The Choice Land

Well happy early independence day! This week was another wonderful one. There is so much that happens every day that I forget all of the details. Mostly what I remember is how I felt throughout the week. And I know I felt so good. It is an inspiration to see how patriotic the people are out here in El Dorado county. I love it. Everyone has flags. Everyone has stickers that say "God Bless America" on their cars. I am just so grateful to be serving here. Every Sunday we have the opportunity to go to church meetings for the Georgetown and Placerville wards and in both meetings we all stood as a congregation and sang all three verses of "The Star Spangled Banner". That song is so powerful. I know that this land is a chosen land and a land set apart for the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the Book of Mormon Ether 2:12 says

"12 Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written."

This week we had a great lesson with our investigator Tamara. She has been taught by missionaries before. When we began teaching her she said she knew the Book of Mormon was true and that she wanted to be baptized. Really the only thing holding her back is her smoking addiction. We are going to start working with her every day to help her overcome that addiction. Smoking is one of the hardest things to stop, but since I have been on my mission I have seen several people do it. Our Heavenly Father will give us strength to do things we never thought possible if we just turn to him. I know that through the atonement of Jesus Christ Tamara can quit her addiction as well. I am excited to see the change she will make. 

I love my Savior. I love this Gospel. I love this church. I know that it brings happiness beyond description. This really is the restored church of Jesus Christ. The exact same church he had when he was on the earth and it is being lead the same way. Through modern day prophets and apostles. I have no doubt that these things are true. I know they are. I am so grateful for that. God really does live. He really does love us. 

Love, 

Elder Hallmark

In honor of the 2nd amendment of our constitution here is a picture of me holding a flintlock .50 caliber rifle. One of the members in the Placerville ward loves guns and so he showed us a few from his collection!