WEEK 84- BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!

Hey!

We're in the office late tonight, so just shooting you an email to let you know I won't be able to email tomorrow.  We're attending the Jordan River Temple tomorrow morning (@ 7am) with President Hansen and all the missionaries that will be departing soon.   We're going out to lunch with them and then we're gonna be at President Hansen's house till evening, meeting with a recently called Mission President to give him some pointers and whatnot for when he gets in the field.

Things are going great! With transfers and Zone Conferences starting Tuesday the 24th through Friday the 27th (8am-4pm daily), we have been in the office or at President's house almost every night this past week till 12 or 1-2am.  So you could say I'm getting little less than normal sleep hours, but I love it!  Being able to be around President Hansen so much is such a blessing--working the transfer board, training and whatnot.

I'm currently serving with Elders Steed (Canada) and Tapia (Florida). Transfers are March 10th, and Elder Tapia will be leaving us then.  They are two of the best Elders I've served with.

Stay busy, stay close to the Lord, He'll bless you!

Love,

Elder Carroll

My favorite quote this week: "We are covenant keepers!" -President Hansen

Week 83: "All Kingdoms Have a Law Given."

Hello!

The Lord ceases to amazing me with the blessings, miracles, and surprises he sends our way!  Last night we got a call from President Hansen.  He asked what our schedule was like for the rest of the night.  And wanted to know if we could come down to the mission home, in Holladay, after we were finished teaching so he could "run something by [us]".  What the heck?!?  President doesn't just call up Elders like this and tell them to come to his house at 9pm, unless something’s up!   And especially when all this stuff has been going on with getting a new President and everything!  We've seen President Hansen at a few meetings, but he has let his councilors take over the mission for the most part.  So, we go down to his place after our last lesson.  He greets us at the door with his famous big grin. I love President Hansen! His daughter and son in-law were there as well so we all chatted for a few minutes.  Then President asks if he can chat with me in his office.  I'm thinking "Oh no...what did I do?! " haha  It was a great visit with him.  So much knowledge and wisdom to learn from him.  He’s one of the greatest men I know!  He released me as Zone Leader and asked me to be an Assistant to the President--starting tomorrow.   President Hansen will be leaving on Feb. 28th, and President Spendlove (new mission president) will come in then.  I'm confident the Lord will help this transition run smoothly and the work will carry on.  I'm sad to lose President Hansen.  He'll be living in St. George, so I’ll be able to easily keep in contact!   But, I’m excited to work with President Spendlove.  We have Zone Conferences coming up this next week so I'm sure things will be insane for a bit.

We had a baptism on Saturday!  Her name is Emely (22). We got a call from a set of missionaries in the Utah SLC East mission last Tuesday. They told us they've been teaching her for 2 months, and that she's getting baptized this weekend and she's in our ward!  She's really nice and has a desire to follow Christ. I'm so happy for her and her decision of being baptized. The Elders in this area will be teaching the New-Member discussions as follow up from here on out.

We've picked up a few new investigators this week! One is a Russian who has been living in UT for 8 months. He's super interested in getting involved with the Ward activities and doing service (maybe even going to the Cannery). The other new investigator is a starter for the UofU basketball team!  Brandon Taylor is his name.   He has a less-active girlfriend that we ran into while trying to contact someone else in an

apartment complex!  He was asking the "golden questions.”  "What makes your church different than all the other churches?"  High hopes for him!

President Hansen came to our Zone Meeting this week and gave a beautiful training on the life after this one…The Spirit world.  A few things I learned from the training and from a few talks he had us read in prep. for the training:

"All kingdoms (of glory) have a law given. And unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions. All beings who abide not in those conditions are not justified. And they who are not sanctified through the law which I have given unto you, even the law of Christ, must inherit another kingdom, even that of a terrestrial kingdom, or that of a Telestial kingdom. For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory." (D&C 88:36,38,39,21,22)

"The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the celestial law as it applies to man, human souls in mortality. Obedience to this [celestial] law is a prerequisite to resurrection with a celestial body." -President Marion G. Romney

This life is about learning to live the Higher (Celestial) law…The Law of Christ. That's why the Temple is so very important! Not only are essential ordinances done there, but we are able to learn the Law of Christ. We must go back often to learn of the Spirit "in all things that are expedient for [us] to understand." (D&C 88:78)

The Atonement of Jesus Christ has made it possible for us to repent, so that we might not suffer for our sins. If we do not repent and allow the Lord to satisfy the demands of justice for us, we must "satisfy the demands of justice [ourselves] by paying (suffering) of our own sins in hell." (D&C Student Manual. Religion 324 & 325)

"For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men." (D&C 19:16-19)

This is not to be taken lightly. It's not to scare us, but to motivate us and to "arouse our faculties". It's to bring to light the importance of repentance. We have to see the bigger picture.

Christ told his Apostles: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." (John 15:13-14) He is referencing His Atonement. If we don't obey Him, we are not his "friends" and therefor are not able to partake in His great mercy.

President Hansen once said, "True doctrine, properly understood and applied, holds the real key to our successful journey through life."

We need to focus on the "true doctrine" and understand what brings true joy in this life and in the life to come. Happiness is a state of being. Please and Joy are the duration of that happiness. Please is momentary, while joy is everlasting. Think about it. If we find ourselves not happy in this life, then we need to evaluate our lives to see if we are focusing on and putting our priorities toward things that bring joy--Things that last forever, rather than just in this life.  Our knowledge, testimony, conversion, family relationships, character, faith, etc. Those are things that bring true joy!

I love this Gospel and the opportunities it gives us to learn at an exponential rate (1,2,5,10,100,1000,10000). The world and adversary encourage us and want us to learn and progress at just a linear rate (1,2,3,4,5). With the Spirit, and the help of the Lord, our learning, mind, and understanding can progress so much more and faster. I can confidently testify that this is true. On the mission, I have seen that ability to progress at an exponential rate. The Lord never ceases to amaze me!

I love this work and I love the Lord. Stay close to him and I promise he will bless you.

Love,

Elder Carroll

My book collection!

WEEK 82: A Muslim, an Atheist and a Mormon!

FEBRUARY 9, 2015

Our serious side!

Our goofy side! haha

Markham!

Hey!!

Been a busy week!  Had 3 companion exchanges with some of the Elders in the Zone this past week or so and a ton of meetings!  I love mission life! Companion exchanges are great because I'm able to learn from and see the perspective of many different missionaries in the work.  Meetings are great because President Hansen is a boss!!  He is a man of the Spirit and has so much knowledge and experience.  There is so much to learn from this man, I just want to sit down and pick his brain for a few hours!!  I'll sure miss him! He's moving back to St. George which is only 45min from where I’ll be attending college in Cedar City! So it'll be easy to stay in touch.

The entire mission was called together  in Salt Lake (with only 3 hours notice) for a meeting to announce our new Mission President.  His name is President Spendlove and he is from San Antonio Texas. He is currently serving as a Stake President, and is the retired CEO of  theTexaco Gas Company.  He'll be here in February 28^th!

Danny and Liz are doing great. Hopefully Liz will be baptized this month. Will keep you updated.

This past week we had dinner with a Muslim, an Atheist, and a Mormon! The Atheist might have been Buddhist… I couldn't completely understand him with his heavy Chinese accent! lol They're all roommates and the Mormon invited us over!  We had a great Gospel conversation.  Super great guys!  My testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel was strengthened throughout the entirety of our conversation.  I believe most religions have so much good in them.  But it is so apparent that none of them have the FULLNESS of the Gospel.  During companion exchanges this week, we ran into a really nice Filipino lady, who said she was catholic. Something she said really stood out to me… She said, "I don't like to discuss religion, cause I don't know enough about my own.  But, there's a new Pope so I have new hope!" haha  But seriously though, I have yet to find a religion, besides the LDS faith, that claims or has the fullness of God's word, laws & organization. 

Since I've been out in the field, I've discussed this topic with Baptists, Southern Baptists (yes there is a difference!), Anti-Mormon, Atheists, Protestants (Wesleyan), Muslims, Catholics, Agnostics, Raëlist, Wicken, Buddhist, Hinduist, Lutherans, 7th Day Adventists, FLDS (polygamist), and many more. I always enjoy conversations with other religious parties. 100% of the time it comes down to the fact that they do not believe in Modern Revelation. They can't or don't want to live the "Higher Law".  They do all they can to avoid accountability.  Some people we come across say they don't believe the fullness was ever lost!  My question is… then where is it?! It WAS restored and anyone who wishes to know if that is true is welcome to find out for themselves.  Put it to the test. That's what I love so much about our Gospel message.  You don't have to believe our words.  Try it for yourself.  Read the Book of Mormon.  Ask God if it's not His word.  See if living more fully God's laws changes your life. The Gospel is amazing.  It all fits so nicely together.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has the fullness of the Gospel and therefor has all necessary Priesthood Authority and Ordinances available to qualify for Eternal Life. It's that simple.

A less-active member  that we are working with named Kort, just started the Stop Smoking (Chewing) Program that we teach as missionaries!  He has been chewing tobacco for the past 8 years.  He's 6 days free now! Please pray for him. We had an amazing experience with him. As we were about to leave, he asked us for a Priesthood blessing in order to help him get through this addiction. At the end of the blessing, he was in tears. It just goes to show that there are people all around us who have their own inner struggles.  We need to do all we can to reach out to these individuals and be "saviors of men" (D&C 103:9).  I am forever grateful for the experiences the Lord has allowed me to take part in. He has changed me.

A Tongan man took us out to dinner a few days ago and something he said really stood out to me.. He said something along the lines that God saved his strongest children for these last days. That there is a very good reason we were born where and when we were.  It made me think… God has to be able to trust us, in order to give us the orders that He plans on giving us, to fulfill His Eternal Plan. We have to be worthy at all times. We can't miss a beat. God has saved us for this time. There's a work for us to do. We must be ready.

Another amazing experience we had last week… Last P-day we went to WalMart like usual to pick up the week’s groceries.  As we were checking out, the cashier just starting bawling!  We didn't really know what to do. Just then, a lady swipes her card to pay for our stuff and also gets $40 cash back for us and then just leaves.  The cashier (a Polynesian lady) then says to us, "I have tears in my eyes because she (the lady who paid for us) comes here all the time and pays for the missionaries."  It was quite an incredible experience. I didn't know exactly how to feel.  People pay for missionaries all the time here in Utah, but this time was different. The cashier was so taken back by the kindness of this lady.  It was truly a humbling experience.

The doctrine of "Compassion" has overruled my studies over the past few weeks. I am struck with amazement as I've studied the life of Christ and seen how many times the scriptures mention that he has "compassion" on someone.  Every time he heals or helps anyone.

-he was moved with compassion on them: Matt. 9:36 (Matt. 14:14;Mark 6:34)
-lord of that servant was moved with compassion: Matt. 18:27
-Shouldest not thou also have had compassion: Matt. 18:33
-Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: Matt. 20:34
-Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand: Mark 1:41
-Lord … hath had compassion on thee: Mark 5:19
-if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us: Mark 9:22
-when the Lord saw her, he had compassion: Luke 7:13
-Samaritan … when he saw him, he had compassion: Luke 10:33
-his father saw him, and had compassion: Luke 15:20
-I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion: Rom. 9:15
-one member suffer, all the members suffer with it: 1 Cor. 12:26
-Who can have compassion on the ignorant: Heb. 5:2
-be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another: 1 Pet. 3:8
-shutteth up his bowels of compassion: 1 Jn. 3:17
-some have compassion, making a difference: Jude 1:22
-filled with compassion towards the children: Mosiah 15:9
-had compassion on them and were pacified: Mosiah 20:26
-Lamanites had compassion on Amulon: Mosiah 23:34
-he will take upon him the pains: Alma 7:11
-they were moved with compassion: Alma 27:4
-my bowels are filled with compassion towards you: 3 Ne. 17:6 . (D&C 101:9)
-Lord had compassion upon Jared: Ether 1:35
-remember … the poor and the needy, the sick: D&C 52:40
-I will have compassion upon you: D&C 64:2
-mercy hath compassion on mercy: D&C 88:40
-thy bowels be moved with compassion toward them: D&C 121:3

If we can learn to have compassion on (or charity for) others, we will begin to see them as the Savior does.  If we can put ourselves in other people’s shoes, we will begin to develop a more Christlike character. We will learn and love to turn outwards, rather than inwards.

I love the Gospel. There is so much to learn and so much we can improve on that we can take from the life of our Redeemer, the scriptures, the prophets, and personal revelation.

Stay close to the Lord, and make sure He can trust you, and I promise He will bless you.

Love,

Elder Carroll

"Let all your things be done with charity." (1 Corinthians 16:14)

"Fighting for a kingdom, and the world is our foe;
Happy are we! Happy are we!
Glad to join the army, we will sing as we go;
We shall gain the vict'ry by and by.
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." 

(We Are All Enlisted. LDS Hymn 250)

WEEK 79- Walking With a Clear Conscience Before God

JANUARY 20, 2015

East High in Salt Lake--The school were they filmed High School Musical! 

We decided to try out for the cast with this photo haha

 Took a tour at the State Capitol Building! The Governors office!

Hello friends!

The weeks are seriously flying by!! The Lord is good to us. A non-member showed up to church randomly yesterday by himself and we are now teaching him!  He just came from California, to go to school at the U. He once dated an LDS girl, so figured he might as well check it out while he's here!  His name is Danny.  We'll see where it goes. We are teaching quite a few others and they are doing well! :) Liz (from Vietnam) is still doing her best to recognize an answer to her prayers. Please pray for her! :)

Elder Kacher of the Seventy came to our leadership meeting this past week!  You might remember him from the previous General Conference. He gave an excellent training!  I know modern revelation is real because he trained on exactly what I have been learning from the Lord over the past few months!  I wrote an email about this subject a few weeks back (Does The Lord Trust Me by Elder Carroll).  Elder Kacher spoke to us on exactly the topic of the Lord being able to trust us.  In short, the more the Lord can trust us, the happier we will be.  Let us be obedient to Him and all he has to offer can be ours.  Love, joy, peace, comfort.  We just must pay the small price of obedience to Him. Trust me, if there's one thing I've learned here in the field, it's that we will be much better off in doing so :)

Highlight of Elder Kacher's Conference Address

The Lord is able to "refine" us when we obey him. If we go about doing what we wish to do, we can hardly, if at all, grow into what He knows we can become.  Each one of us has a Divine Potential.  On the other hand, if we do not obey him, we are only asking for a world of hurt.  We as mere mortals may not always be able to see clearly the eternal perspective, but we must do our best to do so!

A few days ago, we ran into an inactive member of the church. She served a mission a few years back, but unfortunately has been led far from the Gospel.  She lives in a house with a few other people and when we walked in, immediately everyone scurried back to their rooms like hermit crabs! Haha  One guy came out and his eyes were bloodshot. The house reeked with weed. This girl has let herself come so far from the Lord. She admitted that she never reads from the scriptures and prays only "once in a while.”   She said she'd  "come back some day.”   I was sincerely sad to witness this situation.  We invited her to read Alma 34:32-34 and testified that by living by God's laws, we can find true joy (Mosiah 2:41).  I know this is true, because I've witnessed it firsthand.  The happiest people that I know are the ones who live the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The people that are "doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22).

We must keep our faith strong.  Even when a grand oak ceases to receive nourishment through water, good soil, and light, it will shrivel up.  Our "strong" testimonies and personal conversions will waver just as fast if we do not nourish them constantly with what they need.  Remember, CPR! :)  I'm grateful for these experiences that the Lord has allowed me to be a part of here in the field.  It helps me to see even more, the black and white of living and not living, the Gospel.

During studies the other morning, I came across a verse in Mosiah, when King Benjamin is addressing his people. He mentions in Mosiah 2:27 that he is "walking with a clear conscience before God." It made me think... It is completely unnecessary and frankly unhealthy to carry around the burdens and guilt we receive from sin. It is not a good way to live life!  "Men are that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:27)  Not sorrow!!!  It's so much easier to just use the Atonement that has been freely given to us. The Lord can help lift us, as we do our best to repent and follow Him. The Gospel is so simple. The repentance process is not always easy (nor should it be. It was never easy for Him.), but so completely worth it. Trust me. Repent often. It feels so good.

The mission has taught me so many things. I am lucky to be serving here in the Utah Salt Lake City Mission, under my current Mission President. I know my assignment was very inspired by the Lord. I am eternally grateful to see firsthand, people accept the Gospel of Christ, and His Atonement. And see them literally change. There is so much joy to be found in and in sharing the Gospel. My mission call letter was right:

"As you devote your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs, the Lord will bless you with increased knowledge and testimony of the Restoration and the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.. The Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life. Greater blessings and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children." -President Monson

As my old seminary teacher used to always say, "The Gospel is true. Learn it, live it, love it, you'll be happy I promise you!"

Love you guys! Keep up the good work and stay close to the Lord.

Love,

Elder Carroll

"Two people can do anything, as long as one of them is the Lord." -Unknown

"Press forward, feasting on the word of Christ.
Receive his name, rejoicing in his might.
Come unto God; find everlasting light." (Press Forward Saints, Hymn 81 v. 2)

WEEK 81: Daily Bread

FEBRUARY 2, 2015

Hey everyone!

Great things are happening!  I love the mission and feel incredibly privileged to be serving the Lord here in the Utah Salt Lake City Mission.

This past week, Elder Boyles and I had a great experience. A recent convert in one of our wards needed help picking up a food order from the Bishop's Storehouse. We offered to pick it up for him. I had never been a Bishop's Storehouse before. It was overwhelming and humbling experience, even though the food wasn't for us. This is the Church of Jesus Christ.  I'm always surprised when I encounter individuals who say the Church "could use their money on much better things than they do, like helping people who actually need help."   If those people would only go into a Bishop's Storehouse and see what I saw!! The Church is amazing when it comes to it's Humanitarian efforts. It simply amazes me!  It was an experience that I will never forget.

Recently, I’ve been studying the importance of receiving our "Daily Bread" from the Lord. The Master once petitioned, “Give us day by day our daily bread."  Remember CPR? Church, Pray, Read. If there's one thing that I can teach somebody that will help them come closer to Christ, it would be this.

A quote by Elder Bednar: “In my office is a beautiful painting of a wheat field. The painting is a vast collection of individual brushstrokes—none of which in isolation is very interesting or impressive. In fact, if you stand close to the canvas, all you can see is a mass of seemingly unrelated and unattractive streaks of yellow and gold and brown paint. However, as you gradually move away from the canvas, all of the individual brushstrokes combine together and produce a magnificent landscape of a wheat field. …

“… Just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. ‘Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great’ (D&C 64:33).”

Talk on "Daily Bread" by Elder Christofferson. Read it if you have a minute!

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread by Elder D. Todd Christopherson

The little things MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE. If we can't do the little things that the Lord asks us to do, then how can we ever expect him to trust us with the big things? The more the Lord can trust us, the happier we will be. Can the Lord trust you?  Repentance is an amazing thing.  I strive to apply the Atonement daily.  If there is anything that we are doing that might lessen the Lord's trust in us, I invite us to repent, now.  It's the only way! Christ paid the price already for our mistakes.  It's up to us on whether we want to use that mercy that he has provided for us. Otherwise, the demands of justice must be satisfied.

The Gospel is an amazing thing, isn't it?  So many things to learn.  I know if we will commit ourselves to put the Lord and what He's asked us to do first in our lives, we will be so much better off.  We will have a strong foundation built upon Christ (Hel. 5:12).

I was able to go on a companion exchange with an Elder in the Zone from Thailand.  We had a fun and effective day together. He's only been speaking English for 6 months!  Doing well though.  We had a lesson with Liz and invited her to bear her testimony in church on Sunday.  She did and was awesome!!  We also asked her if she could and would prepare herself to be baptized on Feb. 21st.  She is shooting for that date.  So excited for her! 

Liz!

I love the work, and am eternally blessed to be just a small part of it.

Stay close to the Lord, He'll bless you.

Love,

Elder Carroll

My very first companion and trainer Elder Allen!

He is living back in Kaysville and came by for a visit!

Bowling with Elder Rudy!

WEEK 80- Trial of Your Faith

JANUARY 26, 2015

Dear friends and family,

It's been a roller coaster of a week, to simply say the least.  Emotions up and down.  A few surprises.

If you haven't already heard, Sister Hansen, our Mission President's wife, unexpectedly passed away this past Wednesday night.  She was lively and healthy at 69 years old.  President was at a meeting late Wednesday night and called her after he got out.  When he got no answer, he started to worry and rushed home.  When he arrived, he found that his sweetheart had collapsed.

Here is the article from the local newspaper: 

Desert News Article about Sister Carol Hansen

The entire mission (220+ missionaries) and the Hansen family gathered together on Saturday morning for a sweet memorial.  No one was really sure what President was feeling or how he was going to be.  As we walked in, he shook every single missionaries hand with that big grin on his face, as he always has. He gave a beautiful sermon and testimony.  I hope to someday have a marriage and love for a companion as strong as his.  He held up his Sealing Ordinance Certificate and as he always has, reminded us that this was what it is all about.  Getting to the Temple.   Being faithful to the Lord.  Being obedient, even when times get rough.  His faith and testimony are so incredibly strong, even in this moment of great trial for him.  His foundation is built upon Christ.  What an amazing disciple of Jesus Christ!  My calling to serve the Lord in the Utah Salt Lake City Mission has even more deeper meaning to me now than ever.

There was a funeral this morning for all family and friends of the Hansen's.  We were privileged to hear from Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles and Elder L. Whitney Clayton, 1st councilor in the Presidency of the 70.  Also in attendance were Elder Rasband and Hallstrom of the Presidency of the 70.

President Hansen will be getting released and we will be getting a new mission President in the next few weeks.  When I heard this news, my heart ached.  I've never lost anyone that I've been so close too, and now to lose both President and Sister Hansen at the same time.  I've never shared so many spiritual and uplifting experiences with anyone other than with President Hansen, whether it was in personal interviews, training's  or any other setting.  After the funeral this morning and before President Hansen left to the cemetery, he was giving hugs to a few of the missionaries.  As silent tears rolled down my cheeks, I stopped by and gave him one last hug and had a good few last words with him.  I know there is a reason the Lord took Sister Hansen as suddenly as He did.  I don't know why (at least not yet), but I do know there is a good reason for it.  The work will go on continue to move forward.  I will forever be grateful to the Hansen's, for who they are, and all they have done for me and for the Lord.

"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." (Mormon 7:7)

On another note, there a few other things that have recently happened.  First, transfers are tomorrow and my new companion is Elder Boyles--Again!  I'm excited to serve with him once again and tear it up down here in Pioneer YSA stake.  Second, our mission (and I think most North American missions) will be getting iPads in the next 2 months or so.

My faith in the Lord has been eternally increased by the experiences he has allowed me to witness in the past 18 months.  I know that as we do our best to be continually faithful to Him, we will be blessed.  We will be happy.  We will be able to face the challenges of life with greater power, power from above. 

Stay close to the Lord, and I promise He will bless you.

Love,

Elder Carroll

My favorite scriptures this week: "And behold, I say unto you, this is not all. For O how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings,that is the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord, who has redeemed his people; yea, him who has granted salvation unto his people;

But behold, the bands of death shall be broken, and the Son reigneth, and hath power over the dead; therefore, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead." (Mosiah 15:18;20)

"I have a fam'ly here on earth.
They are so good to me.
I want to share my life with them through all eternity.

While I am in my early years,
I'll prepare most carefully,
So I can marry in God's temple for eternity.

Fam'lies can be together forever

Through Heav'nly Father's plan.
I always want to be with my own family,
And the Lord has shown me how I can.
The Lord has shown me how I can." 

(Hymn #300 Families Can Be Together Forever)

Found a Green Day truck!

Dinner with Liz and friends!