The Zachtastic Movie Blog

As I mentioned briefly last week,   this week was one of exclusive study of The Book of Mormon, including a mission-wide fast  that occurred yesterday so that all could receive a greater witness of its power.   At the end of it all, I must say that this past week truly has helped me to gain a deeper appreciation for God's additional witness  to us all that He loves His children. I know that it truly is the Word of God, and by reading it we may gain a sure knowledge of the mission of His Son Jesus Christ, that He loves us, and also that His kingdom (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) has once again been established for this final time before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. I know that these are very bold statements, but I can testify that they are true, and you can know that they are true by simply seeking out that knowledge for yourself. That is a   promise . The Book of Mormon has been published in 82 languages. I also noticed ...

I am still trying to adjust to a brand new area and ward, but otherwise this has been a good week regardless of the trials we have faced. If anything,   this week has been one of performing service and administering grace to those in need of help ; we mainly saw this in that a recent convert in our ward, Brent, has faced a lot of opposition in his life, and without saying much I will say that he is suffering through a lot of stress and depression at this time. My testimony was strengthened of how important it is to help out our fellow men in that from the very start of the issues he has been suffering through this week, we have been there to support him each day both through normal visits and sharing scriptural insights. Ever since our first visit with him after things just came crashing down upon him, he has increasingly and rapidly recovered with each daily visit. We will continue to see him throughout the week, but at the rate he is going he should be back to normal soon. We a...

Even though my time in Missouri was relatively short, I am grateful that Elder Long and I had the opportunity to open the Green City area down there. HIPPO-COWS!! By the time I left we had established a decent foundation upon which the Work of Salvation may continue to progress in that particular sector of the Kirksville 2nd Ward, and I have faith that as he trains his brand new companion (his boy is from Thatcher, Arizona) he will see much success there. We got to teach some awesome, spiritually-fulfilling lessons together right before I got transferred, so I think he still has some great times ahead of him there. One of my favorite Zone Leaders, Elder Wright, went home this past Friday, so I made sure to get a picture with him at transfers before he left. I'm going to miss him so much! Anyway, I am sure you are all wondering where I have been sent to, and   my new area is in   Iowa City!!  The thing I find funny about this is that the area I am now s...

My time in Missouri has come to an end . Yes, I got the "three months shaft." Since Elder Long and I opened the area together I figured that one of us would be leaving after two transfers, and it turns out that I am the one that the Lord has called to labor elsewhere.  Full-blooded Missourian, right there. Elder Long has been assigned as a trainer, so his boy will take my place in Green City. As far as we can tell Elder Taggart and Elder Blackburn will be staying in the 2nd Ward as well, but our District Leader Elder Carlson has been called to be a Zone Leader so he will be leaving as well. Elder Schwendiman, a trainer in the Edina area of the Kirksville 1st Ward, will replace him as District Leader.  The Kirksville District, from left to right: Elders Taggart, Schwendiman, Long, myself (somehow I grew an extra foot taller for this picture), Blackburn and Cook; Sisters Skaggs and Ramsey; and then Elders Carlson (District Leader) and Banta. So there aren't g...

I hope everyone had a fun Labor Day! This is the reason why my weekly email has come a day later than normal, in case anyone was curious. The holiday itself was not anything special for us but we did have a really fun P-day consisting of disc golf, Team Deathmatch with Nerf guns, sports among other fun things. I have really come to enjoy spending time in the Kirksville District, for all of us are pretty unified and we have a lot of great times together whenever we are together on Mondays and for meetings. Green Castle, a town in our area, had a car show as part of their Labor Day celebration. This '87 Chevy Silverado was one of our favorites. I figured my mom would appreciate this car too. In terms of how the Work of Salvation is going, we have still been trying to follow up consistently with the investigators we are working with, and we made some progress with a few individuals. Steve and Barbara are both still coming along well; one of my favorite things about se...