Press Forward

We are heading into a new transfer. My companion and I are both staying here in Plum Creek.

So we were able to get our mission president's permission to attend youth conference with the youth in our area, so we could get the missionaries closer to the youth and inspire them to be better missionaries. The theme was Press Forward, the 2016 youth theme. It was awesome! We helped out with a Tree of Life activity. It was in a barn house, with very little light and smoke machines to simulate the mists of darkness. In all, the youth conference was incredible! The youth came away more unified and determined.

We had the opportunity to teach R this week about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She has not shown too much interest in our past visits, but we had our Primary President come with us this time, and she really loved everything we had to say. She has 4 small children, and the lesson really helped her understand what she can do to help her children grow up knowing Jesus Christ.

During the Tree of Life Activity, Elder LR and I decided to be part of the group of people trying to pull the youth away from the "Iron Rod". Several times when several people were surrounding the youth, the youth would say, "Well, I trust the missionaries, so I'll go with them."

Now, by all means, trust the missionaries. The point I am trying to make is that there were clear sign of whether or not you were on the right path. All of us who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have the knowledge of how to return to Heavenly Father. If we want to make it to the Tree of Life, our testimonies must be our own. The Church is perfect, but it is run by imperfect people. Our church leaders have been called by revelation and prophecy, but that doesn't mean they are perfect. Our testimony can't be in the missionaries, or in the bishop, or in anyone except our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ. Christ will lead us to the truth. He IS the Truth. If you put your trust in Him, you will never fail. I know that He is always there, and will guide us to the Father, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Until next week, press forward with a steadfastness in Christ.

-- 

The Lord's Soldier,

                      Elder Jacob C. Tibbitts

My district in Castle Rock.

Service project at Youth Conference.

April Snow Brings....?

Well, we got 20 inches of snow this weekend. I guess it serves me right for serving in Colorado. All the missionaries in our zone had to be parked. So, we broke out the old snow shovels and started street-service-contacting. We met one non-member lady who graduated from college in Utah, as well as many other people.

All regular church services were cancelled in our stake, but that doesn't mean the 7 AM meetings we have to go to! We spent a lot of time on Sunday going to several members' homes and sharing brief lessons with them about the importance of the Sacrament, in place of the spiritual nourishment they would have received at the church meetings. We got a lot of thank yous for giving them that spiritual uplifting.

We had the INCREDIBLE opportunity to go the temple this week with a recently reactivated member, and go through an endowment session with her. It is always incredible to feel the power of the temple and help somebody on the other side of the veil receive the ordinances of exaltation. It is so incredible to see this great sister so engaged and excited in the Gospel again. She is on fire. She wants to do everything to serve the Lord.

The is an 18-month period of Church History that members of the Church in Ghana call "The Freeze". During that time, all church meetings for the Church were banned. The First Presidency authorized having Sacrament Meeting in individual homes. It was a period of great difficulty for members of the Church there. Here in the USA, we are lucky to at this time have the blessing of being able to attend church meetings without fear of the government throwing us in jail. We are incredibly lucky. The Sacrament is a sacred ordinance. During this month, I have only been able to take the Sacrament once, which was blessed by a newly ordained priest and his father. Do we understand how privileged we are to have that sacred and holy ordinance of God in our lives? It is my prayer that we may treasure the Sacrament for the priceless gift it truly is, and I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.\

Until next week, let your minds be focused on the Savior.

-- 

The Lord's Soldier,

                      Elder Jacob C. Tibbitts

The Denver Temple

Break out that snow shovel!

More Meetings!

We had a lot of meetings this week, 4 out 7 days. One of them lasted 8 hours, but that's all jim-dandy. Even when the meetings get boring, they aren't, because that's when you get the best funny quotes. I have been laughing way too much these last two weeks.

We have been helping a part-member family build a play set. It has been awesome work. I feel like I'm playing with LEGOs on a bigger and more complicated scale. The part-member family also came to Church this week!

Speaking of Church, we had a rather interesting Fast & Testimony Meeting. Half or more of the people who bore their testimonies are less-active. They were very powerful testimonies, but the bishop was sweating bullets, not knowing if he'd have to get up and stop somebody if they got out of hand. Later we had a meeting with him and asked about one of the people, and he said, "I have never seen that guy before." I just love meetings in the Church. It is Spirit packed, and often very hilarious. I'm glad I'm in a Church where I laugh so much, but still get so much spiritual nourishment.

Do you have a friend who seems like missionary work just comes natural for him? What if I told you that it's hard being a missionary? What if I told you that it's scary talking to people, and knocking on doors, when there's a good chance that they'll just start yelling at you and telling you that what you are doing is wrong? I had an experience like that just this week, looking for a less-active member of our ward. It's even scary just starting a conversation with somebody and talking about the Gospel. Being a full-time missionary doesn't imbue us with the magical ability to be a social-butterfly and fearless. It takes hard work, but we all can do it. Think of your friends, people living without the Gospel in their lives. Think of those who are wandering the Earth, yearning for truth. We, the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, HAVE the truth. I invite you to open up your mouths and start sharing the Gospel. I'm not telling you to go out tracting, but I am asking you to fulfill your duty as their friend to give them more. I know that as we do that, OUR lives will be enriched, and I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Until next week, follow the prophet, he knows the way.

-- 

The Lord's Soldier,

                      Elder Jacob C. Tibbitts

Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice

Just when you think General Conference couldn't get better, they surprise you and make it even better. The Spirit was SO powerful during ALL the sessions of General Conference. The talks were obviously inspired, and they were perfect not only for the condition of the world, but even in what order they were placed. Elder Rasband's talk was perfect after the sustaining vote, Elder Patrick Kearon's talk was perfect for the situation of the world, as many nations and citizens are deciding what they must do with the refugee situation. Elder Holland ended Conference on a perfect note. I was so excited to be able to hear the Prophet speak twice! I have learned to love Thomas S. Monson so much more on my mission, and I have a sure witness that he is a prophet of the Lord. I am so gratefully for the opportunity I had to raise my hand and sustain him as President of the Church.

We went on exchanges this week, and Elder LR and I were in the other elders' area with them for a day. I haven't had that much fun in a while. There were several times where I laughed so hard I cried. That's when you know it was a good time. I learned a lot more about my responsibility to the other missionaries around me, and what being a leader really means. General Conference taught me a lot about leadership, too.

We were walking across a parking lot, and we struck up a conversation with a lady in the parking lot. After tactfully diverting the conversation away from the subject of politics and presidential candidates, we had an incredible conversation about temples and the Book of Mormon. This lady gratefully accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon, which she is eager to read! I love sharing the Book of Mormon with people! It's changed my life, and it can change those who read it.

Elder Holland said in his General Conference address yesterday: "May a loving Father in Heaven bless us tomorrow to remember how we felt today. My He bless us to strive with patience and persistence toward the ideals we have heard, and heard proclaimed this Conference weekend, knowing that His divine love and unfailing help even when we struggle -- no, will be with us especially when we struggle."

Brothers and sisters, the coming days are only going to get harder. We NEED the blessings we have received in General Conference, and we need to stay with it. The God of Wonders will be with us every step of the way. As we stand by Him, He will stand by us. Push forward, don't give up. You can make it. You were DESIGNED to make it. You have legions of angels at your side. Just don't give up.

Until next week, stand by what you felt today, and don't let tomorrow get in the way.

-- 

The Lord's Soldier,

                      Elder Jacob C. Tibbitts

We found this on top of Castle Rock.

Helping other missionaries move is fun...