Hey guys,
Yesterday was transfer meeting, and it took up the whole day. We got a ride there from a sister and her fiancé who I baptized. She was my first baptism, so it was cool to get to ride with them.
I did not get transferred. I am still here in lovely Port Townsend. I have a new companion though. His name is Elder Frosberg. He is a cool kid, serious about missionary work, likes paper work, and he has been out for about six months. I like him. We are gonna have a good time this transfer. I miss Elder Topp though, he was awesome. He went home yesterday, to New Mexico.
It was a little weird being with a "dying" missionary, watching him pack his bags and stuff; especially during the holidays. But, I'm super excited for this transfer. We are going to see miracles.
I saw Corey yesterday. He just got out of the MTC. He looked super slick in his suit with his name tag. I love seeing the Greenies on transfer day: They all have huge rain coats on -- even though it isn't raining; and they look like deer in the headlights.
Transfer meeting is when you fully realize what you've just committed yourself to. You listen to all of the departing missionaries' final testimonies, and the fact that you're gonna be here for two years slaps you in the face like a bucket of cold water.
It is difficult to explain, but you can see it in the Greenies eyes. I am way excited for Corey, he looked really good, the best I've seen him. I sensed that the MTC was a life changing experience for him. Missionary work is the best. There really isn't anything better.
I don't really have any news or anything, I'm excited; I'm having fun. I'm warm, I'm trying not to gain weight... and I just finished the Book of Mormon. I love the Book of Mormon, what a powerful testimony of Jesus Christ. It is true, I know it is.
I want to read it again, but I've decided that I need to focus on Preach My Gospel and the New Testament for a little while.
We were supposed to finish the Book next Tuesday, but I couldn't put it down. I prayed about it again, I told Heavenly Father that knew it was true, He's told me -- like every time I open the Book, but I asked Him to tell me again, mainly just because I love being able to pray to Him and receive an answer right away lol. It is an awesome experience because you know He is there, and that He is listening.
This time my answer was different, He basically reminded me of all the incites I'd received while reading this time around, and then reminded me of what Moroni says. If it inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to believe in Christ, then it comes from God. Then He told me it was true in my mind and in my heart. I love Moroni's promise, because it works every time.
I promise you, anybody who reads this email, that if you will read and pray about the Book of Mormon, you will know that Jesus Christ is your Savior, and you will establish a personal relationship with your Father in Heaven. "Behold this is life eternal, that they may know Thee, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou has sent." (John) What better way to begin to know our Father in Heaven than asking Him a question that He has promised to answer?
I know the Book of Mormon is true because I prayed about it. As a teenager, I came to the point where I realized that if I was going to do the things I was being asked to do, I better know that the reasons for doing them were legitimate. Why would I live the standards, if they didn't truly come from God? So, I knew that if Joseph Smith truly was a prophet, then the Word of Wisdom, the Law of Chastity, etc., came from God. The Bible says "By their fruits ye shall know them," and I understood that the Book of Mormon was the fruit we were given to know whether or not Joseph Smith was a prophet.
I read the Book of Mormon, and when I got to 3 Nephi 17 the spirit hit me like a ton of bricks. I knew it was true right then and there. I finished the book, and then I prayed about it.
Once again, the same feeling came back, and I knew it was true. From that time on, I made the Book of Mormon the Key Stone of my testimony. Everything I was asked to do by a servant of the Lord was true because the Book of Mormon was true. I promise you that if you make the Book of Mormon the foundation of your testimony, you will not fall. The devil will try to fell you, but if you look back on the personal witness you received, and gather your strength from that, he won't be able to knock you off your rock.
I love you guys, and I hope you have an awesome week.
Love,
Elder Thornton
Dad and Mom, so I'm working on getting my drivers license info, its not as easy as they told you. I had to call Jefferson City. Oh well, I'll get it soon hopefully. I'm glad Sister Grosscost called you, she is one of my favorite members here. We didn't have Thanksgiving with her, but we had dinner with her a few days after thanksgiving. She is an awesome lady. We can't get hugs lol. It is against the rules no matter what age they are lol. Have a good week, I love you.
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