More of My Transfer Rundown and Polygamists!

May 20, 2013

"Dear Friends and Family,

     Well on Wednesday May 15th I got on a transfer van headed from my previous area to Helena which was a 3+ hour drive. We arrived there and I got in with a Senior Couple Elder and got a ride back down to Missoula. From there I went with 2 Elders to Hamilton, MT (6 miles from my area) where I stayed with them until Thursday evening when my new missionary arrived. We picked him up in Stevensville which is 19 miles North of my new area which is Corvallis.

     

My new missionary is named Elder Jones and he is from Las Vegas, Nevada. He is 19 and he is a pretty shy, reserved guy who lacks some confidence but he is humble, willing and excited to be here. I am honored to be his trainer and will certainly do my best in helping him. We will learn and grow together, I'm sure. 

    

Our area here is Corvallis and Pinesdale. Corvallis is a small town of about 1,000 people and reminds me a lot of Thatcher/Safford area in AZ. It is a farming community in the Bitter Root Valley that is surrounded by mountains. It has a river flowing right through the valley and is really just absolutely beautiful. 

 

Corvallis Ward is about 250-300 active members. The missionaries in the past were on a car share with the Hamilton missionaries and would switch back and forth every couple days but over the weekend we received our own truck! Yay! But we also have a pair of bikes we will be utilizing. 

    

So now about Pinesdale...

 

Pinesdale is a community of Polygamists who in their mind are still fully a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They believe all the same doctrine we do but believe their forefathers were asked by the Prophet John Taylor to live the laws of Consecration and Polygamy until the Second Coming. They are a part of the main Polygamy group in Utah. I have never heard about these people until my arrival here a few days ago and am still learning a lot about it but anyways we do cover that area. We are only allowed to go there with the Bishop or Ward Mission Leader and only by invitation to go teach there. Pretty crazy stuff. 

    

Well this new week ahead should be an exciting one. It is hard enough to get doubled in but the area book was not updated regularly which is frustrating. But it is what it is and we will piece everything together as time goes on. 

 

Just must go forward in faith and trust in God. 

 Thank you all of you for the letters and support! 

 

Love you all!

Love, Elder Organ"