I love this work, it's the purest expression of love for God that I've yet found. My diligence increases as my love for the Lord has.

The greatest lesson that I relearned this week is to be honest in every minute detail. Our integrity was tested last Sunday, when we contacted this nonmember husband of an active woman. On our way in one of us scratched the car with our bike. We resolved to tell them about it, but forgot in the conversation. I realized that we had and then we went back and told him about the mistake. He remarked that the last person to scratch his wife's car had paid $500 to get it fixed. He went on to describe the incident, how someone had done it and then drove off. She got the driver from a camera and then the insurance companies fought between each other and it was just a mess. We have yet to get a call from Sister Lester about it but we're glad we did, he would have had a very very bad opinion of missionaries had we given in to the fear of apologizing for the injury we had caused. Instead he now knows that he can trust missionaries, because no matter how good of friends a member is with someone we teach, they must learn to trust us.

Things I appreciate about my mission:

-My relationship with Jesus Christ, as far as I'm willing to sacrifice in this great work he's willing to bless me. 

-Consecrated service brings spiritual experiences that you can't speak of.

-The ability to put on the name tag every day. "By revelation I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ." We are inspired often as we talk with and teach nonmembers, what to say often just comes.

-The Book of Mormon, I'm able to witness it's truth every day. I see patterns in the people that are frequently depicted in the Book of Mormon. People who are compelled to be humbled are generally more willing to listen to the unique message that we have to offer the world.

-The Gift of the Holy Ghost. There is nothing more sweet than to be filled with the Spirit throughout the day. Before my mission my obedience and desire to enjoy the gifts of the Spirit was there but much weaker. There is so much to enjoy on your mission, the triumph and joy in faithful service is so much greater than the minor losses and sorrows that life can bring.

"The Spirit of God like a fire is burning!

The latter-day glory begins to come forth

The visions and blessings of old are expanding,

And angels are coming to visit the earth.

The Lord is extending the Saints' understanding,

Restoring their judges and all as at first.

The knowledge and power of God are expanding;

The veil o'er the earth is beginning to burst.

We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven,

Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb!

Let glory to them in the highest be given,

Henceforth and forever, Amen and amen!"

(The Spirit of God, hymn number 2)

The blessings of my mission have been incredible. Nevertheless it is just the smallest scratch of the temple blessings that have yet to come in my mission, life and in eternity.

I am forever thankful to the Lord for this opportunity to serve the Lord in this marvelous capacity. There's so much to learn about what Jesus Christ would do if he were serving in my shoes, so don't think I've nearly got this all down yet.  

My Commission, by Elder Bruce R. McConkie

"I am called of God. My authority is above that of the Kings of the earth. By revelation I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my master, and He has chosen me to represent him, stand in his place, to say and do what he himself would say and do if he personally was ministering to the very people to whom he has sent me. My words are his words, my acts are his acts, my words are his words and my acts are his acts. My commission is to do what he wants done, to say what he wants said, to be a living modern witness in word and deed of the divinity of his great and marvelous latter-day work."

The work is true! God speaks in our day. I know it, and literally anyone that reads the Book of Mormon honestly and prays about it will know it too. It may take time like Lehi after he prayed to be delivered from the darkness that surrounded him, for he only partook of the fruit of the tree of life after he prayed and strove to reach the tree clinging to the iron rod, or word of God. My knowledge of the Atonement has grown and my desire to share the Everlasting Gospel with everyone has grown with it. God's blessings are coming, I promise you that. If you feel that God's covered now, move on, repent of the sins and transgressions we're prone to and hold on! I love the Lord and pray for you daily.

Much Love,

Elder Szendre

Week 17

This has been a very fulfilling week, a light has metaphorically turned on in my mission and I'm much more focused and aware of how to go about this work better, I absolutely love it.

In two days two Christian investigators dropped us, I knew it was coming, but it just showed so strongly the principle that we need to go through members to teach and establish the truth of the Gospel.

"For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it" D&C 123:12

They simply were not willing to act on our message and read the Book of Mormon with our testimonies alone. If only they would look, they would see the truth of our cause!

Michael just recently made bail with a miracle, that a different judge came in right before the bond hearing and reduced his bail to $5000, making it affordable. I wrote him a letter while he was there, and related the effects of sin to the confinement he was experiencing, "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and call things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." (2 Nephi 2:25) It was really fulfilling to hear him thank me and tell me how meaningful it was to him, he shared it with one of the inmates there who found great meaning in it. It was an incredible lesson that we should do many good things of our own free will,

"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward." (D&C 58:26-28)

It reminds me of Our Search for Happiness, Elder Ballard wrote that he would respond to anyone's letters and gave his home address. We ran into a guy who wrote many times with Elder Ballard and that was the reason why he was active after going through the military. I've learned to look for things that need to be done and then do it.

We had an incredible miracle yesterday. A mom married to a Catholic ran out of sacrament meeting with a panic attack, she's been so stressed. We used to do family home evenings with their family every Sunday until 6 weeks ago she and her husband became very busy with work. We had planned to come check in on her family yesterday, and a few minutes after they decided to do family home evening we knocked on their door. It was a very good family home evening, and at the end we asked if there was anything we could do for their family. She asked for a priesthood blessing. It was given, and a deeply spiritual experience followed. We both felt like we weren't alone that during that blessing.

Our one investigator, Thomas is doing well, I think he felt pressured to be baptized earlier and it just wasn't right for him. We're teaching him and his family now. His father has already read half of the Book of Mormon. The mother went through a very difficult loss of a one year old baby and has not been able to be reconciled with God since. We're not quite sure what she needs to hear yet, but the fact that she gathered her husband and children for the lesson and then attended it was quite a miracle.

I'll leave you with this, "The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done." I've felt the Spirit so incredibly strongly while pondering this, it's true and will be fulfilled. I love you all, this work is true and is hastening.

Stay true!
Elder Szendre

Things are going very well here in Boise. We've gotten good results here this last week, there's three unbaptized children that we set a date with for this Saturday. It probably won't happen, there's too much to do before then.

A recently reactivated man came to Church last Sunday with his nonmember wife and kids. She committed to baptism, but wouldn't set a date last Tuesday. We were able to come just at the right moment, the day he lost his job before it started. They were under such an incredible strain from the fear and impending loss of their house. He just wasn't himself for a while. We taught them the principle of fasting and committed them to living it last Sunday. I felt such incredible joy come over me when I saw them in Church. The Spirit taught me then that it was because of my efforts they came. Truly temple worship and mission service is the "manner of happiness" that the Nephites found. (2 Nephi 5)

We succeed when we invite. It's really important now for all of us to love and serve those around us, inviting them to learn more of the restored gospel. We can do it through family history, the importance of the family, simply referring to the Church in conversation, or through the plan of salvation when they're experiencing difficult problems in their life or when they've had a recent birth in the family. There is so many blessings that await us for our service in this great effort. Our bishop slams his fist (well almost slams) on the pulpit and exclaims, "We do missionary work!" I love it.

In one of the talks a high councilor in one of our wards came up and shared a dream where he was hacking through this dense forest with a machete with all of his might, all the while the Savior was standing behind him on a pulpit watching what was coming his way, ensuring that nothing too tough for him came his way. I've encountered some pretty tough adversity this last week, but in my toughest moments I could feel his love and strength. He won't leave us alone! 

"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4-5, see also Alma 7:11-12, Mosiah 3)

If you really want a good read, I'd try 2 Nephi 6-11, what's going to happen when Jews believe in Jesus Christ? You can really see the power of the Book of Mormon in convincing the Jews that Jesus is the Christ, although the New Testament should have done it already... I was able to give a Book of Mormon to a Jewish woman last month, it was a pretty cool experience and I felt the Spirit to an incredible degree.

I love you all, thanks for the letters and support. This work is true! I would be a friend to every man and woman and seek their welfare and happiness, inviting in word and deed to learn more of why we are so happy. Granted, life is extremely difficult, with the power of the Atonement powering us forward by worthily partaking of the sacrament, repenting of our daily shortcomings, and setting goals to progress I promise you that will be able to overcome, or bear everything put before you. Things are good! Only once before has man had better news than now, we are not spiritual orphans. It is my testimony that God has restored his Church through a modern prophet, gotta go, but with all my love,

Elder Szendre

Magandang Hapon! We got transfer calls this weekend, and I'm excited to stay with Elder Sumrall for another six weeks. We're moving today into a house with a 30 year old ex-MTC teacher who taught Tagalog (that's where I learned magandang hapon...). It's such an incredible bachelor pad, we've got 500 square feet of space all to ourselves, a bedroom, bathroom and study room. Add dinners on top of that and all the food we get from members and you get a mission where everything's pretty much taken care of for you and you can devote all attention to the work. I love it.

We've realized now that at least in Idaho, we cannot be nearly as productive with the work as when we work with members. Right now we're scheduling as many appointments with members as we can and keeping a record of who we talk about and the plans we make to help them come to Christ. Most people here just don't trust us, and so we're trying to rely on members to add another witness to establish the truth of our message. A member took us with him to meet some of his neighbors and the man who answered the door had tears in his eyes and thanked him for bringing us.

We got in our temple day this transfer on Friday, I absolutely loved it. The Spirit you feel there and the learning is so incredible that I'm mentally spent about 2/3 of the way through it. For so long, people have felt a "famine... of hearing the words of the Lord. And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it." We spoke with a Christian woman on Sunday, and she feels the Holy Ghost just through feelings of love for others, which agrees with the Bible, but the gift of the Holy Ghost only available in the Restored Church of Jesus Christ is truly one of God's greatest gifts he can give us in this life.

One of our investigators is now going to jail. I was stunned when I heard, because he's one of the nicest people with one of the biggest hearts I've ever known. Struggling with his aunt's death he went and got inebriated, wrecked his mom's car and got arrested for a DUI. It's his second within 10 years so it's not looking good. We'll write letters to him and help him through this. His is the greatest friendship I've developed so far on my mission.

My ride's leaving early, there's so much work left to do, and it's up to us to best position our lives to build up the Church. I know God lives, He's manifest it to me by the Holy Ghost, and similarly I know that Joseph Smith was His Prophet of the Restoration and that President Monson is his authorized successor. Thank you so much for all the support, I love you all.

With all my heart,
Elder Szendre

Working in this part of the vineyard has been frustrating.

Abraham Lincoln once said that if you want to unite someone with your cause you need to be their friend. For instance Willie has been making progress towards praying, coming to Church and reading the Book of Mormon. It's just taking time and friendship. He's such an incredible person though, and riding rugby wheelchairs have been pretty fun. Another investigator we've just been really good friends with, he's been pretty humbled by his father's suicide. He now reads the Book of Mormon every day. It's harder though as a missionary because you want to spend so much time just enjoying the moment and then you have to teach the gospel at the same time. It's little wonder why they're asking members to extend friendship to all. Be yourself, but adjust your actions and personality to be able to be a true friend to all.

The work is true and Jesus Christ lives.

I pray for you daily,

Elder Szendre

Conference was incredible. We spent some of the time with investigators watching it but it was sad seeing how many people weren't listening to it, and the difficulties that could be avoided. It's frustrating because technically none of our investigators are progressing right now, meaning keeping commitments. It's hard enough to get appointments with them, let alone get them to do what you ask. It's heart-breaking to drop them, though. With the new Amulek training we've been relying on members to do the work, and they've come through, inviting their friends to dinners, etc. It's been exciting.

About that miracle we were asking for, I had incredible outpourings of the Spirit while going there, but to my astonishment she didn't want to hear more. Her beliefs on eternal families had changed, however, and she does believe it. We'll give it another week, pray for another miracle and come back. The work must go on.

We ran into the father of our Yugoslavian investigator. It was straight out of Alma 20, his Greek Orthodox father told us not to bother him, that he didn't need new religion. He's an immigrant and has not had it easy here in America at all. It's too bad he didn't speak Russian. I tried sharing the message of the Restoration, told him that his son is my friend and to take the matter up with him. He saw the reason behind that, but we'll definitely be sensitive to his family situation.

I can't remember but did I mention that Elder Sumrall's name is Hyrum? Pretty cool, eh? Things run so much smoother when we're charitable. Moroni 7 is so applicable in our relationships with others, "And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." In college we were able to just distance ourselves from each other, but here we have no choice. It's so important to watch our behavior and take a moment to distance ourselves from the situation when we're frustrated.

Our investigator on probation had a really good court date, but no changes about his baptismal date yet.

I've come across so much sorrow and pain. It's terrible, people telling us the same sad stories every time we visit with them. Jesus Christ lives and understands us perfectly, and it was repeated twice in Conference that he suffered what he did so that he would be able to heal us from our wounds (Alma 7:11-12). The gospel's true, and holds the answer for so many of the world's problems. I believed it, but I know now the truth of it. There's just so much evidence, the Book of Mormon and "the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things" (John 14:26, see also Moroni 10:3-5). The Holy Ghost truly is the greatest gift God can give us in this life, not yet being able to enjoy Eternal Life.

Love,

Elder Szendre

I love being a missionary! This is such an incredible experience, and one that I am eternally grateful for. Me and Elder Sumrall - we have apostle names (Joseph and Hyrum)! 

We've got three member present lessons today, all of them on the Restoration. Can't wait. We're being very productive, and will invite our investigators, potential investigators and less actives that we've seen recently to watch General Conference and get members to have them in with them.

Devoting all my time and energy to the work has it's effects. One morning my companion woke up to me sleep talking. I said, "How can we help you members of the Ward Council?"

If you could pray for our investigator on Probation, he has a court date today and will find out if he has to wait 5 months or 5 years to get off probation. If he fails the lie detector he'll return to juvenile detention. He has such an incredible hatred for the crime he committed, and hopefully he'll not have to suffer too much more to be freed legally and spiritually. However, there's still hope because the First Presidency grants 200 exceptions to baptism every year for investigators on probation. Still, though, we'd rather have him get off sooner rather than later. I've reflected on this, and it's incredible that God doesn't deal with us with justice alone. As the scripture says, "And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son." (Alma 33:11) I'm so grateful that all the stupid things I do each day can be forgiven and with the Savior's help, my weaknesses can become strengths (Ether 12:27).

We had a miracle recently that we will see the fruits of tonight. There has been this Russian family in our area that just doesn't want to see missionaries. They won't let their kids play in the house of a nearby member because they have pictures of temples and signs that families can be together forever. I recently found this out, and so we spent this Fast Sunday fasting that their daughter who died from leukemia would appear to them in a dream last night and let them know that families can be together forever. It was something that we only had small manifestations of the Holy Ghost that it would happen by faith. "Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth." We had the faith that it would happen, and then this morning I was wondering if I would get a confirmation that it happened, because we had the faith that if it wasn't His will that would be all right, too. After personal study today, it came very strongly, that their daughter appeared to them last night. We're going by tonight and can't wait to see them with the member there and a message about how families can be forever. Notice that it was needed, in order to further the work for this family. This is a rare opportunity to hear the gospel preached to them in their own language. 

Pray for miracles when they're needed in church, family or with others. There's no other way for this work to go forward at the pace that's needed. Get a vision of your endeavors. We weren't called to maintain what has been done before, but to energetically and fervently go forward. Pray and fast for miracles when needed. I promise they'll come. Our mission is anticipating 200 baptisms a month, two per ward per month.

I know the work is true, every day my knowledge grows that Jesus Christ lives. I haven't seen him with my own eyes, but the depth of spirituality, answers to prayer and experiences with the Holy Ghost are real. We keep journals so we record when things we believe become things we know to be true. "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." Moroni 10:5. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, his divinity and mission is especially manifest in the Book of Mormon and He did actually call Joseph Smith to restore the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness back to the earth. I love the Lord, He's there and wants to hear from each of us in prayer. May we always be true and faithful.

With all my love,

Elder Szendre