Christ Will Often Bring Us To The Edge Of Our Faith To See If We Will Continue To Make Steps In Faith Or If We Will Just Stop

Hello!  


This was a pretty cool week. We had Zone conference down in Hermiston so i got to go back and see a little. We had to wake up at 5 so we could get there on time for car inspections. The conference was so good! We had a big discussion about the Brother of Jared in Ether 3 and why he was able to have this amazing experience happen.  One thing that really stood out to me is how Christ will often bring us to the edge of our faith to see if we will continue to make steps in faith or if we will just stop. As i have thought back to times in my life especially on the mission i have seen that really is how it often works. This week it gave me a little more motivation while i was thinking of that. It made me try harder to talk to everyone, it made me work more diligent through the days, it made me pay closer attention to the spirit because i knew that it was going to take more work and more effort than i have given in the past to get those miracles we are looking for as missionaries. Especially that now we have this knowledge and know what more of what the Lord expects of us. We were able to see this happen this week. I think this week was kinda a test from God.  There wasn't much success this week. It seemed like we talked to everyone that wasn't interested and couldn't find those that were searching for the truth. It came down to the last hour of Sunday night. We went to try to find a few potential investigators. They said that Tuesdays and Thursdays work best and they should be home. We thought of their names and we knew that it wasn't a day they are usually home but we felt like we should go to visit them, so we did! They said they were eating dinner and said they were a little busy, but It was a little rainy, luckily, so that is what got us in the door. We went and sat down with them. The whole "eating dinner" part was either a really bad excuse or they are just my kind of people! Because they were just eating cookies!! so we go some cookies also.  We had a good lesson. As we were teaching the restoration, the spirit filled the room. We taught with more power then we have been able to in the past. We were able to teach more in unity, that is what helped us. They didn't accept to be baptized. They said that they are already baptized and they only believe in one baptism. We shared more about the priesthood and why it is necessary. they said they would but only if they really did know that it is true. They are two awesome new investigators! L-- and R--! Now we have to work to bring the spirit to them so they can have their hearts softened even more. It was really cool. 

We havent been able to meet M-- too much. He has been really busy working. So we dont know how he really is doing. He seems to be doing good but kinda cooled down. He's not as excited as we was at first, but still wants it. 

We are teaching a couple, C-- and A--. They really want to learn but are set in their ways in another church, but they read the Book of Mormon!! so it really does just come down to a little bit of time and if the are sincere about it. They are really cool. 

M-- and M-- came to church again!! L-- wasnt able to because her kids were being problems. But they are really liking to come to church. One time that we went over there just M-- was there so we got to talk to him a little. It is still really hard for him to have as much faith as he wants to always have. He says that it goes up and down. It has been pretty hard for him. but on Youtube he found General Conference and really liked those. We showed him where all those were on the Gospel Library app and he is also going to start to listen to the Book of Mormon. They are going good just are going to keep needed help. But that is why were are here! so thats good. 

I am glad you like my justification for getting fatter! It looks like you all have had a great time back at home! It seems Ali is still as weird as ever! just seeing that picture reminded me of it all! And Jaxsen always doing something new! mountain biking sounds fun though. it might put some meat on your bones too. its good to know that my family is just having a great time!! i love you all so much! have the best week!!

Elder Mortensen

PS  a picture!!  There was a bunch of us at Zone conference from the MTC district!! it was cool to see them all

There Is A Time Where You Have To Just Square Your Shoulders And Climb The Wall. There Is No Other Way Out

hello!!!   

This was such a cool week! It started off not in the way i would have wanted, but it was really good. We had a tiny ding in the car door from someone in the church parking lot, and this week we had to go drop it off at the Auto Body shop. That was Tuesday morning. so we walked home the 2 miles and we started our studies. We live in the middle of a few main roads and not very close to the houses so we did a lot of walking. That first day we figured it was around 10 miles. one of the goals that we set during the last weekly planning was to make sure that we TALK TO EVERYONE!  so then when we hear that we would be walking it became even more important. If we are walking around and we are not talking to everyone, we are just walking around trying to be miserable. Especially this day! It got up to 95 degrees!! But there is a talk we were reading from that morning in our companionship study. It was talking about all of our struggles that we go through. It said there is a time where you have to just square your shoulders and climb the wall. There is no other way out. So we took that advice, kinda in a literal way. When we would see someone out side, after that first step of faith to turn, square your shoulders and just walk to them, that is when we were able to see the Lord give us the strength that we need to do these hard things. We didnt see a lot of miracles come directly from this, but you dont that often. The hidden miracle is that the spirit is promised to be with us. And you can feel it!! it feels good when we talk to everyone! because we know it is what we have been asked, by Christ, to do. We walked Wednesday also. It was a really nice day it was like 80 degrees with a breeze. So we knew that it HAD to change. You cant have good weather when you plan to be walking the whole day! it never works like that. We were in the middle of Walla Walla and saw a storm coming. It was a little past 8 when it hit. It came so fast!! it was good weather then it got super windy! we were walking and there were branches breaking off and flying everywhere! There was one in the road so i started to walk to it so i could pull it off, but it just blew off and when we were watching that a big branch came flying from across the street and landed just in front of us. Then it started raining. It was like 3 minutes and we were soaked! so we ran across the street and went into a store. the first two things that people said to us were wow, you look like you jumped into a lake! and the worker was like, you should have been listening to the radio, there was a storm warning since this morning. then he walked away. I was just like wow! really! thats what you decide to say to us. We knew it was coming but we couldnt do anything else. The guy that told us it looked like we jumped into a lake ended up giving us a ride home. We got in his car and it smelled like weed and his music was super loud. so that was fun! he luckily turned the music down and he really was a super nice guy. It was a great few days. well there is my story that got really long! but that is missionary work if you were wondering!

The week ended great. M--, L-- and M-- and their two kids all came to church and loved it. We went over to their house and taught the plan of salvation, well part of it, M-- talks a lot. They are so cool they did read a little in the Book of Mormon since last time so that was good. The best part was talking to my crazy family!! It was a lot of fun! It was great to hear how you were all doing and that you all like to make fun of me gaining weight. but dad like you say, it happens to the best of us! this is that scripture that i wanted to share but didnt have my bible. its is Proverbs 28:25.  it made me happy when i found it the first time. it says  He that is of a proud heart stirreth up stife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.  so at least i am doing this whole mission thing right!!  Thanks for making this week the best! i love you all so much! i hope you all have an amazing week!!

Elder Mortensen

PS sorry no pictures. hey but you took some picture yesterday of me so what more could you ask for?? ... probably just pictures still. i will be better in the future!! 

We Know That We Are Doing What The Lord Has Asked Us To Do And We Know That We Do Receive Those Blessings

Hey! 


this was for sure another great week. So this week we weren't able to see as much success as we have other weeks. When we were adding it all up yesterday and getting the numbers to the zone leaders, they ended up being about half of the weeks numbers in the past. But that is the thing about numbers, they dont show much of anything. This was a great week!  For zone council we talked about having the faith to talk with everyone. It is something that Elder Tirado and i have been working on and for sure getting better and better. Its one of those things that isnt going to really ever be easy but we just have to know its something that we have to do and have the faith to do it. for us it is for sure one of the things that tests our faith everyday if we are going to do it or not. We left that council with an extra desire to always to this. It is one of those things that you dont always see a lot of results from it, you for sure do at times, but for us it just makes the day go better as we do it. We know that we are doing what the Lord has asked us to do and we know that we do receive those blessings. We saw a lot of cool things from that. We found a lot of people who are willing to learn. There is also this other less active lady and her non member husband. They want to come to church but their work is super crazy and they havent been able to. They are so busy that its even really hard to find anyone at their home. so that was a miracle itself to be able to find them again. But they have been praying and reading the Scriptures everyday. They are soo cool and now that their work is figured out, they came come to church! M-- is so ready! 

M--, the guy on the porch, is awesome. He has had a really hard life because of some of the things he has done in the past. We taught the word of wisdom. There are like 5 things that we cant do, and those 5 things he has had hard things to overcome. He hasnt drank in over a month hasnt smoked weed for 3 weeks and said that it wont be a problem to stop the other things. He has such a desire to change. He is so awesome. He was busy so he wasnt able to make it to church though. 

M-- and his family have been really good. they are really trying to gain more faith. They say it is hard for them to always keep it. It was a good time to teach why we help them to always pray, read the Book of Mormon and come to church. They are still working on those things. They are so awesome. Miguel also got called in to work and wasnt able to make it to church. There are a lot of migrant workers here also. They work so much. the sisters are teaching someone that works 130 hours a week!! he sleeps for like 4 hours then works the rest of the day. They are super hard working people.

We cant play with members or anyone else just because it could cause problems or injuries or things like that. so we just get to do it with other missionaries. a funny experience this week... nothing to funny comes to mind this week. One was with  M--'s baby. whenever his parents werent watching he would stick his hands in their cups of water. he did it like 3 times before they caught him. Its just fun little things that happen all the time. like everyday. 

back at home sounds like a lot of fun!! tons of cool things happened this week. Brayden and Hillary having to much fun as always, soccer, mom does something spiritual and dad buys another toy! haha i dont know what the best one is!! maybe moving bri out?? i dont know! but it all sounds like a great week!

Thanks for the letter!! i love you all!! have a great week!

Elder Mortensen

He Went And Turned On The Light Just Hoping That We Would Come Talk To Him

Hey!!!!  

Its good to hear from you!!! This week was so cool!  One of the coolest miracles happened this week!  It was 8:50 pm and we didn't know what to do. All of our plans didn't work out and we were stuck. Elder Tirado just said, well we will walk up the road for a little. We ended up seeing a guy turn on the light on his porch and sit on a couch, so we decided to go talk to him. After talking to him a little more we found that he really wanted to change his life around and get on the right path. Earlier that day his mom told him he needs to be in a church. She said she doesnt care if its catholic just to find a church. He said that day he was just hoping someone would come and help him know what church. That night we found him, he was sitting on his porch in the dark and saw us walking down the other side of the road. He went and turned on the light just hoping that we would come talk to him. It was amazing to see how the Lord got us there at just the right moment. The Lord has a funny way of doing it and sometimes its hard to have the faith to know that success will come as we keep our faith, but it always works out in the end. We went back another day and had a great lesson with him. He had a lot of little questions like what do Mormons have to wear, and where do we have to work and about tattoos and things like that. A bunch of things that wouldn't matter if he wasn't wanting to be baptized. He has such a sincere desire to do this for himself and his 6 year old daughter. At the end of the lesson we asked him if he would pray. He told us no its alright you guys can. We taught him how to pray, bore testimony that it doesn't matter what is said in the prayer, God always wants to hear from him. He decided to pray and the spirit came sooo strong! After the prayer he just looked at us and couldn't stop smiling. He said that he was feeling something that just felt so good. It was good to bare testimony of the spirit and that he will continue to feel that, and for his baptism he will feel it even more. also that he should be excited for that day and he was! As we walked away it was one of those times where you just want to cheer!  He has a goal to be baptized on the May 21. It was the coolest thing!!

We did teach that family that come to church twice this week. His name is M-- and the wife's name is L-- and the mom is M--! They are so cool! They have a lot of good questions that made us have to really think. We have had some lessons with member that just go kinda crazy, and not a lot is taught. its just M-- and the member going back and forth. So we decided even though its better to be with members usually that we were going to go without one this time. We had a good lesson about the Restoration. They really are committed to start the Book of Mormon and try to find if it is true. They weren't able to make it to church this week though. 

One of the funniest things this week was during the branch party that we had Saturday. We ate and after the Branch played soccer with a big exercise ball in the gym. We couldn't play with the members as missionaries but it was so funny to watch. There aren't a lot of youth so it was all the adults playing. Up to a 60 year old lady and down to a 12 year old kid. was fun watching the ball take out the little kid. the old lady is the funniest old lady i have ever met. The President got into it and ended up accidentally, kinda, throwing the little kid to get the ball. The president lost his ring so we blamed in on karma and throwing P--, the kid, at the ball.

Ya me and elder Tirado Are getting along really good. We speak mostly in english but we are talking to a lot of people in spanish so for sure a lot of spanish through the days. The spanish is coming a lot better and better everyday. Its really hard to stay motivated on learning the language completely sometimes. Its one of the most mentally hard things i have ever done that is for sure. but its coming really good.

The week back at home sounded pretty full! it sounded like a lot of fun for the whole family though. Its good to hear that soccer is still being played at the house. to bad Lehi isnt doing to good. Thats sad. But it had its good years. Looks like a lot of parties! thats always fun though.  i hope that everything continues to go great for you all! i love you all and hope you have a great week!

Elder Mortensen

ps thanks for the quote i got the chills when i read it, it was awesome.

This was taken at church its not all of them but a lot, but its the Branch!! The white people are the president and me! 

The World Got A Lot Smaller This Week

Hello!!! 

yes this was a great week!! its weird to get moved but it is always a good thing. I am serving down in a small town called Walla Walla.  its a little bigger than any of the areas i have been in though. We cover Walla Walla and college place in spanish. The world got a lot smaller this week. I was talking to a lady in the mission office, they just got here. Their names are the Riries, i dont know if that is how you spell it. But they recognized the name. They said they are related somewhere back in our lines. At church there was an elder that i thought i knew and he played soccer for Lone peak, so i hope he dosent have any sour feelings about us beating them. There was also sister Ellis' niece that kinda knew me, and there was another lady. She was in joseph! she met Grandma and Grandpa and we are related somewhere back also. They had a picture of them all. it was a weird time at church. There is a lot of Hispanics but there are all kinda spread out everywhere. The branch has around 40 people coming to it. so its a little bigger than Prosser. There is farming around it but we are in mostly in the city. Because we are spanish missionaries we are in a car. The spanish areas are usually to big for walking. Also i dont think that there are even any bikes in the mission now. Being a district leader has been good. I kinda feel like the mom of the district. If anything happens in the district that is different or weird, they have to let me know and a lot of time get permission. Its different for me that is for sure. I also collect all their numbers and lead meetings. Its not a ton different but it is a lot more responsibility. It will be good for me. The area is doing good. There isn't too many investigators but just a lot of potentials. Our work is to go through those and see what ones are really interested.  There was a less active man that brought his nonmember family to church last week because they didnt like the one they were at and didnt feel it was where they should be. they opened the phone book and our church was there. They took that as a sign and they came to church!! we have been over there and had a few lessons. They are awesome!! they came to church again! They have a ton of potential!! the dad is going to be a really strong leader in them coming to this church. not a lot has happened here yet. One funny thing is the first day we were here Elder Tirado mowed and i tilled a garden in our slacks!! only as a missionary!! its great! Elder Tirado is from Tennessee! so his english is good. it gets a little confusing because we speaks a lot of spanish. we are going to get along really good and get a lot of work done here. 

Thanks for the update about lehi!! it sounds like everything has been a lot of fun! I hope that everything continues to go good. have fun with soccer and your new callings and lack of callings and everything else!!

I love you all!! 

Elder Mortensen

Elder Mortensen with the E-- Family

Elder Mortensen and Elder Harward with the Group Leader and His Family

Elder Mortensen and Elder Harward having their last dinner in Prosser with the
ward mission leaders family and T--, a recently baptized member.  

Four Missionaries Serving in Prosser

Elder Tirado (new companion) and Elder Mortensen

We Don't Have Too Many Investigators, Just A Few Awesome Ones!

Hello everyone!!  

The missionary work this week was great!! We weren't able to teach too many lessons because Spanish work is hard around this time of year, but we still do get the chance. We actually found a guy named N-- again. We found him at least a month ago. We had some pretty good lessons and he wanted us to come back, but he was so busy we could never find him home. But we found him again this week! We had another pretty good lesson with him. He still wants us to come back. Its hard with some to really know if they are interested in changing or if they like to hear it, or just count it as their church for the week so they dont have to go Sunday. But either way it was good to find him home again. We have taught the E--'s a few more times. It was really cool, the last lesson that we had all the kids were running around outside so it was a lesson with just us and the parents. We felt like we should share the Restoration Video with them. When we watch that it is always good. They loved that video!! We had a good conversation afterward with them. They wanted to keep the video so they could show their kids. We haven't been able to be back in between that, but it will be awesome! They are really doing good. We invited the O-- family, they are members, to go and visit them or just get to know them. So this Sunday they had them over for dinner! the Sister missionaries were there also and they said that it went really good. Hermana O-- was sharing her conversion and also her testimony about the gospel. It really could of not been much better for them. The Sister Missionaries said that their families really felt comfortable together so that will help them in both of their conversions. They are our main investigators that are working towards baptism. We dont have too many investigators, just a few awesome ones!

One thing that we did this week and whenever we do this it leaves a big impression on me. It really is just talking to everyone and trying to get to the point of sharing the gospel. Its still not an easy thing and i dont think it really ever will be. But it is something that we have to do. When ever we do it lots of the time they talk even if they arent interested in the message. It leaves a good image and people know that we are just nice normalish people! this week, yesterday actually, something just clicked. We were about to get into our car but there was a car across the street that someone was getting out of. We were about half way and said hey hows it going. Then he was just like, no, i am not interested and i dont want to talk about it. The thing i realized is how hard is it to do that. sometimes we are rejected so fast but you get use to it. but just how trying all the time shows our faith and when it dosnt work out, nothing is wasted. It took maybe like 5 extra seconds. It just one of those things that is pretty easy to not do, but as you do it, you just feel better and everything works out better some how.

This week we invited the E--'s to church and they said they would come. We only expected them for Sacrament meeting because of their First Communion commitments. We were standing in the front hall by the doors. We were both kinda shocked and super excited when we saw them walking in! They came to all three hours! and they all really liked it. All the kids went to primary and they were comfortable there so that was good. The sacrament meeting was the most full i have ever seen in that Spanish group. We couldnt have fit too many more people in there. It was full! We had The E--'s and the sisters had 4 investigators.  it was soo cool. It is a great last week here in Prosser!

Haha ya we havent got transfer calls but we have a little bit of an "in" on these. usually i would say we are lucky, but maybe not this time. President Ware calls in the morning to call people to leadership and training before anyone else knows what is going to happen. I was saying my prayer to start personal study when the phone in my pocket rang. I really was just like, oh crap. So when i answered and he asked for Elder Harward i was feeling good, until he asked for me. Elder harward is staying here to be the district leader getting a missionary that has been here for 3 months. I am moving down to Walla Walla with an elder that has been out 3 months who just finished getting trained and i got called as a district leader there...   So i dont ask for many things but please send some prayers down here for my new district to be able to put up with me! and that i will be able to accomplish all that i need to in this calling. it will be good but hard for sure. President Ware was just like, well you are going to be speaking like a native! and make sure you teach him English!  so i dont know how much my new companion speaks in english, but this will be an adventure!  Down to another corner of the mission. i have been in 3 of the 4 corners now.

I am glad spring break was great! i loved that hiking trip and all of that. It looks really fun! I hope you all will continue to do great and have a great week!!!

I love you all!

Elder Mortensen

Ps sorry no pictures this week but there will be next week for sure!!  sorry mom

There Were So Many Answers In So Many Talks

Hello!!! 

It was a great week!!  Conference was for sure the highlight of it. It was such an amazing experience. Its also nice because its one of the few rest days you get as a missionary. I went into conference with the question of how i can help others strengthen their faith to rely more on God. There were so many answers in so many different talks.  One of the biggest answers was in Elder Bednars talk. When he said it i was just like, wow. it was Exactly some of the things i was looking for. He was talking about being baptized, receiving the gift of the holy ghost, and partaking of the sacrament worthily. He taught that we will always be able to receive a remission of our sins. He said that this will strengthen our faith. He talked about King Benjamin and how the people felt as if they were nothing, seeing themselves of less worth then any part of the earth. As they received a remission of their sins, they had so much joy and only wanted to do good. It teaches that as the spirit comes, even after we know we arent much without the help of the lord, we can know that we are forgiven and the lord is there to help.  It was a answer to that prayer. One of my favorite talks was President Utchdorf's in the Priesthood session! He talked a lot about things that i was always thought of and even more while on a mission. He taught about charity and pride. He says that "the enemy of charity is pride. pride is the defining characteristic of sin, and charity is the pure love of Christ. Charity never faileth, and pride always faileth"  It was one of my favorite talks. I love the idea of charity. its hard to always have but it is something that we all need to always be working towards.  i also thought that Elder Hollands was really good too. Just how the spirit that we have felt can carry with us. There are many things we have learned that we want to do better. But just take it one at a time. It was funny. At dinner that night this family is crazy and we call them the Zoo, but they are funny. They showed us a meme of elder Holland. It was just a picture of him It said something like, I dont always give the best talk, oh wait, yes i do! we got a good laugh. i am sure you will see it eventually if you haven't.

We weren't able to have any of our investigators come to conference. The E-- family was going to come but the mom was sick. We have a lot of hope for them still. They are doing good still. They are even sharing what we have shared with them. They gave us a referral that wants us to come and talk with them too! so that was awesome to hear. We watched conference at the church. it was the missionaries and a high councilor at all the sessions other then the last one a family came. It was funny. in between  session Saturday the Sisters brought us pizza and salad and some other little things so we just ate there and had a good time. The next day we said we would feed them. so we got together all we could. We had chicken, salad and potatoes! it was great. some members also gave us doughnuts. We tried to find something to marinate the chicken with so after trying a few things we finally found something that tasted good. Between vinegar a bunch of random spices. The sisters even said that it was really good! so that was kinda lucky. It was a fun week.

We did teach the E--'s again. They are still reading and ask really good questions. We can tell they still want this. They are moving kinda slow, but thats how some people need to. other than that we didnt have to much going on this week. We do a lot of walking around and knocking doors, but the spanish work is still slow. But we do all we can so thats really all that matters. It was a good week. It makes it better to walk around when it is like 80.

everything back at home looks fun! especially April Fools day! We didnt do anything because, well we kinda forgot about it for half the day, thats just how it happens i guess. But it was still a good day! i hope you all loved conference and were able to learn a lot and will continue to learn a lot. i love you all!!

Elder Mortensen

This was us trying to fix up the chicken Saturday night. 

The best preparation day activity. There is at a members house. 
His yard is a 9 hole golf course!  Its a ton of fun!