A Praise to the Man Who Communed with Jehovah

This last week was great, we had a tough time with appointments and progress of investigators, but the highlight of the week was on Saturday. That morning, we packed up 3 vehicles with 4 missionaries, 2 investigators, 7 recent converts, 5 members, and headed off to Sharon, Vermont. After a fun 2 hour car ride, we arrived at our destination, and with the first step we took out of the car - with the sound of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir whispering throughout the snow-covered trees - we could all feel that we were standing on holy ground - the birthplace of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Our trip to, and tour of, the Joseph Smith Memorial was incredible. It was a very spiritual day for all of us, and it really changed and strengthend everyone. Two of my favorite moments were when one of our invetsigators expressed how much the video touched his heart, and then when a recent convert got to sit on a bench right next to the spot where Joseph was born and just pondered and felt inexpressible feelings.

The aftermath of this trip was also incredible. Our investigator told us that he now believes Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and that this is the most true church on the face of the earth. Also he came to church even when his girlfriend was sick - showing that he knew he needed to go to at least Sacrament Meeting, and then return to take care of his girlfriend; plus, he even came in a full suit! And our new convert gained a stronger testimony of Joseph Smith as a Prophet of God, and even took the opportunity to share her powerful testimony with everyone in the Gospel Principles class yesterday in church.

Lawrence Ward at Tarde Espiritual

This trip has done so much for our investigators, recent converts, ward members, and me. I, too, felt many things there at the JSM, and learned many new things. One of the things I understood more of this time was that Joseph Smith was a real man, just like you and me. He dealt with real challenges and trials, probably much worse than us. But his faith was unwavering, and the strength he received from his personal relationship with our Heavenly Father kept him strong in his darkest times. This is the faith, and the relationship I desire to have myself, and I have set goals to do so. It is my testimony that Joseph Smith is a true Prophet of God. I know that he truly did see God the Father and Jesus Christ, and that through him the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored. I know that by the power of God, he translated the Book of Mormon, which is the most true of any book upon the face of the earth. And am grateful for everything Joseph Smith went through, and for all of his wife, Emma's, support in restoring the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. I give praise to that man, Joseph Smith.

From New England with Love,

Elder Dustin Carr