Transfer!

Cam's  Dallas Daze comments seem to make me think there might be a picture or two that he didn't send or forgot to attach. Imagine away!!

Hey y'all!

I am getting transferred tomorrow! So that is bittersweet as always
but life is good.

This week was pretty good, we had a super cool idea and we have done a lot of practicing for it. Since Elder Nigh and I both play percussion we were gonna do a street performance using buckets and garbage cans and stuff as drums but unfortunately I am getting transferred today!  So we got half of it down but alas, I am leaving. It was gonna be awesome though.

We did a ton of tracting this week as well. It's about all we could do at this point in time but it was really good actually. We came up with a new door approach for the people here in Texas that is working pretty effectively. I've realized that people here aren't going to change by being invited to hear a message from us because everyone already knows who we are. So we have been asking as soon as the door
opens if we can share our favorite verse of scripture about Christ with people. They 9/10 say yes and we then read like Helaman 5:12 with them or any of the power scriptures in the Book of Mormon. They agree wholeheartedly and some ask, "where is that found that's beautiful?"  We then get to explain its from the Book of Mormon and seeing people's face that such s verse of truth can be from there is awesome 😂 but it is cool cause the Book of Mormon really changes people and if anything each person we share one with has a better idea of what that book
contains than before. So we did that like all week.

This week, I firstly want to say, if you were tagged in my Facebook post, MAKE A VIDEO!! This is a perfect opportunity to hasten the work, it's only 40 seconds of uncomfortableness but can mean and eternity to someone. 

But with transfers I haven't had a ton of time so I want to stress one thing, one thing I've said many times.......there is no greater thing in my mind someone could say, not a smile phrase greater, than saying without any deception or doubt the words, "I am clean." To be able to say if the Savior came at 8 pm tonight you'd be comfortable where you stand and confidant in where your headed. There is no greater thing, no greater happiness. The Savior came so you could repent, you could be clean, this life is a time to prepare to meet god and that is through repentance. I can testify of repentance, of the freedom that is had through it. The true gift it is, and no anxiety, no pain, no sorrow, is greater than the joy you will feel when you can stand saying you are clean. I can testify if this. Repentance is merciful, don't make up consequences for things, the lord decides those and he is merciful, repent. Repent please. There is no greater joy that can be had on this earth than feeling clean. Do whatever is necessary. If you aren't doing something like reading every day, repent and do it. If you don't attend the temple weekly, repent and do it. If you have sins chaining you down, let the savior loose them. I cannot think of anything more magnificent and truly freeing, than repentance. Please do so. 

Dallas Daze

So this week we were cleaning up trash around our apartment ponds,
after finding some clams and such, we saw yet another proof that

everything is bigger in Texas.

I love you all.

Elder Hiatt

Heal Wound

Hey y'all!

This week we had the opportunity to go to zone conference and it was awesome hearing from our mission President. He talked a lot about repentance and sacrifice. It was a powerful meeting and I can definitely say how freeing repentance is. Sacrifice is also powerful. One quote that President taylor said has stuck with me. "A sacrifice that doesn't cost you anything is useless." I have really struggled with sacrifice but I've come to realize that as we love the savior and want to serve him more, when we have offered our will to obedience, we can increase our faith through sacrifice. It's an interesting doctrine but something to look into. 

Dallas Daze

So this week was battling chiggers. I swear if Satan's host did get bodies, they'd inhabit these evil bugs. Because they are basically human fleas. They are microscopic bugs from the fiery pits of Mordor and they bite you and then leave and the bite stays for like 3 weeks and itches worse than anything ever. Nothing prevents these little jerks either. Stuff helps but they're sly little demons. So one of my bites had been worse than usual and I've had to take epsom salt baths 3 times a day and they're helping, but seriously this is something made to pester humanity. Texas is amazing but opposition in all things right? Such good barbecue comes with a price.

This week I want to reiterate my testimony on repentance and just how liberating it is. When we have something we aren't sure we need to repent of or we know we need to and we sit and stew forever, it's like setting a weight on our chest. If anyone describes feeling the spirit as any sort of "Weight" feeling or using that word at all, I'd invite you to look into your life and admit things you need to repent of. Satan will try to deceive us anyway he can and tell us that weight is the spirit, or that if we repent we will lose everything, he plants fear in us and tries to get us to justify our actions or not face them. This leads us to be lack luster in our conviction of the gospel, our words carry no power through testimony, and we do not have the guiding peace of the spirit. I know this because I've experienced it. It is said, "36 ​That the ​​​rights​ of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be ​​​controlled​ nor handled only upon the ​​​principles​ of righteousness.

​​​​​37 ​That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to ​​​cover​ our ​​​sins​, or to gratify our ​​​pride​, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or ​​​dominion​ or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens ​​​withdraw​ themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man."  

The good news of the gospel is that we do not need to cover our sins. Throwing a sheet over them and refusing to pick up the sheet due to guilt is nothing. Guilt is to our spirits as pain is to our bodies. For pain we take medicine, ointment, rest, etc. so what are the corresponding outlets of relief from guilt? Sure there are things that can wrap around the wound we see the world turn to a lot. We see any opportunity to avoid responsibility, shrug off blame, and not think about consequences. But this is simply wrapping it up, there's no healing properties there, when you unwrap it you'll still deal with that wound, that guilt. This will not go away! 

The healing ointment, the medicine, the balm of Gilead, is found in the great physician. Our Savior Jesus Christ. He came to heal that and make it anew. Nobody remembers a cold they had 3 years ago, same it is when we repent, you won't remember it. You won't remember the scrape you had, the savior won't remember that which has been healed. I have fought this so much and given into the temptations of fear and doubt so many times. The doctors office sometimes is scary, sometimes we need a little shot, sometimes the cleanliness of the rooms and tools are scary, unnatural it seems when the outside world seems so filthy. But we all know without modern medicine, many would fall to things otherwise fatal. Without our savior, we would fall to the smallest sin we can make, that scrape would start small but get infected and spread and without proper care, consume us. So my invitation is stop covering it up, it isn't getting any better. Stop doubting, fearing, check in to the doctors and get the help you need. Sometimes our wounds can be healed by one doctor, the Great Physician himself, and sometimes we need a larger surgery, surgeries often have the surgeon and his helpers, these helpers are bishop, stake Presidents, the judges in Israel. They're there to help you. Please go to them, be healed, don't cover the wounds any longer. 

Be free, I can testify just how liberating it is, life is a drag when we are covered in so many bandages and casts to cover our sin, let it be healed through the One who gave everything he had and continues to give that we may be healed. The church was restored for that, so we can be healed. Because if this wasn't the true church, what doctors office has the great physician in it? He's one Being, he came and established his hospital. For a time other practices opened and tried to practice his healing and can heal some wounds, but there's only one who can heal all wounds and that is our savior Jesus Christ. He has re established his church, his hospital, let him work and be healed. 

Of Him I testify, in His name, Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Hiatt

Ps, if you get challenged in the CatchThePowerChallenge, DO IT. If you wanna start one, DO IT. This is how to hasten the work. 

Also, here are some pics of awesome fish tacos I made. 

And me on a mini sidewalk in a mini park. 

Who Doesn't Want Hope?

Hey y'all! 

This week was pretty good! 

Dallas Daze

This week we were taken to a place called Babe's Chicken House, and it's super good. They have unlimited all you can eat sides of biscuits, corn, gravy, green beans, and ya. It's amazing. Then they don't even give you a menu, they just ask if you want chicken fried steak, chicken fingers, fried catfish, and I'm pretty sure that's it, I might be forgetting one. But they bring out this mass amount of each and it's TOP OF THE LINE. It's so good. And they have hilarious signs around the whole place. I'll attach pictures.

But ya this week we had some awesome talks in stake conference. We also had some good lessons with people but mostly I genuinely just want to focus on the Book of Mormon. This book is not being given enough study and thought. The little things are being too neglected. In stake conference our mission president talked and it was all about the Book of Mormon. All the talks tied it in and just, I mean the prophets whole talk last Conference was simply read the Book! Without knowing that is true, we are still in the dark. The heavens are shut as far as we know and prophets are a thing of the past. We are left wandering and nothing can direct except simple faded footsteps of men thousands of years ago and the words of the Son of God filtered through mans interpretations and mistakes. 

But the news is is God and Jesus Christ have appeared to the earth again, dispelled this dark veil of mystery, turmoil, confusion, and wonder. They have appeared and called a prophet anew. They have restored the path that we can walk to physically and spiritually receive the blessings and powers of heaven into our lives again. What is offered today is knowledge of before this life, why we are here and what we can do while we are here to abolish guilt, shame, sadness, unfairness, and gain peace, hope, and strength to carry on. We know where we are going and we can find solace in and through Jesus Christ. There is more to this life than just school, college, getting a job, and dying. There are things that extend far beyond this life. And the means to access them today have been restored. The evidence of this and the concrete of it all, is the prophesied Stick of Joseph, the Book of Mormon. It's not just a book with stories. It's the instruction manual of how to access the saviors sacrifice in our lives, those words in the Bible? How do we access any of those teachings in our modern day? The Book of Mormon is the instruction manual, and is the compass on where to find the parts to put it all together. It's found within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We have the authority of God to bring about this peace and hope to all who seek it. Who doesn't want peace hope and strength to live each day!?! Does that sound to anyone? 

I want to give my testimony that as I have read the Book of Mormon, there was a change that took place in me. It was nothing about the Book, but what the Book pointed to, or rather who it pointed me to. If you feel despair? Read the Book of Mormon. If you struggle with self esteem? Read the Book of Mormon. If you struggle with depression? Read the Book of Mormon. If you don't know why your here? Read the Book of Mormon. If you wonder if there is a God? Read the Book of Mormon. If you have marriage problems? Read the Book of Mormon. 

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

He did this.....for you. For you to not suffer those hardships without help. He did this so you could find hope, to find peace, to find happiness now and forever. But how? Read how. Where do I complete the how? Wherever his church is found. How do we know which one is the one? If the book is true, this church is true. 

In the words of our beloved Prophet, "if you do not have a testimony of the Book of Mormon, do that which is necessary to obtain one." Please. Please. Just try it. I can only tell you what it's like being in the pool. You can only watch me and see how being in the pool is fun and exciting for me, but you will never ever ever feel the water and everything it has to offer, until you jump in. 

Read the Book, pray and ask if it's true, and keep on doing so until you receive a yes or a no. And I promise you and add my witness, it is a resounding yes. Do this even if you have already, because we cannot forget. Do it often, remember the truth you have come to know. 

The Heavens are open, and it's you that must step into the rays exploding forth and see them work miracles in you. Discover just how real Jesus Christ really is and what it means for you knowing that he really did what he did. 

It's changed, its saved my life, and given me hope. Who doesn't want hope?

Of this I testify, amen.

Elder Hiatt

Control

Hey y'all!

This week was great! We had a crazy Dallas Daze but I didn't
experience it. About an hour east of me, a tornado that was suppose to
hit my town touched down and DESTROYED a city called Canton. It was
nuts. Sadly 5 people died. 2 others touched down as well and I just
can't believe that was predicted to happen here. Texas has some crazy
tornadoes.

This week was pretty awesome. We had a thing called "Church with
Friends" and it was a special Sacrament orientated to having non
members there. One you'd want to for sure bring a friend to. One ward
when pretty awesome but the second ward was fantastic. I only caught
the last talk because my companion and I went on splits because third
hour in the first ward overlaps with the other one we cover's
Sacrament meeting and third hour I did a Q&A with the youth which went
alright. The leaders said it was awesome so I'll go with that. But it
went well all around.

We had some awesome things happen this week. Two people randomly
texted us out of the blue asking if we were the guys that talked to
them about god the other day? They wanted to meet with us again and
one of them that happened earlier on in the week is 18 and about to
graduate. She had read up to page 41 of the Book of Mormon and we have
met with her twice since and she's doing awesome. The second one we
are meeting with tomorrow and are excited for it. The parents of kids
here are pretty hard hearted but their kids really are desirous to
know the truth. It's pretty awesome.

I also got to jam out on the drums with an investigator and we have a
return appointment to come tell him about the Book of Mormon so we are
excited for that as well.

I'm doing good though. We helped this guy in the ward with his yard
and it was awesome. Shoveled a ton of soil and it was good, but Texas
weather has been up and down. It was freezing that day, then got super
hot till yesterday it was like 50 degrees. So weird. I also tried
ghost pepper spice this week. It is nuts spicy but I liked it. I
dipped my finger in it to try it and put it on my tongue and for about
10 seconds you don't feel anything so you swallow and it gradually
goes crazy spicy. It was tasty. But I can see why people have a
struggle with it. Not for the weak of heart at all.

This week was awesome and I want to share a thought become apparent to
me. When we are doing our best, we are doing what's right, and trying?
Smile, because you are doing awesome. In the manual of adjusting to
missionary life it talks about worry about the things you can control,
and let go of things you can't. And it has taken a while but I get it
now. Life is much happier when we concern ourselves less with things
we can't control and just do our part and do our best and when we fall
short, repent and continue on. It's how learning happens, who growth
happens, and how you can have joy in any situation. It's truly a
blessing and the Lord does things around you to teach you what he can
and help you grow. Just let him by doing your part. I have never been
happier than I am now and I hope everyone who reads this can choose
one thing they can do better tomorrow they can control, and just try
it. What it really comes to is attitude. You can always control your
attitude and when you change your attitude, you change your
perspective. Change your thoughts and actions follow. If you find
yourself stressed and depressed or missing something in life, it's a
lack of God in your life. Do your part, let go of things you can't
control, and follow him, and I can promise joy. Because I have been
miserable and grasping for air for too long and I can now promise such
joy because it's why I'm so happy even in the storms of life.

I love y'all and hope everyone has a good week!
Elder Hiatt

Ps we also found an iPad in the lake so that was funny!