Instruments in the Lord's Hands

Dear Family,

This by far has been the most productive week I have had here in Novokuznetsk. First I want to say that I finished reading the Bible, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, Guide to the Scriptures, and Preach my Gospel in Russian for the second time. If you don't remember, that is about 5,000 pages of text. (Not to be bragging, of course :) I am just glad I was able to finish this time, as I don't think I will have enough time for a third round. But I will finish the Book of Mormon 12 times. I finished number 9 today, so the rest will be a cake walk.

In a call to our friend Pavel (We still haven't met with him again, as he is really busy...) He had a lot of questions. He had prayed like I asked him the last time, but he neglected to read the Book of Mormon. I bluntly told him, "If you want to know truth, you need to read the Book of Mormon." I have actually seen a change in my life directly connected with the Book of Mormon. I know that it is a true Book.

There is an investigator, named Maxim, who is impossible to meet with. He works in the mines, and he never knows if he will have a break or not. He is amazing though. He reads the Book of Mormon like clockwork, and prays every day. He has said how much those things have helped in his life. He even stopped smoking himself. This just shows the power of the Gospel. People can literally change, and become "new creatures". I feel so badly that Maxim is unable to come to church because of his work schedule.  We can’t really do anything about that, so we just have to wait and support him. Despite that, he is a wonderful person.

Nikolai actually helped us on that meeting, which was a major plus. Nikolai had met with him once before, and in the lesson, he said, "I remember you from last time. I see that there is a light in your eyes. You look happier, lighter, more at peace...I know that this gospel is true, because it gives me hope for the future, and has made my life better." Maxim had concerns about baptism, and Nikolai said, "Be baptized. It will be the best decision you have ever made." Yeah, that's my bud!

President Gibbons came to give us missionaries training, as well as training to the branch. He is implementing new plans towards the creation of a stake. I wish I could tell you all the things he told us, because it is genius. It is based on principles of goal setting, and levers to achieve such goals. It really excited us missionaries, and even the members. I felt beforehand, "Yeah! A stake! ... What do I need to do to help with this?" I felt like a chicken with its head cut off.  Now, we have a goal as missionaries towards the stake. We are focusing on using members to help find people to teach. Just with this new goal, I have seen a difference in the work. We are getting meetings, we have new people to teach, and it has only been a few days. It is weird how things can change immediately, a complete turnaround.

President Gibbons also told me that I will remain in Novokuznetsk the remainder of my mission, which is such a joy to me. I remember when I first served here, I thought, "I started my mission in Novokuznetsk, and I will finish my mission here." I am grateful for this tender mercy from the Lord, and am ready to serve till the end.

Sister Dement and Sister Sowards

We also had a music night for a finding activity. It doesn't hurt that you have missionaries that have sold their own original CD's or studied opera in college at your disposal. (Elder Bowler even composed a song for the evening!) I am just the average church piano player, church choir singer. Whatever. J  It was a great time, and many people came, and members brought friends as well. They loved it, and especially loved the salad that I made for the end.

You know that Heavenly Father works in the most curious of ways? Our newest investigator is our good friend Vitali. One day, we get a call from the sisters about this guy who was at the branch. We came over, and see this 24 year-old guy. We find out he found an English invitation at his sister's house, and decided to see what went on here. He was interested in our message, and we set up a meeting for the next day. We met and discussed the Restoration with him, and Pavel (Recent converts) helped on the lesson. It was really cool, for at the end we knelt down, and he gave a closing prayer. I thought in my mind, "Yes!" We invited him to the music night, he came, and to church. Vitali did come to church, but only to sit in on Priesthood meeting. Nevertheless, that is major progress. We are meeting with him today, so he is молодец (Mal-lah-detz, which means "good jobber").

 I am just grateful for the opportunity to serve, and see how the Lord works in my life, and in the lives of others. There are seen and unseen forces that are preparing these people. I have seen that none of my efforts as a missionary have directly influenced someone. Everything that has happened on my mission was by the hand of God. I have never really understood the term "instruments in the Lord's hands" before. Really, I am just like an ax. It is worth nothing by itself, as it cannot wield itself and cut a tree by itself. Only in the hands of someone is the ax of any worth. I am nothing, until I am in the hands of my Father. But through me, the wonders of the Lord can be made manifest. The wonders of the Lord are made manifest in us publicly, as we bear testimony or render service to our fellow men. Mostly, the wonders are silent and still, as the softening of a heart, or the wayward soul made repentant. How wonderful are the wonders of the Lord! I am grateful to be a tool, that I can make these wonders manifest in others, as well as in myself.

I love you all.

Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)

Do we have the kind of dedication to the Gospel that we need to have?

Dear Family.

It is a little scary, now that I can count the number of Sundays that I have left on my hands! With our investigator Pavel, we were unable to meet with him this week, but I ended up having a very long discussion with him over the phone. I checked the phone, and it was over 50 minutes. He had so many questions, and his main question was, “What was the foundation of our faith?”   He was trying to prove a point, that for doctrine to be true, then it should be written in the scriptures. Of course I agreed with him. I told him, it is through prayer, pondering, and study of the scriptures. I asked him if he read the Book of Mormon, and he answered that he had a little. I asked him if he prayed to know if it was true. He had not. I asked him if he believed that he would receive an answer to his prayers, and he did. I then told him if he truly wanted to know the truth, then he needed to pray to God. It doesn't matter how many times we read the scriptures, if we don't pray about it, then we will never know of their truth. I know that for myself. My testimony of the Book of Mormon didn't come from reading it 8 times. It came from every prayer that I gave, asking if the Book of Mormon was true. I committed him to pray to know if it was true, and he committed to it. That was Sunday night, so we shall see what happened because of it.

I think the highlight of this week was the meeting we had with a man by the name of Artyom. We just found him walking down the street, and he was very tired of life. He had many unfortunate events happen in his life, and it was difficult for him to trust in God, or rather a trust in himself. I shared with him from the Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2, verses 2 and 11, sharing that trials are what help us in life. He felt unsure, but he agreed to meet later. A few days later, we set up a meeting. First of all, he couldn't find our branch building where we planned to meet, and his phone wasn't working due to the cold. We tried calling, but it didn't really work. In the end we got a hold of him, and he went home because he was cold, and he couldn't find the building, so we moved the meeting to later that day, in the evening. We planned to meet at a fountain in the center of the city, and then show him where our branch building was. Through broken calls, we finally got together, and walked to the branch.

 I looked into this man's eyes, and I saw someone who was worn down by trials, and by sin. His eyes were shadowed by lack of sleep and loss of hope. When he talked to us, he always looked down towards the floor. Throughout the lesson, we said so many times how much God loved him. I told him, through the Atonement of Christ, we can be cleansed from sin, that we had no need to suffer from the guilt of past mistakes. I told him if he wanted to be cleansed from sin, that it is through faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism, and Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I asked him once he knew that this gospel is true, would he be baptized. He agreed, and he himself said. "I hope to be able to be clean from my mistakes." By this time, his head was raised a little higher, and I saw in his eyes that glimmer of hope.

Just in that lesson, I truly felt the love that God had for this son of His. It almost brought tears to my eyes, to see this man just burdened down. He was devoid of any hope for a happy life. I was so grateful that we met with him, that we can share this hope. The Gospel is hope. I know that with every fiber of my being. I don't know if this man will accept the gospel in the end, but it was at least worth it sharing my testimony of the truth, and making his life a little more hopeful.

It reminded me of a man we met on the street, named Denis. We were just contacting, and I stopped him to say hello, and hopefully share a message. What was a friendly hello turned into a great outpouring of the Spirit. I didn't know why at the time, but I began to be talking very slow, allowing the Spirit to emphasize every single word with power. I showed him a copy of the Book of Mormon, and he gently took it out of my hands. I testified of the truthfulness of that Book, and that I knew that God loved us, and had a plan for us. I testified that the church was restored, and the Gospel was again on the earth in its fullness. I looked into his eyes, and I thought I saw what looked like tears forming. We exchanged information, and at the end of our conversation, he confined to us that he was having a very difficult day, that he was having problems with his work and family, and that our message really helped to "lighten his soul". He was very grateful that we stopped to talk to him. Moments like that are precious to me. We had no idea that this man was having a bad day, but God sent us to help him, to give him words of comfort, and to prepare this man to accept the gospel. It strengthens my testimony that this gospel is true, and that it is a light, and an easement of burdens.

What was a huge surprise, not only to us missionaries, but to the members, was the guest this Sunday. Her name is Armina, from Armenia. She has been a member for ten years. She was visiting guests, and missing church, so she asked her friend from Moscow to find the branch closest to her. I believe that she took a bus from a different city even to go to church. It was such a surprise when she shook my hand, and then asked in English where I was from, and that she had friends from Utah. She told the story about her conversion, and how blessed her life is because of the Gospel. It was so wonderful to see how despite the fact that she was in an unfamiliar city, with unfamiliar people, everyone just embraced her. She was known as "missionary Mom" back in her home in Armenia. So this is an example for all of us. She had to take a bus, probably for an hour at the least, in order to get into the city where an available branch was. I remember that our ward building at home is five minutes away. Do we have that kind of dedication, to make sure that we attend actively all of our church meetings, and fulfill our church duties? I want to make sure that actively participating in church is a number one priority in my life.


Novokuznetsk Branch with Armena

I love you all, and I pray for your safety, your happiness, and your health. I know that this church is true, and I know that we can receive salvation only through our Savior Jesus Christ. I love my Savior, and what He did for me, and for all of God's children. I know that His church was restored. I know that our message is Hope for the entire world.

Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)

I am trying to accomplish all my goals.

Dear Family:

It scares me that you already have my flight plans. It makes the end all the very more real for me. The quote from Porter just made my day, but also kind of freaked me out a little.  (Note from Aaron’s mom—this was the quote:  "When Aaron comes home from his mission and gets married, he can’t move away.  Because if he moves away, who will play Legos with me?")

Life is moving even faster than before. This month already feels almost over, and I only have such little time left. It is all the more reason to work even harder, and try to leave the best impression I possibly can upon this beloved land.

We taught this man named Pavel two times this week. The sisters actually found him when they were tracting an apartment complex. He asked them what they were doing and they got into a gospel conversation. They set up a meeting with him, and we accompanied them. He is incredibly knowledgeable of the Bible, and he has many questions. Our last meeting went WAY too long because he wanted to ask another question, then ANOTHER question, and I just had to keep telling him, "Next time, we will answer those questions." He is very open, and not trying to find why our church is wrong, but just trying to find truth. He actually went on our church site and found the Articles of Faith. He asked me about them, if I knew them. "Of course I know them. I have them memorized by heart. (Even in Russian)" I was grateful that I did have them memorized, as they helped us answer his questions.

With the change in my release date, I am trying to accomplish all my goals. I WILL read the Book of Mormon 12 times before I go home. My other goal was to memorize all the things required in our Russian Language Program. President Gibbons came up with a Russian Language program that is genius. Other mission presidents are using it as well. It involves daily reading from the Book of Mormon, and memorizing key phrases and scriptures, as recommended by Preach My Gospel. This plan has helped me know exactly what to learn and prepares me to teach. I hope to have 42 scriptures memorized for each doctrinal point of the lessons in Preach my Gospel. (Bryson, this is what I am going to teach you before you leave. You are going to dominate in the language when I am through with you!) I have 27 scriptures memorized, and this goal started when I was training Elder Nichols, so I am making good progress. I am ahead in my schedule to do so, and I am glad.

We had a meeting with Nikolai as well. He just barely registered on LDS.org, and we wanted to show him the Family Search website. I am glad that I already had some experience with the program beforehand. We helped him learn how to create his family tree. While he put in the information for his father, I felt such an excitement in the lesson. It was a beginning for him to give the same blessings he received when he was baptized to his ancestors, as well as his deceased father. I even showed him my family tree, and how much work had been done. I also noticed how many holes there were, and the ordinances that had not been completed. I am grateful for family members who worked so hard to give our ancestors the blessings of eternity, but I am also grateful that I might have a chance personally to help fill those holes. I thought I didn't need to do family history, since the rest of my family already has been doing it, but there is a lot to be done, and I am going to be a part of it.

I exhort all youth to get into family history. Listen to the apostles and prophets. We are a generation that has been prepared to do this work. It is so fulfilling. Remember, this is not an old parent telling you what to do, but a fellow youth, who had the same lessons taught, and regrets the fact he didn't listen earlier. I am going to repent, and make family history an important part of my life.

In district meeting, the sister missionaries gave a spiritual thought about faith, especially the faith to find those who are ready to accept the gospel. Sister Sowards gave an awesome story of a man, who despite the warnings of a tsunami, believed that God would save him, and he would just sit home. Neighbors came to warn him, policemen came to escort him to safety, a man in a boat came to save him, and even a helicopter flew to save him as the flood waters went to the roof. The man refused, believing that God would save him. The man unfortunately drowned, and when he saw God, the man asked why He didn't save him. God said. "I gave you so many chances to be saved, and all you had to do was act, and you would be saved." How many times do we assume that God will just bless us or help us, if we don't do anything on our part.  King Lamoni understood the importance of acting according to faith. When Ammon learned from God that his brothers were in prison, Lamoni offered his help as friend of the king of that city. Lamoni knew that Ammon stopped a whole pack of bandits. He knew that Ammon was a man called of God, and could perform miracles. King Lamoni knew that God would help them, if they would try with all their resources to free their brethren. I would think that Ammon wouldn't need any help to save his brothers. He would just smite the prison in two, and they would be free. NO.  God wants us to use our agency, our abilities, and our talents which He gave to us. Then those talents can be augmented with power from on high by the means of our faith. Without that first effort, the faith can't come.

As a missionary, we will not find people to teach if we don't put some effort first. God doesn't just pick people up and place them in the font. We have to open our mouths, we have to walk the streets, we have to bear testimony. Then God intervenes and lets the Holy Ghost fill our mouths with the words needed, guide us down the correct path, and testify of truth. Even if I am having a bad day, and people are not listening, I still show my faith by talking to one more person, knocking on one more door. God knows I believe, but He still helps me in my unbelief.

I love this gospel, and I know it is true. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that Joseph Smith restored the Church upon the earth. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the prophet today.

Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)

(P.S. Tell Emily she is in my prayers, and that Heavenly Father loves her very much, just like I do.)

Letter from Elder Hoggan to his mom....

During the past year, Aaron has taken the time to write each member of our family a special letter just for them, telling them how they have influenced him in his life.  I wanted to include mine here.

Dear Mom:

I just wanted to save this letter for the last.  It has been a real journey, writing each of these letters for each family member, reflecting on everyone’s impact on my life.  Everyone in this wonderful family has been such an influence on me, but none can compare with the good given by a mother.  You have borne me, taught me, fed me, cheered me on, and testified of truth to me.  I know of no greater calling than that of a mother.  You have sacrificed so much for our family, especially for your children.  It may have been difficult, but look at the results.  You have six beautiful children, boys who have served missions, girls who have married worthy Priesthood holders.  I feel like the end cap of this bottle of joy.  All I need to do after my mission is marry in the temple for time and all eternity and then the masterpiece is complete.  Just think:  our entire family is sealed together.  I have met so many people, missionaries included, whose families are not together.  Missing parents, wayward children.  Is there such a thing as a whole family?  Ours is.  What a blessing!  God has closely watched over this family.  Even when trials have come, our family has come out conquerer.  I just hope that I can live up to such a legacy.  Our family is a miracle—and you are the center of this family, with Dad.  You have taught us, you have raised us up in the Gospel.  Because of that, you have saved us.  We have all the tools necessary to return to our Heavenly Father.  Thank you so much.

Now, Mom, I am almost coming home and though it is exciting to return, I am still sad.  I love these people.  I love them so much.  Everyone says that about the people they served on their mission, but I didn’t understand it until now.  This love is overwhelming.  It consumes my entire being.  The joy I feel when someone opens their heart to the Gospel.  The sadness of one closing that door to the truth.  These emotions at times are too much for me.  I can’t tell you how many times I have wept for my fellow brothers and sisters in Russia.  I love the members here.  How I wish you could meet them and feel of their love.  I have never in my entire mission longed for home because I found it here.  These people, these members are my home.  They have sacrificed so much for the gospel, even leaving family behind for the gospel’s sake.  Maybe you did not have to leave family, but what you have sacrificed mom, for the gospel.  Just as precious as the gospel, you gave me love.  I am just barely understanding the love Heavenly Father has for His children, but you understand it, because you show it.  You give that love.  There has never been a time in my life where I doubted you loved me.  During the darkest days, I would remember that you love me and that you were praying for me.  In the darkest despair, the light of your love shone brightly.  Heavenly Father loves us all so much, he sent His Son to die for us.  What love it would take to send a son to suffer in such a way.  What did it feel like sending your son off to a foreign land for two years?  I bet it was not easy, but you loved me and you loved your Heavenly Father to send me here so I could share His love with His children here in Russia.  Thank you!  I know God loves us.  I know Jesus Christ loves us so much.  He gave up His life so that we could return to Him and love Him for eternity.  I know our family is eternal, and our love for each other is eternal.  That is what you are, mom.  You are любовь (loo-bow-v) love.

Love, Your Son,

Elder Hoggan

I am coming home April 3!

(любовь or Loo-bow-v means love in Russian...sorry for the confusion)

Dear Family,

With this new news, Mom, you probably will be jumping for joy. Because of logistical problems with the oncoming missionaries, my release date is set for April 3. President Gibbons came to the conclusion that it is too difficult to situate all the missionaries if they stay longer than planned, so all missionaries that had a chance to lengthen their release date are just going on the earlier date. It was a very somber call for me, because 4 months was short enough, and now it is a month shorter. I can almost count the weeks left on my hands, which scares even more. I guess it just gives me even greater resolve to work harder, since I even have less time. 

This could also end up being something good for Bryson, because I could give him some one-on-one tutoring in the Russian language, so he can blow the other missionaries out of the MTC. That is one plus I thought about with this change in my call.

With New Years, we just stayed in our apartment. We went to bed about 10:30, as given by the missionary handbook, but we woke up to the fireworks at midnight. They were setting off fireworks right outside the apartment building.  It was cool, but loud, and I was really tired.

We are still trying to find new investigators. One person who has real promise is Mixail. He is about forty years old. I can't remember if I told you about him, but he was unsure about the existence of God, because of all the bad that is in the world. I shared with him 2 Nephi 2:11 about the necessity of opposition.  He agreed to meet. He had already started reading the Book of Mormon, and he agreed to meet even more, and he even prayed at the end of the lesson, even though he had never prayed in his life. He promised to come to church, but then he got really sick. We are just keeping in contact with him, just waiting until he feels better. It is still the holidays here in Russia. They celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January, so people are still away on trips or busy with exams. 

Sunday was fast Sunday, which is always special. I remember sometimes the pauses between testimonies back at my ward, and I have never experienced that here. Even here in Novokuznetsk, though the members are few, the spirit of their testimonies is strong. I bore my testimony about how the gospel is happiness, and I shared 2 Nephi 2:25. The purpose of life is to be happy, and that is only through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nikolai bore his testimony as well, about how his conversion to the gospel has changed everything for the better. He knows the Book of Mormon is true. He has found happiness, he has found friends, especially his friend Elder Hoggan. It just made my heart warm in that meeting.

I love you all and I pray for the best for all of you.  See you REALLY soon!

Elder Hoggan