Conference, work, funeral

Hey everyone!

Well, conference has come and gone, as has the rest of this week. And it has been quite a week too! I must apologize for the lack of pictures in this E-mail, as I was not able to connect the SD card in my camera to my computer with the adapter I got for it. It is probably just user error, but I'd rather make sure this E-mail gets out to everyone than try and wrestle with technology.

Anyway, conference was great this weekend. Aside from the priesthood session, I was not able to attend any of the sessions live - my companion was not too hyped up about the premise of waking up that early in the morning. However, we were able to watch the general sessions in the JSMB, so that was good too. We were able to watch the priesthood session live, as always. President Fenn had managed to get tickets for the Young Elders - just as it happens every time. So, I was able to attend that live with Elder McGrew, as well as the other Young Elders. I actually took notes this time as well - if you know anything about me, that is truly saying something. I can't say my notes were the best, but they helped me pay attention to what was being said, and they kept me awake the whole time. So, in the end, it was a good event to be able to attend, in person or over the television!

Aside from this, work has been fairly typical. Elder McGrew is now fully retrained, and is working just as hard as the rest of us. The work has slowed down a bit - things in patron-facing zones are always busier in the summer when everyone has more time (or at least motivation) to go and do things. The work has been pretty good, though I wonder how much longer I will stay in the zone. I am perfectly fine with staying in the zone for however much longer the Lord needs me there - however, I am the only one remaining who was in the zone four months ago when I arrived (this is not to say I am the most experienced necessarily, there are a couple people who were here before and have come back), and I would like variety. Hehe, last time I felt this way, it was during my final transfer in the International zone. However, I cannot predict when things will change, and maybe I will stay there another four transfers. I am not saying I hate this zone, because I do not hate it, it is a great zone; but I would not mind it if I were moved elsewhere.

If you have watched General Conference this week, specifically the Sunday afternoon session, then you already know about Elder Hales' passing. I feel like every member of the church has been affected in some way or another by this. However, I testify that this is not the end for him, or for anyone else. His family will know him again someday. Anyway, his funeral, as some of you may know, was actually today. In fact, me and my companion had just gotten out of his funeral services held in the tabernacle on Temple Square. Speaking here were members of the Quorum of the Twelve and First Presidency, and present were Elder Hales' family. The speakers had spoken about what a great man he was, and some of the memories they had shared together. He will be missed by us all, but we know that he is doing a great work on the other side.

Aside from this, the week was a bit uneventful. However, I will have to cut my time for E-mails a bit short today anyway. I have to go shopping after my E-mails rather than before, as I could not go then on account of the funeral. Also, we have to return to the apartments by 5:00, as the Young Elders of the mission not serving in the FHL will be going to the Fenns' house for a pizza dinner tonight - the Young Elders in the FHL will go there tomorrow. So, I have quite a bit on my plate today. I will tell you all about how it all goes next week, hopefully with some pictures that time! Well, I will catch you all later. Have a good one!



From,

Elder Bryce Petersen



Challenge: My challenge for this week is a bit unusual, as it is directed more toward youth than adults, though it is open for anyone to take part in. More specifically, my challenge is directed toward anyone who uses the Internet for anything, whether it is for business, entertainment, or anything else. The Internet is a powerful tool, and it can be used for a lot of good, or it can be used for evil. There is a lot of evil on the Internet, and it can suck you in to a place you really do not want to be. Luckily, there is an easy way to resist temptations like this - you don't even have to disconnect from the Internet. This is done by making yourself use the Internet to do something good rather than something evil. I know that this message is probably partly inspired by my calling to work with the website www.familysearch.org, but you can instead go on to FamilySearch and do work there. By that, I am talking about two different things: the first is, obviously, family history research. The second, however, is a bit less obvious: it is a volunteer project we call indexing. In a sentence, this is a process to make historical records searchable. This is done by a volunteer reading the records, and filling in an in-browser form. That way, you can help others with their family history. So, just to recap my message, whenever you feel tempted to do something you know you should not do while on the Internet, instead do work on either family history or indexing. I promise you that, if you do either of these things, it will bring in the Spirit, and it will kill any temptation you may be experiencing.