(pictures are of a man, Allen, he is teaching not to be confused with the one he talks about in this post the other pictures is the member,Adam, who plays for the Texas Rangers)

****Warning**** this post has some sensitive content I would use proper discresion before reading aloud to children)

Oooooook, so this week was paaaaaaacked full of crazy experiences, so here goes in chronological order!

On Monday, we had transfers! Nothing happened to elder Meyers or my own good self because he is still training. BUT, because we are taking over an area, we now have a car 😄😢.

Tuesday is when it gets reeeeeeeal interesting. We had set up a lesson with a gay satanist we met on Saturday. The first time we were talking with him he had scary marks all over his face and there is not any amount of money I could have been paid to enter the house. The spirit was NOT there. So on Tuesday when we went back for the appointment we set up with him, we were a little bit wary. We sat down at a table out back, and taught him about how the Gospel of Jesus Christ had been restored (at some point during this he was hitting on me. How come that never happens with girls....? Jk, jk...) and the Book of Mormon was proof of that, etc etc....and #%^* when we finished he began telling us about why he was a satanist. It began with himself castrating himself with a razor blade. After doing this he had been visited by a number of spirits, he spoke with cats, and he spoke with snakes. Then he told us, and I quote, "I am Satan." The Spirit was gone at that (#%^*) point. I have no doubt in my mind that everything he was saying was true. The feeling that we had at this (#%^*) point was the exact opposite kind of feeling that the Spirit of God gives you. This sounds weird, but the devil was bearing witness of what he was saying. I can testify that I know that Satan is a very real being intent on destroying all of us. I know what the devil is like and I know what God is like. I have experienced the glory of Satan, and I have experienced the Glory of God, and I know they are both real and opposite.

Wednesday was pretty uneventful, but Thursday, when we went through a Taco Bell drive through at 8:55 so Elder Meyers could eat his second dinner, the guy giving us the food asked what kind of cologne I was wearing.....I...wasn't really wearing anything. I was tempted to tell him I was wearing some kind of Victoria's Secret brand of perfume, but I decided that I'd had enough of that from Tuesday....

Friday was again uneventful, and then Saturday was interesting. We went to clean up a park. There were many a cigarette butt on the ground. As well as a used q-tip, a lighter, and other nasty nasty.

Some lady that was going to jouer au tennis asked Elder Meyers what we were doing. He explained that we were from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints cleaning up a park, and out of the blue she asked where Jesus was born. Elder Meyers said without thinking, "Nazareth."

Duh. Of Course. Why else would he be called Jesus of Nazareth? Then she started laughing in a way that made me kind of angry. The kind of laugh when you're like, no silly child, you're so stupid. And told elder Meyers, no, it was Bethlehem, at which point he was really embarrassed and said he actually knew that. Then she just went off and started taking us over the coals because we didn't read the bible and we believed "Joseph Smith's false prophecy in the Book of Mormon about Jesus being born in Jerusalem." So I proceeded to teach a short history/geography lesson about how they were a whopping 4 miles from each other, and the reason the prophet in the Book of Mormon said the LAND of Jerusalem was because no one knew what Bethlehem was, but they knew about Jerusalem because that was where they originally came from, and it was like when people ask where I come from I tell them DC (which is nearly 15 miles from where I actually came from Btw's) because NO ONE knows what or where Burke is unless they've lived close. She proceeded to explain that she doubted Joseph smith was a real prophet and doubted that the Book of Mormon was from God, and doubted a lot of other things as well. I told her it sounded like she had more doubts than she had faith, which was the nicest thing I could have said at this point. She told us to read the book of Mormon and ask God if it was true. I told her I had done that, and that she had not studied anything about what we believed and that she had not read any more than the first page in the Book of Mormon (which she then admitted to) and that when she had read the whole thing and prayed about it she could tell me it's not true. Then we left because we were going to be late for lunch. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he translated the Book of Mormon through the gift and power of God, and I won't let someone that has not tested that to slander it.

On Sunday we gave a guy that plays Baseball for the Texas Rangers a ride to church. His name was Adam Rosalles. That was cool! Here's a picture.

Hey hey everyone! The past couple weeks have been preeeety uneventful. But, someone left a suicide note at church, and we met a cross dresser satanist yesterday. Anaheim 4th Ward is combining both areas so Elder Meyers and I are taking over the whole thing! Not to much has happened this week. I almost took out a guy that stole a large case of something from a 7-11, but he got to the get away car right before I had him. It was epic. If the darned people waiting for the bus hadn't been in the way I would be telling a different story! We had a much more productive week than usual though! We have a car now! Woooohooooo! 

We are teaching two people. Our days consist of doing our studies in the morning, and then we usually take a nap and eat lunch from 11:00-12:30. Then we head out and just spend hours going to people's houses to try and see if they are there. Hopefully we have at least one set appointment during the day that we can look forward to. Sorry I haven't been taking pictures. There's nothing to take pictures of here. "Anacrime" is not a pretty place. But I can get pictures of the fireworks some night for you! We knocked into a guy named Jenniffer yesterday. Thinks he's a girl. And he's a satanist. That was interesting. We have a set appointment though.....let me know how these pictures turn out. It is really hard to find a computer to use.

1. Me and whatever lady it is from meet the Mormons.

2. Left to right....elder Goodrich, myself (we found out later that the mannequin was actually female.....awkward, right?), Safsten, and Meyers.

3. Me

4. Me and Meyers posing in the grass after biking somewhere and the person not being there.

Since there wasn't too much to write about, here is a talk/sermon I gave in church yesterday. It is changed slightly. I give it 98% originality. I hope all of you have time to read it. I love you all!

Elder Hunter

What does, and what will this church do for you?

 I'm basing my talk on a talk given by President Gordon B. Hinckley many years ago. In it, he outlines a number of blessings that come from being members of the true church of Jesus Christ. 

-First, it will bring you into the greatest fraternity in the world.

Way back when the Greeks used swords and other pointy things to kill people, they used large shields. These shields were often not only big enough to protect whoever carried them, but also those who stood next to them. The reason I'm telling you about this is because the church is the same way. The church has been organized by God in such a way so that we, as a family, watch out for one another. Here we have friendship, safety, family, and the word of God. Everyone on some level, wants to feel loved, wants to feel like they're part of something. Why do we have so many organizations in a ward? We have a sunbeams class, junior primary, senior primary, deacons, beehives, teachers, Mia-maids, priests, and laurels classes. We have Elders quorums, relief society, and the High Priest group. If I know how to count correctly, that is 12 different groups strictly on the ward level that give us opportunities to be a contributing soldier in Gods Army.

-Second, active membership in the Church will motivate a man (and I would add, a woman) to clean up his (or her) life, if that is necessary.

In the Book of Mormon, there were some young men that were not actively involved in church. In fact, "the sons of Mosiah were numbered among the unbelievers; and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being called Alma, after his father; nevertheless, he became a very wicked and an idolatrous man. And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities. And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing much dissension among the people; giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them." He eventually stopped because an angel threatened him with destruction. "And now it came to pass that Alma began from this time forward to teach the people, and those who were with Alma at the time the angel appeared unto them, traveling round about through all the land, publishing to all the people the things which they had heard and seen, and preaching the word of God in much tribulation, being greatly persecuted by those who were unbelievers, being smitten by many of them. And they traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under the reign of king Mosiah, zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all their sins, and publishing all the things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them." When we are actively involved in the goings on of the church, we learn correct principles. Joseph Smith, when asked how he managed to govern such a large body of people, he said, "I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves." That same principle is true today. When we come to church we learn, hopefully, and when we become involved long enough, we start to apply what we learn.

-Third, activity in the Church will afford you growth through responsibility.

A mission President in the Eastern States mission over half a century ago, asked one of his missionaries to ouch a pillar over in the building they were in. The missionary replied that he couldn't because all the weight of the ceiling was on top of it, but if the ceiling were removed he thought he could. The responsibilities we are given in the church are the weight of the ceiling that keeps us from falling over. Yes, there are some people that, although they hold many responsibilities, manage to have their testimonies shaken, but giving us responsibilities, sometimes just beyond our capacity, is how the Lord tries our faith in order to grow it. This following quote by Orson Hyde illustrates this principle. “When an individual is ordained and appointed to lead the people, he has passed through tribulations and trials, and has proven himself before God, and before His people, that he is worthy of the situation which he holds. … that when a person has not been tried, that has not proved himself before God, and before His people, and before the councils of the Most High, to be worthy, he is not going to step in and lead the Church and people of God. It has never been so, but from the beginning some one that understands the Spirit and counsel of the Almighty, that knows the Church, and is known of her, is the character that will lead the Church." I am sure that no one here is going to receive the calling of a prophet, but the Lord WANTS to give us responsibilities. We have all been foreordained to fulfill a role in Gods Eternal Plan for us. But to prepare us for greater things He gives us lesser things until we are able to bear the burden of fulfilling the role he intends us to. I have a very personal testimony of this principle in my life, and I know it is true for all of us.

-Fourth, membership in the Church and active participation therein will give a new dimension to your life, a spiritual dimension that will become as a rock of faith, with an endowment of authority to speak in the name of God. 

In the Book of Mormon, there was a man named Amulek, who was not actively participating in church. He introduces himself to the people he begins teaching with Alma, the prophet by saying, "And behold, I am also a man of no small reputation among all those who know me; yea, and behold, I have many kindreds and friends, and I have also acquired much riches by the hand of my industry. Nevertheless, after all this, I never have known much of the ways of the Lord, and his mysteries and marvelous power. I said I never had known much of these things; but behold, I mistake, for I have seen much of his mysteries and his marvelous power; yea, even in the preservation of the lives of this people. Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God, in the wickedness of my heart, even until the fourth day of this seventh month, which is in the tenth year of the reign of the judges." Now that was before picture. This next part is the after, and it's his respond to a lawyer trying to trick him into contradicting himself. "Now Amulek said: O thou child of hell, why tempt ye me? Knowest thou that the righteous yieldeth to no such temptations? Believest thou that there is no God? I say unto you, Nay, thou knowest that there is a God, but thou lovest that lucre more than him. And now thou hast lied before God unto me. Thou saidst unto me--Behold these six onties, which are of great worth, I will give unto thee--when thou hadst it in thy heart to retain them from me; and it was only thy desire that I should deny the true and living God, that thou mightest have cause to destroy me. And now behold, for this great evil thou shalt have thy reward." To me, that definitely sounds like he has an endowment of authority to speak in the name of God. The sure knowledge of the Gospel that comes with active participation in Christ's church includes a correct knowledge of and faith in Jesus Christ, knowledge of and a testimony of a living prophet of God on the Earth, a knowledge and testimony of the Restoration of the true Gospel, and a knowledge and testimony of Gods plan of Salvation for us. And if we do have that knowledge, we will be able to have authority to speak in the name of God because the Holy Ghost will testify of what we say.

     

-Fifth, it will assist you in the governance of your home. 

The family is the central and basic unit for Gods plan for us. What more important duty do we have than to improve the governance of our homes? The Prophet has told us that, "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ." Some of these teachings include daily personal and family prayer, daily personal and family scripture study, having a weekly family home evening, and going to church as a family on a regular basis, just to name a few. 

-Finally, as part of the restored Church of Jesus Christ, we have the Priesthood. Because we have this authority from God, we have the ability to seal ourselves to our families for eternity. What greater blessing is there than to live in joy for Eternity with our Father in Heaven, and with those we love and those that love us?" There was a young girl up in Placentia. She just turned 17 in December and she lived on the streets, doing drugs and basically being involved in a lot of bad stuff. She expressed her concern that after we die our consciousness simply exists alone and for eternity in a black corner of space. How blessed are we to know that we aren't doomed to a dark corner of space, but that Families can be together forever?

I wanted to share these things with all of you so you know at least some of the ways the Gospel blesses your lives. I want to share a quote I found by Marvin J. Ashton, who was part of the quorum of the 12 Apostles a number of years ago. 

"Aren’t we something less than a friend if we have the gospel of Jesus Christ and are unwilling to share it by word and example with a family, a member, neighbor, or the stranger? Aren’t we something less than a friend if we have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and are unwilling to share it?"

-Marvin J. Ashton

I don't want anyone to raise their hands just in case someone has an answer of 'no,' but how many of you have friends? Now among those friends, how many are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? Among those friends, how many have been introduced to missionaries, or been given a Book of Mormon, or been invited to church? Listen to these paragraphs from the introduction to the Book of Mormon. 

"We invite all men everywhere (not some people, sometimes, in some places. Brother Goodmunsen gives a Book of Mormon to anyone he buys from or sells to) to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is His revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the Second Coming of the Messiah." That is a promise that is given to everyone. 

 A prophet from the Book of Mormon known as the Brother of Jared had an experience where he asked God to do something for him. God complied, and as the Brother of Jared watched, he saw the hand of God, and because of his faith was blessed with seeing Jesus Christ as He would appear in Jerusalem 2000 years before he did. I promise you that as you Look for the hand of the Lord in giving you opportunities to share the Gospel in your lives, He will open your eyes even wider to even greater ones.

This is Christs church, and His work. I know He lives, and I know that He is not an absentee God. I know Joseph Smith is and was a prophet of God, and that he translated the Book of Mormon through the Gift and Power of God. It is not something of his own invention. I leave you with these things and my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Hunter wrote the the family this week he didn't have time to write "everyone".  Hope you enjoy:

Wow Kumen, that is quite the story! That's way cool that you got braces! Ashley told me you were getting braces like, a month ago! Does she know more about what you're doing than you do? But it's cool regardless!

Talmage, I'm glad you have a job! Mowing lawns is a good way to get $$$. Just don't spend it all on stuff from the dollar store, yeah?

Zenock, way to go on helping your class get a pizza party! Keep up the good work, even if there isn't a pizza incentive 

Avery, you are such a cute little princess! I love cookies too! I hope you weren't swimming with the missionaries though!

Ammon, hang in there! You only have 6 or 7 weeks of school left! Have fun picking up sticks!

Mom, that is awesome! I'm so excited for M's friend! I told her friend that if she would keep coming to church her family would eventually come. It's good to see that finally happening. That is great that the missionaries are coming over to teach them with you. That means that the missionaries feel that you would be the best family to help teach them. They trust you. Don't ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever tell them it won't work. That is what everyone in this Ward does. I asked someone (at 3:00) to come to a lesson with us at 7:15 or 7:30 and he said he didn't know because he had someone coming over to fix the sprinklers at 4:00. Then they finished at 7:00 and we got there to teach the lesson at 7:30. The only good excuse you have to not meet someone with the missionaries is being out of town on vacation. If it comes between a choice of having scripture study or dinner at exactly 5:00 or 6:00 and teaching having the missionaries over to teach someone, do the later. It's not a question of weather or not it's convenient. It's a question of weather or not it's possible. If, in any scenario, you can, then you should. You are definitely not too excited for the missionary work. Something I've come to learn on my mission is that missionary work is EVERYONES responsibility. So.............think of weather or not it would be a good excuse for any full time missionary. I got the packages mom, thank you so much! I love you all, let me know how teaching the family goes!

Elder Hunter

Hey y'all! I haven't written in forever, so sorry about that! Disneyland is a very busy place to serve in. To just tell everyone what's been going on the past few weeks.....Elder M got hit by a car twice in two weeks. And to clarify, two different cars. Not the same one twice. That was all very exciting. Elder S is going home in 17 days, which is craaaazy! 

We helped someone move last week on Wednesday and I broke their 3 foot battle axe. Snapped the shaft in two! Let me tell you, there is nothing in the world more embarassing than breaking the coolest thing in someone's house and then going up to them and being like, erm, I broke your axe....sooooooo awkward. BUT there is a gospel analogy behind this experience. Fear is the opposite of faith, and is something we shouldn't, as children of God have. God and His son Jesus Christ are so perfect so that we can place full confidence and faith in them. When Adam and Eve transgressed in the Garden of Eden, the first effect of that was fear.  They went and hid. When I broke the Battle axe in two, I felt like a beast, but my thoughts were along the lines of, "Holy crap, you've got to be kidding me! I just broke their axe. I just broke their axe!! Ok, ok. I'll just go put it back and stick the pieces together as best I can. No, that would be stupid. I'll just throw it into the garbage bin. No, I can't throw it away....I'll just say that it broke somehow." And then after a few moments of panicking, I realized that those were all super stupid. It's like in Kung Fu Panda where Po breaks the Urn of Whispering Warriors when Shifu is there and then says, "Someone.....broke that." Doesn't work to hot. But anyway, back to the analogy. My first reaction after making this mistake was fear. I wanted to hide my mistake. But after realizing nothing would come from that, I just went up to Brother Bob (not his real name) and said, "Hey, I broke your axe..." while holding it together. I'll be honest, the look on his face as I pulled it apart and handed it to him was pretty priceless, but he laughed and said it was ok and he never did anything with it and now that they were moving it was the first time he'd seen it in at least a year. He was totally playing it off, but only kind of. To finish the analogy, Jesus Christ was and is such a perfect being, so that we can have full confidence in His Atonement for us. He lived a perfect life, and died to complete a perfect and infinite Atonement. We make mistakes, like breaking battle axes, but we know that if we accept Christ's ransom for us, it will all be allright. All we have to do is do our best to live like him. Meaning we need to keep His commandments. That's what they are for. By doing that we improve ourselves. We change. If we are not changing, than we are not truly using The Atonement. I know Jesus Christ lives. He is our older brother and he loves us. Because He lives, we are all saved from mortal death, and can be saved from spiritual death if we allow ourselves to be changed by His infinite Grace.

 Happy Easter everyone!

Elder Hunter Johnson