Elder Tabler is my companion in Ely. He is from Portland, Oregon and has been on his mission for 17 months. I asked him to describe himself and he came up with ruggedly handsome, quick-witted, and intelligent. (I love that he’s humble!) He is super funny. We also live with two other elders (both from Arizona). We get along well. We are all pretty funny in our own ways and all have something different to bring to the table. Both companionships serve on bikes in the same stake, Ely 1st ward and Ely 2nd ward. We all live in the basement of a member’s home. The member family is awesome! The wife is a science teacher and the husband is a local attorney. Great people and very nice. We are basically given the whole basement and use of the upstairs kitchen. I love it here.
Ely is a mining town of about 5 mines. There is one grocery store called Ridley’s but it’s a little overpriced. Ely is a small town but supports 3 sets of missionaries. Ely 1st ward is great. There are many Mormons in Ely and it shows. However, there is still work to be done…that’s why we are here. The ward is very willing to help with investigators we just need to find them. We recently gave the “Willing and Brief Presentation” in the 3rd hour of church. It is a way that helps members bring up the gospel and ask people they talk to listen to a brief presentation from the missionaries. It was sent to mission presidents to be presented in each ward.
This last Friday we were planning and in our closing prayer we asked to be inspired to know where to go. We taught one lesson and our next scheduled lesson fell through. We tried a few more people then started to bike home for lunch. I saw two older couples trying to push a large armoire up some stairs. We stopped and I asked if we could help them. They turned to us and saw that we were big guys and said “Oh, yes”. We helped them get it up the stairs all the while they continually thank us. I feel that the Lord blessed us with that opportunity to serve His children. We spread good will and perhaps open future doors. It’s great. As we ask for something that is good the Lord will provide. I love service: People see young men helping and then they see the name tag. They are curious and it could lead to good things.
The gospel is true! It came directly from Jesus Christ. He makes it possible for us to return to our Heavenly Father. Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the grove of trees. Moroni came to him and told him where to find the gold plates. Joseph Smith translated those plates and that is called the Book of Mormon. I hold the priesthood that was restored to the earth through Joseph Smith. This allows me to do the work of the Lord. I know that the Book of Mormon is true because I have read it and prayed to ask Heavenly Father. Joseph Smith is a prophet. The things that I teach as a missionary are truth. When people pray to know these things they will be blessed with the same knowledge. This knowledge doesn’t come all at once but over time through earnest prayer, pondering, and inspiration. I love the gospel and I love this work!
Love,
Elder Wilson
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