March 24, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

So yes it is transfer day tomorrow, but do not fret! I am staying! :) Yay! I am actually really glad, both Elder Hernandez and I are staying. So the members are really happy about that! they have had a different missionary here every transfer which has to suck because that is just about enough time to get to know someone! Well I don't know really what to say this week... We did some service for a brother in the 5th ward, Brother Mauga, part Samoan and New Zealand. He is a super huge Polynesian guy who is also a police officer. He's really nice and has a great family. Guess what we did?! Greg I didn't escape finishing the basement completely because We mudded and taped his whole basement and trust me, this is the rich ward, they had a huge basement! But everyone was impressed at my mudding skills. We are going back soon to sand and paint. Yeah it’s pretty fun but I don't get to listen to the same tunes I did back home.

Here are some sweet scriptures I found this week concerning faith:

22 Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing--unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance.

Alma 26:22

7 And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.

Ether 4:7

11 But he that believeth these things which I have spoken, him will I visit with the manifestations of my Spirit, and he shall know and bear record. For because of my Spirit he shall know that these things are true; for it persuadeth men to do good.

Ether 4:11

15 Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you--yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel.

Ether 4:15

So with faith you can know the mysteries of God and all revelations from the Savior, know things that have never before been revealed, bring thousands to repentance, have manifestations of the Spirit, keep us from wickedness and opens our eyes and hearts to the witness of the Spirit, we can also receive witness that our covenants are valid before God, which includes the covenants made with our fathers, such as Abraham. 

There are many accounts in the Book of Mormon and other books of scripture of the faith of them a long time ago: 

12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.

13 Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth.

14 Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost.

15 Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites.

16 Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles wrought them by faith, even those who were before Christ and also those who were after.

17 And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise that they should not taste of death; and they obtained not the promise until after their faith.

18 And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God.

Ether 12:12-18

I feel sometimes that I am so close to finally understanding what faith is, and how I can show my faith in God, but then I lose that feeling! and I believe that is because God doesn't expect us to raise to his perfection all at once. The bar He sets for us to reach is like any other achievement we shoot for here on earth say with high jump, We don't raise the bar until we reach the lower height, we work line upon line, slowly increasing in our abilities. So I feel that when I am bursting with the Spirit and my mind is understanding everything about faith, and BAM I lose it, is because I had reached the bar that was set, and He raised the bar, It’s not because we all of a sudden lose our faith, we are just growing and are able/expected to learn more, to study harder, and ask more. 

I also found this in a sweet book I brought on my mission but am sending home. In the book "Drawing on the Powers of Heaven" (Grant Von Harrison, 1979), Grant Von Harrison outlines a systematic approach to acting in faith to receive desired blessings and outcomes in our lives. While it is by no means the only way, I have found this approach to be helpful in my life to understand what faith is and how to consciously exercise faith to achieve my goals and desires, both spiritually and temporally. I recommend reading the full book.

Until then, the following is a summary outline of Von Harrison's approach:

1. Gain a clear understanding of faith as a principle of power.

2. Gain a realization that the powers of heaven are governed by our individual faith.

3. Live righteously.

4. Prayerfully select righteous goals (desires).

4. Specify your goals (desires) in writing.

6. Specify when your goals (desires) will be obtained.

7. Plead your case before the Lord, telling Him what effort or sacrifice you are willing to make to achieve the goal (desire).

8. Consistently think about your goal (desire).

9. Use all of your willpower to think positively about your potential to achieve your goal (desire) with the Lord's help.

10. Consistently remind yourself that the added power and strength from God that is at your disposal is based on your individual faith.

11. Remember: The Lord is anxious to grant your righteous desires if you will but qualify yourself.

12. Make your specific goal (desire) a matter of constant prayer.

13. Pray that the Lord will enhance your ability to exercise faith as a principle of power.

14. When you face a situation that causes you to doubt your ability to achieve your goal (desire), learn to offer a mental prayer to request the Lord's help; then exercise faith that He will help you, remembering that if you lack faith, you deny the Lord the opportunity to assist you.

15. Repeatedly reflect on the promise made by the Savior: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Matthew 7:7)

16. Recognize at the outset that your faith most likely will be tried.

17. Make certain you do your part in your effort to achieve righteous goals (desires).

That’s it for me this week. Here are some short sentences of things I have done recently. I went to DI and bought a pair of cords and two ties. Elder Hernandez and I put on our onesies last night and did some Tim Tam Slams! I almost have D&C 27:15-18 memorized (I picked that one just cuz I like it but I have been starting to memorize the scripture masteries just how we used to do it in seminary with a white board and erasing word by word.) I am reading and studying my Patriarchal Blessing lots. I can do 17 wide-grip pull ups in a row (those are hard!) I am trying to learn Spanish in my free time (which I have none) so that means my Spanish sucks and I probably won’t learn anything. I have a large list of cool things to do and places to go/eat at when we come back to Utah! That’s about it! haha I love you all so very much!

Love Elder Patterson

Here is a funny B-Ball photo

March 16, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was great! well eh kind of in some ways. We have been
struggling to find anyone to teach! Our week had very little lessons
planned and we don't have any investigators. Rough stuff but we have
put a lot of effort in this week and visited members out the wazoo and
built our trust with them, and guess what?! We got 2 investigator
referrals yesterday! :) Yay! So transfers are next week and I will let
you know what is going to happen next Monday. I am so blessed to be here in
this mission at this specific time. I am grateful to have these tools
that God can use for great and wondrous purposes! We are all taking
online courses as to how we can put up safeguards to protect us from
temptation, especially regarding the technology we are using. We are
also taking courses and doing things to learn how we can best use
these tools to God's full advantage and how we can further our purpose
as missionaries. In one of the courses I took I listened to prophets
who are working diligently to make this technology advancement safe
and to do it right the first time. We have many resources to block out
temptation, We have rules, we have companions, we have filters on our
devices, but most importantly and most effectively we have the Holy
Ghost who will always prompt us as to when we are about to do
something wrong, and our own agency, personal moral standards and
virtue which, if nurtured and governed right will be the best
protection from harmful and toxic thoughts and actions. I am working
very diligently and have made plans and "escape routes" that when I am
tempted I will do these things to turn my thoughts to my purpose as a
missionary and to keep clean thoughts always. We made this plan online
and sent it to our Mission President. Mine is when I am tempted to:

-Pray
-Read scripture or sing a hymn
-Talk to my companion
-Read my Patriarchal Blessing
-Count my blessings

so this is my 5 step plan to resist and repel temptations of every
kind, especially when on the internet and on my device. I truly wish I
could share exactly everything I have seen the brethren share with us
missionaries but right now we are the testing grounds for all of these
programs and such. But I really shouldn't call them programs, because
they are a way of life, a change of lifestyle, a mission culture, a
standard I want for my life and the life of my family. I can see so
many applications to these wonderful booklets and trainings in my life
when I return home. I really look forward to the rest of my time as a
missionary. I am having a great time and learning so much! I can't
count my blessings anymore because I lose count and cry. I’m a big baby
now. But my testimony and conversion is stronger than ever!

I can't wait to get home and play with those boys! But until then I am
going to work my hardest so that I have no regrets and no desires to
return to my mission to do a better job. I want to show the Lord the
trust I have in Him by serving Him wholly and knowing that everything
back home will be taken care of by His carefully guided hands.

 I love you all so much! I
am doing my best here for all of you, and most importantly for the
Captain of my soul, my Redeemer and Savior, even the Great King of
Kings, Jesus Christ.

Love Elder Patterson

PS i am going to the Saturday morning session of GC :)

March 9, 2015

Dear Family and Friends, 

this week’s email will not be as good as last weeks because I'm a little slow on the screen keyboard. I am at the p day building. I had a great week. I had a sweet birthday with the Bennett family who made us philly cheese steak sandwiches. And the Azevedo family bought me caffeine free Mountain Dew. We had some great lessons this week. We had a special meeting with Elder Clark of the seventy this week as to missionary work in the digital age and safeguards for technology. It was an amazing, eye opening meeting. I was so grateful, more than I think you know, to have received instruction from Elder Clark and President Swain as well as witnessing the vision of missionary work. Wow was that ever cool! They have this vision they want to start missionary work earlier and earlier, before they even get their call, where there will be virtual districts and you'll be able to be in contact with those you serve and MTC trainers will guide you before, through and then after. You will also complete a program near the end of your mission where you will plan the rest of your life out so you retain yourself in the gospel. It has always troubled my mind or been on the back burner as to how I can follow in Dad and Greg’s footsteps and become a good husband and father someday. I honestly was nervous to be given such technology as a missionary because I knew I would be tempted to misuse it in some form or another, but it has proven to be a blessing to me. I loved this quote by Elder Nelson that was shared, "In this evermore technological world, the way to prepare these missionaries for their future is not to quarantine them from, but to prepare them for, technology... Now is the time for them to learn to avoid temptations and snares that they will surely encounter when they return home... If we can immunize our youth by engraving the doctrine in their hearts, we can raise a strain of sin-resistant souls." That quote just gave me such hope for the future because I know that the world is getting to be a physically and spiritually dangerous place, but I know and can find peace in the comforting and inspiring words of the prophets and apostles today. Several other missionaries and I have since talked about our feelings of that meeting and I have been edified and uplifted each time by the testimonies of these wonderful missionaries I serve with. I am grateful for such an inspired program to be put through as a missionary where I learn to live in the world but not of the world. I want to be one of those obedient missionaries that were talked about by Elder Clark. I try to be, I really do, and I know that you can empathize with me, those of you who served missions, when I say that it is very difficult to give every ounce of yourself every day. But I also know that I am making my Savior happy with the effort I am giving to this work, and I know it is only because of my examples around me and the Spirit which drives me to do good in all aspects of my life. I am so very grateful for the Holy Ghost. He truly has been a comforter of my soul when I need it, and a guide to my eyes and ears which have been hard of seeing and hearing. I know I could not be the missionary I am today without the Atonement which has humbled me and brought me such peace of conscience. I am very happy to be a missionary, and especially at this wonderful time! 

Love Elder Patterson

March 2, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

So this week was average I think, It’s flying by that’s for sure! It's already halfway through the transfer and my birthday is tomorrow! Weather has been weird here. Super warm some days and freezing other days, but you look that stuff up anyways so I will tell you about things you do not know that are happening in this awesome valley. 

This week was good! I was able to do lots with my new companion and have seen the blessings of bearing my testimony boldly at all times, showing my love for these people, whether in the streets or in their homes we have done our best to contact and find new people. We have set companionship and individual goals to do better as well this upcoming week. We are going to try to place a Book of Mormon each this week, which doesn't sound very hard but not very many people listen to us in this area. Humility levels are low in the rich wards but they are still awesome! I hope to serve here for more than one transfer, because I enjoy building these relationships through the Spirit and through these teaching opportunities. I have really grown to love these two wards we cover already and love serving with our leaders and fellow missionaries. I had a really good experience this week teaching the Law of Chastity to a less active couple who are not married yet. I was more nervous for some reason and we were on splits because we got double booked that night. So it was me and a member who had just very recently had some troubles with his marriage which made me more nervous and I just prayed that I would be able to teach with the Spirit and that I wouldn't say anything that offended or upset the member. I prayed all day long and every free minute during lunch and elsewhere I could while considering the lesson plan I had in mind that would bless them the most. I found some great resources including "The Family; A Proclamation To The World" and many Book of Mormon references. I can honestly say that I was shaking a bit during the lesson I was so nervous. After we talked a bit and got to know how they were doing, we said a prayer, and after I proceeded to tell them that we were going to focus on a commandment that blesses us individually, as a family and as a church. We were going to talk about the Law of Chastity. I began talking and asking questions to see how they felt about commandments as a whole; if they saw them as restricting or freeing? Then after I got their perspective I likened the commandments to a fence. The Commandments are like a fence; separating us (sheep) from the ravenous wolves (Satan and his followers) When we break the commandments (fence) we subject ourselves to the ravenous wolves. Only through the Atonement can those fences be fixed (faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost, endure to the end) and peace be restored to the pasture. We read a few paragraphs from "The Family" and continued to ask questions to see how they were learning and what was sticking out to them as important for themselves. We then opened up to the story of Captain Moroni in Alma 46, I paraphrased the beginning to catch them up on the story. Then I asked one of them to read the verse where Captain Moroni rent his coat and wrote on it the title of liberty. To help them remember and to symbolize the great importance of this title, I stood up and ripped my sweater in half and revealed to them the "Title of Liberty" that I had written on the inside back of my sweater and worn all day. I explained that Moroni then rode through the cities gathering everyone who believed in those values to stand up and fight for those. I then turned that into the Law of Chastity, that we need to boldly stand up for those values, to stand up and strive to have chaste and virtuous thoughts and actions, and that in doing so we are fighting for our freedom, for our peace, for our wives, husbands and children. I then boldly extended to them to consider getting separate places or get married to preserve the freedoms and blessings God wishes to give them. I promised them blessings of living the Law of Chastity, and gave them a pamphlet, a proclamation to the family, and a little personal title of liberty. I also brought some good Canadian chocolates for them. But they took the lesson very well and the Spirit was so strong! I was led and guided through the whole lesson and we all were blessed and edified by it. I am so grateful to the Spirit and the Law of Chastity which protects us and governs true happiness in our relationships and how we love and show respect for others. 

We also had the first and possibly last, Elders luncheon this week which was all the young Elders in the mission and President Swain. He even uninvited his own wife! haha it was strictly for Elders only and we had a super spiritual discussion.

So Elder and Sister Evans of the Seventy also came and joined us after lunch with the second half of the Luncheon. I said the closing prayer and I could hardly speak I felt so full of the Spirit. After we closed Elder Evans asked me to see him for a minute. So we stepped off to the side and he put his arm around me and asked if I was alright (because I was crying a bit from what was said and the Spirit in the room) I told him that I was good and then he said "are you sure?" and I answered yes and thanked him for the words he shared and the special stories he gave of him as a mission president and missionary experiences he's noticed through other missionaries. He then looked me in the eye and said "you'll do great, We need you here." or something really close to that but I was still kind of in shock that he asked me to talk to him. He then gave me a hug and moved on. But that was awesome! This week I also was taken out to eat at chowtime buffet, and ate Chinese food to my heart’s desire! I had like 30 dumplings, boy am I starting to put on the pounds! haha not really, but I feel like I am. I’m only like 5 pounds heavier but these members here feed us well. 

Till next week! :)

Love Elder Patterson

These are the houses that we are walking around.

Some hot wings that made my eyes water.

Us in our Service clothes, don't we look cute!

February 23, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

This week went by fast and yes it is already February 23, Crazy Eh?!?! I am loving my new area, my new companion (who was here in this area before me so he is the senior companion) and I'm loving the people I am working with and teaching as well. I am going to use my new found baking skills to befriend our ward mission leader's son and help encourage him to go on a mission. He seems to be a lot like me, and is going through almost the exact same situations that I did before my mission.

I am in the Hunter Copper Hills stake and I cover the 5th and 7th wards. I went from the poorest area in the mission to the richest area in the mission. It feels really weird walking down the street and having million dollar homes on either side of you. These people are a little less humble than the other area but hey I love them already! It’s fun to work with such a variety of people. I am in the highest part of the mission so I can see the whole valley and even see down town Salt Lake City. It has been really weird weather wise here. It’s been super hot, and super cold, Mother Nature just can't make up her mind! Let’s see I gave a talk this Sunday in the 5th ward on service, but just before I spake these two sisters did a musical number on piano and violin of a medley of "if you could hie to kolob," and "come thou fount" which was so beautiful. It was a tender mercy from the Lord because it calmed my nervousness down a lot and I was able to give a decent talk! We then went and taught the 12-14 year olds about the Doctrine of Christ. We teach this stuff everyday so it wasn't too hard to make up a lesson on the spot. 

Okay so I'm going to back track and tell you some funny stories that happened this week. So story number 1: So I miss working back home with my brother in the machines and coming home with dirt everywhere; I like dirt and rocks okay. And I keep telling that to Elder Hernandez, my new companion. So Elder Hernandez remembers that there is this nice looking boulder in front of someone’s house and we walk and we walk till we finally reach it. He says "go jump on top of it!" And I'm like "No this is in someone’s yard! and I'm not wearing boulder climbing clothes!" so he gives me his iPad to take a picture of him on top of it. He goes over, gives a little hop and raises his leg to climb the boulder and he stops, looks back at me and says "I think I ripped my pants!" And as he turned around I saw his pants that had just burst, from the crotch to his calf. I almost cried laughing. So it was cold out but he still had to take off his jacket to tie around his waist so no one could see his crazy ripped pants. We walked to our dinner appointment and I had to do everything to cover up his leg. I walked in front of him, and distracted the people to me so they wouldn’t look too much at him. Boy was that funny. 

Story number 2: So we went on exchanges and I was actually with a missionary that just came out from Cardston Alberta. He's really loud and obnoxious but he's a cool guy. We were walking down the street and this lady pulls over to the side of the road and we both thought, "alright, someone to talk to!" but no this was no ordinary lady. She pulls up and demanded to see our authorization to preach the gospel. We laughed and smiled and was like oh yeah, sure. She didn't crack a smile. She again said, "show me your authorization!!" so we're like " are you serious?!" and we showed her our ministerial certificates, and she was somewhat pleased. She proceeded to tell us her whole life story and then some. She saw us and thought she'd check that we weren't giving candy to little kids and luring them because we were missionaries. She basically called us creeps, demanded to see our authorization (which comes from God) and then gave us her life story and really creeped us out. We walked away from that one in silence, because there was absolutely nothing to talk about, it was so weird. 

Here is my talk I gave in Sacrament meeting...

Sacrament Talk (5th Ward) - Service

(Introduce myself) (youngest out of 6 children, from Alberta Canada, love music and sports of all kinds, worked heavy machinery at a tree farm to earn money for my mission, love being a missionary and am blessed to be here and serve with such wonderful people)

Service: Physical and Spiritual

These two aspects of service are very closely intertwined, which I will illustrate with a short story. 

< A while back when I was about 12-14 years old I remember going to the church building on a lovely fall day in September for mutual activity night, and at the time I did not know what we had planned to do at the activity. 

With such amazing weather I supposed that we would play football or something fun outside. As I reached the front door our leader came outside with a bunch of rakes and plastic bags. I had never before heard of a game using lawn equipment so naturally I got excited, for a second, till he told us that we would be spending that lovely day providing service by cleaning up the church property and some member's houses in the neighborhood. 

My excitement quickly depleted as I was handed one of those rakes. I spent the next two hours grudgingly slaving away. I can remember that my day at school was not the most positive experience that day so I was looking forward to activity night, which had quickly turned into work night. 

I had the worst attitude about me but slowly I noticed near the end as we were finishing up that my attitude miraculously changed. As I raked leaves up for families who otherwise physically couldn't do it, I began to feel a little happier, I started to smile, I even laughed a few times! 

I learned that day of the spiritual uplift a little physical service can have, to the giver and the receiver. I went into the service with the worst attitude which isn't the best thing to do but It showed me the power that service can have in our lives for good. >

I personally love service because it can have such a profound effect on people. It can soften our hearts and open our lives to the love of God. I love to see how physical service can bring such spiritual relief and edification; remove stress and fear, and bring happiness; We can also see as well that service of a more spiritual nature can indeed, lighten our burdens, lift our spirits, and remove the influence of the adversary from our lives.

You never know how much the effect of even the smallest deed can influence and bless someone's life. We as members must "...be not weary in well-doing, for [we] are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

I once heard from a speaker in a devotional who referred to these "small and simple" acts of kindness as "Lollipop Moments." Now let me explain to you what a lollipop moment is. 

So this man was promoting a fundraiser at BYU one year, just as the new school year was starting. He was wearing a ridiculous costume with a crazily colored shirt and quirky pants. He also had a bucket full of lollipops that he was handing out as he was promoting this fundraiser he was a part of. 

He noticed a girl in line to get her books who looked a little sad; he noticed her head was down and was keeping to herself, So he walked over to over to the man who was in line behind her and said "give this lollipop to the beautiful girl in front of you." She smiled as the man who stood behind her held out his hand sheepishly and gave her the lollipop as his face turned bright red. 

This man who was handing the lollipops out left and kept going about his business and handed out more lollipops. Years down the road this man got a phone call from a certain lady who was once a student at BYU. 

She began to explain to him how that very simple thing he did that day changed her life. She graduated BYU and had an amazing time there, she was welcomed to her new student life with many wonderful friends, and that man who stood behind her in line and was told to give her a lollipop, was now her loving husband. 

The crazy part was that this speaker who was giving out the lollipops, didn't even remember doing that. He had no idea he had such an impact on this woman's life.

The point of this story is that we all have lollipop moments in our lives; small simple opportunities that can change the course of someone's life. We must never underestimate the power that our actions, our examples, can have in others' lives. We must act on promptings from the Holy Ghost, who will inspire us as to how to serve others to bless them in their time of need.

The Lord knows us. He knows we have our challenges. He knows when we are having a bad day, when stress or doubt overtakes our soul. The adversary can sometimes so effortlessly fill our minds and hearts with such depression and self loathing as to cripple our ability to serve our brothers and sisters. 

We must realize where those thoughts come from and turn straight away from them. I realize that some of you may feel heavy laden, even now in our lives, but I pray that none of you would ever feel that reaching out in normal, pleasant ways to share the gospel would ever be a burden. Rather, it is a privilege! There is no greater joy in life than being anxiously engaged in the service of the Lord.

The key is that you be inspired of God, that you ask Him for direction and then go and do as the Spirit prompts you. When we as members view the work of salvation as our  responsibility alone, it can be intimidating. When we view it as an invitation to follow the Lord in bringing souls unto Him to be taught by the full-time elders and sisters, it is inspiring, invigorating, and uplifting.

Brothers and sisters, the covenant we made with the Lord when we were baptized, “to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in” (Mosiah 18:9), is a lifelong commitment. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf counseled, “Those who have entered the waters of baptism and received the gift of the Holy Ghost have set their feet on the path of discipleship and are charged to follow steadily and fully in the footsteps of our Savior”

The Savior was and still is our ultimate example of selfless service. We can see through His earthly ministry and his atoning sacrifice for all of mankind, of the pure love He has for each and every one of us. Our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, have laid the foundation, prepared the way, and given us every good thing we can and ever will have in this life and the life to come. Now how can we show our love for God and all the blessings He has given us? We can serve our fellow brothers and sisters, because we read in Mosiah 2:17...

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

The Savior only emphasized that principle of service in a parable that he shared to teach the importance of service. In the parable, He returns to the earth in His glory and separates the righteous from the wicked. To the righteous He says: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me”

The righteous, who are puzzled by this declaration, ask: “Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?” 

Then the Lord answers, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”

The Savior invites us to give of ourselves in the service of others. Our opportunities to do so are limitless. Each day, look for ways to gladden hearts, to say kind words, to perform labors for others that they cannot do for themselves, and to share the gospel. Be receptive to the whisperings of the Spirit, prompting you to serve. You will find that the true key to happiness is to labor for the happiness of others.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Matthew 16:25

Fill your life with service to others. As you lose your life in the service of Father in Heaven’s children, Satan’s temptations lose power in your life.

(Bear Testimony)

Thank you so much for your letters and emails this week! I love reading them! Please keep sending them!

36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day. (Alma 37)

It makes me realize how much more I need to pray, even when I think everything is going alright, because I need to learn to counsel with Him, to ask Him, to say please and thank you more often, and abide in Him when all hope seems to be lost. We went to the Jordan River Temple today and it seemed normal, although I had really missed going to the temple because we don't go as often here. like I said it was a normal session until I got to the Celestial Room, where I sat down and said a quick prayer, and before I even finished saying, "dear Heavenly Father..." my eyes welled up with tears and immediately my whole soul seemed to be filled with the Spirit, and I felt the love that God had for me, and I knew that what I was doing was right. It was the most joyful, peaceful feeling that I had rarely before felt. I loved it! I love all of you back home! Have a great week! 

Love Elder Patterson

February 16, 2015

Dear Family and Friends

So I am at a bowling alley right now with my district and they don't have wifi so I am writing this down then I'll send it later when I do have wifi at home. So let's see. Boy valentines is the worst holiday in the world, especially as a missionary. No body was home on the weekend to help us see people and the people we wanted to see we're not home obviously, and everyone we saw was all makey outy and it was disgusting. Worst holiday ever. So I have a sticky note on my iPad where I wrote down the things I need to tell you about. So I got transferred and I'm actually way cool about it all! I am in the Hunter Copper Hills stake covering the 5th and 7th wards. The last area I was in I complained about the poverty and the scariness of my neighborhood, the drugs and alcohol abuse, the people who didn't help us in our work; we basically had to do our calling plus a few more like the clerk and ward mission leader and Ward missionaries. But I have now moved into the richest stake in the valley. I'm on the highest part of the valley and can see downtown from where I am. I walk among million dollar homes and the people are definitely not as humble as my last area. But they are really nice and I am coming to love them as well! It's crazy to see the diversity between these areas that are not very far from each other. I am living in the basement of a member named Brother Baker who is pretty funny. I like him. I feel really out of place when walking in the streets here but like I said I still like it here, it's a nice change. My new address is 

5776 Cape Cod Dr.

West Valley City, UT.

84128

My companion is Elder Hernandez, who was in my MTC district and in the same dorm as me so I got to know him during the first two weeks of my mission. He is cool. He is from Los Angeles California and he is a goof but is a good missionary. I am having fun here! There is are cockroaches in our place so I am happy! We just got groceries today and got haircuts, and bowled. Oh and I'm starting to see how missionaries can gain weight here when the people actually feed you. I'm really having to exercise in the mornings just to keep up. 

Well I love you and thank you for your emails. 

Love Elder Patterson