Week 50: It is REAL!

ELDER BURT & I

LOVE BEING MISSIONARIES!

Hey guys!

This has been a wonderful and full week of teaching.  I can see it happen right before my eyes! :)   When we put our best effort forward, the Lord blesses us with miracles. It's such a blessing to be a part of this great and amazing work.  The Lord has blessed us with 42 total lessons this week! The work here on the earth is truly hastening.   It is a privilege to work with these amazing people and to see them progress closer and closer to our Savior.   I love it!

Transfer are in!!!!  Being able to serve this past transfer (6 weeks) as a District Leader has been an amazing experience.   I have so much enjoyed being able to interact with all 4 companionships in the district.  I have learned a lot about myself and where I can improve in my character and also in hastening His great work.

With these transfers, I have been released as a District Leader and have been asked to serve as a Zone Leader here in Bountiful.  Although still in Bountiful Zone, I will be moving areas.  I will be serving in the North Salt Lake Legacy Stake in NSL (not my old area, but just West of it!). I am excited to serve the missionaries of the Bountiful Zone (North Salt Lake, Woods Cross, and Bountiful).   I am puzzled at why the Lord chooses the inadequate, but know that he qualifies his servants (D&C 4:5).  I am grateful for this opportunity and know with the Lord, anything is possible (Alma 26:12).

OUR DISTRICT

OUR ZONE

This past week, Elder Smith and I have compiled a video depicting our Savior and His saving Atonement. Even though I've seen the video multiple times, I feel the Spirit so strong each time I do.

"I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine

To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,

That he should extend his great love unto such as I,

Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify."   --Hymn #193  I Stand All Amazed

It truly amazes me of what the Lord has done for me personally.  What He did in the Garden is REAL.  His act of love is available to all that believe on his name.  He wants to forgive us of our mistakes.  All we must do is put forth our best effort in following Him and His teachings.  Repenting when we mess up, and striving to do our best.  I am eternally grateful for our Redeemer.  The power of his Atonement is real, I can testify of that.  I have felt the undeniable love and forgiveness that comes from repentance. It's so real.  The happiest people I know are those that repent and come unto their Savior.

I love this Work and couldn't ask to be anywhere else better at this point in my life. I find such joy in helping others by inviting them to come unto Christ. I know God and His Son live. This Work is real, I know it is.  I have seen it in action right before me.

Thanks to everyone for the constant love and support. Please stay close to our Lord, stay busy, and stay safe!

Much Love,

~Elder Carroll

My favorite quote this week: 

"Dangers may gather--why should we fear?

Jesus, our Leader, ever is near.

He will protect us, comfort, and cheer.

We're joyfully, joyfully marching to our home." – Hymn #250 We Are All Enlisted

My favorite scripture this week: John 3:17 - "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

Week 49: Why Join The Church? Answer: WHY NOT?!

Family and Frieeeeends!

I don't have too much time, so I would just like to share a quick experience we had this week…

A few days ago, as we were walked back to the car after an awesome lesson with a less-active couple, we saw this black guy getting out of his car so we decided to walk over and talk with him! We asked him if he had ever met or talked with missionaries before and he said yes!  He informed us that he is a convert of 10 years.  He's originally from New York City and became converted after moving here to Utah.  He said he knows that the Lord guided him here because he had no idea why he had to come, but just that he needed to.  After listening a little bit to his story, I asked him "Why did you decide to join this Church?"  He responded, "Why not?!".

After about a 30min conversation standing next to his car (he can talk!), we set up a return appointment to talk more with him at his home and then said goodbye.  As we walked off and up still to this moment, all I could and can think about is his response. "Why not?!"

He's so right!! Why would anybody not want to join this Church?  All it does is bring happiness.  Once someone understands the importance of the Restoration and Priesthood power, everything else falls into place. This is God's church and I can testify of that.  The blessings that following the joining of his church are undeniable.  God loves us and wants the best for all of His children.  Joining and being a member of His church may not always be easy, but hey, Salvation doesn't come cheap!

I am so grateful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Without him, I would be nothing.  His saving Atonement is essential to our exaltation.  I am blessed to be able to apply it in my life, every day.

If you have questions about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or know somebody who does, don't hesitate to ask the missionaries! Please do not be shy in sharing the joy and love that you know in living this Gospel. I promise you that you will be blessed when you share this great miracle.

Please take a second watch this short talk by Elder Nelson! :)

Ask the Missionaries! They Can Help You!

I love you all, stay close to the Lord, stay busy, and stay safe!

Love,

~Elder Carroll

My favorite scripture this week - Mosiah 2:41 - "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

My favorite quote this week-"There's always reason to doubt. But there's always reason to believe. And I choose to believe." - Unknown

PS - Shout out to Mama Molly Mormon Frost and my good man KJ!!!!

A member needed some help in practicing some pics, 

so we thought we'd help him out! :) haha

Week 48: Baptisms and Faith

Hey Everyone!

What a rewarding week this past week has been!

I've had the privilege of seeing two individuals who I worked with in my last area (North Salt Lake), enter into the waters of baptism and into a sacred covenant with our God.  I am so happy for Joe (32) and Kevin (40). They are truly going to be blessed by the Lord for their obedience to him.  It was a wonderful experience!

I would like to take one moment and address a common topic in this Gospel: Faith.

Alma 32:21 - "And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true."

Gaining faith is a gift from our God.  Without faith, what would we have?  We must depend on it.  We must "nourish" our faith every single day of our mortal lives…What happens if a plant or flower no longer has water, soil or sunlight?  What about a grand oak?  What happens when the nourishing ceases to continue upon this marvelous and beautiful wonder?  It dies.  If the tree isn't nourished constantly, it will wither away.  The same is with our faith and testimonies.  Please, do all you can to keep your faith strong!  Nourish it daily.  Give it the proper necessities that it needs.  Through faith and showing our faith, we will be blessed.  I can testify of that.   And when things get hard, keep pushing.  There is light ahead.  There is hope.  Our God and Savior are standing close by.  They live, I know it.  Jesus is the Christ is there every step up of the way.  We must stay close to him.  Remember, CPR! (Church, Pray, Read!)

Every time I have the opportunity to teach and testify of Joseph Smith and his experience in the sacred grove, my faith grows. It's because I can so strongly feel the Spirit each and every time I do so. The Spirit testifies of truth. I know and cannot deny that Joseph saw what he said he saw.  He saw our God and Jesus Christ.  He was called as a prophet to open up this last dispensation.  Christ's Gospel is real and is once again on this earth.  How lucky are we?!

This Gospel is so plain, simple and precious.  Just as Nephi delights in the plainness of this Gospel,  I do too.  It is so simple.  Our God is not a God of confusion.  He is a simple God.  Please do not hesitate to share this plain and simple Gospel with anyone!  Show them the blessings that accompany it.  Show them the joy it creates.  The happiness it brings.

"After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel." - The Prophet Joseph Smith

I am so grateful for this short but amazing opportunity I have to indulge myself full-time in sharing the joy of this Gospel that I know and love.  Through all the hard and discouraging times, it is all worth it. Sharing this amazing message brings more joy to me than anything.

Stay busy and stay safe. Stay close to our loving Redeemer.

Love,

~Elder Carroll

My favorite quote this week: "Bitterness poisons mostly the one who harbors it in his heart." - President Spencer W. Kimball

My favorite scripture this week:  Mosiah 9:21 - "Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth."

Joe's Baptism!

Kevin's Baptism!

Week 47: Blessings and A SEIZURE!!

Hey all!

This week has been crazy to say the least!  We are working closely with the ward/stake leadership and members.  The Lord has blessed us with a miraculous 20 lessons this week (compared to the 3 that we had my first week in this area).  I cannot stress enough, the impact that members have in this work. Please do all you can to spread the Word of this amazing Gospel and the happiness that it brings :)

I've said it plenty of time, and I’ll say it again! The purpose of this life is to have joy! And what brings the most joy in this world? The Gospel of course!!! The Gospel of Jesus Christ brings nothing but happiness. The people in it may not be perfect (plus, why would we go to church if we were perfect?), but the doctrine is.

2 Nephi 2:25 - "..[M]en are, that they might have joy."

Ok so now onto the scary part of the week...

So this past Saturday we did some yard work for a widow in one of our wards. Afterward, we walked all the way home. I hopped in the shower and my companion, Elder Smith laid down on his bed and was waiting for me to get out, so he could shower. While he was waiting, he dozed off.  I got out, got dressed and decided to let him sleep for a bit and then I was gonna wake him up in 15 minutes to get ready for our next appointment. I opened my Book of Mormon and started reading while waiting for the time to wake him up. When the time came, I walked into the room and he was kinda of (what I thought was) twitching in his sleep. I watched him for about 20 seconds, no knowing if he was joking around or something.  After that 20 seconds, I kinda felt like something was wrong.  So I said, "Hey Elder Smith, we gotta go!"  I got no repsonse and the "twitching" continued. So I went over to him and said the same thing again.  When I saw his face, his eyes were open and he was like foaming from the mouth!!!!  He was completely unresponsive! The twitching turned into flailing. It was insane!!! I panicked and tried shaking him because it didn't register in my brain what was happening. Elder Smith is a type 1 diabetic and takes shots to produce his insulin. He didn't formally show me what to do in case of an emergency situation like this, so I grabbed the nearest needle he had, filled it with the insulin, and shot it into his thigh!! Turns out, his blood sugar was dangerously low and that is what caused this seizure. Apparently, he didn't eat enough sugars to make up for the hard work he did at the service project. So, insulin (which helps the body lower the blood sugar) would have made it even worse!!! Turns out, when I tried to fill the needle with insulin, I did it incorrectly and only drew air from the vile!!!  So I shot air into his thigh!!!!  Which also could have killed him!!!  It was SO scary!  If you have ever seen anyone up close having a seizure, it's freakin’  scary!  I had no idea what to do or what was actually happening. After giving him the shot, I ran upstairs and got the dad of the family that we live with.  He came running down and said they had seen this exact thing happen before.  He was very calm.  We called 911 and the paramedics showed up within about 7 minutes. About 30 minutes later, Elder Smith was conscious and back to normal!  This was definitely the scariest moment of my mission thus far!!

On a brighter note (haha), we were able to attend the Bountiful Temple this past Tuesday. I love the Temple. The peace it brings is indescribable! Just another amazing blessing that this amazing Gospel brings!

We also were able to speak in one of our ward's sacrament meetings yesterday!  I am so grateful for the opportunities I have to preach this Gospel. I love being able to feel the Spirit teach through me.

The Lord has blessed us with another particular spiritual experience this week… After a good lesson with a  inactive couple this week, we asked if there was anything we could do for them before we left. The husband was quick to say his wife wanted a Priesthood blessing, because they have been trying to have a baby, but have been unable to do so. The wife broke down crying as soon as he mentioned it, and accepted the blessing. Giving a Priesthood blessing is always an amazing experience. Again, the feeling of the Spirit being able to work through you as a vessel is such an amazing feeling. At the close of the blessing, both the husband and wife were in tears. They thanked us and invited us back in a few days.

This Gospel brings joy. It brings happiness.  I've come to the conclusion, that you do not need the Gospel to be happy. That is a fact. But I have also come to the conclusion that you do need the Gospel in order to maximize the amount of happiness that you can have in this life.

I've seen all types of people back home and especially here on my mission. And let me tell you, the happiest people I've met are those who live this great Gospel of Jesus Christ. The happiest people are those who are fully using His Atonement in their lives. This Gospel brings maximum happiness, and I can testify of that.

This has been an eventful week, and I hope yours has been the same. I love all of you and thank you for the constant emails, letters and support! Hope all is well, wherever you may be! Stay close to the Lord, stay busy, and stay safe!!

Much Love,

Elder Carroll

My favorite scripture this week - Mormon 7:7 - "And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end."

Laser Tag with the zone at Boondocks!

 A great friend, Elder Ngametua of the Cook Island!

The Elders in our district at the Temple!

Week 46: Please help the Missionaries!!!

Dear Friends and Family,

Holy crap it's already June! Don't ask me where the time went, because I have no idea!

So something I would just like to start out this weekly email with... Please, wherever you are, do all you can to help the missionaries find, teach, and baptize in your local area!  Mostly the finding part!  I cannot stress how important member missionary work is.  Without you, we honestly can't do it! There is no way two, nineteen year old guys alone are going to effectively find people in your area to help.  Especially here in Utah, there is just no way.  If we didn't have member support in the missionary work, we would be almost useless.  In the past 2 weeks, we've been meeting with leadership and missionary-minded families.  Together, they have come up with about 40 names for us to stop by and visit.

 Please, if you know anyone that could use an uplifting message or something more in their life, let your ward/stake missionaries know! ! Don't hold back!! What's the point? The point is, you have this amazing Gospel, so please, please, please share it!!  Share the joy and happiness that you know because of it.  If you for whatever reason feel uncomfortable directly sharing the Gospel with your friends and loved ones,  please don't hesitate to invite them into your home,  even for a game night or to play cards! Anything to let them feel the Spirit you have in your home.  It will have an effect on them, I promise! Thank you for your hard work and service you have shown, it is much appreciated! :)

One more thing… When the missionaries invite you to come “teach” with them…they don't really mean teach. Haha They mean they want you to bear testimony, when you are asked to!  Nothing more, unless they inform you otherwise! :) There have been so many occasions where we will invite members to come and we end up sitting there for half an hour listening to them explain where Kolab is. Haha  Please just keep testimonies short, brief, and to the point :) (A testimony is a testimony.. testifying of something that you believe in.  Not a "thankimony", "gradimony", or "storyimony" ;)

I can promise you that has you diligently help the missionaries in your area, you will be blessed (1 Nephi 13:37). As you serve and help lift others around you, you too will be lifted. As well said by President Spencer W. Kimball:

"As we become instruments in God's hand in changing the lives of others, our own lives cannot help being lifted.  One can hardly help another to the top of the hill without climbing it himself."

We had the opportunity to give a Priesthood blessing to a widow in one of our wards. She fell and hit her head and thinks she may have a concussion!  She informed us that she wasn't able to make it to the doctor, but wanted a blessing. It was a very spiritual moment.  We ended the blessing and she was in tears.  I have a strong testimony of the Priesthood and it's power.  It's real--So real!  Heavenly Father has blessed his children once again with it in our day.

Yesterday, as usual, we were able to attend 3 sacrament meetings for testimony meeting. I love when we have the opportunity to bear testimony so many times in one day. I feel the spirit and my testimony grows every time I do so. (D&C 62:3)

"A testimony is to found in the bearing of it!" - President Boyd K. Packer

I love this Gospel and couldn't imagine my life without it. Please keep up the good work you all do, and I promise you the Lord will bless you. Hope you all have a wonderful week, wherever you may be. Stay busy and stay safe!

Much Love,

Elder Carroll

My favorite quote this week:  "He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat." - Napoleon

My favorite scripture this week- Alma 32:42 - "And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst."

A friend of mine (that I am teaching) carved a walking stick for me.

He made the Red Hot Chili Pepper astral on top!

Army of Helaman! lol