May 18, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

First of all, to let you know, it's been pretty good here! :) It has been raining everyday this week which has been a great blessing to us here because we got no snow this winter. The mountains are already bare! Well I know you can and probably already weather stalk Utah so I don't need to tell you about the weather. 

So this week a man named Luis Rodriguez agreed on a baptismal date for June 13. His wife is a less active member and they have four children under the age of 12. It's taken a lot to even have a lesson with him and we did and he accepted to be baptized and to shoot for a goal in the future. They are having some troubles and so please keep the Rodriguez family in your prayers. 

We also had zone conference this week which was a 6 hour-long meeting. It was good and they fed us lunch but my brain was fried after that. Those meetings and weekly planning (3 hours) take all my attention and energy away for the rest of the day, because I have so much more to think about and apply to my life and it's just such a spiritual overload. 

The Trek is happening this summer and all the kids and families are preparing for those here. I wish I had gone when I had the chance. But I wrote a song called "a mile more" which references the pioneers, early saints and then my mission experiences. I got to sing that song for a trek company this week which was cool. I don't often get chances to play guitar and sing so I like to do that. The 5th ward bishop thanked me for that. Not to brag but it went really well. I made sure to say a prayer before I sang so I had help. 

I am really going to miss President Swain. He has done a lot for me so far and his rules and trust has helped me become the missionary I am today. We have been re-instructed during our zone conference of what we learned back in March about missionary work in the digital age. Here are some really cool quotes from the slide show regarding instruction and revelation given to the mission presidents...

March 7 disciples of the lord in the digital age

"Mobile devices are but tools to facilitate the lords work. They are neither the focus of nor the reason for the hastening. Like a magnifying glass, they enhance our focus in fulfilling the lords work at this time." - Elder Nelson, to change the minds and hearts

"Those who struggle with pornography may be disappointed in themselves, but the Savior is not disappointed with any who earnestly seek to repent. He is grateful, as are we, for the faith they have exercised , first in answering a call from a prophet to serve a mission, and second to repent and seek forgiveness through the Atonement of Jesus Christ." - Elder Nelson

"The true measure of a mission presidents service will be evident when the children, and grandchildren of their missionaries are endowed and sealed in a holy temple." - Elder Nelson

"Using these devices is a great opportunity to help missionaries to learn the principle or moral agency. 

...When we make a covenant, our agency changes to what we want doesn't matter as much as what He wants.

...Because we have made that pledge, in essence what we say is 'not my will but thine be done.' We pledge that we will always remember Him, not just for our benefit but so that we can represent Him at all times and in all places and in all things.

You are an agent, you have the choice, you are not an object to be acted upon—whether it be by an appetite or lust or anything else. You have the choice. It's not easy. But it begins by understanding who we are as sons and daughters of God, what the atonement makes possible and the blessings of moral agency in our life.

The ultimate expression of moral agency is in choosing God and in being good." - Elder Bednar

"No missionary can access inappropriate content unless he or she makes a conscious choice to do it...

You don't need all this training... If you just follow the basic guidelines—you are always with your companion. You have to go contrary to the most simple, fundamental practices of missionary life to have access to inappropriate material. You have to exercise your agency to go there." - Elder Bednar

We also were instructed more fully about the law of the Fast. Here are some cool things I wrote down...

When we bless the food, bless those who don't have food

Think of my patriarchal blessing, I can benefit others around the world

"Remarkable as your body is, it's prime purpose is even of greater importance—to serve as a tenement for your spirit...

Part of each test is to determine if your body can become mastered by the spirit that dwells within it." - Elder Nelson

"Providing in the Lord's way humbles the rich, exalts he poor, and sanctifies both... 

Building character in the members of the church, givers and receivers, rescuing all that is finest down deep inside of them, and bringing to flower and fruitage the latent richness of the Spirit." - President J. Reuben Clark Jr. 

"I wish to emphasize the law of the fast as a form of true worship and the importance of generous fast offerings... 

The law of the fast needs to be continually taught and testified to in the church. There are separate, supernal blessings available for those who keep the law of the fast." - President Faust

I am learning lots that I will continue to apply to my daily life back home. I love it here and am being very blessed. I love you all so much! 

Elder Patterson