Goodbye Alamo!

So, I've got big news.  I just found out two days ago that I am getting what they call "Emergency Transferred."  A normal transfer for us missionaries is every 6 weeks and that means we will stay in an area until then and after that there is a chance that we can be moved.  Well, long story short, it's only been 3 weeks and half of my district is leaving. One of the Elders in Socorro is being sent home and one of the sisters is being sent home for health problems; the other sister is going with another set of sisters in the mission and the area is being closed down!  So, after President tells me all these crazy changes he says that I'm being sent down now to Socorro and to pack my bags and say my goodbyes on Alamo. So, that’s the news.  It was really hard to hear at first but I've come to know it’s the Lord's will not mine.

My companion says I'm like going to be a Band-aid and that I'll be going down there to help fix and bandage the area, which is true, but I don’t know how long I'll be there for though.  My heart hurt a lot to hear that after 3 weeks they are already closing down one of the areas in Socorro, and that 3 out of the 4 missionaries are leaving; but its ok because there is a plan for it all.

I bore my goodbye testimony this last Sunday.  When I got up to say that I'm leaving all I heard were gasps and people whispering "no."  I cried, of course, giving my testimony and sharing my love to them all and how much I feel a part of their family and culture! I LOVE this people: Native Americans, Navajos, and Apaches soooo much.  A common last name down here is Apachito so some people joke and say my name is Elder Taylor Apachito!  ha But I read the promise that I love the most to the Native Americans in the Book of Mormon and that is Mormon 7: 8-10. It says how they will come to the knowledge of their Fathers when they read this record and that they must follow Christ, our Savior, and that it will be well with them in the day of judgment if they follow this gospel. I think it really hit home to them. There are a lot of grudges and rumors and murmuring here on the res but I pleaded with them to forgive one another and help our brothers and sisters here to come to church and that when I come back and it’s the bigger building that I want to see it filled!

Many of the women were crying.  Its because once the natives let you in their heart and culture and trust you they feel heartbroken when you leave. Some are angry at “whoever is sending me away” but others understand. I tell all of them than I'll be back here in a year and will be in regular clothes coming to their houses to see them, my family, again. I said a few words in Navajo while giving my testimony and that was special too.

I know there are great things to come.  Elder Ahloy and Elder Farb will do a great job without me here...  I know its in good hands. The Lord needs all 3 of us to grow more and receive more responsibilities. I look forward to Socorro and the new and great big challenges that are waiting there for me. "The Lord calls us in our weakness, but He qualifies us for His work.”

I know who I am and what I'm capable of.  If we all just follow the Lord's call, whatever it may be, and become submissive like a child than He will guide and bless us more for He has a greater purpose. Sometimes He cuts us down to help us grow more than we were before.

Thanks for all of the support and prayers here for the Alamonites and for helping pray for the building expanison. I'll be here in Februrary next year to come to Alamo and visit all of my family :) 

Love,

Elder Taylor  

This morning we went with Anita, Angelita and Malcolm to hike by their house. 

It was awesome!  

I love this family.  I was there for Shannon and Sydney Apachitos baptism.

 Going to miss them. 

Great Experiences

So for this week's blog I just wanted to give a day-to-day update of my past week. I'm going through the highlights of each day to show you the life of a missionary and how many things come up.This is all quoted directly from my personal journal entrys… 

Monday: 

Gave Crystal Monte who is recent convert a blessing. The Spirit was so manifest it was amazing. She's in her 30's and is struggling with serious heath problems at a young age and is the mother of 5 kids. When the hands were laid on her head I paused for a second for the Spirit to guide me and she began to  cry.  I learned that we truly are the HANDS for God and that we are just acting for Him. She felt it just at the touch. I promised her that her two brothers, mother and grandmother (who are in the next life) are there and will be there to help carry her through her trials. My love is great for her and her family.  They call me : "Elder T" or the "white Navajo." 

Tuesday:

At times I think about my dreams a lot. Ever since day 1 in the MTC up until now I have had vivid dreams every night that I can remember. Every dream I am living the missionary standards or am literally a missionary. I guess if you’re a consecrated missionary you even dream about it! ha  SO, I wonder that when I'm home and have dreams if they will be me on my mission? Will they be as vivid? We will see…

I feel that I have been struggling a little bit with all the changes going on.  I feel like I am lacking in my diligence with missionary work; like I'm taking short cuts but you don’t do that in this calling.This isn’t a job or a salary pay; there is no loop holes in the ministry and work of salvation. God is the author of it so therefore it is perfect. If we, as humans, try to find loop holes or be lazy we will eventually destroy the plan and its purpose.

Wednesday: 

SO many times on missions the adversary attacks you with mental obstacles. He makes things harder for you by bringing up a past life or a mistake or a tragedy.  I am motivated though, at the same time, to be a way better man when I get home. It’s a blessing and a curse. I can see and reflect on how I was empty and unhappy then but am now filled with joy beyond capacity.  My desire for when I get back is to always have and be led and guided by the Spirit and to be a worthy priesthood holder.  Missions truly change us for the better. I feel like I've found out now who the real JUSTIN WILLIAMS TAYLOR is and how I need to stay this way.

Thursday: 

I feel that one of the best things I get to do as a priesthood holder (that I get to do a ton on my mission) is to give blessings. There is a member named Rosi Baca who texted us at 1am saying she was in pain and needed a blessing. So, the next day we were at the Crofts house and she banged on the door and came in limping. Her hip was really hurt. She popped it out. Long story short she asked me to give her the blessing and it was so powerful. I felt true direction from our Heavenly Father. Rosi was saying that because we didn’t answer that she almost went to the Medicine Man (Native American Traditional Church) to be healed but she says we know where he gets his power from. She said she almost turned away.  Well, in the blessing it said the power of God is far greater than the power of the Devil. She felt that her enemies on the reservation are putting a curse on her and I also commanded whatever power that was to also leave! It was a crazy night. A lot of weird but spiritual things. Priesthood is real.

Friday: 

Cathy, a recent convert I baptized a few months ago, has been running around crazy. Rewarding to see her this morning. Well, we have been teaching and talking to her about temples lately and doing the work for those who have passed on. She told us of a dream she had that her friend who is dead was talking to her and she went to him. She mentioned she has had many dreams like this or has heard or felt the presence of those who are in the spirit world. She said they were being taught by someone else and learning things but was in a dirty place. Another came up to her and told her his name and then walked away. She said she asked her friend when telling this story if he knew the name of the man in her dream and he said yes, that it is one of my friends who passed away a while ago. This had motivated her and made her decide that she needed to go to the temple.   

At scripture study Rosie said that instantly after the blessing she began to feel less and less pain in her body, specifically her hip. Her countenance had changed in one day; she was happy, had laughter,  joy and peace. I called her attention to it and said look at the difference from last night to now... its because the power of God is more powerful than anything. His priesthood healed you physically as well as emotionally and spiritually because of your faith and His love for you as His daughter.

Saturday: 

On exchanges in Socorro. Had a great district meeting; taught them the 3 S’s to successful teaching. Randomly saw President and Sister Miller at the gas station down in Socorro on their way to El Paso. I love my mission president; he is great at praising and motivating missionaries. I love being on exchanges and helping the missionaries I'm over. Trying to find ways to help them always improve. Almost got eaten by these sketchy pit bull dogs chained up at this guys house.  Went to the Technical College there and felt super uncomfortable around all these science kids and a lot of white people... not used to it! We got chalk and for a way to find more people to talk to we drew out the plan of salvation on the floor right in the middle of campus... it was awesome. Got to talk to a lot of the college students there passing by.  Talked to a guy doing a yard sale who said he didn’t believe in God and that his life turned to crap and that this summer he was going to end his life. I felt so sick to my stomach and my heart hurt. I tried telling him why God lets hard times come and how much He loves us but he seemed not to care. I'm so grateful for the knowledge I have of a Plan of Happiness. I miss Alamo already... I'm not used to a city! ha

Sunday: 

A beautiful morning sunrise... half the sky is filled with storm and rain clouds by the mountains with sunshine piercing through the gaps and giving ray of sunlight on the Alamo. How beautiful is this earth?  The Creator made this a special and wonderful place.

Elder Farb felt sick this morning so I went to sacrament while Elder Ahloy stayed in the trailer with him. Beautiful testimonies were born. Rosi went up and said I got a blessing and it has helped me so much. Spoke about her trial earlier that week and the miracle of the Gospel. She said, "I did what you said Elder Taylor... I went to the temple, not knowing why you told me to do so in the blessing, but I just trusted in the words that God told you to say. When I was there I felt like putting names on the prayer roll. The first name that came to mind was my niece Jenessa... I had no idea why. Later, come to find out, that she got in a car accident and somehow made it out with only a few bruises."  When I heard Rosi’s testimony it helped me know that someday all the members here will be as converted as she is and will go to the temple often.

Later I had to go by myself to branch council and figure out the mission plan and also do correlation and be part in a blessing of a man with an addiction.  Only got to visit 2 people because Elder Farb still wasn’t feeling good. Taught Cathy's son Bruce the piano and how to read notes and stuff. She told me on March 22^nd she's going to the temple to do baptisms and she wants me to do the names of the men in her family and for me to baptize her in the temple. SO SPECIAL! One of the happiest things I've heard. To baptize her for herself and then in the temple for her family... so cool.

I've been on the phone all the time;  I don’t know why but everyone seems to be calling me lately or I have to be making calls to other missionaries to certain issues coming up, but I love it...  the stress, pressure, more responsibilities because I get to learn and grow.”

That is all for my entries of the past week. I hope this made sense; I wanted to change it up and share with you all personal things I've written while out here in my journal.

I pray that we may look into our lives and ponder, learn wisdom and serve others for truly that is why we are here.

“Don’t pray for lighter burdens...  Pray for a stronger back!” Unknown

Love always,

 Elder Taylor

Parts taken from Personal Journal #2 Pages 49- 62  

So this is my Shi Ma Anita... she taught me last week how to braid hair Indian style and this is the beginner one. Anita was laughing the WHOLE time I was doing it!   haha She's going to teach me how to do a more complicated one next week but I love her. That family has a very special spirit there and a family I'll never forget.

Cut Out Apathy

Hey everyone... I had a great last week. I got the new companion settled in and all is well.  There are 3 of us and we are working hard and focusing on our purpose. 

I love a good challenge and that's what I feel I have overall with all of the new changes going on! 

Our mission president a few weeks ago talked about cutting out apathy ...  Apathy means a lack of emotion or interest.   So I looked for scriptures to teach to some missionaries that I had in a meeting and this is what I found... 


38 And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thingwhich our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it.  39 And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness. 40 And it did work for them according to their faith in God;therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day. 41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and thenthose marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in theirjourney; 42 Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel adirect course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because oftheir transgressions.   

So, in the Book of Mormon we are taught a valuable lesson... that a family or group of people or individuals who were faithful received miracles and guidance with their "compass." Now, for us, we all don't have a Liahona but we have the Holy Ghost which is like a Liahona. If we have faith in the Lord and our Heavenly Father and if we need help and guidance He will do so BUT we need to have "works" too. Work is key to many things; we need to push forward and make things happen and turn to God. I love the quote I heard that says, " Work as if it is all dependent on you, but have faith as if it is all dependent on Him."
 When we do all we can the Lord will help us.  I don't know about you guys but I'd much rather be guided by God than to do it by myself... I'd mess up SO much.   The reason those people in the scriptures messed up is because they had APATHY!  They were " slothful, forgot the exercise faith, diligence."  They got caught up in the "norm" of things; in the world or the Natural Lazy Man.  They thought they could clock out and take a break for a little bit and that God would still do everything for them. PROBLEM. God doesn't spoon-feed us when we are hungry and send down money if we need it or wash our clothes if we are tired. He doesn't work that way. We are all children, even if we are old or young, and the only way a child can learn is by doing things themselves. 

We cannot have apathy towards our family, our job, our callings in church, our children, friends, school or whatever it may be. Again, APATHY is the lack of emotion and interest. We need to have emotions in all parts of our life; to be filled with joy and love and trust and faith. We need to be interested in people around us and interested in our responsibilities so that God can bless us for our works and faith.  

If you need a break then pray and ask for help, take a deep breath, read some scriptures, go on a walk, or do whatever you need to do but DO NOT build up APATHY.  Don't lose your purpose or focus or faith in God and become lazy; always be anxiously engaged in a good cause!! 

Thank for all your support and love. I pray this helps you or someone else that  you feel needs to hear these things! 

Love,Elder Taylor 

Me and my Shi Ma ( Anita ) looking at her horse named Lady

This dog was staring at us the whole time we were knocking on this guys door ... 

Me and Elder Ahloy!! 

Yeaaaa ....  I'm a great leader and example ... falling asleep while planning district meeting! haha 

Fisheye lens picture! 

My comp was playing with his camera and took a picture that lighted everything up.. kinda cool 

Additional companion

Hey not a big email ... don't have time!

Transfers was today and I'm staying! Elder Ahloy is staying too but we got a 3rd companion whose name is Elder Farb from Beaverton, Oregon.  He's a good kid.  President wants me and my companion to work the heck out of him and make him the best missionary he can be so thats what we will be doing!

I'm also staying to oversee a new area in my district open up since I was the one who discussed it with our mission president.  Now it is happening ...which is great. Socorro hasn't had a baptism in over a year and with 4 missionaries now I know it will pick up! 

A lot of new exciting things this transfer mission-wide!  The Lord really does inspire our mission president! 

I hate seeing missionaries go home... I don't want to go home! 

I'm driven more now then ever for this next transfer to make big things happen!! 

Love to you all, sorry for the lame email! 

Elder Taylor 

The 3 S's to Successful Teaching

Great week last week. We saw miracles in our area and we were definitely divinely guided. It is amazing to me even now how much our Heavenly Father knows His children and truly, if we are willing, will guide us to who He needs us to see the most! 

We have had a lot of success. We taught 39 lessons last week and this week we set goals to hit 43 (which would be a record for me)!  The Lord is hastening his work.

Well, today my blog email won't be too long because we are heading to Los Lunas for Zone sports... some missionaries have been asking me to go play ball with them one time so today is the day! 

But I came up with something last night as I was talking to my companion Elder AhLoy and giving suggestions on teaching and stuff. It really, really applies to Navajos but also to ALL people. 

The 3 S's To Successful Teaching .

Slow.   When we teach our minds often works faster than our mouths and when that happens we speed up and words get mumbleded and we stutter, etc. So, teach slowly enough so that when you are teaching they can hear you clearly and put together what you are talking about. Slow also means pause; some of the greatest power I have seen is when I teach slow and look into their eyes, pause a second, and then continue to teach without rushing. The spirit flows when we talk slow!! 

Simple. If we can teach simple there is so much power to it. I think of my favorite teachers or lectures or talks I have heard are those given simply so all can understand it but pack a punch still. Like I always say to my companions and other missionaries, "Simplicity is Strength!"  I always remember that when I'm teaching. A quote that fits perfectly to this section is, “It is true intelligence for a man to take a subject that is mysterious and great in itself, and to unfold and simplify it so that a child can understand it.” President  John Taylor. 

Short. Some of the most powerful statements given or lessons taught have been bold and short. I can't stand when people teach and repeat themselves over and over again... its like a mouse running in the wheel ... they get nowhere! You need a goal, and objective in mind beforehand, and then teach it but do it shorter than you think. Once we begin teaching a lot of times we just keep rambling off things, and go off on a tangent but when that happens the effectiveness of the teaching or training diminishes. Stay on target and teach the principles short and to the point so then it sticks with the individuals. If people ask questions and take it off course then lovingly thank them for the comment but tie it back in and keep teaching.

These are 3 things that I thought of that helps me when trying to get something to stick to the individual or group. There are many great teachers but the ones who truly impact and are effective are few. If you remember to teach slow, simple and short those you are teaching will be greatly impacted and will have the lessons implanted in their minds and will leave more filled than they were before the teaching! 

Thank you all for the support! Please email me if any of you have questions about anything or need help...  I'm more than happy to do so! 

Love,

Elder T 

Two greatest attributes to have

Hey everyone!  I want to thank you all for reading my emails and supporting me when I'm out here! 

Today I don't have a ton of time but I wanted to share what I wrote to my mission president this week, and it's perfect because this was what I was going to share anyways! 

The email the mission president sent to all the missionaries this week had 3 questions.... 

1. How can I develop attributes that will make me a more powerful and effective minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

2. How will developing Christlike attributes help me fulfill my purpose as a missionary?

3. Which attribute do I most need to develop?" 

My response was this..... 

"Now attributes is something I study almost the most. Attributes is the only way to change our entire NATURE. We can't just change our nature by reading the scriptures and praying.  We have to be like Christ for it to happen. 

Attributes doesn't work like other goals we set. Waking up at 6:30am every moring exactly and doing work outs, or making sure I study the Book Of Mormon 10 min a day is what I call a "To Do List."  Attributes isn't a "To DO List," it is a "To BE List." We need to be like Christ and we set goals that will never be checked off. How can you check off "charity?" Or have "virtue garnish our thoughts" for just a week long?? We don't check that off... its life-long. So, if we are expected to teach effective like Christ we are TO BE like Christ; in other words, study His teaching, how He handled situations humbly and with charity. If we are trying to teach a message of Christ and as close to as powerful as He taught we need to be as close to Him as we can by being like Him and following His example... then we will be effective.
Your purpose is to invite them to CHRIST... that's the 1st objective. If they know Christ personally and feel His love because of your personal witness and similar example, then everything else will trickle down.  (for example: commandments, or church attendance.)
 
To me there are two attributes that are the most important... #1 is Charity. Charity is so key; its like the Holy Ghost, which I believe to be the foundation of all other blessings that proceed it.   The Holy Ghost is the first gift God gives to us for a reason... so, charity is the first attribute we must learn the best. If we are to have Christ-"like" charity .. which I use "like" in all attributes because we can be similar to Christ, but we can never be exactly like Christ in this life, let alone have as much charity as He did to be able to perform the atonement. 

#2 is Virtue. This is key. This is what separates many servants of the Lord in missions or in the church. In order for us to have pure power and divine guidance from the Holy Ghost we must be pure vessels. I also would add virute for missionaries for 2 years also means to forget about home and don't think about what you are missing or what you left behind.  Don't think about a girl or boy you left, or all the " fun" things you can't do now. And, of course, for all people, not having impure thoughts, lust, bad modesty.. etc. Doing all of these things is like throwing mud on a white shirt, and comparing it to a pure clean white shirt. If you put them next to each other it is obvious which one we would rather wear. Our mindset must be like that; most people's intentions aren't to choose the " dirty/muddy shirt" ...we all want the clean and pure white shirt.  We need to have virtue in our mind and CHOOSE pure thoughts every time, then will our actions and work be Divine!! 

D & C 121: 45... is a new favorite scripture. I just found and deeply studied this last week in personal study. If we desire to have these two attributes and really work on them we will be allowed to have "confidence wax strong in the presence of God", therefore charity towards all men and virtue unceasingly in our thoughts will lead us to pure power as a missionary and confidence.

We all need to make a "To-Be List" for attributes! "

I hope this all made sense. I love reading the scriptures and I received revelation on D&C 121:45, and it has changed my perspective. I challenge all of you to read and study it. There's a lot more that came to me that I feel I shouldn't share through email about the verse. 

STUDY the scriptures, dont just read them! 

Work on Christ-"like " attributes and try your best and He will take care of the rest!

My deepest love to you all,

Elder Justin Taylor 

Baptisms on year mark. Full speed ahead!

Had a wonderful week last week. I've grown more and more in love with my mission everyday it feels like. 

As you know last week, on the 23rd, was my one-year mark and we also had planned TWO baptisms.  I'm not going to lie... I was nervous they were not going to happen. 

Shannon was supposed to get married the day before but he didn't go into town and get the marriage license.  So that put a little damper on things.  Then the other investigator we hadn't seen for like three days prior! 

Well, that morning I prayed earnestly that I would have a successful day and work hard to see those 2 baptisms come through. 

We went to Margarita's house in the morning and it looked like no one was home. She finally answered the door and I told her that, "today is the day Margarita!  You are going to get baptized. You ok with that?" She said she was ready and was excited too. SO... we went over the questions with her that they will ask in her baptismal interview.

When we left Margarita's house we were nervous that in the next 3 hours she would leave somewhere and forget because it has happened before.  So we called her 2 times within that time randomly and made up excuses to call!  haha It worked. The Crofts picked her up and then swung by to get us, but Shannon (who was supposed to get baptized too) wasn't in the truck and the Croft's said they stopped by and he said he will drive themselves in 30 min and go get the marriage license then meet up at the church. 

Well, that freaked me out!  Not to be mean, but if a Navajo ever says anything like that it means they are not going to do it and its not going to happen! haha  We got down there and I called 30 minutes later (when he's supposed to leave) and told him he better get his butt out the house to make it! ha He promised he would! 

Margarita got her interview and PASSED which is awesome because a few months ago she didn't so it was a huge hurdle to get her here again. She told us on the way down that she has wanted to be baptized for 2 YEARS now! What a miracle that was. 

Then Shannon showed up at the perfect time with his girlfriend and the marriage license.   The branch president came and then they got married. It was a beautiful event and the Spirit was there.  I got to sign the license as a witness of the marriage which was super cool!  After he went and got his baptismal interview, and also passed. We both went in to change for the baptism and then the baptisms happened. Not a lot of people here come to baptisms  but they are so spiritual. I felt the Spirit the strongest at this one. I was honored to baptize Shannon as well as give him the gift of the Holy Ghost on Sunday. 

Afterwards we went to a recent convert's house and had Navajo Tacos for dinner (my favorite) and it was wonderful. I love their family and I feel at home every time I am there. 

My joy was full on my year mark day. The Lord has answered my prayers greater than I ever thought. He heard my cries and pleas and blessed me. I have never worked so hard for 2 baptisms my whole mission. 

Also, we are super close and basically have the expansion on the building!!!  We still have to get people to church and work hard but its basically going to happen and Salt Lake apologized to our stake president and said they were supposed to put a bigger building here from the start and that they will probably starting building THIS summer!!! :) So great! I met the Church's project manager when he was looking at the building and got some of the gossip of why he's here!  ha He said we could possibly be getting a full sized chapel ... so we will see!

Thanks for all the support. Miracles do happen guys, but only by our faith.

Elder Taylor 

The truck got stuck so i had to dig it out practically haha my comp thought it was funny to take pics of it! 

Playing basketball with the little kids on the dirt out here 

My comp has a sweet camera and took this picture 

We play hard core basketball on a lil hoop on the door, always a fun game of HORSE during lunch ha 

A Native here got me an Elk antler and we made home made Elk antler knifes and used a old hoarse shoe and heated and pounded it into a knife. 
This is ZW, hes the black Smith in Magdalena and is a member and a really cool guy! 

BAPTISMS!! 

Year Mark. / S.I.T. / Miracles

Hey everyone!  For my email today I've got a lot of cool things to cover so it will be a long one but one that I pray will shed light on my personal thoughts and feelings and experiences. 

As many of you know my year mark is on the 23rd.... I'm not looking forward to it. I love this work too much and to see that I'm halfway done with it saddens me but life moves on. I have reset goals for myself ....it's not anymore about a " TO DO LIST"; I'm making a "TO BE LIST."  A "to be" list isn't temporary; I can't check it off after a day or week or month. A "to be" list is supposed to last forever and to have continuous effort. 

I came up with S.I.T. for my district meeting last week.  Our goal is for members of the church to apply S.I.T and it will help them with the work of salvation; it will help them talk to others about the Gospel and it will help those who are members but have fallen away.

Sincere

Invite

Teach

I like to make things simple so I thought of this. If members are 1st SINCERE. If they truly care for that person and wants them to be blessed just like they have been with this Gospel then they need to care for that person. They should want them to have joy and peace; to really want to know about their life, their hobbies, and their family. 

2nd is INVITE. We should invite them to our homes for a family activity, or to dinner when the missionaries are there or to fun church activities, a child's baptism, etc. If we don't invite them they won't and can't change. The Savior always invites us; it's our choice if we want His blessings and to listen. 

3rd is TEACH. At this point and time we should as members truly know and feel a connection with this person. The relationship is sincere, you have invited them to something that they would enjoy and now you teach them a simple truth as the Spirit directs. Maybe, for example, they said they are having problems with their marriage. Well, be sincere; let them open up and tell you and ask them questions to show you truly are attentive to their needs. After that you might say something that helps us is Family Home Evening (for example). One might tell them that they do it every Monday and it has helped our marriage because we spend time together as spouses as well as with our children... it is the happiest times we have and all anger and stress and problems leave....Would your family like to come to our house for it next Monday??  Then, after their response, you teach. Say how much the Gospel or Jesus Christ and the teachings of the church has helped you. Bear testimony on the importance of families and teach slightly of the opportunity all families have of being sealed together forever. Then maybe add that on that night you are having missionaries from your church coming to share a message and that they would love to help teach these important things that will bless your marriage and family. 

This concept is SIMPLE everyone! As members if you remember S.I.T. a situation like the example one I did will happen and you will be contributing to the Lord's hastening the work!! Don't be scared... be honest. 

After I wrote and taught this concept I then received revelation on the same acronym about the blessings that come from it and the benefit we have as missionaries if we teach this simply to our members . We will then see...

Sacrament

Immersion

Temple.      

Those 3 things are the hardest things in missionary work to me. Its hard getting people to come to church diligently every week, and to take the sacrament.  It's hard for people to commit to be baptized by immersion in Christ's true church under His authority.  And last it's hard to help new members and less active members make it to the temple to make the sacred covenants to the Lord in His holy house.

Now, each and everyone of these very large obstacles will not go away if our members apply S.I.T..  They will still be there but the desire, the help, the support, and the faith will be greatly increased. They will have a friend, or family who cares about them sincerely, who have been kind enough to invite them to activities that will bring them great joy and have taught them truth to answers they have always searched for.

I promise if every member applies this and strips themselves of fear and truly wants to help build God's kingdom they will see the blessings of helping people who were lost, forgotten, or in darkness come and feel welcomed and remembered and in light. You will see those you help come and partake of the sacrament, be baptized by immersion and then enter into heaven on earth... the temple. These blessings are promised to us if we TRY! 

My miracle this week was I was in a home with two members who we keep trying to invite  to church but they won't come. Well, their son-in-law always is there. He's a big guy who is always cracking jokes and has a smile on his face (which is really rare here on the res). Anyways, I've always prayed that we could somehow teach him the restoration of Jesus Christ's church... His one church. A few days ago he came out and said I've got 3 questions for you guys that NO ONE can ever answer me truthfully on... (1) Doesn't it say in the Bible not to drink alcohol or strong drink?? How come I see preachers here drinking all the time?? Well, we answered  this and told him about the word of wisdom. Next: (2) Why should someone pay a preacher to pray for them or to bless them?? Did Jesus ever do that in the Bible or anyone else? We answered that and told Him that no one should ever ask for money like that. Last one: (3) This is the toughest one.  This one no one really has any idea about!  Did God and the Lord just love the people in Jerusalem?  What about my ancestors the Indians?   Were they good in Jerusalem and my people evil so God didn't care about them??    I WAS FREAKING OUT!  hahaha  I got up, and jumped, and said,  "Patrick I have an answer that I've been waiting to give you and you just asked for it. I will tell you exactly what the Lord thought about your people." He answered so many prayers.  I've wanted for so long to tell him these things and it was a miracle he had asked! SO great! He was inspired by God!  We will see next week more of his thoughts. 

Also, we had 80 people at sacrament meeting and a lot of people stayed for their classes and they were all PACKED full! We got great numbers last week... we just need to keep it up for the next few weeks. 

At church we have an investigator who's supposed to get baptized this Thursday but hadn't shown up to church and it was about 15 min into church and he hadn't shown.  Well, I was worried and stepped out and tried calling him. No answer. I told our ward mission leader he isn't here and he needs to come if he's going to get baptized this week. He said well maybe he's just not committed enough yet to come. I felt that it was true but something inside of me said, no, he is committed, but just needs some help.  So I grabbed another member and left my companion (who was blessing the sacrament with a priest) and jumped in my truck and drove a mile up to his house and told him he was at the wrong place. He asked the time and said, "Shoot! I lost the time! Can you drive me?"  I told him to jump in and we went to church!  ha!  I broke 3 big rules right there in 5 min but I live at times the higher law. Yes, I broke rules, but now this man will be following Christ by being baptized and will receive eternal life. I do not regret this decision one bit. Like I always say... make it happen. Sometimes we need to take it into our own hands to get the job done, but only with the spirit guiding us! 

Last thing... I finished the Book Of Mormon for the 2nd time. I went through and highlighted all about Christ in it in different colors for different parts like His attributes, doctrine, His words, comfort scriptures, etc. My testimony has grown so very, very much in our Savior and His love for the people in the Americas so long ago. I'm privileged to have read at the end of the book the promise to the posterity of the Lamanites (who are the Native Americans) and to see that I am that gentile bringing this record to them and teaching of Christ's true gospel. Prophecy is fulfilled!

I love this work. I love this Gospel. I love my name tag. I never want to go home but I know I will someday... but my name tag, my love for the gospel and missionary work will never fade; it will be branded on my heart forever! 

Love always,

Your brother in Christ... Elder Taylor