Alma 5

Alrighty then!! This week was great! I haven't made enough time to email this week. But, I want to challenge all of you to read Alma 5 this week!

I read this chapter in the Book of Mormon this week, and I found that the Spirit can and will speak to you with what you need to hear. I apologize for not sending a longer/bigger email.

-Elder J.T.Yates

Elder Baker and I wearing some bomb glasses from a super target. 

Courtney the Corolla.

Elder Whetzel and I after MLC.

Elder Smith and I reunited!!

Patience young Padawan

Throughout the last 17.5 months that I have been away from home, I have learned one thing for sure. Patience is a virtue. This week was a great week! It flew by again, and I can't believe that I am writing another weekly email home!

As for things that I am struggling with (we all do, just admit it), is having patience. There are so many things that I miss and want to do from home. But, I know that they will be there when I get home! :)

Alma 26:27 says, "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success."

The things that I am learning patience with aren't necessarily "afflictions", but I know that as I am patient in the things the Lord has commanded me to do, as this promise says "I will give unto you success". All I desire is to be fully converted unto the Lord. These days we are living in are perilous and are becoming more difficult.

I promise that as you have patience in your "afflictions" that the Lord truly will give you success! I can promise this as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in His name! 

I love that the Lord has given us so much instruction and guidance as to how we can survive in our day. I know way too many "lost sheep", and fear for them. But, just as this scripture says... Be patient! :) Look unto Christ with a perfect brightness of hope and with an eye single to His glory! By doing this, your light will shine unto those who are going through a difficult path in life.

I know that this Gospel is true. I know that this is the ONLY true and living church on the Earth. As Elder Peiper said to us a few weeks ago, "this is the only church on the Earth to have actually been started by the Savior Himself!" I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that if we truly do have patience in our trials and afflictions, the Lord will bless us! 

I love y'all so much! Please be patient and have hope! This is the Lord's work! 

-Elder J.T.Yates

The smallest snake I have ever caught in my life!

"Pug Life"

The jackpot of the "lisence plate game". Haha

Elder Loveridge and I in the attic of the Dairy Ashford Building. 

A painting of Angel Moroni by someone being taught in Victoria.

A Promise is a Promise, and I will keep it

Well folks! Here we are! Another week has flew by at about the same velocity as The Flash when he was battling Zoom. So, for those of you who don't quite understand, it's basically really fast. Haha

I can't believe that I now only have 5 transfers left in the mission. With hitting my 17 month mark this last week, it became more real to me as to how I need to make this count. I have had too many encounters with returned missionaries who are now not keeping those sacred promises that they made in the temple of our Lord. I will not be one of these. 

A "Covenant" is a two-way promise with God. In the Doctrine and Covenants 82:10, it says... "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." How amazing is this?

As we do what the Lord commands us, He promises us that He will fulfill that promise. He is literally bound, when we do as He asks. I know this is true. As a missionary, or more specifically, as a representative of Jesus Christ, I rely on this promise. So should we all.

As the scripture further goes on to say, when we don't do as He has asked us, we have NO promise. Absolute zero. How many times do we willingly disobey the simple things He has asked of us?

As we go through the temple, we make promises with the Lord to be obediant to His commandments, to sacrifice our time, efforts, and talents to Him, to live the Laws of the Gospel with a happy heart, be clean, chaste, and live a sexually clean life, and to then consecrate everything we have to Him who gave all. 

I know, and trust me, I know how hard it is to live the life the Savior asks of us. But, would you rather be temporarily happy here in this life, and then eternally miserable after we pass from this mortal body? Or, would you rather live a life that is centered on the Savior and these promises, and then live in His presence forever? I think this is a no-brainer!

I love this verse of scripture the Lord has revealed to us. By this promise, hangs all of my "hope for a better world", as Moroni speaks of in Ether chapter 12. 

With this, I promise to all of you reading this, that I will never break these promises! I need that promise given in the Doctrine & Covenants too much to give up. And, I am forever grateful for all of you who set a good example for me, and others around you!

I love all of you!

-Elder J.T.Yates

A super bright lightbulb with the brightness turned down to capture this. 

A healthy serving of protein after a good workout this morning.

A picture of Elder Baker at JCI Grill while on exchanges. 

My favorite 4 year old in the Memorial Ward, Beckham Rogers.

Philippians 4:13

This week was interesting. We had an awesome exchange, a strange p-day, a birthday party for one of my favorite members, and an awesome meeting with President Guthrie.

In the beginning of the week, I was able to go on exchanges with Elder Heider. He is currently serving in the Vietnamese Branch. He and I were talking about ways that we want to do better at our missionary work, and we both agreed to keep each other accountable by staying positive throughout the entire week. So far, we have both been doing pretty good!

Our p-day last week literally felt like it was in hyper-drive with Chewbacca driving the Millennium Falcon! After p-day ended, we had a seriously awesome lesson with one of the people we are teaching! He is having a really difficult time with some things. We promised him some very powerful blessings if he reads the Book of Mormon and prays everyday! Then on Tuesday, we texted him and he said "It's working! :D" MAN!!! I am so pumped!

Sister Sanders was the member who had the birthday. She is seriously so amazing! She has changed my life for the better, and is such a great example for charity! 

Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me". I love this verse of simple truth. So many times I myself have relied too much on my own strength. But, I know what this scripture says truly invites the Spirit, improves your testimony, and helps you do all things. 

As all of you go throughout this next week, I invite you to rely more on the Lord. When you come to a crossroads or a decision, say a little prayer. Ask the Lord for help. He wants to help us! I promise that you will recieve the help that you desire, and deserve!

I love you all so much!

-Elder J.T.Yates

The squad pulling up and doing some service

Call me Anh cả Thành. That is my Vietnamese name!

A super cool colored sunset!