Hi all!
Another amazing week of the Lords work has come and
goneeeee!
I was able to attend 2 baptisms back in one of my old area
of Bountiful—one for Chelsea and one for Amber!! Chelsea is married to a
Returned Missionary who recently has gotten back into activity. She was raised Catholic but never really went
to mass. I am soooo happy for her, her
husband Joe and her decision to more fully follow her Savior Jesus Christ in
her life.
Chelsea and her husband Joseph at her baptism!
Amber is a similar situation. Her husband was raised in the
church and only became active about 7 years ago. They've been married for only
about a year. I am so blessed to have
been able to work with them and enjoy the Spirit in their home as we taught the
discussions. Both Chelsea/Joe and Amber/Tim are planning on getting sealed in
the Temple in a years’ time :)
We have transfers this Tuesday, and I will be staying in
Erda!! I will be getting a new companion, Elder Burt!!!!! I've been lucky
enough to know Elder Burt for about a year now and I am soooo stoked to serve
with him! He's from Washington state and has been out for about 17 months!
I have worked the hardest I have ever worked on my mission,
in these past 6 weeks. If you haven't noticed, I haven't been writing too much
about the people we're teaching... and well it's because we didn't have too
many people to teach! haha. But! This past week, we have picked up 6 new
investigators, 3 of which are on date for baptism!! The Lord has truly blessed
us and shown us miracles. I have such a strong testimony that The Lord works in
mysterious ways, and in His own due time. If we will just have faith in Him,
trust Him, and obey, everything will work out. I know it.
We have the amazing opportunity and privilege of attending 1
of the 3 Temple Re-dedications for the Ogden, UT Temple. The temple was closed
down in 2011 for renovation. But, was eventually just torn to the ground so
that they could start from scratch. The dedication was awesome! A truly kindred
Spirit could be felt as we were taught by our beloved Prophet and Apostles, as well
as during the dedicatory prayer itself.
The Ogden Temple
Elder Bednar spoke and mentioned a few great points about
the contrast between the Temple and the world we live in today, that I would
like to share. First, he mentioned that
as the things of this world are quickly tearing families apart, the Temple is strongly sealing families together by the power and authority of the Priesthood. Second, as
the world is struggling in constant confusion, in the Temple we are able to
gain knowledge and wisdom about so many different things. And lastly, in this
world today, people are so worried about their image, and what others think
about them. But in the Temple, all are
equal and dress in white. God is no
respecter of persons. Being able to attend the Temple Re-dedication was such an
uplifting experience. I am so grateful to be able to partake in the blessings
of the Temple that God has in store for all of His children. I know true doctrine, covenants, and
ordinances have been restored to the earth in our time. What a great blessing and knowledge we have.
I had the great opportunity to interview an individual for
baptism this past week. I am so blessed with the chance to do so. I love being
able to talk to soon-to-be recent converts. Their faith is so simple, yet
powerful. Whenever I have the chance during the interview, I ask each and every
candidate why they personally want to be baptized. Answers vary from person to
person, but this week I think I got my favorite answer from Derek, who is about
40 years old. After asking him why he
wanted to be baptized, he smiled and said "I want to go to the Temple and
be sealed to my family forever." I
can't explain to you the joy that filled into my heart when those words came
out of his mouth! Ahhhhhh! I just want to jump and scream for joy!!! This is
what it is all about!! Getting to the Temple. being sealed to our families and
partaking in the blessings of our God. I love it!!
I invite all those worthy and able, to go more often to the
Temple! To feel of the Spirit more fully in our lives. As a personal
representative of Jesus Christ, I promise you that as you do so, you will be
blessed-- both temporally and spiritually. Please do not deprive yourself of
the blessings of the Temple! They are truly amazing and we are so incredibly
blessed to be able to attend. Especially if you live in AZ or UT! How blessed
we are to have so many Temples, so close to us. Let us do our best to attend
the Temple regularly and make it even more so part of our lives :)
"There was no other good enough
To pay the price of sin.
He only could unlock the gate
Of heav'n and let us in."
- Hymn: "There Is a Green Hill Far
Away"
This is a line from one of my favorite hymns. I am so
grateful and appreciative of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know it is by Him
that all mankind may be saved as long as we obey and love him. We all fall, but
our Brother is right there with his arm extended, to lift us up. It is up to us
to grab ahold of his all-saving grace. He will not make us clean against our
will. We must come unto him and partake in the saving ordinances that he has
provided for us. What a marvelous knowledge we are blessed with. I cannot
express through words, my love and gratitude for our beloved Redeemer.
I can strongly testify of the truth of this Gospel, and the
happiness that comes by living it. I know that by following the Prophet of our
day, treasuring up the words of life, and loving and obeying our loving God, we
will find joy in this life and everlasting joy in the life to come.
Love you all, thanks to everyone for your emails and letters
of love and support! Keep up the good work, stay close to the Lord and he will
bless you!! :)
~Elder Carroll
Write me at:
Elder Hayden Carroll
1535 S. Edison St.
SLC, UT 84115
Preachin’ amongst the alpacas.
On an exchange in Wendover!
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