New Investigators

Hi family.

I had a great week. We found 11 new investigators, the most I have ever found on my mission. I am pretty sure it is a record in our mission. OK maybe not, but it the most I have ever found. We found 8 in one night. 

We started by going to teach a recent convert named Kelsie. She is really cool. Her younger brother is not baptized and he goes to church every Sunday. We sat down with them and started talking about the church. She has a really good conversion story which I will send to you one day, but we asked him why he comes to church. He told us that he really likes the feeling that he gets at church and that he knows that the church is true. We then asked him if he would be baptized and he said yes! So cool. So many cool things are happening in this stake. We set a date of May 3. He said he would pray about it.

Then we had another appointment that the zone leaders set up for us. They talked to this person on the street his name is Mervyn He is 36 and has lots of kids. We go there and we start teaching with him and 2 of his kids. The Mom was there but had to leave to go to the store. When she left Mervyn's father came and we started to teach him as well. Then the Mom came back with one of the other daughters and Mervyn's sister. So we had a total of 7 non-members that we were teaching. It was so cool. They were all receptive and ready to hear the gospel. We were screaming for joy afterwards. We talked about baptism and they said that they would talk about it as a family. I love this work. So many fruits of working for God.

Then we had another appointment a few days later and another one of his daughters was there as well. One of their sons had read some of the Book of Mormon and really wanted to get baptized. He said that he had a dream after he read it and he knew it was true. He is about 11 years old. We asked them if they talked about being baptized and they said that they did and some of the kids really want to be baptized and said they will come to church this Sunday. Yay.

We were also able to teach this other family named the Trip's. They are really nice, but it was more of a bashing appointment. We picked them up as new investigators as well, but I don't think they will progress because they said they want to convert us to there religion. My companion like to bash. Haha. I try to stay away from it. I have never seen any fruit from arguing with one another.

This week has been full of miracles. one right after another. I know these happen every day but it is nice to see big miracles once in a while.

Transfers are this week so I might get transferred but most likely I will stay because my companion is going home since he is finishing his mission. That is just to warn you if I change areas. I seem to change areas when I find lots of new investigators like this. Just when an area is turning really hot I get transferred. Oh well. That just means that the Lord wants me somewhere else.

So did the scouts go on a 50 mile hike since I have been out on a mission?

Also when does Michael [a young man from our ward]  turn in his mission call? Who is the next to go on their mission? 

Monday, after we emailed you, we went to Soccer City an indoor soccer field. We played for about 2 hours. We had about 40 missionaries there. We get in for free and had the whole place for our-selves. That was lots of fun except I was sore for about 2 days afterwards. As missionaries we are only allowed to watch church movies and one of the best church moves that we watch is Legacy. I have never seen it before my mission but while on my mission I have probably watched it about 10 times. We watch the really old ones as well they are funny to laugh at.

Also Happy birthday Monica! I hope that you have a good day. You are now an adult and are almost done with high school. That is really exciting. I know that you are a wonderful person and love doing what is good. Keep it up. I love talking about my family to others and when I get to you my comments are always that you are the smartest person in the family. haha Don't tell Ben Alex or Robert I said that, but if you did they would probably agree.

Thanks for the picture! I love it. Robert is too tall. He needs to shrink before I get back from my mission. 

The Best Mission Ever

This week has been fun. On Tuesday we had district meeting. I like those. I remember the first time that I had to give a district meeting. I was very scared. I remember thinking, 2 hours! That's a long time! Well, this week we had the zone leaders come into our district meeting and they told me that district meeting was too long. I think that is an achievement. I also remember when I gave my farewell talk and how scared I was because I was going to have so long and then it ended up being short. I was glad. Now I think that I would be a little disappointed that I did not get to share what I wanted to. It is funny to see how much my perspective changed.

We had a baptism this week. That was cool. 

Jeremiah's Baptism

A little about Elder Gonzales 

His parents are not members of the church neither is his sister. He is the first member in his family as far as he knows. He is a good guy. He is going home after this transfer. Let's just say he is ready to go home. He is really funny and makes me laugh. He joined the church about 3 years ago, maybe 4, and his Dad was not very happy that he stopped schooling to go on a mission for a religion that he does not believe in. That would make a mission so much harder. His Dad also stopped his sister from becoming a member.When he was baptized, he needed his parents permission, so he got his Mom's. His Dad found out several weeks later and was not happy. He got over it. Elder Gonzales has a good conversion story and that is so very helpful when on a mission because you were not "born into it" his testimony is very powerful. 

I love our zone leaders. Their names are Elder Needs and Merenda. Elder Merenda became a district leader the same time that I did on my mission and now he is a zone leader. I really like them. Elder Needs is good at complimenting people on things when in lessons. That helps people develop trust in you so much better. I went on exchanges with him this week. 

I will probably stay in this area at least 1 more transfer because Elder Gonzales is leaving to go home and this stake has already been though lots of missionary changes. That hurts the trust of the members. luckily I have been here a while and people really trust me. I love my mission and all of the people that I meet. 

Remember at the beginning of my mission I told you people would pay for me all the time. Well they still do. Now we are not allowed to accept any of it, but some people force you to take it. If I were to hang around Walmart all day I would probably get close to $500 that day. People are really nice to missionaries here. I don't know what I am going to do when I get home and no kids look at me and say to their parents, "Look there are the missionaries" or no one is honking at us or all the other things people do for us here.

This really is the best mission ever. I love it. 

Elder Gonzalez was sick this week so we stayed in quite a bit while he slept. That was boring. There are not very many times of your mission when you sleep so much that you can't sleep any more, but this week I was able to sleep that much because we were always inside. We are trying to get back into the groove of things. 

We have an investigator named Lisa Wiseman. She is so nice and really wants to be baptized, but has to wait due to some things that need to resolved in her life. She really like us and I am the only one that has stayed since she has started investigating the church. We took them to conference. That was so much fun. Just to tell you again I love our prophet.

By the way Elder Gonzalez is from Mexico and then moved to Saint George. That is where he found the gospel. 

We had a fun Sunday. I really like confirmations. You get to feel the spirit and the person you give it to is now promised it always. Such a great gift. I think it is a greater gift than we give it credit for. I mean, we now have a member of the Godhead as a personal guide and a comforter.  A person who knows everything past present and future and wants to help us receive eternal life and exaltation. That is so cool that we can have that. Also he gives us gifts of the spirit that help us on our way, and basically all we have to do is ask and work for those gifts and he will gladly bestow it upon us. Isn't that wonderful? I love how the gospel works and how very simple things are in God's eyes. 

I am glad Robert is doing so well I hope that he continues to get better. He is a good athlete. 

You gave a talk. That is cool I am really looking forward to when I can give a talk to my ward at home. I get to hear lots of home coming talks. That is cool to hear people.

A car we have in our area. It is for sale.

Utah streets.We go through this one almost every day.

Why I Preach the Gospel and a Conversion Story

I started preaching the Gospel because I was told to. Kind of like Adam when the angels came to him and asked him to sacrifice animals he told the angel that he did not know except that he was told to. That is how my mission started because I was commanded to do this.

Now this if a fine way to do things just because you are told to do them. This helps grow your faith. Doing something because I was told to. Now it is a lot different reasons that are all kind of mixed up. One is to be able to help others come into Christ. (Preach My Gospel chapter 1 talks all about our purpose). Other reasons include: the love and joy I have in doing it, the change I get to see in people because they follow Christ, I am also still doing it because I am told to as well, the knowledge that I get on my mission, the increased charity that I have for people, (they talked a lot about Christlike attributes in conference and I feel like mine has grown really fast on a mission) the challenges that arrive on a mission and how they help me grow, and a lot more that is kinda hard to explain.

Funny guy that is actually an active Mormon and is making fun of the street preachers. He posed for me.

This is my really good ticket that I found on the ground. That was a amazing blessing 

This is Jeremiah 

We took an investigator named Jeremiah to General Conference and the day before we talked about prophets and asked him if he believed in the prophet today. He said he did not know. So he went to conference trying to find out if he really was a prophet. He went to the afternoon and priesthood session and after he [President Monson] spoke in priesthood session he said to me, "That was really powerful, I know that that power could not come from a man but that was God's power. No one else. And about that question you asked me yesterday, yes, I know that he is a prophet of God and he leads this church towards God." That was so cool to be able to hear this from someone that does not know very much about the Gospel at all. 

Also I got a letter from Brother Maltsburger and it was his conversion story. Here it is. I put it on here [with permission]. You need to read it. He spoke in [stake?] conference and said some of those things there as well.

This Relationship Began over 18 Years Ago 

Baptism of Brother Malsburger 

I am new to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I was baptized, last September, 2013. This is my reality leading up to that event.  

I built, Pat’s and my home in what is now the 4^th Ward in West Jordan, back in 1993. That is the year we moved in.

I first saw Norm standing on the sidewalk, at the end of my driveway, looking at me through my open garage door. I was doing one of my many projects. Once he had caught my attention, we exchanged greetings and talked about meaningless things like the weather.  He explained that he was on his morning walk, and liked to stop and talk to his neighbors.            His walks continued and many times he stopped and we talked. We shared our military experiences, the state of our country, the beauty of our neighborhood and what was really great about life.            One day he informed me that he and Brother Sermon were my home teachers, and asked if the could come by and talk with Pat and me. Normally that would happen on a Thursday evening, but not always. That went on for many months, years actually and it was good to talk with them.            Most of the time the chats were all about our health, family, and how we were doing and if there was anything that he and Brother Sermon could do for us.  The usual lessons seemed almost nonexistent, but there was always something said or implied that one could call, thought provoking. I was always left with something to ponder and think about.
            Norm would show up or call and have fresh produce for Pat and me as well as many of his other neighbors. The fresh fruit and veggies were always welcomed, and we would share part of our harvest as well. 
           I had built an addition onto the back of our home after my retirement and needed help to move our hot tub to its new location.  Pat said to call Norm. I called and asked if he might know of someone I could hire. He said he didn’t know of anyone I could hire, but if I would give him about thirty minutes, he would see what he could do. In about that time frame several able bodies showed up at the door and the project was completed in a matter of minutes.  I didn’t even have time to buy pizza.   

One day Brother Riggs asked if he could send missionaries over. I really didn’t know if I was ready for that, but said sure.  Several missionaries came by from time to time. They all had lessons they wished me to learn and understand. All were good young men. In their own way of communication skills, they tried hard to point out where I was going astray 

I remember working with my dog Max at a small park near by, two Elders stopped and watched while I exercised him. Max is quite accomplished and knows many tricks.  I throw out three frizzbies in different directions.  He has figured out to pick each one up and stack them on top of each and bring them all back at once. One of the Elders asked what it takes to teach a dog to do that. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that it was not my doing but that Max had figured most of it out on his own. So I simply said, well first you have to love the dog.  They both weren’t sure what to say to that, and left Max and me to have a great day.   

I believe that loving an animal or someone brings the best out in both of you.  Brother Riggs shared this thinking as well.  Maybe that is part of the strength of our relationship. 

Again, Norm was out in the neighborhood, found me and asked if he could send the missionaries by.  He said that two new young men were assigned in the area.  I said okay, I decided I needed to be less aggressive with the new missionaries. I resolved to listen more and kibitz less. 

Several days later while working in my front yard, two young men came speeding up on their bikes, introduced themselves and asked if the might park the bikes in front of my truck. They sat down with me on the front porch and said they really like to do some service work for Pat and me.  They said that they did a lot of study, but needed something physical to do, a project of some kind. I told them if the were really serious about that, to drop by tomorrow morning. 

Elder Kolpakov and Elder Walker dropped by at the arranged time and asked what I wanted done. They said they could probably do most anything, but I might have to show them how I wanted it done.  They were here to work and assist me with whatever I needed.             I was in the process of excavating soil and removing a damaged window well that needed replaced.  I handed them both a shovel. They worked hard and only stopped when they were assured, it met my standards.

These types of meetings became routine. They included sprinkler repair, rain gutter cleaning, weeding the garden, you name it. They always had to have something to do for service work. I told them I was starting to feel guilty about all the work they were doing. They laughed and said I was doing them a favor. That it kept the days full of positive thoughts and they liked having some work to do.             We would talk on breaks and lunch, this time I did buy pizza. So we ate and talked about the scriptures, in particular the Book of Mormon, and they gave me a copy to read.  They asked if I had read it before, and I said I had gone through some of the book, but knew only a small amount of its content.  At another time I had mentioned I would like to read the Bible, the one where Jesus’s words were printed in red ink.  Surprise, they brought me a beautiful bible and I had them autograph the inside for me.  How thoughtful and giving is that. 

Many times the two of them would come to dinner. Pat enjoyed cooking for them. We had everything from Mexican food, barbeque, to good ole Texas biscuits, gravy, and chicken fried steak.  And let us not forget the ice cream and pumpkin pie.  They did love to eat, like most men their age. 

After a few weeks of talking, working and laughing, Elder Kolpakov asked if I might want to be baptized. I said I really didn’t know. He suggested I pray about it. So I did. Prayer was not new to me, but it wasn’t a regular part of my life. I had prayed for members of my family, when they were in the hospital with possible life threatening health problems. I prayed for my son, my wife, friends, even a very special dog or two.  I am even know to give grace at special meals. 

My time in the military and other events in my life had left a question in my mind about being worthy of being baptized. This time my prayers brought forth a dream, with light and shadows and the words, you have always been worthy. I was not awakened by the dream, but remembered it vividly when I awoke. 

After several prayers, I told the Elders I did wish to be baptized and the event date was set. Elder Kolpakov and Elder Walker asked whom I wanted to baptize me. I told them I would like Brother Norman Riggs to do that. I knew he was quite ill, so I told the Elders to approach him in a way that would let him suggest someone if he felt he didn’t have the strength.  At their visit with Norm he said wanted to baptize me and he commented with a smile, “Well it’s about time.” 

Brother Riggs baptized me even though he was weak from cancer and needed his sons’ assistance and assistance of my missionaries as well.  My family was there supporting my decision, what a great day for me.

Norm Riggs, the Navel Officer, the teacher, the professor, the friend, always provoking me with thought. His friendship of both WORDS AND DEEDS has me standing here now. Elder Kolpakov and Elder Walker, my two great missionaries, who taught with example and love, gave me such joy when they were around. 

At brother Riggs funeral he left me one of his ties, with the words “Now we will always be tied together.” I know I will see Brother Norm Riggs again. Norm may have to step down a few steps to greet me, and he will; that’s what friends do. 

I will see Elders Kolpakov and Walker, my great missionaries again.  We exchanged phone numbers and email and still communicate to this day and will for always. 

I share these truths with you in the name of my savior Jesus Christ Amen. Brother D. Dean Maltsberger

The one on the right is my zone leader the other is Elder Mansfield 

This is Elder Pilcher.

This is when Elder Liva got transferred. 

Me with Lisa and investigate who is from the South. She is really cool.

 

Ways for Missionaries to get the Members to Trust Them

So we had an interesting week. We talked to lots of people and lots of people really like us. We have gotten so many comments form the stake saying that we are the best missionaries that they have ever had. So we have officially have the trust of the members here in Draper. That is really good. Something that we always have to build up. I have found that there are several ways to get members to trust you. 

1. Give talks in all the wards and bear your testimony. That helps the members see you and feel the spirit that you have to bring.
2. Help people in their callings as much as possible and build them up don't tear them down. We do that by complimenting as much as possible about everything.
3. People really like it when you return and report about the referrals that you give them especially if you can contact them in 1 day. People really like that. It shows that we are working hard that that they can give us to people and that they can expect a response from us.  I remember when we would give the missionary a name and we would never hear back from them so when the new missionaries came we would give them the same name and it is just a cycle. 
4. Paper work. Stake Presidents and bishops work from paperwork and we need to tell them what we are doing via paperwork. I am bad at paper work and because of that I do it on the computer so it takes some of my email time. Sorry I will actually send you a copy of what we do. I think it is really cool. You can also see who we are teaching and a little about them and pray for those as well.

One thing to pray for is for the stake leaders in the stake where I am serving. One of my jobs as a missionary is to really help the Leadership in the stake with there calling and so it is something that I pray for every day.

Yesterday we taught 4 primaries and gave a talk in a ward. That was fun. We have taught lots of classes in church, but I cant imagine if I would have to do it by myself. It is really a blessing to have a companion. That is also one more thing you could pray for my companions.

Elder Mansfield is leaving tomorrow for Brazil. He actually gets to go back to the MTC, but this time in Brazil. That will be strange he has been out for 8 month's and he is going back to the MTC. That would be a little weird. He is really trying to stay diligent in the work here in Draper because he knows that he is leaving. He is a good companion. I have always been blessed with good companions. For that I am vary thankful.

So Brother Maltsburger a recent convert of mine in West Jordan sent me a letter. I don't know if I already told you this, but I will sent our correspondence to you. 

What is your phone number? I heard that you gave a talk in stake conference. That is so cool. I wish I could have been there.
Elder Walker 

Hey Elder, how are you? I do miss your smiling face. I am doing well as is Pat. She said she misses Josh and Paul not dropping by, as do I. Do you ever hear from Elder Kolpakov. I often wonder how his life is going in Russia. Too much bad stuff going on with Putin. My # is XXX-XXX-XXXX. Pat’s is the same except the last two numbers are 49. I did give a talk at Stake Conference. It was a history of my baptism and what brought that to pass. I sent Elder/Pres. Bishop my revised version. He wanted a copy. Maybe you can get a copy from him, or I’ll e-mail you one. So good to hear from you. Continue to keep in touch. Have much success on your mission. You are always in our hearts and prayers. Brother Maltsberger

(Commentary by Elder Walker. We told them our first name once and they refused to call us by Elder anymore. That was probably a mistake. Also I think it is funny that he said smiling face Also President Bishop said he would get me one of the copies of the form he is talking about. He also signed his name as Brother Maltsburger. That is cool because he would never have done that 8 Months ago. )

That's so cool! I hear from Elder Kolpakov every once in a while. He is going ok I have not talked to him in about a month, but he said that he misses the nice people here. In Russia, apparently everyone is kinda mean. At least that is the impression that I got from his letters to me. It is going well here in Draper. People are really rich here. That is a little strange. I am still doing well.

New Investigator

So this week was a little slower then last week. We found this new investigator who is really cool. His name is Nagga. He has lived in the USA for 6 months and he already knows all about the church. We went in to his house and he basically taught us the first lesson. One of the strangest experiences of my mission. He is still learning, but he has a Book of Mormon and has read just a few pages because he said that is it hard to understand. It is his second language. He also can't read very well in Indian so we can't get him one of those either, but he did go to Deseret Book and buy a Gospel Principles Manual. He is about half way done with that book. He is getting converted though the Gospel Principles Book and not really the Book of Mormon which is strange. He told us he would try the Book of Mormon again, because we told him that that is how he will gain a conviction of the Gospel. Read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. He has his idols which will be something difficult to have him stop doing.

The weather here in Utah is so strange. It was really warm this past week, but for about 2 days we had crazy rain. It was lots of fun and a little harder to do missionary work. You just go out and expect to get wet and wet we got. It was like I had stepped into a shower and got out after 10 sec. I felt bad for the members who would let us in because we would leave a puddle in their house when we left.

Also, do you think that you could send me those pictures of our family. I would greatly appreciate that. I don't know if I ever thanked you for the scarf and socks, but thanks.

Question for the family

Why in Ether 3 does Jesus Christ refer to himself as Jesus Christ. He never does that before his birth. Look in the Old Testament. I don't think it said Jesus Christ once in there. (I have not read the whole thing so I might be wrong on that point). He is always referred to as Lord or something. 

Spiritual Stake Meeting

So this week has been very interesting. First, Elder Van Tress got transferred right before the baptism. Another missionary had to go home for hip surgery, so my companion got transferred. Also, Elder Mansfield GOT HIS VISA after 8 long months of waiting.  He is so excited and very nervous. I am not excited. I want him to stay. Trios are hard. There are things that just don't work as smoothly in trios then just a regular companionship. 

So, really cool news. We got to hear Elder Tate of the Seventy. He is one of the most powerful people I have ever met. I love him and I barely know him at all. He invited the missionaries to sit on the stand in all 3 meetings. I love that so much. He invited us to stand like 6 times to show the stake that we were willing to work and to show off my smile. That was funny. I smiled and he commented "Look at the smile on that missionary! He is so happy to be here!" or something along these lines. He also went up to Elder Mansfield and told the priesthood leadership exactly what to do [say?] to their grandchildren and children. He testified right to his face. It was so powerful.

He told us of a training of all of the general authorities and what Elder Bednar told all of them. He [Elder Bednar] said that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I can't tell you how I know, but know that Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ, and that I can't tell you how I know, but I know it. And he went on and on. It was crazy! I have never heard that from a general authority before. The spirit was there so strong. I love those meetings so much.

So the person that was baptized was K. H. We got a text from her that night at 11. It said, "I know you guys are most likely asleep!! But I just wanted to thank you guys for everything !!(: You guys are the most amazing missionaries I have ever met !(: I'm so glad I got to have you guys teach me. Thank you for being there today it ment a lot !(: "  I wrote it exactly how she sent it spelling and all. That made me happy. 

Also I heard from our 1st councilor in the mission presidency. He went to the Saturday Stake Session in my last stake, and one my my recent converts gave a talk. He kept saying "My Great missionaries" and how we would teach him as we would do service. That was cool. I also heard that from sister Mecham. Here is here letter:

Hi Elder Walker,
How are things? We had a really nice visit with Marques and Andrea last night. They really miss you. They wondered if it would be possible to see you again. Could we even work that out on a p-day? I get home around 3:30 on Mondays and I would be happy to bring them to you, if you need me to.
We just had a wonderful stake conference. In the evening session, a convert from the 4th ward shared his experience with joining the church. He talked about you and Elder Kolpakov a lot. Called you “my great missionaries”.  I just thought you might like to know that your influence is still felt here.
Take care,
Sis. Mecham

I love going back and seeing the people I have baptized and helped come unto Christ. We are now really working on finding new people to teach. We have picked up 2 new investigators here. They are a couple and Hindi. We have the strangest investigators that I have ever seen. We just need to meet with them more often. They have busy schedules and it is really hard to meet with all of our investigators. The only way that we can stay in contact with a lot of them is through the phone. (I don't know how you did it Mom and Dad without phones).

I also met Ben's old Assistant to the President [from] about 1 year ago. Parker Williams. He is a good guy and he is in the YSA stake. I met him when I was on exchanges with the zone leaders. That is cool. He said that he really liked Ben and said that he was funny and fun to be around. 

The last picture is the fellowship and they made it possible and is the reason she was baptized. I did not get a good picture of them but I just want you to see them and the members that help us the most. It is cool to see the fruit of the labors.

My District

The other one is my district. Did I ever tell you that I had a senior missionaries in my district? They live here but are called to our mission. It is cool they are really nice.

This week has been exciting. We got a new missionary that I and Elder Mansfield are training together. It is lots of fun. It is amazing to see the progress that I have made and the potential of this new missionary his name is Elder Van Tress. He is a good guy. He is from Ogden, Utah so really close to home. He is on what is called a trial mission. He did not go thought the MTC or the temple. He is so willing to learn and grow. I like him. I also like the improvement on myself that I see because I am that example to him. Once he is done with these 2 transfers he will actually receive his mission call to where he will be serving full time. Then he will go through the MTC and the temple. It is a great blessing that we have. Elder Mansfield is with us as well. We are in a trio right now. Elder Mansfield's visa is in the mail and on its way here. He is excited and really nervous  because he still does not know the language very well. 

This week was good. We have a kid baptized. He is a good kid. We also have 2 more people on date. We are doing really well here in Draper. I love my mission. I have learned so much and am learning more every day. 

The very first door that Elder Van Tress tried on was a guy that was not very happy to see us. He let us talk for about 15 sec and then shut the door on us. Elder Van Tress looks over at us and said "Is that what every person is like?" We laughed. We don't get very many like that. 

The Bald eagle is in my backyard I took this picture. I think it is a great picture. I love it.

I enjoy my mission. It is a time in my life when I don't have to worry about any of the outside world just the little part of Zion right here in Draper Utah.