Missionaries - Comings and Goings

Dear Mom and Dad, 

- I got a great package from the Bob Davis family!!! Thank you so so much!

Well yesterday was a pretty busy day! We had to take two beds to an apartment, do some stuff at the bank and post office, do some other office work, all in time for the final dinner and family home evening with the missionaries who are going home. After that I had to drive some senior missionaries home. Needless to say, there was no "P-Day" or rest time!

To answer your question it is transfer week! This is my second transfer week here in the office, when I got called in before it was right before transfer week. This morning we just sent off the missionaries going home, and tomorrow afternoon the Provo MTC missionaries come in, on Thursday morning the Manila MTC missionaries come, and Friday morning is transfer day! I know that I'll be getting a new companion this transfer day. I know I have three more transfers left here in the office, and then I'll get one more in the field before I go home.

The picture I sent last Sunday is Sister Lyn and her family. She came to church on Sunday for the first time in months!!!! She looked so happy and the members were so happy to see her. Her husband is the only one in their family whose not been baptized. He's so nice and always listens to us,. I think he was a bit turned off by some of the gossip he heard, so he stopped going to church. Sister Lyn only brought one of her children to church, so our goal is to have them come as a complete family!

I think I've told you a bit about Sister Sharon, the part-member mother we're teaching. She's the one that's had a bit of a rocky progression. She's come to feel that the Book of Mormon is true, but still has struggled keeping her reading commitments and praying to know about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the prophet Joseph Smith. You know it boggles my mind sometimes because it seems like it is the most simple invitation. Here's a Book that will bless your life. Please read it, think about the message and it's witness of Jesus Christ, and then pray to God to know if it's true. So simple! Yet it is so hard for people to do! We followed up with her the other night before our lesson. The other evening we taught them and she started to share with us an experience. She said that for a long time she had never really had the faith that her prayers would be answered. She said she didn't really believe that God would answer her, or that anyone could for that matter. However she said that one night before she went to bed she decided to pray, and at least try to ask like we've been inviting her to do. She said that as she began to pray, she asked "Is this Book of Mormon true? Is Joseph Smith a true prophet?" She said that immediately after asking the question a feeling came over her that was unlike anything she has ever felt. She had difficulty describing it, and said that ever since then she's just had peace in her heart and has just been happy. We were able to help her understand that what she felt was the Holy Ghost, and that this was a direct answer to her prayers. This was such a strengthening experience for me personally, to know that he truly does answer. It can be a bit discouraging sometimes as we constantly extend Moroni's promise and so few truly and sincerely do it. But experiences like this really do strengthen my faith that he always will answer the humble. As I said before, he will tell them if it is true. The Lord has requirements for blessings, and if we meet those, he is bound in giving us those blessings. If we want blessings, we need to be exactly obedient and keep the commandments.

President Peterson shared with us a great scripture I'd like to share. It's in one of my favorite sections in the Doctrine and Covenants, D&C 19. It's Jesus Christ himself speaking, and the only place in the scriptures where the Savior personally speaks of exactly what he felt in the Garden and on the Cross. In verse 2 he says:

2" I, having accomplished and finished the will of him whose I am, even the Father, concerning me—having done this that I might subdue all things unto myself— "

Whose I am. Do you think there was any doubt in the Savior's mind whose he was? He always deflected all glory and praise to the Father. He said that he could do nothing save he had seen it or received it from the Father. Christ knew who he was. He knew his identity. He knew who had sent him, whose plan it was, and his role and purpose in that divine plan. He knew whose he was. I am trying my best to learn whose I am. Christ was the Father's, and I am the Father's. We are all the Father's. May we be as Christ was, and know exactly whose we are, and subdue ourselves to his will in all things, at all times, and in all places.

Love,

Elder Yost