Transcription: 11 June 2012

Driving to Fairbanks, AK

Fairbanks is way different than Anchorage (haha). There are trees everywhere! They are huge trees too. There are like dirt roads everywhere in our area, and it is like completely back woods. So if you could pick any place in Alaska that typifies Alaska, it's the Fairbanks 3rd Ward. It's basically everything in the North of Fairbanks. So it covers places like Lucia, Circle, and all the way up to the Yukon River. I think it's the largest geographical ward in the world -- people here are saying. The people here are really nice, we actually live inside a member's home in the basement. It's really nice, and they really take good care of us. As soon as we got here, they were telling us of some people we need to go see. We were happy and excited about that. It's really neat being up here, it's really different from Anchorage. It is kind of nice to change things up. When I first got here, I was like "oh my goodness, this is so bizarre;" (haha) because it was so different. I was missing seeing my Polynesians around (haha), because there are not that many of them in Fairbanks.

Elder Record and Elder Benjamin Conlin

Elder Conlin is a cool guy. He was at BYU for a year before he came on his mission. He is from New Orleans, Louisiana. I am excited to serve with him and get to know him. One thing about Fairbanks is, there are lots of mosquitoes. I think it is the same in all of Alaska, but they are kind of bad in Fairbanks (haha). Good thing I have bug spray.

We are starting to get the hang of the area pretty well. We sectioned off are area into sections because it's so big. So that all the people we are going to visit that day can be in that group. We color coordinated it. I can open my planner up and see the color and know which section I should go to for work that day. Elder Conlin did a lot of that. He's pretty excited about that. It's good, because it helps us stay more effective and more efficient so we waste our time driving from one area and back and only end up seeing like one, maybe two people a day. So we kind of group it off to be more effective.

I am the district leader. So I get to do a little different things. I get to organize a district meeting every month. The last one was really good. I get to see how all the missionaries in the district are doing.

This week from Wednesday to Friday we are going to be gone. We are going to be driving down to Anchorage on Wednesday and come back on Friday. I get to go to the temple on Friday. I'm really excited about that (haha). On Thursday we get to have zone conference. Elder Coliker from the Seventy is coming to visit us. It's a long drive, but it's fun (haha).

The work here is going pretty well. We are starting to get on our feet again, because we had no idea what was going on or what was what here when we got here. Now we are starting to get a feel for it. Church was really nice. We got to meet a lot of people and meet some of the potential members up here. It's nice to testify about Book of Mormon.

I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know that it does have the power to change our hearts. I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ and all that he has done for me. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a missionary, because it's pretty fun (haha). I am thankful for the opportunity I have to help people as a missionary. I feel like it's helping me become so much more equipped for when I come back home to do things, especially in semi-leadership positions because have to step it up and do a little better and help a little more. It's nice because I kind of get the feeling for running things a little bit. So it will help me in the work force when I get back home.

Elder Conlin is good at piano. He's good at music in general. He kind of improves a lot of his stuff, which is pretty cool. Yeah, that's about it. It seems like forever this week because we just got started. It's only been a few days, I guess. I have unlimited email time, so I'm excited about that. I'll talk to you guys later.

Love, Elder Record

Email: 4 June 2012

I encourage anyone who hasn't gone to the temple or hasn't been in a while to go, and if you can't yet, prepare.  There isn't a better place on earth.  There isn't another place where you will feel more love and at home than perhaps with the ones you love in your home because that is the purpose.  To have a family like our Father in Heaven has forever, and then to help others to do the same.  If you haven't read the Book of Mormon please read it.  It has the power to change your lives.  It was written for our day.  The bible can tell you what Christ did, but the Book of Mormon can tell you why.

I love you all, sorry I didn't prepare an audio update.  I've been kind of busy with transfers and everything.  I found out that I'll be training again, but this time in Fairbanks 3rd ward.  I don't know what my companion's name is yet.  Apparently I'll live in a very nice apartment with members.  I'll miss everyone here in my area especially my companion, who is going to be the senior companion to another trainee just finishing training.

Here is something I studied this week I thought you guys might enjoy.

I love the story in Acts 19 I think where it gives a story about 7 exorcist Jews.  Paul was going around teaching people about Christ and the exorcists go to someone possessed with an evil spirit.  They say in the name of Jesus, who Paul is preaching about, come out.  Then the evil spirit says, Jesus I know, and Paul I know but who the heck are you!  haha! I love that story.  It cracks me up every time.  And it’s a good example of how having the proper authority is necessary.  I love the gospel.  I’m thankful that we have such a merciful Savior.  I know that our Heavenly Father leads and guides us and his church through his authorized representatives.  I never have to wonder about where to turn to.  It is always very clear.

Love, Elder Record

Transcription: 29 May 2012

Hello Everybody! Today is Sunday the 27th.

This week was amazing. We had a lot of good things happen. We got invited to a birthday party by some of our potential members. We went and it was really cool. (haha) Like we walk in and -- our potential members really like us; there's two of them, one of them is in her late 20's and the other is like 20. They are pretty open and comfortable with us talking about the gospel. They family is still a little closed off because they go to another church. But anyway -- we walk into the party (haha) and everybody like just stares at us! (haha) Like in shock, (haha) because we are missionaries from another church. But we walk in and just start talking to people. We actually found a guy who is a member, who hopefully we can follow up here soon. He was a member up in Samoa and moved to Hawaii and then he moved up here. Since his parents were of a different Church, when he went to Hawaii, when they brought him to their Church, he kind of just went along with it. Anyway as we were talking with everybody, we look over in the band that was playing some music there (haha) for their birthday party, and we see in the band this guy named [name withheld].

We saw him playing in the band and he saw us too. We had gone to visit him before. He is a member, and was actually brought into the Church by his girlfriend. His dad is a minister in another Church, he's a faifeo. We are faifeotalai (haha). He's just a faifeo, because we are preaching missionaries or ministers on foot. He was always friendly to us and everything because he had softened up a lot after he went to his son's baptism and saw how members acted. But he was super against it before. I looked over at Church (haha) in the middle of Sacrament meeting and I'm like, "that's [name withheld]'s dad!!!" I never would have expected him to come, but he was there and ooh it was such a good Sacrament meeting! We had a returned missionary speak and bear his testimony about how serving each other just helps, and how we need to step up and do our duties in the Church so we can help other people and help it grow. That totally brought the Spirit. And then the [name withheld]s, oh, a super solid family. I love them. But they get up and just start bearing their testimony about eternal families and about the temple. (I love the temple! There isn't a place I'd rather be than the temple. When I get back, I'm going to spend as much time as I can in the temple. It's an amazing place. I can't even begin to describe how much I love the temple. I felt it especially after not being able to go as often as I did before. It's a place of such peace and love. You know the Church is true when you go there. There is nothing that can change that. It's such a wonderful experience.) Anyway, they just started bearing their testimonies about families.

We went over to [name withheld]'s house for dinner and she asked us what one thing that we noticed that families; really faithful members with strong families, strong unity; do to keep their families together. We said well they pray together, they read their scriptures together, they spend time together; and then she asked us what have you noticed that is different about families who aren't, that don't come and have a lot of discord in the family and a lot of struggles. We've noticed, and we said, they don't do those things. I mean it's as simple as that, they don't pray together, they don't spend time together, and the family suffers the effects. Those are just things that bind us together and help us grow; especially prayer, especially praying together, but she (haha) actually used that in her talk.

I was just like crying the whole time. I felt the Spirit so strong. Even from the beginning, I knew it was going to be a special day as soon as I walked inside the chapel. I don't know how anybody who was in that Sacrament meeting could not have felt the Spirit. The bishop was talking about [name withheld]'s dad, when he looked over at him, he could start to see a change in his face. He totally felt the Spirit. He actually announced in the Elder's quorum that we were welcome to come over whenever we wanted. We were welcome to come to his house (haha). I was just like, "oh man! this is amazing!" Because if he comes, his family will come, and chances are a lot of members of his congregation will come too. I'm just so happy to have served in the Samoan ward. We have really been able to gain the trust of the members. They are really starting to get excited, and active in missionary work, and just helping each other out and spreading the gospel. It's spreading like wild fire. (haha) It's just so exciting to see, and we don't always see the difference we make. Thankfully, I've been able to see some of the difference that I've been able to make, particularly with my companions. Elder Wright -- an awesome guy! Elder Thorne -- awesome guy! It's been with their help we have been able to move the work forward. I love the people here.

There is a family we really like that is getting excited about the temple. We have a lot of people who we have been teaching that are taking the temple prep class now, and are getting ready to go. It's just so much fun to (haha) help people, and spend all your time doing it, and be anxiously engaged in a good cause. I love spending ALL my time doing that, being very driven. Yea, and people are starting to go and share the gospel with their friends, and they are getting ready to have us go over to those people. As we go out and do stuff, we are able to find people who we didn't know were there before, who we need to help and who need our help. And so, we help them. It's very fun to be a missionary. It's hard at first, but (haha) then it gets easier because then you start to lose yourself after you get the hang of things. You are able to work and able to help people, and you get so wrapped up in things it's hard to think about much of anything else. That's when it's fun. If you are not doing anything, if you are being lazy, if you are not being obedient to the mission rules, if you are not being obedient to the commandments, then it's no fun; but when you are, miracles start to happen and it's amazing. I have totally seen that so far.

I know the Church is true. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know that it is in the temple that we can make the rest of those covenants to return to live with our Heavenly Father. I love the temple. I am thankful for the opportunity I've had to be a member of the Church and to be a missionary. I am thankful for you guys, my family, and all the help you have given me to build my testimony. I can't wait to just move forward with life. I wouldn't have traded this experience for anything. I'm not even out a year yet! I've grown so much. It's given me such direction in my life that I'm going to work hard, and I am always going to work hard. I am never going to leave anybody behind. If there is someone who is struggling that needs my help, I'm going to help them. If there is somebody who is weak in their faith and their testimony, I'm going to help them. If there is somebody who is having a down day, I'm going to go help them.

I hope you all have a good time back in Utah (haha). Let me know as soon as you find the address for the house or as soon as you move in, so I can have that because I will have to change that card that I give to people. Talk you later, bye.

Love, Elder Record

Questions: 21 May 2012

Dad: What was your door approach to non-members when talking about family history work?

We ask them about their family and that we wanted to help them find more. We told them about all the resources the church has and invited them to a family history center.

Dad: What is your door approach for less active members?

How are you... We are just always very friendly when we talk to people to show them we care because we do. And they can see it. Then again I have mostly only been with Samoans who are very social.

Dad: What did you think about the video "Jesus Teaches About Being Born Again?" I love the way Christ is portrayed in such a loving and inviting nature.

Wow, it was really good. I really like how he taught like you said. I also like how the savior goes right to the root of his concern, and resolves it. He's not going to understand these other things unless he first understands Christ's purpose and believes on him. This one is my favorite.

Love, Elder Record

Transcription: 21 May 2012

So, guess who got sick? Elder Wright (haha). He got my wind. He doesn't have it quite as bad, I don't think, but I'm not sure. He hasn't had a fever yet, so I guess it's not that bad. He's been pretty sick, but we got him to the doctor pretty quick, so he seems to be feeling better. He's been pretty sick this week, but in spite of that we were actually still able to get quite a bit done.

We were able to visit some people and help them out. We are working on trying not to stay so long and have the lesson be just a visit. So, we are trying to teach more, and we did. It was really neat what happened. The Spirit was there a lot stronger when we weren't just there for like an hour. We were there for like 45 minutes or even less. We just taught... and the Spirit was there. It felt really cool. It made a difference to people, and they felt uplifted and so did we. It still happened before, but it happened a lot more. When we were focused on teaching more that just talking with them, that was a pretty neat experience. Yesterday was awesome! We were able to do a lot.

We had some more training (haha). Elder Call and Elder Donaldson came, from the Seventy did our stake conference. We had a few meetings on Saturday and had to work with the ward council, and there's a lot of cool things that are going to happen. We are starting to work better with them, and get more work done.

We ran into these two people who we began teaching. We hope to really get them fellowshipped in. looks like things are good because we are working closer with the ward council. We are excited about that.

It's really fun to go out and help people. We were able to really feel the Spirit, especially on Sunday, but it makes you pretty tired too (haha). There is this really cool lady we know that works at the book store that says I need to get a tan (haha). But, I can't do that (haha) unless I'm, outside. And if I'm in the truck or somebody's house all day, it's kind of hard to get a tan. But, that's okay, it can wait.

I just want to bear my testimony that I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know it has a power to change our lives and to help us get closer to our Heavenly Father more than any other book. I know that the Church is true. I am thankful for the guidance and direction we get from the prophet and from the general authorities. I am thankful to be serving a mission because it's helping me grow a lot, especially in planning. We are becoming quite the masters of our time. It's pretty cool. It will help me a lot for when I get back.

I hope all is well. Everything is good here. I'll do my best to send letters to various people who send me letters (haha). Talk to you next week, bye.

Love, Elder Record

Transcription: 14 May 2012

This week was a fun week. We had a lot of training meetings though. We were super busy, but surprisingly we were able to use the time that we did have really effectively and get quite a bit done. We had an excellent week, and we were able to help out a lot of people.

On Thursday we had some people from the missionary department come and give us some training. Brother Lee Donaldson and Roger Web came to speak with us. That was really fun, but it was really long though (haha). It went from like nine in the morning to four. It was a really nice meeting, and helped me to focus a lot.

On Friday we had our specialized training. We have one of those every other transfer. It was nice.

On Saturday we got to do some service. We got to help out the post office with their service food drive, "Stamp Out Hunger," I think it was called. All the mail carrier trucks would go out and pick up the food from the mail boxes. They bring it back and we helped them sort everything out and unload all the cans and boxes. It was fun.

We were also able to Skype you guys. It was a nice highlight and nice Mother's Day.

We pretty much play basketball every P-day. I need to start taking pictures -- my bad (haha). I will make sure I get some pictures before I leave Anchorage. Exercise is nice.

We were able to start teaching this little nine year old girl. It's kind of fun. It's like being back in Primary. She is very nice and very quiet. She is very smart and it's fun to teach her. She is the niece to one of the members in the ward. We had a lot of people to Church on Sunday. It was really nice. Sunday was packed, because in the Samoan culture, Mother's Day apparently is a really big deal. I'm guessing that's why we had a ton of people. They also changed the bishopric a little bit. Not entirely, but a little bit. We had some people there for the first time, who had never been there before.

Studying... I've been reading the Book of Mormon. I have been going over that training because I recorded it. I've been listening to it over and over again. Oh!! I really liked D&C section 19, because that is the only first hand account of the atonement. There is a particular part in their that I like. In D&C section 19 verse 20 it says:

"Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit."

So when we feel that suffering, you know that punishment for sins or whatever, that only happens because he withdraws his spirit because the Spirit cannot be with us when we are being wicked. So he says, "in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit." I reference that to Mormon chapter 2 verse 13 where the people are crying out. Mormon gets happy for a sec because he thinks they are repenting, but they're really not. They are just miserable because of their wrong choices, because God is not going to always allow them to take happiness in sin. Since he withdrew the Spirit from the people because they were so wicked, they became really, really miserable. That's just what happens when you sin, it makes you miserable even if you don't realize it. And that's only because God withdraws his Spirit because he can't be there. It's not because he is punishing you or anything, it is just because he can't protect you anymore because you won't let him.

Brother Donaldson gave a little insight on verse 18. When the Savior, talking about the atonement, says:

"Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—"

Regarding the ending dash "—", he said, the Savior was either going to say more and didn't -- because it just ends -- or after eighteen hundred years it's still too painful to talk about. I thought that was kind of neat. The words on the page are from someone with feeling talking.

Anchorage is starting to get really pretty, so I will start to take more pictures. It's starting to get kind of green. The trees are starting to blossom.

I want to bear my testimony that I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know the Church is true. I am thankful to be a missionary. It's helping me out a lot, especially with my focus (haha). Although I'm still not very focused because I'm still really tired. But it's really nice, and I enjoy it. I know that as we do our best, the Lord is there for us and will help us out. When we do sin, and he withdraws his Spirit, we can repent and do better. Mostly through not doing that thing again and going to Church and partaking of the sacrament and reading your scriptures -- that helps a lot too.

Love, Elder Record

Questions: 7 May 2012

Mom: How are you feeling?

Fine now, just a little runny nose.

Dad: Are you the truck driver since you are senior companion?

Yes

Dad: What are Elder Wright's greatest qualities?

He's very concerned about the individual people, and he has strong desire to serve and to please God.

Dad: I posted a YouTube video on your blog of Andrew Zimmerman on Bizzare Foods eating sea. Yeah it was gross! I read another description online, "Sea is truly disgusting, looks like snot according to Andrew Z and stinks like day old puke." You definitely have bragging rights.

=) yup I sure do. lol

Love, Elder Record