Prepare the Way!

October 3, 2016

Dear everyone, 

Coming to you live from the oral surgeon where elder Simmons is getting his wisdom Chompers out!

It's been a quality week. Monday we got news that we both stay together again! Sadly we still had to pack up and move because our apartment contract ran out, so we moved to a much, much smaller basement. But that's okay! We spent most of the day packing and then taught E. and his family and a couple other people. 

Tuesday morning we moved everything over to the new crib and then went out to work. We met with the zone leaders and the other district leaders to go over a few things. We taught J. that night, who we haven't taught in a while. He said he feels bad because he said he slacked on reading and praying, and he noticed his faith and spirituality decreasing. But it's cool that he could recognize the difference in his life when he follows the commandments or doesn't. We taught a few other lessons then hit the hay. 

Wednesday we had district meeting, and I'm back to having two other companionships in my district which is nice. Still a small district but I get a bit more participation which is appreciated. One of the new missionaries in the mission/my district is from Queen Creek. Represent! We taught some Jehovah's Witnesses that said we are horrible people for celebrating Halloween. C'mon... I like candy... Then we taught a few other people. 

Thursday and Friday we taught some people... we taught M., she's almost ready! The baptism is on Saturday  we are stoked! She knows more about the gospel than any other kid her age I know, and she wasn't even raised in the church. 

Saturday was general conference! We watched the first session at the High Counselor over missionary work's house, then went out to work, then came back to his house and watched a bit of the pm session, then got ready to head downtown to view priesthood session in the Conference Center. We took T. (H.'s dad) and J. It was really neat, T. struggles with the word of wisdom and President Monson's talk just hammered on that, it was great.  

Sunday we had breakfast with the newly created 12th ward's bishopric, and then stayed and watched the first session with the Bishop and his family. Then between sessions we went out and worked some more, then watched the second session with the Batman family. We worked hard the rest of the day and taught S. at the end of the night. We invited about 20 people to be baptized over the weekend, it was a blast. 

I think that the best part about this week was getting to go to the conference center during priesthood session. This was my third time going, and every time you have a similar experience. The center is huge and there's over 20,000 people there, but the minute President Thomas S. Monson walks into the room, you feel it. The second he walks into the room the Holy Ghost teaches you that that man is called by God to be the Prophet of the World, and I testify that it is true.  Amos 3:7 tells us that "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.' Today God is doing his work on the earth and as Daniel taught in chapter 2 verse 44, "The God of heaven shall set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever." This is the Last Days, The Final Dispensation, and we must prepare the way for the second coming of the Messiah. 

Have a good week everyone, prepare the way!

Love 

-Elder Ray

Elder Simmons with T. and Seth at the Priesthood Session

Elder Simmons and Elder Ray at the Conference Center