Back To Redlands! E-mail - Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Happy Day!!!!!

The long 6 months in the desert is finally over.   I'm now back in the Redlands Zone in Highlands on bike.  That will be interesting, my third huge hill area :) !!!  I'm  no longer a district leader which is kinda weird, but I enjoy it. My new comp Elder Williams is the DL and what's strange is it's a district of Sisters!!!! Meaghan would love it!!! There are 4 sisters, a senior couple, then us... they call it the banished area, but we are going to make the best of it. I'm also the oldest missionary in the zone... they call me Patriarch Daniel isn't that sweet.

 

Well, my last few weeks in the desert were horrible.  I just wanted out and I'm glad to be away from that awful place, but I feel as if I may have learned the greatest life lesson that I could have. Although I felt super alone in the desert;  I do know that I was never truly alone.  Heavenly Father was there helping me along the way. My testimony of the gospel has quadrupled (I know John spelling) I have learned not just that God lives, but how He works. How that he takes us and uses us for what He needs, not what we want!  That's the learning experience that I had. Maybe I didn't want to be with my last companion, but I needed it and so did he and it wasn't until I saw that and finally took the time and acted on it.

 

President Smart calls the mission the University of Life and now that I have gone through those recent experiences,   I truly see why it is the University of Life. I have grown so much in the last 17 and a half months.  I can't wait for the next 6 and a half to see what else I can learn.

 

I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet. That he was lead by Christ who is the center of this Church and the Savior and Redeemer of the world.
--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

The Three Scrooges‏ E-Mail Monday, December 19, 2011

Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a very interesting week.  We received a mini missionary for a week, his name is Malakai from Mo Val  he is Tongan.   It's been a crazy fun time and very interesting. I haven't laughed that hard in a while, but lately I have been. He is preparing for his mission but he feels as if he really doesn't have a testimony. We stayed up late last night talking about it. It's strange because I kinda feel like I was in the same predicament as him. I wanted to go on a mission but I wasn't sure of how strong my testimony was.   It is real crazy to see that my testimony now is totally strong! There are many occurrences where I feel that my testimony is the only thing that kept me going.

 

Last night we had a Christmas party  at our Bishops house. It is a mansion. Like I'm serious; like  I was afraid to touch anything.  He had statues and stuff. Mo Val is real ghetto so our mini was "trippin" when he saw the place.  It was strange because he let out a huge whistle and said "d*** this place is fine!!" I laughed so hard as Elder Christensen began to rebuke him for his choice of words.

 

 Well................................. But I would have to say it taught me how the most important thing isn't giving people gifts; but in actuality the gift Christ gave us.

 

Well,  I'm going to get going I love you all and wish you a Merry Christmas and hope you have a white one...I won't!!!!   lol !!

--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

P.S. I cant believe you thought I didn't remember your birthday, ha!!! I actually ate dinner that night with my favorite family and we sang you happy birthday over a piece of cake!!! ha!!!

A Week Behind! E-mail December 12, 2011

So, I think I'm a week behind you guys cause the cruise is over (is it Scott) Meaghan has been out for 4 weeks and I'm still in the flippin desert!!!!

 

Well, it's not hot so that's a plus now! When I just got used to the heat it decides to become cold... California is a cruel place!!!  All the Elders here are leaving early for school and Christmas. there are going to be a few ETS (emergency transfers) that just means you leave an area earlier than a regular exchange.  It may happen for a few reasons. I have my fingers crossed. Also we are getting a ton of mini missionaries. So it will be an interesting last two weeks of the transfer.

 

Well this month will mark me being old, I have finished my black hole year! It started kind of crazy, hopefully it won't end that way. I really enjoyed Meaghan's email, so I will do the same... I will take you through one of my Tuesday's.

 

The alarm goes off at 6:30 and we pray; then exercise till 7; then it's shower time.  We have a tiny water heater so only one person gets hot water and only for 5 minutes so its a quick one. Then we make breakfast and start studies at 8. Then at 9 we have a comp study, we planned the night before so we go over our plans and read through the white handbook and practice our lessons. Then off we go to District Development Meeting (DDM) which I preside over.  We go through practice sessions and other things. I give a training.  Then we hit the streets, talk to people, set up appointments, teach all that fun jazz. Well my comp is telling me we have to go, so I  will sadly end my email here!

 

 Love You

--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

It Hurts To Type!!!!! E-mail - Monday, December 5, 2011

Alright, so as my subject says it hurts to type, but I'm gonna make it through this email!

 

So, Mr. Wells thinks I'm not "in depth" and have bad grammar! Well, all I have to say to that is... your right!! lol !!  I am going to be more "in depth",  I don't know if I can fix the grammar thing. So, this was one horrible week! But awesome at the same time! Last Monday I got super sick and was out of commission for two days. It was horrible I was so bored!!!! Then we had multi-zones. That's were we have two zones meet together and President and the APs give us training on how to be better.

 

We mostly talked about talking to people and planning better. It's weird even though I have been out almost 17 months I'm still scared to talk to people.  You would think that this is something that goes away, but even Elders who have been out like 20 months have that problem. We had a little leadership meeting beforehand and Pres Smart so put me on the spot. Someone asked the question about bad companions and Pres stood there and thought for a second and then called on me to answer the question. I was totally awkward but as I stood there I knew that Pres Smart had received the revelation that I  needed to answer the question; not just for that Elder, but also for myself. It's always crazy to see how one man can be lead by the spirit so much.

 

Well mom asked about the crazy winds and mom, it's always windy here!  It's why there is all those windmills, but as we were driving home from where multi-zones were it was getting almost to windy to drive, but we made it safe and sound.

 

So you may be wondering why my fingers hurt ... we went golfing today. I did horrible!!!  Fourth place out of five!!! We played the back nine and I hit an 81!!  I  know I'm horrible!! The first time I played it wasn't that hard; this time though I sucked it up . It was pretty weird cuz you might have actually played here before John; it is called Indian Springs, it was pretty nice.  I even had a caddy.

 

 Meaghan did you get his letter in the package??? His name is Alfredo.  He is gonna put his papers in next month and he just moved in with the Lewis family.  I  have known him for like 8 months, sweet guy!!!

 

I hope that was more in-depth!   If not, well I tried. I want you to know that I love you all and I know that the Church is true.  Joseph Smith was a Prophet and that Jesus is the Christ.

 

Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!

--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

Turkey Bowls, Guns, Deep Fried Turkey and one Wallet with 23.7 million dollars!!!!! E-mail Monday, November 28, 2011‏

Dear Mom, John and Meaghan,

If you thought Meaghan's title was weird look at mine!!!! So, as Thanksgiving came we bulked up for one of the most insane turkey bowls in the history of the world our team (the krazies) ended up with 7 points, three turnovers, seven sacks.  We intercepted the ball 9 times and forced one fumble (it was the craziest two hand touch football game ever)!!  I intercepted once and caught a few passes.  One was a sick, one handed catch in the end zone. So as you can imagine it was pretty fun.

 

After turkey bowl, we went to eat dinner with our Bishop, and on our way there he called us and told us to meet him in the middle of nowhere. So off we went!  When we got there he was standing there with a shotgun at his hip looking like an old cowboy.  We watched as his family shot off hundreds of rounds of ammo, it was pretty crazy!  He had an AK-22 or something or other that was a crazy semi-automatic!!

 

So after 3 hours of watching this, we returned to his home and ate deep fried turkey.  It was pretty good didn't really know anyone there so it was kinda awkward (Bishop invited his family over).  Elder Christensen has been sick this week so we spent a ton of time inside, it was totally boring.  Having your comp sick is the worst thing ever, because first you spend all day inside with him then two days later you're sick!

 

Well,  after dinner we played monopoly with the Lewis kids and I conquered with over 23.7 million dollars so I put it in my wallet and walked away as a joke.

 

I love you all and miss you.  I sent my list in a letter and if all went well, Meaghan should be opening a package right about... now. oh I'm good!!

 

The work is done, John, the information is on it's way to you. Should be pretty helpful I presume!!!

 

Elder Daniel

16 down 8 left‏ E-mail Tuesday, November 21, 2011

Well,  I'm waiting for my mother to respond to my earlier email and I only have 28 minutes to wait so I thought I'd start my email to you, ohhh let me start off right...

Dear family friends and anyone else who seems to be reading at the time,

Well it looks like I will be in the desert 6 months, wow... I remember the days a few months ago where you would walk outside and your comps bike was melting in the heat or you would spit and the saliva would almost dry up before it hit the ground... now the weather is perfect!  I do believe God is blessing me for not going home.. that thought came when we tracted for 2 hours in almost 122 degree weather!!! without water (big mistake).

Well, it's almost Thanks Giving and a man in one of our meetings said that his family each says two things they are grateful for each week until Christmas so... I will do the same.

1. The gospel (for without it I would be lost)!

2. Money (for without it I would be broke)!

Now because I feel like giving you a challenge (I do this a lot as a district leader) I challenge each of you to do the same here are the rules!!!

1. Every week you come up with 2 things you're grateful for

2. No repeats

3 If you have a repeat the next week you have to do an extra thing

It's simple and it will be very interesting. So me and my comp are not doing any better.  I think he is depressed and I am really having a tough time.  We talked to President about it, and in his great wisdom we are spending another six weeks together.  It will be interesting. As being a district leader it is going well, I'll be a district leader until the President says otherwise, mom, so he could send me somewhere else and still make me a district leader or maybe a regular missionary again, I don't know.

If I have learned one thing from this area it's how awesome God is. I sometimes think that he just loves us and that  it is so easy for him, but I think I see more clearly how hard that must be, when his children don't care enough to even say he exists or to break his commandments with no care. I know that God lives he loves us so much he sent his son to suffer and die for us.  The atonement is the greatest and last sacrifice of all mankind.

I love you!

--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

Shoes!!! E-mail November 14, 2011

Dear Mom and John,

 

So, as I said last week I need new shoes; but don't bother, a man in the ward bought me a pair. It was so awkward.... I was like crying and stuff (there super expensive( he owns his own business) I asked him why and he said he would want the same for his son.

 

Well, this week is transfers as you know are you ready...... I'm staying with Elder Christensen until after Christmas. It's been kinda crazy, no one in my district is leaving... which means I still get to practice my sign language.... yeah!!!

 

Meaghan's in the MTC, what an experience!!   I liked the pics, they were nice. The desert has been really nice these last few days, mid 70s all sunny.  Saturday it rained which was nice. We did an all day service project which was interesting. I was standing in the rain in only my hoodie and some shorts; it was pretty miserable. Don't know if I ever told you about the Smith family... they are this awesome family; both the parents served in the Cincinatti Mission in the 80s.   They showed us this video of them in Cincy and guess what???   They took the Anderson ferry into Kentucky... it looked so similar!   It was crazy.

 

We have been having a difficult time finding new investigators. It has been real tough.  There is no place to tract out here because of all the gated communities. Do you want to  know something crazy John???   I am teaching your old comps nephew and his non-member wife... how weird is that!!!

 

I told you about John B. the young man I confirmed a member.. well he is struggling a little.   Life has really been tough for him, but man has he changed! I sometimes can't believe the impact of the gospel on peoples lives. John is willing to do anything to please his Father in heaven.  How wonderful is that.  We tell him that his Father in heaven wishes for him to do something and all he says is of course I will. I think how many of us hear that we need to do something and instead of John's "I will attitude" we think why? That is a habit that I myself am trying to break.  To stop saying why and just to go and do.
--

 

Love,

 

Elder Zachary David Daniel

Oh my lanta!!‏ E-mail November 7, 2011

Hooray!

Exciting news for Meaghan; she goes into the MTC in like 2 days Crazy!!!! It only feels like yesterday that I myself took my first steps into the campus and think... "oh my lanta what did i just do!?!" Do not fear Meaghan for everyone feels that way! It will be the craziest # months of your life, but at least all your mission speaks the same language I'm learning ASL pretty fast but its hard to keep up with!! 

 

As I said a few weeks ago there is a guy here who just got back from Ukraine.  I asked him about his mission and stuff and all he said was "did she buy a big coat?" and I shrugged, then he started laughing and walked away. Did you buy a big coat? I'm confused. Hope the open house was exciting.  It is  interesting saying goodbye to everyone.  Can you believe we will not have seen each other in almost 4 years!!! Isn't that crazy!!!!

 

So  (since you asked) for Christmas I kinda would like some new shoes, besides that anything you think that I would like or need would be nice. If you could send me a seamstress for free that would be nice!  I need to sew up some white shirts that may not be so white anymore. Nerf war last week was intense we (the Vietcong) destroyed the army rangers from WW2.  Wish I  had some good pics but they really didn't come out on the camera. It was like playing halo... only no controller!

 

All here is going good; transfers are coming up and it might look like its my time.  I've been here for about 4 and a half months so we will see. All  I know is that one of us is most likely going; at least that's what I'm hoping for. Well, I love you and miss you and hope to see ya soon!!! 

--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

Anything to feel clean‏ E-mail October 17, 2011

Yesterday I confirmed someone a member of the church it was kinda freaky!! After he talked a little about how the gospel effected him. I wish to tell you a little of his story.

 

John B. was a regular guy; 19 worked for Verizon, had a cute girlfriend and when he heard a missionary say "Christ has come to the Americas and will come again!!" it spiked his interests. America where does it say that in the bible he thought, but it felt right; why wouldn't Christ come here? We are his children as well! So he decided to hear more about it from the missionaries. That's when Elder Alexander called us. We got his address and went to visit. 

 

"Guys, I don't wanna convert I just wanna know a little more." That was the line that he probably used the most as he talked to us about his life. He found out that his parents were actually members, but that they had died in a car crash.  If that had never happened he would have grown up a member. He had not though and we continued teaching more and more and John kept changing more and more.  He broke up with his girlfriend because he wanted to live a more chaste life. 

 

One afternoon he looked at us and asked "What's the lesson today brothers?" We replied that there was none. (I know risky move) and he asked why. We replied there is nothing else you need to learn unless your willing to commit your life to Christ and be baptized. He looked and almost whispered it's too big of a commitment. So I replied "look at your life John your living our standards you don't drink, fornicate, or do drugs. you know that Joseph Smith is a prophet you said so yourself. All that is left is for you to commit to Christ and wield his banner!"

 

All he did was look at us. We sat there probably for ten minutes staring at each other. He opened his mouth. then took a deep breath and said "All I want is to feel clean! I go and do those old things and I feel dirty and they don't ever come off!" John was crying.

 

"I promise you will be clean and you will not fail that Christ will guide you and will support you!"  as my companion said these words the spirit flooded into the room.

 

John Anthony B. was baptised only a week later. then another week and was confirmed a member. he is clean and he has stated it several times. that day in that apartment it was NOT two young men that converted John. It was the Holy Ghost. no matter what words we can mutter it will not be enough. no matter how many doors we knock it will not be enough. only the spirit will truly convert.  

--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

NERF WAR!!!!!!! E-mail October, 31, 2011

Dear Family,

 

Bullets will be flying swords will be clashing.  There will be little blood it's war!!! Nerf war!!!!!!! So you heard right; we get basically all day off.   We are going to go destroy everyone for about a few hours.... sound fun... !  Well, this week was a crazy one.

 

On Saturday we did service for the members we live with.  We took out a tree for them. Ohh!! that was hard! I also went on back to back exchanges.  I went into the ASL area!!  We spent most of the day with the people in the branch.  It was an awesome experience!   Except for that, it was the usual week

Love,

Elder Zachary David Daniel

Soldiers of God! An Email - October 11, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

 

So life here in the desert is going pretty well, it's not so super hot. It was in the 70's all last week umm perfect weather I would say. I'm totally excited for Meaghan to go into the MTC it's going to be sweet.  How did she find people that were going on the mission with her? Life for her will be crazy at the MTC, a comp a crazy awesome teacher. There is this member here who served his mission in Ukraine his name is Koa.  I know cool name!!!

 

Life as a district leader has been interesting.  I had to go on exchanges today, actually I will be going into La Quinta with Elder Larson he's only been out 3 months. We're going to  go service tracting; I wonder how well that will go.

 

So, for my responsibilities: I am over 5 other missionaries I'm supposed to help them and train them in their work, and be a guide for them so they can improve. One of the Elders, E. Given, is a ASL elder.  He knows sign language, how cool is that???  He's going to teach me how to say, winner winner chicken dinner in ASL. They are trying to start an ASL branch out here. We are looking for just one or two more deaf people to join the church!!  Keep your prayers with them!!!   Elder Larson is his companion and like I said they are serving in La Quinta.

 

 The next companionship is Elder Alvarez and Elder Dye! Although fairly Spanish sounding E. Alvarez is totally white, he is from Virginia and he's also only been out 3 months. I spent the day with him last week and all we did was tract all day, 6 hours. It stunk. I don't really know Dye that well, I think he's from Utah?? He's a nice guy and has a really cute sister I'm going to see if he will give me her address. I'm still concentrating on the work don't worry mom.

 

Then there is me and my comp. E. Christensen is from Idaho, Pocatello, he's a huge reader that's all he ever did back home and he is very knowledgeable. We have many differences but we are making  it through... everything  is OK. 

 

That's the district; today I gave a training on how we are Gods army and we need to support each other and help with the work.  Hopefully everything will go well. 

Love,

 

Elder Zachary David Daniel

Transferes - - - A NEW DL! Email - October 3, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

So as my subject states this weekend was transfers.  It was crazy!  Along with  going  to  Conference.    Neither me or my comp are being transferred which is kinda sad,  but I'll deal. Well, we have a new District Leader here and its sweet because I already know who he is! What's weird is that you know who he is too! Any guesses? Well, if you guessed me your right! It's going to be a really interesting transfer me being a District Leader.

 About John's e-mail,  I really enjoyed it. I got a lot from it, it's interesting how you meet certain people in life and what their outcome is. For example:  I am having some issues here, but it has taught me the value of getting on your knees and talking to the Lord about it. Sometimes we think of prayer as just telling God all of our Problems. It shouldn't  be that way.  We should talk to him about everything; the good and the bad.  A little while ago I was challenged to do thank you prayers by a member. Instead of asking for anything, you only thank God for what he has given you.  Me and an old companion did this for every prayer we said together. Instead of asking for the Spirit we thanked God for allowing us to have His Spirit as we worked worthily toward his goal.

 

We have a Zone goal of 28 baptisms this month and when I heard that I almost fainted.  That's 3.5 baptisms per companionship.  I was like that's impossible!  But now as I look at it, it seems more than possible. We have on date for baptism. John and Merrie, people were going to put on date for this month are: Tony and a pregnant woman. There's our 3.5. When we set righteous goals and show the means by how were going to do it, the Lord will help us accomplish it.

 

The brother of Jared did not just ask God to give him light. He went and thought of a way that it was possible Then  he asked the Lord for His help in accomplishing the task. So what happens? The brother of Jarred's request is not just fulfilled,  but he actually sees Jehovah/ Jesus Christ.  How amazing is his faith. We all need to set righteous goals, then ask God in faith to help us accomplish the task.  We have  a solution and through our faith He will help us receive that righteous desire.

 

I know that God lives! What an amazing statement that is! His Son, Jesus Christ, payed the penalty for our sins, because he loves us. Thomas S. Monson is the  Prophet on the earth today and he holds Gods power and has spoken to us for our times.  I know that the Heavens are open,  God speaks; He will answer your prayers.  He will tell you the truth.  With all the love I muster I hope that everyone will read the Book of Mormon and come to know these things and know of their truthfulness.
--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

LOST! Email - September 26, 2011

Dear family and friends,

 

I really don't know what to say this week. Nothing is coming to mind. I still don't know what to say... ummm... is everyone doing okay?

 

Hmm. so about the stuff I was asking about, the comics I drew,  I  received a free binder and I'm going to put them in there. Also did you listen to those CD's ?  Did you like them? 

 

I sent you some pics of the baptism we just had. Her name is Angel.  It was pretty fun. Everybody was all smiles.  

 

Besides that, things are going good.  Gen. Con. is this weekend!!! We have two investigators on date wohoo!! Ones name is John he's 19 and his whole family used to be Mormon.   His parents died before he could get baptised so he moved in with his aunt who's Catholic, so he grew up Catholic. The other is Merrie her husband died a few months ago and he was a life long member.   She took the lessons and such then he died and now she regrets never getting baptised; how weird! The work here is going pretty well. Life is good and we will keep on track.

 

Love you,

--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Desert! E-mail September 19, 2011

Hello family, friends, acquaintance's and people I do not know!

Well,  to answer my mothers question Transfers are in two weeks,  however that does not mean I am leaving or my comp is leaving.

So this week was like all the rest, besides the fact that we heard from Elder Christensen of the Seventy. He  spoke of the Atonement and how it works in your life and I noticed something that day that I thought John (my step-dad would find quite enjoyable).  As always E. Christensen spoke first then Sis. Smart then Pres.Smart. after that we took a break and we reconvened with Sis. Christensen (this is what John will like) Sis. Christensen almost took an entire hour!!!!! She had only like 15 minutes and it was so deep doctrine I was so bored!!!!!!

Then E. Christensen got up to give one last training and to do a Q&A session and his first words were "Well since my wife just spoke,  let me simplify it for you". it surprises me that the great heroes of the church are not the ones who spit the deep doctrine but those who share the Simple. Christs Atonement could definitely be taken very very deep, but that's not what E. Christensen did; he gave us the basics and told us to study the basics and learn that because that is what will save you.  That firm belief that Jesus is the Christ. Not that he is Virtue or if he had a wife or kids. That does not matter, all that matters is that the Atonement has taken place and we must accept it. As I think of the greats:  Mormon, Moroni, Peter, Paul, John the Revalator, these men did not give us deep doctrine to question, yet simple principles to lead us to Christ.   

As I look at the pact 13 months I feel amazed to have gone this far.  The road to finishing is not long at all.  I wish you all a good time in Kentucky (or wherever else you may be)!

 All my love,
--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

The Desert! E-mail September 12, 2011

Well hello!!!

 

So life here in So Cal has been pretty uneventful. I did receive my package and enjoyed it tremendously. I'm excited to start getting e-mails from Meaghan although I know they're  gonna be from a different e-mail service.  Is that up yet? Should  I be sending my e-mails to her that way? I might just do it to see!

 

We have this investigator named Chris and we've been teaching him for a while, his wife is a recently re-activated member who just went through the temple, and her husband has been taking the lessons. He has one of the nicest houses Ive ever seen plus a pool that has this rock thing which you can jump off of into his pool. He has given me permission to come back and swim in it (once I'm no longer an Elder)!!  We decided when he is going to be baptized it was going to be in his pool!!!

 

The interesting story however is that his son almost cut his leg off a couple of weeks ago!!! Sis.

Madsen E-mailed us the picks. Wanna see? 

 

Besides that life has been normal.  I have been thinking a lot lately about what I should do when I get home.   I have started creating a schedule ( my first companion Elder Potter told me it was a good idea to do it about  this time) so if you have any suggestions let me know!!!! 

 

We had a multi zone this last week with Pres. Smart  it was really interesting, he spoke on obedience and Sis. Smart spoke on etiquette ( I can't spell) was pretty good.  Someone had called and complained saying our manners were bad!! Who would do such a thing!!  Just kidding... its probably a good thing to have an etiquette (still can't spell) lesson. 

 

 Next week Elder Christensen from the first quorum of the seventy is speaking to us it will be real interesting I'm excited!!!  

 

Love,

 

Elder Zachary David Daniel

Elsid Campeador‏ Email September 6, 2011

"His name is Elsid and he's in room 208." it was a simple statement that would end up being one of those memories you never forget. He was a sick man who wished to get a blessing. the Elders received a call from him and they called us. So,  I looked at my companion "what do you think?" he shrugged his shoulders. He isn't one of many words. So I directed him towards the hospital. Then we arrived and walked up to the desk. "Hey Elders" the security guard knew who we were and seeing the new Elder immediately started telling us he wasn't interested in hearing our message. We go there a lot.

 

"What's the name Daniel" he didn't even have to look on my name tag. While he brought up my record there. It's a nice hospital. "umm... Elsid Campa.. something?" the nurse at the computer laughed and made some comment about how we were usually more organized than that. Then she told us he doesn't exist. That no one by anything like that was staying at the hospital. That was a first for me, usually we have no problems. So we tried to find a solution. We were about to leave when she asked if we had a room number. yep 208.

 

"uh-oh. you guys don't want to go there, let me call for you." she called and asked if there was a patient by that name,said uh-huh a couple of times and said follow me Elders.  We walked through the hospital and took an elevator to the second floor, walked a little down the hall and stopped at a large door with windows in it and a phone right next to it. She told us to pick it up then talk to the nurse.  I looked through the window there were a bunch of people in their rooms and everything looked normal. So why was everyone acting weird. I looked at my comp "you ready for this?" he shrugged. few words that's how he is. So I picked up the phone it rang once "we're coming" that was all the voice said on the other line. So we waited and saw a security officer and a nurse coming towards us.  They asked us why we were here, and we told them.  They asked how the patient contacted us and we told them. They informed us that we could come back in an hour. So we started to leave, then I asked what all the hush hush was about. Then the nurse turned to me and said "honey this is the psych ward these people are crazy they'll hurt you" I almost pooped my pants I was so scared. We came back in an hour and gave the man a blessing.  It really  was ok! 

 

 Well, I love you all and I hope you think its an interesting story. If I had more time I would go into a little more detail.

 

One of  John's former companions is not in the Ward, but his brother is..... more to come. 

 

Much Love,

 

Elder Zachary David Daniel

Elder Christenson E- mail August 29, 2011

Another week has flown by and luckily it wasn't crazy. So, I have a new comp his name is Elder Christensen he's from Idaho (Pocatello) area.   He is very VERY quiet and the last week has been hard for me. As you know I'm a very social person and well I like to talk alot, so it's been hard.  I feel like I'm talking to a brick wall half of the time and I feel like I have tons of stress.

 

Sorry for that,  didn't mean to be all mopey. It's weird thinking that I'm inching towards the single digit months. E. Alexander is only a month or two older and next week he starts his single digit's he is super scared!

 

But that's regular stuff.  I've been thinking what I should say this week and its been super hard to figure out. As some know Elder Fly is now home in Virginia. how weird is that; all my companions who are older than me are home. My trainees trainee is training (say that 5 times fast) and that makes me even feel older. So life's just moving ahead. Alfredo a recent Convert in the ward is trying to hook me up with this Girl he knows from Ohio, but I'm expecting a beautiful Ukrainian wife (remember Meaghan) so we'll see.

 

So, yep we had another baptism this week Caleb and Noah. It's super exciting! They both had to get dunked twice, hopefully the mom will be interested now. That was the first time I ever met her she  does not like Mormons she usually waits outside until we finish a lesson. We will see what happens.

 

So the life of a missionary becomes kind of routine, you just keep going with the flow! 

 

Love,

 

Elder Zachary David Daniel

Craziest Week Of My Life E-mail August 22, 2011

Oh yes it was that crazy let us begin!!

Sometimes parents (Mom's)  feel the need to edit posts... Yes, needless to say Elder Daniel had a "crazy" week.  But he is doing well and with prayer and guidance he continues to make righteous decisions.  I will quote the last paragraph from his e-mail.

 "Well I think it shows you that Satan is out there.  He is not just after the Missionaries or the Investigators he's after everyone  It was  a crazy week,  if it sounds crazy just try living it. As more time goes by I see the  need in learning the basics. I remember being in church or school or band and thinking why the basics;  I think we get it, but as I look back if it wasn't the basics,  I would have got seriously lost.

 BTW,  My Canadian companion, Elder McKee was also transferred to Menifee this week."

LEWIS!!! E-mail August 15, 2011

Well, thank you mom, all your emails came through today, so I got the same message about four times!!!  LOL!  But I really appreciate the care. I also received the package and the card; thank you so much!!!

 

This week was pretty uneventful with the exception that I had an exchange with the Spanish Elders so I put my 7 words of Spanish to good use by trying my hardest not to sleep. The family we stay with is pretty nice they have been through a lot. Obviously there is a mom and dad, then they have two boys and three girls that live at home. The oldest boy Bacon (name is really Kendall) has a mild autism but is super good at board games!   Then they have a daughter named Michelle but she's like 15, so we never see her (were not allowed). Then they have a 12 year old daughter, McKenzie; she has a missionary jar that's her life goal (she kinda reminds me of Meaghan), then there's the nine year old Rosie, she is in love with Elder McKee and he gets embarrassed when I bring it up, so I bring it up all the time. Finally there's Preston who is eight; he is like any little brother I imagine and just tries to be like us in every way (even to the point where one day he put on his white shirt and clip on tie and decided that he would spend the day with us).

 

That's the family, they are a great group of people that have been through a lot. A couple of years ago Sister Lewis got breast cancer; she lived but it was scary for all the kids. Then about two months ago they found a 25 pound tumor in Brother Lewis's stomach.  He was in a coma about two weeks. They spoke in church yesterday about all the help they received and how grateful they were.   It surprised me a little  how people have such small reasons for leaving the church; yet a family like this who have had so many trials; all of them are active and have testimonies.

 

Although some of us have lives where our testimonies seem not to bee easily dismantled, the Lewis family like Joseph Smith, I know,  would need the gates of hell to open before any one of them would deny that Jesus is the Christ and Joseph Smith was a prophet. What a great example they are to me and I hope they can be too many others

--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

SCOOP BALL!! E-mail August 8, 2011

Another week has gone by!!!!

 

So here's my news after my "outstanding" talk in Parkview Ward the Palm Dessert Ward has asked me and my Companion to speak, and yet again my Companion was mad!!   I am speaking last again! This week was just a normal one;  we are teaching this man named Chris.  I don't know if I told you, but he is super loaded (I probably shouldn't have said that) he has 4 Harley's, he's a real nice guy, but is only taking the lessons because of his wife, but he did state that baptism was in his future, and that he wouldn't be surprised if it happened.

 

Well, we played a game called scoop ball today.  It was tons of fun, my team won 8-5.  I was goally and received a few punishing blows!!!   Well, my last e-mail failed and I lost over half my e-mail; it was basically about the family I live with now that I'm in a home share.  I don't have much time to say other things, send my love to all  --
Elder Zachary David Daniel

Why? What A Great Question.... E-mail August 1, 2011

Well another week has come and gone and I can say it was an interesting one...

 

I got to see my families bucket lists and I was really surprised by what I saw.  One even highlighted a gospel principle I was thinking of sharing. As many of you know, yesterday I spoke in one of my wards (yes that's a plural... not wives, wards  (LOL)).  My topic was building and retaining a testimony.  I was told it was a 15 minute talk, then when I got to church I looked at the program (yes I'll send it to you mom) and my name was last!!!!! So the Bishop asked me right there to do 25 minutes.  My companion almost fell over with laughter. Well, I did it and I'm still alive.  However, the great story of the week is this.

 

While tracting, me and my comp ran into a guy who decided he knew more about the "Mormon" church; more than two Mormon missionaries. Well, he was wrong, but I won't get into that. One thing he told us was that God didn't have a body and the resurrection wasn't real. So we discussed how we know God does have a body (Joseph Smiths vision) and how we knew we would receive one. Well, all that is truly unimportant what makes sense is this. If God has a body and we want to be like God (not BE God) we would need to be like him.  We would need to gain our bodies again just like Jesus Christ did. When we told the man this he stood there and asked. Why?

 

Why? is such a great question!!! I felt giddy just beginning to type my response to the question. First lets answer a question with some more questions. Why did Jesus come to the Earth? Why, when in the garden did he suffer so much pain; he bleed from every pore, even though he could quit at any moment? Why would Christ the Savior of the World only go to Jerusalem? ( He didn't by the way).  There is only one answer to all these questions. LOVE. Love is a weird thing,  it makes people do things they would never imagine. Why do 20 year old men and women take one and a half to two years of there lives and go talk to people they never met about  the gospel of Christ?   Because they love those people even though they may never even know their names or spend more than 5 minutes with them. We are all brothers and sisters spiritually and physically. We all come from Adam and Eve!! Why should we not just stop these crazy things forget about what race or religion or country we are or are from, or if were straight or homosexual and just Love each other? If someone is over on the other side of the street help them. If someone is crying give them a shoulder. It's time we forget politics and just cared for each other. 

 

I am so grateful for a mother who always cared for me even if I didn't see it. For a step-father who was there even if he didn't have to be, a sister who was a great example even if I didn't give  her credit. Life is short write a list 50 things you want to do then you'll see like I have; you're a wonderful child of God. 

"Adam fell that men might be, and men are to have joy"

Be Joyful ......Smile :)
--
Elder Zachary David Daniel
P.S. thanks for the lists

President and Sister Smart

Elder Zachary Daniel with his new Mission President and his wife.  President and Sister Smart.  Sister Smart has started a blog for the Riverside CA Mission;  http://riversidecaliforniamission.blogspot.com/.

A Blessing A Prophet‏ E-mail July 25, 2011

Well another week has gone by and what a wonderfully boring week. On Tuesday night my companion received a very bad case of the stomach flu and it wasn't pretty, at about 2 in the morning he woke me up drenched in his own vomit (I was trying to stay awake with him but I failed epically) and he asked me for a blessing. What a neat experience that was (probably not for him) he was so scared the only thing he wanted was to get a blessing; the hospital was not even an option until after the blessing. Elder McKee wasn't healed automatically, he didn't even sleep that night, but he knew that someone who held the Lord's Priesthood had just laid his hands upon his head and that same God loves him very much.  He knows him even to the point that when I laid my hands upon his head they were His words; not mine, He told Elder McKee not to fear that He loved him not me.

 

It's interesting to tell people we have a Prophet on the Earth today and that he speaks for God. Even we sometimes wonder how is that possible. The blessing the other night showed me how it is. How the Lord through the Holy Ghost leads and Directs us. Sometimes I feel lost about what to do, concerned I've done something horribly wrong, when in fact as long as I stay worthy of the Spirit it will guide me.

 

We began teaching a new investigator last week, his name is Chris Mattson. His wife so dearly wants him to be baptized, but does he want it?  He knows what he'll have to give up. Family, money, and his alcohol. Why in the Earth would he want to do that, why would the Lord ask for so much? Here's a better question: Why wouldn't He? He loves us. He makes commandments for us to learn and grow. If it wasn't this way, what would we learn, how would we ever believe that we could possibly do enough.

 

I send my love, I'm sorry mom, I received the address but left it at the house. Sorry. You will also miss my talk in church this upcoming Sunday -  On how we gain and keep a Testimony. Also, I have a baptism that day wow will my day be packed!!!

 

I love you!!

--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

One Whole Year! E-mail July 17, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

Well mom, sorry I don't know my address right off hand but I will get it to you next Monday. So it's been quite an interesting week I now cover two wards Palm Desert and Park View Wards we have a 2010 Toyota Corolla and my comp is from Canada. As you might have guessed the word "eh" is used a lot in our companionship, he says it a lot!!!!  But he is a great companion.

I think we may need to say it's not quite as hot where you are at, compared to here,  because it is on average 115 degrees here. That's hot!!! Well it seems strange to look back and realize its been a year. I think back and it doesn't seem that long at all. I have recently been placed in the old guys list and it's weird knowing that I am pretty prepared now I'm not excellent with being a missionary but I am at least decent now.

So this week has been interesting and to top it all off we had an angry Stake President all over us. Let me tell you what I mean.  On Tuesday we received a call from Elder Alexander (our DL) saying that the Stake President wanted him to teach one of his friends and not us, because the Elder here before me did a horrible job and Alexander told the Stake President that I was here now so she (the investigator) was in good hands. Which kinda embarrassed me. I don't have that much faith in me, so I don't know why he does. So the Stake President did not enjoy that answer too much; so he decided to call President Smart and ask him and President Smart said the same thing (yet again I don't know where they get their faith) well Sunday came by and the Stake Presidents wife called to set us up on an appointment with the lady so we could teach her. We got there  and taught an amazing lesson; the Spirit filled the room and guided us to teach her the things she needed. BAM!!!! Faith Works!

It has been a tough year, there were lots of happy times and a lot of sad, but this experience has taught me so much about myself, I would wish everyone could do this. I am excited for the year I have left with all the trials and the blessings to come, as Nephi once said "I will GO AND DO the things which the Lord has COMMANDED for I know the Lord GIVES NO COMMANDMENT which MAN CANNOT FULFILL!" Tribulation bringeth blessing and we will continue till victory rages and the foes are defeated we are all missionaries, all members of Gods Army , and we will bring forth the truth to the entire world. And we will do it Boldly, nobly, and independent! whether it be here in California, or there in Kentucky, or even Kiev, Ukraine (congrats Meaghan!!!!!!)  as Yoda once said may the force be with you (that force is the spirit!!!) I love you all.  I miss you all and I'll see you in a year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,


Elder Zachary David Daniel

Schrage Email - July 11, 2011

Conner grad's family stunned after accidental death

Andrew Schrage / PROVIDED

RABBIT HASH - In his 22 years, Andrew Schrage lived a fuller life than many people decades older, friends and family said.
"Andrew was a very passionate person," said his long-time pastor, Rev. Trish Standifur of Bullittsville Christian Church. "As a high school kid, he would ask me, 'Could you help this person or pray for so and so?' He was passionate about everything, whether it was cars or hunting. But most of all, he loved his family dearly."
Some people take a lifetime to find their soul mate, Standifur said. But Andrew, who was in his senior year at the Speed School of Engineering at the University of Louisville, met his one and only girlfriend - Jessica Leick of Burlington - while both were in marching band at Conner High School.
"A lot of people spend a lifetime searching for their soul mate, but Andrew found his at a very young age," Standifur said. "He lived a lot of life in a very short time."

Andrew Schrage, whose father, Bob, retired last year as assistant director of the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, died Wednesday evening in a freak accident at the Louisville home that the 2007 Conner High School graduate was renting with several other college students.

Andrew Schrage was working to ground the wires of his detached garage when his girlfriend witnessed him grab a wire and then become unresponsive, said Jo-Ann Farmer, chief deputy Jefferson County coroner. His death was ruled an electrocution.

"It's just so tough," Andrew's father said Thursday, as friends and family gathered at the Rabbit Hash home where Andrew grew up. "He was such a great kid with a great future ahead of him."

From an early age, Andrew enjoyed tinkering with mechanical things.
As a youngster, he watched as his grandfather changed the oil or the windshield wiper fluid on his car. By age 14, Andrew was changing the brakes on the family car, his father said. While in high school, he put down hardwood floors in his room.
"One time, we told him, it would be really neat to have a deck up in the woods," his father said. "That afternoon, he built this beautiful two-tiered deck."
Andrew Schrage enjoyed hunting, fishing, and hiking, especially at Red River Gorge.
Last month, he took part in an international competition at the Michigan Motor Speedway for engineering students who build and race cars.
Recently, Andrew's father had purchased a classic 1951 Buick Super Dynaflow that the father and son were restoring.
"He loved anything mechanical," Bob Schrage said. "Andrew could fix anything inside or outside the house."
Andrew, who was active in his church's youth group, also was quick to volunteer if something was broken at his church.
The engineering student had one more semester of school to go before he planned to start on his master's degree. When he wasn't in school, Andrew was doing a coop at Rapid Prototype Center in Louisville.
"As his pastor, I was lucky enough to watch Andrew grow up," Standifur said. "If you had an employee, he's the worker you'd want. If you had a kid, he's the son you'd want. He was an amazing youth."
Besides his father, Andrew is survived by his mother, Ann; his brother, Ethan, a Northern Kentucky University student who's living at home; his grandparents, Andrew and Dorothy Coyle of Florence; and many aunts and uncles.
Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Sunday, July 10, at Stith Funeral Home in Hebron. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Bullittsville Christian Church, 3094 Petersburg Road, in Burlington.
A memorial scholarship fund is being set up in Andrew Schrage's name through PNC Bank.
The Courier-Journal contributed.


Dear Friends,

It's sad to hear about Schrage.  I will always remember riding in his truck listening to Meatloaf. It's sad to hear about his unusual passing, but it does not surprise me that he passed young because it seems that God does that sometimes. What I mean to say is those choice spirits; the people who truly care and are truly talented  sometimes die young.  We sometimes question why, when  we don't need to as members of this church.  We do know where Schrage is.  I could spend an entire day writing the things that make Schrage great but it truly only takes a few words. When you truly care like Schrage did, you effect the whole world.  You will be deeply missed!

Elder Zachary David Daniel

Palm Desert‏ E-mail July 11, 2011

Well Transfer Time!!!

I'm going to the desert. I know unbelievable! It averages almost 110 degrees so it's a furnace.  I have not yet  met my companion, Elder McKee, all I know is he's Canadian. So after almost 9 months I will have a car again.  I'm so excited :)!!  Well,  that's all the news I really have.  I will tell you more info next week when I have it.

 

--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

A GOOD WEEK! E-mail - July 4, 2011

It was a good week and nothing really happened. It was really hot 108, and Elder Judd cried, (just joking) but he cannot tolerate the heat! 

I climbed Big Mountain today and I yelled with joy from the top of it which completed another task on my bucket list!

Don't have much time today.

Love,
Elder Zachary David Daniel

Bucket List‏ E-mail - June 27, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

 

Another week has gone by and more experiences to put towards my learning. Well, you might have guessed what this E-mail is about. Yes, I made a bucket list. I know what some of you are thinking and no I'm not  "kicking the bucket";  it's just something we were all doing, so I thought  I would share it with you.  I know some of these things may seem, not fun, (and sorry if I offend anyone) I hope you enjoy!!!

 

BUCKET LIST

50.build a tree house

49.stay up all night and gaze at the stars with someone

48.Fly in a fighter jet

47. go to every theme park in us

46. find midget town

45.spend summer in Italy

44.meet Queen of England

43.tell someone how i truly feel about them to their face

42.explore caves

41.COMPLETED

40.sail around world

39.build pirate ship

38.blow something up

37.wrestle a bear

36.start a restaurant

35.go to running of bulls in Spain

34.learn another language

33.play with a penguin

32.climb Mt. Everest

31.shout with joy from a mountain top

30.go to NFL game

29.restore a car

28.milk a cow

27.visit Willy Wonka factory

26.meet the Prophet

25.try out for MOTAB

24.play with a dolphin

23.cliff dive

22. scuba dive

21.take week long vow of silence

20.tour through Europe

19.learn to play guitar

18.watch sunset with someone

17.start a company

16.be in a movie

15.write a novel

14.ride a bull

13.throw super awesome party

12.get own apartment

11.live in NYC

10.date someone at least 7 years older than me

9. go bungee jumping

8.COMPLETED

7.sky dive

6.learn graffiti

5.interview President of U.S.

4. go on date with Ali

3.go to college

2.be sealed in temple

1.return with honor from my mission
--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

p.s. Pres. Smart comes Friday so we might see him then!

 

PPS  What does your bucket list look like???????

237.............. E-mail - June 20, 2011

You all may be wondering why 237???  That my friends is a great question!!

 

Dear Family and Friends,

 

HAPPY LATE FATHERS DAY!!!!!!

 

That is for all the fathers out there. Well, another week and now I have been out 11 months isn't that weird almost a year me.  Elder Judd and I were just thinking about it and how weird this time next year I'll be getting ready to fly home, but that's not important. Let's talk about the pictures.... . I just got kicked off and have to retype over half my Email stupid computers. 

 

So, we just put someone on date for baptism its really sweet. His name is Kevin and we recently started teaching him we invited him a few weeks ago. He took off of work and decided to go into the woods all day and pray.   He received his answer that the church is true; so we set his baptism date for the 31st of July so his entire family can be there (all members).  We are super excited. We have another investigator Sis. Sauvao who we invited to fast and pray and we are going to see how well that went.

 

Well that's about all the info I have for this week, but I love you all and stay safe!!

Elder Daniel

 

 

PS...  237 is the number of emails in my inbox.  :}

Roses Are Red.... Happy Fathers Day.... John! June 19, 2011

Here's to you, John!

Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
You're always writing poems
So I thought I'd write one to you.

It's been so many long years
Since we've been father and son
with all the laughs and the tears
Trust me, there has been a ton!

Now I finally see
now much you care
You'd even wrestle
a big grumpy bear!

Now lets stop poking fun
and get to the sum
It's been a fun rhyme
but now is the time
to tell you how much I care
Thanks for always being there!

Love,

Zach

Thought This Might Brighten Your Day‏! E-mail - June 13, 2011

"No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse. (Apr 2007 Gen Conf)"
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"You are doing God's work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you, and He will bless you, --even--no, -especially--when your days and your nights may be most challenging. Like the woman who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and some embarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of the Master's garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and weep over their responsibility as mothers, `Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.' And it will make your children whole as well."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"If we constantly focus only on the stones in our mortal path, we will
almost surely miss the beautiful flower or cool stream provided by the
loving Father who outlined our journey. Each day can bring more joy
than sorrow when our mortal and spiritual eyes are open to God's
goodness. Joy in the gospel is not something that begins only in the
next life. It is our privilege now, this very day. We must never allow
our burdens to obscure our blessings. There will always be more
blessings than burdens--even if some days it doesn't seem so. Jesus
said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it
more abundantly." Enjoy those blessings right now. They are yours and
always will be."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"If for a while the harder you try, the harder it gets, take heart. So it has been with the best people who ever lived. (The Inconvenient Messiah, BYU Speeches, Feb 15, 1982)"
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. In fact, He expects you not simply to face the future (that sounds pretty grim and stoic); He expects you to embrace and shape the future--to love it and rejoice in it and delight in your opportunities.

God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"Not everything in life is so black and white, but the authenticity of the Book of Mormon and its keystone role in our religion seem to be exactly that. Either Joseph Smith was the prophet he said he was, a prophet who, after seeing the Father and the Son, later beheld the angel Moroni, repeatedly heard counsel from Moroni's lips, and eventually received at his hands a set of ancient gold plates that he then translated by the gift and power of God, or else he did not. And if he did not, he would not be entitled to the reputation of New England folk hero or well-meaning young man or writer of remarkable fiction. No, nor would he be entitled to be considered a great teacher, a quintessential American religious leader, or the creator of great devotional literature. If he had lied about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, he would certainly be none of these...

If Joseph Smith did not translate the Book of Mormon as a work of ancient origin, then I would move heaven and earth to meet the "real" nineteenth-century author. After one hundred and fifty years, no one can come up with a credible alternative candidate, but if the book were false, surely there must be someone willing to step forward-if no one else, at least the descendants of the "real" author-claiming credit for such a remarkable document and all that has transpired in its wake. After all, a writer that can move millions can make millions. Shouldn't someone have come forth then or now to cashier the whole phenomenon? "
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

When life is hard, remember - we are not the first to ask, 'Is there no other way?"
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"In this long eternal quest to be more like our Savior, may we try to be “perfect” men and women in at least this one way now—by offending not in word, or more positively put, by speaking with a new tongue, the tongue of angels. Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith and hope and charity, the three great Christian imperatives so desperately needed in the world today."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as he always has. But he can't if you don't pray, and he can't if you don't dream. In short, he can't if you don't believe."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"Don't do anything stupid."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"My own great-grandfather, who said simply enough, "No wicked man could write such a book as this; and no good man would write it unless it were true and he were commanded of God to do so."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"I want it absolutely clear when I stand before the judgement bar of God that I declared to the world, in the most straightforward language I could summon, that the Book of Mormon is true."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"To you who think you are lost or without hope, or who think you have done too much that was too wrong for too long, to every one of you who worry that you are stranded somewhere on the wintry plains of life and have wrecked your handcart in the process, we call out "Jehovah's unrelenting refrain, "My hand is stretched out still" (Isaiah 5:25: 9:17,21). "...His mercy endureth forever, and His hand is stretched out still. His is the pure love of Christ, the charity that never faileth, that compassion which endures even when all other strength disappears"."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"Somebody like you taught somebody like me."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"And if those children are unresponsive, maybe you can't teach them yet, but you can love them. And if you love them today, maybe you can teach them tomorrow."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"In that most burdensome moment of all human history, with blood appearing at every pore and an anguished cry upon His lips, Christ sought Him whom He had always sought—His Father. “Abba,” He cried, “Papa,” or from the lips of a younger child, “Daddy.”

This is such a personal moment it almost seems a sacrilege to cite it. A Son in unrelieved pain, a Father His only true source of strength, both of them staying the course, making it through the night—together."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"I testify that no one of us is less treasured or cherished of God than another. I testify that He loves each of us—insecurities, anxieties, self-image, and all. He doesn’t measure our talents or our looks; He doesn’t measure our professions or our possessions. He cheers on every runner, calling out that the race is against sin, not against each other."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"Love. Healing. Help. Hope. The power of Christ to counter all troubles in all times—including the end of times. That is the safe harbor God wants for us in personal or public days of despair. That is the message with which the Book of Mormon begins, and that is the message with which it ends, calling all to 'come unto Christ, and be perfected in him' (Moroni 10:32)."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"In a world of unrest and fear, political turmoil and moral drift, I testify that Jesus is the Christ—that He is the living Bread and living Water—still, yet, and always the great Shield of safety in our lives.
"
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough
trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. In fact, He expects you not simply to face the future (that sounds pretty grim and stoic); He expects you to embrace and shape the future--to love it and rejoice in it and delight in your opportunities... God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"The FUTURE of this world has long been DECLARED; the final outcome between GOOD and evil is already KNOWN. There is absolutely no question as to who WINS because the VICTORY has already been posted on the SCOREBOARD. The only really strange thing is all of this is that we are still down here on the FIELD trying to decide which TEAM’S JERSEY we want to wear!"
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"Don't you quit. You keep walking, you keep trying, there is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon. Some come late. Some don't come until heaven. But for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in Good Things to Come."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"When the light dawns and it finally comes to you that this gospel really is true and the work matters and that God is not going to come down and do it Himself; we will realize that we are the only hands He has got, and that we are the only feet He has got. When somebody knocks on those doors, it is with our knuckles.
When we make contact on the street, it is our voice out there on that street corner. When we work with the less-active, Moroni and Mormon and Alma and Joseph Smith are not going to come down and go in that door and do that teaching;it is you and it is me. It is just people who get up, like we get up every morning and do the work of the Lord the way those men and their wives did it in the era and in their day and in their age, and in their time, but now it is our time.
When we come to know this, then we will get on with the work."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step-so watch your step."
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"All but a prophetic few must go about God's work in very quiet, very unspectacular ways. And as you labor to know Him, and to know that He knows you; as you invest your time--and your convenience--in quiet, unassuming service, you will indeed find that "He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up" (Matthew 4:6)."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"I especially wish to praise and encourage young mothers. The work of a mother is hard, too often unheralded work... Do the best you can through these years, but whatever else you do, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"On that very night, the night of the greatest suffering that has ever taken place in the world or that ever will take place, the Savior said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you... Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27) I submit to you, that may be one of the Savior's commandments that is, even in the hearts of otherwise faithful Latter-day Saints, almost universally disobeyed; and yet I wonder whether our resistance to this invitation could be any more grievous to the Lord's merciful heart."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"I suppose it goes without saying that negative speaking so often flows from negative thinking about ourselves. We see our own faults, we speak--or at least think--critically of ourselves, and before long that is how we see everyone and everything. No sunshine, no roses, no promise of hope or happiness. Before long we and everybody around us are miserable."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"God wants us to be stronger than we are--more fixed in our purpose, more certain of our commitments, eventually needing less coddling from Him, showing more willingness to shoulder some of the burden of His heavy load. In short, He wants us to be more like He is and, if you haven't noticed, some of us are not like that yet."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"If you are lonely, please know you can find comfort. If you are discouraged, please know you can find hope. If you are poor in spirit, please know you can be strengthened. If you feel you are broken, please know you can be mended."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"Jesus has chosen, even in a resurrected, otherwise perfected body, to retain for the benefit of His disciples the wounds in His hands and in His feet and in His side-signs, if you will, that painful things happen even to the pure and the perfect; signs, if you will, that pain in this world is not evidence that God doesn't love you; signs, if you will, that problems pass and happiness can be ours."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"Fighting through darkness and despair and pleading for the light is what opened this dispensation. It is what keeps it going, and it is what will keep you going."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"If we want it, we can enjoy the joy of our fidelity to the highest and best that is within us."

--sat. afternoon 4/3/10 lds general conference"
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make it worse."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"We are making our appearance on the stage of mortality in the greatest dispensation of the gospel ever given to mankind, and we need to make the most of it."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"I believe we have all been created for greater things than we can comprehend. The times call for great things, but great things in the noblest and most redemptive sense are predicted upon tolerance, love, respect, understanding, dignity, prayer, God."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"Whoever you are and wherever you find yourself as you seek your way in life, I offer you "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Wherever else you think you may be going, I ask you to "come unto Him" as the imperative first step in getting there, in finding your individual happiness and strength and success."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"None of us is less treasured or cherished of God than another. I testify that He loves each of us-- Insecurities, anxieties, poor self-image, and all. He doesn't measure our talents or our looks; He doesn't measure our professions or our possessions. He cheers on every runner, calling out that the race is against sin, not against each other."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"Everything in the gospel teaches us that we can change if we need to, that we can be helped if we truly want it, that we can be made whole, whatever the problems of the past."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"Be a woman of Christ. Cherish your esteemed place in the sight of God. He needs you. This church needs you. The world needs you. A woman's abiding trust in God and unfailing devotion to things of the Spirit have always been an anchor when the wind and the waves of life were fiercest."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"Your Father in heaven knows your name and knows your circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"On this upward and sometimes hazardous journey, each of us meets our share of daily challenges. If we are not careful, as we peer through the narrow lens of self-interest, we may feel that life is bringing us more than our fair share of trials--that somehow others seem to be getting off more lightly.

But the tests of life are tailored for our own best interests, and all will face the burdens best suited to their own mortal experience. In the end we will realize that God is merciful as well as just and that all the rules are fair. We can be reassured that our challenges will be the ones we needed, and conquering them will bring blessings we could have received in no other way."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"Even if you cannot always see that silver lining on your clouds, God can, for He is the very source of the light you seek. He does love you, and He knows your fears. He hears your prayers. He is your Heavenly Father, and surely He matches with His own the tears His children shed."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"Think the best of each other, especially of those you say you love. Assume the good and doubt the bad."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"Please know that your Father in Heaven loves you and so does His Only Begotten Son. When they speak to you--and They will--it will not be in the wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but it will be with a voice still and small, a voice tender and kind. It will be with the tongue of angels."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"Sometimes it seems especially difficult to submit to "great tribulation" when we look around and see others seemingly much less obedient who triumph even as we weep. But time is measured only unto man, says Alma (see Alma 40:8), and God has a very good memory."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)

 

"For 179 years [The Book of Mormon] has been examined and attacked, denied and deconstructed, targeted and torn apart like perhaps no other religious history – perhaps like no other book in any religious history- and still it stands.”

Jeffrey R. Holland"
— Jeffrey R. Holland

 

"My concern is that you will face some delays and disappointments at this formative time in your life and feel that no one else in the history of mankind has ever had your problems or faced those difficulties. And when some of those challenges come, you will have the temptation common to us all to say, "This task is too hard. The burden is too heavy. The path is too long." And so you decide to quit, simply to give up. Now to terminate certain kinds of tasks is not only acceptable but often very wise. If you are, for example, a flagpole sitter then I say, "Come on down." But in life's most crucial and telling tasks, my plea is to stick with it, to persevere, to hang in and hang on, and to reap your reward."
— Jeffrey R. Holland (Created For Greater Things)