Honoring the Lord's Confidence

September 26, 2023

Good Morning!

The absolute best part of this week was Morgan's baptism. We began teaching Morgan at the beginning of September, She is elect in every way, and made this decision entirely on her own. Her family came down for the baptism, and wanted to make sure she was doing this of her own will. She bore her testimony and I am confident in her faith and commitment to the gospel. It's amazing to have watched this process happen, even though I had almost nothing to do with it. God placed me here, and sent her to us. I'm grateful for every opportunity to share the gospel, especially with those willing to receive it.

Aside from an amazing baptismal experience, not much else happened this week. I was on exchanges with Elder Macfarlane, and we visited Kanarraville. We didn't know why we were going; both of our key reasons to drive down had canceled long before we had to leave. However, the Spirit prompted us to go. So go we did! As far as miracles go, we met Colton. He loves the church culture, and is open to the gospel. We will be going back soon. However, the only catch is Elder Macfarlane left his phone case on top of the car . . . it's a long story. However, we did find it! It was only crushed a little bit . . .

There are three interesting changes in our teaching friends. Eldean, who has been struggling to come to church all transfer, finally came this Sunday! We are so excited for her! Jackson, the friend who disappeared on us a few weeks back, decided to un-disappear. However, we found out yesterday that he's committed to disappearing and he will be moving to Colorado. So we sent off his information for the missionaries in Colorado. He's 100% set for baptism on October 7th. And finally, we're visiting a group of 20 or so people from the Congo . . . we aren't sure where this will go but maybe it will work out!

We did just have transfers. I will be staying in Cedar City with Elder Cammack. This is the third transfer as a missionary where nothing has changed for me. These ones are really weird, I'm so used to everything staying so inconsistent and just being everywhere. Two of my previous companions will no longer be missionaries as of Friday. However, this transfer will be nice because I feel that even in 6 weeks, I didn't get much of a taste at all of my area. I'm eager and ready to dig in deeper.

A missionary I know well shared his thoughts with me:

Love without expectation is to enable. To truly love is to see through an eye of faith who someone can become and help them achieve it.

I've loved watching my teaching friends grow. Morgan absolutely glows with the gospel, and I've loved watching our other friends progress towards the covenant of baptism. We have quite a few friends we're working with right now, but only a couple are actively working towards baptism. We intend to learn which ones are ready for the gospel and help them take those first steps of covenant keeping in this next transfer.

As I'm training Elder Cammack, there are some videos of instruction and other such resources we participate in. One of these instructional videos shared some words of wisdom from Elder Bednar. I have recorded it (to the best of my abilities) below.

"To all those who will receive this instruction, I want to leave a very simple blessing. I bless you to know that the Lord has confidence in you, and that you have the capacity to honor that confidence."

This is something that has kept me going, even when I'm exhausted. I know that God supports those who follow Him and strive to keep their covenants. The moments when I'm exhausted, or uncertain of what to do, He leads me. He keeps me moving forward. And it's through Him that I find strength. There are thousands, even millions of souls who are being prepared to accept the gospel across the world! It is such a blessing to me to participate in the gathering of Israel so directly. Especially in a small area like Cedar City.

I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. There's absolutely no excuse under heaven that could pretend Joseph Smith translated and published that book, except it be by the power of God Himself. Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet, and I know prophets are necessary for the true Church of Jesus Christ. God is indeed a God of miracles, and has called me to serve in His vineyard, currently assigned to this small portion of the Utah, St. George Mission. His power and authority is real, and vital.

My dad gave me three words of advice for my last 5 transfers as a missionary:

1. As winter approaches I encourage you to stay warm.

2. Stay focused.

3. Keep pushing until the last day and you won't have any regrets.

I'm exceedingly grateful for his advice. I know that if I push forward and give this work my all, I won't have any reason to doubt the care and intention I put towards God's work. I think the hardest part about his advice will be staying warm. I'll be in Cedar until November. I'm excited to see snow again. Time to 'put my shoulder to the wheel'!

- Elder Williams

Mailing Address:

881 South River Road

St. George, Utah, 84790

Pictures:

1. This was the evening a storm blew in; Part 1.

2. Part 2!

3. Storm Part 3!

4. This is a giant birds nest.

5. A very interesting sunset.

6. Morgan's baptism!

7. A lot of returned missionaries are in St. George right now. I accidentally ran into some at the Institute building on Sunday!