Nephi Pondered The Scriptures Continually

Hey Everyone,

Many of the missionaries in the Missouri Independence Mission had a surprise this week...transfers a week early for several companionships. I was notified that I was one of several companionships that would be transferring because the mission needed to make some changes one week early due to an AP needing to be reassigned, a missionary re-entering the mission field one week early (went home, came back), and the need for several Spanish speaking missionaries in different areas. So, Elder Thompson and I said our goodbyes Wednesday night in the pouring rain in the parking lot of the Liberty Jail along with several other carloads of missionaries. I am now serving in Tiffany Springs, MO with Elder Fleming. Tiffany Springs is in the same zone as the Parkville ward where I served recently with Elder Gillman. 

Elder Fleming entered the mission field in January and has been in Tiffany Springs since he arrived. We were just notified with the official 6 week transfer news that he would stay here with me for the final transfer of my mission (who knows, it could change again tomorrow?). Elder Fleming is from Colorado and he is a great missionary and has learned a lot in a short time in the field. I am looking forward to serving with him. 

Last Monday we had a great ward gathering at a Buffalo farm and we had two non members attend the party with us. The Hasting's family from the Hodge Park ward drove us there and we enjoyed spending time with their family. 

Wednesday before the transfer we had a lesson with Kara and we finished teaching her the Commandments Lesson. It was a great lesson and I was able to leave them with my testimony of Jesus Christ. Kara is moving forward in her growth and understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I understand she will be taught the Laws and Ordinances lesson this week. I am glad she is doing well and wish her the best on her spiritual journey. Sister Hastings contacted my mom and asked what dessert I would love for my last meal in Hodge Park. My mom gave the correct answer, chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. And Sister Hastings made it happen and it was delicious and just what I was craving. I will miss my association with all of the many wonderful families in Hodge Park but know they are a big part of my mission life.

In the last 5 days Elder Fleming and I have been busy. We taught Mike lesson 2, The Plan of Salvation. It was a very powerful lesson and as we dug a little deeper into where Mike is with his understanding of the gospel, we learned his concern about a second baptism. He was baptized as an infant and believes that he doesn't need to be baptized again. I shared scriptures in Moroni 8 and explained why baptism by the proper priesthood authority is necessary. We will continue to teach Mike this week. 

We also taught Crystal the Gospel of Jesus Christ lesson and when we discussed baptism she also told us that she had been baptized as an infant and, once again, I shared Moroni 8 and explained the need of baptism by the proper priesthood authority. Crystal understood and said it made total sense. She was raised Catholic and has been searching for Jesus Christ's church. If she keeps progressing I could see her being put on date in a few weeks. 

I was able to go on a blitz with Elder Gillman this week and it was fun to hang out with a former companion for a few hours. 

Today we cleaned, shopped, played pickleball and frisbee golf with our district. It was great to see friends from when I served in the Parkville ward. 

My first Sunday in Tiffany Springs was fast and testimony meeting and I have never let an opportunity pass without sharing my testimony so I briefly introduced myself and told the congregation I had been serving for over one year.  I was really lifted by the testimonies shared and the spirit was palpable in the meeting. We spent the second hour with the youth Sunday School class. This ward isn't the biggest ward, in fact, it reminds me of the size of our Nevada ward. The Tiffany Springs bishop is a high energy type of guy and enjoys missionary service.

After church our ward had a Munch and Mingle. We had a missionary correlation meeting so we were late to the Munch and Mingle and most of the food was gone. I have to admit, I was very hungry. Luckily a family in the ward had us over for dinner at 8:00 pm (since Munch and Mingle was at 4 pm). Our ward doesn't start until 1:30 pm so it was a long day. 

My new apartment is great. The biggest concern I have is that the neighbor smokes all day long and when we turn on the air conditioning it blows her cigarette smoke into our apartment. We try to keep windows open for fresh air but it's getting hot and humid here so it's a no win situation. 

We placed a Book of Mormon with Patrick who we met on the street. He is interested in learning more so we will follow up with him this week. 

We spent an afternoon serving at Hillcrest where we unloaded donations from vehicles for several hours. 

We spent most of our days visiting less active members and one home we went to is a brother who the missionaries have visited once a week for quite a while. Because it was my first time getting to know this brother I was able to learn what he believed and what his struggles were. I believe that at some point in our lives we have to make our decisions one way or another and stop making excuses and blaming others. 

My personal study this week has been inspiring and has caused me to pause and think about the life of Nephi. The prophet Nephi was an amazing man. Many traits and attributes made him "highly favored of the Lord" (1 Nephi 1:1). Nephi learned why, when, and how the Lord would help him only after he allowed the Spirit to direct him and after he decided to go forth with faith. 

2 Nephi chapter 4 verses 20-24 say: "My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh. He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me. Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time. And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high, and angels came down and ministered to me."

2 Nephi chapter 4 verse 16 says: "My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord," said Nephi, "and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard. Nephi's pondering wasn't limited to the written word of God. It also encompassed the truths he had learned by personal revelation. 

To ponder the scriptures means that they stick with you throughout the day. Can you imagine that Nephi probably thought over and over throughout the day about what he had read and tried to understand the meaning, implications and what he ought to do about it. I also think pondering requires humility. If we think we already know enough or don't need to learn more then there's no point in pondering. To ponder means we don't have everything figured out. 

I want to always follow the example of Nephi and hope to always "ponder continually" on the truths I have learned from God, both from the scriptures and personal revelation. 

Elder Mortensen 

PIctures this week:

Buffalo Ranch BBQ with Elder Thompson

Last time teaching Kara at the Hastings (Kara is in between me and Elder Thompson)

Chocolate cake from Sister Hastings

Me and Sister Hastings

P-day call with my mom