I AM HAPPY!

Sister and President Simmons, Elders Shirley and Lloyd

Good Afternoon everybody! I love you guys!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for the letters, prayers, love, emails, and example you give to me. I am surrounded by greatness both here in Malaysia and through technology. I am so blessed! This past week was amazing because we went to Singapore for zone conference and a worldwide missionary broadcast. In addition, we flew to Sibu for a new missionary training on Saturday.

We travel so much, but we also receive much inspiration. I'm grateful for the leaders I have had in my life who have pushed me to work harder, smarter, and repent. I want to grow! I am especially grateful for President and Sister Simmons. Their son visited our mission before he left for the Provo MTC to go on his mission, and I could tell how much they gave up in order to serve the Lord here in Singapore. They have given so much, but because of their sacrifice, they have helped more people than they could have ever helped before without the Lord's special calling for them. When we are obedient, the Lord blesses us in ways we could never comprehend.

This past week was filled with many miracles and much revelation. Before we left to Singapore, we knew that we needed to meet as many people as possible and help our investigators have guidance in their week. Tuesday morning, we decided to meet with an investigator because we knew that was our only time. We biked thirty minutes to her house as fast as we could, had an incredible lesson, felt the Spirit, and helped her understand even more of the Book of Mormon. She literally has no background of Christ, but she has been coming to church for about a month. As we were talking, she asked, "How can Christ's Atonement help my family while we're still on Earth?" We invited her to pray, read, and ask Heavenly Father. I'm excited to meet with her next time and find out!

On our way home, we were "sprint" biking to get back and finish our studies, but we stopped on the side of the road to help a man unload some things from his truck. A few minutes later, another man got out of the cab, and we started talking with him. When he gave us his phone number, we realized it was someone we'd met a few weeks ago, but had written down the wrong number. It was a miracle to meet him at a completely different place and time. I know that the Lord has a great plan in store for him. I know the Lord knows each one of us and wants us to come unto Him.

I then had another prompting to stop at a bus stop and talk to someone. As we started talking with this person, he told us he was a member from a different branch but was too nervous to call out to us because he hadn't been to church in a long time. It was a miracle that we met him at that time and place when we'd normally be home studying. I know that the Lord places people in our path when we make a plan and talk to everybody!

During zone conference, I was very impressed by the presentation given by Elder and Sister Benson about the physical and spiritual evidences of the Book of Mormon. The amount of physical evidence that the Book of Mormon is true is overwhelming...I had no idea about many of those things, and I know there are many more literary, archaeological, and historical evidences of the truth. I was most stricken by the importance of the Spiritual evidence. We can know something is true through facts, but physical evidence doesn't bring a change of heart. I know that only a Spiritual confirmation can change our hearts, change our desires, and change the natural man.

As we were teaching this week, I realized that the essence of a testimony is truth. The essence of conversion is staying true to the gospel. I pray that I can become more converted each day by staying true to the things I already know while being humble enough to respond to the Spirit's continual promptings.

I love the Book of Mormon! I know that it is true, and I know that if we follow and obey the teachings inside (along with the promptings we receive while reading) we will change. The Book of Mormon only teaches new things each time we read it if we continue to change and repent. If we are unwilling to change, the Book of Mormon will continue to be a lifeless history book.

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.

I am not perfect. Last week, as I listened to the broadcast, other trainings, and the Spirit, I realized many things that I need to improve and work on. I am a sinner! I am weak! But I also realized that the Lord has called me to succeed. I know that I am a child of God. I know that we are all His children. Satan's strongest tool is fear. If I fear the people around me, if I fear myself, if I fear making mistakes, I will never grow. I will never become like my Father.

I pray that we can continue to be proud of the truth of which we bear testimony. I pray that I can retain in my heart the truthfulness that Heavenly Father loves me. I know that Christ is my savior. I know that I was sent here to this Earth to succeed and to have JOY. I have never been happier, and I know it's because I am doing all I can to help others come unto Christ. 

I'm grateful for an amazing companion. I'm grateful to be here. I'm grateful for this gospel in my life. I am happy!

Love, Elder Lloyd