Monday, June 3, 2019

May 27th & June 3rd, 2019 - Rose Park Zone, SLC, UT

May 27th, 2019
Mom! Super fun to hear about the track teams and how they did, that is so awesome for Mason! And Michael as well! A track update from me, I'm obviously still out of shape, but I threw down an even paced, 80 a lap, 5:19 mile today. It felt amazing. It wasn't too hard either. 
This last week has been great. It absolutely flew by, faster than any other week before. 
Monday we helped one of the wards at their FHE, they went out visiting "lost sheep" and we helped them contact lots of people. 
Tuesday we walked tons of miles, and got soaking wet due to tons of rain. We saw some miracles though, running into some people who the Lord placed in our path.
Wednesday we just kept knocking doors…..

June 3, 2019
Dear Madre, 
It's been a great week to be a missionary. We preached, taught and baptized!
On Saturday Samantha got baptized! It was an awesome service. On Sunday she got confirmed, and then she bore her testimony in sacrament meeting. She is converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. 
We also had some cool miracles throughout the week. One was Sunday night. We were with a member out visiting some potential people to teach. We were driving from one home to another, and felt prompted to visit someone we haven't caught home in a while. We pulled up right when he got home. Up we went in and taught him, it was awesome!
Well, I'm slim on time today. I love you all!
Elder Adams 




Monday, May 20, 2019

May 20, 2019 - Rose Park Zone, SLC, UT

(Elder Adams companion Elder Krogh wrote this for their email this week.) 😂😍😂😍

CHAPTER 90
Elder Krogh and his brethren have a great week. Many blessings are poured out upon the land. The mission of the Salt Lake City is visited by a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. About 20-21 Months in to Elder Krogh's mission.
      
      And it came to pass that Elder Krogh and Elder Adams departed from their day of preparations to cry repentance unto a lost and fallen people by the Lake of Salt.  Not having been in their labors for more than an hour they received word from their fellow brethren in the church that those not of their faith had joined them in the splendid sport of bowling for an activity that was to unite those of the church and those not to further progress the work of the Lord.               
       2 Upon receiving this epistle Elder Adams and Elder Krogh made haste to their metal chariot and wove their way through the dangerous battle that still goes on today known as Salt Lake City traffic.  They arrived only to come to the realization that they already knew those not of the church of Christ that were present.  Upon finding that the hearts of these people were still hard, they said a few farewells and then made ready the chariot and departed.
      3 And the Elders had a lesson with a woman in the city of Glendale.
      4 And it came to pass that when [the Elders] saw that [she] would believe their words, they began from the creation of Adam, reading the scriptures unto [her]—how God created man after his own image, and that God gave him commandments, and that because of transgression, man had fallen.
      5 And [they] did expound unto [her] the scriptures from the creation of Adam, laying the fall of man before [her], and their carnal state and also the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name.
      6 And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and [they] did expound all these things unto the [woman].
      7 And the woman did believe all the words from the holy prophets, yea even all the words from the holy scriptures that God had given from the creation of Adam that man might understand his great plan of Salvation.
      8 And she progressed to be baptized on the first day of the sixth month.
      9 Now the Elders departed from the city of Glendale to the apartments of Solara.
      10 And being full of the Holy Ghost they came to the home of a man who had been expecting them, for they had been writing electronic epistles back  and forth.
      11 And this man received them gladly, yea even all those in his household received them with joy for they knew they were messengers sent from God. 
      12 Therefore the elders again opened up the holy scriptures-but not so much as the prophecies about the great plan of Salvation, nay, but rather-to the prophecies about the latter days where the Gospel and church of Jesus Christ would once again be restored to the earth.  
       13 And they testified of the word of God that would proceed from a remnant of the seed of Joseph unto the convincing of both Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ.  
       14 For the Prophet Nephi truly testified to "believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.
      15 And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.
      16 And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day"
      17 And this is the manner in which Nephi spoke, and this record is true. And it was this record as well as the other records from the book of which I have spoken that touched the mans heart.  And he was persuaded that the testimony of these two messengers was true.  For they truly testified that God had once again called a Prophet and that the Lord Jesus Christ guides His prophet.  Yea he was convinced unto the desire to be baptized in the sixth month, for the Holy Spirit had touched his heart.
      18 But this was not their only reason to rejoice.  Behold it came to pass that they traveled to the square where the House of the Lord dwells and expounded upon the Savior Jesus Christ and His gospel to a man who desired to be baptized.
      19 Yea even all these things they did that the man might be baptized on the eighth day of the sixth month. 
      20 Now behold had this been all there would be sufficient reason to rejoice in the mighty miracles wrought by the hand of God.  But behold this was not all, for the Lord their God continued to lead them by His Holy Spirit to the home of a woman in her later years.
      21 Now this woman was a disciple of Christ yea, even a member of His church.  And there was one in her town that had not received the words of Christ, yea even His full and everlasting gospel.
      22 And this sister invited her young friend to hear the Word of God.
      23 And the young woman accepted and hearkened unto the words from the messengers of God.  Yea she did believe their words and desired to follow the one and living God of the whole earth 
      24 And there came in the mission an Apostle of the Lord, even Elder Quentin L Cook. 
      25 And he expounded the will of the Lord to those who had been set apart to preach His gospel.
      26 And many things did he instruct them in. Yea many things did he teach them pertaining to and hearkening to the Holy Spirit.
      27 Now after teaching and exhorting the words that were pressed upon his mind from the Spirit of God, he bore his witness of the Savior Jesus Christ. 
      28 "Now" he said, "I am going to tell you something that I want you to remember for the rest of your lives." And this he said pertaining to his testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ.  
      29 "I know the Savior's voice and I know the Savior's face."
      30 And the whole congregation was overcome with the power of the Spirit. 
      31 And I add my witness that what this apostle of the Lord said is true.  For the Holy Ghost bore witness to my heart in the very moment that the words which he spake were true, even to the shedding of tears.
      32 And Elder Krogh and Elder Adams departed from this meeting rejoicing and carried on through their labors with glad hearts for they knew the Lord was with them.
      



Monday, May 6, 2019

May 6, 2019 - Rose Park Zone, SLC, UT

This week has been awesome. My new companion is Elder Krogh, he came out a transfer after me, is from Georgia, and we have spent some time around each other. When I was is Karenni, he was in the Nepali area, so we saw each other often. We are super excited to be together.

We worked super hard this week, and saw lots of miracles. One time we got a referral, but it had the wrong address. It worked out because the wrong address turned out to be someone else we are now teaching. This happened a lot this week. The Lord would have us go one place, we thought for one reason, but something else would also happen, which was better than we could ever imagine. 

Sunday was a tough long day, that turned quickly into a day of miracles. At first, we thought no one was going to come to church, but then we had 4 people show up unexpectedly. Again, no one we planned for, but one of those 4 people is already preparing for baptism this month. It was incredible to see the Lord work wonders.

I love serving my mission. It has helped me understand better the purpose of our life on earth. I have found true joy. 
I love you so much!
Elder Adams 

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

April 29, 2019 - Rose Park Zone, SLC, UT

Yep, Elder Saltzman is done. I drop him off at 4pm today to the mission office, and he flies out in the morning to Montana! It's been great serving with him! I'll be staying in the area and will find out who my new companion will be tonight. At this rate, I'll probably just finish my mission here, which is absolutely okay! There is still much work to be done. Wow, I just had to double check what month it is, I totally forgot school ends soon! Time is disappearing. Very exciting times for the kiddos school ending next month

I am so grateful to be able to serve, and I am trying to learn, and stay worthy of all the prayers I know are prayed for me. There is a quote that says, "be the missionary your parents are praying for" and that's obviously not the reason I am here, to impress you, but it is nice to have when things get hard and you feel like you want to quit. It's comforting. I am grateful for you and Mom. 

This last week was great. We finished strong. Monday we had a zone barbecue, which turned out really successful. That was a nice p-day activity.
Tuesday we went to the Salt Lake Temple for Elder Saltzman's departing temple trip. It was a beautiful session, great to get a little rejuvenation from the Spirit. We worked hard that evening, and even though most doors didn't open, that evening we got a text referral for this guy who we started teaching Saturday, and he is amazing!

Wednesday we had a good mid day going out with a counselor in one of our new bishoprics. Then some bike moving errands. Then we went on exchanges, our last of the transfer. Elder Larger and I were together for our third exchange over the last 10 months, which is always fun to be able to keep in touch with a good friend like that. We had an incredible experience. We tried a door that had a potential YSA living there, and was let in by the family. We met the young man and began teaching him, but quickly learned that the parents, who were members but not active, were going through a tough time in life. The father was in serious pain due to kidney stones, and requested a blessing. We returned Friday night to teach the boy again, and leaned that shortly after the father had received the blessing, the stones had broken up and passed rather smoothly. It was incredible to see such a miracle.

Thursday, we finished the exchange, had dinner, and then were able to go to the temple again! This time we did baptisms for the dead with Carlos, who got baptized 2 weeks ago! It was incredible. He loved the experience and even said he might just show up at the temple whenever he is bored and do baptisms. In the temple, Elder Saltzman and I had some neat opportunities. First off we were able to baptize each other. That was really tender. We both ran into members from previous areas who remembered us. One brother from the Holladay South Stake remembered me from sharing my testimony at their stake conference. It was a blessing from the Lord to know that I have been doing some good. Then, we were able to help with some confirmations at the end of the night, and the lady we confirmed was Joseph B. Worthlin’s daughter. It was fun! The temple workers requested that we come back after our missions on a Thursday night, we became a part of their shift team. It was a great feeling. Afterwards, we were able to listen to the Tabernacle Choir rehearse for just a few minutes before we headed in for the night.

Saturday we had some powerful lessons. One young man with a difficult past moved to Utah to find some peace, and has found, through a kind father figure, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is so prepared to receive it, he soaks up every word. It was a beautiful day all day, and in the evening, we were able to help a companionship by contacting people for them. It was an awesome night of knocking doors! And the Lord blessed us by leading us to YSA we can teach! 
Sunday, we went to all 5 wards. We had some great people we are teaching come to church, but not all of them. So our work is cut out for us for this next month. I am excited to get things going with whoever my new companion is. Elder Saltzman has taught me a lot, especially about hope, love, and charity. He is going to do great in this next part of his life. 

I know that God is Our Father in Heaven. He loves us more than we can even understand. And He also expects big things from us. He expects us to become better every day, through repentance, little by little. And because He expects us to be better, and because He loves us so much, He provided a way for us to receive help in achieving our potential. That help is His Son, and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ understands what we all face. He knows who we are to become. And He has already overcome the obstacles, and now stands willing and ready to lift us over them. I invite each of you to consider where you are at in following Your Savior, recognize what needs to happen next, and then pray to Him for strength to make. The next step. Then do it! As our beloved Prophet said, "Do better and be better!" 
I love you all so much! 

I love you all! 
Elder Adams

Photos from zone activity, trying on fatigues at dinner this week, and Carlos after the temple.



Tuesday, April 23, 2019

April 22, 2019 - Rose Park Zone, SLC, UT

Easter was incredible. It's one thing to spend Christmas testifying of the birth and life of the Savior, but it was a miracle to testify literally dozens of times that I know that Christ died for us, and rose from the grave, overcoming all things we will ever face in our life. I have had some powerful spiritual experiences this last week testifying of this truth, and many other truths I hold dear to my heart.

So here is a rundown of all that happened last week. Tuesday we had zone conference. I learned so much from the Spirit, and gained even more knowledge pertaining to specific things in my life! That night as we were coming in (already late because of a great lesson) we felt to stop by some elders apartment. Things were already bad when we got there, but had we shown up literally one minute later, things would have been very bad. As we did an exchange that night and worked with these elders, I had some of the most powerful spiritual experiences in my life. I know as certain as I know that I am alive, that Jesus Christ lives. As does God our Father. I learned this truth more powerfully that night in the same way I know that I am alive. The Savior Jesus Christ suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane. He suffered for the big things, such as death or losing a lost one, and other major heartbreak. But he also suffered for the smallest things we go through. No matter how unimportant something may seem to us, to Christ, he wants to help us overcome it. We are never wasting His time as we access the healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Rather, the Savior went through all this pain and probably gets rather sad when we don't utilize this incredible gift from Him. 

Wednesday we had some great lessons, and again were able to teach of the Savior and His ability to heal and help. There are so many people in this world who want to be free of guilt, but don't know how to do this. That's where we all need to step up, and "mourn with those that mourn, yea and comfort those that stand in need of comfort" and then share with them where our peace comes from - Jesus Christ. 
Thursday we got to go to East High School, and help with the seminary classes! It was so cool, they had us pretend to be people being taught, and will real concerns, and the high schoolers taught us. It was a neat experience that helped me remember some basic doctrines and scriptures. 

Friday we did another exchange. The elder I was with and I spent multiple hours just waking streets and sharing a simple message of the Resurrection. We found so many new people to teach because hearts were more open to the Spirit this time of year. One guy tried to put on a tougher appearance, but as we talked, he shared that he has a garden, and grows "all the veggies" for a farmers market. It was a tender lesson. Saturday we had a good day of just hard work. We ended the day finding a new potential to teach. Sunday was beautiful. We got a "thunderstorm", and while it wasn't much, it was the best one so far on my mission, and I loved it. We enjoyed three sacrament meetings, singing all the awesome hymns, and then had three lunch/dinners. The first was ham and funeral potatoes, the second was chicken and waffles, and the third was lamb and cheesecake. So we were happily stuffed as we finished off the evening with a member contacting some people. It was a great week! I love to serve and am excited to make this week so memorable for Elder Saltzman! He is teaching me so much, and I love him! 

I love you all so much! Especially I love you Mom! I'll send pictures shortly! 
Elder Adams

Monday, April 15, 2019

April 15, 2019 - Rose Park Zone, SLC, UT

(Sorry I didn't get an email out last week. The long story is that I had typed up a nice long email recapping the prior week and a half, but when I went to add the pictures after the temple trip, my draft did not get saved because there was no wifi to send it, and I hit send. That was about 5:45, so I just sent you the text instead of retyping. But today here's a good one.)

2 weeks have gone by, and lots has happened! 
Every Tuesday this month we have had some kind of meeting or something big that takes up most of the day. These last two Tuesdays were a mission leadership council, and a mission leadership training. They were very nice, the spiritual uplift was incredible, to be able to talk about the mission, missionaries, and how we can help them develop and become, as President Nelson said "the best version of themselves". 
All the time in between meetings and more meetings each Friday was filled with WORK! The times you are the happiest on your mission is when you are putting sweat and tears and a little blood into finding people to teach the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ to! So that's what we did! 

Some cool experiences the week leading up to conference:
Tuesday we went to a missionary correlation meeting in the Tongan ward. When we got there, we had 2 of the missionary council members tell us that they had set up appointments that night with some nonmembers. We already had a lesson scheduled, so that made 3 at the same time! We split up, I went with the ward mission leader up to the farthest appointment, and we taught about the plan of Salvation. The Spirit was so strong, the guy we were teaching said that he wanted to change some certain things in his life and get baptized! Elder Saltzman reported that he went out with a returning member, and they taught one sister who said she knows she needs to be baptized, and the coolest part was that the returning member bore his testimony, even though he hasn't been active in a long time. The third appointment was someone we already knew, but he also said that he knew he needed to be baptized. With all 3 individuals, we were able to teach and testify that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, they can overcome the individual barriers holding them back from making this first covenant with the Savior through baptism. It was a miraculous night! 

Friday we went tracting in an apartment complex, and met a guy who had moved from the east coast that day! We were able to share a Becauseof Him video, and it was amazing to see him feel the Spirit and open up to the message we shared. He wants to meet up more! 

Then came conference weekend! Saturday, for the morning and priesthood sessions, everyone we wanted to bring with us cancelled last minute. For priesthood we subbed in a member we work with a lot. Sunday morning we went with Carlos, who is awesome! He loved it! Then, since we live only a few minutes walk from the conference center, we walked to and from each session. Walking home after Sunday morning, a couple stopped us and gave us tickets for the afternoon session. That was so cool! In total, we went to 4 of the 5 sessions live! 

And then this past week! Wow it was amazing! We had some pretty fun times helping some missionaries in the zone with a variety of things. Then we spent a lot of the week just working! We tracted for lots of hours, and talked to so many people! It was neat to share what God's prophet has most recently said! Then Friday was Elder Saltzman's birthday. And, Carlos got baptized! It was such an awesome service! On Sunday Carlos received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the Aaronic Priesthood! We are going to the temple soon to do baptisms! Then we got to hear a devotional from Elder L Todd Budge of the Seventy! He is great! It was a good day! 

I'm loving this work! 
I love you so much family! I bought some candy and plastic eggs to give out for Easter! No sugar for me! -Elder Adams 



Wednesday, April 10, 2019

April 10, 2019 - Rose Park Zone, SLC, UT


Hey Mom! We are just getting out of the temple, and we had a very busy morning, plus my emails aren't sending, I'm not able to get wifi. So I'll send some pictures here, and I'll have to email better, and even call, on Monday. But I am doing super well! I am very happy right now, serving as hard as ever! Love you!