Treasures of the Heart

Good Morning!

This week has been a lot of fun. Elder Shipp and I are adjusting well together, he is a very motivated and dedicated missionary. I am grateful for his willingness to work and serve those around us. He has blessed my missionary skills and habits in a remarkable way. 

One of our friends was baptized! Erik has grown up around the gospel, but never fully accepted it. I have only worked with him for two weeks, but his baptism was a powerful experience nonetheless. The night of our last lesson he asked some questions about literature that degraded the church, so that was interesting! But he had a testimony, and was blessed and protected by the Holy Ghost. I am grateful for his decision to be baptized! 

We have set a couple friends up for baptism, they are progressing smoothly! One of these friends is Shelley. She grew up in Africa, and has already come to know that the Book of Mormon is true. She has a strong foundation in Jesus Christ. After a week of helping her see she's ready, we set a plan for May 13th! She is set in the gospel, I am excited for her. My favorite highlight about her teaching process is the Plan of Salvation lesson. It was a top three lesson in my book, I've only had as powerful lessons on the Plan of Salvation with a few other friends. I will remember teaching her, and the Spirit we all felt, for a very long time. That lesson took a lot of planning, but God made our vision a reality!

This week I went on an exchange with Elder Tollestrup. It was nice because it will be the only exchange where I'm not 'leading' the day. He took me to Washington East, his area, and we witnessed many miracles and felt the Spirit powerfully. We did our best to testify at people's doors, and found wonderful success. There were plenty of people who thought their lives were good. They may be, but it's interesting how little people strive for more when they feel they already have enough. 

We visited Brayden's door, a young single adult (my specialty) who has been struggling recently. He grew up in the church but left a few years back. When we shared how the Book of Mormon would change his life, he broke down crying. I will treasure those few minutes for the rest of my life. Elder Tollestrup is a fantastic missionary, I am grateful for the example and motivation he gave me. 

These have been experiences that will keep best in journals and my soul. I cannot express fully how much the Spirit has impacted my week, or granted me the strength to endure, overcome, and invite. I have felt myself change, one step at a time, as I've served in God's vineyard. 

"For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;" 
- Doctrine & Covenants 4:4

This declaration from the Savior himself is true, and stands strong today. I am a witness of this as I continue to be led, by the Lord himself, to those eager for Christ's pure doctrine in their lives. 

"As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever."
- Isaiah 59:21

As one simple interpretation of the verse above, I have felt the Spirit of the Lord rest upon me. I have felt Him testify of truth through me. I am a small link in the chain of a binding covenant lasting longer than a lifetime. The Book of Mormon is a witness of this. Joseph Smith, and all he claimed to be, is a witness of this. Jesus Christ himself has spoken through prophets ancient and modern, and His work will not be stopped. 

I'm out here to gather Israel one step at a time, one convert at a time. My experiences with those so young, yet so sincere in the gospel will shape the rest of my life. It already has. I intend to keep them close to my heart, forever. 

- Elder Williams

Mailing Address:
881 South River Road
St. George, Utah 84790

Pictures:
1. Julia is also on-plan. She's from Brazil!
2. This is Elder Williams. He is a service missionary. This moment was so much fun! We had to take a photo.
3. I have re-discovered Nothing Bundt Cakes. I have also introduced Elder Shipp to the joy that is a bundt cake.
4. Exchanges with Elder Tollestrup and Elder Rasmussen.
5. It's a beautiful time to be in St. George.
6. Chickens!
7. Shelley is on-plan!
8. Erik's baptism!










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