Tuesday, April 15, 2014

The Blessing

April 14, 2014

Hello Everyone,

    Well this week was extremely busy and super crazy! 
 
Attached are some pictures of this weeks encounters and adventures.
 
Horses we found on a dirt road, they came right up to our window!!
Horses we found on a dirt road, they came right up to our window!!
Horses we found on a dirt road, they came right up to our window!!

A seafood soup we ate, it had crab legs, octopus, squid, muscles, all sorts of things... I used to hate seafood but this soup was awesome, and who would have thought I would get such an exotic experience in Wyoming where all people eat is meat and potatoes!
All the supplies we ordered for the Zone... Over 500 Book of Mormons to give out!
 
At the beginning of the week I was pretty sick but had so many things to get done so no time to rest. Tuesday we had Zone training and then we didn't get back to Thermopolis until Thursday afternoon. As we were coming back to town we got a call from a ward member asking us to go give a blessing to Brother George (name changed) who was in the hospital. We said we would love to do that and would get over there as soon as we could. The following experience I share with all humility...
     
We went to give Brother George the blessing at about 7:30 pm on Thursday night. We went into his hospital room and talked to him for just a few moments. His voice was quiet and he was weak, so we asked him who he would like to give the blessing, he slowly raised his hand and pointed at me. It is always such a privilege and blessing in my own life when I can give someone a priesthood blessing. 
 
So my companion anointed and then I stepped up to the hospital bed to seal the anointing. I sealed the anointing and paused waiting for words to come, the very first words that came into my mind were, "It is okay to go home, your mission here is accomplished." I waited in silence, honestly praying for the faith to say those words, and then the words left and other words came to mind, I started the blessing and the words flowed. 
 
It was such a cool experience because through the blessing we really were able to know what kind of life this man had lived. He had lived a life of service, always serving anyone who came his way who needed help, he had had true Christ-like love for all men. 
 
Towards the end of the blessing he was told, "Your mission is complete here, all the experiences and knowledge you have gained in this life you must use in the next life in bringing souls unto Christ." And the blessing was then closed, Bro. George was so grateful, he was at peace. A little over 12 hours later he passed away. 
    
It was such a faith promoting experience for me. There is no doubt in my mind where Brother George is at or what he is doing, he is in the spirit world teaching people and using the knowledge he gained here to bring souls unto Christ just as he was told in the blessing. He is no longer in pain, he is experiencing true joy and true peace. 
 
I know this to be true and it is all made possible through our Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ broke the bands of death and left the tomb empty on the third day! 
 
"I know that my Redeemer lives, oh what joy this sweet sentence gives!"
 
 This Sunday is Easter, I invite all of you to ponder your relationship with Jesus Christ, what he has done for you and the Resurrection. I know Jesus Christ lives, I am one of His representatives and invite all to come unto Christ. 
 
Love each of you, have a wonderful week!

My Testimony

April 7, 2014

Hello Everyone, 

    I do not have much time today... Another great week has come and gone. 
 
I was on exchanges until Wednesday evening and then Friday we had a mid-transfer adjustment where Elder Anglin was transferred to Basin and Elder Pradera is now my companion until transfers next week when I will probably receive a different companion. 
 
This transfer has been a blur, so much has happened! Attached are a few pictures of the adventures this week!
 

We transported 2 large mission bikes in the trunk of our car so had to take them all apart!
We transported 2 large mission bikes in the trunk of our car so had to take them all apart!
  
We found some buffalo this week!
 
This picture is of me with my Zone at Zone Conference this past week.
 
Because I am short on time I just want to bear my testimony to all of you...
    
This past weekend I had many of my prayers answered. I had several questions that I wrote down and knew I would be able to find the answers as I listened to General Conference, and sure enough that is exactly what happened! 
 
I know we have living prophets and apostles on Earth that speak to us every 6 months, what a blessing it has been to learn from them, I pray we can study their messages again and again. I testify that Thomas S. Monson is the prophet on Earth today and that he leads this church under the direction of Jesus Christ and God the Father. 
 
I testify that I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, I have read it and the Holy Ghost bore witness to my spirit that those words are indeed of God! I know that the Book of Mormon is another witness that Jesus is the Christ. I know that Jesus Christ suffered, bled and died for me and for you. Why would he do that? Because He loves each of us and it was the only way back for all of us; I testify that you and I were worth it to Him and to Heavenly Father. The atonement of Jesus Christ can bring true peace and enable us to become who He needs us to become. I know Jesus Christ broke the bands of death and that He lives today! He lives for you and for me, where is our relationship with Him? 
 
I testify that true strength comes from reading the scriptures daily and having daily conversations with our Heavenly Father. I testify that now is the time we must all choose whom we will serve... 
 
I declare to all of you that I have chosen to serve my Savior Jesus Christ, I love Him and have come to know Him in a real way as I have kept His commandments and followed His teachings. I am so thankful to be here on this mission for Him and I pray I can continue to work hard and give Him my very best. 
 
I bear you this testimony with humility but with surety and do so in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, Amen. 

Busy Week

March 31, 2014

    This week was another blur of a week as time continues to pass so quickly! I am short on time today, we have a lot to get accomplished, and so sadly this email will be sort of short. 

This week I spent over half of it with a great Elder on an exchange in Dubois, Wyoming which is the far West side of our mission, it is near Jackson Hole and it is so beautiful there! We had a great time together and got some great work done!
    
Early in the week we had Zone Conference and the entire focus of the conference was the Book of Mormon. We split into groups and each took reading assignments of the Book of Mormon and within about 3 hours we had read the entire Book of Mormon as a group so that was so awesome! 
 
The focus of the meeting on the Book of Mormon was a testimony builder to me. I love the Book of Mormon so much, I know that it is the word of God! I know Joseph Smith was the Prophet of the Restoration, that the Priesthood authority of God was restored which allowed him to translate the Book of Mormon. I know the Book of Mormon are precious words from prophets from the dust and that they apply to us today. I invite all to read the Book of Mormon and pray to find out for themselves. I testify all can receive an answer if they pray with faith in Christ, real intent and a sincere heart; I testify you will receive an answer through the feelings of your heart. You will feel true peace as you pray to know. I know for myself that this book is true, but I do not want anyone to take my word for it, find out for yourselves through prayer. 
   
I love all of you and am so thankful for your support! I hope you all enjoy the pictures... There are 2 pics of me, one at the entrance of an old mine shaft, one with an antler arch. The other one is Elder Paris with a mad face because I was sleeping and he wasn't while we were in the car and the other picture is of an LDS member here who is 101 years old, he is awesome! Ya'll have a great week!
 
Love, Elder Organ