Culture of the England Manchester Mission: "Speak to Everyone"

Hiya!

What a blast of news that email just was!  I'm glad to hear you were
able to chat with Jeffrey (Moss), and Richard (Cunningham) as they now shall be known.
Also, I will mull over the idea of coming home for Dallin's farewell,
I'm sure President Preston will talk to me about it more when I see
him this week.

We have been blessed this week with another progressing investigator,
Roxie from Portugal. She was street contacted and taught on the spot
in no other place than my former home of Swinton, by the Elders that
replaced Elder Palmer and I. We went and saw her at the beginning of
the week, and had a great first lesson helping her to understand the
Restoration. We then saw her again on Saturday and went over how the
Bible and Book of Mormon go together, and how they testify of each
other. It brought a great spirit of unity into the lesson, and into
her understanding of the Restoration. She then also mentioned how she
went onto to mormon.org and came across "baptisms for the dead" and read
up on it.  It was very prevalent to her with losing her grandpa a
couple of years ago. She said that she was sad at the time knowing he
had not been baptised. We were able to teach more about it and share
how it is part of the Restoration. Near the end part of the lesson we
again extended the invitation to be baptised, she accepted and said
that "It feels right, it must be God telling me." The next day she
came to church and enjoyed all three hours. The Preston YSA was a
great help at introducing themselves and helping her feel welcome.

Roxie now has a date for the 17th of March, and we will be seeing her
three times this week.

We are still seeing Ben and he is still coming along. This week we
had two lessons with him, both being on the Plan of Salvation. He was
able to understand it remarkably well, but not in the sense of just
knowing the steps, but understanding the base principles such as the
need for a Saviour and how the Atonement reverses the affects of the
Fall.  He was able to identify how it all fits together. He is just a
very bright man with an unfortunate situation. But the great thing is
that he doesn't let his illness define him and does not allow it to
be an excuse. That is what has allowed him to achieve so much. For
example, after the lesson he was sharing with me what he learned about
Biology the other day and he had me going in circles. It is amazing
to see what a man can continue to do in his life despite all of the
odds going against him. That has to be one of the greatest strengths
someone can posses: an indomitable will combined with an awareness of
what he can do, and not just seeing what he can't do.

We have already become great friends and he continues to do very well.
 His illness is the only thing that is holding him back at the moment.
 In this last lesson he reassured us that he wanted to be baptised,
and he understands what it all entails. He is now adjusting his
sleeping pattern to be in line with church next week.

Everything else this week has been finding time and Elder Nielson's
driving lessons in Chorley. Let's just say I’m the one to serve with
when your going for your license...

Upcoming this week is an impromptu Zone Leader Council, and Elder
Nielson and I are headed just about to the border of England to
Workington for a 2 day exchange with the Elders up there. 

Scripture of the week: Acts 5:38-42

38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone:
for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found
even to fight against God.

40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and
beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of
Jesus, and let them go.

41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that
they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to
teach and preach Jesus Christ.

I wish I could expound upon the entire chapter, but time does not
allow. I love the attitude of the early apostles and their pure
desire to "speak to everyone."  That is the culture of the England
Manchester Mission and even though at times we may get rejected or
belittled by people on the street, we know we are going about the work
of God. For men "cannot overthrow it", and it will go forward. With
that testimony in my heart I am glad that I am "counted worthy to
suffer shame for [Christ's] name" at times. For I will "cease not to
teach and preach Jesus Christ" at all times and in all places, for
that is what I am called to do.

Have a great week!

Elder Eliason

"We radiate what we are"

Hola!

The journey begins! Dallin is headed to Colombia! Funny thing is that
yesterday I met a student that is from Colombia--the first Colombian I
have run into on my mission, and it was the day before! But that is
such an exciting call to receive! And speaking that en el Espanol? That
is what I'm talking about! Now we have a full-time spokesman for us
every time we go to Taco Bell, ordering just got so much easier. And
those pics Dallin sent...Gorgeous. And that Chiva bus thing? I
dream of being able to bus contact on something like that! haha... This
takes me back to when I got my call and all the feelings that come
with it, I'm excited for you D!  I'll email you here in a sec...

Well, it's taken me about 30 minutes to take in everything about
Dallin's call...I just can’t get over it. So my highlights from the
week are going to have to be quick:

We now have one progressing investigator! His name is Ben and how we
found him starts with Elder Moss and Elder Nielson a few weeks ago.
They sat down with the Bishop and asked him to pray about an area that
they should focus on. Using his keys he gave them a little side part
of Preston. 


The second day that I was here, we tracted out a road in
that area, and met Ben. He at first was not interested, but after
awhile he allowed us to come back in a few days. Well, we did and we
first asked him what it was that caught his attention about our
message. He said "It was you, you both have a presence about what you
believe in. You have a confidence in yourselves and in life, and that
is what I want." 


To hear that was humbling and a great way to start
of the lesson that we had. Ben is in his late 20s and used to be a
big into Martial Arts, until he was hit with an illness that Doctors
have no diagnosis for. This illness has brought him down in life and has
caused him to start asking questions, and desiring to find the "right
path." He's always talking about the "right path." We have now taught
him two lessons and he is picking up on it all really well. Ben is
big into science and says that it is a battle to push away his
agnostic views that he has grown up with. Another great thing that
happened in our second lesson is that we offered a Priesthood
blessing, and he was all for it. It was a special experience.

This past week we also had Zone Conference! President Preston
presented his Mission Vision to the mission and it definitely created
a "buzz" of excitement for what is to come.

Elder Nielson and I trained over QGC's (Quality Gospel Conversations) and handling objections whilst finding. I have a great passion for finding and every time we train
on it, I do my best to get that passion across. Especially for all of
these new missionaries who have not had those experiences yet.

Quote of the week:

“There is another responsibility correlated and even co-existent with… agency, which is too infrequently emphasized, and that is the effectnot only of a person’s actions, but also of his thoughts. Man radiateswhat he is, and that radiation affects to a greater or less[er] degreeevery person who comes within that radiation” 

--David O. Mckay

This is response to the comment that Ben made of us.  WE RADIATE WHAT WE ARE.

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Eliason

"Seek first to understand, then to be understood."

4 Generations! - (From left to right) Elder Moss (my trainer), yours truly, Elder Corbin (my greenie), and his greenie

Here's Maurice (middle), who will be getting baptized Feb 25th. I will be going back to Swinton for the baptism.

Hello Family!

I had no idea that Dallin had already put his papers in? Wow, that is
good news that he should be getting his call this week. I get two
picks.. He is either going to Argentina, or Ghana. OR... he's coming
to England Manchester, and I will train him in my last transfer...

Well these past couple of days have just been a lot of meetings and
moving people around, I’ll give you the highlights:

Elder Boswell and Elder Ringwood, two of my good friends out here were
featured on the "One Show" this past Thursday.  The show was talking
about Mitt Romney, and then featured a segment going more into what
Mormons are, and in specific LDS missionaries. You can have a look by
going to lds.org.uk.

Even though the election is going on in the States, we are still
getting chatted up a lot about Mitt Romney.  It has been a great for
us, as it has created more interest into what we believe.

Elder Cunningham invited Elder Nielson, Elder Boswell, Elder Smart,
and I to eat with him and his family in Manchester when they came to
pick him up. It was great to meet them and to hear that fresh
American accent again. Dad, Elder Cunningham's mom commented on how
she appreciated you upholding the blog.

In the Preston Zone, we have five missionaries that are training. That
is a massive amount. We haven’t had this many new missionaries in the
mission since my group of 18 came in. We will be able to go on
exchanges with each of them this transfer, and we hope to "pass down
the culture" that we have learned as we have been here. I still
remember my first exchange and the impact that it played on my life,
let alone mission.

Church yesterday, was a sight to see. The recent converts pretty much
ran the service. We had Way Dee (a Chinese recent convert baptised by
Elder Moss, and Fawcett) give a talk, bless the sacrament, and teach
gospel principles. Then there was another recent convert of November
who taught Elders Quorum. It is exciting to see the growth that is
coming into the lives of these new members.

As for our teaching pool, we are currently in the rebuilding stage.
We are going to be doing a lot of finding this week and seeking new
investigators. I must tell you that I love these kinds of times on my
mission. I love the challenge that is set when you walk into an area
like this. I know that they are people that are waiting to accept
what we have. But I also know that "faith precedes the miracle," and
now is the time that we prove ourselves worthy to be able to teach.
So now it's down to mighty prayer, diligence, obedience and then
the Lord will provide. In His time, and in His own way.

Quotes of the week:

"Seek first to understand, then to be understood."

One of the greatest leadership/relationship principles in the world.

"The purpose of the gospel is to transform common creatures into
celestial citizens, and that requires change."
- Dallin H. Oaks

Whilst on my mission I have come to know just how true that it is.
This life is a time to prepare to meet God, or a time to "become"
and help others to do the same.

I know that there is a God in heaven who knows me perfectly, and see's
what I can "become." He has given me and all of you the opportunity
to get to know him with more clarity, by restoring the fullness of
Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Earth. Jesus Christ lives and leads
this latter day work. The Book of Mormon is inspired of God and is
another witness of the love that God has for all of his children. I
love being a missionary, and the time that I have to testify of this
message to the people of England.

Love you all!

Elder Eliason

"I am standing on the shoulders of giants here in Preston"

Hello Family!

A lot has gone on in the last 10 days! For starters, when transfer
calls came I was sure that Elder Palmer would be leaving (he’d been in
Swinton for 6 months), and I would be staying. Well, that’s not how
it happened. We soon found out that Elder Palmer and I would both be
leaving, and we would be whitewashing out of our area. This is
because the Zone Leaders are moving to the YSA ward in Manchester and
this calls for Chinese missionaries. So Elder Eggers and Elder Cai
are taking over in Manchester.

Now as for myself, I am following in the footsteps of my father, and
replacing Elder Moss in Preston to serve with Elder Nielson from
Taylorsville, Utah. Elder Nielson came out with me and we have become
good friends whilst serving around each other. This makes the fourth
person that I have served with that came out with me. The others
being Elder Eggers, Rapata, and Harris.

Now it was quite sad to leave Swinton after only one transfer, just
because that is when you start getting to know everybody. The other
thing was that we had been teaching a lot of great people.

Update on a few of them...

We taught Maurice Fox, the member referral for the 2nd and 3rd time
this past week, and he is doing very well. After coming to church on
Sunday, he felt like he belonged and everything about him just seem to
be better. He had such a different countenance the third time we
taught him compared to the first. With teaching the plan of
salvation, it really opened his eyes to what he has wanted to know for
so long. He accepted a baptismal date for the 25th of Feb, if all
goes well I’ll be going down for it.

Anita, and Norbert, the Hungarian couple, are doing very well. Anita
is one of the most sharp investigators I have ever taught. She is
eagerly curious about knowing more and is really starting to come
along. We brought a Hungarian missionary who was serving in Bolton,
which really helped them to understand “gospel terms.”

Jeff, Mandi, Kiron, and Loretta are all progressing towards baptism in
early march. Jeff called us in the middle of the week, and told us, "I’ve received an answer to my prayer.” He went on to explain how after reading and praying he felt the influence of the Holy Ghost, he explained it almost in line with Helaman 5:30. We were able to go over and say goodbye, and told them all we would be back for their
baptism.

I'm sitting now in the Library that is literally feet away from the
Preston Market, which is full of Church History. Actually where this
library is, is where the “Truth Will Prevail” sign was seen by the
early missionaries and coined as their motto. I am standing on the
shoulders of giants here in Preston, and what a blessing it is to be
serving here. And this is my first time being in the North of the
mission, and this part is the scenic part of England, have a look for
yourself, Google “Lake District."

Some other news regarding transfers is that Elder Corbin is training.
That means that 4 generations of missionaries are in the mission at
once!  That is not a common thing, very rare.

Well, I said all four in the mission at once, but that won’t be for
long, because Elder Moss heads home today! He and Elder Cunningham
both go home today, and it will be my first companions that are going
home. It is weird to think that they won’t be here anymore, as my
entire mission has been involved with them. It is sad to see them
go, but it won’t be for long, we’ll be good friends for awhile.

We will speak again on Monday!

Love you all!

Elder Eliason

p.s-  I forgot the card reader, so pics next week..


haha my letter sounds a little bit depressing. I am not down at all,
I actually am the opposite. Change is always exciting, and I know
that the Lord has had a hand in these transfers. That is something
that I have learned over and over!

"Time is on the move and no matter what I do it just doesn't slow down."

Hiya Fam!

 

First off, I have to tell you that I passed my driving test!The burden has been lifted... and I now can drive the Merriv!  My test was on Wednesday morning in Widnes, which is the place I have taken it for the past 2 times, with my first being in Chester...yes... I have failed three other times...So in anticipation for the test I couldn't help but think, "What if I fail again...."  I didn't want to spend a year on trying to get a license, and then just not get it... 

 

So the Sunday before Elder Palmer and I fasted for the purpose of my test (Elder Thomas also did, wow he's so sacred). And let me tell you, I was praying my heart out that the Lord would sharpen my mind and calm my nerves for the test. I also continued to pray that I wouldn't have to parallel park, which is why I failed last time (long story).  

 

Elder Palmer was so great at keeping things positive and getting me "pumped." He had so much faith in me. Now let me tell you the miracle of it all... When I arrived I soon realized I was going to be tested by the same man the second time I took it, who was just so down to earth, and nothing like "Wayne the Pain" from Chester.  And right before I got in the car he took me to the side and he said, "Look, I know you've got an American license, just show me that your a safe driver."

 

The best part was as I started the test I soon realized that it was the exact same route that I took just 2 weeks earlier.  Now how could that happen?  There are over 30 different route's that are run, and I got the exact same one that I had, which gave me such an advantage as I always knew where I was heading. Miracle. 

 

But the scary part was that this was the same route that had the parallel park, which is just not my strong point. And just as I was thinking about this Roy had me pull into a side road and do a 3 point-turn, which is the reverse maneuver that I knew the best, and I nailed it.  From then on all I had to do was drive... When we pulled up to the test centre and he told me that I had passed, it was like I had just won the Superbowl. Pure relief that was!  

 

I was tremendously blessed with regards to my driving license. From that entire process I have learned how to accept the Lord's timing and not mine. The entire time the Lord was teaching me patience and the importance of resilience through trials. After failing one of my tests I came across a scripture that I felt was directly for me at that time in my mission...

 

"Therefore, let him contend earnestly for the redemption of the First Presidency of my Church, saith the Lord; and when he falls he shall rise again, for his ^asacrifice shall be more sacred unto me than his increase, saith the Lord."

--Doctrine and Covenants 117:13

I hope to cultivate this into my own life, and it can be now of me "...when he falls he shall rise again." 

 

The great thing about me now passing my test is that all the money invested in the license will soon start to pay for itself!  With the respect of the England driving standards, and with having two licenses the car insurance that I will have when I get back will be lower!

 

This week I also had the opportunity to head back down to Wythenshawe for an exchange! It is a special thing to go back to your first area and spend a couple of days there. It blows my mind that it has been over a year since I was back there. Time is on the move and no matter what I do it just doesn't slow down.

 

While I was there I had to stop by and see Mike Lohman again. He is doing very well testimony wise, but is having a hard time getting time off work on Sundays to come to church.  He was excited to see me, as I was him - and just loved being able to tell me all the great things that have happened to him. He organized a church study group that went on for awhile and has participated in many of the Church activities, one being a part in the Roadshow.

 

Also while I was on exchange we went up to the temple with one of the Chinese recent converts of the Wythenshawe ward for a mission wide Chinese New Year celebration.  There were over 50 Chinese people, mainly university students. With there also being about 20% of them nonmembers. And yes, I saw Sam there! She was snapping pictures the whole time and looks like I got in a few (check her Facebook page). I also was able to see some of the Chinese kids from Liverpool that I taught. It was a moment to remember, a coach load of Chinese people coming to visit the temple.

 

This week Jeff and the family came to church. Mandi, the wife, Loretta, their 17year old daughter, and her friend Elizabeth all came to church and caught right on to the routine.  They are doing very well and keeping commitments. One of the big ones we taught this past week was the Word of Wisdom, it went very well as they knew it to be true.  

 

This next Monday is transfers, so expect to hear from me on Wednesday! 

 

Love,

 

Elder Eliason  

Another Great Week Here in Swinton!

Hiyaa!

 

Another week gone and here I am! It's been a great week here in Swinton for Elder Palmer and I!

 

Congrats Dallin for the new calling as a ward missionary, and as the gospel principles teacher!  Nothing will help you prepare more than going out with missionaries and teaching basic principles of the gospel.  

 

Updates:

 

Maurice is doing fantastic, he came to another baptism this past Saturday and said the closing prayer. And then on Saturday we had a chance to go up to the temple with him and have a look around the complex. We took a picture of him with the temple in the background, once he was looking at it he commented, "Well, looks like I'm a proper member!"

 

For the past couple of weeks we have been teaching a family of four, Geoff, Mandy, Kieron, and Lorreta. They referred themselves through the website, and were taught some before I arrived. But since I have been here, they had been pretty stagnant in their progress. They were getting caught up in not understanding the Book of Mormon, and it seemed like we were going to have to drop them. 

But Elder Palmer being the great missionary that he is extended them a challenge with a promise, he said that if they were to read from the Book of Mormon for 20 minutes everyday, praying every time before and after, whilst coming to church for three weeks -- they would receive an answer that it is true. They accepted, well Geoff, the father mainly accepted the challenge, and since then he has had a different attitude when we come around.  He was able to explain to us in great detail what he had read, and began to see reading the Book of Mormon a joy. We are excited about this family and are looking forward to seeing them quite a bit this week.    

 

A couple weeks ago I told you about Bro. Lancaster and him coming back to church after 5 years. Well, he has been every week since, and we continue to see him. Just yesterday we popped around and caught him and his wife in. It was the first time she had been there, and that was great! A couple of years ago she was the Relief Society President and then slowly fell away... We were able to establish a great trust early on and ease into finding out how we could help her. She explained feeling exhausted and overwhelmed with all that was going on at church. What came to my mind was a talk that I read a bit ago called "Believing Christ: a Practical Approach to the Atonement by Stephen Robinson". He explains a story that was related to hers, and he talked about how we need to "believe Christ" when he says what he says, and when he says "Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"  He means what he says... 

And so as we shared some thoughts along those lines you could tell her heart was being softened. Right before ending we felt she needed a blessing and so we offered and she accepted. I cannot even tell you how great it was to leave that lesson, it felt like so much good had happened in that hour we were there. I love being able to teach less-actives, it is just about helping them remember what they that had once felt. 

 

This week we also taught a family from Pakistan. They were so warm and friendly to us, and such great people. The language barrier is making things difficult, but there is great potential...

 

The Swinton sisters had a baptism of a mother and her two children this past Saturday.  The ward is really buzzing with all of the blessings of baptisms we have received in the past couple months. It is because the ward is doing so great in bringing new members in!  The Lord knows he can trust them with more.

 

We went to the Bible study again this week, and it is still going very well!  They are really warming up to us!   

 

I'm sorry, but today we are having our Zone activity, which is playing sports down at the Manchester South chapel, whilst celebrating Chinese New Year with Chinese food, so my time is short...

 

I love you all!!!

 

Elder Eliason 

Glad to Be Back in Manchester...and on Double Decker Buses!

The Kinouchi Family. Bro Kinouchi was the Ward Mission Leader, and this is where we spent most of Christmas day.

Christmas Day!

 

This is "Big Dave", a convert of 4 years and is the door greeter, ward bodyguard, and the first one to bear testimony every fast sunday. I had a great friendship with him...and I have just found out recently that he is engaged! 

This is Bro. Sumner, also a legend.  He helped us out a lot.

Lorna and the one and only Joan Hill!  We taught them together every time we taught Lorna, Sister Hill is an absolute legend.  She is the main reason for Lorna finding the church.

Hello Family!

Woah, what news that is about SUU. It's sad to see it go down in such a way...Well, I don't know where that leaves me. haha... (Note to family: SUU is disbanding its baseball program. The Big Sky--the new conference they are joining-- does not sponsor baseball and they could not find another conference to play in.)

 

Well, on to better news...Maurice was baptised this past weekend! It was a great service, ending with him sharing some thoughts, which was the greatest part. He is such a great man, with such a "real" testimony. He is going to be a great strength to the ward. I don't know if I told you, but he actually referred himself from mormon.org, and was interested in the Law of Chastity.  And after that, hearing about the restoration, and receiving answers to his prayers, he progressed smoothly towards his baptism.

 

This past week I was reunited with my first-born Elder Corbin! I went on an exchange with him in Stockport, which is where he is currently serving. We were able to reminisce about all of the good times in Rhyl about Liam, the ward, and so forth. It was amazing to see the growth that he has had since we last served together. When you see other missionaries like him, you realize just how much growth can be found in a mission.  

 

With spending the week in Stockport is was great to be back on double decker buses again.   I haven't been around them since my first transfer, and with being in a car for the last 4 transfers you miss out on the beauty of bus contacting.

 

This week we had two investigators come to church. Alice is a young mother of two from China, and the other, Franc, is a man from Congo. 

 

Alice was tracted a couple of weeks ago, and reminds me so much of my days in Liverpool.  She has little understanding of Jesus Christ, or anything gospel related. So our first couple of lessons were very basic, with our main commitment being to pray. Well, she kept here commitment and prayed. She may not say it, but we feel that was a big reason why she was so determined to come to church. The only bad thing is that her husband is not supporting her. We are doing our best to try and establish a relationship with him.

 

Franc was a referral from Elder Cunningham and speaks mostly french. He is such a humble man that is seeking for truth in his life. We had a great couple of lessons this week with him regarding the Restoration. By the end of the week he had a great grasp on the principles behind it. That came in large measure from us bringing a french missionary serving in Stockport. Franc has accepted a date for the 4th of Feb.

 

Quote of the week:

"A man is literally what he thinks" --James Allen

 

Love,

 

Elder Eliason

I forgot to tell you...

 

We had a great miracle this week... While we were trying by a less active, we contacted a woman that was just outside her door. She was opening up a gate to the church. We asked her what she was doing and she went on to explain that she was setting up for a bible study. Well, we jumped right in saying that we would love to join. She said as long as it is ok with the Vicar (a clergyman in charge of a chapel). We went and asked and our request was granted. It was a gathering of Catholic and Church of England members about 12 or 13, and they were glad to have us.  

On many occasions it was commented how great it was to see people of different faiths come together to worship. Well, the study was on Acts 8 and 9. One of which talks about the laying on of hands. It was a great oppurtunity to teach the group what we believe, one of sorts being the laying on of hands. Many times they would start asking open questions. One regarding to infant baptism, which one lady asked our opinion, and we were able to tell them what we believe, and why we believe it. 

You could tell they had really warmed up to us. Afterwards we were getting talked to by most of them just asking questions about our missions. It was a great oppurtunity to have QGC'S (Quality Gospel Conversations)!  It was a great miracle to be apart of, and with the relationships we have built, I know that this will go somewhere. We are not finished with this group!  Next week, we are handing out copies of the Book of Mormon...

"How great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth. That is why I am a missionary!"

Hello Fam!

 

What great news it is to hear that Jords and Trista are moving to Tejas! That has to be an exciting move for them, new job, new area... exciting! Where is it that they will be living?

 

Dallin made a good decision to stay and work. That will also give him some extra time to prepare for the mission. Will he be working anywhere else?  

 

Well as for my week. It has been a great one. Being pretty much in the heart of Manchester is where I have always wanted to serve, and now being here I am just loving the atmosphere, ward and the investigators that we have.

 

Updates:

 

Maurice is doing very well, like unbelievably well. He is just someone who already understands the gospel. He is like a sponge when it come to learning about the church. We show up and start to teach him and he can pretty much sum the rest of the lesson up. An example being yesterday; we taught him after church about President Thomas S. Monson, and he just started telling us about his background and what his impressions were. His desire to learn and his real intent to act have been the keys to him progressing so fast. He is going to be baptised this Saturday!

 

We have been working with a less-active man by the name of Bill Lancaster for the past couple of weeks, and on Sunday he came to church for the first time in 5 years! During the first lesson that was taught he became very emotional to the topics surrounding the church, you could see the soft spot that he had from his previous years of activity. And now through his choice, he has committed himself to come back to church. It was fast and testimony meeting and he got up and bore powerful testimony of his way back, and how much it meant to him to be back. It goes to show that people can change!  

 

We are also teaching a 16 year old by the name of Brenden. We are struggling to find his commitment level, as he has been taught everything, and has had many baptismal dates. A great sign though came yesterday when he got up and bore his testimony. I admired him for his courage to get up in front of the congregation. It shows something!  

 

This week I was on exchange in Hyde with an Elder from Darlington, which is up north. I'll first tell you that the accent he had was completely different to the Mancunian "twang." It baffles me to see how many different accents they can come up with here in England.  I love it!  Besides all that, it was a proper good exchange. 

 

The first night I was there, we street contacted a man that was running but was waiting at a stop light to cross the street. We told him what we were sharing, and we asked if we could come along. He said "as long as you can keep up with me, you can share your message." Done deal. For the next 20 minutes we jogged along side him teaching him about the restoration. Elder Ringwood and I would just do what seemed like a "Flying V" in a group of flying ducks. When he would pass it to me, I would come to the front and he would fall back behind us. Sounds a bit nuts, but it was a great lesson. The man was impressed with our willingness, and took to us very well. We'll see what happens in the future.

 

Side note: Over the past couple of weeks we have been driving around Sister Preston's car, because ours has been in the shop. They said 3-4 days...it's been 3-4 weeks. But we aren't bothered, we get to drive around in a 2010 Chevy Cruze! Thank you Sister Preston for your kindness!

 

There is a talk that I have been studying all week that I would like you to have a look at:  Integrity of Heart by Russell M. Nelson. I could talk all day about how much I learned from it. Share with me next week your impressions.  

 

Weekly scriptures: (or what I have pondered over this week...)

 

"..And because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father."

 

Ether 12:37

 

This scripture teaches me the importance of constant self-evaluation. God gives us weakness so that we can be humble, and ultimately to help us to make them strengths. But if we are oblivious to the weaknesses, or too proud to accept what we are doing wrong, then how could God help us? But therein lies another challenge with "seeing" our weakness. We may feel depressed that we cannot overcome the weaknesses that we see.  I have found the answer to this problem in the Book of Mormon. Just before Moroni seals up the record he gives us this counsel...

 

"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God."

 

Moroni 10:32

 

I along with Moroni testify that the power of God will be manifest to help us overcome our weaknesses. When we keep to our covenants and move forward with courage, putting our trust in God, He has promised that all things will turn out for our good. I, along with Lehi say "how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth". That is why I am a missionary!  

 

I love you all!

 

Have a great week!

 

Love,

 

Elder Eliason

Happy New Year!

Hello Family!

Happy New Year!  I cannot believe it is 2012...

This past week has been unique to say the least. There has been very
limited time for proselyting, as we have had New Years Eve, New
Years Day, Boxing Day, Zone Leaders Council, and Elder Palmer having
kidney stones.

There are many people that we look forward to seeing in the next
couple of days, the holidays are finally starting to simmer down and
so things should start to warm up. In the teaching pool we have many
who have referred themselves through mormon.org, which already shows
that they have real intent. All in all, I am ready to get back out
and start teaching. Not working for a week has helped me realize how
much I do enjoy the life of a missionary. Lets get back on the
streets!

I got to know my new ward very well this past week. I even got to
give a talk on my first Sunday there. It is a great opportunity to
make a first impression.

I spoke on "The Saviour's Role in the Plan of Salvation." I was able
to share some childhood stories, that was able to make the talk more
personal to them and hopefully made it easier from them to know a
little bit about me.

We spent New Years Eve and New Years Day  with most of the zone at a
senior couple's home by the name of the Cannons. It was great for me
to get to know the zone, and to spend some time with some old friends
that I used to serve around.

I love this time of year and the freshness that a new year brings. I
cannot help but look forward with optimism to see what this year will
bring!

I am sorry that this letter is so short...because of Bank Holiday on
Monday things have been shuffled around, and we have to head to a
Tea appointment. Speak to you soon!

Love,
Elder Eliason

Scripture of the week:

Ether 12:19
"And there were many whose faith was so exceedingly strong, even
before Christ came, who could not be kept from within the veil, but
truly saw with their eyes the things which they had beheld with an eye
of faith, and they were glad."

I love this time of year, and the freshness that a new year brings.  I
cannot help but look forward with optimism to see what this year will
bring!  This is the time to envision what we want to happen out of the
year to come.  It truly is exciting to think of all the possibilities
that lay ahead and all the goals that we want to set. Just as with the
Jaredites, let us show our Heavenly Father how committed and willing
we are to achieve our goals by our unwavering faith and diligence. It
is a time to act and not to be acted upon. I know that as we put our
trust in God, just as the Jaredites, we will "truly [see] with [our]
eyes the things which [we] had beheld with an eye of faith".  It's
time to make these resolutions happen, and make it a happy and
fulfilling 2012!