught the resturation and accepted our invists and they are marked for baptism the 17 of march along with Patricia and sheila.
I love you all and hope you guys have a good week.
Elder Stephen Larson
We went to the Temple
Hey everybody,
I am doing good, I didn´t send an e-mail because our P-day was moved to today because today we went to the Temple, and when we go to the Temple they switch our P-day. I just got back from the temple and it was great.
Last tuesday when I got here in ´Cidade Dultra´(which is my new area), I was really suprised because this area is the area that my Trainer(Elder Field) finished his mission in 2010. My new companion is elder Alves da Silva, he´s from a place called Recife(city), Panabuco(state), it´s the same place where uncle Matt Larson served his mission. Elder Silva has about 1 year on the mission and he seems like a cool guy.
This ward ´Cidade Dultra´, seems to be having some problems, but I am excited to be here to help them out. This area is very small compered to my last area, actully this area is very closs to my first area(Palmares). The church is in our area, but we have 4 wards that attend our building, it´s cool because yu see a lot of members.
We don´t have very many investigators here but we do have a Patricia(21) and sheila(20) that we taught on sunday and marked them for baptism, for the 17th of march. There´s also a man named Misrael(about 35) that I´ve only talked with him one time but we don´t know why he hasn´t gotten baptised yet, so tonight we are going talk with him about Baptism. Elder Silva was teaching a young lady named Mikaeli(17) but I don´t even know who she is yet, and on tuesday some other Elders in our Zone told us about a young lady that lives in front of our house that is interessed in our message, her name is Bruna(17).
I know that god is our father and that he wants us to be happy, but we can only be trully happy when we live the Restored Gospel. I know that Jesus is our Savior and Redemer. I love us all Have a great week.
Elder stephen larson
I am doing good, I didn´t send an e-mail because our P-day was moved to today because today we went to the Temple, and when we go to the Temple they switch our P-day. I just got back from the temple and it was great.
Last tuesday when I got here in ´Cidade Dultra´(which is my new area), I was really suprised because this area is the area that my Trainer(Elder Field) finished his mission in 2010. My new companion is elder Alves da Silva, he´s from a place called Recife(city), Panabuco(state), it´s the same place where uncle Matt Larson served his mission. Elder Silva has about 1 year on the mission and he seems like a cool guy.
This ward ´Cidade Dultra´, seems to be having some problems, but I am excited to be here to help them out. This area is very small compered to my last area, actully this area is very closs to my first area(Palmares). The church is in our area, but we have 4 wards that attend our building, it´s cool because yu see a lot of members.
We don´t have very many investigators here but we do have a Patricia(21) and sheila(20) that we taught on sunday and marked them for baptism, for the 17th of march. There´s also a man named Misrael(about 35) that I´ve only talked with him one time but we don´t know why he hasn´t gotten baptised yet, so tonight we are going talk with him about Baptism. Elder Silva was teaching a young lady named Mikaeli(17) but I don´t even know who she is yet, and on tuesday some other Elders in our Zone told us about a young lady that lives in front of our house that is interessed in our message, her name is Bruna(17).
I know that god is our father and that he wants us to be happy, but we can only be trully happy when we live the Restored Gospel. I know that Jesus is our Savior and Redemer. I love us all Have a great week.
Elder stephen larson
The power of gratitude
Hey Family,
Man this was a very interesting week. I didn't have much of a p-day because I had to go up to the most north part of our mission and settle some issues with some missionaries. And ended up staying there on exchange for 2 days and I had an excellent time with the ward up there. While I was up there I ate a huge steak at a members house and I went on a split with a member who has no legs because of his military service. There are a lot of people in the military down here. But this man not only rolls around in a wheel chair; but he also DRIVES! he pushes the gas by a handle right next to the steering wheel. It was freaky. Guess what his name was.... Brother Chairwalk. I almost died laughing. Ben, I told Brother Chair Walk that you were serving in the Philippines and he said he knew a missionary whose name is Jacob kimmy. He is American, Let me know if you know him.
We had a Zone conference and I was pretty stressed out about it because not only did I have to give a training that I wasn't prepared that well for but I was asked to conduct the entire meeting. Then I found out in the Middle of it that it would be my last Zone conference. That was very weird, so at the end of the meeting i stood up and bore my "Departing testimony" about the savior and his love for me. It was hard to get through it but I never felt such joy in all my life in getting up to bear my testimony. It was a very powerful experience for me.
The days following were tough for some unknown reason. The work slowed down a lot. Appointments fell through right and left and we weren't able to teach anyone. I have never wanted to give up in all of my mission than that day. But even though I didn't feel like pushing through it we did. And we began to remember the lords blessings in our lives. I literally counted each blessing the lord had given me at that time. I was thankful for our car, my health, good looks, stuff like that. And as soon as we did that we felt a little better to get us through that day. I know from that experience that I am completely useless as a missionary without the lords help and guidance. I needed that lesson, now that we are depending on the lord more we are getting more appointments and more things are happening. Then on Sunday our lesson was sealed by the sacrament talks, one was on Grace and the other was on Gratitude. And i learned that when we "count our many blessings" it takes effort, especially when you don't feel like being thankful for anything. But as we try to count them, you begin to put your focus on god. I thought that was a great thing to know so now every time I feel down or depressed about something that doesn't go my way, I can count on the lord to lift me higher. Now I am happy and confident that what ever happens i am that much prepared to choose to be happy.
By the way, Mia came to church two times in a row with one of her sons, and Jo came as well. but I think that Jo isn't accountable so we will just keep helping her get to church until she can't or she passes into the next life.i love her and i know that she is a great blessing in my life.
That is about it, I love you all. see you all soon.
Elder Spencer Larson
Man this was a very interesting week. I didn't have much of a p-day because I had to go up to the most north part of our mission and settle some issues with some missionaries. And ended up staying there on exchange for 2 days and I had an excellent time with the ward up there. While I was up there I ate a huge steak at a members house and I went on a split with a member who has no legs because of his military service. There are a lot of people in the military down here. But this man not only rolls around in a wheel chair; but he also DRIVES! he pushes the gas by a handle right next to the steering wheel. It was freaky. Guess what his name was.... Brother Chairwalk. I almost died laughing. Ben, I told Brother Chair Walk that you were serving in the Philippines and he said he knew a missionary whose name is Jacob kimmy. He is American, Let me know if you know him.
We had a Zone conference and I was pretty stressed out about it because not only did I have to give a training that I wasn't prepared that well for but I was asked to conduct the entire meeting. Then I found out in the Middle of it that it would be my last Zone conference. That was very weird, so at the end of the meeting i stood up and bore my "Departing testimony" about the savior and his love for me. It was hard to get through it but I never felt such joy in all my life in getting up to bear my testimony. It was a very powerful experience for me.
The days following were tough for some unknown reason. The work slowed down a lot. Appointments fell through right and left and we weren't able to teach anyone. I have never wanted to give up in all of my mission than that day. But even though I didn't feel like pushing through it we did. And we began to remember the lords blessings in our lives. I literally counted each blessing the lord had given me at that time. I was thankful for our car, my health, good looks, stuff like that. And as soon as we did that we felt a little better to get us through that day. I know from that experience that I am completely useless as a missionary without the lords help and guidance. I needed that lesson, now that we are depending on the lord more we are getting more appointments and more things are happening. Then on Sunday our lesson was sealed by the sacrament talks, one was on Grace and the other was on Gratitude. And i learned that when we "count our many blessings" it takes effort, especially when you don't feel like being thankful for anything. But as we try to count them, you begin to put your focus on god. I thought that was a great thing to know so now every time I feel down or depressed about something that doesn't go my way, I can count on the lord to lift me higher. Now I am happy and confident that what ever happens i am that much prepared to choose to be happy.
By the way, Mia came to church two times in a row with one of her sons, and Jo came as well. but I think that Jo isn't accountable so we will just keep helping her get to church until she can't or she passes into the next life.i love her and i know that she is a great blessing in my life.
That is about it, I love you all. see you all soon.
Elder Spencer Larson
I dont know what to call this e-mail
Hey mom, Jess, Family, Dogs too i gues.
I am doing good here in my new area, I am a little bit more adjusted now and know the streets a little better, but there are probably around 300 little alley way's that go who know's where, and those are hard to navigate. I am healthy. We went to the dentist last week cause my comp said his gums were hurting him. We wen't( it was actually pretty nice, mostly cuase it was the dentist our mission uses) and it turned out he had a wisdom tooth that had just come in. They pulled it out right there. Ha it was so funny. Like we went in signed a paper, they took my comp back, we were the only ones there, I read a few signs in the office and tried translating them all in tagalog, ha ha, then when I was done, so were they. It took all about 15 or 20 minutes. Probably the fastest dentist drop I have ever been to, also I didn't have to have them hurt the crap out of my teeth so that was extra bonus.
Tell Jon I don't know yet what number he could call me on or what, but there is transfer day on March 15 probably, and I need to know what day he is coming and until when so I can figure it all out. I also don't know what number he can call me at or if any of this is allowed by my president. So I will figure it out and e-mail you every thing in the next couple of week.
So This was a different week. We met a girl named Larisa, she was born in the Philippines, was adopted when she was 8 and lived in california ever since. She is 20 ish now and has forgotten tagalog, she is just visiting her family before she starts college. It was kind of weird how we met her, we were looking for a house of a Less Active family so we went to a guy in our ward who knows everyone, he was at his little food hut, called Tindahan, where he feeds people, not a resturant just a side of the rode 10 spuare feet hut. Anyways, so they were talking when we walked up, and I was surprised when they weren't speaking Tagalog. I looked at her weirdly for a second, then asked her how she was in english, she said, 'Im alright'. Cool!! Also it was a little difficult to have a conversation in English, I had to think extra hard. ha, then I asked her where she was from and started a little conversation. It was cool, especially when I asked her what she liked to do, like her hobbies. ( I don't know why I asked that question, it just popped in my head) she said she liked reading books, and the books she said she likes to read are deep life books, and what life is all about and how to be happy. So I thought to myself, " YES!! I have the Perfect book for Her!! (the Book of Mormon)" Then as I was reaching into my bag for it, I realized................ it was Tagalog version. Patay!!! ( it means death, but in this context, "CRAP") So instead of doing that, we just continued our conversation a little, then when the time came, I told her a little about our church and what we as missionaries do as missionaries, It was weird to do it in english. Then I said how she said earlier she likes deep life books. I asked her if it would be ok if we could come over another day and talk a little bit about what life means and what the whole big deal about it is. She said yeah sure. ( YESS!! Just a little victory moment for us) We set up the appointment and havent had it yet, because it is this wednesday! Hopefully I can teach the Plan of Salvation ok in english, I mean Its' already hard enough in Tagalog. Ha I can do it though.
So I have been studying about the Plan of Salvation a lot lately I'm not sure why ( I do know why, its cause we are teaching it this week, I just wanted to say I didn't so my e-mail would be funner) and I have learned a lot. I have read mostly Alma chapters 40 until 42 those are all really good chapters. It talks about where we came from and a little about why we are here, and mostly where we go after we die. One thing I have noticed though in these chapters is that it is all centered around Jesus Christ. But all three things are important, the Creation Fall and Resurrection/Atonement. The Creation needed to happen so we could live here, and have bodies, easy peasy lemon squeezy, the Fall happened so we can have experiences, and a chance to return to our Heavenly Father, this part I think is cool, the Atonement was able to come because of the Fall, and we need it in order to fulfil our hole purpose, so we can be with our families forever. So all of this stuff is conected and all of it supports eachother, but the Atonement is what we all mostly focuss on, because the other two have already happened and now we are un-perfect and need the atonement or we will all go to hell and be miserable with nashing of teeth and wailing stuff. I said this a little wierd, but it is direct and true. If there was no Atonement there will no hope either. The Atonement + Accepting it = Salvation! That is my new math equation of life. God has given us a sacred gift called agency, we get to choose to accept this plan or not, the thing is, we have already accepted it, and now we have the choice again to finish it! I love the Plan of Salvation it gives light to our not understandingment.
I love you all, and hope you are all happy. And Healthy, and accepting the Atonement every day of your lives. We are the only ones who can hold back the blessings of god, He wants to give them to us, his hand is stretched forth ready for us to take them, it is up to us to Take them though.
Love you mom Jess, I pray for you two always. Jess I love your face too. I hope your hair is getting long and gorgious like you promised me you would let it.
Love Elder Benjamin Lamoreaux Larson
I am doing good here in my new area, I am a little bit more adjusted now and know the streets a little better, but there are probably around 300 little alley way's that go who know's where, and those are hard to navigate. I am healthy. We went to the dentist last week cause my comp said his gums were hurting him. We wen't( it was actually pretty nice, mostly cuase it was the dentist our mission uses) and it turned out he had a wisdom tooth that had just come in. They pulled it out right there. Ha it was so funny. Like we went in signed a paper, they took my comp back, we were the only ones there, I read a few signs in the office and tried translating them all in tagalog, ha ha, then when I was done, so were they. It took all about 15 or 20 minutes. Probably the fastest dentist drop I have ever been to, also I didn't have to have them hurt the crap out of my teeth so that was extra bonus.
Tell Jon I don't know yet what number he could call me on or what, but there is transfer day on March 15 probably, and I need to know what day he is coming and until when so I can figure it all out. I also don't know what number he can call me at or if any of this is allowed by my president. So I will figure it out and e-mail you every thing in the next couple of week.
So This was a different week. We met a girl named Larisa, she was born in the Philippines, was adopted when she was 8 and lived in california ever since. She is 20 ish now and has forgotten tagalog, she is just visiting her family before she starts college. It was kind of weird how we met her, we were looking for a house of a Less Active family so we went to a guy in our ward who knows everyone, he was at his little food hut, called Tindahan, where he feeds people, not a resturant just a side of the rode 10 spuare feet hut. Anyways, so they were talking when we walked up, and I was surprised when they weren't speaking Tagalog. I looked at her weirdly for a second, then asked her how she was in english, she said, 'Im alright'. Cool!! Also it was a little difficult to have a conversation in English, I had to think extra hard. ha, then I asked her where she was from and started a little conversation. It was cool, especially when I asked her what she liked to do, like her hobbies. ( I don't know why I asked that question, it just popped in my head) she said she liked reading books, and the books she said she likes to read are deep life books, and what life is all about and how to be happy. So I thought to myself, " YES!! I have the Perfect book for Her!! (the Book of Mormon)" Then as I was reaching into my bag for it, I realized................ it was Tagalog version. Patay!!! ( it means death, but in this context, "CRAP") So instead of doing that, we just continued our conversation a little, then when the time came, I told her a little about our church and what we as missionaries do as missionaries, It was weird to do it in english. Then I said how she said earlier she likes deep life books. I asked her if it would be ok if we could come over another day and talk a little bit about what life means and what the whole big deal about it is. She said yeah sure. ( YESS!! Just a little victory moment for us) We set up the appointment and havent had it yet, because it is this wednesday! Hopefully I can teach the Plan of Salvation ok in english, I mean Its' already hard enough in Tagalog. Ha I can do it though.
So I have been studying about the Plan of Salvation a lot lately I'm not sure why ( I do know why, its cause we are teaching it this week, I just wanted to say I didn't so my e-mail would be funner) and I have learned a lot. I have read mostly Alma chapters 40 until 42 those are all really good chapters. It talks about where we came from and a little about why we are here, and mostly where we go after we die. One thing I have noticed though in these chapters is that it is all centered around Jesus Christ. But all three things are important, the Creation Fall and Resurrection/Atonement. The Creation needed to happen so we could live here, and have bodies, easy peasy lemon squeezy, the Fall happened so we can have experiences, and a chance to return to our Heavenly Father, this part I think is cool, the Atonement was able to come because of the Fall, and we need it in order to fulfil our hole purpose, so we can be with our families forever. So all of this stuff is conected and all of it supports eachother, but the Atonement is what we all mostly focuss on, because the other two have already happened and now we are un-perfect and need the atonement or we will all go to hell and be miserable with nashing of teeth and wailing stuff. I said this a little wierd, but it is direct and true. If there was no Atonement there will no hope either. The Atonement + Accepting it = Salvation! That is my new math equation of life. God has given us a sacred gift called agency, we get to choose to accept this plan or not, the thing is, we have already accepted it, and now we have the choice again to finish it! I love the Plan of Salvation it gives light to our not understandingment.
I love you all, and hope you are all happy. And Healthy, and accepting the Atonement every day of your lives. We are the only ones who can hold back the blessings of god, He wants to give them to us, his hand is stretched forth ready for us to take them, it is up to us to Take them though.
Love you mom Jess, I pray for you two always. Jess I love your face too. I hope your hair is getting long and gorgious like you promised me you would let it.
Love Elder Benjamin Lamoreaux Larson
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