Glad you liked my last email. It took me awhile. I had a lot of things to say. it was really cool.
Yeah, the meeting at Cafe Rio was funny. No, I'm not distracted. It was funny because when I got there I saw a short blond girl and a guy and I thought "oh crap, he brought my sister?". But it wasn't them. Then I thought "it would be funny if Lisa was in town and he brought her". And he did. haha. How am I supposed to react to that? Whatever. I just wanted the free food hahaha. It was nice though. She kept calling me "the unspeakable name". That's weird. It's been a long time since I've heard... "the unspeakable name". I want to know how you reacted to it though. haha.
The Temple trip is coming up on Aug 11th. I still have the other names so it's all good. If you want to send more, that's cool too. That reminds me, how did Lisa like the Vegas Temple? It's pretty legit right?
This week was very long. All of the leaders in the mission had to go to a leadership training. It was an 8 hour long meeting 3 days in a row. I was so wiped out. It was awesome but it was long. It was like having 3 zone conferences 3 days in a row. It was pretty intense. It's a new Preach My Gospel program they are starting. They call it the simplified curriculum. It really focuses on the people. Teach people not lessons. It focuses on the commitments we extend to people. It's about the role of the Book of Mormon in conversion, the role of the Spirit in conversion and revelation. It was a lot of info to soak in so I'm still trying to grasp it all. It wiped me out though. The Spirit was very strong and just wow. I'm glad it's over though. Elder Sellers was as wiped out as me. He was ghetto training my grandson because Elder Marsh, my son, had to go to the training too. Elder Sellers is so sick of going on splits because we had to do it every week last transfer because the other companionship in the district wasnt doing so well. Things are going alot better though.
Well, that's pretty much my whole week. Mon- Pday, Tue- District meeting, Wed- Leadership training, Thur- Leadership training, Fri- Leadership training, Sat- lots of tracting because everyone is out of town. Sun- 3 Sacrament meetings. So lots of meetings. And I felt the Spirit touch me in every one of them. The church is true.
Elder Richards
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
How great is our calling!
Hello Everyone
"Behold I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of Him to declare His word among His people, that they might have everlasting life." - 3 Nephi 5:13
I had a very amazing and spiritually packed week. I learned so much. First I want to tell you all about my epic personal studies this week.
I was reading in Alma 20. King Lamoni had just been converted to the Lord through Ammon's hard work. After all of this, Ammon was called to go free Aaron and his brethren from prison in Middioni. He told the king this and Lamoni insited to come with him to help his brethren. Along the way they ran into King Lamonis father. Long story short, King Lamoni's father was not happy and tried to kill his own son. But Ammon would not allow that to happen. He loved King Lamoni and he protected him. King Lamoni's father was beaten back by Ammon and Ammon spared his life. King Lamoni's Father recognized the love and it troubled him. I'll talk more about him later.
s\So Ammon and King Lamoni carried on and found Aaron in prison. In Alma 20:28-30 it said that they had suffered many afflictions-- hunger, thirst, fatigue. They said that their skin was worn, bound with strong cords. Then in Alma 21 it tells the story about what Aaron and his brethen went through after the sons of Mosiah all separated to serve the Lord. It said that Aaron was chosen to go preach to a more hard-hearted people. The Lamanites drove them out of their cities. They felt discouraged but the Lord comforted them. So they went to other cities round about and only a few believed their words( Alma 21:12). Then they were cast into prison.
Sometimes I feel the way Aaron did. I may not have been thrown into prison or beatened physically but i have gone through many trials since I have been out on my mission. Something my brother, Kevin, said to me before I left that always stuck with my mind was " the next 2 years will be the best, but also the worst" a mission is not easy. It was never meant to be easy. I have felt the extremes of both ends of the scale. I've felt the joy that comes to my heart when I see someone change their ways and come unto Christ. And I have felt the deep despair that comes when the people harden their hearts and push Christ away. It's so sad because these people don't know what they are missing.
Back to Aaron. So after they were released, Aaron was prompted to go see King Lamoni's father. The King was troubled about what Ammon had done. He saw the great love Ammon had for his son and his great example. The king wondered why? Aaron saw this as an oppurtunity to teach the King. Now he knew why he was prompted to come to the King. The King was converted. he felt the Spirit and knew that the things Aaron and his bretren were teaching were true. The king acted on those feelings and the powerful Spirit of conversion fell upon him.
After all of the trials and afflictions they went through, the Lord blessed them and they found success. And becasue the King was converted, that opened the door for many others to hear the pleasing words of God. The Lord blessed them because of their patience and long suffering. Ee too can find success through mighty prayer. Keeping a good attitude about it is another trait we must have. Remember YOU are a disciple of Christ. Christ never complained, why should we? What I'm getting at here is that sometimes we run into people whose hearts are hardened. But that doesn't mean that they are doomed. There is always a way back. Just be the example.
Next I would like to talk about how being an example can have a big impact on somebody's life. I mentioned the example that Ammon set forth for the King. I also want to talk about a man named Brother Facione. I watched a movie called "Mafia to Mormon" which is about this man Bro Facione and his conversion to the Church.
Mario Facione used to work for the Mafia. He started during a very young age in his life. His dad wasn't the best example. He was actually the one who got him started in the business. His Dad told him at a very young age that if you go down this road that there is no drinking, no girls, and no friends. He said that when you drink, you talk, you go to jail. You chase after girls, you boast about yourself, you go to jail. You have friends, you show off, you go to jail. He lives these rules. The mafia was all that he knew. Then when missionaries came around and he talked with them he was over time converted. Something that he always went back to was the example the missionaries set for him, the one missionary in particular. He said he was so professional and answered all the questions he had. It blew him away-- mind boggling he said. Anyway he left the mafia, went to the Temple and now has a great loving family.
Watching that movie made me realise how truly blessed I am for the family that I have. I was taught to not drink because its damages my body. I was taught to not chase after girls because it could end up with me doing something that I would regret. I was taught to make good friends with high standards. Bro Facione was taught all these things so that he wouldn't go to jail. I'm sure his Dad did love him and didn't want him to go to jail. but my parents taught me this because they loved me and cared about my future. They taught me these things so that I would live a happier life NOT so that I could keep on breaking the law and get away with it. That's the difference. Bro Facione did these things so that he wouldn't get caught breaking the law. I did these things so that I could be happier. Wickedness never was happiness. I'm sure Bro Facione thought he was happy but he truly wasn't. He said that he was always worried that someone would find him. He could never sleep at night. He would hang pots and pans on the doors to alert him if someone came after him. How can you be happy if you are constantly watching your back?
Again, I want to tell you all that I am blessed for the example of my parents. My parents would have to sometimes drag me to Church. I didn't really like it back then but now I am so grateful that they did. My Dad is a great man who strives faithfully to fulfill his Priesthood responsibilities. I remember when we had to go home teaching. I didn't like it. I would always try to get out of it. Sometimes it worked. But my Dad knew the importance of home teaching and he would find someone else to go with him. I remember growing up and I went to my parents room to ask them something and I found my Dad kneeling in prayer. I would quietly close the door and let him finish. I didn't pray everyday growing up but my Dad's example helped me to get into the habit of it.
My Mom is another great example. She is filled with the Spirit of Elijah. She is the family history genius, she works so hard because she knows that there are people waiting for their work to be done.
Things that my parents did back then, I never really realized how important they were. now I know.
There are so many more things I want to share with you all. I learned so much in this past week. It was amazing. We are all disciples of the Living Christ. We have all been called to do this great sacred work. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. I know it to be true. I love you all. Thank you for your prayers and support. Till we meet again.
love
Elder Richards
"Behold I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of Him to declare His word among His people, that they might have everlasting life." - 3 Nephi 5:13
I had a very amazing and spiritually packed week. I learned so much. First I want to tell you all about my epic personal studies this week.
I was reading in Alma 20. King Lamoni had just been converted to the Lord through Ammon's hard work. After all of this, Ammon was called to go free Aaron and his brethren from prison in Middioni. He told the king this and Lamoni insited to come with him to help his brethren. Along the way they ran into King Lamonis father. Long story short, King Lamoni's father was not happy and tried to kill his own son. But Ammon would not allow that to happen. He loved King Lamoni and he protected him. King Lamoni's father was beaten back by Ammon and Ammon spared his life. King Lamoni's Father recognized the love and it troubled him. I'll talk more about him later.
s\So Ammon and King Lamoni carried on and found Aaron in prison. In Alma 20:28-30 it said that they had suffered many afflictions-- hunger, thirst, fatigue. They said that their skin was worn, bound with strong cords. Then in Alma 21 it tells the story about what Aaron and his brethen went through after the sons of Mosiah all separated to serve the Lord. It said that Aaron was chosen to go preach to a more hard-hearted people. The Lamanites drove them out of their cities. They felt discouraged but the Lord comforted them. So they went to other cities round about and only a few believed their words( Alma 21:12). Then they were cast into prison.
Sometimes I feel the way Aaron did. I may not have been thrown into prison or beatened physically but i have gone through many trials since I have been out on my mission. Something my brother, Kevin, said to me before I left that always stuck with my mind was " the next 2 years will be the best, but also the worst" a mission is not easy. It was never meant to be easy. I have felt the extremes of both ends of the scale. I've felt the joy that comes to my heart when I see someone change their ways and come unto Christ. And I have felt the deep despair that comes when the people harden their hearts and push Christ away. It's so sad because these people don't know what they are missing.
Back to Aaron. So after they were released, Aaron was prompted to go see King Lamoni's father. The King was troubled about what Ammon had done. He saw the great love Ammon had for his son and his great example. The king wondered why? Aaron saw this as an oppurtunity to teach the King. Now he knew why he was prompted to come to the King. The King was converted. he felt the Spirit and knew that the things Aaron and his bretren were teaching were true. The king acted on those feelings and the powerful Spirit of conversion fell upon him.
After all of the trials and afflictions they went through, the Lord blessed them and they found success. And becasue the King was converted, that opened the door for many others to hear the pleasing words of God. The Lord blessed them because of their patience and long suffering. Ee too can find success through mighty prayer. Keeping a good attitude about it is another trait we must have. Remember YOU are a disciple of Christ. Christ never complained, why should we? What I'm getting at here is that sometimes we run into people whose hearts are hardened. But that doesn't mean that they are doomed. There is always a way back. Just be the example.
Next I would like to talk about how being an example can have a big impact on somebody's life. I mentioned the example that Ammon set forth for the King. I also want to talk about a man named Brother Facione. I watched a movie called "Mafia to Mormon" which is about this man Bro Facione and his conversion to the Church.
Mario Facione used to work for the Mafia. He started during a very young age in his life. His dad wasn't the best example. He was actually the one who got him started in the business. His Dad told him at a very young age that if you go down this road that there is no drinking, no girls, and no friends. He said that when you drink, you talk, you go to jail. You chase after girls, you boast about yourself, you go to jail. You have friends, you show off, you go to jail. He lives these rules. The mafia was all that he knew. Then when missionaries came around and he talked with them he was over time converted. Something that he always went back to was the example the missionaries set for him, the one missionary in particular. He said he was so professional and answered all the questions he had. It blew him away-- mind boggling he said. Anyway he left the mafia, went to the Temple and now has a great loving family.
Watching that movie made me realise how truly blessed I am for the family that I have. I was taught to not drink because its damages my body. I was taught to not chase after girls because it could end up with me doing something that I would regret. I was taught to make good friends with high standards. Bro Facione was taught all these things so that he wouldn't go to jail. I'm sure his Dad did love him and didn't want him to go to jail. but my parents taught me this because they loved me and cared about my future. They taught me these things so that I would live a happier life NOT so that I could keep on breaking the law and get away with it. That's the difference. Bro Facione did these things so that he wouldn't get caught breaking the law. I did these things so that I could be happier. Wickedness never was happiness. I'm sure Bro Facione thought he was happy but he truly wasn't. He said that he was always worried that someone would find him. He could never sleep at night. He would hang pots and pans on the doors to alert him if someone came after him. How can you be happy if you are constantly watching your back?
Again, I want to tell you all that I am blessed for the example of my parents. My parents would have to sometimes drag me to Church. I didn't really like it back then but now I am so grateful that they did. My Dad is a great man who strives faithfully to fulfill his Priesthood responsibilities. I remember when we had to go home teaching. I didn't like it. I would always try to get out of it. Sometimes it worked. But my Dad knew the importance of home teaching and he would find someone else to go with him. I remember growing up and I went to my parents room to ask them something and I found my Dad kneeling in prayer. I would quietly close the door and let him finish. I didn't pray everyday growing up but my Dad's example helped me to get into the habit of it.
My Mom is another great example. She is filled with the Spirit of Elijah. She is the family history genius, she works so hard because she knows that there are people waiting for their work to be done.
Things that my parents did back then, I never really realized how important they were. now I know.
There are so many more things I want to share with you all. I learned so much in this past week. It was amazing. We are all disciples of the Living Christ. We have all been called to do this great sacred work. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. I know it to be true. I love you all. Thank you for your prayers and support. Till we meet again.
love
Elder Richards
Monday, July 12, 2010
Elder Richards the bunny slayer
Tell Beth that she has no idea what the meaning of apostasy is. I'M not apostate. But man, remember what they say about sin city, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Enough said.
So funny story. Remember how Dad would always have problems in the garden with squirrels? And remember how he would run out screaming and scare them off and they would just come back later? Then he said he should get a airsoft gun and take them out. Well Dad, BB's are the only way to do it. The members we live with had a bunny running around eating their garden. It's funny because they blame us that their garden is being destroyed because we should be blessing it every time we walk by it. It never occurred to them that this is Vegas where the average temperature in the summer is like 105 degrees. And there are like a million bunnies running around. I swear I almost hit at least 2 bunnies every day with the car. But nooooooo, we are the ones screwing it up. Balderdash. So I took action. They gave me a BB gun. It wasn't a carbine action red rider but it did well enough. There wasn't a compass in the stock, but I managed on my own sense of direction.
So there I was crouching... waiting... watching. I see him enter the battlefield. It looks at me and I look right back at it. It sits still hoping that I won't see it in the brown desert background. But it is already too late for the bunny. I give the rifle 10 pumps and took aim. I aim the green dot right between its eyes holding the rifle steady, breathing slowly. The bunny ears perk up sensing danger. The sweat on my brow drips onto the rifle. The hot air was blowing across my face. The bunny lunges! BOOM! I hit it! But I only wounded it. It sat there for a little bit breathing slowly. Then in a wild frenzy it started doing back flips in place. I load another BB and take aim again. BOOM! No more back flips, just twitching helpless on the ground. One more BB and I put it out of its misery. It all happened so fast. It took mere seconds but it felt like hours... victory. We didn't even have to use the holy hand grenade.
We buried Roger the Rabbit in the middle of the desert near some bike jumps. Then we jumped our bikes in honor of Roger Rabbit. May he rest in peace.....
Transfer calls were Saturday and Elder Sellers and I are both staying! yay. We were excited about that. We had an amazing lesson with a eternigator named Darren Nakosone. His wife is a member but he is not. Everything went so well. We taught him the Restoration of the Gospel. This was the first time I was able to teach him but he has had a lot of missionaries in the last 2 years. It went really really well. The Spirit was so strong. Darren is so close. In the middle of the lesson I was prompted by the Spirit. I knew exactly what he needed to do to receive the powerful witness of the Spirit. He is really shy so he never prays in front of people, even with his family. I KNEW at that moment that the moment he prays out loud with his family, the Spirit would overcome him and he will know that this Church is true. Then he would follow the example of his Savior and be baptized. Now the amazing part about this lesson is that as soon as I was about to invite him to pray with us, my wonderful companion made the same invitation. I knew that he had the same prompting at the same exact time that I did. Like I said, Darren was so close but he just couldn't do it. Not yet anyway. We talked about the prompting that we had during the lesson. So we are going to really focus on him this coming transfer.
Thank you for your prayers and support. Have fun in Utah.
Elder Richards
So funny story. Remember how Dad would always have problems in the garden with squirrels? And remember how he would run out screaming and scare them off and they would just come back later? Then he said he should get a airsoft gun and take them out. Well Dad, BB's are the only way to do it. The members we live with had a bunny running around eating their garden. It's funny because they blame us that their garden is being destroyed because we should be blessing it every time we walk by it. It never occurred to them that this is Vegas where the average temperature in the summer is like 105 degrees. And there are like a million bunnies running around. I swear I almost hit at least 2 bunnies every day with the car. But nooooooo, we are the ones screwing it up. Balderdash. So I took action. They gave me a BB gun. It wasn't a carbine action red rider but it did well enough. There wasn't a compass in the stock, but I managed on my own sense of direction.
So there I was crouching... waiting... watching. I see him enter the battlefield. It looks at me and I look right back at it. It sits still hoping that I won't see it in the brown desert background. But it is already too late for the bunny. I give the rifle 10 pumps and took aim. I aim the green dot right between its eyes holding the rifle steady, breathing slowly. The bunny ears perk up sensing danger. The sweat on my brow drips onto the rifle. The hot air was blowing across my face. The bunny lunges! BOOM! I hit it! But I only wounded it. It sat there for a little bit breathing slowly. Then in a wild frenzy it started doing back flips in place. I load another BB and take aim again. BOOM! No more back flips, just twitching helpless on the ground. One more BB and I put it out of its misery. It all happened so fast. It took mere seconds but it felt like hours... victory. We didn't even have to use the holy hand grenade.
We buried Roger the Rabbit in the middle of the desert near some bike jumps. Then we jumped our bikes in honor of Roger Rabbit. May he rest in peace.....
Transfer calls were Saturday and Elder Sellers and I are both staying! yay. We were excited about that. We had an amazing lesson with a eternigator named Darren Nakosone. His wife is a member but he is not. Everything went so well. We taught him the Restoration of the Gospel. This was the first time I was able to teach him but he has had a lot of missionaries in the last 2 years. It went really really well. The Spirit was so strong. Darren is so close. In the middle of the lesson I was prompted by the Spirit. I knew exactly what he needed to do to receive the powerful witness of the Spirit. He is really shy so he never prays in front of people, even with his family. I KNEW at that moment that the moment he prays out loud with his family, the Spirit would overcome him and he will know that this Church is true. Then he would follow the example of his Savior and be baptized. Now the amazing part about this lesson is that as soon as I was about to invite him to pray with us, my wonderful companion made the same invitation. I knew that he had the same prompting at the same exact time that I did. Like I said, Darren was so close but he just couldn't do it. Not yet anyway. We talked about the prompting that we had during the lesson. So we are going to really focus on him this coming transfer.
Thank you for your prayers and support. Have fun in Utah.
Elder Richards
Monday, July 5, 2010
Happy 4th of July to you too!
We met the new Mission President. President Black is really cool actually. He hasn't said we need to part our hair yet so that's a good sign. He's got a sense of humor. I still don't know much about him. But I support him in the changes that probably will take place. I know that he is inspired of the Lord.
We had a pretty sick 4th of July. And yes, people do grill outside in Vegas. They just wait for the sun to go down a little bit so that the temperature gets a little below 100; then they grill. And then they jump in the pool haha. Oh, by the way, Elder Sellers says that its grilling not BBQ. It's so funny because when the members say they are going to BBQ for us, he gets there and is disappointed. Apparently its BBQ when it's pulled pork but if it's anything else like hamburgers or hot dogs, it's grilling. Elder Sellers is so funny. Anyway, like I said, 4th of July is sick with it here. We drove to the top of our area and we saw the whole valley being lit up with fire works. I got some pics but it just isn't the same as being there. I'm telling you. Las Vegas knows how to celebrate Independence Day.
Everyone here has prison walls around their yards. The downside is that it's hard to keep grass growing because it's so freaking hot. And the yards are usually really small. But hey if you want privacy, Vegas is the perfect place to go. It's hard for little kids to get over those prison walls.
We had a good week. We taught 12 lessons this week. It started out kinda rough but then it really picked up. On Wednesday when we had a great lesson with the Ogdens, a less active family. I was feeling kinda down for some reason but then we watched the Prophet of the Restoration with the Ogdens. Three things happened. 1. the Spirit was so strong that all of my depression was completely extinguished. 2. My testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith grew exponentially. 3. My desire for the work shot up tremendously. I felt like I did when I first came out. I felt the strong greenie fire fill me up and I was pumped. Then we had a great week :)
I know that this Church is true. I have seen the gospel bless so many lives. I didn't convince anyone. They had to find out for themselves. Just like the rest of us. If you would like to know for yourself that the restored Gospel is true, you don't have to go far. It's the distance from your knees to the floor.
Shall we not go on in so great a cause?
Elder Eichards
We had a pretty sick 4th of July. And yes, people do grill outside in Vegas. They just wait for the sun to go down a little bit so that the temperature gets a little below 100; then they grill. And then they jump in the pool haha. Oh, by the way, Elder Sellers says that its grilling not BBQ. It's so funny because when the members say they are going to BBQ for us, he gets there and is disappointed. Apparently its BBQ when it's pulled pork but if it's anything else like hamburgers or hot dogs, it's grilling. Elder Sellers is so funny. Anyway, like I said, 4th of July is sick with it here. We drove to the top of our area and we saw the whole valley being lit up with fire works. I got some pics but it just isn't the same as being there. I'm telling you. Las Vegas knows how to celebrate Independence Day.
Everyone here has prison walls around their yards. The downside is that it's hard to keep grass growing because it's so freaking hot. And the yards are usually really small. But hey if you want privacy, Vegas is the perfect place to go. It's hard for little kids to get over those prison walls.
We had a good week. We taught 12 lessons this week. It started out kinda rough but then it really picked up. On Wednesday when we had a great lesson with the Ogdens, a less active family. I was feeling kinda down for some reason but then we watched the Prophet of the Restoration with the Ogdens. Three things happened. 1. the Spirit was so strong that all of my depression was completely extinguished. 2. My testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith grew exponentially. 3. My desire for the work shot up tremendously. I felt like I did when I first came out. I felt the strong greenie fire fill me up and I was pumped. Then we had a great week :)
I know that this Church is true. I have seen the gospel bless so many lives. I didn't convince anyone. They had to find out for themselves. Just like the rest of us. If you would like to know for yourself that the restored Gospel is true, you don't have to go far. It's the distance from your knees to the floor.
Shall we not go on in so great a cause?
Elder Eichards
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