I can't believe that I am in this “trainer”
seat for the third time already. You would think after being a trainer twice I
would get the hang of it. The reality is far from that. I still don't know what
I am doing, even though I have been out for more than a year and a half. Every
single day brings even more surprises.
What first happened this week, we
went to Novosibirsk for training of the new missionaries. The main message of
this training for the trainers was about unity and love. You need to love your
companion and work together with them. That is why they are called a
companion. If you don't work together, then the work stops. It doesn't just
slow down, but it stops.
Elder Nichols is from Linden, or
pretty much Orem. A majority of missionaries in our mission are from Orem,
which is interesting. He actually played basketball in the same high school as
Elder Harper, my former companion. (President Gibbons promised to send pictures
of our companions to our parents, so you will have to tell me when you get it,
because I don't have one yet...) That is his forte, basketball. He was one of
the big players at his high school. How sweet, to have one of the greatest
basketball players paired up with one of the worst basketball players in the
world. Junior Jazz still haunts me to this day. But that is okay, because Elder
Nichols has great desire to share the gospel, despite his strugglings with the
language. I am in a similar position as my trainer was, except he was branch
president, too. I couldn't do that.
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| Thanksgiving |
I just can't get over the fact about
the Book of Mormon. It is by far the greatest tool we have in missionary work.
We met this man by the name of Valeri, and gave him a Book of Mormon. He asked
about our church services and we told him they would be the following day. We
were unable to get any contact information, but there he was, the next day at
church! I was amazed, because I had never seen anyone who we met on the street
come to church before we even taught them! He plans to come even more, and we
plan to meet with him this week.
Another miracle was Andrei. We were
walking outside yesterday, and we started talking to this man about the church.
I was explaining about the Book of Mormon, and I testified how I knew the Book
of Mormon to be true. He asked, "How can you know if it is true?" I
almost thought I was being filmed in a church movie. Me and Elder Nichols that
very morning in companionship study practiced teaching people about the Book of
Mormon, and how to receive an answer of its truthfulness. I happily explained
that first he needed to read it, and then ponder the message in his heart. Then
ask God in prayer, if the Book of Mormon is true. The answers that come from
prayer are not usually loud, but more like feelings of peace and joy. That is
the Holy Ghost testifying of truth. There have been a few cases where I have
met someone on the street, and I recognized the Spirit testifying. That moment,
I felt him strongly, and I knew that Andrei felt it as well. We exchanged
numbers, and plan to meet later this week.
Now a completely opposite story, we
met a man on the street who wanted nothing to do with us. I tried to share a
message of the truthfulness of the Gospel, but he would not listen, and
continued to call our church a cult. I felt anger rising in my heart, I really
wanted to argue with this man, but I held my cool and simply stated that I knew
our church was not a cult, but the true church of Jesus Christ, and bade him
good luck with his life. We left with his mocking in our ears. Sometimes I wish
I didn't know the Russian language, so that I didn't have to understand the
horrible things some people say. I am really grateful, though, that I left a
good impression for this man. I didn't raise my voice, I didn't insult him, I
just shared what was dear to my heart. I am also grateful that Heavenly Father
gives everyone the chance to receive the gospel, and we were just one step
bringing this man to the truth.
Another thing that impressed me
happened this week. The branch building was in deep need of a repainting, and
the members came for many days to paint the walls. They would come and work
late into the night, so that the building would be ready for Sunday. It
reminded me of my studies in the scriptures about the ones truly converted to
the faith "standing in holy places." The most obvious holy place
would be the temple, but these members are not able to enjoy the blessings of
the temple constantly. Where else is a holy place? These members spend a lot of
time at the branch, not just to help, but they realize that it is in fact a
holy place, and they can be safe here. It reminds me of a member who was
bombarded with anti-Mormon material at home, and she would stay at the branch,
because she wanted to stay in "holy places". Another holy place,
unlike the story, home is another one, even comparable to the temple. The home
can only be holy if the ones who reside are holy. I am grateful for a family
who taught me the holiness of home. I guess that is why I never needed a
curfew, because I wanted to stay in the holy place which was my home. May we do
all we can to make our homes "holy places".
The work is going forth nobly. I
wonder if there was news of the 2nd stake in St. Petersburg. Satan is losing
his grip on these people, and righteousness is prevailing. I am grateful to be
part of this service, of this battle for truth and purity. I just hope that I
am still here when there is a stake formed here in Novosibirsk. I don't know,
but no matter what happens, I know that I served when I needed to, and that my
service is acceptable before God. I pray every day for you, my family. I pray
for you, my friends. I pray for you, all who are looking for the truth. I know
we have it. I know we have the fullness of the Gospel. Jesus is the Christ. His
church has been restored. I know it.
Elder Hoggan (The Siberian
Messenger)
P.S. The picture of me with another
elder is Elder Dawson. We spent a few weeks in Novokuznetsk together. The other
with all of the missionaries is all of the trainers and their companions having
dinner together.
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| Elder Dawson |
A few questions: Which conference
was that talk from you told me about? Also, who in the family has received a
written letter from me? I just want to make sure I didn't forget anyone. Then
finally, was Les Miserables the musical made into a movie? I saw a preview and
almost screamed out loud...just some little nice information.
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