Hard Goodbye's in Hope - Hello Again Little Rock!

Hello World! I rejoice with you in the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I thank you for what you do, but mostly for who you are! 

I'm so sorry that I haven't sent out a weekly in a few weeks. I don't have a whole lot of time this week, so let's hop right in. 

It appears that I am getting transfered to North Little Rock to become and Office Elder. What this means in a nutshell is that I am going to be driving long hours in the truck pulling a trailer. I will also be helping transfer people in the transfer van. It will be a bit of an interesting time. Please be sure to pray that I will be safe on the road. Odds are I will be an office Elder for anywhere between 4 1/2 to 7 1/2 months. We will just have to see what happens. 

Anyway things have been interesting this last week. I was totally not expecting to be called as an office elder. Elder Rockwood was also not expecting to be transfered to Blytheville. Elder Anderson will be staying here in Hope and will be getting Elder Dahl as his companion. I'm really excited for the Hope Branch because Elder Dahl is awesome. 

Anyway my last Sunday in the Hope branch was incredible. I was able to bear my testimony to those wonderful saints one last time as a missionary. I also was able to see the New Elders Quorum President lead the Quorum for the first time. I have helped him a lot throuout the last 9 months and it made me so happy to see how he has grown I also had potluck with the saints, and that was wondeful. The last thing we did was take pictures as a branch. I have pictures with the adults and a few with the little kids. It was awesome. Many, many tears were shed all around. It felt like I was leaving my family all over again. I truly feel that I have been adopted by these wonderful Saints. 

As a parting gift they had all signed cards, and gave me a signed hat and a Arkansas Razorback shirt. I consider that last Sunday a sacred experience. I will cherish those memories forever. 

We also had a musical tribute in Jacksonville and it was amazing! The Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon all the people who were there. I felt so privileged to share the first vision with everyone. 

I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to the boy Joseph Smith and that this is the true church upon the earth today. I will never doubt it. I will never question it. I know that God lives and loves us. 

Please keep reading the Book of Mormon. It is the foundation of my conversion. I know that anyone can read that book and come closer to Jesus Christ. 

sincerely, 

Elder Skyler G. Larsen

The Sweet Saints of HOPE

Jodi and Dewan with Elder's Larsen and Anderson

The Beautiful Primary of Hope

The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music

Hello World!!! I rejoice with you in the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I thank you for what you do, but mostly for who you are! 

This week is going to be short, because I am out of time. I'm sorry for not writing to y'all last week. These last few weeks I've been running, running, running nonstop. 

So to recap the highlights of the week for y'all let's hop right in. 

This week I went on exchanges with the Pine Bluff Zone Leaders. That was really awesome! We taught 3 lessons and the people they are teaching are Golden. It was a great exchange 

We have been building a good relationship with the local Presbyterian Reverend in town. We made mention that we were in need of an organ to practice music on and long story short we were given a key to the front door of the church! How cool is that!?!

This week we also went to Jonesboro for the first Easter missionary musical tribute. It was awesome! I'm so grateful for the chance that I had to sing my testimony to all the people who were there. I am also elated that I was able to tell everyone the first vision account. 

Joseph Smith's own words are...

"I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"

I know that God the Father, and Jesus Christ Appeared to the boy Joseph Smith and that they answered his question on what church to join. I know that this is the true church. The Book of Mormon is the proof. If we read it and really desire to know it is true then God will tell us by the power of the Holy Ghost. 

I love you all and God does too. Both of us would like to hear from you. Write me an email and say a prayer and both God and I will answer you. I know that this is true. 

Have a blessed week Y'all!

Sincerely, 

Elder Skyler G. Larsen

Faith is Not to Have a Perfect Knowledge

Hello World!!! I want to thank you for what you do, but mostly for who you are! Thank you ever so much for the faith & prayers that have been offered in my behalf. Trust me I have definitely felt a boost this week. 

The highlights for this week include, Zone Conference, faith building experiences, and feeling God's love. 

So I have had some questions as to what my day to day is like here as a missionary. Everyday I wake up, study, have lunch, and then head out into the world to preach the Gospel. Near the end of the day we have dinner and use Facebook to teach other people. Facebook has become a great tool to try to teach others. 

If y'all have anyone that you would like to be taught the Gospel, I can get them started with Facebook and Skype. 

I am really loving my companions. They are great individuals. Elder Rockwood is my trainee and he is great. He works hard and really tries to do what the Lord wants. Elder Anderson is likewise a good friend of mine. He has helped me a lot these last 5 months. The Good Lord definitely knows who I have needed to be my companion. 

Zone conference was this last Thursday and the whole time we were taught about faith and what it really is. It was very insightful. 

Hebrews 11:1 Tells us that "faith is the substance of things Hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Let's compare Faith to Air. We can't see air, but we can feel it. Likewise we can't see God at the present time, but we can see his influence in our lives. 

On Sunday I was feeling pretty down, and the talks during the Sacrament were just for me. The speaker talked about the Love that God has for us. He taught about how vast and all encompassing the Love of God is. John 3:16 tells us "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Heavenly Father knew exactly what His Son would have to go through in order to bring us home. It was a terrible price that needed to be paid. The Father willingly gave His Son, and His Son willingly came. When I remembered the great amount of Love that the Father and the Son have for me I felt better. I remembered that even through life is hard we have some amazing support from Heavenly Places. 

My dear friends I know that this Gospel is true. I have seen so many evidences in my life that God is real. He knows us personally. I know that Jesus is my Savior. I know that the Holy Bible & the Book of Mormon work together to lift, encourage, inspire, and bless us. 

My Book of Mormon verse for the week is Mormon 7:9

"For behold, this (The Book of Mormon) is written for the intent that ye may believe that (The Bible); and if ye believe that(Bible) ye will believe this(Book of Mormon) also; and if ye believe this(Book of Mormon) ye will know concerning your fathers, and also the marvelous works which were wrought by the power of God among them

I would also like to extend an invitation to all the married couples who shall read my words. I would invite you to take a fresh copy of the Book of Mormon, and prayerfully mark it according to the whispering of the Holy Ghost for your spouse. I can promise you that as you do this you will be able to hear the voice of the Holy Ghost as he rests more abundantly in your home. You will also grow closer to your spouse, contention will depart, and you will find yourself happier then you were before despite challenges that may arise. I can also promise you that as you grow closer to your spouse, you will also grow closer to God. 

I love you all! Please let me know if there is anything that y'all could use some missionary prayers for. God bless y'all and have a great week. 

Sincerely, 

Elder Larsen