Their Legacy. My Heritage.

A couple months ago, us missionaries here in the Tennessee Nashville Mission had the opportunity to hear The Nashville Tribute Band perform a concert for the members and nonmembers in the area. During this concert, they played a song called American Dreams, about how a young man comes to America to find his place in God's kingdom.

Now, although this song isn't about the pioneers that crossed the plains, it reminded me of an experience that I'll never forget.

I was just about to turn the big 16. The age that every teenager looks forward to because it means one thing, driving. BUT, unlike other newly 16 year olds, I wasn't getting ready to take a driving test, or stand in long lines at the DMV to get a new, shiny license. I was out on the plains of Wyoming, walking in the footsteps of the pioneers at Martin's Cove, about 50 miles from Casper. We spent 3 days pulling wooden handcarts through the hills and rivers around the area, getting just a taste of what the pioneers went through. Although we were doing it in 95 degree weather, not driving blizzards and sub-freezing temperatures, it was still very difficult. We had our own unique challenges, and many people "died" (got to ride in the Gator to camp).

Now, this experience was very personal. Not just because I was spending my sweet 16 in the middle of nowhere with a giant group of friends, but because my ancestors were some of the members of the Willie handcart company. They found refuge in the coves and hills around Martin's Cove, taking shelter from the snow and wind under handcarts and trees, waiting and hoping for help. Because of the faith of Lars Mortensen, and the Spirit filled promise that if he went to America, to the Great Salt Lake Valley, that he would make it in good health and that every member of his family would soon join him, I'm here. Sharing that same Gospel message that brought many to the untamed frontier of the US to the people of Tennessee and Kentucky.

I learned many things in those 3 days. All of them have helped my faith grow and my testimony that God and Jesus Christ live and love us.

So, Thanks Jason, for bringing back all those awesome memories, and thanks for all you do for us missionaries!

If you want to learn more about the Martin and Willie handcart companies, visit the Mormon Historical Site Foundation's website or the Wyoming pioneer trail website.

I Will Go!

Alright. So it's been a while since I've posted something, So I figured I'd get started again with a song.

Ok, ok, it's not really about the type of missionary work that I'm doing now, but it's an awesome song that puts into words how many of us felt when we chose to go on a mission. Hopefully it inspires you to make a change, to help someone in need, or share the Gospel with your friends!

Just like it says, "I am clay in your hands", I know our Heavenly Father is shaping us into the people He knows we can be. Sometimes it's painful, sometimes it's super hard, and sometimes we may wonder why, but I know He will never let us suffer alone.

When Joseph Smith and his brother were incarcerated in the Liberty Jail, they endured many things that seem almost impossible while their families and the other Saints were driven out of their homes in the middle of winter. Just as they were about to lose all hope, Joseph uttered this prayer: "O God, ^awhere art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy ^bhiding place?"

And this is how the Lord responded: "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." (D&C 121: 1, 7-8)

God knows all, and He will help us, if we just learn to listen and rely on Him.

Brother, I'll follow you...

I want you all to take a few minutes and listen to this song. As you do, I know our Father in Heaven "will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost" that Joseph truly was a prophet of God, and we also will have a desire to say:

Brother, I'll follow you.

Quiero que ustedes tomen algunos momentos y escuchen a esta cancion. Mientras lo hacen, sé que nuestro Padre Celestial "hablaré a tu mente y a tu corazón por medio del Espíritu Santo" que José Smith verdaderamente fue un profeta de Dios, y tambien tendremos un deseo a decir:

Hermano, te siguiré.

Rain, Rain...

Oh, man! It's raining!



If any of you have ever played football at any level, you know what that little phrase means. Sloppy field. Missed tackles. Lousy grip. Slipping and sliding everywhere. Pretty much a coach's worst nightmare. But to me as a player, some of the best memories of my playing days came from exactly those kind of conditions.

Yeah, there were some bad games with very little scoring, but such is the game.

One of my favorite memories came when we were playing at one of our biggest rivals. It was pouring rain, and the field was a nasty mess. It was 3rd and 2, and we were backed up against our own end zone. It just so happened that right behind their huddle was a giant mud hole. I thought to myself, ' If they run this way, I'm going plant that guy right there." Sure enough, they came straight up the middle, and the lines parted like the Red Sea. I ran at that running back and with all I had, drove him straight into the middle of the puddle.

Now, was it luck that they ran straight up the gut? Probably. Was it luck that we totally destroyed the other team in this game? No. Our coaches took the time throughout the week to prepare us for the conditions. We practiced in the rain, we ran in the rain, and most of all, we all had FUN in the rain. Now, for the other team, I can't say that they had fun,  but we did because we were prepared. Obviously we still had some mistakes and bad plays. But, we always had the faith of the coaches because they knew we were prepared.

Such it is with life also. Sometimes the field, or the world we live in, is a big sloppy mess. Sometimes things happen, like natural disasters, personal problems, even death. It may seem that it is constantly raining. BUT, there is always hope. Just like with our coaches, we have people that are preparing us for the hard times.

Living prophets help us to be able to overcome many of life's challenges. They give council and advice, and they help us understand what to do when all seems lost, and we're at our most desperate times. They help us become prepared, so that when those times of hardship and despair come, we can take them in stride, and have fun in the rain.

I know that God loves each and every one of us. He wants us to be able to have joy in this life. But, we have to do our part and take the time to prepare ourselves for the life to come. As we are obedient to His council and follow His plan, we will be able to enjoy the muddy field we call life.

Mother Dearest, You're the Best!

So, tomorrow's Mother's Day. And as many of you know, I have the best mom in the world. She's been there through thick and thin, hard times and bad days. She's always been there for me, and without her, I wouldn't be out here in Tennessee sharing the Gospel. She's always been the rock of our family, and I owe her everything.

47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the ^aliberty of their ^bfathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their ^cmothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their ^amothers, saying: We ^bdo not doubt our mothers knew it.

-Alma 56: 47-48

I do not doubt because my mother knows it. I'm so grateful to be her son. She has given me all that I could ask for, and so much more. I may not say it enough, but know this:

 I love you, Mom. You're the best!

The View From the Top

...The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the ^bearth, and ^call things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its ^dmotion, yea, and also all the ^eplanets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator. - Alma 30:44



I grew up in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming, states that are known for their majestic mountain ranges. One of my favorite places to be is in these mountains. Everything up there seems so calm and peaceful. I love to sit there and look around and marvel at the beauty that surrounds us. We can look up into the heavens and see all the distant stars and planets. From the mountain top we can see everything for miles and miles on a clear day. We have that ability to see all that God's created for us. All we have to do is look.





I've spent my fair share of time in these mountains and it never ceases to amaze me at what our Heavenly Father created for us. I've had some of my most spiritual experiences while basking in the quiet reverence of the wilds of our country. From the powerful force of constant falling water, to the beauty of a sunset, to the complexcity of a blooming flower, everything in nature tells me that God exists, and that He loves us so much that he created the earth for us to enjoy.



Elder Adams at Lost Creek Cave



  

Sunset in McMinnville, TN





I know that God lives, and that He loves each and everyone of us. All we have to do is take the time to look around, and we can know for ourselves.



Elder Holder enjoying a day in the UT high country



Two Silver Dollars

Sometimes the simplest act has the most profound impact. We may have no idea what someone is going through, but a simple act of kindness can change someone's life for the better.

6 Now ye may suppose that this is ^afoolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by ^bsmall and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

7 And the Lord God doth work by ^ameans to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very ^bsmall means the Lord doth ^cconfound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

Alma 37: 6-7

Elder M. Russell Ballard shared this story to illustrate the Savior's point that by small things great things come to pass.

Oftentimes we are like the young merchant from Boston, who in 1849, as the story goes, was caught up in the fervor of the California gold rush. He sold all of his possessions to seek his fortune in the California rivers, which he was told were filled with gold nuggets so big that one could hardly carry them.

Day after endless day, the young man dipped his pan into the river and came up empty. His only reward was a growing pile of rocks. Discouraged and broke, he was ready to quit until one day an old, experienced prospector said to him, “That’s quite a pile of rocks you are getting there, my boy.”

The young man replied, “There’s no gold here. I’m going back home.”

Walking over to the pile of rocks, the old prospector said, “Oh, there is gold all right. You just have to know where to find it.” He picked two rocks up in his hands and crashed them together. One of the rocks split open, revealing several flecks of gold sparkling in the sunlight.

Noticing a bulging leather pouch fastened to the prospector’s waist, the young man said, “I’m looking for nuggets like the ones in your pouch, not just tiny flecks.”

The old prospector extended his pouch toward the young man, who looked inside, expecting to see several large nuggets. He was stunned to see that the pouch was filled with thousands of flecks of gold.

The old prospector said, “Son, it seems to me you are so busy looking for large nuggets that you’re missing filling your pouch with these precious flecks of gold. The patient accumulation of these little flecks has brought me great wealth.”

I know that as we do small acts of loving service, we will become more like our Savior. We will gain a greater understanding of his love and a greater desire to share His message with others.

Just Keep Playing!

You're probably wondering what in the world a piano has to do with me or missionary work, so here we go.

The piano is one of the hardest instruments to learn, but is one of the most beautiful to listen to. It takes years of practice to be able to play it well, and seldom comes easily to people. For many it is a symbol of frustration and others, a symbol of accomplishment. Most people start playing at a young age, so they can easily learn good playing habits, the positions of all the keys, and how to make simple chords into beautiful songs. So how does this relate to the Gospel of Jesus Christ? President James E. Faust related this story:

This the story of a young piano student. His mother, wishing to encourage him, “bought tickets for a performance of the great Polish pianist, Paderewski. The night of the concert arrived and the mother and son found their seats near the front of the concert hall. While the mother visited with friends, the boy slipped quietly away.

“Suddenly, it was time for the performance to begin and a single spotlight cut through the darkness of the concert hall to illuminate the grand piano on stage. Only then did the audience notice the little boy on the bench, innocently picking out ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.’

“His mother gasped, but before she could move, Paderewski appeared on stage and quickly moved to the keyboard. He whispered to the boy, ‘Don’t quit. Keep playing.’ And then, leaning over, the master reached down with his left hand and began filling in the bass part. Soon his right arm reached around the other side, encircling the child, to add a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice held the crowd mesmerized.

“In our lives, unpolished though we may be, it is the Master who surrounds us and whispers in our ear, time and time again, ‘Don’t quit. Keep playing.’ And as we do, He augments and supplements until a work of amazing beauty is created. He is right there with all of us, telling us over and over, ‘Keep playing."

God sent His Son to show us the way to return to Him. He is the ultimate Master. When we accept Him into our lives and learn to follow Him, He helps us create something beautiful, the best gift God has to offer. Eternal Life. I am grateful that Jesus Christ is my Master and is teaching me to just Keep Playing.

Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration

This video is an amazing testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the struggles of his life as he brought about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am forever grateful for the faith that he had as a young boy, the strength he showed as a man and the work that he accomplished as a prophet of God. I add my testimony to the millions that have been borne that Joseph Smith was called of God, that he translated the Book of Mormon by the power of our Heavenly Father. I know that we have a living prophet today, and that he leads and guides us in the ways of God and Jesus Christ.

The Temple: The House of the Lord

The Temple is a place that we can go to find answers, to find peace, and to learn about our Heavenly Father and His eternal plan for each and every one of us, his children. It is a place where we make sacred covenants, where we can become Eternal Families, and where we can help our ancestors accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

President Thomas S. Monson said this about the blessings of the Temple:

“As we go to the holy house, as we remember the covenants we make therein, we will be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation. The temple provides purpose for our lives. It brings peace to our souls—not the peace provided by men but the peace promised by the Son of God when He said, ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’”

President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, described additional blessings of attending the temple:

“When members of the Church are troubled or when crucial decisions weigh heavily upon their minds, it is a common thing for them to go to the temple. It is a good place to take our cares. In the temple we can receive spiritual perspective. There, during the time of the temple service, we are ‘out of the world.’
“Sometimes our minds are so beset with problems, and there are so many things clamoring for attention at once that we just cannot think clearly and see clearly. At the temple the dust of distraction seems to settle out, the fog and the haze seem to lift, and we can ‘see’ things that we were not able to see before and find a way through our troubles that we had not previously known.
“The Lord will bless us as we attend to the sacred ordinance work of the temples. Blessings there will not be limited to our temple service. We will be blessed in all of our affairs”

I'm thankful for the opportunity to go to the Temple and learn more about Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven. Whenever I am in the Temple, I feel the Spirit so strongly. It has helped my faith and understanding grow so much. I'm so excited to witness people who have been converted go through the temple and make sacred covenants. I'm excited for the day after I return from serving my God that I can enter into the Temple and be sealed for time and all eternity to my family.

The Healing Power of the Priesthood

It's been 3 years since I received the Melchizedek Priesthood, but it's never really hit me how powerful it really is until I was called to serve as a full time missionary. I've seen it bless the lives of many people, as they come unto Christ and begin to walk in His path. It's used to heal the sick, give comfort and strength to those that need it. It's used to perform saving ordinances such as those in the Temple, Confirmation and baptism.

 1 And when he had ^acalled unto him his ^btwelve disciples, he gave them ^cpower against ^dunclean spirits, to cast them out, and to ^eheal all manner of ^fsickness and all manner of disease. - Matthew 10:1

21 And the Lord said unto him: I give unto you ^apower that ye shall ^bbaptize this people when I am again ascended into heaven.

 22 And again the Lord called ^aothers, and said unto them likewise; and he gave unto them power to baptize. And he said unto them: On this wise shall ye baptize; and there shall be ^bno disputations among you.

 23 Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of his sins through your ^awords, and ^bdesireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them—Behold, ye shall go down and ^cstand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them. - 3 Nephi 11: 21-23

As Melchizedek priesthood holders, we are given the power to heal God's children, to give blessings comfort and council. We are taught to be worthy and ready at a moment's notice. Last night, one such occurrance happened.

We had just left one of our less active families and we were on our way to see one of our investigators named Rosy and her family. We were about 5 minutes away and she texted us, saying she wasn't feeling good and asked if we could come over a different day. We said that wouldn't be a problem, and we told her we could give her a priesthood blessing if she wanted and she said that would be ok. So we went to her house and talked with her. We told her what would happen and what we were going to. I did the annointing and Elder Randall sealed it.

When we were done, we asked her how she felt. She said that she felt something powerful when we put our hands on her head. She couldn't describe how she felt during and after, but she said she felt good, at peace and that for once that day, her body didn't hurt.

I know that she felt the power of God. I know that His priesthood has been restored. I'm so grateful for the opportunity that I have to hold that priesthood, so that I can bless the lifes of others.


Ha sido tres años desde que recibí el sacerdocio de Melquisedec, pero nunca realmente me di cuenta que lo poderoso que es en realidad hasta que fuera llamado a servir como misionero de tiempo completo. Lo he visto bendecir la vida de muchas personas, ya que venir a Cristo y comenzar a caminar en Su camino. Se utiliza para sanar a los enfermos, dar consuelo y fortalezar a los que lo necesitan. Se utiliza para efectuar las ordenanzas de salvation, como los del Templo, la confirmación y el bautismo.

1Entonces, ^allamando a sus ^bdoce discípulos, les dio ^cautoridad sobre los ^despíritus inmundos, para que los echasen fuera y ^esanasen toda ^fenfermedad y toda dolencia.  Mateo 10:1

 21 Y el Señor le dijo: Te doy ^apoder para que ^bbautices a los de este pueblo cuando yo haya ascendido al cielo otra vez.

 22 Y además, el Señor llamó a ^aotros, y les habló de igual manera, y les dio poder para bautizar. Y les dijo: De esta manera bautizaréis; y ^bno habrá disputas entre vosotros.

 23 De cierto os digo que a quienes se arrepientan de sus pecados a causa de vuestras ^apalabras, y ^bdeseen ser bautizados en mi nombre, de esta manera los bautizaréis: He aquí, descenderéis y, ^cestando de pie en el agua, en mi nombre los bautizaréis.  3 Nefi 11:21-23

Como poseedores del sacerdocio de Melquisedec, se nos da el poder para sanar a los hijos de Dios, para dar bendiciones de consuelo y consejo. Somos ensañados a ser dignos y preparados en cualquier momento. Ayer por la noche, una oportunidad pasó.

Habíamos salido apenas de una de nuestras familias menos activas y estábamos en nuestra manera de ver uno de nuestros investigadores se llaman Rosy y su familia. Estábamos a unos 5 minutos de alla y nos envió un mensaje, diciendo que ella no se sentía bien y nos preguntó si podíamos venir otro día. le dijimos que no sería un problema, y que podíamos darle una bendición del sacerdocio si quería y nos dijo que estaría bien. Fuimos a su casa y hablamos con ella. Le dijimos lo que pasaría y lo que ibamos a hacer. Hice la unción y Elder Randall lo selló.

Cuando terminamos, le preguntamos cómo se sentía. Ella dijo que se sentía algo poderoso cuando pusimos nuestras manos en su cabeza. No podía describir cómo se sentía durante y después, pero ella dijo que se sentía bien, en paz y que por una vez ese día, su cuerpo no le dolía.

Sé que se sintió el poder de Dios. Sé que Su sacerdocio se ha restaurado. Estoy muy agradecido por la oportunidad que tengo para tener el sacerdocio, para que pueda bendecir las vidas de los demás.

The Restoration

"The Restoration" is one of my favorite movies that the Church has produced. It is an amazing testimony about what happened in 1820 to the boy Joseph Smith. It always brings the Spirit so strongly and I love to show it to investigators. We showed it to Nyma, and the lesson that followed was awesome. We know that she felt the Spirit, and I'm so thankful for what took place in that grove so long ago. I know that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith, and through him, restored The Church of Jesus Christ to the earth.

"La restauración" es una de mis películas favoritas que la Iglesia ha producido. Es un testimonio impresionante de lo que pasó en 1820 al joven José Smith. Siempre trae el Espíritu con tanta fuerza y me encanta mostrar a los investigadores. Se lo mostramos a Nyma, y la lección que siguió fue impresionante. Sabemos que se sentía el Espíritu, y estoy muy agradecido por lo que tuvo lugar en ese bosque hace mucho tiempo. Sé que Dios el Padre y Jesucristo se aparecieron a José Smith, y a través de él, restauró la Iglesia de Jesús Cristo a la tierra.

La Fe en Jesucristo

Hoy pensaba acerca de la fe y como puede ayudarnos a vencer las tentaciones que tenemos en esta vida. Me gusta este video porque explica como podemos crecer nuestra fe.

Se que si tenemos fe, o esperanza, podemos hacer todo. He visto este poder en mi vida y la vida de mi familia. Me gustaria dejar unas escrituras en Moroni 7:

40 Y además, amados hermanos míos, quisiera hablaros concerniente a la ^aesperanza. ¿Cómo podéis lograr la fe, a menos que tengáis esperanza?

 41 Y ¿qué es lo que habéis de ^aesperar? He aquí, os digo que debéis tener ^besperanza, por medio de la expiación de Cristo y el poder de su resurrección, en que seréis resucitados a ^cvida eterna, y esto por causa de vuestra fe en él, de acuerdo con la promesa.



Forget Yourself and Go to Work

"President Hinckley described what happens to the heart of every missionary who commits his or her life and work to the Lord when he talked about his own missionary experiences. It was early in his mission, and he was discouraged. The work was hard, and the people were not receptive. However, there came a time when discouragement turned to commitment. For him, the beginning was a letter from his father in which he read: “Dear Gordon, I have your letter. … I have only one suggestion: Forget yourself and go to work.” In describing what happened next, he said: 'I got on my knees in that little bedroom … and made a pledge that I would try to give myself unto the Lord.

'The whole world changed. The fog lifted. The sun began to shine in my life. I had a new interest. I saw the beauty of this land. I saw the greatness of the people. … Everything that has happened to me since that’s been good I can trace to that decision made in that little house' " - David F. Evans, Member of the First Quorum of the Seventy

Words of the Prophet: Forget yourself and Go

This talk has been a source of inspiration for me. There have been times that I've felt discouraged and belittled. Other times I've felt that it's just too hard. These are the times that I've learned to rely on my Heavenly Father. It's not my work. It's His. One quote always comes to my mind when things start to get hard: "I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it".

In Doctrine and Covenants 18:15-16 the prophet Joseph Smith received this revelation :

 15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one ^asoul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

 16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the ^akingdom of my Father, how great will be your ^bjoy if you should bring many ^csouls unto me!

What a promise! It's something that I've seen time and time again on my mission, and through out my life.

Today we had the opportunity to teach an investigator named Nyma. We've taught her once and she said she was no where near ready for baptism. We've been trying for weeks to go and see her, but she's always busy or never home. Talk about discouraging. We were almost ready to stop going by, but we decided to stop by with President Caten (the branch president here in the McMinnville 2nd Spanish branch).We finally caught her at home yesterday, and set up an appointment to come teach her today. When we got there, we taught her the first lesson again, using the cups as a visual aide. We tried to explain the best way we couldShe had awesome questions and they kept leading back to baptism. At the end of the lesson, we extended a date to her, and she accepted. It was an awesome experience and I know that the only reason she said yes was because she felt the Spirit of the Lord testifying to her that it was the right thing to do. We could not be more excited as she said yes, because we knew that she was beginning to see that joy that she could have.

Up to this point, we were frustrated beyond believe. But, we followed the council of Pres. Hinckley and got to work, and now we're experiencing that joy that's been promised to us in Doctrine and Covenants. I know that as we continue in faith, showing our Heavenly Father that we will continue to work, no matter how hard it is, he will bless us beyond measure.

Now you may be thinking, "I'm not a missionary. What does that have to do with me?" Well, as we continue to show our faith, those around us will see our joy, and in turn, we will become missionaries, even though you may not realize it.

Remember the words of President Kimball: "We all have relatives, neighbors, friends, and fellow workmen, and it is our responsibility to pass the truths of the gospel on to them, by example as well as by precept."

Oh recuerda, recuerda

Muchas veces olvidamos que Dios esta a nuestro lado, no importa que esta pasando. Aveces no reconocemos Sus manos en nuestra vida pero se que si tratamos a verlas, podemos ver los milagros que nuestro Padre Celestial esta haciendo y tambien, vamos a querer a mostrarle a Dios nuestras gracias. Espero que tomemos tiempo para darle gracias por las cosas que tenemos.