Week 2

March 25, 2015

Well, some continuation from last week first. I'm District Leader! So that's an exciting responsibility that I enjoy.(: It's great to care for my companion and 4 sisters in my district because I love them all so much already! Which, I meet one at a Youth Activity once back home! She's from Shelley, so if you know an Indigo Young, she's in the District!(: And another sister, Sister Rubio, is from Ecuador! Born and raised there so she knows Spanish and quite a bit of English. It's just crazy the strength that she has to do this work. And all of the sisters are going to Ukraine, so not only are they learning Russian, but in the field they'll need to learn Ukrainian too. The Russian and Ukrainians are apparently comparable to the Portuguese and Spanish though. So they understand each other for the most part still, even though they're different languages. And I saw Elder Richard Ryan a few times before he left last week! Watch out Cape Verde, here he comes!... or went last Monday I guess! ;)

This week was a lot of class. Just trying to learn the language. And a lot of teaching. We're going to be teaching everyday now from the looks of things. We finished teaching Andrei, our first investigator, and then got 3 new investigators! Along with a new teacher! Sister Eyring, Brother Gill, and Brother Froelich are our teachers. And our investigators are Babushka Valentina, Sasha, and ADHD Alexcie. They'[re all wonderful and are helping me to teach so much better! All in Russian of course, because pft! who needs English!? Just kidding. The Russian is definitely progressing and DEFINITELY still needs work, so English is both a friends and enemy. So, we have a Devotional every Sunday and Tuesday nights, which are my favorite times! They always invite the Spirit and teach so MUCH in just an hour. Last nights was great, from Elder James J. Hamula of the Seventy. He spoke on faith and gave 5 steps that I loved for faith. You may have seen steps 1-3 from Brother Horner in Seminary last year in his DNA helix.

1. Evidence- Hebrews 11:1. Evidence comes from one who has seen.--->The prophets and apostles

2. Hope-Hebrews 11:1 & Alma 32:21

-It is hope inspired by the evidence that fires faith. Not the evidence itself. (So don't try to rely on physical evidence only ;)  )

3. Action- James 1:5-6 & James 2:14,17 (These don't need any expounding. They speak perfectly on their own)

4. Spiritual Witness

-Ether 12:6 - It isn't until after we exercise or act in faith, that we receive a witness.

-Ether 12:12

​5. Truth - comes after acting and fulfilling all other parts this faith cycle. As long as what you have faith in really IS true. 1 Kings 18. Be Elijah, not like the Priests of Baal that had false faith.

Remember, this is a cycle. So you must continue these steps in the cycle of faith to grow. And eventually, you hope will evolve into confidence, which confidence may mature into certainty, if you continue the cycle.​

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Gospel of Jesus Christ restored in its fulness upon the Earth. i know God loves everyone, which is why He gave us the Gospel. i hope you will all live the blessed Gospel throughout your lives until the end. I am confident that we can all grow forever in our lives. Because I am certain God has a Plan to make us the best we can be as we act in faith. I love you all!

​Love,​

Elder Nelson