Hey, everyone!
Well, I cannot say that this week has been the most eventful that I have experienced. One of the big things which happened this week was being able to see the new young elders going about and learning more about the mission. I was even able to introduce then to the zone in which I serve - I was commissioned by the training leaders to put something together with which to introduce them to what we do, and how we do it. So, with the help of a few other people serving with me, I was able to give them a nice little tour of the facilities, so to speak. It kind of reminds me of my first week on the mission - holy cow, that was a lot of running around and doing things. But, things will begin to settle down a bit for them after the transfer conference happening later today, where they shall learn where they will serve. It's also nice to be able to learn about who will be training who. But, speculation about what will happen does not really do much to change the results of what President Fenn decides will be the best for this mission. All I really can say is that I'm not leaving the zone quite yet. However, my P-Day may change to something else, so don't be surprised if my E-mail does not come on a Tuesday again. Then again, if this does change, then you will likely be able to expect it sooner!
Anyway, I have titled the subject of my E-mail to reflect a wonderful happening of this week - though we had not been able to go to the Salt Lake temple for a while, we were able to get not one, but two temple trips this last week! The first one was a mission temple session, which is beginning to become a bit tough to fit one hundred young elders in to - but it was still a nice session! The next day, we all did baptisms and confirmations together. Though the ordinances themselves were wonderful to be able to get done, we did try to get one hundred young elders through - this equates to very long wait times for all of us. We had planned to stay for only two hours to get it all done, but it ended up stretching to three and a half hours. I am not sorry that I was able to attend the temple - I will always be grateful for such a blessing - but I do wish it was a bit better coordinated. Even then, I guess I don't blame anyone for this mistake - it was the first time that we had attempted to pull something like this off. I trust that, if this were to happen again, things would probably be planned a bit better so that we can all fully enjoy the experience.
I have been kind of helping other people get introduced to genealogical work. I may have mentioned that I was helping another elder in the zone learn how to do Danish research. I was able to finish a lesson which I had started last week, this week. At the end of all of the research, we did find that the people who we were trying to add to the tree already had duplicate records in Family Tree - and a lot of them too... But, I do feel the principle was demonstrated well, which principle was how to use records aside from those in FamilySearch to continue doing family history research, and perhaps add an extra generation or two to the Family Tree. There is even a certification in store for those who create multiple lesson plans for other people, and demonstrate how they can use FamilySearch and perform family history work. So, I will continue to ask around the mission and see who needs help with some aspect of family history research, and show them how they can help to take part in this great work.
Now, I have also stayed involved with the Elijah Choir, and singing with them has been great! I have enjoyed keeping my musical talents in use, so that they might not atrophy during the mission. However, I have also sought other opportunities in which to perform. Lately, I have been singing as a bass with a few other people in a rendition of "Beautiful Savior". The number was originally intended to be a capella, but they decided that it would be best to include a piano I would have been fine with just performing a capella - there is a certain charm to just a simple harmony of voices - but I am alright with an accompaniment. We also have plans to perform another number after this further in the future, this being a medley of "Called to Serve" and "Ye Elders of Israel", which I am also excited for. However, before we perform this latter number, some of the people who we have in this group will be leaving the mission, so we may or may not have a large number of people helping out with this. But, I do look forward to continuing to practice, and being able to sing with other people as I get chances!
Well, that is about my week at the moment. A lot of this has been business as usual, but things will likely become more interesting when transfers come and go. I am happy to be here, and I am happy to read your letters from home! Again, I appreciate thee support - I feel like I say this a lot, and it probably sounds a bit redundant, but I do still mean it - it means a lot to me to know that I have people at home, cheering me on as I serve. Have a good week, everyone!
--
From,
Elder Bryce Petersen
Challenge: So, I am sure that most of you are familiar with President Nelson's recent remarks regarding the name of the Church. It is interesting to see that the Lord desires that we are more mindful on the name of His restored Church on the earth today. So, why is it so important that the name of the church be re-emphasized? I guess that it has become very much common for people, even members, to refer to ourselves as "Mormons". Of course, it is a bit of a more convenient title - it is less of a mouthful than using the Church's full name, even in it's abbreviated form. However, the Lord has directly given to us the name which He desires His Church to be given (see D&C 115:4). Aside from the importance of it being a commandment of the Lord, using the official name of the church does bring with it some other advantages. One, it provides a more descriptive picture of what it is that we believe in, and shows to the world that our belief and our faith is in Christ. Another, it in a way shows the purpose of the Church - for the perfecting of the saints of the latter-days for the second coming of our Savior. But, then again, as previously stated, it is a commandment of the Lord - should this not be enough? Therefore, let us try a little harder to apply the counsel given us by our modern-day prophet, even President Nelson, in re-emphasizing our Church's true name and purpose, that our light may so shine to the rest of the world. Let us be faithful in keeping the Lords commandments, that we may be more able to come unto Him, and have His Spirit with us always.
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