Conversion Brings Joy!

What a week. I am so grateful for the spiritual experiences we had. On Wednesday we had zone conference and it was so uplifting. We talked about what it means to sanctify ourselves and how the Lord can, and will help us to do so. Sanctification means to become the person that our Heavenly Father knows we can become. It is different from just purifying ourselves which means to just be cleansed through his atonement. Sanctification is being changed through his atonement. It is something I strive to work on every day. Something I have noticed that has made the world of a difference has been how much I study the Book of Mormon. The more I read that book, the more spiritual power I feel and the happier I am. Most of my mission I have only studied out of the Book of Mormon in the mornings during our personal study hour, but since the beginning of last transfer I have committed myself to study it at night as well and it has helped me so much. Temptations are easier to dismiss, I find myself wanting to do better more often, thinking about myself less, wanting to do more for others. That is the power of the Book of Mormon. There is no way I could ever deny that. I am so grateful for this wonderful gift our Heavenly Father has given us. That is why I love sharing this with others.

We are still working with Deborah. She is having a few struggles trying to stop smoking. She has been going strong but recently fell back into it a little. She is still a woman of great faith and has a strong desire to be baptized. We are trying to get her to read the Book of Mormon more often because we know that if she does she will receive the strength she needs to stop. We have been reading it with her every time we go over. Please keep her in your prayers. 

So Anna spoke at stake conference this week! She is my recent convert from the Green Valley ward. Her daughter recorded it and emailed it to me. It was so amazing. It made me realize where the true joy of a mission comes from. Seeing others becoming truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are people that I have baptized in other areas that I look at now and they are kind of going through the motions and aren't really actively engaged in the gospel, because they aren't fully converted. That doesn't really bring any joy. But seeing people like Anna, and other individuals I have worked with joyfully and actively engaged in the gospel brings indescribable joy. Those are the greatest blessings on a mission. Baptisms don't bring joy. Seeing other become converted brings joy.

I love you all and hope you had a great week!!

Love, 

Elder Hallmark

Good pic of Elder Anderson and I at zone conference this week. As well as Sister Koller who is next to me. She is one of my favorite sisters in the mission. We served together in the El Dorado zone.

 

Here is a quote from zone conference this week!