Elder Selin October 2009

Well, brother and sister Fallas invited us over the other day, and they decided that they are done investigating the church. I think he has been looking for a reason ever since he ran into some opposition, but who knows, there might still be plenty of chances for him to accept it. They don't blame anything on us though, seeing as how elder Woolley and I have been being obedient and very professional with them, but they just don't agree with some of our beliefs based on some of their fundamentally accepted beliefs that they have grown up with. I think it’s a sad thing,
because I know I won't be visiting them as much. I got to really care for them and I shared my testimony with them so many times that they have pretty much heard everything that I know to be true. We have a loving Heavenly Father, and he loves us, each of us, individually. He wants the best for us, and so he gives us commandments, so that by following them, we can accomplish what we decided we wanted to accomplish in the premortal life. We wanted to follow the plan of happiness, because we knew that by doing so we would become more like our father in heaven and we would truly be happy. Unfortunately, sometimes people make mistakes, but because of that, He provided a way for us each to become clean and finish strong in this life. He sent his only begotten son, our oldest spirit brother, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins. Our mistakes are taken care of if we only repent and let the Holy Ghost guide us and purify us. Baptism is an ordinance that we MUST have to return to him again, and by simply following this plan, we can have eternal happiness, just like we wanted to have. I love my mission, I know everyone says that, but I think everyone doesn’t understand what it means. I hate being shot down by investigators and being told to not come back, and I hate having to tell our investigators that they aren’t progressing and we can't come back and visit them except to see if they are progressing. I don't like waking up at 6:30 every morning and studying for 3 hours straight. I very much dislike knocking on people’s doors and bringing them the Gospel of Jesus Christ on a Golden platter only to see them reject it. I hate the stress that comes with a mission and dealing with a companion for 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
But I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love my spiritual brothers and sisters, even if I hate that they won't listen. I love being able to get into that one door and teach that one person and see the expression on their face as the spirit touches their heart, even if they never talk to us again. I love having the spirit guide me and direct me as I search to do the will of our Heavenly father, and I love knowing that one day, maybe one of the people I have talked to and taught and baptized will one day enter the temple, and receive the ordinances necessary for not only salvation, but for exaltation, and not only their salvation and exaltation, but the salvation and exaltation of their ancestors and those who have passed on. The church is true. Joseph Smith saw "God the father and Jesus Christ. We are the only church in the world with the power and authority of God, to guide and direct us through a living prophet. That’s my testimony, and I know it’s true.
Elder Selin