Tuesday, November 20, 2012

I am Dedicated to Preach the Gospel

October 25, 2012

Hello from the greatest mission in the world!

October is almost through as we enter the last few days of the transfer. It has been almost 25 months since I opened up my mission call. I just can't believe that! It’s gone so, so fast-and it only speeds up every week.

Elder Green's time is almost up. He leaves in about a week, just after all the dust from the transfer is settled. My new companion, and Elder Green's replacement is coming into Brampton today to work with us and shadow us in preparing for and executing the transfer happening over the next few days. This process is a miracle. A mission president and a few missionaries kneel and pray, make lots of inspired changes to where Elders and Sisters should serve, and then we pound out travel plans, bus routes, car swaps, opening and closing apartments, incoming and departing missionaries, trainer meetings, new missionary meetings, a temple trip, and prepare for our upcoming zone leader council meeting early next week. The way that everything fits together without any missionaries and details missing is an absolute miracle. The Lord truly quickens our minds and sharpens our intellect to make this process happen every 6 weeks.

An insight that I've been thinking a lot about lately came from the incoming missionaries from last transfer. There were 21 that came in-a huge group. The evening of them arriving we had a testimony meeting at the mission home. All the new missionaries were able to bear their first testimony in the mission field. There was a measurable difference in the spirit that came from different missionaries as they shared their testimony of the gospel. The spirit was always recognized as testimonies, experiences, and convictions were shared that were centered on the power of the Atonement. Missionaries who know the power of it by their own experience are far better prepared and powerful than those who do not. This applies to many more people than just new missionaries. Any church member who has a testimony of the reality of the Atonement will be more motivated to magnify their calling, love and serve others, pay tithing, sacrifice for others, work through challenges, and stay true to the faith than those who do not. Having a personal experience with the Savior should be something that we strive and push for every single week. By keeping covenants and prayerfully setting goals at the sacrament table, we can have a PERSONAL spiritual experience similar to those talked about in 3 Nephi11:15. I testify that He lives-I have felt His redeeming power and His infinite love and forgiving attitude. All can feel of these things for themselves and know by personal experience.

Elder Green and I will be having another baptism on our final Sunday together. He is an amazing fellow from India. He has been here for 2 years, and was attracted to Christianity by his good friend who was baptized 3 months ago. He saw changes in his friend as he accepted the Atonement, and wanted them for himself. By living the gospel, he has experienced a change of heart and has desires to serve Christ and live according to His law.

Despite the excitement of transfers, and meetings and conferences with other missionaries, the most rewarding and joyful experience I have ever had is watching someone you love be baptized. I never want to stop having these experiences, even long after my missionary tag comes off. I am dedicated to preach the gospel the remainder of my life. The happiness, peace, and power of God that enters your life are real as you share your testimony of Him who loves and knows us perfectly. I'm happy to have had my mission experience up to this point!

Elder Porter

Be Your Best Self!

October 20, 2012

Hello!!

Another incredible week come and gone. Impressions that came during general conference are still echoing in my mind. I absolutely loved the central message that stuck out-that being to be your best self and live the moment to its fullest. This translates in my mind to take every second and live it the way the Savior himself would. I’ve prayed for the decisions He would make to become clear in my mind as I go throughout my day. I can feel His attributes becoming a part of who I am. I am grateful for the enabling power of the Atonement and the changes that it has allowed me to make. I love Him and his law and have a desire to serve Him to the end.

The transfer is coming to a close rapidly. Elder Green and I felt that exchanging all the zone leaders this transfer was important, and we have been able to work with 9 of 10, with our 10th scheduled for early next week. I am loving being able to share what I have learned over the past 2 years with some of my closest missionary friends who are serving as zone leaders. Each time I work with another companionship I learn new things that are practical and helpful in become a better equipped missionary. Not only that, but my conversion is deepening as I see their examples of faith, obedience, and hard work. I am grateful for this remarkable chance to assist the key holder in the great Canada Toronto Mission.

In our proselyting area, we were able to have a baptism this past Sunday!  She was introduced to the church a number of years ago by a member she was dating at the time. In the past month she has become completely converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ, when before she only had a desire to get out of the ruts of lower and less excellent ways of living. The Atonement has completely transformed her view of others, the world, and herself. She has been changed as she has understood and come to know the doctrines of the true church. Her testimony after her baptism was so powerful. I am grateful to have been able to share special moments teaching those who are wanting and willing to follow the Savior.

I love my mission so deeply. I love the gospel and the light it brings into life. I am excited to apply what I am learning here at home in the coming months. I am focused and will work hard to the end.

Elder Porter

Still Finding Time to Teach

October 6, 2012

Good morning! It is just about 11am here in the beautiful GTA (greater Toronto area). I love it here. The leaves are beautiful colors of red, orange, gold, yellow, green, and a hint of silver and brown. It is gorgeous. The air is crisp most mornings, and a relaxing mist often accompanies the breaking of dawn. I'll miss this blessed land forever when I leave.

The mission had its semi-annual temple trip this morning. We had a few zone leader companionships stay over at our place last night, and we arose early and attended an endowment session. I was able to visit with many missionaries I have served closely with in the past 22 months. I love them all! The Lord really allowed me to see how dependant I have been on His plan. I would be nothing without Him and Him managing all that goes on around me. I'm so grateful and happy for him transforming my nature and giving me strength to develop His attributes and know how to share His gospel with others.

What a great week it has been! Very, very busy. Most of our time over the next few weeks is filled with exchanging different zone leader companionships around the mission. We are planning to spend time with all 10 of the zone leader companionships this transfer. We have traveled and exchanged London, Kitchener, Hamilton, and Brampton thus far. It is a huge treat to learn from the best Elders in the mission and some of the Lord's finest.

President and Sister Scott, Elder Green, and I were able to hold a Zone Leader Council meeting a few days back. The meeting had a focus on planning, setting goals, and instructing missionaries how to be effective with their time. I absolutely love instructing in a venue like this one. Every missionary is eager to learn, and the spirit is strong because everyone is seeking its guidance. I feel comfortable in my role and feel the Lord lift me beyond where I stand by myself at times to set the example I am supposed to for others. What a great opportunity!

Even with the crazy schedule that we have, we are still making room to proselyte and teach. Finishing out the last few months of my mission and still being able to directly lead others to Christ is a remarkable blessing! I had one of the most powerful lessons of my mission this week with an investigator preparing for baptism on Oct. 14. She has felt the spirit enter her life strongly as she has developed habits of scripture reading, prayer, and as she has begun living the commandments. She had major concerns about being baptized, because she has bad feelings towards her mother. She wants to be free of any sort of bad feelings or bad habits before her baptism. As she was expressing her thoughts, I prayed to know how, with my companion, to resolve her concerns. The last 3 verses of Matthew11 came to mind quickly and distinctly. The Lord says "Come unto me...." and be relieved of burdens, fears, inadequacy, and be sustained by God's love. As she read those 3 verses herself she broke down into tears. She was so deeply touched as the spirit taught her that following Christ is the way to be healed. She repeated the words "Come unto me" and we invited her to follow His example and be baptized. She accepted and is excitedly working towards it. She is one of the most spiritually prepared and mature people I've taught my entire mission. She will make a strong kingdom builder and an amazing convert.

All in all, I am continually humbled to be where I am. I feel the spirit working through me to lift investigators, missionaries, and others closer to the Savior. I know the message I share is true. I love my mission, my companion, my experiences here, and my Savior.

Until next week!  -E. Porter

Sunday, November 18, 2012

The Happiest Time of My Life

September 29, 2012

I am in love with my life. I represent the Savior of all mankind. I have a special connection with the heavens because of the name that I bear over my heart day after day. My sacred and kept covenants endow me with power and revelation to know how to lift others out of the ruts of life and to lead towards being cleansed from all unrighteousness. I am grateful for His mercy and His love that I feel daily. I love Jesus Christ and know without a shaddow of a doubt that His glorious latter-day work is REAL.

This is the happiest time of my life. This past week has been stellar. Just yesterday we were able to go on our first Zone Leader exchanges of the transfer. I went back into my previous area, London YSA, and got to work with my previous companion and the Elder who is filling my posission there. They are the two youngest Zone Leaders in the mission and are moldable, teachable, and willing to stretch themselves to grow and become better. We had a great day full of street contacting at the University, teaching recent converts, and visiting with members prior to an activity. I love that branch and have formed lifelong friendships by sharing powerful spiritual experiences with them.

One new aspect of work that comes with my assignment is office work. Working on excell, figuring out travel plans for transfers, working with key indicator reports, sitting in long meetings with President Scott, ect. To be honest, I absolutely love this kind of missionary work also. I am totally happy in the office if I am focused and still working to help the work move forward. I'm learning and developing new talents and skills that I wouldn't be able to develop anywhere else. I spend 4-5 hours a week on the phone with Zone Leaders working with them to set goals and make plans to help other missionaries, help investigators, and helps sturggling areas pick things up. I love this role and can literally feel at times the Lord magnify my efforts to help me carry the mantle of my calling.

On top of the busy week that we had, we also have a few hours of proslyting that we fit in! We have been working as effectively as we know how, and we have been praying that despite our circumstances of not being able to focus on proslyting as much as we would like to, we would be able to see miracle baptisms and have those who are prepared to be baptized fall into our sphere of influence. Over the past week we have got two new investigators who both are commited to work towards Oct. 14 to be baptized. One is from India, and was introduced to the church by his friend who was baptized a number of months ago. This is his third friend who is working towards baptism. He has a strong desire to change bad habits and wants to experience the same sort of magnificant changes that he saw his friend go through before and after his baptism. The other is a former investigator who dated a member a while back. She has been feeling something inside prompting her to go back to church. She is already developing habits of scripture reading, daily prayer, consistant institute attendance, and is making lifestyle changes to get away from the party life. They both have humble and strong spirits about them and have received remarkable fellowshipping from the ward. They should both be baptized on Oct. 14! They are both complete gifts from God. My testimony is growing that if you do everything within your power to fulfill your responsibilities, the Lord will now allow you to be unsuccessful.

I love my companion and the chance to be around President so often. He is truly inspired. The Lord is truly at the head of this work. I'm grateful for the powerful influence of the spirit and the changes that it can bring if we heed its promptings. I hope time slows down a bit so I can soak up this incredible opportunity to develop into who Heavenly Father needs me to become.

-Elder Porter

A New Assignment

September 22, 2012

It has been a week full of excitement and full of changes! As the transfer was ending last week I knew that getting a call to another area was a pretty big possibility seeing that I had been in London for 7+ months. Transfer calls are usually on Sunday evening, but on Thursday morning President Scott called. He extended a call for me to serve as his new assistant. One of the assistants was leaving at the end of this week and I was chosen to fill his position!

Thursday and Friday was a day full of goodbyes to converts, members from London 2nd ward and London YSA branch, and investigators. It was sad to leave the city that I love so much. I spent over 10 months of my mission in that blessed place. I'll love it forever and will always tie many memories of my mission with the amazing people there. Friday evening we met up with the assistants and I left with Elder Henderson and Elder Green. For the next few days we slaved in the office to prepare for transfers. There is so much work associated with preparing a mission for transfers. President Scott is so inspired. On Sunday evening I was able to make transfer calls to about 25 companionships. I think everyone wonders what it is like to be on the other side of those calls, and now I know!

With incoming missionaries on Monday and departing missionaries on Tuesday, I have been to the airport 6 times in the last week. Picking up the new group of incoming missionaries was a blast. The 3 of us assistants each drove a transfer van (15 seater) to the airport and loaded up the 21 new missionaries. We look them to the stake centre, office, and mission home for various orientation and training. I remember so vividly and distinctly those first few hours and days in Ontario. It’s a true blessing to be a part of those memories for the new Elders and Sisters. Being a part of the departing instruction and departing testimony meeting for the outgoing missionaries was equally as special.

The past week has been a blurry haze of activity. Getting up early and going to bed late for various things wears on you when it is "go go" go all day long. Being able to assist the key holder in running the mission is a great and sacred responsibility. I can feel I am learning and growing in ways I couldn't from any other assignment. I'm humbled as I am having new weaknesses shown to me and as I see a different view of the greatness and glory of God. I love Him and am grateful to serve in this capacity for the remainder of my mission experience.

E. Porter

School Has Started!

September 10, 2012

School has finally officially started! We are busy again. It is nice to see that my faith or work ethic hasn't changed even now that the summer is over and there are lots more YSA to find and teach. My faith in this area and in the Lord's work has remained constant, despite challenges or brief moments of discouragement in the past. We are happy to be more busy and associating more with the members now that they are back and ready for school and willing to be involved in missionary work.

This past week at church we had 6 nonmembers! It was the best turnout we've had in a few months. We've been really focusing on trying to meet the friends and acquaintances of our investigators. YSA are so open minded with ideas and are willing to share and do missionary work-even our investigators. We had 4 investigators at church and 2 of them each brought a friend.

With all the students moving back in over the last couple weeks, we tried to think of how we could take advantage of the situation. We thought up the idea of helping students move in/out for free. We posted flyers stating that we could help anyone move for a few hours, and we had 5 or 6 people call us with a need for help! In our first move, we helped 4 Nigerian PHD students move in. 2 of whom we have return appointments with to share the gospel. The Lord will always provide with a way for us to be successful if we work hard and ask him for help.

At this point in my mission it is no secret that I've been out for a long time. I don't think about it very often, and don't really want to either. Last week I had my last zone conference and was asked to give my testimony as one of the "departing missionaries". It is tough to see all this begin to come to a close. Over the past several months I've been praying daily and fasting often to be able to completely let go of myself, and surrender everything I have to the Lord. I've had special times when I feel my desires be taken away and are replaced with what the Lord wants. Jesus Christ felt this many times I am sure, and it is possible for us to "suffer the will of the Father", and have our will swallowed up in His, as Christ did. His Atonement makes this possible. It allows us to have a change of heart. I know strongly that this power is real. I've been transformed as a missionary and know that it is by His power.

Many of our investigators have potential to be baptized in the coming weeks and months. We are working towards baptismal dates with a few of them. I'll have a good report next week!

Love,

Elder Porter

"I'm in Love . . . With My Mission!"

August 27, 2012

We're excited for the coming 2 weeks here in London YSA! Students are just now starting to move back into the city, and that means more and more people for us to talk to. We don't need to YSA hunt any longer, but we'll be surrounded by people with whom we can share the gospel with.

During our weekly planning the other week, as we were planning to find new investigators, we really tried to think about more than contacting people on the street. We had the idea to post up flyers advertising us being able to help students move in our out for free. It would be an excellent way for us to meet more people in a different way and also to bring members of the branch to help and start forming friendships with nonmembers. We didn't know if the idea would work or if anybody would call. We started posting up the flyers and we have scheduled several moves already! We look forward to inviting these people to learn more about the restored gospel.

I really am in love with my mission. I am grateful for the chance to forget about everything else except for serving others and helping them come closer to Jesus Christ. Last week I really felt the buffetings of Satan trying to slow me down and confuse me in the final months of my full-time service. I felt it would be a good opportunity to fast and petition the Lord for extra focus, strength, and desire. Once again, I bear my testimony of fasting. The feelings of commitment that I felt after my fast were stronger than I had ever felt previously. I saw the grand importance of the gospel and felt so strongly a desire to help people accept it. I felt more invested than ever before. I know that feelings like these are gifts from God. There have been times as well where my commitment hasn't been at its highest for a number of minutes or hours, and just as the Lord did for the Nephites at the request of Enos, He brought down upon my head sorrow for my transgressions. I am grateful for the divine discontentment that I have felt, and I'm grateful for the peace and faith that is a product of acting the way I know Heavenly Father wants me to act. We are all entitled to these feelings of commitment and peace as we go throught our day as deciples of the Lord.

The zone is really preparing well for a powerful September. There are lots of new missionaries who are ready to be taught and shown how to be effective misisonaries.

Thanks for the support and love that you all show me!

Elder Porter

Elder Hancock Goes Home

August 20, 2012

Well, the work keeps rolling on! After 9 months of serving with Elder Hancock we were finally split up! Johnny Hancock is on to new and different things in life as he's going to BYU in a few weeks. Being split up was really, really tough. We were together for so long that we had everything down to a science in our zone, area, and companionship. Things were very difficult for the first week or so. Very stressful. Running a zone is tough work, but now that Elder Burgess is getting used to things, it is a lot better. Elder Burgess is a GREAT missionary. He is very young, only 7.5 months and is the youngest zone leader in nearly 2 years. He has a lot of talent but also has a lot to learn. Our teaching is becoming unified as we've practiced and studied together over the past weeks, and we have faith that we'll see success together. I love my mission and the opportunity I have to learn how to adapt to changes even as small and simple as this one.

Over the past week we were on the road a bit! Our zone is big enough that we get to travel and spend days in other areas when we conduct companion exchanges. We held two separate zone training meetings in two different locations to accommodate the distance. The zone is building now to have a great month of September.

We have seen several miracles in our area this week! With the lack of students over the past few months, YSA work has been a bit tricky. I really feel like the Lord is trying to teach me something with the lack of visible success. We have a great investigator who we've been teaching for several weeks now come to church yesterday for the first time! We visited him last night and had a great lesson, and he committed to work towards baptism on September 9th! He is beginning to recognize changes that come as one qualifies for the Holy Ghost in their life more and more. Seeing others make these changes only helps my testimony expand as I see the fruits of the gospel in the lives of people around me.

Over the past months my testimony of fasting has grown. I have huge faith that by fasting for a specific purpose with a meek attitude, the Lord's will can be manifest in our life. The Lord has answered my prayers and fast from this past week and taught me exactly what I need to do to fulfill His will. Focusing on others TRULY is the way that we find ourselves. Jesus said it from the beginning. Those who lose their life for His sake will find it. I've experienced this and I know it is a true principle.

Most of our time lately has been filled with finding. We're downtown mostly, YSA hunting. There are a few apartment buildings that still have lots of student that we knock frequently. It is amazing to see the Lord allow you to achieve your goals as you set them in faith. Faith is the key!

Until next week,

Elder Porter

Sunday, November 11, 2012

The Blessing of the Spirit

July 16, 2012

The past week has been full of hard work! London has around 60,000 students here in the school year. During the summer there is obviously a LOT less than that, and seeing that we're working in a YSA branch, we've had to be extra creative with our finding and other work we do here. We've been pushed hard and stretched to find people to teach. We've tried SO many different finding ideas and approaches. We've taken every avenue we know of to find people to baptize. It feels at times that our efforts are falling on stony soil. It’s amazing to see that through all of this I've developed more Christ-like attributes, better teaching skills, and more love and dedication to my Savior than I have ever had before. I love this sacred work and the wondrous blessings of the Atonement that flow to anyone who is involved in it.

The Chinese girl we have come so far with moved back to China this week. We knocked on her door my first week in London back in February, we taught her all throughout the school year, she gained a testimony of Christ and His Atonement by feeling her nature change, but still was not able to muster enough faith to be baptized. She has moved back to china, but will be returning back in September for the next 4 years to finish University in London. She will be baptized in the future. I love such genuine Christ-like love for those whom I teach. I want them to experience the blessings of the Atonement of the Lord. My mission has helped me love this great province and the great people here. Not only that, but I have experienced profound love for people of all ethnic backgrounds as I've served in the most multi-cultural city in the world. My companions have taught me so much as well as both of my mission presidents. I know this mission call was inspired and the Lord has had His hand in my service.

One of the greatest gifts I have been thinking about lately is the blessing of recognizing the identifying the spirit. I have developed this as a missionary, as I am sure many others have. It is easy to feel the presence of the Holy Ghost. I've learned exactly what I need to do to keep its close presence. I'm grateful for its quiet promptings that shows me how to make a great difference in the lives of others.

Elder Porter

Staying with Elder Hancock!

June 25, 2012

Transfers are rolling and rolling. The time is speeding up quicker than I thought possible. Months seem like days and seasons are all meshed together. I love Ontario and the people here. I love the university students which I get to associate with daily. I love the gospel and the converting power of the Atonement. I love the missionaries in my zone and the good companion I've been blessed with.

Last night was transfer night-nearly all the companionships in the London zone are changing. We got a call as well, but we were told that we are STAYING together for transfer number 6! We aren't even shocked that we're still together anymore. We make such a seamless team. We've become best friends and love where we are at. We will serve together for this coming transfer, and then Elder Hancock will end his mission and head home to Arizona. I may be in London this coming September when school starts up again! It will be exciting to see 60,000 students come flooding into the city after the summer.

The past 2 weeks have been very interesting in the work here in our YSA area! We've had so many good things going on. As was predicted, when the most good is happening, that is when Satan is working his hardest to stunt the work and tear down the things that have been built up. Here is a rundown on what is happening in our area.

There is a young Chinese girl who we've been seeing since I got here in February. She is been to church every Sunday except one. I have never seen an investigator have more knowledge about the gospel as she has. She has felt the power of the Atonement of Christ after repenting of things she knows is wrong. She is make changes in her life and has felt the spirit witness to her that the gospel is true. Her family is opposed to the church, and for one reason or another she has not decided to be baptized. She will go back to China in 2 weeks for the summer and then come back to London in September. She wants to wait and re-evaluate when she returns. It’s been absolutely heartbreaking to see her not accept the light and direction she has received. I know the Lord will continue to work with her.

Another Chinese student we are working with is close to baptism! She is living all the commandments right now and has felt the spirit as she has developed a habit of scripture reading and prayer. It’s amazing to see and feel the spirit that comes as people begin to develop a relationship with Heavenly Father through their first prayers. This is one of my favorite parts of my mission. I know the Lord is mindful of us because of the spirit that is felt as we expand our relationship with God.

We have many progressing investigators who have fallen off the map in the past week for various reasons. Randomly moving and changing universities, having problem living or accepting certain commandments, being scared of commitment, and not keeping commitments. It’s hard to see baptisms so close and then watch them move away and move backwards. Agency is a hard thing to completely respect sometimes. It’s so important to be filled with Christ-like love in this work or you will never succeed. I know the spirit is the single most important element in missionary work and in life if we are looking for success.

My testimony is continuing to expand. I've found specific answers to my prayers. The spirit can answer our questions, prompt us to develop in a certain direction, give us peace and comfort, and teach us new truths. I have experienced all of these things during my mission. I know that we must be born again to experience the true joy that the Lord has in store for those who diligently follow and seek to obey His commandments.

E. Porter

Time continues to explode

June 4, 2012

Time continues to explode by as usual. As time is going by we continue to be flooded with blessings from the Lord. I know so strongly, and know stronger and stronger as my mission goes by that He sees us, He understands and knows our effort, He recognized when we push and endure through difficult challenges, and He knows when we make correct decisions.

The past few months have been the best, most enjoyable of my life. I've never recognized the Master's hand more in my work, I've never felt as strong commitment as I feel now, and I've never felt as connected to the spirit. Our area has received so many unexpected blessings. June is gearing up to be a great month. Yesterday we had 3 investigators at church-all of them Chinese students! 2 of them have baptismal dates for later in the month. One is a referral from a recent convert who is making such leaps and bounds in her spiritual understanding and progression that she may be ready for baptism before her date on the 24th! We've witnessed her sweet first prayers and she builds a relationship with God. We've seen her repent, show faith, and develop a desire to follow Christ. The spirit is enlightening her understanding and she tastes the sweetness of the gospel beginning to enter her life. What a blessing it is to be a missionary!

The recent converts we've had in the branch are doing so well. I have such a strong testimony of conversion and the power the gospel has to change our natures. I know the Atonement is real. I've felt its power.

The great London Zone is doing so good! We have goals to baptize double this month than what was averaged every month last year. Elder Hancock and I are preparing for Zone Conference on Tuesday-the revelation that the Lord gives us if we ask with a sincere desire to help others is real. I've felt direction come so many times as a leader. I'm grateful for His watchful care.

We're praying for 3 baptisms in our area this month! Miracles will happen if we consecrate ourselves more each day.

-Elder Porter

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Grace and the Atonement

April 30, 2012

What a fantastic week here in the Promised Land! We had a lot of amazing and memorable experiences. I've learned a lot about grace and the Atonement.

Yesterday was a great day-we had 2 baptisms! Nadia and Priya were both baptized yesterday one after another. It was a very spiritually charged and powerful program. One of the best I've been to on my mission. It is so fascinating to see the distinct changes that happen in a person's countenance as they learn, accept, and live according to gospel laws and principles. Priya has always been a kind, humble, caring person. But showing faith to live the Word of Wisdom and showing love to her Savior by making scripture reading a habit as the only Christian in her family has changed her into someone more than a good person. She is being shaped and cleansed by the Holy Ghost and she is becoming a Saint through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Nadia being able to change her life from her very rough background was a miracle within itself as well. They were both confirmed directly after their baptisms. After receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost they were both beaming. There was a light and life in their eyes that wasn't there before. The spirit was strong and bore witness to everyone there that what was being done was according to the Lords mind and will.

One of them struggled with the Word of Wisdom. Cigarettes have been a temptation since she was 14. She was in the habit of smoking over 2 packs before she met the missionaries about 2 months ago. Since then she has accepted the gospel, been healed from scars and experiences of her past, and made a covenant with Heavenly Father to follow Jesus Christ.

Early on in the teaching process she cut down from 2 packs a day to between 2 and 5 cigarettes a day. She has made such remarkable progress and had worked as hard as she could to overcome her addiction. Everyone in her house smokes, so completely cutting the habit we thought may be impossible. She has such a STRONG desire to join the church and come closer to God. However, before baptism one needs to live the Word of Wisdom. We gave her a Priesthood blessing right before her baptismal interview. In the blessing, a specific promise from the Lord was given to her..."your body will no longer desire cigarettes". She went on to pass through her baptismal interview, and since that time last week cigarette smoke from her family members and friends has made her nauseous and sick to her stomach. Her cravings are gone and she is fully enjoying the gift and constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. The power of the Priesthood is real. The full gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored. This is His work and what He wants for all of His children who are willing to accept it.

As a person does all they can, grace can carry them the rest of the way. It could be a Priesthood blessing that provides a person with divine help stronger than they have themselves. It may be the power of heaven that can only be unlocked by fasting. It may be loving guidance from Heavenly Father that only comes through long, painful sincere prayer. Whatever it is, God will provide a way for us to accomplish the things which He has commanded. I know that this promise is true. I testify of it. I know that God lives, that the Gospel is His perfect plan for our happiness and progression. I love this work and do not want to leave. The Lord loves me and has blessed me with a custom-fit mission. It has been a perfect mix of struggles, questions, doubts, and incomprehensible joy at times. As we serve Him with all we have we will never be led astray.

Elder Porter

Wonderful Investigators!

April 10, 2012

We have had a great and exciting week! Elder Hancock and I are working as hard as we possibly can, and the Lord has begun to pour His blessings out on us. It’s been incredible to see the explosion of success and good things we've been part of lately. We have such a rhythm and tight unity that the spirit is able to help us make a difference in people's lives. We are finding by the spirit, teaching by the spirit, and helping people work towards baptism. I've never felt more connected to the Lord in His great work than I do right now. My role as a leader and with a great companion has let me develop the sharpest skill set I've had my entire mission. We are being effective, and making every second of our day count.

We have 3 investigators just on the brink of baptism! We are fasting and praying with one Chinese girl who is so close. We knocked on her door about 7 weeks ago, she didn't believe in God, she had no faith, she'd never prayed before. Now she prays like a lifelong member of the church, she has insights from her scripture reading, she recognizes the spirit in her life, and she has faith and hope that Christ can bring healing and a better life. Her unsupportive family in China is her biggest setback. We've been reading the Book of Mormon with her lots to help her faith grow to overcome her fears. She is SO CLOSE.

We have another girl who loves the church, its activities, and the restored gospel. She is working to overcome her deep-rooted smoking habit before her baptism which is scheduled for April 22. It’s amazing to see the spirit teach different people individually how the Atonement can apply to them and heal them.

Another person who is very close to baptism is a girl from Toronto. She was born in another country but has been here in Canada for a few years now. She had no previous background with Christianity, and had a small faith in Hinduism. She has felt the spirit enlighten her view of the world as she has learned about the Atonement and what Jesus Christ did for her. She loves the Book of Mormon and has received answers to her prayers. She is set for baptism on April 29.

Other than these great investigators, the Lord is leading us directly to people who are prepared. We have started tracting apartment buildings around the University, and 2 of our baptismal dates are on the same floor of a building. We are teaching and helping our investigators be integrated into the church almost constantly. We are finding people to baptize. We are feeling the spirit bear strong witness to those we find that Christ is real. My testimony of this work has grown a lot in the past month. The Lord keeps his promises. He will not abandon us if we keep our covenants.

My mission has been the greatest, most exciting time of my life. It’s been hard and dark at times also, but through all the trials I've grown the capacity to feel true joy. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. God loves us, and he wants us to succeed.

Elder Porter

A successful lecture!

April 2, 2012

Transfer calls were last night! I wasn't expecting to get a call, and I didn't. Elder Hancock and I will be together for at least another 6 weeks. He's only been here for 3 months, or 2 transfers. We are almost positive that we'll be separated after this one though. We'll make it count and hopefully baptize 3 or 4 in the next 6 weeks.

The lecture went great! Elder Hancock and I presented for about 35 minutes on the basics of the LDS faith. We did our whole presentation from the visual aids on Mormon.org. We taught briefly about how the gospel blesses families and showed a few "I'm a Mormon" clips. We taught the Restoration from a powerpoint-type-slideshow on the site as well. We had open Q&A for about 45 minutes after that. It was slightly intimidating answering questions from the Catholic Priesthood (people training to be ordained priests) and other non-members, but it went very, very well. We found ways to bear testimony and invite all to come closer to Christ through pondering and reading the Book of Mormon. There were about 30 people there, many of who were members from the London YSA Branch, some of who were staff at Kings University College (a catholic college), and just a handfull of nonmembers from the campus there. The best response was from the staff. The spirit definately touched some of them as they asked sincere questons and of their own initiative took a Book of Mormon to review furher. It was a GREAT experience. I wasn't scared or nervous at all. Although there were not any immediate fruits, we planted seeds and softened hearts, and it was a great use of time. A truly memorable experience!

Preparing to Lecture on College Campus

March 26, 2012

I've been in London for 5 weeks already! I can't believe it. YSA work is crazy different than the previous work I've done. It’s taught me how to be more real and it’s come to help define the testimony I've had through my mission.

Elder Hancock and I are having a great and really unique opportunity on Wednesday! We are going to be managing a presentation at a Catholic College about the basic beliefs of our church! A few weeks ago we emailed all the religious Professors at the University of Western Ontario and the surrounding religious colleges. The head Priest for the college had us over for a chat, and he is providing a venue for us to give a presentation. We've made flyers and distributed many hundreds of them. We're presenting in a lecture hall this week. We're very, very excited. It is such a unique opportunity. We'll be pulling most of our presentation from Mormon.org and the Restoration lesson from Preach My Gospel. We're praying and having faith that someone with a desire and intent to search for truth will be able to make their way to hear our message. We're a little anxious, but mostly excited to share what we know to be true in such a unique place.

Yesterday at church we had 7 nonmembers. We're doing some serious work and experiencing some great and heavy blessings from the Lord. We're currently teaching 2 Chinese girls who are here for another semester. They are so close to accepting a baptismal date! They are in the stage of trying to recognize that their prayers have been answered and that all these things really have helped them out in life. They are slow coming, but coming nonetheless. We found a great girl from Sri Lanka in the same building as the Chinese girls. She's accepted to work towards baptism in April and came to a Christian church for the first time yesterday! She's beginning to feel the spirit as we're teaching her about who Jesus Christ is and why he's so important. Also, we're teaching a roommate of a less active who is doing great! He's a really down to earth business student working for his Masters Degree right now. He's gaining spiritual insights from the Book of Mormon as his belief in God is sprouting and growing.

I know in a real way we receive revelation as to what these people need to hear and learn about in order to have their faith grow. I love this work and will miss it forever when my time in Canada is done. I revere my mission as a sacred part of my life. I know the gospel brings more happiness than anything else. I know prayers are heard. I know baptism is what Father wants for us. We are all involved in this work in different ways. Doing what we should brings blessings regardless of what assignment we have. Keep doing what you should and the Lord's promised blessings will come eventually.

Elder Porter