Weekly Update - Sep 20th, 2006

Sep 20^th, 2006

I just got a few emails that really lifted me up! One of them was from another missionary here in the field. He always has such an excitement about him. Always so happy and cheerful that when you're with or around him, you can't help but smile and feel a little better no matter if your day was going good or bad. He's just one of those kinds of people. And he wrote me just a short little email telling me some of what's happening in his area and things like that and then ended with a short and simple testimony… And it made me want to do the same today.

With all that happens in the life of a missionary from week to week. With all the ups and downs, the trials and learning experiences. With all the epiphanies you get while walking up the street with your companion or after teaching something simple about the Gospel to someone you'll never see again. Sometimes you have to take a step back and look at what you're doing and WHY. You think to yourself and ask: does it make sense? Do I really believe and know the things I teach to be true?

I say to you today that I do! I believe with all my heart that Jesus is the Christ! That He loves us more than we can really understand here in this life. He loved us so much that he suffered all those things for both you and me and did it so that we can repent when we need to. To change and know that we CAN be forgiven for the mistakes and bad choices we make.

I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet! That he was called of God and that, although he was just a man, that he did his BEST to teach about and bring us closer to the Savior, Jesus Christ.

I believe the Bible to be the Word of God as it was written by His holy Prophets. I am so thankful for the guidance it gives us in the world today. I also KNOW that the Book of Mormon is true! It is NOT a replacement to the Bible like some people think we believe, but ANOTHER witness of Jesus' divinity! It was also written by Prophets of God and just like the Bible, teaches about Christ. It also gives us guidance and strength in a world of constant, tumultuous change. I love it with all my heart and love reading it! It is easy to understand and simple to follow.

I know that that Gordon B. Hinkley is God's Prophet on the Earth today. I know that Heavenly Father calls prophets because He loves us. He did in times of old (Adam, Noah, Moses, etc.) because He loved us and He still loves us today, so He's called a Prophet. I am so excited to hear the Prophet in October. I wonder what he's going to teach us and I need to be ready for whatever it might be!

I love the Gospel! And I love each of you! These things I share with each of you today in the name of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Your Son, Brother and Friend:
   ~Elder Garn Mosiah Penrod

Weekly Update - Sep 13th, 2006

September 13th, 2006

Well, I’m slowly and surely learning the Olathe 1st ward. I love being a missionary and I LOVE teaching the gospel!

Right now, we’re teaching a man named Stephen (sp?) Turley. He’s awesome. He’s sincerely looking for truth and last night, when we challenged him for baptism, he told us that he would when he got an answer to his prayers. I know he will. He is honestly seeking truth and therefore, is entitled to an answer to prayers offered up in faith. I love it! I don’t really have to do anything. I’m just a messenger. The Spirit tells me what to say and then testifies to those listening that it’s true! Then, it’s up to them to use their faith and act on it.

The gospel is so simple, it’s beautiful really. I love it and I’m so blessed to be preaching it. I find that as I do, I’m learning more and more. Here a little, there a little. It’s wonderful.

As for the work here. There’s still much to be done! We’re helping it move forward and we’re starting to teach more people than have been taught here for a LONG time. So that’s exciting. I’m still praying to be stronger and a better, more powerful tool in the Lord’s hands. I feel the difference in me as I read and pray daily and I know that God is looking out for me.

I love the Book of Mormon! I’ve just finished the Isaiah chapters in 2nd Nephi. I need to learn to love those chapters more because I’m so HAPPY to be finished with them! Because, now I’m going to start getting to all the stuff that I love! Abinidi, Alma, Noah, Mosiah, King Benjamin… I LOVE the Book of Mormon!!!

Anyways, I have to take off. Thank you all for your prayers! Keep ‘em coming please. They’re needed.

Your Son, Brother and Friend:
~Elder Garn Mosiah Penrod