Showing posts with label Jesus Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus Christ. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Letters from our Missionary Son, 我们从传教士的儿子收到了一封信 Kevan (Elder Johnson) in Nebraska/Iowa!

We have a son who is in the mission field right now. We write to him every week, and he faithfully writes to us and the rest of his family every week as well.  His name is Kevan Johnson and he is in Nebraska.  Currently he is serving near the winter quarters temple in Nebraska and sometimes works in the visitor center there too. But mostly he is out tracting or meeting with people and discussing his beliefs in an official capacity as a missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. He is growing up and becoming more of a social and spiritual man. When he returns later this year to normal life after two years of service, he will have gained from his experiences a spiritual growth and confidence that will serve as a great foundation for him throughout the rest of his life. It will also make him a better husband when he becomes one.  I say, if a young man can make it through serving with several different other young men of different personalities and different backgrounds etc. Then that man can do anything. He can learn to get along and roll with challenges, and when things become stressful he can remember how he became positive again. Positive mental attitude!


My son Kevan with his Mission President's wife, Sister Weston.

Letter (email) from Elder Kevan Andrew Johnson:
"Oh my Gash!!! Crazy times over here!

so, This last week was Transfer week ( the end of transfers), and it was nuts.

I'ts hard for me to accept, but Elder Scott has been transferred out of Glenwood! I was dreading the call on Thursday morning....hoping that it wouldn't come...but it did come, from president Weston! Scott is now training a new missionary out in the Kearney stake. He's basically out in the middle of nowhere in Nebraska. So on Thursday we cleaned, he packed, and then he said goodbye to as many people as he could. He has been here since Feb. I think... so, around 7 months! The whole time he's been out, he's served in G-wood! I could tell that it was hard for him to leave. I served in my first area for about 5 months, and it was hard then to leave! But, that's part of the missionary experience. Change. One of the hardest things that we deal with in life, especially me! haha!

...

But, I know that whatever comes, I don't have to worry too much as long as I'm pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ! (2 nephi 31:20.....i think. or 33:20. ) I love that Scripture! Helaman 5:12 is a good one too! So much things in the scriptures give me hope for a better world. I'm thankful for the Book of Mormon and the Bible.

We taught Bailey last Saturday and yesterday. She came to church with Chelsey (Her brothers wife). We taught her about the law of tithing and fast offerings, and the law of the fast. It's really cool how everything seems to make sense to her. She said that if we don't meet 2 times a week that she feels like she's missing something, and that lead into a good conversation about the gospel, and how we can always have the Holy Ghost with us. Shelby might need some help. I think we are seeing them both tonight, and we'll see if Shelby has any concerns. I hope she can see the necessity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I'm a little shaken, and it might take me a little bit to get back on my feet, but other than that, all is well in Iowa! Love ya'll!
-- 
---Elder K to the J---

Comments:

SRA good thing I checked facebook; I was about to try and upload the photos! 

GWV He is growing up that young man

MRR More letters please. Love hearing from him!

LH Our daughter is in the Colorado Fort Collins mission, but is in Scottsbluff, Nebraska for now. Glad to hear he is doing well.

Today I watched this video and my Testimony of the Restoration was strengthened

Today I was watching some videos on my computer and came across this 6 minute song clip of the first vision song from general conference women's choir, that I put together a while back when I lived in the states. Everytime I watch this, or something to do with the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I feel the Spirit and know that it is true, because it is!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz064mMK8Yg  and I thought I'd share that. Apparently, these things are a very important part of my life and make up a lot of who I am and what I stand for. What I stand for is truth and in my heart I do know that these things happened a long time ago in upstate New York in 1820.



The First Vision set to music sung by a women's choir at a General Conference session of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. The lyrics of the song describe the events seen in the video of Joseph Smith's first prayer and vision and calling of God as His prophet. Joseph Smith was called of God to Restore the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ once again to the earth, complete with priesthood authority to baptize and ordain and bless, as well as new revelations given in ancient Nephite civilizations (Book of Mormon), and the modern day (Doctrine and Covenents). 


Applicable Lesson from the Book of Mormon on this:  The Lord will Bring Forth His Gospel...
  • 1 Nephi 13:34

    34 And it came to pass that the angel of the Lord spake unto me, saying: Behold, saith the Lamb of God, after I have visited the remnant of the house of Israel—and this remnant of whom I speak is the seed of thy father—wherefore, after I have visited them in judgment, and smitten them by the hand of the Gentiles, and after the Gentiles do stumble exceedingly, because of the most plain and precious parts of the gospel of the Lamb which have been kept back by that abominable church, which is the mother of harlots, saith the Lamb—I will be merciful unto the Gentiles in that day, insomuch that I will bring forth unto them, in mine own power, much of my gospel, which shall be plain and precious, saith the Lamb.

Here are the lyrics to the music in the video:
Joseph Smith's First Prayer

With dignity

31243, Hymns, Joseph Smith's First Prayer, no. 26

1. Oh, how lovely was the morning!
Radiant beamed the sun above.
Bees were humming, sweet birds singing,
Music ringing thru the grove,
When within the shady woodland
Joseph sought the God of love,
When within the shady woodland
Joseph sought the God of love.

2. Humbly kneeling, sweet appealing—
'Twas the boy's first uttered prayer—
When the pow'rs of sin assailing
Filled his soul with deep despair;
But undaunted, still he trusted
In his Heav'nly Father's care;
But undaunted, still he trusted
In his Heav'nly Father's care.

3. Suddenly a light descended,
Brighter far than noonday sun,
And a shining, glorious pillar
O'er him fell, around him shone,
While appeared two heav'nly beings,
God the Father and the Son,
While appeared two heav'nly beings,
God the Father and the Son.

4. "Joseph, this is my Beloved;
Hear him!" Oh, how sweet the word!
Joseph's humble prayer was answered,
And he listened to the Lord.
Oh, what rapture filled his bosom,
For he saw the living God;
Oh, what rapture filled his bosom,
For he saw the living God.

Text: George Manwaring, 1854--1889

Music: Sylvanus Billings Pond, 1792--1871; adapted by A. C. Smyth, 1840--1909

Joseph Smith HISTORY http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-...
JAMES 1:5 http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/jame...