Elder Zachary Jones' Mission Blog: July 2014

Monday, July 28, 2014

Week 5 - Only 99 Weeks to Go!

Week #5

Hey family!

It's kind of crazy, but it has already been a month! Time flies when you're having fun I guess...

Sorry about not sharing that story with you. Nathan had asked for any funny stories, so I just threw the craziest one out there. Nothing really happened, but some guy who was walking toward us on the side walk had a knife in his hand, but then he darted across the street through traffic. My companion and I wondered what the heck that was about when a police officer asked us where he went. Don't worry though, we're ok. :)

Over the last week, I've been having some cool experiences. We met lots of people while tracting, but most of them we're fairly uninterested in hearing about the Gospel. Even so, we were still able to find a couple people who at least let us talk. The first one was a Hispanic guy who couldn't speak English. My companion asked him a question, but he didn't really understand. You want to know what I did? I used my extensive knowledge of high school Spanish (I'm being sarcastic) to ask him if he wanted to know more about Jesus Christ. We even got his phone number.

The other people, again, were an older Hispanic couple. The husband could speak decent English, while the wife could not. We met them last week, taught the first lesson, and said we would come back with a couple Libro de Mormons. We did so, and at the end of our lesson on the Book of Mormon, tried to invite them to baptism. They at first didn't understand, so I halfway tried to do it in Spanish. They at least got the picture, and said that they would be interested in it. It's kind of sad, but we are going to have to turn them over to the Spanish missionaries. I guess it's for the best.

As far as my companion and I are concerned, we're getting along a little better. We live with a couple other missionaries. One of them noticed that we tended to argue a lot, and so this missionary (who is also from Kansas) told me that "it is more important to get along, than it is to be right." I've since thought about that, and also how argumentative I tended to be at home and have realized that I have a lot to improve on in that aspect. I'll try not to debate with Dad when I get home... ;)

I have also found out that it is in down time where Satan tries to make us slip up. The moments where we haven't been doing anything are the ones in which we are tempted. I have even found that it is easier to have doubt in the Savior and his Gospel. Like Mom said, it's very easy for me to question why I'm here at this time. Last night, I had a lot of questions and doubts, and so I prayed about it. After that, I turned on one of my Motab cds and listened to Redeemer of Israel. I want to share the second verse with you all because I feel like it answered my questions:

We know He is coming to gather His sheep

And lead them to Zion in love

For why in the valley

Of death should they weep

Or in the lone wilderness rove?

This stood out to me because Christ is coming to gather His sheep. That's what missionary work is all about. That's why I'm out here in Nevada. I, as well as the 200 something missionaries here, are apart of that quickening process or the "hastening of the Work".

I love you all! Be safe and let me know how you all are doing. And don't worry; I will be home before you know it (I'm already 1/24 of the way done).

Love,

Zach

p.s. I love you Grandma and Grandpa! I couldn't be more grateful to have Grandparents such as you two. You have helped make me who I am today.

Monday, July 21, 2014

A very eventful first week!

From: Zachary Jones <zjones@myldsmail.net>;
Subject: Week #4
Sent: Mon, Jul 21, 2014 5:33:59 PM

Hey family!

It has been a very eventful first week! My companion Elder Tillotson (I misspelled it the first time) told me that no missionary has been trained in this area for a while, probably because of how low-performing it is when compared to the rest of the mission. But since I've been here, we as a companionship decided to go contacting as much as possible this week. We've ended up meeting several new potential investigators, so many that when we went to share the names with the bishopric in PEC yesterday, that they were amazed how many people we contacted.

As far as specific examples, we met a guy on Friday who said he would be interested in hearing about the Restoration, but when we came back to his house the next day, he wasn't there. Instead, his parents (who are both from Chihuahua, Mexico), wife, and daughter were all there sitting in the garage. So what did we do naturally? We asked if we could share the message of the Restoration with them. It was really cool! At the end of the lesson, they even said we could come back next Saturday and bring them copies of the Book of Mormon in Spanish. Heavenly Father prepares people everywhere to hear the Gospel. One thing that the Grandpa noticed about us was that as missionaries, we were both happy and glad to do the Work that we have been called to do, and so he asked us to stay happy.

We were also teaching a less active about the Plan of Salvation. At the same time, the woman's granddaughter and her friend (who are both about 12) sat in on the lesson. At the end of the lesson, we asked them to be baptized and they said yes! Elder Tillotson tells me that this area hasn't had baptisms for a while, so I definitely feel like the Lord is helping us in our efforts.

Since mom was wondering about the backpack, that was a gift from one of the less-actives that we visited this past week. My companion and I are on bikes; she was worried about how dangerous it was for me to ride a bike with a satchel because it's harder to balance. I'm only going to use it as long as I'm on bike just because it makes my mobility a little easier. Tell Elder Horne and Oronoz that I still use my satchel when going to meetings so that I can look a little more professional.

Like Dad told me to, I'm doing my best to obey as exactly as possible. I get up at 6:30 or before every morning, and I go to bed at 10:30 at night. My companion is a great Elder who wants to help people come unto Christ.

I hope everything is going well! Make sure to keep writing! It's always nice to hear how you all are doing!

Love,

Zach

P.S. The kid in the pic is the grandson of one of the people we visited this week. He's hilarious, and may just have a little more ADHD than Wilkin does ;)

Tell Wilkin I said to have fun in marching band! He'll be great!!!

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Doctrine & Covenants - 42:6

"And ye shall go forth in the power of my Spirit, preaching my gospel, two by two, in my name, lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, declaring my word like unto angels of God"

Elder Tillonston and Elder Jones at a dinner appointment 7/19/14. They are assigned in the Meadows 8th ward, Northwest Las Vegas.

The dinner family says "he looks great and seems happy to be here"

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Welcome to Vegas!

From: "Zachary Jones" <zjones@myldsmail.net>
Subject: Week #3 with more pics
Date: Tue, Jul 15, 2014 3:05 pm

Hey family!

A lot has happened in the last couple days, so I will try to keep this short, but no promises...

Sunday was crazy seeing as it was my last day in the MTC. It was hard to pack all my things, as well as say goodbye to all the new friends that I had made, but it had to be.

All of us Vegas West missionaries got up around 3:30 am to get our stuff out to the bus and go to the airport. We all left the MTC at around 4:30, and got to the airport around 5:45. Our plane left at 8:38 am MST. It was amazing how much the landscape changed during our flight. In case any of you were wondering, Nevada is a desert.

We arrived at 9 am in Nevada time. Guess what the first thing I saw upon getting off the plane was? A slot machine. President Ahlander and his wife met us in the airport, and then drove us to their home to have breakfast. They are really cool; I'm excited to serve with them!

Later that day, I got to meet my companion Elder Tillonston. He's from South Carolina.

I love you all so much. Let Wilkin know his letter made me bawl like a baby. I guess it didn't hit me that I wasn't going home until now.

I miss everybody! Make sure to write and tell other people to write as well. It's always nice to get letters, especially when you're away from home for such a long time.

Love,

Zach

MTC Pictures

Monday, July 14, 2014

Arriving at Mission Home 7/14/14

Sister Ahlander, Elder Jones, President Ahlander

at Mission Home morning of 7/14/14

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Last Week at the MTC!

Hey family!

I hope you all know I'm still missing you, but the homesick feeling is starting to fade a little bit. As far as my week has been, the MTC is amazing! There have been so many opportunities to learn and grow, and honestly, I'm a little sad that I'm leaving here on Monday. I'm just not exactly sure I'm ready for it yet, but oh well... It's coming anyway!

To start off, Sunday was interesting for being my first fast Sunday as a missionary. I actually had to fast 24 hours for once! I learned a lot about restraining myself. Later that night, we were instructed to watch an MTC devotional that Elder Bednar gave a couple years ago called "The Character of Christ". I highly recommend you all watch it because it is so geared toward what it really means to be a missionary as well as becoming like the Savior. You should also see it for Elder Bednar's cookie monster impression; it is just hilarious.

The rest of the week has just been one long ride. I went to my classes with my district, and had lots of other meetings. On Tuesday, we were privileged enough to have a devotional from Elder Andersen. It was awesome being able to see him in person! His topic was "Things that are not seen". He talked a lot about the Holy Ghost, and I've been thinking about some of the things he said. I just hope I can apply all of that as a missionary.

My companion and I also had the opportunity to teach the role-play investigators that they have employed here. The woman we taught was a Korean lady named Kyung-Min Kim. We called her K-min for short. That was definitely good practice for the mission field. One of the other practices we did was with our teacher Sister King. She was role-playing as an investigator she met while serving in Brazil. Some how, some way, the Spirit literally took over the lesson. After the lesson when Sister King evaluated us, she asked us, "Elders, what just happened?" And the funny thing was we couldn't really answer that question in that moment ourselves. I really want experiences like that.

Yesterday, we had a nine hour class block to learn about things like street contacting and member support. I also met one of the missionaries from those district videos, Brother Christensen. He was one of my teachers yesterday and I had a lot of fun learning from him.

It's also good to here that Michael Madsen and Jordan Yano are home. If either of them have any advice, it would be much appreciated!

Well I hope everything at home is going well. I miss you all and love you very much! I'm also not sure, but I might be able to email on Monday, seeing that it is p-day so we'll see!

Love you lots!

Zach

Saturday, July 5, 2014

4th of July 2014

On Saturday, July 5, 2014 10:07 AM, Zachary Jones <zjones@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Oh! I forgot to tell you that the 4th of July celebration was awesome! We went into the gym around 7:30 and were able to listen to patriotic musical numbers and a devotional speaker who talked about freedom and how Christ (like the American flag) is our symbol of freedom. It was a different perspective and I am glad I was able to hear it.

Then President Roach (second counselor in the MTC presidency) announced that we would be watching 17 Miracles as a campus. I've that movie so many times at home, but it never exactly hit me what our ancestors went through to help us have the Gospel. It was a very touching experience.

Then, we were allowed to break curfew to go watch the BYU stadium of fire fireworks display from the parking lot. One of the Elders I sat next to in the gym told me that nights like those never happen at the MTC. I guess I just got lucky!
Love you lots!

Elder Jones

FIRST WEEK!

FIRST WEEK!

Hey Mom and Dad!

The week has been pretty awesome so far. I got my name tag, started all my courses, met my companion, and overall, I am really enjoying myself! I still feel a little homesick, but that is going away more and more from day to day. I hope everything is well at home. I miss you guys alot, but the more that I am here, the more i understand that this is where I need to be. So, as of now, I want to tell you guys how my week has been going.

Tuesday and Wednesday were awesome. I am extremely grateful to the Wards for allowing me to hang around with them for the day. If they are back in town on Sunday, let them know that I can't say thanks enough for letting me stay with them. Wednesday morning was fun-Brother Ward took me over to have breakfast with Daniel. That was good to be able to see him one more time before I left. When we got back to the house, Hyrum and I played a game of chess; he completely destroyed me! Then some of the other kids wanted to play me and win (which they did).

After that, we went up to Provo and the Wards ultimately dropped me off at the MTC around 1. Again, I'm just so glad that they allowed me to stay with them. I went in, had orientation, and then was taken to my classroom in which I met my companion Elder Jewell; he's a fun person to be around. Then I met all my roommates who all now seem like my best friends here. Elder Rowley, Elder Goode, Elder Jewell, and I all stay together most of the time. It's good to have people I can rely on.

The classes have been great! I have learned so much about the Gospel in just two short days (I didn't realize that the Gospel is just faith, repentance, baptism, and enduring to the end through Christ's atonement). The Lord has blessed me from just being here. I am learning so many new things from my teachers and from teaching mock investigators.

As for pictures, I haven't taken very many so far, but I will try to take some more and then send all the ones I have next week. Here at the MTC, my P-day is Saturday.

My departure date is also a lot earlier than I originally expected. I get into the mission field on the 14th of this month (just twelve days after entering the MTC). That date is getting closer and closer; sometimes I don't really feel as though I'll be ready to be a full-fledged missionary, but I know that as long as I obey with exactness (for you Dad), study hard, and prepare as much as I can, Heavenly Father will make up the difference.

Also, I'm not sure if I will need to buy an I-pad mini, we'll just have to figure that out when I get into the field.

Tell everyone at home I love and miss them, and also tell people to write me; it gets a little lonely here sometimes!

Love,

Elder Jones

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Interesting this was announced yesterday, July 2nd as Zachary entered the MTC.

It's exciting to hear the growth of missionary service and where the numbers are expected level out at later this year. It's also exciting to know the rising generation will have access to the technology in order to reach more of our brothers and sisters through social media and communication and to be more effective in planning and serving. Personally don't know enough about the mini iPad to have an opinion about the device.

LDS missionary numbers to peak at 88,000; more to use and pay for digital devices | Deseret News: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865606271/LDS-missionary-numbers-to-peak-at-88000-more-to-use-and-pay-for-digital-devices.html?pg=all#WVzVt7XfXJYxKQd3.03

SALT LAKE CITY — Though the record number of LDS missionaries serving around the world will peak in the fall and then recede somewhat, convert baptisms are increasing and more missionaries soon will be using digital devices to help with their work.

A pilot program has shown that use of iPad Minis by missionaries improved their work and study, and the devices will be used in all missions in North America, Japan and western Europe beginning this fall, the executive director of the LDS Missionary Department said Wednesday in a wide-ranging, videotaped interview released by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Elder David F. Evans, also a member of the faith's First Quorum of the Seventy, said the devices will be used by about 32,000 Mormon missionaries in 162 of the church's 405 missions.

The church will ask missionaries in those areas to pay for their iPads, which will be their property during and after their missions, at a cost of $400 apiece.

Evans said the church, as of Wednesday, had 85,593 missionaries serving, up from the previously publicized record of 85,039 in April.

He said the missionary department anticipates the number to rise to 88,000 this fall before starting to decrease.

LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson precipitated the dramatic two-year surge in missionary numbers when in October 2012 he lowered the age requirement from 19 to 18 years old for male missionaries and from 21 to 19 for women.

Elder Evans, who called the surge "one of the greatest faith-inspiring things I've ever seen," said the church expects the number of missionaries will eventually settle somewhere in the high 70,000s, well above the 58,000 serving at the time of President Monson's announcement.

"We don't believe we're ever going back to the 50,000s," Elder Evans said.

About 64 percent of the church's full-time missionaries are young adult men, 28 percent are women and 8 percent are senior missionaries.

"We believe the young people of this church will continue to say yes to missionary service, and they'll continue to choose to become young disciples of Christ," Elder Evans said. "For them it's an absolute free-will offering to the Lord and to their fellow man."

He also spoke about convert baptisms and missionary safety.

"Every month, if you compare month over month, the baptisms are up," Elder Evans said. "Right now for this year, there's about an overall 15 percent increase in the number of convert baptisms this year compared to a comparable period last year."

Elder Evans said missionaries now are being asked to have a "safety moment" at the beginning of each day, an effort to increase their sensitivity to safety issues after several injuries and deaths among missionaries made news, particularly last year.

Those incidents remain few compared to the general U.S. population of 18- to 21-year-olds.

"It is by far the safest place for any young single adult to be that I'm aware of," Elder Evans said. "I've read statistics that suggest being on a mission may be as many as 20 times safer than being generally out in the population."

A pilot program put iPad Minis in the hands of about 6,500 missionaries in 30 missions in the United States and Japan, as well as with sister missionaries in most LDS visitors centers. Elder Evans described four lessons learned by church leaders.

First, missionaries were very comfortable and capable using the devices. Second, the devices increased the reading and studying done by the missionaries. Third, they were effective planning tools. Fourth, they helped missionaries communicate better with local church leaders, mission leaders and investigators.

Adding digital devices to more missions will begin in the fall and continue into next year, Elder Evans said.

He also said church leaders hope that digital devices can help missionaries begin their training in new languages, gospel study and other areas even before they reach missionary training centers at the beginning of their service.

The church will ask missionaries from areas Elder Evans said are "self-supporting in terms of missionary service" to pay for their own iPad Minis, similar to the way the church has asked missionaries to pay for bicycles to use in the mission field.

Those from areas that aren't self-supporting will work with their local church leaders and mission presidents on funding.

The video interview is the second video about missionary work released by the church this week. On Monday, a video from church historians told the story of the faith's first sister missionaries.

Both videos can be seen at mormonnewsroom.org.