Elder Carson Reiley: Oct. 25-31, 2020

Hello Everybody!

Well this week was pretty busy and went back pretty fast, I can't believe I'm halfway finished with the MTC and in not too long, I will be able to serve in Washington! Throughout the week there is a lot of work to do with learning about the gospel and how to teach and also memorizing and working on Spanish and I've found that there is a lot of work that goes into the MTC and some may think it might be hard to do it at home and if definitely has its goods and bads, but I read in Preach My Gospel in chapter 3 under the section "The Gospel Blesses Families" and it says, "The home is the best place to teach, learn, and apply principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A home will be a place where the Spirit of the Lord can abide." This hit me really hard because I was feeling down and sorry for myself that I have to be home, and maybe it was because my dad and brother went on a pheasant hunt :) but when I read this I realized that it is such a blessing to start my 24 months of 100% service to my Savior Jesus Christ, right where it all began in my home.

Like I said this week was a lot of work but I like keeping myself busy because it helps me not dwell on other things like leaving and those thoughts make me nervous but I realize that when I'm preparing a lesson and working hard I get excited to go and have the opportunity to do this with real investigators which is really awesome! Last Sunday I had the opportunity to go with my Aunt Kathryn and share a message in Spanish with the Hernadez family, who are good friends of hers. I was really nervous and I had practiced my "lines" over and over but being able to sit down with a family and just sit and listen and try to pick up words and phrases was awesome! I did share my message about how following the prophet will bless us no matter what, and it was really awesome to be able to try my best to share my testimony and feel the Spirit as I shared my thoughts. There was definitely a lot of acting like I knew what I was doing and looking at Kathryn waiting for an explanation but I just have to try my best to understand and if I don't understand something I've picked up the strategy of the Penguins of Madagascar, "Just smile and wave" seems to work ok:)

Last thing I want to talk about is a Devotional that we listened to last night and it was by M. Russel Ballard and Jeffery R. Holland. It was so good and it fired me up to where I just want to get out there and lose myself in the work. Jeffery R. Holland is no doubt my favorite speaker to listen to in conference and he was talking about how not to lose sight of our missionary purpose, which is inviting others to come unto Christ. He said, "the best way to accomplish our missionary purpose is through the Book of Mormon, the Book of Mormon has power. It truly is another testament of Jesus Christ." This was super powerful and he challenged each of us to read 3rd Nephi Chapter 11. This chapter shows the power of Jesus Christ is real, this is proof that He appeared to the people in the America's once and He will come again. So right now, I challenge each of you to stop reading this letter for now, turn to 3rd Nephi chapter 11 and read and look for the power that is in the Book of Mormon. This challenge is for EVERYONE, so if you don't have a Book of Mormon, find one or text me and I will show you how to read this chapter. I promise that as you read the Holy Ghost will testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Sorry this one was kind of long, I love you all and am grateful for your prayers and support! Love you!

Love, Elder Reiley