week 99: raising our vision

 

Lone Pine Zone

Okay, this week I actually have things to talk about! 

     We had zone conference last Friday. It was the best! We talked a lot about raising our vision from finding people to teach to eternal life. Now that will be our focus, not just baptism, not just the temple, but helping people receive eternal life through Jesus Christ and His gospel. It was an amazing Zone Conference and one I wish I had at the beginning of my mission. We also talked about how we can help others share the gospel and it's through something in the church handbook called Love, Share, Invite. We love people, then we share the gospel in normal and natural ways. Simple things like sending a scripture, a video, or just talking about it more. Then we invite people. I really liked it because it's something I can keep doing when I go home. We also had interviews and I'm going to really miss having those. We put Logan back on date for June 12th, which sadly means I will be watching over zoom, but that's okay, it isn't really about me. I'm super excited for him. 

Okay, I'm on the third lesson I learned on my mission. 

Lesson 3: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's church on the earth today. In the scriptures it says the "only true and living church" and to me that doesn't mean all other churches are entirely false or evil, but that this church is the only one with all the truth that has been revealed. It also means to me that this is the only church authorized to receive revelation. Russell M Nelson is the Lord's prophet here on the earth, and following his counsel will lead us all to Christ, through whom we can be saved. We have the priesthood of God, I've experienced it's power throughout my mission and I have had the privilege of using it to help others receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I don't have all the answers about the church, but I do know that it's true, and it is Christ's, and that's all that really matters. 

--Elder Thompson 

bits and pieces from family phone calls:

Time is flying....but really. 2 years has gone way too fast.

It was good to have a busier week and I am so happy for Logan!

Jace and I are making all kinds of plans for when I'm back, so if you're wondering, I'm gonna be pretty busy!

For pday, we visited a Japanese Internment camp memorial 

called the Manzanar Facility.

It was interesting but also sad.