May 2, 2011

Hello again family.  Things are going great here in the Baltimore Area.  We've been out working hard and are hoping to improve in everyway.  We've had some awesome numbers in the past weeks and they are getting better.

 

Why are there so many medical problems going on in the family right now?  Hurry up and get better everyone.  I've been checking out some of the Area's around here for you to consider and have decided that for the area around Baltimore itself that we're just going to have to hire a tour guide or two.  Fortunately I've met some here in the area.  Brother Tinker and Brother Huebner are local historians and can tell you everything about everything here.

 

This week we've been blessed to be able to begin meeting with a less active family in the area called the Dobihals.  We don't know the full story of their background, but they haven't been to church in almost 10 years.  Through the efforts of a Senior Missionary Couple in the area we've been able to discern exactly how to help them.  We found out that Sister Dobihal has been reading out of a Bible that has come to be known as The Green Dragon.  This is the Bible thats used by the Jehovas Whitnesses for those of you that don't know or haven't heard of it.  Brother Dobihal's Sister is a Jehovas Whitness that has done nothing but tear down the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to her family and friends.  While I'd love for nothing more than to throw some of their arguments back in their faces (I found out that they've removed Verses from the Bible) I'm not able to do that.  We managed to meet with the Dobihal's on Sunday and started answering their questions and helping them realize that they need to go back to the Restoration to understand everything.  The spirit was so strong.  Their Home Teacher (Brother Huebner) who was with us bore a testimony so powerful that both of them were moved to tears.  Now we just need to get them back to church and into the Temple again.  They used to go weekly to the Temple to perform Endowments and Sealings they claim.  We also need to get rid of that Jehovas Whitness Bible.  Its doing nothing but cause problems.

 

Remember that the Restored Gospel is true.  Joseph Smith gave his life to build it up and now we need to dedicate our lives to defending it.  Why?  Because it is true.  When?  Now.  How?  With a testimony built on the Rock of our Redeemer and the Keystone of the Book of Mormon.

 

Elder Christofferson

Monday April 25, 2011

Speaking of knife I have a very good story behind that.  A member in our ward is very into historic weapons and collecting knives.  On one of our P-Days in my first transfer (Thats six weeks for those of you who haven't served a Mission yet) this member (Brother Tinker) took us to see his friend Bobby.  Bobby sells knives and fine china. (No mom not paper plates [Now taking orders for fine China by the way]) After buying my knife (Beveled Edge Tanto Style Trident Knife by the Company SOG [Who specializes in making Knives and Multi-Tools used by Navy SEALS {Taking Orders on Knives also}]) Elder Lyons (My Trainer) and I decided to ask Bobby if he'd like a Book of Mormon to read.  We gave him a copy and talked about Joseph Smith with him.  He said he'd read it, but he didn't appear to interested.  Still waiting to hear back on that.  Before we left we scattered a few mormon.org pass along cards through the stoor.

 

Last week on P-Day Brother Tinker (He loves to hang out with the Missionaries) took us to the Inner Harbor to see the U.S.S. Constellation (Lots of history on that one that I can't go into detail about)  They let Elder Davis and I help run up and fire the cannon.  When you all come out to tour the area maybe Layne, Dillon, and Kalob can be Powder Monkeys (Lots to explain about that too) for an hour.

 

Yesterday we had a wonderful experience.  Elder Davis and I are teaching three generations about the Church.  They were once Devout Catholics, but when some stuff that the Catholic Church changed so did they.  Now they're investigating the church.  We watched the highlights from General Conference online (Good Family Home evening activity by the way) and they were able to feel the spirit as the Prophet and Apostles talked.  They had always been open and warm toward Church Members.  We hope to go back again very soon.

I bought a Doctrine and Covenants DVD pack that has five movies in it (Only costs $4.50 at the distribution center or $8 at Deseret Book)  Totally worth it.  Also great for family home evening.

 

We watched General Conference at the church and had many sugary and fattening treats.  Worth it!  I've been living off Ramen for the last month, but thats only because I want to be nice to my roommates and buy and cook them good food every once in a while.  Members feed us once in a while.

 

I appreciate your patients concern.  Many people look out for and pray for us Missionaries.

 

Got to go though.

 

The Church is true and like the Apostles have said.  (Paraphrasing) You can try to go around, over, and under the Book of Mormon to prove it wrong.  But you have to go through it to make an attempt.  Never forget the millions of lives that it has helped throughout history.  Whether they know it or not.  Think about that.

 

Elder Christofferson

Letter #2 April 18, 2011

By the way.  More cookies would be nice

Monday April 18, 2011

 

This week we have been greatly blessed.  Because of our efforts and not expecting to see any results we were able to find four new investigators.  One is a 17 year old boy who has a firm belief in Christ.  He's about halfway through first Nephi right now.  We're very excited.  The other is a family of former Catholics.  They were upset by the change the Catholic Church underwent in the 70's or 80's and they love Latter day Saints.  They said that once they finish their personal investigation of the church they'll be baptized.  Pretty excited.  I finally got to see Mountain of the Lord.  Why did nobody show me that movie?  I'm sure that someone could have found it pretty easily (MOLLY AND LESLIE!!! ).  Well now I have homework for all of you family and friends back home.  If you don't have a copy of Mountain of the Lord.  Find one, watch it, and have your Family Home Evening around it.

 

I know this church is true and that at no time will you ever find fault in the Fullness of the Everlasting Gospel.  If people want to try to find a problem with it they have to go over, under, or around the Book of Mormon to do it.  And if they have to then they haven't read and prayed to know if its true for themselves.  It is impossible to go through it to find fault.  Think about it.

 

Elder Christofferson

 (I am not sure why he keeps sending pictures of guns, but here is another one.  It is a James Bond gun or one similar to it?)

 

April 11,2011

Yes mom.  We got rid of the Bed Bugs.  The mouse was the first transfer. Thats awesome that so many of the children in the ward are getting baptized.  Get those young men on missions.  We need them out here.  The field is white already to harvest and they are young enough that the work should progress quickly.  I did get sheets. I have a new companion.  His name is Elder Davis.  He's from South Jordan Utah, but will be returning home to France at the end of his mission.  His dad's company just moved them there.  He's been out for about 18 months.  I'm still in Perry Hall so no worries there. This week we taught a family of Catholics who don't go to the Catholic Church anymore.  They asked us a lot of questions about the church so we answered them, explained part of the Plan of Salvation, left a Book of Mormon and are going back tomorrow night.  We're excited. I have to cut this letter very short because we have people waiting to use the computer.  I know this church is true and that we minister to every people. (Even those that don't like us) We care about every soul because they're all great in the eyes of God. Love Elder Christofferson

April 4, 2011

I hope you liked Conference.  As for the question everyone asks me about my companion.  Elder Lyons (My Trainer) and I are getting split up on Wednesday.  He's being transferred out and I'll be in charge of the Area for a while.  But I have learned a lot from him these last 3 months.  Mostly how greasy the side of my head is.  He comments on it everytime I talk on the phone. This last week has been a roller coaster of week.  We were able to teach several lessons over the conference weekend and we knocked on the door of a Jehovas Witness. (We're still trying to figure out the best way to teach and approach them) Our Visa waiter who is headed to Brazil left us today.  While he was here he managed to bring several people into the Gospel and the Waters of Baptism.  Elder Jorgensen of Orem Utah.  It was awesome to hear that he finally recieved his Visa.  The spirit flooded us with happiness as we realized that there is someone in desperate of him to share the Gospel in Brazil at this time.  I know that the spirit works in strange, but good ways.  He gives us the guidance we need most at the times we are ready to give up. I know the Gospel is true.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the ONLY Church with the fullness of the Everlasting Gospel.  Joseph Smith changed the world through the Book of Mormon.  I've said it to my companion and I'll say it to the world.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints takes the slander, persecution, and ridicule for one simple reason.  And that is because we CAN take it.  Nobody else can bear the burden others place on us.  We need to go forth and show it.  "O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the atrump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!  Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and acome unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth." (Alma 29:1-2) I love you all. Elder Christofferson

March 28th, 2011

So on saturday we finally got to go down to the Visitors Center at the D.C. Temple.  I'm sure EVERYONE would love the D.C. Temple.  We went down with a less active couple who have a goal to be sealed to each other this year.  While we were walking past the doors brother Turnbull looked inside at the man at the counter.  He asked me, "Do all the men get to wear the white coat and name tag?"  I said to him, "Those men are there to help us to perform the Ordinances inside the temple.  They direct us where we need to go.  Remind us of what we need to remember.  And love us and those who have passed enough to dedicate at least one day of their week to this noble calling."  He said in a quiet voice, "I wouldn't mind wearing that white coat.  I wouldn't mind it at all."  Brother Turnbull's wife has a severe allergy to cologne and perfume.  It prevents her from going to a full day of church.  Most of the time they have to leave before sacrament meeting even ends.  Sister Turnbull told us that sitting there at the temple was one of the times her allergy didn't weigh very heavy on her.  I know that miracles happen in the temple and the Lord takes care of those people who want to enter the temple.  He makes everything easier on them while they are there and we are able to be filled with his spirit.  We are able to feel a piece of heaven while there.

Love

Elder Christofferson